I do know I’ll be feeling the echoes of my Dad’s passing for fairly some time, and paired with my therapeutic journey, it’s much more of an crucial to get out on the camino to stroll out a number of these feelings. Strolling is the best way I course of the world, strolling and writing collectively are the last word…so I’m excited that I’ve each on the horizon.
Again to the world of most cancers stuff, I’m on the upkeep schedule now that features month-to-month labs and conferences with my oncologist. I bought my labs carried out this week and it nonetheless exhibits low white blood cell counts and low platelets…these are unwanted side effects of my every day most cancers med, so it’s to be anticipated, nevertheless it additionally implies that my immune system isn’t as strong in defending my system from an infection, however I began a brand new remedy regimine this week, prescribed by my naturopath oncologist: Mistletoe!
Yep, it’s the christmas kissing plant, or in my case, an immune cell super-power improve. Here’s what mistletoe will do for me:
Assist my immune system to acknowledge and destroy tumor cells by activating tumor-killing cells similar to macrophages, dendritic cells and pure killer cells. As most cancers progresses, most cancers cells masks themselves from the immune system by hiding their cell markers. Mistletoe helps to reverse this progress, exposing most cancers cells to the immune system.
Blocks the flexibility of most cancers cells to construct new blood vessels
Repairs DNA of most cancers cells, making them much less aggressive
Damages most cancers cells’ cell membranes and construction
Promotes immune destruction of most cancers cells
Blocks manufacturing of proteins that promote progress in most cancers cells
Blocks potential of most cancers cells to invade new tissues
Anti-inflammatory, modulates ache response
The enjoyable half? Giving myself photographs. The remedy is available in self-administered injections a number of occasions every week, and because the remedy doesn’t need to be refrigerated, it ought to be all good to take to Europe with me in a couple of weeks.
So I’ve this new med, and once I return from Portugal, I’ll begin one other new med, Zometa, which is an infusion that I’ll get each three months to strengthen my bones. The web tells me that Zometa is a bisphosphonate drugs that alters bone formation and breakdown within the physique. This will gradual bone loss and will assist forestall bone fractures. So this can assist me recuperate from the swiss cheese impact of the most cancers progress on my bones, and will probably be doubly helpful as a result of I’m hovering round menopause, which can also result in osteoporosis. I’ve been suggested to keep away from high-impact actions due to my elevated fracture threat, and never that I’m going to all of a sudden begin racing motocross or something, however I’m hopeful this can reduce the danger if I do attempt issues this winter like cross-country snowboarding. I’m in all probability nonetheless going to keep away from downhill snowboarding for now (sob).
So although I don’t have any lively most cancers, I’m nonetheless seeing docs prefer it’s my job. Perhaps this can reduce with time? Perhaps? As a result of I’m on month-to-month labs and periodic scans and my remedy is delivered by timed doses every month, this implies I actually can’t be away from house for various weeks for the foreseeable future, and once I come off my anti-seizure drug this winter, I gained’t be capable to drive for 3 months! It’s exhausting to see a return to regular; it is a new regular.
Talking of the brand new regular, I’ve been having hassle wrapping my head round find out how to dwell my life now and find out how to make selections now. I’m in that in-between place the place I don’t know what going ahead seems like. In my instant future, I’ve Portugal, however after that???
I had began accepting that this can be the tip, that it might be my final 12 months or so, so I made a decision to dwell exhausting proper now and do all of the issues. However once I bought the scan this summer season displaying me that I didn’t have any lively most cancers in the mean time, all of a sudden I may see an extended life… a future longer than a 12 months not less than, so does that imply I begin saving for retirement once more? Can I even entertain the potential of retiring? All of the whereas, I nonetheless have to make it to five years…and the chances aren’t fairly in my favor, however then once more, I’ve all the time excelled at exceeding the chances and have had good luck trusting the world. Do I cease planning and dwell now? Or plan simply the following 12 months and go huge?? Or do I plan to be alive in 10 years? 5 years? 3 years? Do I begin my enterprise once more? However I’ve additionally all the time needed to jot down a e book, so why not give {that a} shot when I’ve time (or possibly not)?
I don’t know pals. I assume I’ll begin by occurring a protracted stroll.
