By I am a cancer survivor – multiple times actually.
My first diagnosis was at age 27 in 1977. In the 1980s, I had a bout of melanoma then squamous cell skin cancers. In the 1990s I had two bouts of colon cancer. In 2005, I had two surgeries to remove ovarian tumors. In 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer – that was a two year journey.
However, in March 2015, I was diagnosed with the most serious bout of cancer… Metastatic Breast Cancer which has metastasized to the bone. In February of this year, we also discovered it had spread into my gallbladder.
The good news is treatment appears to be working… my body is responding well to the drugs better than expected.
Nurses have planned a pivotal role in my care over the years. They have insured that I am comfortable and well cared for when in the hospital or the chemotherapy unit at the hospital. They insure that my medication is properly given and that any problems or questions I have get to the properly answered by the appropriate staff. They also provide tips for reducing stress or pain.They have truly made my journey as smooth as possible.
