A Year of Reflection Fighting Cancer

(I just got cancer)  A year of reflection fighting cancer:

Hello and Happy New Year!

I am back.  I just needed to take a break after finishing my last round of chemotherapy.  I feel it is time for me to have a year of reflection fighting cancer.  2012 was quite a year for me.  I had been very ill the two years prior with polymyelitis which is a type of arthritis of the large joints.  My primary care physician kept having me go on and off prednisone.  He said it was my body fighting against itself.  Well, when I look back now, I realize I was doing very well until I had a hernia repair four years ago.  After that I started having reoccurring bladder infections and strange pains in my abdomen.  I was and still am having problems with incontinence.   On top of all of that, I have had severe financial problems and to this day, still struggle to keep my home.

I became increasingly worse in the beginning of the year with extreme fatigue.  My doctor still told me it was the polymyelitis.  I got to where I could barely walk and was short of breath.  I also had lost my appetite.  My children got to the point where they said, gee Mom we should go to the ER, maybe you have cancer or something much worse.  After a few weeks of that I started getting abdominal pain and did end up in the ER.  That was a horrific experience as after a CAT Scan, the ER doctor told me I may have cancer.  His bedside manner was not good and he did not make me feel hopeful.  He made me feel like life was over.  I decided to fight.

Here I am, almost a year later and I am still fighting.  In fact, I feel like I have to fight every day to survive.  I have a wonderful Oncologist, Nurse Practitioner and two wonderful children who are my support system.  I do not know what I would do without my children and their sacrifices to help me.  I love my children with all my heart as they do me.   We have had many ups and downs from crying to laughing and arguing.  Cancer is a bitch and so is the treatment.  Speaking of treatment, even the pre-meds are rough.  The prednisone made me have mood swings like a crazy person.  Yes, the whole family has gone through it with me.

I make it through 6 months of chemotherapy and now I am scheduled for a Pet Scan in two days.  I know my CA125 was 7 at my last check.  Normal level is under 30.  I am truly freaking out as I have not had chemotherapy for three weeks.  I pray I am clear and in remission.  I see my Oncologist the end of next week.

I have so much respect for all the nursing staff as they made me feel comfortable at each and every chemotherapy session.  They were all so nice and they made me feel special.  The many faces at chemotherapy each week fill my mind.  Some happy, some sad.  All of us there to continue to live.  I want to live and I will be cured from my peritoneal cancer.  I have to say that staying positive is difficult, but a must.

I have also had the wonderful pleasure of have meals prepared for twelve weeks from a local program called the Ceres Project.  They provide cancer fighting meals to help you learn to eat better.  I highly recommend them if you live in Northern California.  If not, I recommend you ask your Oncologist or Nurse Practitioner for assistance programs where you live.

I also met a wonderful woman named Linda who owns, Elizabeth’s Wig and Hair Salon who was very generous to my daughter and I.  She is an amazing lady and I am so grateful for her generosity and expertise.  She has amazing wigs and adorable hats.

I have survived blood transfusions, more bladder infections, pain, fatigue, constipation, nausea, headaches, and so much more.  Wow, I am still here and it is 2013!  I will survive!

Thank you so much for letting me in your lives.  Cancer and survival are now the rest of my life and no matter what, I will do what it takes to live my life to the fullest.

I will keep you posted.

God Bless Everyone with health, happiness and prosperity.

Gia

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