Happy Cancerversary To Me!

It's been two years since this chapter in my life started. Two years since the pain in my back and legs lead to that WTF? moment. Two years since I laid face down on the table while a needle was inserted in my pelvis with jackhammer-like dexterity. Two years since we waited, and waited, and waited for the results. Two years since we heard the news we didn't want to hear.

In December of 2010, if you had an iPhone you could only use it on AT&T. Your iPad was first generation. The average price of gas was $2.93. Damn, I love Wikipedia!

In the the time that has passed, I've had 34 infusions, 10 sessions of radiation therapy, 10 more stereotactic radiation sessions, and umpteen other visits to Dr Z and a handful of other docs.

I've also lived my life.

I've celebrated my kids' birthdays 4 times (3 kids, two are twins, you can do the math).
I've celebrated anniversaries #18 and 19 with Marcie.
I've run 1055.2 miles, including 3 half-marathons, 2 Peachtree Road Races (one with Adam), and a couple of Father's Day runs, 1 with each son.
I've raised the Torah at my son's Bar Mitzvah.
I've been to Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and I spent a day in Paris.
I've been to Disney World.
I've taken each of the kids to at least one UGA Football Game, and I travelled on the team plane to see the Falcons play in Chicago.
I've written a book, but you knew that already.

I've learned to appreciate the time I have with my family. I love when we're all together, even if we're spread out across the living room and kitchen, with the TV on, a couple of laptops open.

I've gotten better about not sweating the small stuff.

While I'm still a long way from being the person I want to be, I'm closer than I was two years ago, cancer notwithstanding.

Happy New Year to you, and Happy Cancerversary to me!

Live From the Chemo Room 34

Greetings from Dr. Z's fabulous new office in Johns Creek. The practice moved from inside the hospital to a building across the street. The space is much bigger, with more windows, more chemo chairs, and most importantly, a coffee/hot chocolate machine in the chemo lounge. This is apparently meant to help keep the spouses, friends, and caregivers awake during the endless loop of court shows and soap operas that will soon be showing on the >60 inch TV.

There's a room where they mix the chemo drugs, which was hidden from view in the old office. Here, it's directly behind the nurses' desk, visible through two glass-doored cubes that, for lack of a better description, look like airlocks on a spaceship. I don't know how toxic that stuff on the other side of the wall is, but if it requires airlocks, I'm not sure I want it to be infused into my bloodstream.

I like the new digs, but I'd be lying if I told you I'm enjoying them. I'd really prefer not to be here, especially this week, when I have plenty going on at work. But I did get a good reminder from Bill, the bloodsucker (a.k.a. the nurse who did my labs today) of why I'm here. He's 13 years removed from treatment for leukemia and cancer-free.

Thank You Sir, Can I Have Another?

... 3 rounds of chemo, that is.

Yes, sans paddle and gothic robe, Dr. Z told me last weekend that he's happy with the scan results, which showed no growth in the lung spots, but that he wants to do 3 more rounds to make sure we've got this latest episode under control.

Was I happy? Yes, for about ten seconds, after he said he liked the scan results, but before the part about more chemo. But, like Kevin Bacon in the clip I've included for your viewing pleasure, what could I do? I'm committed to the fight, so let's get it done.

Speaking of committed, or people who should be, I hear Hugo Chavez goes to Cuba for his cancer treatments. How messed up must Venezuelan medicine be if the leader of that country has to travel to an island where the cars are all from the 1950's to seek advanced cures? Maybe he's just there for the nightlife. I hear the Copacabana is hopping!

Round 5 starts tomorrow, so wi-fi willing and the creek don't rise, I'll have another post then.

Give Me A Break!

A break. That's just what the doctor ordered. Literally.

I've been on a little hiatus from my chemo treatments recently. Timing couldn't have been better as I was starting to feel pretty beat-up after four rounds. But then along came an upper respiratory infection just to make sure I wasn't having too much fun! So far, I'll take the cough over the chemo. 

It's been a couple of weeks since I last ran, and as those who know me well can attest, that means I'm probably not being my usual charming self. She-whose-patience-knows-no-end has earned yet another medal for putting up with me, as have the-three-offspring-of-she-whose-patience-knows-no-end.  

I'll have a scan this week and then Dr Z and I will talk about what's next. I'm expecting a return to some chemo, but hoping I can plead down to something less than what I'd been on the last couple of months. I'll report the results here, stay tuned!

I wanted to send a special shout out to fellow Members of the Club, Jerry and Bob, who are dealing with some heavy duty stuff themselves these days. These are two of the funniest folks I know, not surprising when you learn that one is a CPA and the other an actuary. Bean counters rock!