Cancer Diva Adventures: Short and to the Point

Ok, so, whats my point?

Yes, I write and write and it's all about me, but kind of bigger than that. At least that's a goal. I've learned so much through being a cancer patient, and I think much of it is useful information for others.  So, bloggees, a chance to learn about the cancer experience without actually having it. (I hope.) Unfortunately and undoubtedly, someone you are close to will experience cancer or another serious disease at some point.

What do I want folks to know? This morning, I awoke to a clear mind and these organized thoughts:

1. Cancer sucks, and treatment is tough, but it can be doable and liveable.

2. Stage IV is not always a death sentence.

3. There are many many people in the Stage IV club--perhaps someone who smiled at you today, who gave you the finger when you were driving to work, or who was sobbing hysterically in the parking lot.

4. We have made great advances, but we need more: more research, more identificaton of cancer subtypes, more diagnostics, more targeted treatments, including treatmnents for Stage IV/metastatic disease. Maybe someday, a preventative or a cure. It takes time, money, brilliance, dedication, and more.

5. Our world needs to adjust to the fact that many patients are living lengthy lives with chronic diseases.  Patients who want to juggle treatment with work and family obligations deserve a fair chance to continue to lead productive lives. 

So, think about this. Observe. Share your thoughts. Ask questions. Take action. And blow someone a kiss.

Yours in brief clarity,

CDiva

Sandi v. Cancer, Round 2

Its Baaaaaack! (to be stated in the tone of a preschool Drew Barrymore-lookalike in the 1982 Spielberg horror film “Poltergeist” )

I was 2 years cancer free in April 2012 (or so we thought).  The legal department gave me a plant. October 14, 2012 was exactly 2 1/2 years out AND my 56 1/2 year birthday (and no, no one gave me half of a birthday cake).  On that day, I proudly participated in Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Yoga on the Steps fundraiser, and (again) was the top individual fundraiser.  Yay me, and yay, my generous, thoughtful friends and family! I was called up to the stage and given the microphone & announced that I was exactly halfway through my five years. (as you may know, 5 year survival and 5-year non-recurrence are important milestones for cancer patients.)

Around that time, the plant seemed troubled and was not thriving, a bad sign.  Then in early November, a trip to the dentist led (via a rollercoaster week of testing) to the conclusion that my breast cancer has reoccurred.  And, no, my dentist was not feeling my breasts (or being "fresh", as my Mom might have said . . . Wow, the use of "fresh" has really changed!). The tale of the dentist, and that roller coaster ride, will be described in a future post.  

Any-hoo, my cancer must really love me.  I thought we broke up, but it snuck back. It’s like a stalker that you thought you got rid of--then you come home one night and he's sitting on your living room couch, feet up on the coffee table, wearing your slippers,  drinking your wine, and reading your latest “Wine Spectator.” And he's reading about cabernets and Bordeaux that are intended to be laid down for 10, 15, 20 years.  Futures.  He clearly has no intention of leaving anytime soon.  Cancer stalker has moved in. 

Yes, I think my cancer is male. He quickly moved on from my right breast and is exploring other areas of my body.  He is heading south--not towards my brain.  But he isn’t terribly savvy because he hasn’t gotten to the good body parts yet.  The task ahead is to keep him from going there.

So, my cancer has been detected in 4 sites: lymph nodes under my right arm (original surgery site), my neck, under my breast bone, and in my retroperitoneum (aren't you impressed I know that word!), which is inside my backbone.  Yes, I still have a backbone and it is strong!

Alas, the cancer spreading means that I am stage IV, which sounds scary and awful--but the good news is that I’m the earliest stage 4 my wonder oncologist, Dr. S, has ever seen. And he is brilliant, has seen hundreds (thousands?) of patients, and is far more interesting than his generic-sounding name.  So don’t worry my friends, I am in excellent hands, and it is anticipated that I will live for many years, albeit as a cancer patient.  It’s not what I wanted or planned on, but it’s what I've got. Everybody has something, right? And we don’t always get to choose.

  

I'll leave it at this for now.  There will be much more to follow.  I always did get in trouble for talking too much in school. 

  

Sandi