Cancer Schmancer

Today I had my last chemo treatment, the sixth in a series that started late in February. I viewed the whole process as a lifesaving necessity and I was very fortunate to experience minimal side effects. My overwhelming feeling today is gratitude, so I thought I would make a gratitude list:
1. In this age of long wait times, I did not have to wait long to start treatment. In fact, my case manager booked me as quickly as she could as soon as we knew the pathology info.
2. For every treatment, I had someone dear beside me. It was usually Bob, once my mom, and today my great friend Polly came to celebrate with Bob and I.
3. Every single medical professional I met was considerate, friendly and as efficient as institutional systems would allow. The chemo nurses were especially helpful and always treated me with respect.
4. When I asked my doctor today what my prognosis was, he said he considered me curable. After the radiation treatment, we will be vigilant against a recurrence, but he expressed optimism. This is particularly good news as the cancer I had has a poor survival rate.
5. Because of my cancer, I have spent far more time with my mother than I have for years, and it has been delightful. What's more, I have met several new friends through Wellspring and my self-healing efforts. People who really appreciate life are very nourishing to be around.
6. It's a beautiful day, my dog wags her tail frantically when I arrive home, and when I step out of the car, the incredible scent of the roses growing by my driveway reminds me of all of the world's precious gifts.

Posted by lynda at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today's CT scan at PMH was quick and easy. The two technicians did some preliminary sketching, then rolled me back and forth through the machine (it's like a giant doughnut). As a parting gift, I got seven tattoos, to save their sketch marks for the radiation treatment in a few weeks. They're quite inconspicuous, but as permanent as any other tattoo. I guess if there is a bikini in my future, I should consider some more artistic embellishment on a couple of them.

Posted by lynda at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Tomorrow afternoon I will be scanned, CT-wise, by the radiation department people at PMH, in preparation for my treatment to begin in several weeks. No preparation to do for this one and I will drive myself downtown. Not much else to report for now -- still feeling OK, just very fatigued most days, especially after any significant effort.

Posted by lynda at 07:41 PM | Permalink

Our Relay for Life was a tremendous success! Thanks so much to all my beloved friends and family who helped me raise over $700 of the fantastic total of well over $250,000 for the Burlington event. I walked the first lap and the last -- the Survivor's lap and the Victory lap -- as well as many in between, almost enough to burn off the calories of all the stuff I ate. I felt as if I had every one of you beside me cheering me on. The track was lined with luminaries, candles in memory or in honour of cancer patients, giving us all lovely reminders all night of why we were there. My team was terrific and we all had a great time. The weather was ideal, no rain, only a bit chilly overnight, but we were snuggled under blankets when we weren't walking. Thanks again to everyone who supported me in this -- it really means a lot to me.

Posted by lynda at 07:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yesterday's chemo treatment went fine -- only one more to go in three weeks' time! My CT scan results were deemed OK by Dr. Rosen. They showed some suspicious areas, but he said these were likely scar tissue. The scan report also mentioned metallic clips in my pelvic area! News to me and I didn't read that until I had left the clinic -- I will ask about these at my next visit. Given that no one seemed alarmed by the statement, I'm guessing these are supposed to be there.

Posted by lynda at 10:12 AM | Permalink