It is somehow appropriate that tonight is a full moon, here at the beginning of a new year, and on this day specifically; January 2nd. Eleven years…cancer free. At this time all those years ago, I was finishing up my final 8-hour treatment and heading home for a celebration dinner Louise had prepared. It was … Continue reading 11
cancer
I Am in Remission!
Remission. In Cancerland, it is a wonderful word. A word which is coveted by every person in the chemo room, doctor’s office, hospital, or lab. It is every patient’s goal to hear that word, and every doctor’s desire to say it. It means the diminution of the disease…the cancellation of cancer. The origin of the … Continue reading I Am in Remission!
Beating the Odds
I have always hated math. It is no secret. Anyone who has known me for any length of time can tell you. I regularly communicate to my students that when I was a kid, I used to pray to God every night to take away multiplication. I distinctly remember this prayer, because it was one … Continue reading Beating the Odds
Me and My Friend Bev
I had a delightful afternoon with my childhood friend Beverly yesterday. We hadn’t seen each other face to face in many, many years. However, over the past few, we have bonded on Facebook through our shared Cancerland experiences. It was good to finally get to hug her neck long and hard, and to catch … Continue reading Me and My Friend Bev
Double Trouble
Ten years ago on this date, I heard some extremely scary words. “You have diabetes.” and then “You have Cancer.” The D word and the C word, said within one breath of each other. My world was turned upside down in that moment. Death came to taunt me and Fear took up residence in my … Continue reading Double Trouble
My Friend Marcia
I met my friend Marcia at a Relay for Life event at which I was the speaker. After the telling of my survival story she came to me and said, “You need to come to my support group. We need some young ones like you.” I was 43 at the time I was diagnosed with … Continue reading My Friend Marcia
Nine Years Ago Today….
I have two dates I make note of each year. One is July 7th, the other is Jan.2nd. The first is the date I was diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer and it is a more solemn occasion, a day of reflection. The second is the day I became cancer free… a celebration. I am … Continue reading Nine Years Ago Today….
A Victory Lap
It’s that time again. Tomorrow I will don my purple shirt and take a victory lap. That is how I have come to view the survivor lap at Relay for Life. It is an acknowledgment of a hard-fought battle with a ruthless foe. I am amazed every year at the number of new faces that … Continue reading A Victory Lap
What’s With the Purple?
I had no idea it was World Cancer Day, and somehow I completely missed the fact that I was supposed to wear purple. However, due to the sea of purple around me, I found that my mind wandered to cancer…and survival…and treatment…and a host of other thoughts associated with the disease, and my close face … Continue reading What’s With the Purple?
