I Need a Vacation

I need a vacation, but I don't mean that in the traditional sense. I'm looking forward to going to work Monday morning. I miss being in the office and around my colleagues. The vacation I need is from my second job - beating cancer.

While in the hospital, I read a post on a leukemia discussion board that resonated with me. At the time, the patient was partway through his ten weeks of the daily Arsenic Trioxide drip. He wrote that instead of viewing the daily regimen as a nuisance, he was treating it like a job. His job was to get better. Each day, he would show up on time to the appointment, keep a positive attitude, and take responsibility for his health.

Over the past five weeks, I have mirrored his approach.

Thank You to Our Troops

Today is Independence Day. In addition to celebrating the founding of our country, it is a time to honor the armed forces that preserve our independence. We pray they will not have to make the greatest sacrifice for our country, but the sacrifices they make each day are unavoidable. Their tours last multiples of my 40 days in the hospital. They miss births, birthdays, graduations, and so many small, precious moments in their family members' lives.

I have always held those who serve our country in the highest regard. In fact, if Lily would have been a boy, born this August, he would have been named after a World War II veteran in our family. My experience this spring has given me a glimpse of what the troops endure in terms of being away from their families. Now I hold those who serve in an even higher regard.

To any who have served or serve now: thank you, for everything you've sacrified.

Elmo At Last

The other day, my mom and I took Katelyn to Sesame Place. We arrived at 3:30, when some families were already leaving, and stayed until 8:30. It was my happiest afternoon in the past three months, and it wouldn't have happened without my mom's help.

The daily arsenic treatments seem to be having a cumulative effect on me. Recently, I've been more tired and nauseated. It took me two days to recover from our afternoon at "Elmo Street," as Katelyn calls it. But it was well worth it. Even though it was exhausting for me, I refused to let cancer steal a happy day from my daughter. Every moment I'm with her, I try my best to be a regular mom, because that's what she deserves.

Three weeks into my hospital stay, Katelyn had stopped asking for me at home. No one had shared this heartbreaking development with me during those tough days. I've only been told about it recently, as a point of comparison to how she acts now.

Book Review: Having Children After Cancer

"Having Children After Cancer," by Gina M. Shaw gives hope and advice for young adults and children diagnosed with fertility-threatening forms of cancer. Ms. Shaw's inspiration for the comprehensive guide was her own experience. After surviving breast cancer, she is now the proud mother of one adopted child and two children via natural pregnancies.

Published in 2011, this guide is up-to-date on today's cancer treatments and assisted fertility techniques. It details: how various cancers and treatments can affect fertility; options for preserving fertility prior to treatments; pregnancy during/after cancer; alternatives to traditional conception if fertility preservation wasn't possible before treatment; and many of the emotional aspects relating to being a cancer survivor and parent.

What To Do When You're Expecting

Anyone who's had a child is familar with the book, What to Expect When You're Expecting. Here is one thing to consider doing while expecting: investigate cord blood banking.

It is unlikely that your future child will ever be afflicted with any of the conditions a cache of stem cells could mitigate/cure. Plus, the initial cost and yearly storage fee is material. My family has learned, however, that the unlikely can happen.

Worthy Causes

Since my initial diagnosis, I've learned the importance of a support network, resources, and cancer research. Millions of cancer patients benefit from all three. Below I've outlined some great ways to help in the fight against cancer.

• Support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Tammy, a friend of my good friend Michele, is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. She will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in October. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been a tremendous resource for me. Its educational materials helped me understand my diagnosis and prognosis. In two weeks, I will be attending a support group meeting organized by the society. And of course, they fund research.

• Support the American Cancer Society - My dear friend, Sarah, who was a bridesmaid in my wedding, will be running the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon on behalf of the American Cancer Society in August. She chose this as her cause because of my battle. She's such a sweetheart. My Aunt Laura works for the American Cancer Society, and has been providing me with connections and resources available through this amazing organization.

• Help Jeff's Fight Against Leukemia - Yesterday I learned of a fellow Wisconsin native and University of Minnesota alum who was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with the Philadelphia strand. I was devastated by the news. Jeff Tomczek is in the hospital now. He is 27. My heart goes out to him and his family, and I hope that I am able to connect with him to offer my support. A few years ago, his prognosis would have been dim. However, according to my oncologist, there have been recent advancements in treatment that make his outlook much brighter. Unfortunately, Jeff is a self-employed entrepreneur, who does not have health insurance. I am so fortunate to work for a great company with a very good insurance plan. I can't imagine what it would be like to have financial angst on top of the health angst. His treatment regimen will be somewhat similar to mine, except different drugs. In some cases, stronger, more expensive drugs.

I've added a section of Links in the left-hand column,which includes the oranizations and ways to donate referenced above. If any other runners or fundraisers out there would like me to add links to their pages, I'd be pleased to do so.

A Day at the Beach (without the beach)

 

After tomorrow, I will have completed three of the ten weeks of the Arsenic Trioxide (not including the two week break in the middle). I've been asked how the daily IV infusion makes me feel, and I've finally found the right metaphor to describe it:

When I leave the oncologist's office each afternoon, I feel like I've spent the day at the beach. It's that sunburned, dehydrated, woozy, exhausted feeling that's normally cured with a pina colada and a lounge chair positioned to face the sunset. Except I don't actually have the sunburn, and I didn't actually play in the surf and sand.

I haven't tried the pina colada and lounge chair remedy yet. Maybe I should, though I am not complaining about this day-at-the-beach side effect. It is nothing compared to what chemo can do. I'm making the most of my Summer at the Beach (without the beach) before the season ends and I begin two more rounds of stronger chemo (Daunarubicin).

In my first post, I'd hoped to be walking on a white sandy beach by August. That won't be happening. But it will eventually, and I'll relish that exhausted feeling at the end of the day.