Here I am
I always felt admiration for "cancer survivors". But now I am one, and it feels different.
On June 14, 2010, I underwent surgery for "metastatic squamous cell carcinoma" found in a lymph gland in my right neck. Although the surgeon believed the origin was in my right tonsil, pathology failed to confirm this and my diagnosis became "metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with unknown primary". The standard of care called for additional radiation treatment or chemotherapy (or both). I elected radiation treatment and the course of 36 treatments, 5 days a week, began on July 29.
On September 17, my radiation treatments ended. And on December 14, I received the results of my post-treatment PET scan: NED. Cancer free.
Did I feel as though I should be admired? No. Merely blessed and extremely fortunate...not so much for survival, but for my many friends and family, their prayers and kindness, and most of all for God's Grace.
I found too that the my too-recently learned ability to take each day as it comes and search for its unique value and positive lessons was serving me well.
My radiation oncologist's nurse encouraged me to write about my journey and share the things I have learned that have made the journey easier.
So here I go!
On June 14, 2010, I underwent surgery for "metastatic squamous cell carcinoma" found in a lymph gland in my right neck. Although the surgeon believed the origin was in my right tonsil, pathology failed to confirm this and my diagnosis became "metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with unknown primary". The standard of care called for additional radiation treatment or chemotherapy (or both). I elected radiation treatment and the course of 36 treatments, 5 days a week, began on July 29.
On September 17, my radiation treatments ended. And on December 14, I received the results of my post-treatment PET scan: NED. Cancer free.
Did I feel as though I should be admired? No. Merely blessed and extremely fortunate...not so much for survival, but for my many friends and family, their prayers and kindness, and most of all for God's Grace.
I found too that the my too-recently learned ability to take each day as it comes and search for its unique value and positive lessons was serving me well.
My radiation oncologist's nurse encouraged me to write about my journey and share the things I have learned that have made the journey easier.
So here I go!