Hi All,
So, I returned from traveling to see my oncology team at the very end of April—that was 15 months post chemo-radiation and 13 months out of liver surgery (the final part of my treatment plan). I had all great news, continuing NED, no concerns whatsoever. I had looked forward to getting back to normal life, including engaging with y’all here, after the inevitable couple of weeks of anxiety I always experience entering that time prior to my appointments. Well…yeah, I’ve been busy, so SO busy. It’s the end of the school year and just about every single thing good that could happen the past couple of months for our family, has happened.
Meanwhile, I kept telling myself, “self, no one wants to hear how busy you are.” And then I thought again, maybe here on this forum, there are some people who need to hear that, exactly. I just want everyone who’s in the phase of diagnosis or treatment, and even the immediate recovery period, that it’s entirely possible to get back to the fullness of life over time. I am up early, exercising, teaching my ballet classes, volunteering at the kids’ school, volunteering backstage at our ballet company’s spring showcase, lunches with friends, awards assemblies at the kids’ school, family birthday parties, supporting the kids at the district science fair, attending events and weddings with my husband, and cooking dinner nearly every day. It’s possible, and I feel just about normal. I have had some mild tingling in my left foot on occasion, but it doesn’t stop me from anything.
I fully understand that not everyone ends up as lucky in post-treatment, but if you’re wondering if you’ll ever get to the better side of cancer, wondering if you’ll be back to the things you love, know that it’s within reach, and at the very least, it absolutely gets better from diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is shocking, treatment is hard, hard work, the immediate recovery is exhausting work, but then one step at a time, we somehow find our way back to the lives we love. So may we all find ourselves “so busy” with normal life again!
Very best wishes to all,
Red
I absolutely love this post Red, thank you so much for taking the time to write this for those that are feeling so devastated & despondent at the beginning of their journey & for those at the beginning of treatment & for those at the beginning of recovery. Life IS good & it’s there to be lived doing the things that make us happy be that filling every moment or just taking time out to breathe in some fresh air. I’m truly grateful that you’re out there packing in so much living, you’re amazing & thank you for continuing to contribute here too.
Last but not lease huge, huge congratulations on the great results also, long may this continue.
Nicola
