›› Cancer Treatments
I’m
watching prime-time reruns of the HBO blockbuster, Sex in the City, and
am reminded of the show’s brilliant finale--when Big flies to
Paris to take his girl home as Mrs. Big, yes, but am reminded more
immediately of my best friend’s cancer
treatments…as this episode is one wherein Samantha has
cancer and is experimenting with wigs. The writers,
directors, and performers make Sam’s having cancer manageable
by integrating a strain of humor into the dialogue and
actions. They also make it heart-renderingly lovely by having
that FOX, Smith Jarrod (played by ), shave his gorgeous hair to show
empathy for and solidarity with his lover. But
that’s television.
Back to my best bud, who was diagnosed with invasive endometrial
adinocarcinoma: while I do not wish to profit from her cancer
treatments by writing about them too explicitly, and though I have been
keeping a meticulously detailed diary of her cancer treatments and
side-effects, I have been given leave to discuss with you cancer
treatments in general—by telling you which cancer treatments
she has undergone thus far.
Almost immediately after she was diagnosed, she had a full radical
hysterectomy…on Valentine’s Day. This
was done because the cancer was spread through her uterus, and so
surgeons could investigate where the cancer was traveling: it was
spreading toward the lymph nodes under the lungs.
Next were a series of consultations with top oncologists. The
options are as terrifying or as dreadful as having to meet a mandate to
vote for a country leader and finding the only choices are Adolph
Hitler or Pol Pot. Actually, worse: she would have to
“elect” two/both of the two options. She
would have ten weeks of radiation, five days a week for six weeks; and
she would take two types of chemotherapy (Sysplatin and 5FU--first for
four days, then weekly.
Before beginning the first of the post-surgery cancer treatments, my
friend was advised to get glutamine (vitamins) and Compazine (an
anti-nausea potion)…to combat the Amaphostine
shot. Besides having the run-around by pharmacies, she had no
trouble before or after the first round (over four days, during the
Academy Awards week).
Next in the series of cancer treatments was another consultation: the
specialist informed her she would have internal radiation: a tampon as
lethal to her as to the cancer that would be inserted and would require
she lie on her back with her feet up for three hours afterward.
For the first days, my best friend was feeling fine. When we
spoke by phone (as I am a long drive away and cannot be there every
day), she was still clear, attentive, and laughing. After two
weeks, she was sick. She had terrible bathroom problems and
couldn’t even stay on the phone to talk or
listen—though this woman is a phone freak, using the phone
99% of the time…over using email.
Thus far, then, through her pre-, post-, and interim cancer treatments,
all I can do is find hysterical sayings to send her or save to read to
her over the phone when she feels better. And she will, for
she is a stalwort survivor with one of the finest senses of humor
around. And THAT, is purportedly the BEST of cancer
treatments: laughing.
››
A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
