Posted 7/12/2022 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, Startech ~
I was in the first wave of fellows treated with the "early chemo plan" shortly after diagnosis in 2013.
It wasn't a walk in the park, but getting to the halfway point was HUGE for me. I taught full-time while going through treatments.
My 4th grade students rallied around me & left notes of encouragement on my desk. Amazing how those heartfelt little notes carried me through the toughest days !
Each TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusion knocked my PSA lower, with each subsequent infusion.
When I had finished treatment #4 ~ right where you find yourself today ~ my oncologist told me that was the toughest stretch.
You're getting weary, your energy rebounds more slowly, and you're TRYING to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
That's when he sat down with me, like a brother, and said to summon my grit, hang on, and that the chemotherapy was doing its TOUGHEST work yet ~ attacking those toughest cancer cells.
I will never forget that talk with my doctor. You're in THAT very spot today. I share his words of wisdom with you. One more treatment, and THEN just one after that.
He also reminded me that even the smallest declines in PSA were noteworthy, and that chemotherapy can pay dividends, even AFTER treatments are over. My first-hand lessons learned, throughout it all!
After that last treatment, I was ringing that celebratory bell ~ and every member of my medical team clapped & cheered.
Throughout it all, I took it "one day at a time."
I just focused on the day in front of me & that carried me through the eighteen weeks of treatments.
For me, eighteen weeks represented an entire SEMESTER of teaching in my classroom.
My treatments started the first week of school - six total treatments - three weeks apart - eighteen total weeks.
I send to you my encouragement.
Remember ~ these treatments are killing the resistant, stubborn, & resistant cancer cells. Hang onto that thought.
After treatments, my hair grew back, & my energy was restored ~ bit by bit.
It took some time, but I could feel my MOJO returning.
I believe my chemotherapy infusions led the way for subsequent treatments to work more powerfully.
My treatments occurred in those early days, following diagnosis. I wasn't sure I would live to see CHRISTMAS. There were now NINE more candles on my latest birthday cake.
That's a lot of new morning sunrises I have seen. I reflect on that, each evening at sunset ~ my favorite time of day.
This fall, I am going to take my first steps into my 10th year of survivorship since diagnosis.
Treatments can be a "hard row to hoe" ~ as we say in the Midwest ~ but treatments also bring hope.
Stay in close contact with your medical team & they will lead you forward.
Your doctor will no doubt share that the full course of treatments will bring the most benefits.
It's hard to forge ahead, but "we gotta' do what it takes, to keep kicking the can down the road."
You have already come SO FAR in your course of treatments. You're standing on third base RIGHT now, and almost ready to slide into home plate. Dusty & covered in grass stains & mud & a bit bedraggled, perhaps ~ but HOME PLATE is in your VIEW right now.
I'm going to keep you in my thoughts, Startech, and I am sending you 100% of my support and encouragement.
We're here to SUPPORT you, through thick and thin!
Remember those little notes of encouragement my 4th graders left me on my desk? I haven't forgotten how much that encouraged ME! The encouragement they once gave to me, I now share with you.
Handshake, encouragement, supportive thoughts, and fellowship ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University