Hi. I’m Kate. Turn ons include IV drips, PETscans, and organic fig newtons. Turn offs include whining, hospital gowns, and artificial sugar.
Let’s see how much life I can squeeze in between work, chemo, sleep, and scans.
Putting
Do you know why I love putting? In general, most people suck at it. It requires patience, practice, and perseverance - a combination that is difficult to sustain for an entire round. No one expects you to be good at putting. I don’t have high expectations when I walk onto the green and I’m usually lucky if I finish a hole with only three putts. The best part of putting has to be the little happy dance people do after sinking a long one.
Fighting cancer is very similar to putting. The bar is set pretty low and any victory, no matter what size, is worthy of a happy dance.
I wasn’t allowed to have my treatment last Wednesday because my platelets were too low. It didn’t come as a surprise because I had very little energy last week. In fact, I almost passed out on the elevator ride up to the juicing room. I’ve only been denied treatment once before, but regardless, I can’t help feeling disappointed when my body doesn’t cooperate.
It took some convincing, but my doctor agreed to let me try again on Monday. He’d prefer that I took another week off, but I didn’t like that idea. While I’m feeling much better than last week, I’m still nervous and fearful that I’ll be turned down again.
Hopefully my blood-work looks good tomorrow and I’ll receive treatment. Sure, it’ll be a small victory, but like a good putt, will still deserve a little happy dance.
Excellent post, Kate. I hope you can get those platelets up real soon. If not, you can have mine. I used to donate them every Sunday at the NIH Platelet Pheresis Center.
Kate- i just happened to stumble across your blog when i was searching for someone who is surviving with PC. my mom was diagnosed this past week with stage IV PC and it’s hard to find hope and encouragement out there. reading your blog brought a smile to my face….i know the road ahead is going to be a bumpy one, but my mom’s not alone in this. i’m ready for the longest road trip of my life.
Let us know how it went . . . Best of luck.
I hope you were able to get your tx. I remember the first time I couldn’t get treatment due to low platelets, I was not a happy camper. I practically pleaded to get it (now that’s something I never thought I would do ~ beg for chemo). I tend to have a problem with my platelets dropping and when I anxiously await for my blood work and can get it, I want to throw my hands in the air, as in,”score.”
Funny, how life is sooooo different.
Hope you are feeling better!
Hi Kate, I have been watching your posts to see how you are doing. I find you very inspirational. You are an amazing woman. I have been suffering from multiple health issues for the past 10 months and as of right now the Dr.s have not given me a diagnosis. It’s very frustrating. I do not want anything wrong but just have that gut instinct that there is and well my bloodwork and health issues are showing that something is up. I found your blog on i2y when I was researching my symptoms. I found you to be so confident in who you are and the best part. SO STRONG and DETERMINED! You have helped me to deal with what I am going through just by reading your posts and regaining my determination and stopping my self pity party that I rarely but sometimes find myself slipping into. You helped to put a smile on my face.I wish you all the best and thank you for the smiles. keep up the fight. YOU’RE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Kate,
I bumped on your site while researching my wife’s chemo symptoms.
She has pancreatic cancer, had the whipple surgery about 48 days ago - now in her second session of chemo.
I made her blog and maintain it - prayforpam.com Her Medical Team is listed - FYI.
Overall Pam is doing great - prayer is the answer for her - He can help in so many small ways - God is in compete control anyway - so why not let Him have it all.
God be with you to a speedy and comfortable recovery. I’ll keep you in our prayer.
Max
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