So You've Got Acute Blood Cancer…Join The Club!
It hits hard and fast and information is your power! This blog is designed to help you navigate your experience and give you some power back.
The Changing Face of Cancer Care in Canada Since 1993, Canadian Cancer Society has been honouring exceptional Canadian scientists with peer nominated awards annually. These scientists are recognized for their significant contributions to cancer research and cancer control. On Wednesday November 21, 2018, the annual ceremony was held at the CIBC Head Office building in... Continue Reading →
Another article written about survivors guilt. So similar to my own experience. We can empathize and feel compassion for the less fortunate but we do deserve to be here. We’ve been through hell. We fought to be here and call it luck of the draw, we got another crack at this thing called life…we do deserve it. I vow to make it worth it too.
After posting about missing the “downtime” of chemotherapy, I need to talk about how much of a privilege to be here writing that. I get to reminisce about the positives of being allowed to have no other job but to rest and recover.
Sometimes I complain about chemo brain, sometimes I wonder why *I* got cancer when those who take worse care of themselves seem to get off scott-free. I’ve left the initial fears about death behind me. Yes, my cancer may come back, but right now I’m in a good place with a good prognosis. My reality is that I will be able to enjoy this holiday season and focus on being with family, feeling physically healthy and “normal” again.
I have friends who are currently going through treatment. And you can bet that they would give anything to not have to be there, in the same way…
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When we are dealing with disease, it is very safe to say diet plays a big role. Whether that be in how we got sick or how we get and stay healthy again, a healthy diet is synonymous with a healthy body. Therefore, especially when we have a scare, we may be inclined to make... Continue Reading →
It's been a while since I've posted an article. I must say the increasing dose of Methotrexate I am taking weekly is starting to take it's toll. I've noticed that my stamina and energy have decreased and getting through a day is becoming more challenging again. I can't begin to describe how frustrating it is... Continue Reading →
In May of this year, if you had asked me where I thought I would be in my recovery today, I would have said preparing for my return to work. I would have told you that I brilliantly and practically, planned to have one of my daughters, Victoria, home with me through out the summer... Continue Reading →
There are many resources out there that tell us to make sure we know our options post diagnosis. Usually with an acute diagnosis we have days, maybe even hours left before we could experience a hemorrhage that will end our lives. In fact, there is any number of case studies that can be found on... Continue Reading →
Dealing with a cancer (or any other significant medical) diagnosis will bring both physical and emotional challenges. Emotions run high, tempers flare, some withdraw and shut down and it can be devastating to careers and finances. According to Michael J. Glantz in an article written by WebMD, this is especially true if you are a... Continue Reading →
Essentially, the survival rate of Acute Promyelotic Leukemia, assuming you make it through diagnosis and Induction (the first phase of treatment), is somewhere between 80-90% chance of full recovery. While I have not been able to find a conclusive study that specifies the rate of early death prior to diagnosis, I was able to find... Continue Reading →
INPATIENT From the moment I stepped into the room that would become my home for 22 days, I felt like I was receiving exceptional care. Considering the severity of the situation, my nurses were not only professional and attentive, but they were huge emotional supports too. If you could have bottled the tears I cried... Continue Reading →
