Seven months ago, this week, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and today I will undergo the LAST treatment to make sure it is out of my body! The 30th of 30 radiation treatments follows the four months of chemo-hell and the lumpectomy that got the tumor out! I saw a quote from Winston Churchill on Facebook last week that I think sums up any battle against cancer: "When you're going through Hell...Keep going!"
As the chemo fog clears, and I begin to feel more like myself, the hellish part is more real. In a way, while you're in the middle of that fog, and under the emotions of battle, you don't realize how dense and thick it is. I can now admit that I was tired and sick almost every day, but ignored it. The tough mom can't let anyone see a chink in her armor, and subconsciously, didn't want the opponent to see it either.
I felt odd yesterday, when South Salt Lake City honored me as the Grand Marshall of their parade, because the theme was "Courage." They said I displayed courage in going public with this personal battle... in how I've used this evil disease to encourage others to get screened... and in how staying public with it inspires others to push through life's battles. I think real courage is what our troops, firefighters, police, and other heroes have when they choose to do the amazing things they do. I didn't choose cancer. No one does. And to me, it wasn't a choice of whether to battle or not... it was a choice to just be stubborn and get through it! I'd love to see a parade theme of "Stubbornness!"
Keep going! That's what we did when we were in Orlando last month. We paid for a full day in Universal Studios theme park, and we were going to get our money's worth of fun, even though tropical storm Debby dumped sheets of rain on us...non-stop. No exaggeration! It poured all day! A couple trips on the Harry Potter Dragon coaster melted my eyelash glue 'til it was dripping down my face. (Eventually forming a transparent crust down the sides of my face!) I sat on a bench and pulled out my little tube of glue to do repairs...not caring that other sopping wet revelers could see. And for the record- we got our money's worth and had a total soaking wet blast!
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| Wet day at Universal Orlando! |
The hair, eyelash, and eyebrow dilemmas are the lingering daily pains-in-the-butt from chemo, and even with them, there are signs of recovery! I noticed twisty little eyebrow hairs just this morning, and felt microscopic stubbles of eyelash too. Most of my hair is a little over a half inch long, and it's an odd texture. Some is strong and straight, and other hairs are thin and whispy, like baby hair. It came in about 95% white, and I plan to color it tonight, so I can go wig-less when we celebrate with a family getaway weekend!
It does keep getting better if you keep going. I still come back to that quote and love the dual meaning of the words. If you are going through Hell...don't stop in the middle of it, or you'll be there forever! KEEP GOING, and you'll get through it. I'm sure it's one of many battles in my life, and we'll keep going...
I'm so glad you are done with this phase of your cancer story. Reading your update reminded me of the details of my son's radiation that have been tucked away in my memory bank for a few years, obviously not forgotten but definitely not front and center anymore. The sunburn-ish heat rash you described was what he had on his thigh as we literally raced from his last radiation treatment to the airport for his Make-a-Wish trip to Orlando. It didn't slow him down much. Your "keep going" attitude is so much like his was and is exactly what I need to hear. God bless you for your strength! Julie Barr
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you are doing well. So excited for you.
ReplyDeleteCongrates Mary!!!! although it may not really be a milestone but at the same time it is one... you have done it and with that there is that saying "
ReplyDeleteFear no evil" you have over came the evil that wanted to try and take over your body but you had the strength and courage to not let the evil win.... Congrates again for over coming something so horrible that likes to try and take so may people from us everyday...
BRAVO, standing ovation from Highland.... Hope the rest of your summer is smooth and wonderfully life affirming... YOU are courage and stubbornness rolled into GIVE THAT CANCER THE BOOT
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you went through hell and made it out the other side. Your example is a strength to many of us.
ReplyDeleteOh, so glad you are near the end of it. I had to have a follow up mammogram this past week, and all week my stomach was in knots. What if... what if....
ReplyDeleteBut you have shown that breast cancer doesn't have to end your life, it just changes your life.
Thank you for sharing.
Hey Mary -
ReplyDeleteIt was great reading your blog today! I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer about two months after you. I am a young mom (37) of three kids and watching and reading about your story helped me realize that I was not alone through this battle. I found myself just wanting that "Life is Normal" feeling back and knowing someone else who was going through the same thing brought some Normal back. Thank You and good luck! Watching people do hard things is very inspiring and you have definitely inspired many!! Thank you!
Mary, I'm so glad your treatments are over! What a huge relief that must be.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer 6 weeks ago and had 6" of my bowel removed 2 1/2 weeks ago. I will start chemotherapy in 3 weeks and it will take 24 weeks. I'm scared about having chemo, but I'm more scared of having cancer come back. So I will be very stubborn, and yes, brave, just like you and just do it.
Thanks for writing about all this. It helps me feel less afraid.
