#23 CANCER TREATMENT DONE!|20 months
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Welcome back to Faith Walk with Debbie. Good news!!! September 15th, 2021 was my last infusion treatment. I am so grateful that God helped me through 2 cancer surgeries, 16 chemo therapy treatments, 30 radiation treatments and an additional 12 infusions. That means I’m ALL DONE WITH CANCER TREATMENT except one tiny pill a day. I still must take Anastrozole every day for 10 years which is a hormone suppressant. Also at this point, I’m very grateful there are no noticeable side effects with Anastrozole except maybe a little weight gain.
I thought today I would summarize where I’m at after experiencing TWENTY MONTHS in this cancer journey. Based on my last Cat Scan, there is no evidence of any cancer in my body. I praise the Lord for that! I also realized I really need to be grateful to the Lord that I have recovered much better than some people. Most days I physically feel normal/great. For example a few weeks back, I did six hours of yard work in one day. Then a few weeks after that I distributed 16 bags of mulch within a few hours. So, I would say if I can do those things, that I’m physically back to doing all my normal things! From what I’ve learned that is not always the case. I’m very grateful I can.
My acupuncturist who is also an oncologist told me recently that the acupuncture helped me through this process, but I would have made it any way. What he meant by that was I have a drive in me to get through it. I guess I do. I’m determined to make it through. I encourage anyone going through the cancer journey to recognize the importance of having a positive attitude and trusting God to help you get through it along with determination to never give up.
I want to share any side effects I’m still experiencing because of the treatment. Over the last 10 months, I’ve experienced some fingernail issues which was a side effect from the chemo drug called Taxol. Some of my fingernails separated from the matrix which is the tissue which the nail protects. I could physically see a line across the nail as it grew out which indicated where the nail was not attached to the matrix. Over the last few months, my fingernails appear to be normal. However, my big toenails then began to hurt. I can see a line across both of my big toenails about ¼ of an inch from the end. Therefore, it will still take a few months for them to get back to normal. The acupuncturist says typically I can experience this problem for a year after using Taxol. However, because my body experienced a little resistance to that drug, he says I could have problems longer than that. This experience has been irritating at times but I’m managing through it.
Another side effect I’m experiencing are eye floaters. The acupuncturist thinks it’s also from Taxol somehow affecting my liver. My blood reports are great, but I guess the liver can be affected even if the blood reports are good. The acupuncturist is hopeful that his treatments will help the floaters. He commented that people shouldn’t have eye floaters. I found that interesting. I’m hopeful he can help with that.
A weird side effect I’m experiencing is Itching on top of my right shoulder. This is the side I had radiation on. It occasionally itches. Sometimes it really is annoying. We cannot see any rash or anything in the spot of the itch. The oncologist and acupuncturist think it may be connected to my gall bladder or liver and suggested I use essential oils to help it. I’ve tried it for a few days and have not noticed any difference. I also do not promote this unless you check with your doctor. That is something I hope in time goes away because it is irritating.
The other lingering side effect that I’ve been told I may deal with the rest of my life is the tissue tightness from radiation. The breast area where radiation was administered as well as the area where the lymph node was removed experiences tightness. My oncologist told me to try using diluted Peppermint essential oil. (Note, only do so if your doctor recommends it.) I did that and within two days it really helped ease some of the pain. However, I don’t use it on a regular basis, and it has gotten tighter under the breast and in the area where the lymph nodes were removed. It helps to stretch my arm straight up for a period of time but that takes time, and I often don’t want to mess with doing it. As a result, there are days that movement is limited, and those areas irritate me some. However, it’s nothing major therefore I can live with it. I can handle the smaller side effects. I’m just grateful overall I have energy and feel normal.
The last seven months have been very emotionally hard on me. Part of the problem was my schedule. I continued to work 40 hours a week and some weeks had 5-6 hours of medical appointments besides that. People would say they don’t know how I did it. Well towards the end I didn’t. However, I just had to keep pushing myself to do what had to be done.
One reason my schedule became more intense was because of the Cancer Fit program I participate it. This is the exercise program where I go twice a week for 30 minutes and have a trainer instruct me on specific exercises to do. Most days I don’t really want to go but I’m so grateful for this opportunity. As a result, my muscles have gotten a lot stronger. Some flab has gone away. I’m sure the exercises are helping my bone density and my overall physical health. To be honest, I wouldn’t be doing all of this if I wasn’t offered this FREE program. However, I can see the benefits and am very grateful for this opportunity.
I was told after my last treatment that I would enter a new phase. I am already feeling it and don’t quite know how to put it into words. I’m grateful treatment is done and never want to go through anything like this again. However, I will miss my nurses, especially Cindy.
She was with me for almost every chemo and infusions. When I get treatment, they would always ask if I wanted something to drink and chips. I always have a Sierra Mist, not diet and chips. I typically asked if they have baked chips. In the past, they had baked chips. However, for months they did not have them. My last treatment day, Cindy made it special. When I arrived, she already had my drink and chips on the tray.
It was regular Sierra Mist with a cup of ice. Earlier she had noticed they finally had baked chips, so she remembered how I always asked for them in the past. She saved me not only one but two bags of chips. Reid also gives a cake to celebrate the achievement of completing treatment. So, all of that was waiting for me when I showed up. She made that day very special. Also, when I went to leave she said come here…she held her arms out and gave me a huge hug. I will never forget that or her. She was a vital part of my journey!
Part of the apprehension I’m beginning to feel in this new phase is because I will have to have testing done every few months to monitor my situation. Therefore, I already am sensing a little bit of “fear” wondering/hoping that when I have the tests it will continue to show I’m cancer free. I was told the end of November I will have a bi-lateral mammogram and Thoracic/Abdomen/Pelvic Cat Scan. Then I will meet with the oncologist again to discuss the results. The beginning of December the Cardiologist wants me to have another echocardiogram just to monitor that everything after all of the treatment is still good. He told me last time that if something would have shown up, it should have by now. He then wants to see me in 6 months. I’m hopeful after that appointment I will not need to return for his monitoring. The oncologist already told me as far as he is concerned, I do not need my heart to be monitored any more. Thankfully my schedule will get less crowded with appointments. I do not look forward to spending the rest of my life anticipating test results. I have to remind myself that God is with me in whatever circumstances he allows me to go through and that He has a purpose for all.
My hair has grown out about 3 ½ inches. I’ve gotten multiple compliments on how it looks. I agree most of the time it looks good. It is greyer than before but it’s coming in a pretty shade of grey. In the back my hair was more of a dark, reddish brown. It’s now a much lighter brown. It has a lot more body and curl that it did before. I am grateful for the curls and body, but I miss my longer hair. When I see pictures of how long my hair was in the past, it makes me sad. Losing my hair has been really tough and I hope I never have to go through that again.
Well, in summary, I thank the Lord I physically feel as great as I do. I thank the Lord for all I’ve learned through this journey. As I experience more tests in the future, I plan to continue to share those experiences. I really appreciate you coming along this journey with me. I hope you have learned some things just as I have. In the meantime, remember to check back as I occasionally plan to share more life encouraging testimonies of what God has taught me through my Christian journey.
I want you to remember the main thing I’ve learned through all of this. Whatever we go through, God allows. If he has allowed it, then he has a purpose. If He has a purpose, he will help me through it. Know whatever you go through in life, if you make Jesus your Lord and savior and trust in him, he will help you through whatever life slings at you! Till next time!
