Friday, June 24, 2011

It's Official! I've Been Classed as 'Unique'

'Our inner strengths, experiences and truths cannot be lost, destroyed or taken-away. Every person has an inborn worth and can contribute to the human community. We all can treat one another with dignity and respect, provide opportunities to grow toward our fullest lives and help one another discover and develop our unique gifts. We each deserve this and we all can extend it to others'
- Author Unknown

In spite of my best intentions, I still seem to be conspicuous by my absence from these pages. Some of you are aware that I agreed to a huge challenge by staying at the farm alone for 4 days while Haydn went to town to 'babysit'  his grandchildren allowing his Daughter and Son-in-Law to travel to Fiji. In his absence it rained, and it rained and it rained. I did not even attempt to drive to the mail box after the first day. Four inches of rain in 48 hours left the ground sodden and water logged.

On the Friday morning I received a phone call from the hospital giving me the news that I was scheduled to begin chemo on Friday 24th at 2.30pm. It came as a complete shock!  I had an appointment with my 'amazing' oncologist yesterday. It was Wednesday 22nd and there were questions to be asked. Concerns and fears causing me angst. On Monday I phoned the Physical Therapies Department of the hospital and was excited to be given a one hour appointment with Judith for Lymphatic Drainage on Thursday morning at 8am. I was thinking it could be the swelling that was preventing me from raising my arm. If only!

During the consultation with Dr Andre, I mentioned the sudden onset of the loss of the use of my right arm. Dr Andre looked up, put his pen down, and began to carry out tests on the arm.  His apprehension was immediately obvious. I waited patiently for him to complete his assessment before  commenting. He then said that we would possibly have to change our plans. Having ticked several of the boxes that were a concern to me on the Liposomal Doxorubicin Chemotherapy Patient Information Sheet, he noted that they were all skin related. He listened as I told him about my severe allergic reactions to minor things like ant bites. When he learned that I had not had any chemo education, he suggested that I was unprepared. The chemo would need to be postponed for the present.

It was then he 'hit' me with the 'biggie,' which was simply the possibility that the cancer may already have spread to the brachial plexus again. That would be the most likely explanation for the loss of the use of my right arm. Maybe it has nothing whatsoever to do with lymphoedema?

Knowing that he had just travelled to the United States and Canada for an Oncology Conference, I asked him if he had any experience to call on with cancer taking this form. He smiled his beautiful smile and replied 'You're Unique.' It's Official!

'As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.'
- Robert H Schuller

He asked me to have the physiotherapist call him after she had completed her assessment and therapy. He also said that as I had not had any chemotherapy previously, there were several other drugs that could be used. He would leave the Patient Information Sheets at the desk for me to pick up after my appointment with the Physiotherapist. It was then he said that, depending on the findings of the physical therapy session, he may need to do a PET Scan to determine exactly what is happening with this 'monster.' I will begin working on the next post, with some results, first thing in the morning. Thanks for reading♥



23 comments:

fire.hawksmom said...

Dear Cheryl, you have an absolutely brilliant Dr.!! He just complimented you to what we all know on here. I think you are super unique! Love that♥ Praying for relieving news and best results my friend. Love & Hugs going across the way to you! *Martha*

Diane Rodgers said...

My Dearest Cheryl,

This is just too awful and I want to have them admit you,run the tests needed and get to the bottom of this cancer and find a way of treating it! It is horrible the way it keeps going on and on with no answers ...only more tests and more waiting. What this is doing to your emotions, your mind and body is not good!

You are UNIQUE Cheryl... God made you this way, and He knows what is needed to get you well again. I am praying for His thoughts to become the doctors thoughts and for them to do what is necessary to heal you. Remember you are so loved ....by so many and such an example to all of us of how to face adversity with such dignity.

With all of my love always,
Di
xox

Sue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer said...

You are indeed unique, my friend.

The chemo should kill the monster and you will have the unique ability to see for yourself that it is working. I hope they get started soon. It sounds like your onc is a good one.

Diana Doyle said...

Just love Cheryl..sending you a big bear hug of love in this message!

Diana x

Anonymous said...

