Enhertu Cycle #7 Update - 6/2/25

It’s been about a month since my last post, so thought I would share what’s been going on in my world.  I just finished Enhertu Cycle #7, about to start #8 tomorrow, and time is fyling by.  I’m grateful for the many opportunities I’ve been given these last few weeks.  From time to focus on my health, visiting with family down in NM, activities with friends and sharing my story to help others.  Let’s just say that it’s been hard for me to settle with settling down. And by this I mean trying to make the most of the time I have been given every day, mixed in with just relaxing inside, cuddling Obie and binge watching shows, because we all need that!  My passion for wellness and spreading the word about breast cancer lately has been bringing me joy. 

To start off, I wanted to share how my appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Lassi went a few weeks ago.  At this appointment I wanted to check on the small lump in my breast and the skin thickening that popped up on my last scans, the ones where I thought it might just be inflammation.  The meeting with her actually went a lot better than expected! She didn’t seem concerned at all about those spots. PET Scans can highlight areas of inflammation or any spots in your body that may be inflamed, which is not fun when you’re trying to determine if cancer has spread.  I guess though we can say that spots showing inflammation is good for me because it’s not cancer! ha It’s nice to feel that normalcy vs. cancer, since I assume most people have some sort of inflammation somewhere in their body.

Dr. Lassi also mentioned some amazing news that I wasn’t expecting and she said based on my scans, she would say I am “No Evidence of Active Disease” right now!! I guess cancer is an SUV of 9+ and mine were in the 2-3 range, so she wasn’t concerned about what is remaining.  She also said that I have gotten a complete response from treatment and that only about 5% (based on previous trials), get complete responses!  This is from the first treatment I was on plus this treatment.  I had also asked if the prognosis is still what it is and she said if she were to go by the book (the trials) it is 5 years, but non book answer, 12+ years!! I mean…can I receive better news?!  Apparently there is someone who is 12+ years out doing well with same cancer as me and she had it worse.  This all brings me so much hope! I also know how much a realist my oncologist is, so if she is saying all this, then I must believe it.  I left my appointment on such a high, as this has been the best news I have received since my diagnosis.  When you are hit with the most devasting news such as cancer, a 5 year prognosis, progression, etc., there are no words for news like this.  I feel the relaxation wash over me in my body and it’s like I can finally breathe again.  This is news I won’t take for granted, because we never know what can happen, but I have newfound hope and an uplifted spirit.  I am taking my life back one day at a time, and continuing to build the life of my dreams, this news is just icing on the cake.  And now I can tell people that I am NEAD!

Prior to this appointment, I went down to NM to visit with family and friends for Mother’s Day weekend.  It was so nice visiting family. I got to see my aunts, uncles, cousins and a couple good friends of mine I haven’t seen in over a year.  I can’t believe it had been a year and a half since I had been back home, but with my diagnosis last August, I just didn’t make my way down that area for a while.  You bet I ate all the New Mexican food when I was back home!  Other fun things I have been doing this last month is playing pickleball with friends, going to the Post Malone and Jelly Roll concert, trying new restaurants and enjoying the nice weather with Obie.  This month I am traveling to Lake Tahoe to go rock climbing and mountain biking with other cancer survivors and thrivers.  This trip is fully paid for by the Send It Foundation.  Send It Foundation hosts and pays for trips for those with cancer each year at different places. I was put on their waitlist but a spot opened up and decided to do it! I will be there 5 days and staying in a cabin with about 10 people.  I am so excited for this opportunity, but also nervous at the same time.  This is a little out of comfort zone, but that is exactly the point.  We don’t grow or truly live if we are always in our comfort zone, and you can bet I am going to do the things that scare me!

Lately I’ve also been putting the gas pedal on wellness, focused on working out and nutrition.  I’ve gained about 14 pounds since January and 9 of those pounds are muscle.  Last year when I was first diagnosed, I lost 15 pounds, lost my appetite, my strength, and it’s has been hard building that back.  But I am proud of the progress I’ve made since then, and will continue to make to get stronger each day.  I feel stronger at the gym and so grateful I can continue to lift weights and move my body.  I know not everyone has that opportunity and working out is a privilege.  I also put more focus on nutrition.  I listened to the book, “Chris Beat Cancer” who is a Colon Cancer survivor who opted out of Chemo and instead focused on diet and lifestyle changes.  While our stories are not similar as I am doing conventional treatment, I wanted to see what diet and lifestyle changes he made to beat cancer.  I’m taking what I learned on the nutrition side as well as things I’ve learned from some other books and applying it to my life.  Supposedly a high alkaline diet full of veggies and fruits is the way to go.  There are specific foods that are also cancer fighting that I am incorporating into my daily fresh juices, smoothies and salads.  At home I try to eat as clean as possible, so that I can go out and enjoy a meal somewhere and have balance in my life.  Eating healthy is also helping manage some fatigue side effects, so I’m grateful for that.  I believe nutrition can heal, and alongside the miracle conventional drugs, I believe I can live a long life. 

I mentioned last time that I was also going on a date. Haha well after two dates with this person it just didn’t work out.  However, I got my feet wet, so to speak, and still on the dating apps until I find a gem worth my time and energy.  For now, just enjoying the freedom and peace I have.  I am my priority, I don’t have to worry about anyone else (well except Obie), and I am finding acceptance in that. 

For those that follow me on social media, you likely have seen me post about the “One in Eight” documentary premiere that I am in with 9 other incredible women.  The premiere is set for August 10th at the Stages Theater in Hopkins, MN.  It is a fancy red carpet premiere with food, cash bar and we get to dress up like we are a celebrity! So excited for this to come out, and for people to see the stories of what it’s like with breast cancer.  I would love to invite everyone that can make it to the premiere.  Below is the link to purchase tickets!  All proceeds from this event go to funding life saving breast cancer research! https://vranicure.org/pages/documentary

I also went on CCX media to talk about the documentary upcoming.  Grateful for this opportunity!  You can watch that video here: https://ccxmedia.org/news/newsmakers-stacy-caldwell-elevates-stage-4-breast-cancer-awareness-through-one-in-eight-documentary/

In addition to the documentary, a few of us with stage 4 breast cancer got connected to a WSJ reporter and we each had a little phone call to share out stories.  Apparently WSJ is running an article on breast cancer and how women are living longer with the disease.  Not sure if I will be featured at all in the article, but it was cool to even have the opportunity to speak to someone who works there!  It also seems like when it rains, in pours, but in a good way lately.  I was connected through social media to someone at Kendra Scott (jewelry company), and there is a new store in Edina, MN opening in July that will have a grand opening where 20% of proceeds benefit local charities.  I was chosen to represent a local charity and I chose VraniCURE, led by my friend, Jacque, which raises funds for stage 4 breast cancer research.  I will be partnering with Kendra Scott to spread awareness of this event, so more to come! 

Lot’s of fun things happening and fun is what it should be.  Will I just sit back and let cancer happen to me? No I will not.  I am taking charge to better my health, pursue my passions and live a life I want to live.  For everyone who I’ve been connected to, who has supported me, who has been following my journey, I say thank you for being by my side in this thing called life.  All the support matters to me and connection to others keeps me going. 

Love, Stacy