Share your cancer

Today was a little heavy. At 7:30 a.m. I was on the table for radiation. Then at 10:00 a.m. it was a trip to the cancer clinic on Park Club Lane for an infusion that lasted three hours. No more infusions now for three weeks. Six more to go, and then I'm done!!!

My oncologist, Dr. Soniwala, confirmed that radiation does cause nausea. That was a relief  because the radiologist argues how radiation never causes nausea. For me, it's a relief to know that it's not something I'm creating in my head. It really is my stomach. I will tolerate it. Only have this week and next. Then radiation is complete.

I went to the hairdresser today. She actually trimmed my hairs in the back and only charged $10.00. I actually have enough hair to trim, and it felt good to pay that ten bucks! Now I'm almost ready to bare my head and call it a victory even though the nurses tell me I won't like my hair until way next November. My comfort with going public is creeping up on me. Just you wait!

Drove back out to camp this afternoon and was so relaxed, I collapsed into a flat out 'after infusion' sleep. The fatigue I generally feel from the back-to-back radiation/infusion is often overwhelming.  Anyway, tonight we call bingo for our camp friends. Love doing that. They are all such fun.

At this point, I want to acknowledge how glad I am that God moved me to share my cancer with all of you. And my advice to anyone deep in the muck and mire the cancer scare can cause is to talk about what you are feeling with everyone. Really. I shared with my immediate family, work family, students I teach, and camp family.  Afterwards, strangers came forward in person and through text messages to talk with me about their own challenges. Our bonds are comforting. They help us live.

That my camp family knows what I've been managing this year is comforting. My husband and I can call bingo and be as normal as possible. Still, there are hugs and words of encouragement that surround us as we close down for the week and look forward to next week. 

Keeping your cancer a secret doesn't work. Honest. It is a very heavy burden. Having support and prayers from many makes a huge difference in your ability to keep going when it's difficult to get out of bed. To know you can send a text to an understanding cancer friend helps you catch your breath and find strength to move into the next day. So please. No secrets. In fact, let me know what you're dealing with. We can pray together as others have prayed with me. I will be your biggest cheerleader!

Signed optimistically, the quilting cancer girl