No Surprise

The pain started back in July 2010, started as a pulled nerve on the left side of my back. So I addressed it by seeing a really sweet friend of mine who massages backs for a living, her name is Suzi and she is the best for massages. So she located a deep muscle pull in my back which she couldn't reach though I always felt great after being with her and she knows I am a woman.

So when I left Illinois after losing my home (no work for 2 years)my younger brother asked me to move to Virginia. Give it a try he said, so I did. Watching my brother get drunk on a daily basis isn't my way of having fun, he does it because he is bored. I could not be this way, it isn't me.

So my back continued to hurt and seen another massage therapist in Virginia which helped a little but again the pain stayed inside. My sister inlaw suggested I see a chiropractor after I started at Dell and after 5 sessions I realized I needed to see a back surgeon, it felt like I herniated something in my back.

My visit required me to go for a MRI, something I was told I would never have since I had steel in my back already, but with the new technology I could have one again. So on to having a MRI, afterwards I was sent for a CT Scan and the news would change my life. Dr Wagner said to meet him in his office the following day, I arrived on time and was escorted to an exam room.
In there, he and his assistant looked pale, I waited and finally he said I am sorry to say this but you have a huge tumor growing on your back pressing the nerve and in your left lung.

Now my reaction was none, I looked at Dr Wagner and said, now what do we do from here. He gave me a list of 5 top doctors in the state of Virginia, 5 star doctors. Radiation and chemo was suggested and I proceeded to follow each and every session.

I wanted to live, I made fun of how cancer tried to rule my life. I was put on medication I would never ever take before but this seemed to ease the pain. Radiation started with making a casting of my body and a mask which would keep me motionless for each session. Laying on a cold table in this cast for ten minutes everyday. Each session of radiation burned my throat and my back would have 2nd degree burns when all was said and done.

During my first session of chemo my body had a reaction to the drug and my lungs failed to breath but I was given oxygen and fought for life. The first session was 5 hours long and the rest were three hours each.
Thirty three sessions of radiation and 6 chemo, my eating habits died off and I lost 48 pounds that left me skin and bones. On August 22 radiation ended with me banging a gong into right field and on the 24th chemo was no more.

I began by forcing myself to drink ensure shakes, they do taste yummy but with a burnt throat it is extremely hard to do but I needed the calories and vitamins so I pushed myself. Now I am eating better, still have some issues with foods that are crunchy and buns though it is getting better. I am slowly gaining weight, some anyhow.

Blood work was taken, I am anemic, maybe that is why I am having issues with the cold when its 87F outside and stairs worry me because I am breathless.

Was given a blood transfusion which took 9 hours to feed me the new blood, I couldn't stand without getting dizzy and my color in my face was pale, so 2 pints of blood was needed. Now with my new blood, I am able to walk up stairs without being out of breath and I have an appetite again.

Now it isn't over, it has been three weeks since my last chemo and radiation session, I have another test on the 19th to see if the cancer has been cleared but I feel awesome. Cancer is not taking my life yet, I have too many people to make happy especially the one woman who made this a better experience....Lu.

I will let you all know what the outcome is.......heaven isn't ready for me yet!!!