Hooray! We did it! It was fun to chat with you a bit at our Radiation treatments. I will miss the chats, but I will not miss going there every day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the hair re-growth. We have been trying to take a picture of mine once a week so we can put them all together in a slide show. It's amazing to look back and see how much it has grown and how fast. It feels like a dream though.
I share your sentiments about the chemo fog. It's hard to believe that it was only a few months ago that I was going through that hell and now here I am on the other side ready to put it behind me.
Here's to kicking cancer in the butt! :)
Mary, I found your blog through someone else's blog. I can so identify with you. My diagnosis came in January of 2011, triple negative also, had four months of chemo, lumpectomy and then partial mastectomy of left breast, and 33 radiation treatments. I last radiation was on October 20, 2011. My hair came back mostly gray, but I colored it as soon as there was enough to color. My chemo brain is finally cleared and I cannot use that as an excuse anymore! Ha. I haven't updated my blog in a long time but if you would like to visit it and read more of my journey it is at myjourneyinpink.blogspot.com Best wishes to you
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer July 2011. I went through 6 months of chemo with a month of radiation treatment. I was cancer free for a whole month until mine came back. I am starting chemo again. Your blog has helped me to keep fighting. Thank you for sharing your personal feelings.
ReplyDeletecongrats to you! I am a 12 year breast cancer survivor, though at diagnosis, the docs told me the odds were not in my favor. I had several positive lymph nodes, but blessedly the cancer has not shown up anywhere else. Just keep fighting - there is plenty of life after cancer! It does not define you or your future.
ReplyDeleteLife is great... 12 years and counting!
Best of luck to you.
Mary, thank you for sharing your story. I watched your story on the news last night while in the hospital. About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had 2/3 of my colon removed. After surgery my doctor told us that I was stage three and would need 6 months of chemo. Since surgery I have had a few set backs and was placed back into the hospital. I get released tomorrow so I can make it to my first appointment with my oncologist. I was so excited to see that I was going to be seeing Dr. Whisenant as well. This gave me a lot of confidence in the whole treatment. The worst part of it all is that I'm only 35 years old and shouldn't be getting colon cancer... Anyways, I've learned a lot from you and your blog and now I'm not so scared to go through everything. You look great!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Thanks for great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.
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I am so grateful for miracles. My husband has had terminal pancreatitis 2 times in the past 5 years & recovered fully from each bout. This was not medically possible, but it is possible with prayers. Two days before his surgery to remove a stone in his pancreas which carried only a 10% survival rate his doctor told us everything had totally disappeared with his pancreatitis, including the stone & half dead pancreas! He is well now & driving a semi truck which he has done for 40 years now. I found out that I have uterine cancer on Mar. 1st, & had a total hysterectomy. They said they got all the cancer, then 4 weeks later at my post-op said I have grade 3 Uterine Papillary Serous Adenocarcinoma (UPSC as it is called).It is the worst form of uterine cancer. Luckily stage 1 ! I had 3 each of radiation & chemo. Now I am cancer free & feel very blessed! Going back to work as a nanny for 4 kids which I have done for 10 years. They also thought I had Lynch Syndrome which is genetic & means you can get many forms of cancer (90%) chance & basically a death sentence. It also disappeared when tested again! We believe in miracles through many prayers, & are praying for you too. I have many of the side effects like you & enjoyed reading your whole blog tonight. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks much for sharing the truth about your whole ordeal (sick and tired every day). You have shown great courage... which is a strength to others.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 1, triple negative, at the end of May. Lumpectomy - done (margins and lymph nodes clear). Brachytherapy (radiation) - done. Chemo - I'm smack dab in the middle of (just had first treatment last thursday). Can't wait for five more treatments to be behind me... and hopefully get back on a more normal mindset.
Glad to know that you have recovered well.The tips you provided will sure help to fight breast cancer,thanks for the informational post.One of the tips that i want to share is that Counter breast Cancer with Omega3 fatty acid It is helpful to reduce the danger of breast cancer.hope for your better future.
ReplyDeleteThe topic that your blog deals with demands loads of research in Cancer. Thanks to you who has provided the intricate information in simple words.
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ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERBAL PORTION I WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM BREAST CANCER.
ReplyDeleteI'm here again to appreciate. DR WILLIAMS God will always continue to bless you more abundantly, for the good works you don in my life, I will always keep on writing good and posting my testimonies about you on the Internet, I’m Jessica from Orlando, Florida. I was tested breast cancer positive, I saw a blog on how DR WILLIAMS cured people with his herbal portion, i did not believe in natural medicine but i just decided to give him a try, I contacted him,and explain my situation to him,few day later he sent me the herb, after taking doc Williams herbal medicine for few week i also got my healing with his herbal portion, i am so happy. If you have any type of cancer problem or you are also infected with any kind of disease, contact him Drwilliams098765@gmail.com for advice and for his product,i hope this testimony also help some one out there
WOW ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS I HAVE NEVER BELIEVE IN HERBAL REMEDIES.
