CANCER IS A BUMMER, BUT LOVE ABOUNDS

It is amazing how when something bad happens, something good comes with it. Getting a diagnosis of terminal cancer is a bummer, a BIG bummer, but the outpouring of love and concern is overwhelming. All the people who have expressed their love and sent their prayers and good thoughts is so comforting. People I don't know personally have sent their prayers and good thoughts. People of all faiths are praying: Christian (conservative, liberal, mainstream), Muslims, agnostics. It is overwhelming, but in a positive sense. I hope I can get through this journey without losing site of all that's good here. I've taught my kids that we live in a friendly universe, that there's a lot more love than hate. We just have to try to give and receive love and not let hate prevail.
Enough of this cancer crap. I may not live to an old age, but the time I have will be filled with the things and people I love, and who love me. My heart felt thanks to all of you who have touched my life so far!

CANCER -- THE BIGGEST MYSTERY OF ALL?

I haven't blogged for about a month. There have been other things more important to deal with. Among those things is cancer. In 2003 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. For over four years there was no sign of the cancer after I underwent radiation and chemotherapy. Then In March I had some "suspicious" masses on a semi-routine CAT scan. That was followed by a PET scan and a lung biopsy. The cervical cancer has metastisized and moved to the lung. There is no cure. It is terminal. Without treatment the doctors think I would probably have a year. With chemotherapy I'd have a little longer. It is so hard to tell your husband, kids, mother and co-workers that you are dying! I'm not that old. I'm not ready to leave the people and things I love, but it is what it is. Five year survival for this type of cancer is small 3-10%. But that means there are 3 people in every 100 that survive 5 years. Why can't I be one of those? I'm going to start chemotherapy and do everything medically I can and I'm going to try to be a survivor -- no matter what the odds. My son put it well: we will let the doctors take care of the medical side of things and we will take care of the faith and positive thinking. It is what it is and I need to make the most of the time I have. Funny thing is I feel ok. I have no symptoms. Why does cancer strike when it does? No one really seems to know. I just know I will live my life as I have for as long as I can. Your prayers and good thoughts are always welcome!