Friday, June 24, 2016
Monday, May 4, 2015
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
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.
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.
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