@chuck218 I am now 3 yrs on a watch and wait routine. Through the course of these three years I have had all kinds of feelings and thoughts. And to make it even worse I was also diagnosed at the same time colon cancer. How do you survive double trouble, 2 cancers?

The word cancer itself is frightening.. I have always associated that when you get cancer your done with life. It is very difficult to cure this disease. Most people do not make it. That was what I believed or knew. Especially sitting on the internet reading. The information is outdated and god only knows what truth is. I had to stop reading everything I came across.

The day I was diagnosed with cancer time stopped. I put several things on hold to see how was this all going to pan out. Everyone I knew personally with cancer had passed away. I own my own business. I made a few calls in tears to see what it will take to close my company? I find it difficult to plan too far out. However I try and remind myself I feel fine. So Plan that trip..

I started doing things that I always dreamed of doing. Some crazy things and some not so crazy. I had to pull myself up from that couch and move. Go out and do things. Get off of the internet and only pop on once in while reading about the disease.

I can tell you what I have learned in three years of watch and wait. It means we are not dying anytime too soon. It just like having any other disease You now have to have a team of Dr's who check on you every few months. If we had diabetes we would be on a watch and wait too. Except we would be given insulin pills or shots to manage the disease. I have friends with Diabetes and they seem worse off than I am with my cancers. They have had amputations and now confined to wheelchairs.

Live your life as nothing is wrong, Some people on watch, and wait never have an issue. Maybe you are that one person, who lives a lifetime with this disease, and never needs a treatment.

Dr's are not good at telling us this. They get so wrapped up in the disease they forget they are dealing with people and our emotions. They don't realize to a layman telling us we have cancer is beyond devastating. It really messes with our minds.

Now I did make a few changes No More Smoking on and off. I gave that up completely now, and I don't drink very often. Just once in a blue moon. My acid reflux has cured me of drinking. But I know others who still drink with NHL cancers.

Ok I have to run to a meeting this morning. But I will be back on later ...

The last few weeks I been beyond busy. Which I prefer to sitting around. 🙂

Jackie

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