The anniversary of my diagnosis is approaching and I have been trying not to think of it. This is not an anniversary that anyone looks forward to or celebrates. Instead it brings a dread that is hard to shake off. I have often referred to 2011 as the year that saved my life and while John thinks of it as the most awful year of our lives, I do not quite see it that way.
I went through some terrible things that I wasn't sure I would survive. But I fought so hard not to have them break my spirit or my body. Some days were harder than others but here I am almost a year later ... stronger in spirit and getting stronger in body.
I began 2012 ... the year of the Dragon ... with so much hope. I am filled with the sense that this is a different year from the last. I can't wait for Monday morning to be over ... so that the dread that is dancing on the edges of my being can be dispelled.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
My Radiation Friend has died
I was sad today to learn about the death of Fr. Theophile Brown:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesdispatch/obituary.aspx?n=theophile-waldorf-brown&pid=155229224
http://richmondmonks.org/?p=451
John was reading the Catholic Virginian and said, "Isn't this the priest that had his radiation with you?" I looked at the picture and saw that it was indeed, Fr. Brown. He had died on Christmas Eve.
Our paths had crossed during our radiation sessions -- his were a couple of minutes before mine and we would chat as we waited for our treatments. I remember how happy he was at the end of his treatment. We ran into each other outside St. Mary's and we stopped to chat. He told me that he was done and that he was looking forward to gaining back some of the 30 pounds he had lost. We wished each other good luck and that was the last I saw of him.
I had hoped that he had gone on to recover from his tongue and throat cancer and was gaining weight. I am deeply saddened by the fact that he lived only a few more months after that day. I hope his last days were filled with peace and acceptance that his time on this earth was coming to an end, and that his 86 years here had been well spent.
It is not always easy to keep away thoughts of what this disease really means -- it is a death sentence that hangs over you for all time, and it gets more difficult when people who have touched your life, succumb to it.
I shall pray for you tonight, Fr. Brown, and I hope that you are now with the God you served for so many decades. And I hope you spare a thought for me and a prayer that God gives me the long life he gave you.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesdispatch/obituary.aspx?n=theophile-waldorf-brown&pid=155229224
http://richmondmonks.org/?p=451
John was reading the Catholic Virginian and said, "Isn't this the priest that had his radiation with you?" I looked at the picture and saw that it was indeed, Fr. Brown. He had died on Christmas Eve.
Our paths had crossed during our radiation sessions -- his were a couple of minutes before mine and we would chat as we waited for our treatments. I remember how happy he was at the end of his treatment. We ran into each other outside St. Mary's and we stopped to chat. He told me that he was done and that he was looking forward to gaining back some of the 30 pounds he had lost. We wished each other good luck and that was the last I saw of him.
I had hoped that he had gone on to recover from his tongue and throat cancer and was gaining weight. I am deeply saddened by the fact that he lived only a few more months after that day. I hope his last days were filled with peace and acceptance that his time on this earth was coming to an end, and that his 86 years here had been well spent.
It is not always easy to keep away thoughts of what this disease really means -- it is a death sentence that hangs over you for all time, and it gets more difficult when people who have touched your life, succumb to it.
I shall pray for you tonight, Fr. Brown, and I hope that you are now with the God you served for so many decades. And I hope you spare a thought for me and a prayer that God gives me the long life he gave you.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Normal Potassium!
On Friday, January 5th, I went for my Herceptin infusion and was happy to find out that my potassium has finally climbed up to 4 from the miserable 2.9 three weeks ago. I guess removing the HCT from my Diovan and all the potassium pills have finally helped!
I knew that Herceptin was somehow interfering with one of my medications. At least now I don't have to worry about my potassium levels and whether each time I go for my infusion, I would need to have an extra two hours for the potassium infusion.
So happy!
I knew that Herceptin was somehow interfering with one of my medications. At least now I don't have to worry about my potassium levels and whether each time I go for my infusion, I would need to have an extra two hours for the potassium infusion.
So happy!
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