Incredible Results, New Beginnings & A Firm Foundation of Faith

A Week of Memories, Good News, and a New Treatment Plan

We met with Dr. Hake right before we left for vacation to discuss the best course of action moving forward with my medication. Since my body—specifically my heart and blood counts—was not tolerating Kisqali well, we decided it was time to switch to a different medication. The new drug, Verzenio, also directly targets the CDK4 and CDK6 proteins that help cancer cells grow and spread.

Because one of the most common side effects of Verzenio is diarrhea, we decided it would be best to wait until we returned from our family vacation before starting it. That gave us a chance to enjoy our time together without worrying about introducing another medication and dealing with potential side effects while we were away.

A Week Filled With Memories in Tennessee

Our family vacation to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, was exactly what we needed—a week filled with laughter, love, adventure, and plenty of time together.

We started our vacation with a stop at Belterra Park horse track in Cincinnati, Ohio. The kids had a blast betting on the horses, and a few of us even managed to come out ahead!

One of the highlights of the trip was Dollywood. It was so much fun! I rented an ECV, which made getting around the park much easier and allowed me to enjoy the day with everyone. We were able to ride most of the rides and experience so much of the park. I would absolutely recommend Dollywood to anyone visiting the area.

One morning, we went hiking with Andy’s parents. We chose an easy, mostly flat trail to Cataract Falls that was about a half-mile out and then back. I honestly wasn't sure how my body was going to handle the hike, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good I felt. Even Andy's dad made it with a walker. Being outside, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, was good for my soul.

Then came the adventure I had been waiting for—whitewater rafting! 

Whitewater rafting has been on my bucket list, and it ended up being my absolute favorite thing we did on vacation. Our guide, Montana, was so fun and full of energy. Clara and I rode in the front of the raft for most of the trip, which meant we got absolutely soaked! We had water fights with the other raft carrying some of our family members. There were several times when the water completely crashed over us in the front.

It was SO much fun! We wrapped up the week with the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud show and a trip into Gatlinburg to do some shopping and listen to some bluegrass music.

The house we rented was perfect for our group. It had an indoor pool, a huge kitchen, plenty of space for everyone, and absolutely stunning views of the Smoky Mountains.

We did have a couple of unexpected visitors during our stay. A black bear decided to get into Andy’s sister’s car and drink all of her Pepsi! Then, for the last two nights, a mama raccoon came out and climbed around on the deck, which definitely put a damper on our plans to sit outside and relax.

But honestly, those little adventures just added to the memories.

Most importantly, we were able to celebrate Andy’s dad’s 80th birthday together as a family. It was a week we will never forget, and I am so thankful we were able to make these memories together.

Back Home and a Week Full of Appointments

When we returned to Wisconsin, I had a full week of appointments waiting for me.

On Monday, August 11th, I had blood work and my PET scan. On Tuesday, we met with an oncologist at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin. They reviewed my original treatment plan from 2014 and agreed with everything that had been done. We then talked through everything that has happened over the past few months, including my blood work and EKG results, and they came to the same conclusion we had already reached.

They agreed that switching to Verzenio was the right next step.

We love Dr. Hake so much, and having another team review everything and come to the same conclusion gives us even more reassurance that we have the best plan in place for me—which I already knew Dr. Hake had. 😊

My New Treatment Plan

With Verzenio, I will take the medication twice a day, every day, without breaks. Verzenio can cause gastrointestinal issues—especially diarrhea—as well as fatigue and low white blood cell counts. The good news is that it typically does not require the same type of heart rhythm monitoring that Kisqali did.

It is still considered a first-line treatment, and Dr. Hake reassured me that Verzenio will fight the cancer in a very similar way to Kisqali. We will just have some different side effects to manage.

So, to summarize, my new treatment plan includes Verzenio, letrozole, Lupron, and Zometa. Together, these medications take a multi-pronged approach to treating my hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer while also protecting my bones.

