My Cancer Journey

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My Cancer Journey I am spiritual, not religious. I so love and appreciate my family. I find joy in music and art.

10/12/2024

Cancer free!!
Thank you family, friends, doctors for seeing me through, saving my life.
🎉😘😊

14/09/2024

It has been a while since I’ve posted here - I’m still in my cancer journey but now I’m dealing with the aftermath of the chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These after effects are - with much caution - worse than the cancer, except that the after effects themselves don’t lead to death and, I’m told, will subside. It has been five weeks since my last dose of radiation. I must still get nutrients through the peg tube - I’m not taking anything in by mouth. The burn on my neck has pretty much healed; only discoloration and wrinkles remain. But the inside of my mouth is still healing from the burns. It peels, I have hyper mucositis and, of course, my tastebuds are still dead. I have no appetite and force myself to drink water. And that’s just my mouth! I think I’ll just lie in bed and watch movies while I wait for another five weeks to pass. Cancer sucks!

Last cancer treatment today!
07/08/2024

Last cancer treatment today!

12/07/2024

Cancer sucks!! This is the worst, hardest experience of my life. I’d rather go through another divorce than to have cancer, chemotherapy and radiation.
I am in the hospital because my potassium and magnesium levels got way too low. My heart and kidneys are at risk. But - this was all caught early and the treatments are working. Treating these conditions is much easier than treating cancer. And the side effects are much more tolerable. It is the side effects of cancer treatment that are horrendous.
I have been here all this day before my birthday. I am not celebrating - yet. I will hold off until I see how the course of my treatment goes. Still aiming for August 7 as the last day of treatment.

20/06/2024

Good news: most recent scans (MRI, PET) show the tumor is “almost resolved” or as oncologist said scans show no (cancer) activity in the area. So I am winning! I’ve got this. Big shoutout and thank you to my sisters of Shenandoah and also to friends and family who have kept me strong and positive!
So, radiation begins along with chemo (this time around chemo is only one drug and only once every three weeks) with last treatment on or about Aug. 8. On to the bell 🔔 !

29/05/2024

I’m in hospital today- getting a blood transfusion (not unusual for cancer patients who undergo the protocol I’ve been given). Doctor congratulated me for having successfully completed phase one - but he said I looked pale, hence the transfusion. After this I should feel less tired and weak. I should have the wherewithal to build myself back up before radiation plus chemo begin. I got this!

16/05/2024

Thursday, May 16
After a couple of good naps and two large cups of lemonade (hydration) I’m feeling stronger (walking unassisted) and happier. To hospital for another hydration session this morning then attempting a water exercise session this afternoon. Stretching at home first thing, before even getting out of bed, has helped to alleviate sciatica pain greatly! Following doctor’s orders - it’s working! Onward to cure! 🔔

16/05/2024

11:00 pm Wednesday, May 15 - I am (finally) feeling a little bit stronger, a little bit normal: nausea abated; legs stronger, not so wobbly, I can walk without the walker; a bit of an appetite (ate half a slice of pizza); most importantly feeling positive and assured after almost wanting to give up yesterday. I’ve come too far to give up now. One more chemo infusion with three more hydration infusions before radiation. Cure is on the way!

08/05/2024

Heineken 0.0 is pretty good. It’s easy for me to get it down when eating beer-friendly foods like nachos, ham and cheese, fish and chips. Next I’ll try Fre, an alcohol-free wine. Still have to drink lots and lots of other liquids - tea, koolaid, water. First session of exercise in the heated therapy pool went well - I barely completed the routine but it appears to have helped, especially the stretching. I will sleep a long time in order to recover enough for the next session. I’ll work toward building back strength and balance so I won’t need a walker or a cane. Cancer is serious- shout out to all survivors! I’ll be joining you soon!

07/05/2024

I’ve completed two rounds of chemo. Today’s meeting with my doctor was wonderful. My labs were excellent: kidneys are behaving as normal after my having been dangerously dehydrated. It was so difficult to get 64 ounces of liquid down every day. The powerful chemicals affect every system and every part of my body: muscles, skin, taste, appetite, thinking, mood … all. I tried all kinds of liquids and finally turned to that childhood staple: red koolaid. It worked but problem with it is all the sugar. So this week I’m going to try alcohol free beer and wine. I have also had extra sessions of hydration at the hospital which, together with my drinking at least 64 ounces of liquids, produced the positive lab results.
Doctor admonished: fix my brain and address the sciatica. Part of this journey took me to earlier years when parents’ critical voices ruled making all my efforts seem inadequate. Dr. McKnight prevailed: I’m grown; this journey is mine and I AM WINNING! So I am fixing my brain to live in its maturity, embracing my strengths and loving the me that I am. And today I will begin physical therapy at Aquacare’s heated pool, the approach to handling sciatica that worked for me in the past.
I AM WINNING. Cure is at hand.

30/04/2024

Finishing round 2 of chemo this week, then a week off before starting round 3. After round 3 of just chemo I will have chemo plus radiation. Today I had an assessment with my oncologist. He says I am doing well - except not drinking enough liquids. Inadequate hydrating poses the very real risk of kidney failure. He kind of scared me straight. No more excuses: must drink minimum of 120 ounces of any liquid every day. Me, the faucet and the toilet know each other well! 😄

20/04/2024

Round two of chemo begins this coming week (4-24). Such a difficult but necessary ordeal. If in my life before now I paid more attention to others I am now forced to pay attention to myself 24-7. Stay hydrated, get protein every meal (or weakness sets in almost immediately), move, stay positive, fight negativity, drink water, fight sciatica pain, drink, bathroom, drink, bathroom, … day and night. I just want it to be behind me! I am so grateful for family as nd friends who are so supportive- I can never repay you except know that I love you and appreciate you in my life.
What await: third round of chemo; radiation plus chemo.

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