My precious Aussie friend, you are indeed "unique"! Your oncologist is a smart man. Hoping and praying everything turns out for your good and well-being. Sending my love and prayers from Texas...

nancyspoint said...

Chez,
Thanks so much for the update. I have been wondering about things. Your oncologist sounds like a real gem! Of course, we all have know for quite sometime about your uniqueness! Good luck and my best. I'll check back soon.

nancyspoint said...

Chez,
Thanks so much for the update. I have been wondering about things. Your oncologist sounds like a real gem! Of course, we all have know for quite sometime about your uniqueness! Good luck and my best. I'll check back soon.

nancyspoint said...

Sorry, my comment went twice. Guess you'll have to delete one. Apologies.

Kaz said...

Chez we talked last night so only going say here you are one special Unique lady as i have said many times you rock girlfriend.

Sending giant gentle hugs from miles across.

Love ya bunches,Kaz.xo

Anonymous said...

hiya chez.... ty for telling us about DR. AMAZING it brought a smile to my face! So happy that u are in such great hands... waiting for updates. hugs from me to you <3

Rama Ananth said...

Good things seem to be going in the right direction. Wishing you all the very best.Would wait along with you for the results.
There is no doubt that you are unique.
Love, Rama.

Cheryl said...

Precious Martha, Emmy got it right when she referred to him as Dr Amazing. I feel truly blessed to have him to help me medically while being surrounded by the most amazing and unique group of friends who give of themselves so lovingly.
'Always remember, you're unique, just like everyone else.' - Alison Boulter
Live, Love and Laugh my precious friend♥

Cheryl said...

Di, it is lovely to know you are now out of your own hospital bed and leaving your message of Peace and Love for me.
Will talk to you on the phone my friend.
'A human being is so irreplaceable. So valuable and so unique' - Goran Persson
Live, Love and Laugh sweet lady♥

Cheryl said...

Sue I feel so grateful to have had him come into my life at this time. Things have gone smoothly since going into his care. If this monster had to appear, better now than previously as I have confidence in his ability to make the right choices.
'Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.' -Margaret Mead

Cheryl said...

'Angelsls are like diamonds. They can't be made, you have to find them. Each one is unique.' - Jaclyn Smith
Live, Love and Laugh Diana♥

Anonymous said...

Ches, you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, stay the course, and have faith in your doctor. He sounds like an amazing guy!
xoxoxo

Cheryl said...

Nancy, it is a thrill to have your comment, so today it is double the joy. My onc is fantastic!
'Each individual is unique. We all have equal worth. Young and old, those who can cope and those who need help.'Kjell Magne Bondevik
Live, Laugh and Laugh lovely lady♥

Cheryl said...

My lovely friend from Texas I am indeed blessed. Thank you for the reminder that you are with me on this journey.
'Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.'
Benjamin E. Mays
Live, Love and Laugh lovely lady♥

Cheryl said...

Kaz my precious friend it is good to talk on the phone, only problem being we do not always get the aqnswers to our questions. We always have so many. Great to have you walking the wsalk with me lovely lady.
'It may be, it just may be, that life as we know it with its humanity is more unique than many have thought.'
Lyndon B. Johnson
Live, Laugh and Love my precious friend♥

Cheryl said...

Emmy I just love the way you have referred to him as DR AMAZING. Suits him perfectly.
'The essence of our effort to see that every child has a chance must be to assure each an equal opportunity, not to become equal, but to become different-to realize whatever unique potential of body, mind and spirit he or she possesses.'
John Fischer
Thanks for sharing the journey Emmy.
Live, Love and Laugh♥

Cheryl said...

Rama, I am waiting for the days that I am not running around like a chook with its head cut off looking for answers. I have been blessed by DR AMAZING replacing my onc.
'The highest function of love is that it makes the loved one a unique and irreplacable being.'
Tom Robbins
Live, Love and Laugh and Gratitude♥

Cheryl said...

Audrey, dearest friend, I am absolutely thrilled to find you here my night. I have been unable to get onto your blog so will try again.
'Remember that what you have is unique because it's your own special way of looking at the world.'
Louise Brown
Live, Love and Laugh Lovely Lady♥

Julie Goodale said...

You are unique in such a wonderful way to all of us. Love to you.