1. The Hormone Defense — Lupron + Letrozole

Because my cancer is fueled by estrogen, these two medications work together to reduce the amount of estrogen available to the cancer cells. Lupron is given by injection and suppresses my ovaries' ability to produce estrogen. Letrozole is a daily pill that blocks the body from making estrogen from other hormones in tissues throughout the body.

2. The Cellular Guard — Verzenio

Verzenio, also known as abemaciclib, is a targeted CDK4/6 inhibitor taken twice daily. It blocks the CDK4 and CDK6 proteins that cancer cells use to divide and multiply. In simple terms, while the hormone medications work to take away the fuel the cancer needs, Verzenio works to put another roadblock in the way of the cancer cells growing and multiplying.

3. The Structural Shield — Zometa

Zometa, or zoledronic acid, is given through an IV infusion. It helps strengthen my bones and protect against bone loss, which is especially important because Lupron and letrozole significantly reduce estrogen levels. Zometa also has another potential benefit—it can help create an environment in the bones that is less favorable for breast cancer cells.

And Then Came the News We Had Been Praying For

On Wednesday, August 13th, we had a video call with Dr. Hake.

He was so excited to talk with us and share the results of my PET scan. He had actually told one of the nurses earlier, “Every once in a while you get incredible results.”

She asked him what he was talking about, and he said, “Did you see Sheila’s scan?”

And then he showed us.

The report said there was “significantly decreased prominence of multifocal regions of hypermetabolic activity throughout the osseous structures.”

In other words—the cancer activity in my bones has significantly decreased.

As Dr. Hake showed us the difference between my previous scans and this most recent scan, it was incredible to see. Most of the spots throughout my spine are gone. The spots in my cervical spine, which is the area in the back of my neck, are now faint, along with just a few other faint areas.

Dr. Hake said, “Congratulations. We had a great response.”

Those words meant so much.

After everything we have been through over the last several months, seeing that the treatment is working is an answer to prayer. It was such an incredible moment for all of us.

Dr. Hake also reassured me that switching from Kisqali to Verzenio does not mean we are starting over. Verzenio will continue fighting the cancer in a similar way. We just have some different side effects to watch and manage.

Moving Forward With Faith

As I reflect on everything we have walked through, I am reminded once again that God has been with us every step of the way. There have been days filled with fear, uncertainty, tears, and more questions than answers. There have also been moments of incredible joy, laughter, answered prayers, and now—incredible scan results. Through every high and low, God has remained faithful.

I know this journey is not over. We are starting another new chapter with Verzenio, and there are still unknowns ahead. I will continue to have weekly blood work and heart scans for the first four weeks, and we will be watching closely to see how my body responds. I have made the difficult decision not to return to work this fall because I know I need to give my body the time and energy it needs to adjust. So once again, we are taking this one day, one appointment, one medication, and one prayer at a time.

But today, we are choosing to celebrate.

We are celebrating a PET scan that showed an incredible response. We are celebrating the spots throughout my spine that are now gone or barely visible. We are celebrating the wisdom and care of Dr. Hake and my entire medical team. We are celebrating the gift of time with our family and the memories we made in Tennessee. And most of all, we are celebrating a God who has carried us through every single step of this journey.

Our prayers haven't always been easy prayers. Some have been whispered through tears. Some have been prayed in fear. Some have simply been, “God, please help us get through today.” But today, those prayers sound a little different.

Today, our prayer is one of praise.

This journey has been hard-fought, and our praise has been hard-fought, too. But through it all, God has given us reason to lift our hands, give thanks, and sing.

So as we step into this next chapter, we will continue to trust Him, continue to pray, and continue to believe that He is good, He is faithful, and He is in control.

And today, with grateful hearts, we have a little more reason to sing.

Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll - Hard Found Hallelujah

This one is for every hard day, every prayer, every tear, every answered prayer—and every reason we have to praise Him. ❤️