Holidays are on their way

The Christmas season is ramping up and while the time leading up to it, is not my favourite, I absolutely love Christmas. This year is more difficult, when I think of the dear friends lost and the trials we’ve faced. I’m going to dig deep to embrace the season and make the most of what we have been blessed with. There is always something to be thankful for.

I've been enjoying not having chemo the last couple of months.  I've recently started my oral maintenance drug called Niraparib. It's a PARP inhibitor that is supposed to help keep the cancer at bay. We are hoping it does its job. We know my cancer is not curable but hopeful to manage it as long as possible.   The drug has a long list of side effects much like chemotherapy but less severe. My immune system will be weakened again which isn't fun, but we will be cautious. Over the last week, side effects have kicked in and I’m reminded about how much I dislike nausea and vomiting. We will weigh the pros and cons of this drug over the next couple of weeks.

We are looking forward to getting our girls home under one roof for Christmas and enjoying time with some family and friends.  Exams are just around the corner for our 2 oldest and they are doing well at university and we are so proud of them. Our youngest is growing up too quickly She’s enjoying her new school and doing very well. She’s loving ringette and has started basketball. She’s missed some school and sports due to sickness, so we are hoping she’s passed most of that.

My husband is busy working and juggling a lot of extra, but as always manages smoothly. He’s taking a good break over the holidays with us. We are all happy about that. I’m beginning to figure out what is next for me. Once I’m healed and managing well with this new treatment, I will be heading back to some form of work. Not sure where or when this will happen, but hopeful something will work out.  Another adventure awaits. For now, we will enjoy the season and be forever grateful for our life we have.

To all who are struggling through this season, I send my sincere love to you. I hope we can all find our way to embrace the happy moments and be thankful for them.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

2021

 

 

 

Happy Cancerversary to us

Today is our two year cancerversary. It’s a strange day to celebrate, considering how much sadness and worry it brought. It’s a day that will forever be etched in memory, not only for me but for my precious husband, daughters, parents, in-laws, brothers and sister-in-laws. I remember the conversation we had with each of them that awful night.  We were headed into uncharted territory but one thing we did know was we had an amazing team along with us. When one is faced with what seems the impossible, having love and support helps you get through.

I’m abundantly thankful to still be here today and be doing very well. I know how fortunate I am to have come this far.  I’ve lost many friends to this horrible disease and I will do whatever I can to help spread awareness to others.

Today, I will celebrate being alive and well.  Thank you to all who helped me get to this point. It was not an easy road but worth every single step.

 

 

Diagnosis

On March 12, 2019, one month after celebrating my 44th birthday my life changed forever. I woke up in a recovery room to the view of my surgeon informing me that the originally planned laparoscopy hysterectomy did not go as planned. I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer - stage 2B or III High-grade serous carcinoma.

My husband stood by my side as my medicated mind absorbed this news. I don't remember crying but there were tears, many tears. It's all a blur and I prefer it that way.

The next 24 hours, I would endure were horrible, to be honest. I was rolled to my room and pumped with pain meds, 17 staples, and 3 new holes branded into my abdomen. Within hours I began vomiting (reaction to pain med). In the midst of my vomiting episodes, my husband and I would have brief discussions about what was just handed to us. My heart broke for him, I could see his pain.

That evening we had to call our precious family and inform them of our news. News they were not prepared to hear, I was assured that they didn't "feel" as though I had cancer, very unlikely. Words you cling to, but probably best left unsaid given my circumstance.

Skip to five months later and I am in the midst of a chemo battle, I have good days and bad ones. I have weekly chemo treatments  (dose dense chemo) that likes to knock out my immune system and suck my energy.

While on summer vacation I was hospitalized for Pancytopenia. It's a funny word for not such a fun condition.  It's when a person has low counts for all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. I received IV antibiotics and blood transfusions, thankfully my body bounced back after a week or so. It was scary for me and my family, but so thankful that things improved.

I do have many good days and I am so thankful for them. I rest when I have to and squeeze in family fun when I can. Make the best of what you have.

My family is living this rough life by my side. I have an amazing husband who cares for me and our household along with a very demanding job that never stops. We have 3 beautiful daughters who have to manage this cancer beast in their life as well and I hate that they have to; they too are amazing humans. I have the most loving helpful parents that are here for all of us. I have awesome in-laws that also are here for our family at a moments notice. We are blessed to have a massive circle of close family and friends ready to help with what we need.

For the past 4 months we have been receiving meals weekly delivered to our door, an incredible help when life has you tied into this whirlwind of illness followed by appointments and family life. We have been overwhelmed from the love and support from so many friends and neighbours.

We know we are blessed and I'm so very thankful, we just don't know how to ever repay the love and care we have received!!

I promise not all posts will be so serious!! I know my grammar and punctuation isn't great but it really isn't about that :-)