Tag: living with cancer

The Season of Grief, Gratitude & Compassion

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As featured on curetoday.com

The last few years fall has been a season of challenge for me. In 2014 I was recovering from a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy after my pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis. In 2015 I was recovering from a liver resection, months of chemotherapy and a serious case of PTSD. In 2016 I had a surprise surgery due to a bowel obstruction, a complication from my previous abdominal surgeries. And this year, I am undergoing an experimental treatment, but overall, doing well and grateful to not be watching leaves change through a hospital window.

I admit I tiptoed into autumn holding my breath with optimism I would exit without a traumatic event. While there are still a few days of the season left, I, personally have been spared, but others have not been so lucky, creating a new kind of trauma.

Between September and today, there were four people in my circle who died from cancer. They were all young and all women, making their deaths too close to home. One was a young mother I met in a luncheon in New York City who had a very similar case to mine. We exchanged emails regularly and I got scared when the messages stopped coming only to find my fears realized when I logged onto Facebook after a hiatus to see she had passed away. Another was Beth Caldwell, who died from neuroendocrine breast cancer. I only knew her from social media, where she was revered for changing the advocacy game. And most recently, a friend of friend, who died from pancreatic cancer.

Another one of these new angels was a fellow Cure Magazine contributor, Jen Sotham. I also never met her, but enjoyed reading her blog and being Twitter friends. I always thought she sounded pretty cool and someone I’d be friends with in real life even if we both didn’t have cancer. When I read her last blog, Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright, I could not help but smile and be sad at the same time because she did it – she won. She didn’t die while still living and she didn’t let the disease break her to the point of bitterness. In fact, Jen got to say goodbye, in a pretty cool way.

Unfortunately, cancer wasn’t the only grim reaper to make an appearance this fall. There was a tragic death of a friend of a friend whose family was already grieving a huge loss. Also, my husband came home one day with terrible news of a colleague that passed away, from a massive heart attack leaving a wife and two daughters. He simply left in the morning to go hunting and didn’t come back. I think of both these families and am heartbroken to think they are left replaying last, perhaps mundane, meaningless conversations and without “I love yous” or important words said. It definitely makes me ask, where is the justice?

With each death I lit a candle and sat for a quiet few minutes processing my feelings. Of course there was sadness, but more than anything there was appreciation for my own life and the people close to me. I feel gratitude for still being here, having an excellent quality of life and for the warning cancer gives.

These losses also have me treading into the holiday season with renewed compassion as I encounter angry traffic, tired crowds and over booked schedules. Knowing the chances are high that the person in front of me experienced loss and hardship this year. I find myself pausing, slowing down and truly appreciating, like never before, the intangible gifts of life, family, friends and my fellow-man. My only wish this year is the same realizations for everyone (hopefully without experiencing death and cancer). And may we all take a moment to light a candle for those empty spaces in our life and the lives of others.

For some inspiration, watch the Jen Sotham’s TEDx talk here, which she gave days before passing away:

Check out my other articles on Curetoday.com

Hands in the Air if You’ve Had Radiation

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The last week of September I took advantage of a cheap flight and travelled to my home state of Michigan for a week of visiting with family, friends, my beloved home yoga studio, all the yummy food I miss and cooler fall weather.

I also decided to take this opportunity of proximity to drive to Toronto and visit my dear friend, Kevin. Those of you who read my blog regularly might recognize him as the main character from my days on the El Camino de Santiago. (Catch-up on those here)

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Kevin in his natural habitat

Toronto is only a few hours drive from Detroit. As I crossed over the border, I texted Kevin giving him my ETA and joking that I had successfully duped border agents because I won’t be coming back to the United States. I mean, how could I resist affordable healthcare, sane leadership and Tim Hortons? I’ll tell you how – snow and cold weather. Politics, healthcare, coffee and hypothermia aside, Kevin, I and his partner had a lovely evening catching up, followed by Kevin and I spending the next day eating and walking around his Toronto neighborhood (a la Camino style).

On the way home, I enjoyed the drive and opportunity to catch up on my podcasts. Thankful for only one car ahead of me in the US Customs line, I pulled up to the Border Agent window and handed him my passport, ignorantly thinking I’d be home soon for a nap before evening yoga.

“Ma’am, have you had any recent medical procedures?” How much time do you have? Was my first thought. Then I looked in my rearview mirror to see six Border Agents and two German Shepherds.

I explained that I had a radiation procedure three weeks ago and the group of agents asked me to pull over to Secondary Inspection. It was a little surprising to find I’m still emitting radiation even though I’m well out of the quarantine period of six days for pregnant women and children and two days for general public.

In Secondary Inspection I retrieved the card provided to me by Excel Diagnostics – Thank God I kept it. They asked me several questions about the procedure all the while scanning me with a radiation detector, which first indicated I was emitting “Plutonium”. The following several scans revealed an “Unknown” substance.

Since they couldn’t determine the isotope, Border Agents asked me to come into the US Border Customs & Immigration building while they “called it in”.

While I sat and waited in the lobby, the only other person who entered the building for Secondary Inspection was a man with a turban, who was held by Agents at his wrists and taken into a room. I have no idea why he was selected for additional questioning, but the skeptical liberal in me drew some conclusions. The Agents never doubted my story and were only following protocols when I was told they’d have to “call it in”. There was no holding of my wrists and I wasn’t taken into a room, even after testing positive for Plutonium. Instead the Agents offered me a bathroom, let me hold onto my passport, called me “Ma’am” and promised they would be quick. I’m not trying to make a moral of the story case here, but a large part of me felt for this man and others who endure this type of treatment throughout their lives.

