Marcie Shea - Metastatic Mama

09/05/2026

It’s a new month, so time for another round of targeted chemo. 🫠 …but really the infusion afternoon isn’t bad at all. Netflix, quiet, and hanging out with my tried & true nurse Phylly.

I’ve been feeling GREAT since my last infusion even while teaching high school full time, and doing my normal (more desk oriented) job in the school division, and momming two teenagers.
I walk about 4 miles a day in my classroom while teaching each day and it has really improved my overall energy.
I’m exhausted by the end of the day, but a healthy exhaustion.

It will be interesting to see how I fair next week while recovering from treatment. I have great support at school and at home 💪

(Also, that’s not a hospital gown….it a dress that touches me as little as possible since it feels like a swamp outside 🥵)

08/25/2026

First Day of school ✅
But this year looks a little different.
My son starts high school and my daughter is in middle school…..and I’m headed back to the classroom.

I used to teach physics before I moved to a different role in the school system. To be honest, I missed the classroom but never considered a serious return because of the flexibility I need for chemo/treatment/appointments.

But the high school I used to teach at had a last minute unexpected opening needing someone to teach physics 🙋‍♀️
So, I’m jumping in until they can find someone permanent who is qualified for physics.

The challenge is I also have my actual job in the school division and treatments and two teenagers (and a husband) to be present for.
I’m nervous if my body can handle it all…teaching is a full energy activity.

But today was amazing. It brought me so much joy. I felt like I never left; teaching physics is what I was created to do.

Lots of feelings on how to manage everything.
We I have a plan in place for when I can’t be there 🤢🥴😵‍💫😴
I’ve got lots of support in the building and my husband cheering me on at home.
At least one of my kids thinks it’s so cool I’m a teacher again.

Full-time teaching is something I thought cancer had taken from me, but with this unique, last-minute circumstance I get to do it again…at least for a little while.
And while that might make me crazy, it also brings me joy.

08/23/2026

New year, new Brooke Romney Writes flip tent.

Last year we went through volume 1 and I’m excited to start volume 2.

Each page has a manner/social norm that teens (and adults) should know. They are usually things I *think* I’ve taught my kids already but I don’t know if I’ve explicitly said them.
But raising humans is tough…and I want to raise good ones.

We flip a new one when we have dinner together. Sometimes it’s once a week…sometimes sooner, sometimes longer. But it always a conversation starter and then sits in the main thoroughfare of the house as a subtle reminder.

This isn’t a sponsored post. I just love the conversations it has started in our house and want to share the win with other moms it might help. I even took a set to a “favorite things” gift swap with friends last year.

Happy back to school and back to routines, everyone!
May each of your homes find the groove that work for you!

08/20/2026

GLP-1 with targeted chemo for MBC - Post 7

(Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. This is my personal experience. Always consult your doctor.)

Update:
-good progress
-biggest challenge

08/15/2026

Camp Kesem 💙💚

My girl’s favorite week of the year.
She gets to just be her…the best version of herself.

A week to be a kid and not all the weight of having a mom with incurable cancer.
A week to be with friends who also have the same lived experience of having a parent with cancer.
A week with college student counselors who pour all their energy and care into these kids.

The cancer journey is tough for the whole family, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.

KLAM ✨
(which for those not in the know: Kesem Love and Magic)

Kesem has chapters all over the country. Kesem
If you are a parent with cancer, I can’t recommend getting connected with your local chapter enough.

08/14/2026

Infusion day and my 53rd round of that little brown bag rockstar.
(Which means I’ve spent well over 100 afternoons in this infusion suite with my favorite nurses. I’m basically a fixture over there ✨)

I even got to reduce the amount of drug I got today because I have lost over 10% of my total body weight this summer 🙌
(dosage is done by weight)

08/11/2026

How do you casually mention you have cancer without making it awkward?

Almost 5 years later, I still haven’t figured that one out.

But this week while I was at a conference for work, I mentioned “I’m living with metastatic cancer” in a conversation and that felt pretty badass.

Because that’s the truth. I’m LIVING with the disease.

Yes, it impacts the rhythm of things and how much energy I have to invest. But it makes me be more intentional with my time and energy...and that’s been really good.

At the end of the day, I’m still living my life such that it’s a life worth fighting for.

08/11/2026