On election day, four years ago, I had my first chemo treatment. We left the house too early to stop by the polls and returned too late. It was the first time I'd ever missed a chance to cast my vote in an election. I guess chemotherapy is a reasonable excuse.
But, today I vote, because I can.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Thursday, November 3, 2016
The good news just keeps on coming
Three and a half years ago, a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon performed a thoracotomy and separated two of my ribs to look for remaining signs of metastatic endometrial cancer. He found one last cancerous node and removed it. I've had PET scans every six month since then to check on my status.
I just got word that my latest PET scan is, once again, clear of any return of cancer. I continue to beat the odds. I was diagnosed with stage IV endometrial adenocarcinoma in May of 2012. A round of radiation and chemotherapy, along with two surgeries, and I remain cancer free.
A few weeks ago, I started a yoga class with my friend Lisa, and I've noticed, for the first time, I don't have to fight to forget my cancer while in class. I'm totally in the moment and free of worrying thoughts about cancer regrowth, PET scans, doctors' appointments, and the things in my life that I might miss if my prognosis turned downward. What freedom!
No, I'm not out of the woods yet, but with each additional clear scan, I get closer and closer to putting this stage of my life further in the back of my mind and concentrate instead on my family and my friends. It's nice to focus on things like vacation planning, college searches, and holiday get-togethers and not on the microscopic growth of those little nasty cancer cells.
Thanks to all of you who have made this journey with me. I couldn't have done it without you.
I just got word that my latest PET scan is, once again, clear of any return of cancer. I continue to beat the odds. I was diagnosed with stage IV endometrial adenocarcinoma in May of 2012. A round of radiation and chemotherapy, along with two surgeries, and I remain cancer free.
A few weeks ago, I started a yoga class with my friend Lisa, and I've noticed, for the first time, I don't have to fight to forget my cancer while in class. I'm totally in the moment and free of worrying thoughts about cancer regrowth, PET scans, doctors' appointments, and the things in my life that I might miss if my prognosis turned downward. What freedom!
No, I'm not out of the woods yet, but with each additional clear scan, I get closer and closer to putting this stage of my life further in the back of my mind and concentrate instead on my family and my friends. It's nice to focus on things like vacation planning, college searches, and holiday get-togethers and not on the microscopic growth of those little nasty cancer cells.
Thanks to all of you who have made this journey with me. I couldn't have done it without you.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
It's a wonderful life
Nearly four years ago, I received my diagnosis of metastatic uterine cancer. I was terrified. Terrified for myself. Terrified for my husband and terrified for my children.
Of course, I took to the Internet to research my disease. Dismal. Twelve percent five-year survival rate. Two surgeries, radiation, chemo, numerous PET scans, and many sleepless nights later, I'm still here. And, I'm not just here. I'm living my life, with the power of cancer fading more and more every day.
Through this blog, I've received over 35,000 views and have followers from afar away as Australia and South Africa. I've been encouraged and supported by people I know and love and by people I don't even know. Though I'm writing less and less, this blog is perhaps one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I've felt free to share my triumphs and my challenges, my fears and my happiness.
Yesterday, was one of those happy days. I got a report of yet another clear PET scan. The area in my lung the oncologist was watching after the previous PET scan is now off the radar screen. Just a pesky looking bit of tissue, but it's not cancer.
I'm not out of the woods yet. I may never totally be. But, I'm learning life with a cancer diagnosis is doable. It can even be wonderful.
Of course, I took to the Internet to research my disease. Dismal. Twelve percent five-year survival rate. Two surgeries, radiation, chemo, numerous PET scans, and many sleepless nights later, I'm still here. And, I'm not just here. I'm living my life, with the power of cancer fading more and more every day.
Through this blog, I've received over 35,000 views and have followers from afar away as Australia and South Africa. I've been encouraged and supported by people I know and love and by people I don't even know. Though I'm writing less and less, this blog is perhaps one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I've felt free to share my triumphs and my challenges, my fears and my happiness.
Yesterday, was one of those happy days. I got a report of yet another clear PET scan. The area in my lung the oncologist was watching after the previous PET scan is now off the radar screen. Just a pesky looking bit of tissue, but it's not cancer.
I'm not out of the woods yet. I may never totally be. But, I'm learning life with a cancer diagnosis is doable. It can even be wonderful.
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