Predators

There have been several moments in life since (and during) treatment where I have been asked to help "spread the word" or purchase a specific product/therapy that is said to aid in either the treatment or cure of cancer.

I've heard things like...

This product will help treat the side effects from treatment.

This product will cure your cancer without any other medical intervention.

This product will help you keep your hair in during treatment.

This product will help you so much, you'll have better "numbers" than people who aren't even going through treatment!

This camp will cure you through a combination of prayer and only organic food.

The list goes on and on.  And strangely enough, the people offering these cures were 99% of the time selling them.  What a coincidence!

To the person claiming to fix my side effects or cure my cancer via a product: You are preying on my physical condition.  You are preying on the nausea, the low energy, the bloating, the puking, and the multitude of digestion issues.  You want to tap into the part of me that believes I can beat this sickness--and do it while living like a queen, without side effects and maladies.  If you truly convinced that this product will help me, offer to buy me a bottle and we'll see what happens--but don't send me the link to your promotional page, where I can sign up for automatic monthly deliveries for the low price of….

To the person who thinks they can keep my hair from falling out during treatment: You (although sadly misinformed) are trying to prey on my womanly vanity.  Do your research.  There are studies indicating that 10-15% of people who undergo chemotherapy treatment will keep their hair.  I was one of these.  And although it thinned, it still grew fast enough I had to cut it every week or two.

To the person who claims to have a product to increase my numbers: Do you even know what numbers you're talking about?  No, but you were nice enough to send me a link to a generic video that is in turn, linked to your promotional page where I can purchase for the low price of….

To the person who believed that my lack of faith in God and lack of organic food in my diet was the cause of my illness: F*** you.  God giveth and God taketh away.  Job went through very hard times and throughout it, his faith was not shaken, yet God didn't reach down and release him from his tribulations.  And although he may have had more organic options in his meal plan than I do, I believe that God has more power to heal than any farm-grown, hand-picked avocado.  At the point in time that I heard this one, I was so fed up with life I actually wished cancer on a child of the all-organic eater who was expressing her opinions--just so she would know first-hand that eating all-organic didn't exempt anyone.

If you really want to help, ask if there is anything you can do.  Sit beside me, even if I'm sleeping (having people near me was one of the most comforting things during treatment).  Cook for me.  Talk with me.  PRAY FOR ME.

But don't try to make money off me.

*Also, a HUGE thank you to those who just endured with us.  We needed you and you were there.  Thank you!

Chemotherapy Tomorrrow!

A few brief notes before tomorrow comes.

It's not like this has snuck up on me or anything, but it just kind of hit me today that my first chemo session is tomorrow morning.  I've intentionally not asked people about what it was like because as the saying goes, "ignorance is bliss."  Maybe.  We'll find out at 11:00am, Michigan time.  I'll be armed with a book, lemon drops, and my cell phone.

Also, I added my husband to my blog account so if you read something that is grammatically incorrect and sounds nothing like me, its him.  It's a trial run... we'll see how he handles it.  I'm hoping that it will be easier for you guys to get the whole feel of what's going on in our lives if you can read from him too.  Just be forewarned, writing is not his forte.  He's a critical thinker and natural analyzer; his brain is like a computer that catalogues, stores, and recalls on command.  Artistic expression of any type is just not in his blood.

Well, that about wraps things up.  Tomorrow, my cancer is real.  Tonight, I just have an ear infection.