Tag Archives: cancer

Stage Two – Chemotherapy

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Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.    Ingrid Bergman

I have now had my five radiation treatments since that unexpected day four weeks ago at Northumberland Hills Hospital where the discovery of the cancer cells in my neck brought me literally to a neck brace and bed. I survived the treatment with minimal side effects a couple of weeks of very raw sore throat, a few lesions in my mouth and a few sore teeth and tired. But, following the maintenance protocols, eating and getting rest when needed has certainly helped. The hardest adjustment has been not being able to drive and having to rely on others to get me to appointments or shop. But, I do not complain because I am so fortunate to have the support of my family and friends that have driven these past few weeks. I just pretend I’m Miss Daisy, in “Driving Miss Daisy” one of my favourite movies.

Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy

One of my drivers has been my daughter she’s home for her graduation and reading week. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to spend real quality time and I know I drove her crazy about her driving, but the truth is she is just like her mom and likes to drive fast and is a good driver and will become a very good driver with time. During our drives, she was able to acknowledge and thank me for all the driving over the years, taking her to music, friends, and school. I loved it.

Now I get ready for the next stage of this fight which is the chemotherapy.  As I’ve mentioned previously having received chemotherapy over 35 years ago, I still have very strong negative feelings about this treatment. Back then all I had to do was walk into the hospital smell alcohol and I would start to throw up. They were shooting massive doses of chemo directly into my veins without the refined knowledge of the science behind chemo that they do today. So, I must admit my mental health strength is going to be tested over the next few months but I am ready. As with every other health fight this past six years I am my own miracle and against all odds I am a survivor. So, I’m putting on my amour and preparing to do battle and will go forth with love, support and strength of all those around me and kick some serious cancer butt.

You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It’s a mindset.
Dave Pelzer

R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa

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A few rough days since my last treatment three days ago.  I have been feeling a bit tired and woke on day six with a very sore throat and difficulty swallowing. But, all in all I’m doing very well and a couple of Tylenol with rest and I am right as rain. Life is good.

I wanted mention the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa for taking such good care of me and for being so helpful in making sure I understood how they would manage my treatment. To think a week ago I was diagnosed and sent on the radiation journey within a day is truly remarkable. Initially, I was so unsure about the radiation treatment, having received massage doses my first time around in the 70`s for Hodgkin’s disease. So to say I was intimidated to have to undergo this treatment again is an understatement, but with so little time to think about it, it was onward and forward. Today, I can only say wow… the Radiation Oncologist, technicians and nurses at the center are angels in disguise and helped make my experience an easy process to go through.

As I am somewhat of a tech junkie, I was fascinated with the progressive technology and applications that were being used to administrator the treatment and even manage patient intake. From the form fitting mask that molded over my head and  face  which initially looked like the top of a flat tennis racket grid pattern and made of a hard plastic to the technicians during setup who hovered over me in the center of this hi-tech wood paneled room, calling out facts and numbers, just like pilots do in the jets during pre-flight take offs. What kind of mathematical genius are these medical technicians? It took several hours (for me over two hours) to calculate out where and how to point those lasers through the grid mask. Amazing… For anyone interested I have linked to an actual treatment very similar to the one I was in and this is a picture of my actual face mask. 100_6546It’s a reminder  for me of how the world  has changed in this age of technology and folks it is not all bad.

For everyone and anyone who has to travel this road know that the health care professionals involved in the care of cancer patients are very special people and I believe truly have a sensitivity to our needs that goes beyond just their jobs. My journey is not over, but knowing that supporting me is a whole host of amazing medical professionals gives me the drive to do my part by staying positive, getting the rest I need, eating properly and give my friends and family the love and encouragement that I am here for them as they are for me and will continue the fight.

Every day, I can write is a very good day…