So it has been one month since I visited my oncologist and was told there are no active cancer cells detected. The first week, I was busy telling everyone, "I'm cancer free. I am so happy." The second week I was still reeling and so happy. It was a sort of I believe it, no I don't believe it. The third week, I got a cold. I was miserable. I lost my voice, I had a low grade fever, and was having horrible night sweats. By the 4th week I was sure that I was relapsing. What are the symptoms of a relapse? Tiredness,(I slept for days), low grade fever, night sweats. Then I started to feel better. But I was still very tired and was now dizzy. I could hardly stand. Two weeks later, and here I am with a bad case of vertigo. Phew, just a cold and vertigo. Am I still cancer free? Who knows. I don't see the Dr. until September. I am thinking logically that everything is fine. In my heart I am still wondering, are there some cancer cells again? It is very disheartening. I wonder if it will always be like this. I know that because of the chemo medicine I take I will always be susceptible to infections. I am not so sure that I will ever breathe easy.
But I am moving forward. One day at a time. I am taking action to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And this is exciting to me. My event, "A Stroll to the Park" is coming up on August 22nd at 7pm. I am getting lots of positive feedback and I am thinking it will be a bit (a lot) bigger than I first thought. Our little stroll will take place at our local Farm Festival and people can walk with us for a $10.00 registration/donation fee. The posters are being printed as I write, I am getting some sponsors (hopefully enough to be able to get tee-shirts), and the donations are starting to come in. It is a simple thing. A walk, a slow stroll, lighting the way with luminaries and a small ceremony in the park's gazebo. My honorary chairperson has written her story and I will get that shortly so I can write an article for our local newspapers, and radio.
I am amazed at how it charges me to be doing something so worthwhile. Three years ago when I was first diagnosed with CML I held a fundraiser called "Comedy for a Cause". I have a cousin who is a comedian, and we had a great benefit and raised over $2500.00. I felt the need then to do something to be actively involved in finding a cure. Then I was sick and didn't feel up to doing anything. But this year, this good news of being cancer free has compelled me to become active again. And it feels wonderful. God has been so good to me. I know that every day I breathe and enjoy another beautiful day is a blessing. With all the fears, and all the concerns that come with cancer, I know there is always God. It is my soft place. My mind relaxes and calms me. My God calms me and my soul is still.
I wish you the same peace.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
I need to help.
It has been a month since I was declared cancer-free. I am still over the moon about it. I feel good. I am not sick. And my never ending back problems are not bothering me right now. Life is good. So I feel the need to do something. And I am.
Three years ago when I was first diagnosed with CML I felt the need to do something. So I had a fundraiser and raised $2500.00 for the American Cancer Society. It was "Comedy for a Cause". I am fortunate to have a cousin-in-law who is a comedian, and so, we had a Comedy night with a basket raffles. It went fantastically. A few days after that, I was in the hospital because my kidneys had shut down. I am not sure what caused that, but it may have been a Gleevec(chemo med) side effect. I was very sick. I felt very much the victim. I didn't want to do much of anything. As the first and then the 2nd year came around, I felt in my head that I wanted to do something again. But I didn't. I didn't want to get sick again. One probably didn't have anything to do with the other, but my level of energy was not so great. So, earlier this year, and if you have read any of my blogs, you will know that I had an epiphany. That I was a survivor, and didn't even realize it. And then, in June becoming Cancer-free, my energy level is very high. So I am doing something. I want to help.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a host of events every year called "Light the Night". Cities around the country walk in the evening and raise money for research and a cure for blood cancers. They 'light the night" with lanterns and luminaries. I decided I could manage a mini "Light the Night" event. So I am having a "Stroll to the Park". Each year, our community has a village wide festival called the Farm Festival. It is held the 3d week of August and takes place in the downtown parks. There are crafts, and farmers markets, food and fun. So my event will start in the parking lot of a local church. Hopefully, we will sell enough luminaries to light the sidewalks from the parking lot to the gazebo in the park. There is a $10.00 registration to walk, a donation really, and we will carry lights to bring awareness to blood cancers. I have a friend who had lymphoma and a bone marrow transplant who will be our Honorary Chairperson. We will stroll with balloons. We will share stories. We will wear red and white. And when we get to the gazebo, and there will be many people there in the park, we will hold a ceremony, a moment of silence and a celebration. I do not know how many people will take part, but I feel good about it. Anything I can do, will be a really good thing. If you are reading my blog, I ask you to say a prayer that this will be a huge success, and that we raise lots of money. And that we support those who have or have had, or have had a loved one pass from any of the blood cancers.
I know God will be walking with us. I firmly believe that all things happen for a reason, and although I may not know what all those reasons may be, this little thing I am doing, will have an impact. Even if it helps only one person, it will have been successful.
I wish you peace.
Three years ago when I was first diagnosed with CML I felt the need to do something. So I had a fundraiser and raised $2500.00 for the American Cancer Society. It was "Comedy for a Cause". I am fortunate to have a cousin-in-law who is a comedian, and so, we had a Comedy night with a basket raffles. It went fantastically. A few days after that, I was in the hospital because my kidneys had shut down. I am not sure what caused that, but it may have been a Gleevec(chemo med) side effect. I was very sick. I felt very much the victim. I didn't want to do much of anything. As the first and then the 2nd year came around, I felt in my head that I wanted to do something again. But I didn't. I didn't want to get sick again. One probably didn't have anything to do with the other, but my level of energy was not so great. So, earlier this year, and if you have read any of my blogs, you will know that I had an epiphany. That I was a survivor, and didn't even realize it. And then, in June becoming Cancer-free, my energy level is very high. So I am doing something. I want to help.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a host of events every year called "Light the Night". Cities around the country walk in the evening and raise money for research and a cure for blood cancers. They 'light the night" with lanterns and luminaries. I decided I could manage a mini "Light the Night" event. So I am having a "Stroll to the Park". Each year, our community has a village wide festival called the Farm Festival. It is held the 3d week of August and takes place in the downtown parks. There are crafts, and farmers markets, food and fun. So my event will start in the parking lot of a local church. Hopefully, we will sell enough luminaries to light the sidewalks from the parking lot to the gazebo in the park. There is a $10.00 registration to walk, a donation really, and we will carry lights to bring awareness to blood cancers. I have a friend who had lymphoma and a bone marrow transplant who will be our Honorary Chairperson. We will stroll with balloons. We will share stories. We will wear red and white. And when we get to the gazebo, and there will be many people there in the park, we will hold a ceremony, a moment of silence and a celebration. I do not know how many people will take part, but I feel good about it. Anything I can do, will be a really good thing. If you are reading my blog, I ask you to say a prayer that this will be a huge success, and that we raise lots of money. And that we support those who have or have had, or have had a loved one pass from any of the blood cancers.
I know God will be walking with us. I firmly believe that all things happen for a reason, and although I may not know what all those reasons may be, this little thing I am doing, will have an impact. Even if it helps only one person, it will have been successful.
I wish you peace.
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