Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Brenda's Story and mid-March 2011 Update

I had a seismic, life-crisis moment in early November of 2009. I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma of my lung and it had metastasized to my brain. My prognosis was grim but my inner strength and will to live and the loving support of my family and friends has helped me survive this horrific disease. I have had many treatments from my wonderful oncology team at MGH and St. Elizabeth's hospitals. I have endured 27 radiation treatments, 17 chemo-therapies and now I am on a molecular based, lung cancer targeted treatment pill - Tarceva. Living and thinking POSITIVELY!!!

Enough of the bad news-their is some GREAT NEWS too! My wonderful son, Jake, is in his senior year of high school and was feted for his community service by the Brookline Community Foundation for his work on the Brookline Teen Center project,  he was recently inducted into Brookline High School's National Honors Society, continues to earn all A's and has received college acceptances from Providence College, Ithaca College, UNH, UConn, College of Charleston and Roger Williams with more coming soon. I am so PROUD!!!

My next appointment is on Monday, March 28th. Please check back the day after for an update. But, PLEASE leave some comments for me below! Just click on comments.

 With much love!!!
Brenda

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Go Team Brenda! We are ALWAYS thinking of you. Sending love and hugs - the PA Gang

Unknown said...

This is Porter Aunti - you are the best and I hope to see you soon. I love you and I hope you get better!

Unknown said...

COOL BLOG! This is your awesome nephew speaking, Walker, I love you so much. YOU ARE THE BEST AUNT EVER. Can't wait until summer! Keep fighting. Feel better soon.

Ann said...

Hey Brenda, its Ann checking in to let you know how much I love you and how proud I am of you. Keep up the good fight. I hope we can get together soon for another dinner and laugh the nite away. Congrats to Jake on his college acceptance letters! Love you and miss you! Take Care.

Unknown said...

Hey. Great to talk to you last night. No worries on the painting. CMan doesnt expect you to overdo it. Rainy day in Philly today. Hope you are having a good day. Mondays are tough in the Fitz household...rest and know we love you!!! Fance

Lindsey Pearlstein said...

Hi Brenda, just wanted to say how proud I am of you. I know we only met last week, but I've already seen what an amazing woman and mother you are. Please let us know how the appointment this week goes. I'll be thinking of you. Xoxo Lindsey

Biffy0301 said...

Hi Brenda my Love it's Biffy your picture is great. Keep up the good work. Please let's have dinner soon. Anywhere you want to go okay honey.

Love Always

Biffy zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Unknown said...

Hey Bren- I'm so glad Don called and gave me the bolg info...now we can be in touch even if you aren't able to call and chat. Hang in there girlfriend...I know it's not easy but know that I'm sending all positive healing thoughts your way. You know that I firmly believe the power of prayer and positive thinking can not be underestimated. Please call me if you wake up any day and feel like you wnat a visit and I will come right over for tea, or lunch or take you out to dinner at the Capital Grille...you name it and I'm there. I miss seeing you! Love ya, Mary Ellen

Unknown said...

Thanks you so much for my birthday message. It means so much to hear your voice. Good luck with your appointment this week. Your philly fans love you and we never stop praying. Keep the faith breenie!

Anonymous said...

Ishrat says,
Hello, my beautiful friend and such a pleasure to see your picture. I miss you so much and long for the good old days, work pressure, kid problems, constant running around, yet in the middle of all this chaos,always, always a chance to stop and have a good laugh!I hear your voice sometimes and I send out a prayer each time. Remember I'm just a phone call away. Better yet, just holler out the window! Ishrat

Unknown said...

What a nice way to start the blog with the angels and of course, your beautiful picture. Ah the irises at the end are beautiful. Spring is slooow to come to Philly with such cold temperatures. I am sick of freezing at lacrosse games! Good positive news on the appointment. Try to rest as much as you can. Soon it will be summer and time sink your toes into the sand. The gang here is great. Looking forward to Easter break for sure. Today Brian and I ring in 21 years say it ain't so? Remember the green dresses and big hair luv it!! Lots of hugs and prayers your way- Fance

Unknown said...

Brenda
The Gray family is so very proud of your fight and positive outlook. You remain in our thoughts every day. Keep up that fight. Jake we know got more good news getting into UMASS Amherst. Well done. So fortunate he has such great schools to pick from. Now he just has to pick the one that is the best for him!

Be well. Stay strong.
Roger Gray

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda,
I am so glad that I finally was able to read your blog. I enjoy hearing updates from your Mom. Your strength and courage are such an inspiration to me and my girls. We are so happy for Jake but not surprised. He has always been an awesome kid! You and Don have done such a great job.
Sending you my love and prayers!

Courntey

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda, Always thinking of you, my very
special dear niece. It is wonderful to read
your blog messages. String them together,
they are a necklace of strength to be worn
during these difficult times.
Mary Anne E..

Anonymous said...

Brenda dear,its Ishrat again. I just remembered: we never got to visit your Aunt English's inn together. Oh well, one day, God willing. Take good care of yourself. Jake looks like one of those teenagers in stylish magazines. Break a leg!
As always, Ishrat

Unknown said...

Auntie! We are all thinking of you on this cloudy spring morning in Philly. The sun is never going to come out and our sports games are constantly being cancelled. We are going crazy. They say 80 for tomorrow so we look forward to that. Vacation starts this Friday so we are driving to SC to see Connor and pack him up as he is almost done his Freshman year. We hope for good beach weather. Rest and try to eat little things! Sending lots of hugs always, B, N, C, G, K, P and W and Ralphie too!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Brenda Ann
Just a quick hi ,since u seem 2 have 2 blog sites !! Wanted to thank Team Brenda for this and ask them if they could hook u up 2 twitter !! U need 2 TWIT Bren !! :) Whaddya think ?
Hope you're new meds have u feeling much better.. and UP in the sun today ! Hug 2 bratty-catty ! Please call when u can. AML xxoo Tricia

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda,
I wrote you a long note several weeks ago but I don't see that it has been posted. However, you are always in my thoughts & prayers. I've heard & read about Jake's successes and am soooo happy for him and you. Can't believe he's graduating! I send love to you and hugs. You area shining example of courage! Love always, Linda

Unknown said...

Hi Auntie! So happy to be able to talk to you for my first communion, I had so much fun with Grandy and Bumpa. Miss you and love you. Yeah GO RED SOX!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Brennie!! Glad you were well enough to have another treatment. The medicine is already working to kill those pesky cells! We missed you this weekend but were talking about the old days and Wareham and a lot of laughs. Good to spend time with Mom and Dad. Keep up the fight and try to eat when you can. We love and never stop thinking of you..Fance