Archive for the ‘Coping with Cancer’ Category

One year ago I was out for the count recovering, this year sun feels good!

This week was my sister’s 6th chemo round…and as hard as it gets the further you go, the better it feels to know you are closer to the end! I say that as someone on the side lines of course, but she feels the same. Soon this stage of chemo will be behind us all.

This week in the chemo room I leapt to cover up another with a warm blanket who was shivering … As Anna sat there sweating. The effects are so different person to person…round to round.

We are riding ups with downs and at the same time know another treatment is coming…and with that, a few tough days.

Anna continues to be a champ!….and equally as solid in strength are her four kids and husband. I have to say, I am so proud to be part of this bunch!

One proud Auntie here.

The first five years after diagnosis is statistically where they see the highest cancer return rates.  Survivors have a bitter sweet sensation around their annual check ups, and I can now say I’ve had one down, four to go. 

For me, I see a doctor every six months.  Alternating between my breast surgeons and my oncologist.  So this 6 month was with the oncologist…and the once a year massive blood work up.  Literally three pages of counts, percentages and ratings…and I smile as I type, my report was 100% perfect.  Nothing out of range at all. Now that’s a  wonderful feeling! 

(Also need to add that our two little girls also had the all clear with their first round of x-rays at the dentist…Bravo girls!…and I really didn’t need more to hit my plate…thank you dental gods!)

About 6 months ago, I felt recovered from my battle of breast cancer and at the same time I became so different.

Anyone that knew me or knows me know realized I changed if I said my drive for things changed….and now I want moments with meaning. I did not see the “other side”…. but at the same time it felt like I had. Many people around me did too.

As I reach my one year anniversary, it’s wonderful and bittersweet at the same time…this is the time one year out, where extensive blood tests are run to see if cancer still exists or has returned. You can imagine how this feels and how it will feel each year for the rest of my life.

Enjoy life…..even on the days you think it stinks the most.

It’s been all too strange to think of everything that occured with  me this time last year.  

At this point a year ago, from February last year onward, I reviewed my medical reports and knew things didn’t look very well. 

At the same time, this is when super powers came out to prepare myself for everything I knew was to come, and everything unknown.  From a massive ear to ear smile —to the unseen downward spiral –this was a crazy month just one year ago. 

It was at this point that I had my final tests and “next week” it was the final news of the “You have cancer” diagnosis.  And between now and then, the absurd injustice of a breach of confidence of my condition.  I’ll never forget that and the detriment it caused…but let’s stay positive.

I remember being so strong as I sat in Feb and early March gaining control — gaining the courage and trying to find the right words to tell everyone.  I learned there are no right words when it comes to this news. 

First sharing it on “IM” to a close friend started the roll…and from there, I remember the rounds of shock.  Imagine calling the people you love and the ones you know care so much about you and share such news.  Where I got my strength?  I can only imagine it came from a divine place from all the prayers that started immediately. 

My first calls were to so many of my Catholic school life long friends since age 5ish – they could handle it and at the same time, help me find the words to tell others.    Other calls spanned some of the toughest business bears I ever knew and worked with, when they stopped in their tracks.  It was crazy.   A crazy Aussie nut friend of ours got emotional, I knew it was real that moment.

Then I started this website to share the story, to help me communicate with so many people.  Here I am at one year, with over 20,000 visitors, I feel blessed, loved and so grateful.

A one year anniversary of sorts coming up —and a start of new chapters unforeseen for my sister and I. 

Life is Nuts.  Life is Tough. A Smile, A Strong Will does wonders. 

I complimented my sister this week on how proud I am — and it brought me to tears, but happy tears, when she replied — “I learned from the best”.  I was speech less. Give purpose to what I went through in a way.

Well, today I studied up on “washing wigs” —and that’s how I’ll help out this week —Think of the things no one else does when it comes to helping out :)