I have had this discussion since \u00a0I was in high school and decided strong words should be used when strong feelings are expressed – they loose their currency when flung about with abandon. \u00a0And so, although I have been known to use them on occasion, they still grate. \u00a0However- we always used to dance around the word cancer. \u00a0Some people would not even utter the work and whispered when someone contracted it. \u00a0We can’t do that anymore – we have to shout and share and \u00a0acknowledge so that we can help any and everyone get through this and know they are not alone. Words get attention. \u00a0This awful group of illnesses needs all the attention it can get.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Two years ago I decided to take spring break to get all my appointments in order. \u00a0Turned 65 so signed up for Medicare. \u00a0Saw the eye doctor and learned I have the start of cataracts. \u00a0Saw the gynecologist who declared tests and a D&C were necessary – scheduled that Friday so I wouldn’t miss work. \u00a0Got my two month late mammogram, \u00a0Wham. \u00a0World tilt. \u00a0 They wanted to do a biopsy immediately, my doctor said he wanted to see me first, he saw the results – I got the biopsy. \u00a0So the next week the doctor calls and tells me I should consider scheduling a prophylactic hysterectomy because of a thickening of the uterine lining and a slight irregularity in cells. \u00a0I will call. \u00a0He calls back and tells me I have breast cancer. \u00a0Small tumor, Triple Negative – a type of cancer most frequent in \u00a0young African\/American \u00a0women – not hormone receptive – not expected- \u00a0which is aggressive and I need to get a surgeon. \u00a0He also said ‘”fuck cancer.” ” I had non hodgkins lymphoma and here I am. ” \u00a0 \u00a0(And the word struck the right note in those circumstances.) \u00a0And he proceeded to tell me his story and that I need to fight. \u00a0I lined up all the doctors, consulted two oncologists for opinions and lined up the radiologist after I had contacted the surgeon. \u00a0Needed only a lumpectomy with two sentinel lymph nodes removed Not affected), localized radiation through a Savi port and cycles of chemo . . . would lose my hair, etc. \u00a0OK – they said girls continued to work while doing child care. \u00a0I decided to work and share my story with my associates and some of the story with my kid with their parents permission. \u00a0Best thing I ever did. \u00a0Preadolescent and teenage boys in a treatment center and not one unkind remark. \u00a0Some prayed for me at home with their families. \u00a0I was teaching summer school – four shortened \u00a0days a week – and felt this would work. Work was hard when it became full time again. \u00a0Got through it all. \u00a0Had some chemo brain. \u00a0Had a few uncomfortable days – but it wasn’t so bad. \u00a0Check-ups with a scare here and there but in August it had been two years since my last chemo- my hair was shoulder length – and I could put it up again. \u00a0Feeling good!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Labor Day I felt like I was breathing in a green house. \u00a0Didn’t think that was right and saw Dr. \u00a0Got a Z pack for the lungs and a prescription for a chest x-ray since I had had breast cancer – just checking. \u00a0Then a contrast CT scan- then a lung biopsy for several nodules in my left lung.<\/p>\n
Adenocarcinoma. \u00a0Often found in women and NON SMOKERS. \u00a0Go figure. \u00a0Pet scan and MRI followed. \u00a0Okay except for flare in lymph gland on right side and several nodules in left lung . \u00a0All small. \u00a0Here we go again. \u00a0I started radiation on Monday and chemo on Tuesday. \u00a0Will have six weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemo – with the possibility of surgery and perhaps three more cycles of chemo thrown in after. \u00a0 \u00a0 By the way, the original symptom cleared up with the Z pack. \u00a0Just lucky again. \u00a0 Something caught early. \u00a0And last week my radiologist and oncologist both cautiously, optimistically used the word \u00a0“cure.” \u00a0Interesting, but my genetics are getting me into trouble.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And so, I have begun again. \u00a0A port was placed last week for chemo infusions since they are not able to use my right side due to two lymph nodes being gone – and the veins in my left hand are very unhappy because of the chemo there- was not a comfortable procedure but feeling better this week. \u00a0I was able to go to my 50th hight school reunion on Saturday and spent Sunday at a farm and grilling with the family – all of whom overwhelmed me with support.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
My sister kindly took me to my first radiation appointment on Monday. \u00a0I had radiation and chemo on Tuesday and after radiation today I am feeling pretty good. \u00a0I haven’t told a lot of people.I am grateful for the support I have received from them. \u00a0I am just putting this out their for those of you who have an interest – and to keep the word out there that there are things that can be done, \u00a0Fight early and fight hard. \u00a0I f you feel you want to pass this one on, please do so<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have had this discussion since \u00a0I was in high school and decided strong words should be used when strong feelings are expressed – they loose their currency when flung about with abandon. \u00a0And so, although I have been known to use them on occasion, they still grate. \u00a0However- we always used to dance around […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5f2b3-8","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions\/213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stupidfuckingcancer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}