the lewis 5

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Welcoming the new year, and bidding farewell to 2010 was a personal triumph and a time for celebration. In June, I found myself faced with probably the scariest, and most disorienting moment in my life. I found a lump in my right breast. The kind that you hear about, but can't seem to believe when YOU have one. The kind that hurts, and doesn't move. No! I called my doctor that day and made an appointment.

Mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies... July 12 changed my world.

Two days later, I met the surgeon. Two weeks later, she removed the mass. During the procedure, she also placed a special type of IV that is still buried in my chest. I would later be told that it would be in place for five years. A fact that I like to remind my brother of, every time I talk to him.

Chemotherapy, placed into that special IV, started in August. Six treatments in all. August through December. After the first treatment, I had some nausea and body aches. Those problems progressed with each treatment. My hair started to thin, and fall out. I took charge, and shaved it off! I made it, I survived chemo.

The frosting on this cake of a year was when I started having belly pain in December. Appendicitis? Really? Are you kidding me? What... a tumor in my appendix? You've got to be kidding me! More tests? You're going to stick that camera where? Fine. Get it over with. Yes, its true. I had cancer in my appendix too. 2010, I'm so over you.

This was the toughest, most challenging thing I have ever done. I don't think I could have gone through it without my friends, and family. So many wonderful, loving people have been so very generous in helping me, and my family. I wasn't able to continue working in a job that I held for 21 years, and that has been difficult.

I've always had to be a strong person but this cancer tested me. Radiation... bring it on.