My Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is best known for her force, strength and power.  I love to give the nickname of Wonder Woman to those who I believe to be extraordinary women who make a difference in the lives of others by just going about their daily routine.  I have a friend, “Diana” (WW’s name), who has done just that for her entire life.  

We first met when we were five years old.  We immediately fell in love with each other.  Our mothers became best of friends, too!  We took ballet together, then Girl Scouts, then a gazillion other things that girls love to do. We both had two brothers who teased the heck out of us!  As we became teens we began to follow different paths, but the bond was still there...and still is.  Fate brought us back together when we discovered (from our moms) that we were both expecting our first child about the same time! Although we lived an hour apart, we made it a point to meet as often as possible. 


A few years ago, Diana became ill with Cancer, She responded in true Wonder Woman form by fighting with all the force, strength and power she had locked away inside. She beat it; and then it reared its ugly head!  She beat it again, and again, but it returned.  In her perfect Wonder Woman way, she continues to fight and will do so until her very last breath! 

I am so very fortunate to be one of many who Diana has touched over the years. Her love, attention and incredible gift of herself will stay in my heart forever! 

God Speed my dear, sweet friend...

My New Career!

I am approaching the Golden Age of Retirement, and at this point, there aren't too many new careers that interest me.  HOWEVER, there is one career that I would love to have...a FAIRY PRINCESS. 

On my first day of Fourth Grade, I was absent because my mom took me to be on a children's TV show called "The Princess." I was in another world for a day as I got to meet the "Princess" whom I had been watching on TV for the entire summer.  I will never forget that day, as she made each of us feel like we were a Princess in our own right. 

I could really do this!  I already have the tiara. Now if I could just get the dress!  

I would hold Princess tea parties at my summer cottage (the castle might be too daunting for the little ones) and invite all of the "Princesses in Training" who lived nearby.  

There would be crafts, games, dancing, cake and tea...and a Princess fashion show to wrap up a perfectly Princess day!  

After the last guest left, I would retire to my sitting room while the staff cleaned up, re-stocked and prepared the cottage for the next day's party.  

I could do this!  Really!  Hail to the great Fairy Princess! 

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That Time I Fell

I often think about the past year's experiences had I not tripped and fallen on the uneven sidewalk while walking the dog.  I didn't see the raised part of the sidewalk, and, as I glanced to look at the toddler across the street, my feet didn't adjust and I went down on my side.  I was more embarrassed than hurt.  A very nice man stopped his car, got out and helped me to my feet.  I thanked him, and God, that I was able to stand up at all!  Whew!  I can still walk to my upcoming doctor's appointment.

I was due for a Colonoscopy procedure and had already scheduled an appointment.  I had a gut feeling that I was overdue...actually, I was overdue...by one year. You can't let these things linger.  If the doc says "come back in two years," HE MEANS TWO YEARS! The doc found some polyps and removed them for further examination by a lab.  One of the polyps could not be removed...it had somehow become "flattened" and could not be excised. He scooped off a sample of it to send with the others. Within two days, I got the call...I had the "Big C" and it needed to come out. I was lucky.  I didn't have to lose the whole food processor, just the portion that was diseased.

I met with the surgeon...let's call him Dr. McDreamy #1.  We set the date for the surgery. I took some vacation time...and sick leave...and some more time to recover from the procedure.  I loved having an excuse to just lay around and be waited on by others.  Within a week, I was bored to death!  I saw Dr. McDreamy #1 a week later to follow up with the healing process.  I know he told me all kinds of things in the hospital, but I cannot be held responsible for remembering any of it while I was on meds!  His assistant told me to see an oncologist.  I guess this is normal practice for someone who has anything with cancer removed.  There might be stragglers hanging about. Let's get them now!

I loved meeting Dr. McDreamy #2...the oncologist.  He explained what he had observed from the surgical report. He even drew pictures on the back of my paperwork.  I was impressed! Chemo was an option.  It looked like the only option for me.  I thought about getting a second opinion, but I really wasn't in the greatest of shape to be going to appointments, even if I could get them within the same month!  I was there; I just said "let's do it!"

Chemo was fun....says no one!  At first, I let them use a vein in my arm.  This was not a good idea. I have skimpy veins.  I had already turned down the "port" scenario...I just couldn't wrap my head around it.  Well, guess what? After losing the feeling, then feeling nothing but agonizing pain in my arm from the first round, the port started to look like a very good option.  Another hospital procedure with Dr. McDreamy #1.  I enjoyed this!

I was originally scheduled for six rounds, but then they were cut to four.  I was pleased as I didn't think I could go through all of the side effects for that length of time.  I was lucky that I did not lose my hair; it just thinned out a bit. I was lucky that I never vomited spontaneously, as others told me I would. I was not so lucky with the depression, loss of appetite, and never allowed to be more than 60 seconds from a bathroom.  Most times I made it in time, but not always.  I was lucky to have a husband who continuously held me up with his positive attitude and did anything and everything for me.  I was lucky, also, to have BFFs that wouldn't leave me alone more than a day or two without making me laugh, providing me with great reads, and lending their ears for those days of whining.

As the fourth round approached, Dr. McDreamy #2 gave me the choice of whether or not to participate.  I had hit the bottom of the barrel, physically and emotionally. I was actually sick of watching "Let's Make a Deal" day after day! I said, "no more." He said, "okay." I was trembling from the fact that I actually stood up for myself.  I felt a sense of relief and serenity as I walked out of the office.  I followed up with a scan which came back clean. Yay!  I had the port removed by Dr. McDreamy #1.  Yay! I began taking steps to get my life back...YAY!!

It's been a year since the surgery.  I just had a new Colonoscopy which came back clean.  The CT scan of two weeks ago came back CLEAN! Dr. McDreamy #2 gave me a high five and told me to come back in four months. My life will never be the same, but I'm here, and that's a good life to have!

I don't know if the "fall" had anything to do with the flattened polyp, which led to the surgery.  It doesn't matter.  Cancer can get to anybody.  I thank God for the doctors, researchers, financial donors, and survivors, all of whom give of their time to pave the way for the much needed cure for this beast. I believe it will happen.  

This post is dedicated to Tootsie, my walking buddy, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in March. 

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