A Final Post???

On October 13th, the 11th anniversary of my first date with my hubby, I had a scope procedure at my surgeons, and it was determined there was no tumor! Yeah! Thank you Dr. Peter Hopewood! It has been two years since treatment and it was a crucial test. The relief of knowing there is no cancer has been terrific! I still have blood tests every six months but that's normal. Now I have to get to the five year mark and then they'll all leave me alone. Somedays I am amazed that I've been able to survive a terrible disease and lead my normal, crazy life! I love life and am grateful for every day and all my friends and family, especially hubby Ed and doggies, Bunker and Frankie.

Sad About Farrah

The news about Farrah Fawcett has really hit home. She had the same cancer I had but she didn't make it. I am again so grateful for the early detection. I encourage any who are 50 or older or have colon related family history to get a colonoscopy. I don't know much about the HPV virus but that's what my cancer was linked to. I watched some of her TV special but found it hard to watch thinking it could have been me if I had postponed the colonoscopy due to the high costs. Farrah sought alternative treatment. I went along with what my Cape Cod doctors and the fine staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recommended. It was very unpleasant at times but in the end the radiation burned the tumor and the chemo killed the cells too. It was horrible and luckily I was in a brain fog at the time. It's been a year since my diagnosis and July 7th is when I started treatment. It's amazing how fast a year goes by but how slow it seemed during the treatment. I am now healthy and happy and have a new dog as my present to myself for getting through it all. I love my husband, my sister and my doggies. I have good friends and a new roof over my head.
Farewell Farrah. Thank you for allowing others to see your struggle. Hopefully, together we can encourage colonoscopies.

Welcome to the Update Blog

Dear Friends,
I wanted to start this blog so you could check in when you want and not send out those emails making you read what was going on. I realize this in my fight and I want to let those close to me know what I'm up to. I have been amazed in this past month of my diagnosis of all the love and support I have. You are all so important to me.
(More later. I'm tired and it's time to go to bed)

Need to Update the GOOD NEWS

Hi to all my friends. It's been forever since I've posted.
Got great news last month that the tumor is GONE! Now they're just going to keep tabs on me and poke and prod me every now and then to make sure I stay okay.
Ed, Bunker & I have so much to be thankful for. All the medical people, all the prayers and prayer groups, all my friends & family. It was a horrible time but now I can appreciate so many small things that I may have taken for granted prior to having cancer. I've lived a good lesson and hope to continue to learn because of the cancer.
Ed & I are off to Cozumel, Mexico for a week starting Dec. 12th. It was a wish of mine to go back there. While toughing it out this summer, I would visualize Playa Azul and the sounds of the ocean. It really helped. So thanks to frequent flyer miles and an incredible internet deal, we are headed back. Yeah!

Finished with treatments!

This has certainly been a journey. At least I'm not making the journey from Falmouth to Hyannis anymore! I finished treatment 11 days ago and have had a tough time with my body. I was sick before I left the hospital. Today, I am so much better. The real Amy is coming back and I am finally feeling a little like me again! The side effects are waning but still painful. I seem to have added an infection to the mix and that set me back last week. I think I'm over it now. I am wearing pants again and they fit much better. I've lost about 14 pounds and am encouraged to lose more. I have not been dieting. I have been dealing with the side effects. The indigestion is back. I have been told that I look very good and my color is coming back. Obviously no one is looking at my roots! I can't get my hair colored for a few more weeks. At least I have my hair, thinner, but still there. I have so much to be grateful for. I have so many people to thank for all their help. I will not know the results of my treatment until some time in October when the doctors will view the healed area. I'm hoping to not be conscious for that. I see some doctors next week for a review and blood work. I'm so glad I'm through the treatment part. It's still in my system doing it's job. I'm doing more these days but am very aware what I've been through and will still have a limited schedule. Happy Labor Day!

Love to you all,

Amy

2 more days!!!!!!!!

Okay, I can get through just 2 more days of this! The chemo is doing it's thing and I am starting to feel yucky. I could come up with other terms but that seems to suffice for today (rhymes with ?...).
Just 2 more radiations and Fri. at about 2:30 I'll be sighing the biggest sigh of relief. Then I just have to sit back and heal. No work, just relax. That will be the supreme test. Would love visitors, just call the house or the cell because I will have some Dr. visits during that time too. I'm tired now, off to the hammock!

The Last Week Starts!

I started again with radiation after having to take a week off. I had some very irritating side effects and just needed a break. I got through yesterday and today easily except for the fatigue part after treatment, that's why I can't drive. Monday morning starts with getting the Chemo pump back on for 96 hours. I like the countdown clock on the pump. Because I extended treatment an extra week I have a varied schedule for my trips to Hyannis next week. My fabulous sister will be coming tomorrow to help with everyday life during Chemo week. She'll drive me and we'll have fun being sisters. Everything ends on Friday with the very last radiation happening at 5 PM. Please think of me and TGIF! Then I will be laying low as the effects of all this will be coursing through my system. My first round was an indication that I may be headed for a rough time but maybe not! I will be so psyched it will be over that I want to sail through this! This will be done, over, kaput, finito! I want my life back, but maybe not my normal high paced life. I think I'll go for the medium paced life. It's my choice and I know I missed out on a lot of jobs but they're just jobs. I sent my clients to other excellent photographers they may never had a chance to meet. What goes around comes around and I am just glad I had such a treatable cancer even though the treatment really sucked! I did meet some great people as patients and as care providers. I have terrific friends and colleagues. I am a lucky girl!