I've never gotten applause for having been sick before, and it felt strange at first. I was walking with others on the 'survivor lap' during Relay for Life of Hamilton County (IA). (I was invited last year, but we were in Chicago.)
The diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer came on 6/13/06. It was not the 'standard' type of ovarian cancer, so it threw a whole set of oncologists scrambling for answers and a treatment plan.
I had surgery on 6/21/06, went home on 6/26 and started chemo treatments 7/10/06. They were 4 to 6 1/2 hours a day for 5 days in a row with two weeks off in between. There were four full weeks of treatment total. I spent a bunch of time in the hospital because I didn't do well with the side effects (it felt like permanent nausea, and lasted until November!). I feel great now, and don't have as many problems with my allergies as I did before the chemo (the only?? good thing about chemo??).
Last night, a jersey, autographed by Lance Armstrong was auctioned off for over $500. Just as important were some of my church buddies walking/baking/organizing for the event. They don't do it just for me, but I'm included in their display of names of people who have/had cancer. Their "Team of Hope" raised over $5000 in this little (but very generous and caring) town!
