07/27/2023
I hadn't realized that changing my profile picture goes out to everybody. Thank you all for your kind words about the photo. And although I haven't told many people I was diagnosed with colon cancer last year at this time. Since then I've had 25 radiation treatments and 10 weeks (two times per month) of chemotherapy. I'm baffled why I look much healthier than I feel. The chemo therapy has left my legs with severe neuropathy and the left one even a case of drop foot. I am now in physical therapy and walking with a cane. The pain at times is terrible but mask with painkillers. I'm not going to waste my time asking why me? I know I wasn't singled out: cancer is a lot of the times hereditary while also being very random in its choices. I have seen, heard and done things that I never thought I would; I never thought I would have the courage to do but realize we are so much stronger than we know and that our will to survive is monumental. I cannot work, cannot drive but I do things to keep busy. I never saw myself as such a fighter. In fact, one of my old school mates, Melinda, saw me with a w**d eater in one hand and a cane in the other crawling up my hillside!! I didn't know but Southwest Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of cancer cases in Pennsylvania.... Terrible air quality and the fact that I lived in South Florida for 25 years... It got me. Despite being impaired I am feeling better, my appetite good and from the last scope I had the tumor is gone!!! I am now on a "wait and see" list which means every 3 months I have a scope and some scans to make sure the cancer is not returned. I opted not to have surgery for fear of waking to a colostomy that I would have to wear for the rest of life. This all has changed me in the never ending change that life is, but I'm still shy still reticent still love a good joke and still think that life is the most coolest
thing. Thank you all for reading my short story.
