I now know that I am going to crawl on my hands, knees, and empty belly over the finish line, not unlike Julie Moss at the Ironman in 1982, but without the poop.
Chapter II
In September of 2013, doctors diagnosed me with a malignant 5cm mass, discovered during a regularly-scheduled MRI (which I have as part of my follow-up from a 2001-2002 breast cancer battle). After surgery and tests, I learned that I had thymic carcinoma -- a rare and fast-growing cancer of the Thymus gland. Usually, it’s not diagnosed until it’s already spread to the lungs, heart, or other places, because it can be fairly symptomless. I was blessed, as my oncologist said, that my regular MRIs helped catch it early. My outlook would have been much worse if this had been discovered months later.
I am documenting my journey through Cancer Part II in the hopes that it will educate and inspire others who are facing a difficult diagnosis. In the days after I left the hospital, I sat down with my colleagues at Growing Bolder to share my thoughts on this new challenge. As we say -- I am Surviving & Thriving.
Hair Today and It Freaking Better be Hair Tomorrow
What finally convinced me to add low dose chemo to my radiation schedule was Dr. Akerley saying that I wouldn’t lose my hair. I quote: “I give this regimen to blue-haired old ladies and they’re fine.” Being a reporter at heart, I ask for clarification: “They keep their blue hair?” I got the solemn nod….
The Radiation Hairball Side Effect, or Why Pumpkin Pie Hurts
Who said radiation was easy? I think it was me, a few weeks ago. I was so consumed with NOT doing a full round of chemo that I fooled myself into thinking radiation would be a simple matter of lying on the table and getting a little targeted sunburn on my chest.
The Sliding Scale of “Great”
The kanji is the symbol for strength. It’s a copy of the tattoo I have on my wrist. It’s my “Livestrong” and it’s one of many things that’s helping me stay strong even when I’m feeling challenged.
Round Two
If I’m watching “Kelly and Michael,” it must be Tuesday in Poison Control. Here I am again. Taxol is dripping into my arm. I know that because I have that weird medicinal taste in the back of my throat. Nothing a couple of fun size bags of M and M’s can’t mask, for now. My…
Revisiting Poison Control and Radiationland
The first thing that hit me was the smell. I almost gagged and actually felt a little light-headed walking into Huntsman. It’s the smell of the chemo room. I asked Patrick if he smelled it, but he didn’t. But for me, that Smell brings back memories of some pretty dark days. I couldn’t even go…