For those of you who have travelled to other countries for PRRT or another radiation procedure, this story is not unique. Had this experience occurred while I was a cancer underclassman, it might have upset me, but as I enter my senior year as a survivor, I was able to call my husband laughing as Agents cleared me 30 minutes later.

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Cloudy with a high chance of affordable healthcare

PRRT Diary #2: Sailing

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This news may be a re-run for those of you who read regularly, but it’s deja vu worthy – my insurance company paid the first claim on Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT)! And the heavens opened to reveal a chorus of angels singing hallelujah. Assuming Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will continue to pay, the fact that we won’t go broke paying for cancer treatment is darn exciting.

I could hardly believe how quickly the time flew by between my first and second therapies. This is thanks to the wonderful busy-ness of summer which included a two week vacation with my in-laws from France where we visited New Orleans and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, my vacation was cut a few days short because I needed to get back home for blood work to clear me for the next round of PRRT. Honestly, I probably could have done it at a clinic near our vacation spot, but as I chronicled in my last PRRT diary entry – the coordinating is exhausting.

My labs revealed a 75% tumor marker reduction, good blood counts and a high functioning liver, even with cancer currently renting space. (Raises hand for virtual high-fives…)

To keep the flow of good news coming, I was (and am) feeling awesome. Other than the 10 days after PRRT #1, I am at the yoga studio and writing desk daily with my regular gallivants around town. Basically, cancer and PRRT have not slowed me down.

So, yeah, smoothing sailing into treatment number two and if you’re a sailor (I am not) you know how quick journeys can change – waves, wind, storms…hurricanes.

I’ve already detailed my indirect aches and pains due to Harvey and Irma, so I won’t recap, but you can catch up here and here.

I will take this opportunity to give props to the team at Excel Diagnostics for being at the top of their game in the middle of their own personal chaos. Those of you who deal with chronic illness know the how invaluable this is to have a committed, trustworthy team. (Fist bumps to Excel Diagnostics)

Hurricanes, reschedules and traveling aside, on Sunday, September 10th, Fabien and I left for Houston. Arriving early, we talked of big plans to be tourists in Houston when we landed only to find ourselves napping at the Residence Inn all afternoon. Meh, whatever.

Monday, it was back to reality. I woke up early, walked from the hotel to Excel for an MRI, Chest CT and Renal Scan. It’s a surprise how I could do these tests in my sleep now. Actually, I always ask – can I sleep? Years ago, I was a little ball of anxiety. Let’s just call that progress.

Tuesday was therapy day. I met with Dr. Armaghany in the morning for a quick check-up, who shared a general update that all tumors are stable. Three cheers! We then headed to the therapy room where my amino acids around noon, the Lutetium-177 around 12:45 and by 1:15 nausea arrived. It’s strange because nausea wasn’t as strong compared to the previous time, but I pretty much spent the afternoon vomiting. As soon as the amino acids stopped, I was starving, ready for a late lunch and a nap. All of which happened.

Wednesday, we arrived back at Excel for a follow-up scan, which revealed the uptake was good. Then we met with Dr. Ali, who shared the specifics of my results, which were a little better than what was alluded to the previous day. In summary, all tiny tumors are either stable, reduced or no longer visible. They were also very happy about the 75% decrease in my tumor marker and that my kidney functions have actually improved, which, they said, is weird.

With the good news in our pockets, we stopped for some tacos on our way to the airport and were relaxing in our pajamas at home by dinner time.

Thursday, I did wake up with some nausea which slowed me down. I passed the time by watching this hilarious show called, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (RSVPing late to that party), getting 15 minute bursts of work done and eventually ralling to do some laundry and go to the grocery store. Riveting events for you the reader, I’m sure.

By Friday, I had only a tinge of nausea.

Saturday was the worst – I slept 14 hours, but managed to be awake for a wild Saturday night of folding laundry and making dinner. Sometimes it’s about little wins, people.

Monday, I went for my Lanreotide injection at the hospital. My appointment was at 8am, which had me cringing. When I woke up at 6am, I decided I was going to do what I want. I rolled into the hospital at 10am and was out the door by 11am. Proof that appointment times are total bullshit. The rest of the day, I felt pretty meh, but forced myself vertical to met friends for  dinner and the Depeche Mode concert.

After Monday, I was ready to rock and roll on my regular schedule again. High five for a faster recovery this round.

From a financial standpoint, we had to pay for the second therapy upfront. Talking with the coordinators at Excel, they will hold on to the first and second payments until the treatment is complete and my account is settled. It could take up to six months for reimbursement, which is kind of lame, in my opinion, but whatever. I’m happy to be discussing a reimbursement situation.

This trip was short and that worked for me. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn (Westchase) again and will continue to since it’s so convenient. We used their shuttle and Lyft to get around town and back and forth to the airport. If you’re a NET patient interested in the finances, please let me know and I’d be happy to share my spreadsheet with you.

Also, I did not take short acting Octreotide injections prior to treatment this time. I didn’t feel the need and decided I wanted the tumors thirsty.

My next therapy is scheduled for November 2nd and we’re going to visit Austin the weekend before. Send me your recommendations, people!