ReplyDeletemy daughter have been a patient of breast cancer . I had tried a lot of anti viral med prescribed to me by doctors over how many years now but I could not see any improvements in my daughter symptoms. One day while going through the internet , i got to know about this great Herbal Dr who uses his herbal remedies in curing people from cancer,quickly i contacted him and he prepared a herbal medication for my daughter which i received and he used it as instructed by dr williams. After few weeks the improvement were very visible.the redness and nipple discharge gradually stooped ,on thing now she is so full of life. I would recommend this to all my friends,families,around the globe suffering from cancer.you can contact him through his email on drwilliams098675@gmail.com.for advice and for his product THANKS TO YOU ONCE AGAIN DR WILLIAMS
As a sign of gratitude for how my wife was saved from CANCER, i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
ReplyDeleteMy wife suffered cancer in the year 2013 and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because she was my all and the symptoms were terrible, she always complain of abnormal vaginal bleeding, and she always have pain during sexual intercourse. . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure her. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to cancer . I never imagined cancer. has a natural cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my wife will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my wife used it and in one months time she was fully okay even up till this moment she is so full of life. cancer. has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony.
Thanks to Dr Williams I am so happy today, my wife have been suffering from breast cancer for the past 8 years now, and i have spent a lot on western drugs which has all proved abortive, i have tried all means in life to get my wife out of this , but there was no answer until i decided to try herbal solution and i found Dr Williams online and i contacted him and after she took his medication as instructed, my wife is now completely cure from breast cancer within those week of usage, i am so much happy, thanks to Dr Williams for helping me get my wife life back again without any form of crisis, i promise to tell your name and good deeds to the whole world,if you have someone with cancer you can email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for more information .
ReplyDeleteALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERB MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM BREAST CANCER .
ReplyDeleteIs my pleasure to comment on this site and i thank the admin of this site for his/her great work so far.one of the happiest moment in my life was when the doctor confirm that my wife is been free from this illness. this awesome moments makes me the happiest man on earth, I really don't know how to thank DR WILLIAMS for helping my wife get cured for over how many year of suffering from breast cancer. i came across DR Williams contact through a headline news on internet about how DR Williams help a woman to get cured of her colon cancer and so many other with similar body problem ,i contacted him and he told me how to get his herb,few day later he sent me the herbal portion which my wife take every morning for 28 days, and his medicine was able to cure her completely from breast cancer. and now she very mush okay without any side effects whatsoever, If you have any form of cancer, you can always contact him on his email address drwilliams098675@gmail.com for advice and for his product.
I recently have some difficult conversations and I did what a lot of people do when they want to know how to do something. I googled it. I came across Dr Williams herbal medicine on YouTube so many people thanking him about his good work. I also have lungs cancer. I wasn’t running all over God’s creation with every man I could find but here I am. I have felt bad about myself for so many years now because of my cancer status. I obviously still have some self-accepting to do but I want to thank Dr Williams for everything he have done for my family ,after taking Dr Williams medicine i was completely free from lungs cancer within one month of usage, I think what you are doing is so admirable. you have helped me a lot! I want to definitely reach out to you and thank you for your amazing work. You are a good person, and an extremely talented man. You have helped millions with your herbs, and have really inspired me,and i pray you still continue doing the good work.you can also email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help
ReplyDeleteI recently have some difficult conversations and I did what a lot of people do when they want to know how to do something. I googled it. I came across Dr Williams herbal medicine on YouTube so many people thanking him about his good work. I also have lungs cancer. I wasn’t running all over God’s creation with every man I could find but here I am. I have felt bad about myself for so many years now because of my cancer status. I obviously still have some self-accepting to do but I want to thank Dr Williams for everything he have done for my family ,after taking Dr Williams medicine i was completely free from lungs cancer within one month of usage, I think what you are doing is so admirable. you have helped me a lot! I want to definitely reach out to you and thank you for your amazing work. You are a good person, and an extremely talented man. You have helped millions with your herbs, and have really inspired me,and i pray you still continue doing the good work.you can also email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help
ReplyDeleteI am Shelley from Los Angeles California, I want to testify on how i got cured from breast cancer, I have suffered from breast cancer since the year 2011 with so mush pain,that i have to spend so mush money getting pain relief in the hospital, and I have visited several doctor ,but all to no avail, my world was gradually coming to an end because of the pain until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbal Dr Williams who use herbal portion in curing people from different kind of diseases including breast cancer, at first i doubted if it we be able to cure me , but i decided to give it a try, when i contacted this herbal doctor via his email, he prepared a herbal portion and sent it to me via courier service, when i received this herbal medicine, he gave me step by step instructions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was completely free from breast cancer just for 1 months of usage,i we recommend this to all my friend family in the world today who still suffering from breast cancer you can contact him through his email on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help.
