Where do I even start? It has been a little over a week, but it has gone by in a flash getting everything marshalled and ready to dive into the process of killing off the bad cells again. Plus, the added complication with the leg infection. Which might be a good place to start.
And Then There Was One
The past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of tests in addition to the surgery to remove the old port and install a new one. The oncologist wanted to have a clear picture of the extent of the progression and to ensure we wouldn’t run into problems due to any unknown underlying health issues. The good news is that other than one anticipated result, everything else was positive.
Out with the Old and In with the New
Yesterday, as per the results of the portogram, I underwent port replacement surgery. Out with the old, and in with the new. The day was a bit nostalgic because the port being removed had been with me so far during my cancer journey.
Omens and Outcomes
Yesterday was a test day: portogram and bone marrow biopsy. I had to be up at the crack of dawn—except dawn didn’t crack. We had pitch-dark skies, thunder showers, and a transformer that blew in a blinding flash just before we reached the hospital. I wondered whether it was an omen for how the tests would go.
Blessed, Not Brave
Throughout this journey, I’ve heard “you’re so brave” several times. It always takes me by surprise because I don’t feel brave. I don’t feel afraid either—I’m blessed.
Jumping Through Hoops: aka Cancer Rears Its Head
The next chapter of my cancer journey begins. A new lump, with some twists and the hoops I’ve had to jump through.
The New Years’ Dance
Welcome to 2024!!! Life is like a dance, we take a few steps forward and a few back, and sometime run in circles.
10 Years of Living with Leukemia
This month marks a big milestone … the 10th Anniversary of my leukemia & lymphoma diagnosis. I have decided that this is something to celebrate.
What a Difference a Week Makes
Last week this time, my head was so fuzzy, I couldn’t think straight, I spent the bulk of the day in bed because of the fatigue levels, I had had a reaction to the chemo the day before and generally felt crappy.
The New Regime
I have been on the new oral chemo protocol for a month now, and things are going along okay. Do I have any side effects? Yep. But it would be a rare thing if I didn’t react in some way to these drugs. The worst of it is shortness of breath going up and down the stairs or if I … Read More
The Winding Road Ahead
This is not a post I wanted to write. As the United States was falling into the rabbit hole of the pandemic in February/March of 2020, I was finishing up a six month cycle of chemotherapy. A cycle where we had high hopes for a long remission and perhaps a return to some sort of normalcy. Not that ANYONE had … Read More
Time Flies – Except in the Chemo Chair
PHOTO BY JORDAN BENTON Phew!! Time has been flying by so fast, I cannot keep up … with anything. I had good intent to keep everyone updated as to my progress through this round of chemo, but managed one post after Cycle 1, Day 1, and here is it a new year and I have completed Cycle 4, Day 3 … Read More