Sweet Blog O'Mine

Author: larenspirer

  • First Steps

    After bloodwork, genetic testing, an additional breast biopsy, an additional breast MRI, and some waiting, I learned that I was not accepted to the clinical trial I was hoping for (thanks, PEComa/sparkly unicorn cancer!). So, we are starting with the current standard of care treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and we are starting quickly: weekly chemotherapy (Taxol/Carboplatin) for 12 weeks combined with immunotherapy (Keytruda) every 3rd week. After 12 weeks, we’ll do an MRI and reassess to determine the next steps. I will receive treatment at NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. I got a port put in yesterday (Karen, who has earned naming rights, named it Chester), and unless I decide to make changes, chemo will be on Thursdays, starting this week.

    I will be getting a haircut soon in preparation for losing my hair so will be super on-trend with a pixie cut for a few weeks before I go full G.I. Jane. This is a bummer because, as you can see, my hair has been looking amazing lately. I have decided to make use of all my bandanas (why do I have so many bandanas?!) and make it hot pirate summer. Arrrrgh! Avast ye swabs!

    The rules still apply — please don’t send me gifts or food without asking — but I would love playlists for treatment, videos/pictures to make me smile, and I’ve been loving the good wishes, cards, flowers, and company. Mostly, it’s great to hear from you and see you — the best gift is knowing that I’m not going through this alone.

    I hope to be as social as my body and immune system allow, (my team seems optimistic on both of these fronts) so don’t hesitate to reach out.

  • Before

  • Transforming Nutrition Habits for a Healthier Lifestyle

    Vulnerable post alert. Last year, I went away for a beach weekend with the Kismet ladies. One of my friends looked fabulous and STRONG. She is my height, and we have discussed weight struggles in the past. At that time, I was the highest weight I had ever been. I had been strength training 3-4x/week consistently, but knew that my nutrition could be better. She connected me with her nutrition/fitness coach, and I’ve been tracking my food since Labor Day weekend 2025, on top of the strength training, and aiming for at least 10k steps per day (which, in NYC, I hit easily most days).

    On the nutrition front, I have been in a very manageable calorie deficit — I’m not hungry, and have been able to work in social events, vacations, holidays, etc. I have specific protein, carb, and fat targets, as well as a fiber target, a water target, and the goal of having protein/carbs/fruit or veggies at every meal, with 4+ servings of fruit/veggies per day. In addition, my doctor wants me at 120% of the recommended daily value of calcium. Every day isn’t perfect, but I’m generally consistent.

    The results are above as of the end of April. I feel fantastic and these habits will serve me very well as I navigate cancer treatment.

  • Navigating Triple Negative Breast Cancer: My Journey

    TL;DR — On April 9th, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Thankfully, in the words of my oncologist, “you’ll be just fine.”

    As many in my life know, I had a very rare soft tissue cancer (PEComa) that was removed in 2024. The breast cancer is unrelated and first came up on one of my regular PEComa follow up scans.*

    Navigating the past few weeks between the April 9th biopsy results and the April 28th appointment with the oncologist has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. I felt like a ticking time bomb, had to go through a myriad of tests to see how far it had spread, and was filled with anxiety the likes of which I have never experienced.

    One friend gifted me a reiki session — it’s not something I ever would have done normally, but during this time, it relaxed me and helped shift my outlook for this entire process. The language so many of us use around cancer is violent — you fight it, you battle it (which puts a heavy burden on anyone who loses that “fight”) — but my reiki practitioner suggested reframing it around restoring and healing, which very much resonated with me (PS there will be more reiki in my future).

    I am giving my body the support it needs — including my team at NYU, the best science can offer regarding chemo/immunotherapy, self-care, healthy food, consistent exercise, and all of my friends and family — to allow it to heal and restore itself. I have also been thinking a lot about all the triathlons I’ve done. The determination and ability to do what it takes to achieve a successful outcome will serve me well here. 

    As for next steps, all of my tests and medical care so far have been through NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan Kettering, where I had my PEComa surgery, had a waitlist, but I will have my first meeting next week with a surgeon there for a second opinion.

    Assuming I move forward at NYU, (which is most likely because 1) they have been fast, 2) every person I’ve encountered has been great, and 3) all of my other medical care is through their system except for the PEComa), they are currently screening me for eligibility in the I-SPY clinical trial. As someone with TNBC, this would mean starting with an immunotherapy treatment block tailored to TNBC (Ivonescimab). I would be tested at regular intervals to monitor its effectiveness. Depending on the real-time results, we would either proceed to surgery, or add more traditional chemotherapy/immunotherapy (starting with Paclitaxel + Carboplatin and escalating to AC + Keytruda if that isn’t working). If I am not eligible for the trial, I will proceed with traditional chemotherapy/immunotherapy and then have surgery. Type of surgery TBD, and likely radiation to follow regardless.

    I’m still in the screening phase, which takes a few weeks, so I don’t know when treatment will actually start, but I have been assured these weeks won’t impact my care.

    Stay tuned for next steps, but I am very, very relieved.

  • My Newest* Cancer Journey Begins

    I’m trying to get this thing to look decent as I’ll probably be posting here more soon. I’m not much of a journal person, so this will have to do for now. It has been a harrowing few weeks as I’ve recently received a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, and am currently undergoing a series of tests and procedures to get me ready for treatment. What was initially thought to be stage 1 is now definitely not, but no matter what, we are starting with chemo. I feel like a ticking time bomb and know that I’ll feel better once there is a plan in place and treatment starts. I am prioritizing my mental well being and am already plugging into all the resources at my disposal through NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center and beyond. More info on Tuesday after my initial oncology appointment.

    *I had a small PEComa in my stomach and gastric lymph nodes; all removed surgically in December 2024.

  • Rebirth!

    Dealing with the sudden shutdown of Typepad — I’ve imported all the text but think I may lose all of my past media from my old posts. Heartbroken.