Book Two - Determination On Life's Road: 2

CHAPTER  2

ANSWERED   EXPLANATIONS

Like with brain tumors and epilepsy, same goes with cancer. Technology has come a long ways to help people live a longer and healthier life. There are, as I said before, many new meds and treatments out there. I for one am a twenty year survivor of a pituitary tumor removed and benign. The pituitary gland operates all other parts of your body. With that surgery, my system got out of whack. So when I get sick like vomiting, having a cold, having any kind of surgery or teeth pulled; I have to get my Cortef back into me immediately.  That’s because my electrolytes get out of kilter if I don’t.

Women with ovarian cancer may not have lived very long in the past. Now with treatments and meds, women can live longer. Again, I am a survivor of ovarian cancer for five years. If I need to, I will go back on chemo again and again. Research is going on and on to find new drugs, treatments, zeroing in other areas to help us cancer patients. I also have a very good cancer doctor who is also the chief oncologist and surgeon. He along with other oncologists are always working, attending seminars to be updated on new procedures.

Our doctors can’t help us if we [again] don’t do our part. I can’t stress that enough. We are to learn all we can, make a promise to ourselves by fighting our disease and working with our doctors. When I say I can deal with cancer and all that goes with it, I mean I can handle and accept it. Why deny that I have it? I do and know what to expect for most part. I’m thankful for these scan tests, CAT scans and blood work. They all have their way of telling us what’s going on. I’m also thankful for all my doctors keeping track of things and keeping me informed.

To deal with emotions which I have moments of? I can turn to the Lord to help as well. I have times of uncertainties of outcome of things. These are moments when I just write and share some positive thoughts with others. I just talked with my sister Barb on the phone tonight. We were discussing my first book. She has it already typed up. We were discussing the title, picture collage and writings about the author - me. I’m anxious to see my first book. My book won’t be in a store to sell. But that’s okay. I’m giving books to those who will really be interested in reading one. That’s good enough for me.

I went for my chemo the sixth of December. I saw Dr. Musa before I had chemo. He decided to send me for a CAT scan this coming Tuesday morning. If the CAT scan comes back negative, then he’s going to take me off the chemo for period of time. If that happens, my cancer count and my CBC’S [complete blood count] will be checked every two months. He asked me if that was okay and I said “yes.” In my mind, I had lot of questions. When I was by myself, I did lot of thinking. The more I thought, the more I became optimistic. It will work out either way.

I see Dr. Hayes tomorrow morning. I’m to see Dr El-Hassan Friday morning.  I told Dr. Musa I trust his judgment. I’m just afraid I didn’t sound so convincing as I was leaving his office.