9 Months (Don’t Believe It!)
Recovering.
10 months ago I began this blog as an act of defiance when my oncologist told me that the average life span for those with my cancer was 19 months (if I did chemo). After this tidbit, I put into practice what I learned as a Radical Remissions coach (“believe the diagnosis…but NOT the prognosis”), and began this countdown blog with the parenthetical “Don’t Believe It!”.
I am now halfway through a 6 week chemo regimen, 10 months after it was suggested. Though I finally decided on this, chemo for this type of cancer is considered more of a late stage intervention. It is generally considered less effective, in general, than chemo is for other cancers. But it’s also an easier chemo to tolerate, especially if you have invested in natural treatments to fortify your system.
But it’s working better than anyone expected. My bone pain is gone, and my numbers are going down.
Still, many experts consider this treatment as just a longevity extension, allowing me to tread water. It is not a cure.
What is a cure, then? A “radical remission” (NED of a year or more defying medical expectations) can come from so many sources. I am so fortunate I am in a position to support other cancer patients with my work, coaching, and enrollment skills, and I learn from each one of them how miracles are created.
When anticipating this new blog, I had thought to myself, “tell it like it is”. To me, that was sharing that yes, I have regular depression and despair. But this is also bolstered by my eternal commitment to spirituality and personal development.
But chemo cuts into that too, and I have often felt less committed to meditation, reading, eating well, and doing self-honoring choices such as exercise and work. I gotta be real about all of this. It’s really important to be authentic in finding a way to hear, experience and release negative emotions - as well as to increase positive emotions.
In short, chemo can take away your mojo, which is what my ongoing hormone therapy does too (you do the math). The Sundays after an infusion early in the week, I have been practically suicidal, but most of the time I’m fine, and sometimes much better. I’m bringing it to bring it: your mindset creates your reality.
It is a very important time to stay positive, and not slide down the pole of least resistance. To stay positive when your financial situation looks scary (know that it is changing). Positive when your body feels like it’s under attack (I laugh out loud at some of those daily horrors).
Listen. I know I’ve been distant. So many of you I have been in regular contact with have slipped away as my fatigue has set in and I do less outreach. I seem to be managing, I have so much love and support. But, I ask that you please keep me in your prayers, surrounding me in Light as I nest and tend and survive.
And, if you can find it in your heart, now would be the best time to help me along if you can.