One thing I've learned about cancer treatment is that progress isn't always a straight line. There are good days, difficult days, and plenty of unexpected detours. Over the past several weeks, we've experienced all of the above as my medical team and I have worked to find the right balance with my treatment.
When I first started taking Kisqali at the beginning of June, my oncology team monitored me very closely. It felt like I was having blood drawn almost every week, along with multiple electrocardiograms (EKGs) to check my heart rhythm.
Less than a week after starting treatment, my white blood cell count dropped with my Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) at 1300. These lab results mean I have mild neutropenia, which is a lower-than-normal amount of infection-fighting white blood cells in your body. However, it was still above the 1000 threshold that they use. My EKG showed a QTc interval of 484 ms. This meant my heart's ventricles were taking slightly longer than normal to recharge between beats. As a result, I had to stop taking Kisqali on June 8 to give my body a chance to recover.
On June 11, my ANC was at 1,086 (dropped but still above the 1000), and my EKG looked good enough for me to restart the medication. That weekend we were able to attend several graduation parties, which was wonderful. By Monday, though, I was completely exhausted.
Unfortunately, the roller coaster continued. On June 15, my ANC dropped to 860, placing me in the severe neutropenia range. Once again, treatment had to be put on hold. I was rechecked on June 17, but my counts still hadn't recovered. Another round of blood work on June 23 showed they were still too low, meaning I needed yet another week off.
At that point, my oncologist decided to lower my Kisqali dose to 400 mg in hopes that my body would tolerate it better. I was finally able to restart treatment on June 29 at the reduced dose and successfully completed my first 21-day cycle.
My biggest complaint with Kisqali has been the nausea. For a few hours after taking it, I often felt queasy. Some days I tried taking a nap immediately afterward, and eventually I started taking my anti-nausea medication about 30 minutes before my dose to see if that would help. Some days it did, and some days it didn't.
Even with treatment challenges, life didn't stop. During those three weeks, our family was able to enjoy our annual vacation with my parents and my brothers' families in Ripon, Wisconsin.
We also celebrated Gavin's graduation on July 12. Seeing so many friends and family come together to support him was incredibly special. It was definitely a hot day, but it couldn't have been more wonderful. I still can't believe my oldest kiddo will be heading off to UW–Platteville in just a few weeks!
I also made it up to Montello on Kilby Lake, Brillion to celebrate my beautiful niece at her bridal shower, squeezed in a trip to the zoo, and had a great weekend up on Castle Rock Lake. Traveling while on medication has been an interesting challenge. Remembering to pack my Kisqali in a cooler and take it at the same time every day takes some planning. Thankfully, my family has become pretty good at reminding me, along with the many alarms we've set on my phone.
As all the busy weekends wrapped up, Monday, July 20 brought another setback. My blood work showed that my white blood cell count had dropped to its lowest level yet.
Breaking Down the Math
For all my students, friends, and family who appreciate the numbers, here's what the lab results mean:
- WBC: 1.38 K/mcL – My total white blood cell count was virtually unchanged from my previous result of 1.35 K/mcL.
- Neutrophils: 52.1% – The percentage of neutrophils dropped even further from 63.7%.
- Current ANC: approximately 719 cells/µL – When you calculate the actual number (1,380 × 0.521), it shows my infection-fighting cells have continued their downward trend.
Once again, I needed to stop taking Kisqali. Thankfully, this happened during my scheduled recovery week, so I was already due to be off the medication. Even so, my ANC remains below 1,000 cells/µL, which means I'm still considered to have severe neutropenia. My immune system is significantly compromised, leaving me much more vulnerable to infections.
I'll be honest—this part has been frustrating.
I'm still not able to run. I still can't sleep comfortably on my left side. I'm still dealing with quite a bit of pain, especially in my hips and lower back. The discomfort has been even worse since receiving my Lupron injection on Monday, which helps shut down my hormone production.
I think we were all hoping I'd be feeling a little better by now. Instead, it's becoming clear that it's simply taking more time to figure out what my body can tolerate. Cancer treatment isn't one-size-fits-all, and sometimes finding the right medication and dosage requires patience.
On Monday, July 27, we'll meet with Dr. Hake to discuss our next steps. We may lower my Kisqali dose even further, or we may decide it's time to pivot to an entirely different medication. My first follow-up scans are scheduled for August 10, right after we return from our family vacation to Tennessee. I'm looking forward to finally getting a better picture of how everything is responding.
Despite everything, we're excited for our upcoming trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. At the same time, I can't help but feel a little sad that I don't quite feel like myself. We're hoping I'll still be able to do some hiking, even if we have to stick to easier trails. Andy has already promised he'll carry me on his back if necessary! I also ordered myself a mobility scooter for our day at Dollywood, and I'm hoping it will help me enjoy the park without completely wearing myself out.
Cancer has definitely taught me that plans change, progress isn't always linear, and sometimes the greatest victories aren't measured by miles hiked or medications tolerated. They're measured by making memories with the people you love, celebrating life's milestones, and continuing to move forward—one day, one appointment, and one step at a time.
Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for us, check in on us, and encourage us through this journey. Your love and support mean more than you'll ever know.
