Cancer and Blood Disorder Experiences
Cancer and Blood Disorder Experiences
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Living with cancer
Living with cancer
Added Aug 5, 2009One thing about my perspective that has changed as I go through this experience, is I realize what a blessing it is to be healthy. How blessed I have been, how much I took for granted, and how stubborn I was/am with life! God gives me so much and so generously, yet it was hard for me not to be jealous, want more, or want something else. I am gla…
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Going through treatment
Going through treatment
Added Aug 5, 2009The most difficult thing for me about going through treatment has been the feeling of disruption and uncertainty. It feels like my life has been put on pause on a spot that is not particularly pleasant and comfortable. That has been challenging. I don’t enjoy the feeling of the toxic chemicals in my body and as I mentioned earlier, I struggle wi…
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Evaluating treatment options
Evaluating treatment options
Added Aug 5, 2009The first research I did was to read up on Hodgkin’s Lymphoma online. The treatment for the type and stage of my cancer is pretty standard, so there was not a difficult decision to be made regarding the first step: six cycles of ABVD. However, there is a decision coming up that is going to be a bit tricky. With tumors as large as mine (with one …
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Telling family & friends
Telling family & friends
Added Aug 5, 2009As I mentioned earlier, when I first learned about the tumor, I had mixed feelings about discussing it. I told my family right away, of course, because I needed help and they are my biggest supporters! There were several close friends who I did call the same night. Part of me wanted to get some of my shock/worry/the weight of the news "off my ch…
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Choosing a care team
Choosing a care team
Added Aug 5, 2009After seeing my primary physician, my family and I decided we would go to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, for further testing because they have an excellent reputation and it is only a forty-five minute drive from our home. My bone-marrow biopsy and tumor biopsy were performed at Mayo. I also consulted with several doctors including an…
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My diagnosis
My diagnosis
Added Aug 5, 2009My diagnosis came as quite a shock. Although I had been having unexplained itching (especially at night…it was very annoying!) for over a year and clothes soaking, sheet drenching night sweats for at least six months, I had no idea until February 1, 2009 that I had a seventeen centimeter tumor in my mediastinum. (The mediastinum is "a portion …
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WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE SOMETHING
Telling family & friends
Added Feb 16, 2014THIS IS A RECORD FROM MY DR de ZARRAGA JR.
THIS ALL OF IT GUESS
LOVE YOU ALL
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Favorite Cancer and Blood Disorder Experiences
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Cancer - The Secret Change
Living with cancerThis article, so very well written by a practicing oncologist, is superb! Dr. Salwitz truly captures the feelings that I (and probably thousands of other cancer patients) have. Cancer does suck! My cancer is rare. It grows slowly, but it grows. I do not “look like I have cancer.” I hear so often,“You really look great.” The problem is I …
Added Jan 31, 2015
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It is what it is. Might as well find some humor in your journey.
Living with cancer
Updated Oct 26, 2013I was diagnosed last February (2013) with stage IV lung cancer. A shock to me, needless to say, as a non-smoker. Unless of course you count those funny things I smoked back in college 40 years ago.
Besides the support of family and friends, I have found keeping my sense of humor throughout my journey has been the best medicine, other than the…
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A Summary of My Chemo Experience
What I've learned
Added Jan 7, 2010This is a summary of the chemo treatment I survived. I have never experienced anything like this. Radiation, and even surgery, was a breeze in comparison:
6 treatments, one every 21 days:
- for each treatment, Brad and I were there 2.5 to 4 hours (always had the bloodwork and meeting with the doctor a day or 2 before treatment)
- #2 …
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Alway have HOPE!
What I've learned
Added Aug 22, 2018In June 2018 I celebrated my 20th year as a survivor. What a struggle and blessing!
Never give up HOPE!
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