I was sitting on the terrace the other day. It was pretty cool Florida morning to get you on the East Coast before summer sets in for good.
While Sampson Chihuahua hurriedly drove a variety of bugs and lizards' about reminding them that they were a little late in vacating the premises the previous night garden party, I caught sight squirrel watching me limb from a tree that overhangs the courtyard fountain, was wondering if I can move on so he could get a drink, hopefully before the water turned warm in Florida Sun
butterflies flittering in the cool morning breeze, staying just out of reach of small brown dog running wild in travi.Dnevni birds struggle tree branches that occur in the background.
I sat in my chair watching the course of the play yard of the opera develop before my eyes, and I was content, I dare say, happy.
Lucky, maybe it is a better word.
I sat and thought about the horror I have a few months ago when I was monitoring the scan showed that the area where my tumor is located and has been laying dormant in recent years, a large mass is occurring. I've been thinking about the various tests and scans that I have past since November to February.
Most of all I remember the relief I felt when I finally got a call from the University of Florida to say that this is a great mass of what was left of my right lung was not cancerous.
a small lizard caught my eye and I looked at him fearlessly climb the side of the fountain, even though he had no idea what was waiting for him at the top of its ascent, the same source that squirrel Homeland Security under control for some time now, waiting patiently, never does not lose a place where he was and what he wanted.
a small lizard caught my eye and I looked at him fearlessly climb the side of the fountain, even though he had no idea what was waiting for him at the top of its ascent, the same source that squirrel Homeland Security under control for some time now, waiting patiently, never does not lose a place where he was and what he wanted.
...
the point in time after being initially diagnosed, I received radiation twice daily in conjunction with chemotherapy. Everything was as it is just unknown at this point whether) they can survive treatment and B) Would treatment be enough to stop the cancer. But the last thing out of the blue and the weather, the crew of different physicians from different institutions and back rounds could not figure out what it was or why it's there.
So, here's the nutshell.
Once you survive the initial treatment, and that the treatment gives positive results, you begin to slowly put their toes back into the life of pool, carefully testing the water to see how it's cold.
Step by step, inch by you commit a little more in life, at some point before the cancer, you may fearlessly dove in without even knowing how deep the water was, but now you're moving a little slower, a little more apprehensive, forever aware that there could be danger ahead as the water gets deeper. Before you know it, as time passes you will find again wading into the water.
If your very lucky, never again be startled back to reality by someone yelling, "GET out of the pool!" such as getting comfortable.
So I get this phone call from a doctor at the University of Florida with my test results.
of what you might say, mass is tumor becomes active, but basically a cloud in my lungs consists of dead cells and tissues that succumb to prolong the effects of radiation. Are these fresh cells that have died recently or in the past relics of the epic battles that took place in my lungs a few years ago? We can never know.
Some of the things we all know very well ..
know about the side effects of radiation as we receive it. We have a pretty good idea of what to expect from chemotherapy treatment. But what about a few miles down the road? What are the long-term effects and should be a concern?
Here's what I think I know. (I had radiation to the brain, so sometimes I get a little confused .)
For the first five years after treatment for lung cancer, see the oncologist every three and then six months time moves on. Five years is a benchmark. It's all about the "Alive at Five" baby.
then I'm not sure (get to five, and we'll talk). I believe that fall within the responsibility of a regular physician.
I know that I wrote very little about the fight against cancer and what it takes to survive as it passes through the treatment, but I think this is the first time I dared myself to think outside the wall five years. I think that the recent flare up, startled me back to realize that it is no longer a sprint for me it's a marathon, and it might be ok for me to start thinking long term again.
I know that the lung cancer is known for its speed reoccurrence. So, the first culprit must always be aware of. I know that some of the other possible long term side effects of radiation and chemo treatments ranging from kidney and liver issues, cataracts, severe dental caries, of hypothyroidism, intestinal problems, and a variety of secondary cancer and lung disease.
I know you've had radiation to the brain, you are open to memory loss, difficulty concentrating and bouts of confusion.
I know that not much is known about the long-term effects of these treatments, perhaps because the world of lung cancer, five years is a long time.
Here's what I know for sure.
1) Each long-term side effects that have received treatment for lung cancer should be considered a "ticket price" for being allowed back into the life of the pool.
2) Lung cancer is an ongoing struggle, the true definition of beating lung cancer simply by holding off for as many years as it takes to die of something better. As age.
3) As the initial fighting a battle, long-term vigilance should include proper nutrition, exercise, stress, maintain regular medical appointments, staying aware of yourself (if you do not feel good, it's probably wrong ), get it checked out.
You might want to keep a journal from diagnosis onwards in order to monitor the changes and challenges on the road.
4) Enjoy life, if we are discussing long-term (a few miles down the road the last five years the rest stop.) And my friends are happy. I hope you are finding ways to use the extra time that you have earned the survivors.
Bottom line on long-term side effects ....
I do not spend any time worrying about them. It is pointless and worry leads to stress. Just be aware of yourself and watch for changes in. Remember that there could be setbacks only respond if necessary. If you do not experience long-term effects to keep one thing in mind, you are still alive, even when the odds are stacked so heavily against you, is there really something so great that now I can not stand?
So, now it's time for me to start moving forward with your day. I push my daily performance grateful reflection on the back of my mind and start thinking about today.
At my feet lay a small dog napping, exhausted from their triumphs yard chasing butterflies. I looked up and still sit patiently waiting for the squirrel in his drink. Just below it, sitting in the fountain of the lizard, who bravely faced the unknown to get where it should go.
is my opinion now that if I could learn to live like the three little boys: No fear like a lizard, a squirrel alert, always ready to catch the butterflies as a puppy Sampson
.
I can just make it a ways further down the road and everyone expects.
