BEFORE I get to the good news…
Present State of Affairs
I’m in pain, still. I’m so weak. I’ve reached the point where I need a wheelchair or a walker to get around.
Independence is a thing of the past. Luckily, my husband was able to get “paid leave” so that he can take care of me.
I never thought I’d be in this situation, yet here I am!
Next Steps
I don’t know what the next steps in treatment will be, although one hospital is pushing for radiation to the area where my brain tumor decided to travel and bizarrely invade. To be more formal, they want to radiate the metastasized area where my parotid salivary gland used to be before it was removed during this last monstrous surgery, and around the lymph nodes along the right side of my neck.
Yet, radiation hasn’t been all that kind to my body and specifically to my brain. Plus, it would require going to the hospital Monday through Friday for six straight weeks, while COVID cases and deaths are again on the rise. Even without the threat of the virus looming, I certainly don’t have the energy I did when I first underwent radiation for 6 weeks in 2014.
So, the next steps are unknown right now. I’ve learned the virtue of patience since becoming a cancer patient because it feels like EVERYTHING is a waiting game.
“You’ll have to wait. The Doctor is running behind.”
“You’ll have to wait for your next scan to see if it’s a treatment-related lesion we see or a new tumor.”
“We’re going to have to wait for the pathology report.”
“Your case is very complex. We will have to see what the tumor board recommends.”
“The machine has broken down, so scans are taking longer than normal, so you’re going to have to wait.”
“We need to admit you, but you’re going to have to wait until a bed opens up on the floor.”
So you wait, and you wait, oh, and then you wait some more!
Maybe I should be pushing more to set forth a treatment plan, but I’ve run out of steam. So, I’ll just wait a wee bit longer before I determine the best course of action.
Waiting. It’s what I do.
A Little Bit of Good News, For A Change: TURNING MY PAIN INTO MY PURPOSE
Totally unrelated to my medical issues, I did got some great news recently.
PODCAST: MAKING HEADWAY
First, I’m going to have an initial interview with the hosts of a new Podcast, Making Headway.
Making Headway was created by two brain injury survivors, Eryn and Mariah, in the hope that it would help others in the process of recovery. While the target audience is brain injury survivors, I believe anyone facing serious challenges in life can learn from what we have gone through.
We are two good friends who happened to suffer from brain injuries within two years of one another. Was it coincidence? We’re not sure
Though our injuries were very different, we found support in one another and hope to find ways to support others recovering from brain injuries. You are not alone on your journey.
https://www.makingheadwaypodcast.com/about
Check out Eryn and Mariah’s new Podcast at their Website
https://www.makingheadwaypodcast.com
Follow them on Instagram @makingheadwaypodcast
My Episode will not air for quite a bit, but I’m excited to work with these two incredible entrepreneurs.
GETTING PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING STREET REVIEW
I am humbled, honored and just plain proud that a piece I authored will be published in the Evening Street Review next year.
This Review only publishes twice a year.
EDITORIAL FOCUS
Evening Street Press is centered on Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s 1848 revision of the Declaration of Independence: “that all men — and women — are created equal,” with equal rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It focuses on the realities of experience, personal and historical, from the most gritty to the most dreamlike, including awareness of the personal and social forces that block or develop the possibilities of this new culture. Evening Street Review, emphasizing its belief in the equality of both men and women, publishes two issues (or more) a year in the spring and the fall. It is open to poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, and looks for writing that has both clarity and depth.
http://www.eveningstreetpress.com
Out of the multitude of submissions the Review receives, they chose my piece! I don’t know the specific reasons they chose my piece, but I certainly write about some “gritty” realities of life. My piece that will be published is entitled, “DIAGNOSIS DAY & TACKLING CANCER HEAD ON – PUN INTENDED“
Website: http://www.eveningstreetpress.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq14IqZqfDuBIa48mugYq1A
WRITING MY BOOK, FINALLY
I started this Blog back in 2016 with the intent to write a book. Well, I didn’t get far since I took an understandable hiatus from writing for so long due to surgery after surgery.
Despite what I’m facing in terms of my diagnosis, I accepted an online challenge created by author, Joshua Sprague,to write a nonfiction book in 30-45 days.
I’m actually doing it! Admittedly, I’m a bit behind on the lessons. After all, I am still trying to figure out how I’m going to tackle the cancer beast once again. Nevertheless, Monday through Friday I get an email with each day’s lesson. So, you have the weekends to refine your week’s work.
It’s really coming together with the help of Joshua’s daily lessons.
If you’re interested in this challenge I highly recommend it!
Websites: https://www.writeabookfast.com/home-page1591109417105
https://linktr.ee/joshuajsprague
Even though it feels like my world is crumbling apart, I’m happy I accepted this challenge!
Jees, you have been through so much. I’m sorry it’s been incredibly rough, and as you say it’s not a great time for going back and forth to hospitals for treatment during a pandemic. I’m glad you’ve got hubby there for a little support, as reduced mobility and fatigue aren’t going to make anything any easier. I’m glad there’s a bit of good news though – congrats on the Making Headway podcast and good luck with your interview! And a huge cooonngrrratulations for the Evening Street Review publication – that’ll be awesome to see next year! Good luck with the writing too, I hope it can be a bit of an escape and something more positive to focus on.
Sending my very best wishes.
Caz xxxx
Thank you for your constant support and positive energy. I need it so much right now. 🤗
You have endured so much… I’m sure glad that you have good news on the horizon!! Take care. I hope you get some answers soon.
Thankfully because I have been such a strong advocate, the connections I’ve made through these years have really come through for me! I truly believe the energy you give out comes back to you. I reached out for help and was honestly bombarded (in a good way) with people connecting me to the nation’s top doctors! There are angels on Earth and luckily I’m surrounded by them! ❤️
So good to hear! And, yes, connections can mean everything.
This is great. You can’t give up on your purpose or slow down where you can keep going. You got this!