National Cancer Survivor Day
The first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivor day. According to the website it "is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community." There are great inspirational signs all over MD Anderson.
You are a survivor the day you are diagnosed. I can absolutely say that you are not just surviving cancer but surviving treatment. And we started treatment March 1 - so we have been at this for three months. And I feel pretty damn good as a survivor.
Sunday, June 2nd marks 9 chemo treatments complete (more if you count the 7 spinal treatments) - a brutal pace for the three months. That's 46 days in the hospital - 46 days and that is not easy. But it is working - remission after the second chemo. 9 out of 11 - that seemed so out of reach a month ago and yet here we are. Survival.
But there are 2 more to go. 21 more days of treatment. No shortcut to being cured. Just pummeling cancer with chemo.
But here we are on chemo 9 and doing pretty damn good - I was dreading this as I heard how bad it could be. So the plan is working and we are working the plan to get through to the end and get back to normal. And I cannot wait. Every day we talk a little more about post chemo plans than we talk about medical appointments. We talk about going out for Lee's birthday, being at the beach house this summer and of course Christine's wedding.
As the cancer treatments diminish so does the hold it has on our lives - just a little bit. We still have a way to go on this. Each time it gets just a little easier to come here and get it done.
21 days to keep healthy, stay ready and stay strong.
It is National Cancer Survivor Day and I as I head home again today - I am feeling like one hell of a survivor.
You are a survivor the day you are diagnosed. I can absolutely say that you are not just surviving cancer but surviving treatment. And we started treatment March 1 - so we have been at this for three months. And I feel pretty damn good as a survivor.
Sunday, June 2nd marks 9 chemo treatments complete (more if you count the 7 spinal treatments) - a brutal pace for the three months. That's 46 days in the hospital - 46 days and that is not easy. But it is working - remission after the second chemo. 9 out of 11 - that seemed so out of reach a month ago and yet here we are. Survival.
But there are 2 more to go. 21 more days of treatment. No shortcut to being cured. Just pummeling cancer with chemo.
But here we are on chemo 9 and doing pretty damn good - I was dreading this as I heard how bad it could be. So the plan is working and we are working the plan to get through to the end and get back to normal. And I cannot wait. Every day we talk a little more about post chemo plans than we talk about medical appointments. We talk about going out for Lee's birthday, being at the beach house this summer and of course Christine's wedding.
As the cancer treatments diminish so does the hold it has on our lives - just a little bit. We still have a way to go on this. Each time it gets just a little easier to come here and get it done.
21 days to keep healthy, stay ready and stay strong.
It is National Cancer Survivor Day and I as I head home again today - I am feeling like one hell of a survivor.
Doc, you look good and your attitude is amazing! Thinking and praying for you to be CURED everyday. Stay strong...Mike
ReplyDeleteYou look great Dave! Keep up the positive attitude....I am sure there are days that you don’t feel like it, but trudge through because that is what will keep you going when it is tough! And it’s okay to feel like crap because that is how the cancer is being killed. Just remember there are better days ahead and you only have 2 treatments left! Amazing! Hang in there! I know you’ve got this!
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