Back to the grind (perhaps).

Because of the cancer, I've become way more familiar with the inside of my body than I ever imagined I would - even though, most of the time, I have no idea what my innards really look like. It's been roughly six years since I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I was subjected to several … Continue reading Back to the grind (perhaps). →

passing it on

A couple years ago, I decided to try something a little off-center for NaNoWriMo: I decided to teach myself how to write a graphic novel. I had a story idea that wasn't coming together as a work of straight-up prose: It wanted to be something partly visual, too. So I decided to set that project … Continue reading passing it on →

plan b

I just found out that a family member has cancer. I will not - ever - name names or relationships here, out of respect for privacy. This blog is about me and my journey, even though that journey has now - quite horrifically - dovetailed with someone else who is close to me. Almost exactly … Continue reading plan b →

the blurgh

When I was in high school, I worked part-time typing insurance forms for a pediatrician's office. I learned a lot of terms for a lot of things, including an elegant word called 'malaise.' One of the doctors used it to describe any situation where a child just felt generally sick. It's been about five months … Continue reading the blurgh →

radiation: epilogue

Soon after my last blog entry, something from chemo caught up to me and/or the side effects from radiation kicked in with a vengeance. Or, both. Either way, I ended up in the hospital for several days.

radiation: week 1 of 5.5

During the procedure itself I lie there for about six or seven minutes, hugging the front of the bed to keep my arms out of the way, with my head and my feet propped up on foam blocks. The machine itself slowly circles around me, whirring and humming, doing its thing.

radiation: week .5 of 5.5

Today was my third day of radiation treatments. I've been struggling with what to say about it, because neither my gut nor my head have been right.

chemo: epilogue #1

My oncology nurse said the chemo side effects last for about two months after the final infusion, so consider this entry a sort of mid-season finale: I'm two weeks out and a total mixed bag of side effects.

chemo: round 6, day 10.

I never have to have another chemo treatment again. Ever. Finis. Finished. Done. I should step on a scale to see the number that pops up, because I feel lighter - physically lighter - as if subconscious stress has mass and I've shed some.

the d word.

I have to say - because this blog is about helping other people - accepting that you'll die is not the same as accepting that the cancer will kill you.