Hello, lovelies! I hope you’ve been enjoying the beauty of fall!
I must ask for your understanding regarding my recent absence. I found myself hesitating, unsure of how to put my thoughts into words. Life has a way of throwing unexpected twists and turns our way, and after much reflection, I decided to share my story in the hope that it may resonate with someone navigating a similar journey.
This blog has always been a place of joy for me—a space where I could chat with you about home improvement projects and design ideas, a space where creativity and connection flourished. Over the past decade, what started as a fun hobby has grown into something far greater, offering not only a creative outlet but also a small source of income doing what I love. As the years have passed, our family has experienced its own twists and turns—our children have grown from elementary school students to college-bound young adults, and alongside them, our home has transformed, evolving just as we have.
I know many of you who visit this little corner of the internet regularly care about me and my family, so it feels like the right time to share what’s been happening in our world. In an unforeseen turn of events, just as Peter and Hannah settled back into college and on the very day Sean began his senior year of high school, I received a diagnosis that changed everything: stage IV non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized to my brain and bones.
I know—it’s shocking. Lung cancer wasn’t even a blip on my radar. At 48, I have lived my life as a non-smoker, with no family history of lung cancer. I have always been mindful of my health—eating well, exercising (though, let’s be honest, sporadically! 😉), keeping up with annual mammograms, routine dermatological checks, and bi-annual dental appointments. Just a year ago, I could singlehandedly maneuver a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood from the pile into my cart and then into my car without a second thought (have you ever tried it? Heave-ho!). I could carry stacks of lumber, move hefty stones, and handle power tools with confidence. While I never identified as a runner or a gym enthusiast, if you were to ask Mark to describe me physically, he would undoubtedly say I was STRONG and HARDY.
But life has a way of shifting our paths when we least expect it. The road ahead is uncertain, filled with twists and turns I never could have anticipated. Yet, as I navigate this unexpected journey, I remain hopeful, leaning on the love and support of those around me. Life may be unpredictable, but it is also full of resilience, and I am holding onto that truth as I move forward.
I had barely any symptoms aside from a mild, persistent cough—just a small nuisance—until the unexpected twist of shortness of breath made its way into my life this summer. What started as an afterthought quickly unraveled into something far more serious. A routine CT scan revealed a mass, which led to two surgical biopsy procedures and, ultimately, an unthinkable diagnosis: an inoperable, incurable cancer.
The past couple of months have been a whirlwind, a rollercoaster of unexpected turns—countless CT and PET scans, MRIs, blood tests, and seemingly endless hours navigating traffic to and from the hospital. The ups and downs have been relentless, sleepless nights filled with uncertainty, moments of pain and anxiety, yet also kindness, humor, and love. Along the way, we’ve been given an education we never wanted, learning medical terminology we never imagined needing to know. But amid all the chaos, we’ve also found something invaluable—hope.
THE GOOD NEWS | ALK+
Just one day after my diagnosis, genetic testing was performed, revealing that my cancer is ALK+—a rare genetic mutation of a gene that everyone is born with. This mutation is the reason the cancer developed, but strangely enough, this twist in my story comes with a silver lining. Thanks to remarkable advancements in research, there are drugs specifically designed to target my type of cancer. While a cure isn’t possible, these targeted therapies can fight back, slowing the progression of the disease and, hopefully, giving me many more years to live and love.
These treatments fall under the umbrella of chemotherapy, but unlike traditional chemo that indiscriminately attacks all cells, these medications are more precise, designed to target only the cancer cells. Administered in pill form—often referred to as oral chemo—I can take them from the comfort of home, with just weekly visits to the hospital for monitoring. Unlike the grueling side effects of conventional chemotherapy or radiation, these pills, while not without their challenges, have been far more tolerable. Thankfully, most of the initial side effects have subsided.
A Positive Turn
Now, after eight weeks on these targeted therapy drugs, the latest scans of both my brain and body have shown something remarkable—the cancer is receding! A step in the right direction, a turn towards hope.
I was diagnosed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a leading research institution that remains at the forefront of groundbreaking treatments for many cancers, including mine. What I initially saw as another unexpected turn in my life has revealed itself to be a stroke of fortune. Living in the Boston area means I have access to some of the finest medical care in the world, with a dedicated team of specialists guiding me through every twist and turn of this journey. Their knowledge, compassion, and cutting-edge approach have been a source of reassurance in an otherwise uncertain path.
Through all of this, the outpouring of support from our community, friends, and even strangers has been nothing short of incredible. Mark, the kids, and I have been lifted by kindness in ways we never could have imagined. Our home has been filled with love—meals arriving at our doorstep, friends reaching out after years apart, prayers being whispered on our behalf from places as far as Australia, Medjugorje, Lourdes, and Ireland, all the way back to Boston. In a time of darkness, the overwhelming light of love and generosity has been our guiding star, helping us navigate these unforeseen roads.
Looking Ahead
We remain hopeful that my targeted therapy drugs will continue to work for a long time. When the inevitable day comes that the cancer builds resistance, we’ll pivot and embrace the next treatment. Until then, today is a beautiful day—and I intend to enjoy it. I hope you do too.
And just so you know—this blog isn’t about to turn into a health journal! Life’s twists and turns have led me down an unexpected road, but I’m still me. That means getting back to the things I love—like my trusty compound miter saw and the pile of moulding waiting for me in the garage.
Thank you for being here, for sharing in this journey, and for embracing all the unpredictable turns life takes. This community means the world to me, and I am endlessly grateful for you.
With love,
