kbienapfl's Cancer Blog

November 27, 2007

Another Cycle Completed Views: 831

This past week has been very difficult for me both physically and emotionally.

On a high note, I have completed my third cycle of treatment. Thankfully, my most recent blood results showed that I am still strong and have the ability to continue with my current regimen. Although I dislike daily Neupogen injections, as they cause deep bone pain, I am very fortunate to have it available to me. Without it, I would not have been able to continue treatment. Right now I will be enjoying a two week break and energizing myself for the next cycle.

Starting last week, the beginning of the “Holiday Season”, my emotions ran amuck. Will I be here next year to enjoy another Thanksgiving? Christmas? I’m not living with statistics or odds, but, I have to admit, it is difficult to ignore them at times. Then, as I travel through this journey, I have such a great appreciation for the meaning of the Season. I have taken the time to reflect and appreciate memories from the past and look forward to creating future memories.

As I was going through my funk, I evidently picked up a passing virus. As hard as I tried, I could not recover from last weeks treatment. I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. My body felt like it was slowly breaking down. I was very close to asking Dick to take me to the hospital on Saturday. Sunday night I was mentally preparing myself for Monday’s infusion and my body was telling me no. When I arrived at Mayo, I thought for sure I was going to be sent away. I was surprised and thankful it was a go.

It’s a new week. Today was a great day. I was up early and worked around the house. By mid-morning I was out for the first of my next series of injections, ran a few errands, enjoyed acupuncture and “Target Tuesday” with Eileen. I arrived home at 6:30 p.m. feeling pretty darn good.

The funk of last week has passed. I just keep learning. Don’t give up….never give up.

Posted on November 27, 2007 at 8:50:18 PM by Kathy Bienapfl ( Link to this post.

Another Cycle Completed, Post a comment.

4 comments)

Hi Kathy, you are an inspiration not only for those who have undergone barbaric treatment for anal cancer but for ALL cancer strugglers. I put aside a private time during each day just to pray/meditate for all of us faced with this dis-ease, as evil as ANY predator on earth called cancer. Shalom, Lily

Posted on November 28, 2007 at 5:30:28 AM by stargazerlily17

I will keep you in my thoughts.Love sherri

Posted on November 28, 2007 at 11:37:52 AM by karlak

Hi Kathy,
My name is Jennifer and I’m an associate producer for the Montel Williams Show. I read your blog and am really inspired by your courage and would like to speak to you about sharing your story to inspire others. Please contact me when you get a chance at j_stryker@montelshow.com. Thank you.

Jennifer

Posted on November 30, 2007 at 8:21:41 AM by jenstr29

Good Morning,
I just read your last entry and boy was ever a very familar note. I was diagnosed in October of 1994 and was given 3-5 years to live. I was a divorced Mom, working in a major University ER Trauma Center on nights and was going back to school part time. I thought it was just fatigue from such a hectic lifestyle. Boy, did I ever get a shocker. They did not have the new meds for CML in 94 as they do now. I also had to give myself injections of Neuprogen to stimulate the stem cells so that they could do a harvest. After about 3 days of the injections the bone pain was awful. All the while I am still trying to always be HAPPY for my then 8, 10 & 15 year old children. I feel as though they were the ones that were getting the rotten deal, for their Dad had not been in their life since our divorce in 1986 so I was Mom & Dad. Talk about scared, but not for me, for them. I always wondered your very same thoughts. I would celebrate each and every holiday with my childen and make it as memorable as possible as I never knew when GOD would choose to take me. But, more than 13 years later and many of set backs I am once again in REMISSION after a relapse of 1 1/2 years and fractured 2 vertebras from a bone marrow biopsy which tests revealed I had osteoporosis. The beginning of last week I had so much energy, I was able to get so much done but then something happened and I was very sick from Thursday to Saturday night with projectile vomiting. Keeping in close touch with my oncologist, I am happy to say that today is a wonderful day. I feel as though each day is indeed a gift. I know there are statistics but you do not have to be one! I refuse to give this fight up. CML didn’t know just what a fighter I am and how much I want to beat this thing. Never Ever, Ever Give Up, which was originally said by Winston Churchill. You will be in my Prayers, God Bless, Patty