A Time For Recovery

Chris asked me the other day if this is who I still see when I look at her. I answered "No, the woman I see is even more beautiful and much more wise". I certainly appreciate her more now than the self-centered kid I was then.
The chemotherapy has taken it's toll, but not near as drastically as treatments some other cancer patients have had to go through. She lost about 2/3 of her hair, but that looks like it has already started to come back. Of more concern to me, is the nerve damage she has suffered in her extremities. (hands and feet are numb) hopefully that should improve in about 6-12 months. She's concerned about the weight she's put on with the anti nausea medication that she's had to take. (you're supposed to keep nibbling) The problem that affected her the most was probably the fatigue. She has slept a lot, but that's something that will correct itself soonest.
Now she goes into the "monitoring" phase of her treatment. We expect a clean slate because we will be working to keep ourselves healthy.

("Why?" you ask, and I answer "Read below!")

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Well, hopefully, we are through the worst of it.

Christine has completed her chemotherapy regimen and is ready to get on with her life. While I have hated seeing what the poison has done to her, we both hope and pray that the treatment has lifted her into the "cured" column when we add up the pluses and minuses.

Here's what we've learned:

1- Cancer is mostly preventable. There are foods that help prevent cancer, and when we ignore that fact, we are being stupid! Our diets should be high fiber (and must include flax seed) and we should limit our intake of red meats and processed foods. This is not hard to do. It doesn't cost any more, and in most cases will cost less than eating what's bad for us.

2- Early diagnosis is critical. The longer you bury your head in the sand, the worse your prognosis is going to be. Do not ignore your body! If you have symptoms, find out what they mean. (Our medical system is rated at 39th in the world and slipping. You must take control of your treatment options!)

3- Don't allow yourself to be sold or bullied into treatment you don't need. (This includes being "assigned" to a doctor you don't know or trust.) This is part of "taking control" Don't be lazy. Do your homework and insist on being in on all decisions.

4- Push yourself to do as much as you can. Life doesn't go on hold during chemotherapy. Do as much as you can, it helps keep up your attitude and that is critical to healing.