Where have I been???

How can I start this? The last year sure has played havoc with my health, from the urologist to the chemo doctors, wait I am getting ahead of myself.

This all started with a slight pain in my shoulder blades, I pinched a nerve or so I thought I did. Went to see a few massage therapists and a chiropractor and still the same results a constant pain. On top of that I was having pain in my right kidney which proved to be kidney stones and many to say the least. The doctor failed in 2 operations removing the stones, finally I begged that he take the stent out and with that the stones followed, no more stones.

I followed up with a spine surgeon for my back issues and he sent me in for a MRI which followed a CT Scan, and then a PET Scan, there was a problem and requested for me to see him. It was a nerve but the nerve was exposed from the tumor that had eaten the bone protecting the nerve. I have a tumor mass, the left side of my back, size of a football and very aggressive.

What followed was a consultation in which the doctor went on to explain I have Cancer. I didn't blink at all, it didn't phase me for I seem to expect it. Twenty eight years ago my mother and I spoke of this and I was ready.

He then assigns me to a 5 star team of Doctors who will work with me, I now have
a series of tests to find I have stage 3 lung cancer. Radiation will be the first of my journey, so off goes the earrings and also no hormones, I want to beat this. The radiation has burned my back and chest, my throat has a sun burn on the inside and swallowing is something I will need to learn to go slow till this is over with.

Chemo starts out bad, I had reaction which caused my breathing to go into shallow breathes, oxygen I am on and many steroids.

I am losing my hair now, big gobs are coming out so I went and had my head shaved into a crew cut this way it will be easier to up keep and not worry of losing more.

I am on many pills, 20 to be exact, two I use is for nausea which helps me eat, eating is hard because my throat is burnt but I do eat. There is another med that is called Magic Mouth Wash, it deadens the nerves in the throat so I can eat for 20 minutes then it fades away. I sleep more than I am used to but I hear that is what is helping fight this off.
My throat is constantly dry, so keeping it lubricated is such a pain in the ass. If I don't lube it, I am in constant pain and coughing is so difficult.

I have 9 more radiation treatments and 2 chemo sessions, then the doctors will see where we are, as for the mass it is shrinking and I am still fighting. It will take more than Cancer to take me from you all and if this is as strong as the devil has for me, I will be here a very long time.
Starting weight 218 lbs - now 173 lbs, I am now down to a size 10 from a 18. Is this supposed to work this way, I could have lose weight on my own.

I will keep you all up to date with my illness.

Miley Cyrus- The Climb.....sure fits me so well.