In the MOST delightful way!

Remission is upon us...and it could not have come sooner! Although I was very confident about yesterday's outcome, as my doctor entered the exam room she began, "So here's a loaded question..." My heart sank as I was convinced she was about to ask how I felt about more treatment or radiation. Thankfully, she began sharing the story of a new young patient whom she hoped to give my contact info. Sigh of relief. As I receive my amazing news, the Mary Poppins of medicine has already begun transitioning to the next patient. Not that I mind in the least.

I did ask whether or not the word "remission" should be entering my vocabulary. I was met by an emphatic "yes!" along with other wonderful phrases like "fully recovered" and "done!"


If you're concerned that this means the end of "The Cancer Dancer," don't worry.  I think this is a ideal place to raise awareness about young adults with cancer, a widely misunderstood group of patients. (Sorry, teens, it's not you guys.)

Voting for Remission

Final tallies have not been made, but polling sites are officially closed. And by polls I mean Highland Park Hospital Radiology Department. And by votes I mean the fate of my lymph nodes. I did double duty this morning with a PET Scan followed by a CT Scan. A final visit to my doctor on Monday will determine if. I. am. cured.

Stay tuned.

My love/hate relationship with steroids

It is an eternally changing status. During treatment, steroids serve to subsidize the harsh side effects of chemotherapy. I was given a strong dose of hydro-cortisone before the "D" segment of my ABVD treatment. Dacarbazine is the lengthiest and, as far as I understand, most aggressive of the four drugs infused.  I also took Benadryl just before treatment and a prescribed steroid in the two days afterward. This helped curb skin irritation, nausea, aches and pains: you name it. Great, right? Well, sort of...

I was grateful when, after explaining my considerable arm pain, she added the hydro-cortisone to my routine, and it made a huge difference in my comfort level. This coincided with a surprising inability to button my jeans. Bummer. In three short months I went from being unable to wear my clothes because of my emaciated state to just the opposite.

I made an uneducated assumption that after my chemo cycles were complete I'd feel the final effects for the usual 8 days or so and go on my merry way. I didn't realize that while I said goodbye to the drug pushing nurses, exhausted veins and debilitated immune system I was also leaving behind the magical effects of steroids. While the chemo drugs continue to attack,  the steroids eventually wear off. I'm gradually going back to my normal size (phew) and dealing with life after steroids: experiencing muscle aches and a seriously irritating ear ache.

And once again, I realize that this debacle is not quite over. The waiting is the hardest part.

Had to include this one. Looks like Cody makes a cameo:

Chemically-Untreated

I've battled over the pros and cons of buying organic produce for a long time. As organics become more readily available and widely deemed safer than the pesticide-ridden alternative I considered the expense more seriously. With no real explanation for my diagnosis other than "lifestyle factors," I am determined to take more control over what I'm putting in my body. This is an ongoing process that I started in January. No more aluminum was the first step:

As the Kellogg Cancer Center dietitian put it, there is no proven scientific link between cancer risk and organic food consumption.  Since nothing except genetics and lifestyle factors can explain my little ordeal, I'm slowly making the change anyway. I found a site that prioritizes what foods should be bought organic. Check out the list here. And find out what produce is safe to buy non-organic.

Thanks to Daily Candy, I also discovered The Organic Pharmacy: a site that lists carcinogenic chemicals found in many body care products. Can't wait to go through my arsenal of a make-up bag with that list. Or can I...

NEW ARTICLE: Cancer and Patient

An interesting article about how to proactively get yourself through treatment.  http://www.suntimes.com/business/pincus/2341066,FIT-News-Pincus02.article

Coming soon: my own philosophy/regiment...

Comments Section Update

I just discovered that the settings on my blog did not allow all readers to post comments. Crisis averted. I've changed the settings so that EVERYONE can add their two cents. Post away!