Started Treatment

Brisk

Hi everyone, I had my first round of treatment today. I had 3 hours of chemo and a quick zap with radiation. Felt okay until about 9 or 10 last night. Throat got really dry, couldn't seem to get it saturated enough...slept with ice on the night stand.

It was an extremely emotional event for me and my family. Prior to starting treatment, we met Palliative Care for emotional support. My family has never seen that severe emotional, scared, and angry side of me. We all cried together and prayed. I'm ready to do battle, I'm ready to do battle, I'm ready to do battle...that's my mantra.

Thanks to those who have encouraged me. I have been so depressed and unsure of what to expect. I know I'm gonna make it. One day soon I'll be able to say I'm cancer free.

soccerfreaks

Hope and Humor!
To be honest, brisk, palliative is not the greatest word to begin your battle with, but if you are up for it, it can be done.

At the very least, go into this battle with Hope and Humor. NO need in putting up with it if you are not enjoying life in the meantime. Celebrate every day with your wife and kids as if it were your last and you will find that your days are brighter, your nights are warmer, and your life is worthy of living.

You have, sadly, been slapped in the face by mortality. But that can be a good thing, as it helps you realize all of the good that you have in your life, at least some of which you have taken for granted if you are like most of us.

Celebrate this realization and live life as if each day were your last.

It is not, of course. You have much life ahead of you regardless of diagnosis. But spend your time wisely. It will be of benefit to you if you are indeed dying, and will be of greater benefit in helping you to battle the prognosis while defying cancer's insidious way of taking away more from us than it is designed to have.

I wish you and your family the very best, and look forward to your future posts.

Take care,

Joe