I was truly surprised when my surgeon told me I might have to stay in the hospital more than one night. I’d predicted I’d be back at my friend, Jamie’s house by Friday at the latest. Apparently, I don’t need drugs to be delusional; I just was released this afternoon, after a 5-day stay… And…
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.
Here we go again
It’s not a comforting thought, but I’m familiar territory . That 8cm mass is malignant right behind the sternum.. My cancer doc doesn’t think it’s left over from my first wrestling match with cancer. Comforting until you realize this is another “out of the blue” cancer.So far, here are the facts as I know or…
The Curve Ball
407-898-5452. Twelve years ago, that was a number I either called or received calls from several times a week. For months. Despite that, I never put it in the speed dial of my cell phone. Maybe it was a small measure of control I could wield… Maybe it was a teeny bit of denial.. Maybe…