Monday, January 2, 2012

COMING BACK TO LIFE

January 2, 2011—I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in November, a week before our planned trip to the Northwest. Bummer.

I have always been proud (if a bit smug) about my consistent good health. My first wake-up call came in April when I discovered I had type 2 diabetes. Bummer.

I’m lucky though. I had undeniable symptoms (quick weight loss, thirst) and my physician assured me that I hadn’t had the condition for long. Diabetes is chronic and cannot be cured. It is up to me how quickly it progresses. I take one pill a day, count carbs, keep my weight down and try to exercise consistently. So far, so good. I feel great most of the time and the condition does not slow me down.

Cancer, though, that is something else again. The word itself is damn scary. After a consultation with my gynecologist, I made an appointment with a surgeon—a guy with a fine reputation for this kind of surgery. He explained everything to Jon and me and assured us that he was confident that endoscopic surgery would rid me of the cancer. If the post-surgery biopsy indicated that more malignant cells were present, I’d have to endure chemotherapy.

We scheduled surgery for December 8 and then went ahead with our plans to visit our son in Portland and my brother and sister-in-law in Boise, Idaho. I put the surgery and the cancer on the back burner and we had a wonderful time.

As soon as we returned, I was scheduled for every pre-op test imaginable including chest x-ray, ultrasounds, and countless blood tests. The 3 ½ hour surgery was successful and the surgeon said he was pleased with what he saw. The pathology report would be the final hurdle. We had an appointment to hear the results on December 19.

My recovery was excellent. I spent a week and a half sitting in a chair with my feet up watching “Real Housewives” and reading several books on my new Kindle. But after a few days I was making meals, doing laundry and other light tasks.

December 19 loomed large though. I felt numb when the surgeon said, “I have good news for you.” Just as he predicted, the pathology report was clean. Now I’m an ex-cancer patient. I’ll have frequent check-ups and various tests over the next few years, but I do not have cancer now—I hope I never have it again.

However, the diabetes diagnosis and this experience have really set my back. My health became the focal point and I’ve gotten so behind in agency work. And, between Jon’s 97-year-old mom and me, Jon, too, has let things slip.

That’s why I’m writing this blog at long last. Our New Year’s resolutions are simple: Read partials and manuscripts and report back to the authors who’ve entrusted us with their projects. Then….sell books.

Thank you for your patience. It’s a new year and we have committed ourselves to getting caught up. I look forward to many exciting publishing experiences ahead.

12 comments:

lexcade said...

Oh my gosh. I'm so glad your surgery was successful. That's by far one of the scariest things to go through. You and Jon will be in my thoughts for certain.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

God bless you. I read trials such as yours and I am reminded what is a real problem and what is a hiccough.

Be 2012 be a year of continuous healing.

Charley said...

Congratulations on the cancer recovery! I went through a similar thing with prostate cancer -- diagnosis, radiation that didn't stop it (stupid healthy cells), and freezing that did the trick. Cancer free 3 years now.

Good luck with the diabetes!

Lynda said...

I just read your blog, and my heart goes out to you. Cancer can be such a scary word. My husband had Stage 3 colon cancer, but he is now seven years into being cancer free. I am very happy to hear that your surgery was a success and you are on the road to recovery. Very best wishes to you for a speedy recovery and a healthy future.

Lynn(e) Schmidt said...

I'm glad to hear that your surgery went well, cancer is damn scary. Good luck with everything that's going on, and you seem like you'd be a kick ass agent. Keep up the good work!

Stacey Goitia said...

I wish you strength and peace in the coming days. I, too, was diagnosed with an incurable disease (and I already had one - chronic asthma) a while back and it is a long road to turning your thoughts back from within to the outside world. Don't be afraid to be selfish. Don't be afraid to research. There are many cancer-causing foods (healthy!) that can be eliminated from your diet, just like there were disease-exacerbating foods I had to eliminate in mine. We are truly what we eat, and since you're already in the watching-carbs-and-other-diabetic-downfalls mode, watching cancer-causing foods and taking in cancer-killing foods (read 100 Foods that Could Save Your Life)will be a bit easier for you. Take care and God Bless!

Patrice Sarath said...

I'm very glad to hear you are on the mend and you are cancer-free! Good luck and best wishes for the New Year!

Mary said...

Best wishes for your continued return to good health. I went through a rough health year and found that I gained a fresh perspective on what truly matters. I won't say that the illness was a "blessing" exactly, but it did give me time to pause and reflect on the priorities.

Unknown said...

I just read your blog.Thanks for sharing!Chronic asthma is a long term disease which affects the functioning of respiratory system. Those who have passed childhood can examine themselves against the symptoms and can easily predict whether they have asthma or not.For more information related to this please visit : chronic asthma, medical animation and and Focusappsstore.com

JulesKD said...

Hello there. It's really good to read your blog again. What a year for you! I have held off querying you when the blog stopped for a few months. I'm glad you're back, as you've always been a favorite. It's good to read you again. :)

These success stories are very heartening. All the best to you in 2012 and beyond!

Liz Penney said...

So sorry to hear about these health challenges and glad you are doing so well!!

Fran Caldwell said...

What a marvellous outcome for you. I am so pleased your kinder, familiar world has returned. You had a hellish 2011, but this year is going to be fantastic.

Kae's back with a vengeance...