"THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL"... "Penelope, you have cancer". Those were the words that changed my life forever. After mastectomy and reconstruction, went on with my life for the next five years. Suspicion of spread began on May of 2009 and not until a March of 2010, with a biopsy of a broken shoulder, was it discovered. Treatment consisted of Faslodex infusion and Zometa injection monthly until again suspicion of spreading further. MRI confirmed in September of this year and I am currently taking Tykerb and Xeloda... oral chemotherapy. I have always been a very strong woman as my past is something to write about, however, at my age I guess I am greedy and want to live forever and get pretty depressed with this last diagnosis.
I am so fortunate in that I have minimal side affects with these new meds as they have a very long list of possible issues to deal with. And thankfully, I have been able to raise 6 beautiful, successful children...I gave them roots and then wings and they are doing well.
I hope to be able to be an advocate to anyone out there that is going through a similar situation. Any information that I can share with anyone will be just great. I have much help and support from organizations and friends in my community and so willing to pass on my knowledge.
My biggest hurdle is my depression. Taking probably the maximum of anti depressants, it is pretty much in my hands to overcome this evil little monster that attacks me each and every day...creating that dark cloud that just hangs over my forhead. It keeps me from fullfilling all that I so wish to do....and at the end of the day I look back at what I accomplished and regret that I did not do more... Taking one day at the time is the best I can do right now. For the last 4 years I volunteered with several Cancer Organizations taking up 80% of my time. Three months ago I put them all on the back burner to attend to my health and find myself in a place I do not like...
Just delighted to find a place where I can vent my feelings.
Hope to hear from you and take care of yourselves.
Sincerely...Penelope