June 30, was the end of a very difficult week. Last weekend, I celebrated the end of my third week of treatment, rejoicing over kicking a very painful thrush infection. I felt my spirits rise as my mouth healed and pain retreated momentarily
But as usual, in Cancerland, things change daily and leaving you [...]
Rejoice! Open the royal pantry! Double portions of juice and crackers for all. I’ve passed the halfway point in my radiation and chemotherapy at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
I’ve performed fairly well. I’ve learned much about deathly and painful illness – not just my own. I’ve exceeded my ability to bear pain, [...]
I’ve discovered a new radiation therapy surprise. I have thrush. Thrush is a manifestation of a distinctly uncomfortable form of yeast overgrowth. My mouth is covered with the white furry evidence of the disease. I should have known. I’ve had two babies get thrush. But being a cancer [...]
My radiology oncologist is a very tall lady, black hair bobbed just below her chin, she has a wide smile, and very strong Chinese accent. She is brilliant and ever ready to give me a happy story to encourage me along. I needed those stories today.
Over the last week my salivary glands have stopped [...]
My living conditions are palatial and I am being watched over by a multitude of angels. I am extremely fortunate.
When I called my sister to tell her I have cancer, her response was: “If you need to leave Alaska for treatment you can come to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah and stay with us [...]
As I travel to the cancer center and observe my fellow cancer patients enduring their treatments, and watch the careful and tender attention of the care givers there, I am struck more and more by the similarity between any kind of caring for the sick and religious ritual.
For example, my experience in the radiation room. [...]
As of today, I have had ten total radiation treatments on my tongue and neck. One each weekday, plus two last Friday and this Monday. I’ve also had one chemotherapy treatment.
This is progress. This brings me closer to my goal of shrinking the tumors into non-existence. I tumble forward through [...]
Ralph dangling high above Lagoon with grandson. More fun like this, less hospital drama, please!
Yes, we know it’s summer or almost so. But in my Cancerland, Spring has been sprung. My support, my companion, my nursemaid, my shoulder to lean on who was so rudely taken from me ten days ago has been Sprung from his dismal jail cell in the rabbit hole [...]