Week 18 photo
I had Steve take my photo when I was dressed for my las chemo treatment. Here it is, a bit of a bookend with the photo he took before the first treatment, March 1. Back then the 4th of July sounded really far away.
Week 1 photo
I have struggled with blood counts the whole time. I’ve had two blood transfusions and three (or four?) rounds of Granix for the WBC (5 days of shots between weekly infusions). My blood counts are low now, but not critical. It’s the last week so we’re just going for it. But I have orders to stay away from crowds, eat safely, and take it easy this week. We’ll check the blood in two weeks and hopefully my bone marrow will be picking up the slack.
What I want is a good scan. We won’t do that for a month, so that it’s closer to the time of the surgery.
I’m sure it will hit me that we’re done next week, even moreso the following week. In a month, my taste for food should start to come back. Hopefully in time for a good meal at the North Shore (of Lake Superior) the week before surgery.
Meanwhile, just one more recovery, no more pumping in poisons just as I feel like I’m getting my energy back.
The list of no:
No mouth sores
No nausea
No swelling ankles or joints
No bone pain
No rash
No fevers or colds
No neutropenia
No serious constipation or diarhhea
No infections
No kidney malfunctioning
The side effects have been manageable, and the cumulative effects only took me down the last three weeks, particularly the neuropathy.
Acknowledgments
Thank you for taking this journey with me and all your support and encouragement. Thank you especially to my “care” team, including skin and body therapies from Amanda LaFrance, Maryjude Hoeffel, and Stephanie Hart. Garden care by Nancy and Dale Sink, Nancy Ebel, Kate Ritger, Kathy Becker, Tim and Annie Heymans, Maryjude Hoeffel, and Kevin and Amy Kluesner. Thank you to Vera Theisen, Nancy Sink, Jeannie Kenevan and Jim Triggs (for Trader Joe’s runs), Kathy Brown, Meg Kloecker and Shelly Flynn for the food. The gift givers and card senders too many to mention. Sophia Heymans for the art. Thanks to those who have prayed all over the country. Thanks especially to Mary Darnall and Ward Bauman and the board of the Episcopal House of Prayer who have made it possible for me to recover at a good pace and relieved pressure.
Special thank you to the best ride-giver ever, Kevin Kluesner, and also to Jean Scoon and Nancy Ebel.
And very special thanks to Steve Heymans, my husband, who has picked up the slack in a very difficult time and taken care of me and our home. So lucky and happy to have married you eight years ago.
I love following your blog, Susan. Yes, I pray for you, and look at your photos with both awe at your strength and sorrow at the poison that kills both the cancer and healthy parts of you. But most of all I admire your spirit and your generosity in putting it all out there for your readers. I also loved the long list of thank you’s–you really do have a cloud of witnesses and helpers! That makes me a bit jealous–if ever in your shoes, I would have many fewer to rely on. I must try to live a more giving life, I think.
What a journey! Not one anyone would like to take. Although your courage and honesty have paved the way for those who may have to or are on a similar journey. As sad and hard as it has been to read all of your posts, they have been an affirmation of humanity and community. Also simple reminder of just precarious good health can be. Never take anything for granted!! So happy for you that the treatments are nearing an end, your list will be all of the yeses.
This is great news, Susan! Your list of no’s is amazing! I can’t wait for your ability to taste comes back. Prayers and good thoughts sent your way and the way of your caregivers. ❤
And what will the good meal at the North Shore (of Lake Superior) consist of?
In the meantime CHEERS Susan!
Only a few words…
Speechless
Inspired
Sympathetic
Sad
Hopeful
Praying
Love
Strength
All good words, Chrissy!
The New Scenic restaurant between Duluth and Two Harbors on Lake Superior is not to be missed. If I’m getting any taste back I will also push for picking up a Betty’s blueberry pie (usually too busy for anything but take-out) on the way tot he lodge to keep in the fridge and partake of heartily!
I think you would be surprised, Jane– I really was. My community is strong nearby but small, but my larger community is far flung and goes back to childhood. The outpouring of communication, including so many cards throughout the whole 18 weeks, has really surprised me. Being online (and keeping on people’s radar through the blog) definitely helps. Much love to you– you are one of my great encouragers at all times!
Susan, you are an amazing woman. I thank God for your faith in Him and His abiding care of you. And, yes, I too thank God that He brought a wonderful husband into your life. I can’t wait until I get a chance to see him again and hug him. Perhaps a future trip to Minnesota will be necessary. Love you so much. Aunt Margie
Lots of love Susan, and hopefully you have been through the worst of this. Your experience has been a reminder of how valuable life is, and it is wonderful you have shared your journey. Thinking and thinking of you! Love
Susan
Thanks, Susan. I came to Collegeville for a few days three years ago and contacted you ahead of time about getting some field stones to bring home for my garden, but we never met up, though I’d wanted to. I did see the rush sculptures by the side of the road at your suggestion and also visited the nuns’ monastery (stayed in the St. John’s magnificent guesthouse, which was quite a trip compared to other monasteries I’ve visited). I’ve regretted that I didn’t make that happen–it would have involved staying a day later because of your schedule, and I ended up not doing that, alas.
I also wanted SO badly to come to your Notre Dame thing this summer, but it conflicted with my own community’s Annual Gathering. To see you and Sandra together! She is someone I’ve studied with in the past and I read her every word with great awe and delight. I read of your having supper together and hope you were not too exhausted to enjoy her company, and she yours.
So I’m glad you see me as an encourager. I am glad to be thought of that way and I read your little 100-word bios and St. John books regularly. When I get more settled and am back to poetry, I’ll read your latest. Thanks again for all your share with the world through the ether and Internet. It’s a great gift to me.
So glad you’re finished with chemo and I liked the “no” list you shared. Blessings to you Susan!!
We’ll have to make it happen some time, Jane. Thank you for this “comment” that is so much more than a comment. I do of course remember our interaction over field stones. And dinner with Sandra was a TOTAL highlight of the conference for me. She is wonderful and I was privileged and lucky to get her all to myself one evening!