Cancer and Luck

Three years went by. Except for some pesky side effects (Dry eyes/mouth, adrenal insufficiency and shortness of breath), I felt reasonably good for a seventy plus woman.

But the critters have returned. Two days ago I had my first infusion of a brand new immunotherapy drug. Yes, I’ve got a year of monthly infusions ahead of me. Again!

So where does the LUCK come in, you ask? Why call myself fortunate?

1. Great Science: The chemistry that saved my life was FDA approved in 2015 (my symptoms appeared in 2020). Another chemical, with fewer side effects, and my newest elixir, only came on the market in 2022. The timing for my cancer coincided with the drugs I needed to kill it.

2. Self-advocacy: I was the one who discovered the cancer was back-this month! My PET scans were looking very good, said my oncologists. But I dug into the extra commentary offered by radiologists. One scan mentioned an aberration on my right calf; another scan wrote about some ‘lesions’ on my scalp. Vague, right? On my own, I went to a dermatologist to have her check the spots. Once my dermatologist consulted with my oncologist, both lesions were removed and tested. Biopsy showed: Melanoma.

3. Good Timing! I was 76 when I learned I had cancer. I’m lucky the disease left me alone this long. I can’t imagine the struggles if stricken when I was a high school principal. My life is less busy and stressful as a writer, which helps me manage the disease (and all the doctor appointments).

4. Transformative: Cancer wants to take control of my body, so my goal was to take more control of my life. In the last four years, I walk three miles a day, sleep 7-8 hours a night, and strive to eat healthily. Even when the side effects were staggering, I got my walks in. I kept traveling. I’m still writing novels. No moss is growing under these feet. As a result, I’m facing this bout of cancer with a healthier body than four years ago!

5. I know more about my health and my body than most people. In four years I’ve had more than a dozen PET scans, a variety of CT scans, MRI’s, and X-rays. I’ve even learned how to read and understand radiologist-speak. What’s more, when I consult with doctors, I’ve done my research so my questions help me take charge of my recovery, to the degree that’s possible.

Yes, I’m optimistic as I always have been, but the evidence above is conclusive.

I’m lucky. Let’s see how well I manage this next batch of infusions.