Back on December 28, 2011 I started a new phase in my life. I went for my annual mammogram which resulted in the diagnosis of Cancer. It was called DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in situ). It was a stage zero cancer (doctors told me that if I was destined to get cancer this was the best kind to get) that has been taken care of. After two surgeries (both lumpectomies) in February (2nd and 16th) I was put on a cancer medication (will be taking it for five years) and as of the end of March I started a seven week course of radiation treatments.
I knew that the chances of me being diagnosed with cancer at some point in my life was pretty good. My mother died from the disease. She let it run its course and did not tell anyone, including the family, until what turned out to be about a month before she succumbed to the disease. I vowed that if I were to get it that I was going to do everything to fight it. I am winning the battle. Surgery removed all traces of the cancer, the medication is keeping any cancer cells from slipping out to the rest of my body and the radiation is making sure that any cells left behind are being, as they put it, "fried". That sounds so radical. I guess that it is.
So far things are going great. No major side effects are showing their ugly head and because of the fact that I was so active before all of this started it is a good chance that many of them will not materialize. I am just getting back into full swing at the gym. It has taken a little bit of time, but I am getting there. I have managed to maintain my weight (I lost 50 pounds last year) so I am very happy about that. I am ready to start losing the next 50 - then I will be ready to take my dream trip to New Zealand.
