The last time I posted, I was feeling the physical side effects of chemo #1. What I haven't told all of you is the mental side effects. Some days I wake up and I don't want to do anything. It may even be a day where my body feels fine but I just don't want to do anything. Usually it only lasts a morning because I tell myself just to get out of bed and do something, even if it's moving myself from my bed to the couch. I've been really fortunate lately because the days where I've been feeling really down, somehow someone knew to text, call, message or send me something just at the right time. Even if it's just a "hey", it reminds me that I'm not alone.
Last week I completed Chemo #2. This time my body felt really sore that night but other than that I felt fine. I have discovered that 5 days after chemo is when I feel the most tired. People ask me about the nausea and I can't say I've really had any. If this is all I get, I am completely fine but I know that I still have to take it day by day because things ALWAYS change. Talking about plans...my treatment plan changed again (what a surprise). I was supposed to be getting treatment in Cobourg but the schedule in Cobourg would set me back another week for Chemo #3. So I decided to get treatment in Peterborough, where Wednesdays will be my doctors appointments and Thursdays will be my Chemo days, and this will happen every other week. Good news is that my lymph nodes are "non bulky" so the plan is 4 months of chemo (8 treatments) followed by 4 weeks of radiation. Radiation will be everyday for 4 weeks straight. This will take me to November where I hope to be completed treatment by my 21st Birthday. That would be the best Birthday present ever. On Monday, I travelled to Ottawa to see Maryam and Katie, my friends who I met in residence. Being around them again felt so normal and it felt like no time had past. We walked around downtown Ottawa Monday afternoon and I had a blast. Laughter really is the best medicine. They were always checking up on me making sure I wasn't pushing myself, even though they knew stopping me was pretty much impossible. They said they were so surprised at how I looked. They said I didn't even look sick and I looked like the Katie they always knew. That's made me feel so good, knowing that I can still fit in and I'm not letting this change me. I'm sure at some point I'll loose my hair but right now I'm just enjoying the freedom I have now. You are probably wondering why I titled this post "Not a setback.. A Breakthrough". Well, during my time in Ottawa, Maryam and I got talking about how this challenge in my life happened so fast. Unfortunately Maryam was in Zambia when I was diagnosed and she did not find out until later. I'm always curious to know how my friends felt because when someone had cancer, it affects everyone around them. Maryam said she just didn't know what to do because it was such a shock. All my friends can do is just be there and make me laugh like they always do. We talked about how I am only 20. Well ya I am only 20 which means I still have my whole life ahead of me and I have the strength to fight this. Everything that happens after this will be extra special. For some reason, this happened. We may not know why yet, but I've realized that the time I have now with my family and friends will never happen again. As soon as I'm better, I'm getting right back out there. I've always been very career driven which will never change but I now know that family, friends and taking time for my health is equally important. Before all of this, you would never expect me to be the creative type. Now I love to paint and I've discovered a whole new world of writing. Instead of thinking about all the things I can't do, I have to think of all the things I can do and nothing is permanent. As my good friend Holly says "this is just peanuts" meaning this "break" in my life is so small compared to everything I will accomplish in life.
5 Comments
Wendy Cowin
7/19/2017 05:17:54 pm
You are such a talented writer. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult journey.
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Michelle Verbeem
7/19/2017 05:54:43 pm
Hi Katie used to work withyour dad at NHH. Your words are empowering. So glad your sharing!
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Marlene and Bob Jenkins
7/19/2017 06:07:02 pm
Well things seem to be moving along. Glad you are conversing to your friends. Young people are very good with situations like thing. Up beat and know the correct things to say to cheer you up. This will be a journey that will make you strong and give you the integrity and understanding to move on.
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Cathy Carter
7/19/2017 06:15:03 pm
Hi Katie,
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Lynda Darlinh
7/20/2017 09:08:59 am
Hi Katie,
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Author: Katie BarkerJust an average Sailor who battled Cancer and won! Archives
August 2018
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