ReplyDeleteI'm 15 years old. I was born with HIV my mother passed away because of the HIV infection And I regret why i never met Dr Itua he could have cured my mum for me because as a single mother it was very hard for my mother I came across Dr itua healing words online about how he cure different disease in different races diseases like HIV/Aids Herpes,Parkison,Copd,Epilepsy,Shingles,Cold Sore,Infertility, Chronic Fatigues Syndrome,Fibromyalgia, Diabetes Hepatitis even Cancer I was so excited but frighten at same time because I haven't come across such thing article online then I contacted Dr Itua on Mail drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com I also chat with him on what's app +2348149277967 he tells me how it works then I tell him I want to proceed I paid him so swiftly Colorado post office I receive my herbal medicine within 4/5 working days he gave me guild lines to follow and here am I living healthy again can imagine how god use men to manifest his works am I writing in all articles online to spread the god work of Dr Itua Herbal Medicine,He's a Great Man.
ReplyDeleteI am 29 years old and have been diagnosed with breast cancer, ease of treatment and a similar story, except for my first acceptance as a rejection of herbal medicine. I was not part of the Perseid movement and did not really build relationships with any of them, I just believed in their operation. I say this because it was during the use of Dr. Itua herbal medicine that I now attest that herbal medicine is real, the phytotherapy Dr. Itua heal my breast cancer which I suffered for 2 years. Dr. Itua herbal medicine is made of natural herbs, with no side effects, and easy to drink. If you have the same breast cancer or any type of human illness, including HIV / AIDS, herpes cancer,Ovarian Cancer,Pancratics cancers, bladder cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer and skin cancer.testicular Cancer, , LEUKEMIA, VIRUSES, HEPATITIS, INFERTILITY WOMEN / MAN, LOT OF LOVE, LOTTERY. ITS CONTACT EMAIL / WHATSAPP: info@drituaherbalcenter.com Or drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com/ +2348149277967
ReplyDeleteHello everyone, i'm Linda Harry from United State i was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease for over 6 years which made me loose my job and my relationship with my Fiance after he discovered that i was having Parkinson, he departed from me, and i tried all my best to make him stays, but he neglected me until a friend of mine from UK told me Great healer, who will restore my life back with his powerful healing herbal medicine. then he sent me his email address to contact him- drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com. and i quickly contacted him, and he said my condition can be solved, that he will treat the disease immediately only if i can accept trust on him and accept his terms and condition, i Agreed because i was so much in need of help by all means, so i did all he instructed me to do. And surprisingly after two weeks, He sent me a text, that i should hurry up to the hospital for a checkup, which i truly did, i confirm from my doctor that i am now ( PARKINSON NEGATIVE) my eyes filled with tears and joy, crying heavily because truly the disease deprived me of many things from my life, This is a Miracle, dr imoloa also uses his powerful herbal medicine to cure the following diseases: lupus disease, mouth ulcer, mouth cancer, body pain, fever, hepatitis A.B.C., syphilis, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, Huntington's Disease, back acne, Chronic renal failure, addison disease, Chronic Pain, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, fungal nail disease, Lyme Disease, Celia disease, Lymphoma, Major Depression, Malignant Melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's Disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis , Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease, parkison disease, vaginal cancer, epilepsy, Anxiety Disorders, Autoimmune Disease, Back Pain, Back Sprain, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Tumour, Malignant, Bruxism, Bulimia, Cervical Disk Disease, cardiovascular disease, Neoplasms, chronic respiratory disease, mental and behavioural disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, asthma, Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis. chronic kidney disease, inflammatory joint disease, impotence, feta alcohol spectrum, Dysthymic Disorder, Eczema, tuberculosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, bone cancer, lung cancer. contact him on email- drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com. and also on whatssap- +2347081986098
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Your blog is so beautiful, I have been so busy lately about life but let me share with you all about my health life experience with the great herbal traditional doctor that saved the life of mine and my dear husband.I was suffering from a deadly disease herpes and diabetes and i went through alot trying to get better each everyday of my life until I came across a testimony on blogs someone telling good about Dr Jekawo, a traditional herbal doctor that cure all kind of disease such as: herpes,diabetes,cancer,hpv,lupus,degenerative disease also bring back ex, and other spiritual consultations, I contacted him via drjekawo@gmail.com then he pepared the herbal medicines and send to me which takes 21 days treatment that cured my diabetes and herpes completely,I'm so grateful with the help he rendered to me therefore I promised to share his great works.Thank you and I hope this could save someone else out there.
ReplyDeleteKaren Paul
South Carolina.