What a summer it has been! I was one session into my first treatment of Lymphoma Stage 1 in my last post. Since that time, I have ridden an emotional roller coaster of drugs, side effects and radiation. Finally, I am three weeks past my last treatment for cancer and I am pleased to announce that I am cancer free! Ring that Bell!!
I have learned that it is very important to enjoy, handle, and weigh each moment for itself. If one day is overwhelming, step back, and focus on one hour. There were days when I would be down to the moment. Sometimes, even those moments would be crushing. Thank goodness for my Aunts and Uncles, cousins and Luke’s (brother-in law) parents. When an individual moment would start to get to me, a well timed card to remind me to slow down and relax would arrive. Thank you.
My parents and I are closer than ever from this experience. Many would be surprised to find that my Mom and I spent 6 weeks together alone without a single argument. When she left, I was glad to get my house back but sad that I didn’t have her there to chat with. She wouldn’t admit it but we bonded over binging GLOW and going to see John Wick 3 for my birthday. It was an experience to be sure.
Friends took up the slack if I asked for assistance and gave me the room I needed when I was losing it. Thank goodness.
I have always been a planner. Living for the last 9 months without being able to plan or focus my ambitions has been liberating. Surviving cancer has forced me to relax and live in the moment. I am not worrying about what the future is going to hand me. It will work out.
Madison has been a trooper. She has rolled with the punches, empathetic to my recovery, and sensitive to financial concerns. Many times I would ask if she would like to go do something or if she wanted something and she would say defer to staying at home. I figured out that she understood the situation and wanted me to be able to rest, save money, and spend the time with me. I was humbled by her spirit. She amazes me daily with her resilience and grit for moving forward.
A couple of interesting observations about this experience.
I have learned that it is very important to enjoy, handle, and weigh each moment for itself. If one day is overwhelming, step back, and focus on one hour. There were days when I would be down to the moment. Sometimes, even those moments would be crushing. Thank goodness for my Aunts and Uncles, cousins and Luke’s (brother-in law) parents. When an individual moment would start to get to me, a well timed card to remind me to slow down and relax would arrive. Thank you.
My parents and I are closer than ever from this experience. Many would be surprised to find that my Mom and I spent 6 weeks together alone without a single argument. When she left, I was glad to get my house back but sad that I didn’t have her there to chat with. She wouldn’t admit it but we bonded over binging GLOW and going to see John Wick 3 for my birthday. It was an experience to be sure.
Friends took up the slack if I asked for assistance and gave me the room I needed when I was losing it. Thank goodness.
I have always been a planner. Living for the last 9 months without being able to plan or focus my ambitions has been liberating. Surviving cancer has forced me to relax and live in the moment. I am not worrying about what the future is going to hand me. It will work out.
Madison has been a trooper. She has rolled with the punches, empathetic to my recovery, and sensitive to financial concerns. Many times I would ask if she would like to go do something or if she wanted something and she would say defer to staying at home. I figured out that she understood the situation and wanted me to be able to rest, save money, and spend the time with me. I was humbled by her spirit. She amazes me daily with her resilience and grit for moving forward.
A couple of interesting observations about this experience.
- Your hair does grow back. In my case in a different color. Grey is a good color on me.
- Chemo sucks until two days before your next treatment. That is the spirit breaker. Just as you get to feeling better they dose you again. Ick.
- Steroids will keep me awake for days on end. Your body starts to vibrate after 36 hours with little to no sleep. Your eyes feel like they are going to pop.
- Losing your ability to taste food during radiation results in a daily science experiment to find food that tastes better than cardboard. The bonus is you don’t eat anything sugary. I haven’t eaten a cookie in four weeks.
- I really missed coffee!