Cancer is only part of my journey

Personally, I am taking the former. It frees me from being mired in negativity and allows me to focus on the business of healing.

I made it thru major surgery, radiation and even chemo with fewer side effects than immunotherapy has given me during the last month. I am on Keytruda for stage 4 endometrial cancer (tumor atop vagina). While a CTScan proved the Beast is on the run, my one knee, deltoids and ankle have experienced extreme pain and weakness.  Heavy-duty painkillers (which I hate) don't seem to extinguish the 24/7 agony. I had to start walking with my walker again months after walking without it and my hiking stick. Rats! My oncologist took me off today's infusion, put me on an anti inflammatory as my usual daily intake of turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, green tea and tart cherry juice isn't working. I also have an appt with an orthopedic surgeon to make sure if there is anything else wrong. This is not a cry for help or a vent. It is just curiosity over possible side effects for Keytruda. As it is a new therapy - not all is known yet so I will keep you...

Why keeping positive is so important to battling the Beast. Last Friday I was scheduled to give blood as I have since April prior to my chemo and now immunotherapy sessions. Last Friday, New York was also recovering from a huge snowstorm the night before. But like an intrepid Arctic explorer, I layered my clothing and set forth. Once arriving at the infusion center, one of my nurse Countess Draculas (my loving nickname for them) looked confused and asked 'why are you here?' It turned out despite being in the middle of this round's sessions, I only need bloodletting once not twice. They were so apologetic over the situation. Once upon a time, I would have adopted a put upon attitude at the inconvenience. But I had had some juice, graham crackers and spoken with funny (haha) strangers. Since my 2nd war w/ the Beast started, I have come to understand the extreme power of not sweating the small stuff. Also never allowing the big stuff to throw me off c...

Sorry, its been so long between posts. Chemo ended at the end of August. Immunotherapy began three weeks later, and still continues. My cancer battle is an interesting one, especially since it has caused another war waged against poverty. So when my laptop went KAPUT in September, the ability to write online was greatly reduced. I cannot type on my phone comfortably. But I'm back with more insight as my battle with the Beast continues. Thanks for traveling with me.

Laugh! Laugh until you snort in delight, turn red and have tears rolling down your face! Some might think I’ve lost my mind. After all cancer is serious matter, hardly an object of mirth. I beg to differ. Granted, laughter is not the first thing one thinks of when cancer invades your life. But it needs to be in the top ten activities for battling the Beast. Decades ago, I read about a writer/editor named Norman Cousins, He was one of the first to recognize and positively incorporate humor into his treatment. I remember thinking I would do that too, should a potentially devastating disease ever strike me. Research shows the advantages of laughter. They include: ·          Being a great cardiovascular workout. ·          Stimulates the nervous system and relieve some pain. ·          Reduces stress. ·     ...

Don't get me wrong as I am extremely grateful for the talented and gifted folks who make and donate hats for us cancer patients, and our nippy noggins. But with this one...somewhere, somehow, somebody's granny is missing a tea cosy!