HEALTH UPDATE: I feel like crap! There really are no answers but I suspect the chemo was actually taking care of some of my symptoms. I had my last treatment 2/12 with the home chemo bomb until 2/14. I haven’t had chemo so I can be “clean” and free of any other drugs for when I start immunotherapy. I am scheduled to start this Friday, 3/13!
Last Friday I went to UW Hospital for lots of tests. MRI (eeeeee…ewwwwww….bang, bang, bang! eeoooooo, eeeeoooooo, eeeeeooooo!!!!), CT Scan, labs, etc. I failed the hemoglobin test, otherwise I haven’t heard anything about the others so assuming they are acceptable. They added on a blood transfusion to my day last Friday. I’m going in today to get hemoglobin retested.
Ramblings…
This has been a rough time period for me. I’m sick feeling. Fever. Exhaustion. Tummy pain. We all know what happens to me when I feel sick. I get depressed and cry a lot. I’m so depressed that my body won’t do what my mind wants to do. So many worries. I never liked the idea of zero treatment for any amount of time. Well here we are. Nearly 30 days with zero treatment. My mind is going wild. Is it growing? Spreading? Am I doomed? I’m getting all my old symptoms back. They are similar to the ones with chemo but worse.
Immunotherapy. Sister Melanie is doing her very best to help me through this. This treatment is our saving grace. It is our GAME CHANGER as my oncologist has described it. I am scheduled to start in two days. Why can’t I feel the excitement? Why doesn’t it make me happy? Why doesn’t it take away the paralyzing sadness that I’m feeling? I’m insecure. Too many failures. Failures in life? I appreciate my failures in life though. That is how I have learned so much. Failures in a medical sense. Tom and I went through 13 cycles of fertility treatments. I have bum ovaries. They all failed. They failed for a reason. The best reason of my life. They failed because if they didn’t, Willow would not be my daughter. The difficult time before Willow became our daughter was as painful as my life has ever been to this point. Keep trying, be positive, not good enough. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail. Thirteen times. Is this why I’m so hesitant to have confidence and believe I will not fail? The chemo failed too. I’m running low on options. Long story short. I don’t feel good and I’M FREAKING OUT!
Now for the good news. I feel a twinge of something this morning that I haven’t felt in a very long time. I’m not sure what it is but it doesn’t make me cry! It might be…..HOPE?! I think it might be. I know it’s something positive. It isn’t strong but I’m praying to God that this feeling grows and grows. We have a few green plants popping up in the yard. Spring is a time for growth and renewal of all things beautiful. Leaves. Warm fresh air. Flowers. Easter. Hand in hand walks. I’m feeling like I’m becoming more able to talk myself out of this depression as I tune into this faint feeling. Why on earth would I want to be so sad when I can be hopeful and outside enjoying the warm sun? I need strength. Praying for strength. It’s critical right now.
This tug of war between despair and hope is ongoing. I’ve been told I have problems asking for help. Nothing could be more true. I’m independent! I’m the helper! I can do whatever I set my mind to. At this moment I find myself struggling. I can’t do it all alone this time. I ask you for your prayers. Please pray that my hope grows and grows. I know how important it is to be positive. I’m currently losing that battle but it’s not over. I will always FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!
I love you and thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
Keep the Faith 
keep fighting….sending you hugs
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Wow! How strong you are! Keep on keeping on. Thank you so much for your courage
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Cathy, stay strong. Your courage and bravery are nothing short of miraculous. You have so many people pulling for you – stay in there lady!!
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Hang tough girlfriend, I know easier said then done, I dont have the monster in me. But you have a world of people that care for you and are sending mental waves to kill the monster and give you strength! I saw a Robin today and that is alway hope in for everyone! I must tell you a friend of mind is on the autamune therapy ( dont know how to spell) she has been on it a year with great outcome. Tumors have shrunk and she is working and they have told her she will most likely will die of something else…so keep your chin up. Is there something you can do to feel better? Have you checked with nursing staff
..I had heard that coconut water is helpful but I have no documentation to support this..Hang in there…send healthy thoughts, hope your feeling better🌻
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you are the strongest, most inspiring prolific journalist I have ever known. I pray that your depression and suffering will subside and God will grant you renewed health so that you can fully enjoy your beautiful daughter and husband. Love and prayers coming your way
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Cathy, I’m sending you positive energy and praying for your healing; like a warrior. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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Many things I’d like to say, because you have said so much. However, topic before us is for you to stop beating yourself up. I am so sorry that you feel s**tty in the time leading to your beginning your new, promising treatment mode, by the way, just two days away. Again, cancer sucks, and it’s been a long haul, but your personal legacy is you managed under debilitating duress an intelligent, diligent process, that delivered precisely what you wanted; that is, a team of top notch medical providers in a setting that promises you the most love and community support possible. Boom! Success, NOT failure. Special thanks to Melanie, of course, but you did this also with friends and family that remain with you and have every intention of sticking around. Say after me, “I am strong, and I am good, and cancer will not define me.”
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Be gentle with yourself. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God is with you no matter what. Sending healung vibes your way
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Willow is your hope and your strength through this battle. You have her energy and zest to keep you fighting. You are such a beautiful family. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
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Thinking and praying every day for you. Keep fighting – positivity coming your way. One more day to the start of something new….maybe the answer. I have beaten the odds with stage iv breast cancer with immunotherapy- you will too. I believe this in my heart – one day at a time friend. You help me fight everyday – let me help you💕
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Prayers on the way love you
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Hey Cathy, hope things are going your way today! Sending you lots of hugs and prayers.
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