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My Story

After tearing my right shoulder rotator cuff, the Doctor took an MRI and X-Ray. I was shocked to find out in mid-Nov '09 that I had a tumor in the upper right lung lobe. After a flurry of tests, biopsies, etc, I've been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, which is also in the lung lymph nodes. On November 30th I start chemotherapy and radiation. Then a 3 week break, followed by surgery to remove the lung lobe. I have no symptoms whatsoever, so this is really hard to assimilate with all the information that has been thrown at me. I'm scared spitless and am having such a hard time staying mentally positive.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

July 2011

Hi all! Time for another update. Am going for my 3rd IV treatment this morning. Started the steroid tablets on Sunday so I can tolerate the chemo treatment. This means I won't be getting much sleep over the next week (zoom-zoom!) and my hot flashes will increase (ho-boy, are they fun!)! But this, too, shall pass.

How foolish of me to have thought I would have few or even no side effects from my new chemo therapy treatments! Yet, that's exactly what I thought after the 1st treatment when I had just a little bit of fatigue and some back pain. Should have known better (from last year's chemo treatments) that it takes awhile for the drug to build up in my system.

Sure enough, after the 2nd treatment, those "lovely" (!) side effects started kicking in. More fatigue (I can get tired out just standing at the sink washing dishes!!), dry mouth, red, dry eyes, sore throat, etc, etc,. Nothing I can't handle. Afterall, what's the point in dwelling on it? It only makes it worse and can't change a darned thing. So, I take short rests throughout the day and push through it. Sure wish I were a "nap" kind of person, but I'm not, darn it! Ah, but I won't lose my hair with this drug - small blessings!!!

I befriended an older woman (Mary) who I met in the waiting room at the cancer center in April. She also has lung cancer and there's nothing more that can be done for her. I talk to her everyday and go over to see her several times a week. I'm so grateful to be able to be there for her to listen to her concerns, her feelings, her fears, because, you see, I have the same ones. The friendship is good for both of us. I'm also going to be doing some volunteering at the Minneapolis VA hospital (just a mile from our house). I can sit and listen & talk to veterans who are going through this experience. So satisfying for me to do! And I love those veterans! In my next life, I'm going to be a registered nurse. I am SUCH a caregiver at heart!

You know me - I won't give in to this. Nope, not going to happen! I will keep on truckin'!!! I am still here! love - me
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