The first thing everyone wants to know is-- how did you find out? Well, suffice to say that I was overdue for a colonoscopy. For those of you who don't already know, I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer- the same thing that took my mother's life at age 45. There is a strong genetic link since first generation family members of colon cancer patients are at increased risk for getting the same disease earlier in their own life. So here I am, at age 34, diagnosed with what is typically considered an old person's cancer. The word cancer, when uttered by the doctor, gave me a terrible sunken feeling inside. But outwardly, there was a degree of composure on my face and in my voice that belied the shock of this news. My thoughts immediately raced to my children, Rowan & Spencer, and then drifted to my mom. How did she react in her moment? The doctor talked on but I didn't cry, get angry, or even feel that scared. I had a brief sunken sensation inside, and that was it. I took my paperwork with me and went about my day. I did tell Winston and I hugged my boys, but the shock simmered away as the day wore on. Somehow, the experience with my mom's cancer gave me the grace I needed to accept the diagnosis, but it also gave me the will to want to FIGHT.
You are my friends, my family, and each and every one of you have made a positive difference in my life- I am sharing this experience with you because I am thankful for your continuous love and support. As I start my radiation and chemotherapy next week, I'm sure this will really start to sink in for me. Of course I'm sometimes sad and maybe even a little depressed, but only in those moments of introspection when I stop for a second in my busy life. It would cheer me immensely to keep in touch with you. So please visit my blog often to read updated posts, see photos, stay in touch, or to ask me any questions. I need to know just as much how all of you are doing so that I know that you are taking good care of yourselves. As I've taken to saying, your health is everything and life is good when you can get it!
With love,
Di
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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