Christa's Journey

I met with my oncologist a couple of weeks ago, and after 22 months of cancer treatment I’m done. No more chemo, Avastin, constant bloodwork. I’ve struggled with creating this post. Usually the thoughts flow easily, but for this transition I don’t have any wise words of wisdom to share. I’m happy to reach this point and I am naturally anxious of what is to come.  I will move forward with strength and faith. I will keep building memories with my family and friends, preferably more grand adventures after covid. I will continue to raise awareness and help others. I will forever be grateful for the care I have received from my medical team in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton!  Thank you to everyone who has supported us along this journey. We have been so fortunate to have such an amazing circle of family and friends carrying us through the dark days. Looking forward to many bright days ahead.

It’s a thing. I’ve had a variety of scans throughout life and I’ve managed through them. Having a cancer diagnosis certainly increases the chances of not great results. The days leading up to and after scans are tough. I have researched lots of support articles to try to figure out how to manage through these days the best I can. There are several tip lists with suggestions like keep busy, meditate, exercise, talk to others etc. Which is great advice.  While keeping busy and exercising, one still has thoughts running through their mind and I feel it's important to manage those instead of ignoring them. So here are a few thought responses I have when my scary thoughts roll in. “I have an amazing medical team that will help me through whatever challenge I face.” – this was given to me from a dear friend and fellow ovarian cancer survivor that has helped me a lot this year.  It brings me great resolve. “I will cross that bridge when I have more information” -

 About a year ago, I was in the process of getting life back on track. Well, I wasn't even aiming for a track but basically just trying to get one foot in front of the other. I had completed my 16 weekly chemo treatments in early September, so I had plans. I came out of the gate running so to speak. I started with a 10 km walk on Terry Fox day surrounded by many family and friends.  I eagerly signed up for the Stay Strong program at the YMCA, a wonderful fitness program now available to all cancer patients. It felt so good to be back at it.  In mid November, our middle daughter had a weekend basketball tournament in Quebec City. Who says no to a road trip with their two teen daughters? :-)   Our oldest met up with her BFF in Bishops and we got to shop and  visit the Christmas Market in Old Quebec with some of her teammates and families. It was a lovely trip!  The Monday after we arrived home, I took some downtime to catch up on rest. I was having some nasty eye pain but thought it

We've had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful weather over the last few months.   2020 hasn't been the greatest year but wow the weather has certainly been nice!! Here's hoping the winter continues to be kind.   The Woods are back to school! It's a little different than last year.   Our oldest is in her 2nd year of university at Concordia. She had hoped to be living in the big city of Montreal but low and behold she is doing online classes from our home, much like the rest of Canada.   Our middle is in her final year of high school, going to school one day and working from home the next. Not really sure that is going so well, but more time is needed to let the kids get in the routine of things. Our youngest is in grade 4, and has been a bit draggy about going to school, not sure if it's the age or the COVID life adding to the sudden indifference of going to school.      Work has been nonstop. My husband along with all physicians are learning h

My precious Grandmother, Helene Isabelle Corey passed away a year ago today.  I thought I would write a little something in her memory to cherish.   Gram was widowed when she was just 46 years old with 12 children. She most certainly didn’t have a simple life. She made sure that her grandchildren were treated to the good life.   I cannot even imagine having 12 children and raising them, let alone having to raise most of them on my own. My husband and I struggle some days trying to manage the 3 we have. She did it, and knowing these 12 children, now adults, they would not have made it easy growing up. They all survived and managed to do quite well in life.   My memories of Gram begin quite early in life, she was my only living Grandmother and I spent many days and nights with her. She cooked up a mean hamburger and always had cookies and treats for us. Even as she got older it was important that she have some snacks available for the great grandkids when they’d visit.  Even if that mean

Life in the Wood household has been busy, with 2 teens at home trying to manage an independent 8-year-old in the midst of a pandemic, while their parents are working fulltime out of the house.  I started working fulltime the week the pandemic hit, it was a welcomed distraction. Getting back to work has been good.  Keeping my mind busy is important. I enjoy my coworkers and our lovely patients. Cancer has a way of plunging you into a valley, a pretty deep one in my case. I don't think you realize how deep you are until you start to climb out of that said valley. It's been a little over a year since I was handed my diagnosis. I've hit some pretty low points over the last year but I'm happy to say I'm working my way out of this!  I'm now in the recovery phase and it's taking much longer than anticipated.  I continue to receive a maintenance drug therapy, every 3 weeks.  This drug's purpose is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumor and keep my ca