I am one of the original members of the Chemo club, having met these wonderful people while I was undergoing treatment. Who would have thought that we would evolve into an online support group! I am blessed to call these people friends. No two stories are alike, but the feelings we have seem to be universal. Here is my story…..
My Cancer Journey
I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer on March 2, 2006. I felt as if I was in a bad dream, and it was happening to someone else. I cried and cried, as my doctor reassured me that I would live a long life. By the end of the month, I’d had a mastectomy and reconstruction of my left breast. My lymph nodes were clear. It was a long recovery process, but one that I was able to cope with.
I began chemotherapy in May of that year. It was a very difficult time for me, dealing with the many side effects and fatigue but also falling into a major depression. Since my chemotherapy ended, I have been climbing my way out of the depression and trying to regain the strength lost from the effects of the chemo.
People said I was brave. I didn’t see it that way. I felt I was just taking a day at a time, doing what I HAD to do in order to live, so I would be able to enjoy my husband, children and grandchildren. I didn’t want to leave them, so I did as much as I could to prevent a possible recurrence. While I was going through it, time dragged. If there was a light at the end of the tunnel, I couldn’t see it. I thought it would never end. But it did end, and as I regain my strength, I am doing many of the things I dreamed of doing when I was sick. I wonder how I got through it. The answer was.. I just kept breathing. I lived through it and now am on the other side. What is the lesson in this? I believe it is that we are stronger than we ever thought possible.
During these past eight months, I have been receiving Herceptin treatments. This fairly new drug has been very successful in preventing recurrences of certain types of breast cancer. Although it is an infusion, there are no side effects. It is well worth the time to feel more secure about my health. As I write, I only have 4 treatments left.
I hope we are in a position to help those people currently going through treatment and those recently diagnosed. The only people who will truly understand are those who have “walked in your shoes”.
Valerie
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1 comment:
Thank you for sharing your story, Val. I know you have come a long way and I am truly blessed that a friendship has blossomed out of what was a hard struggle for you in the last almost two years.
But you have come so far, you are a remarkable woman and I pray that you continue to be strengthened and healed. Your friend, Mary Ann
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