Hair affair ^
Out of Induction (phase 1) and into Consolidation
(phase 2), my hair barely survived. Although the new drugs on consolidation will
result in more chemo-brain, as well as ‘hair loss’, it doesn’t phase me...
Ha! But in all seriousness, I’ve got a tough month ahead of me
with this new phase. Consolidation officially started on Tuesday at Children’s
hospital when my body began its absorption of this month’s cancer-killers.
Although, 3 days in and I haven’t felt the anticipated affects of chemo-brain
yet (I say this while knocking on wood.) I plan on taking advantage of feeling
normal, as I have been all week; as in going to school and doing
non-cancer-patient like things. It feels fantastic.
I drove into the hospital this afternoon to get another
injection of cancer-killers through my VAD (This wouldn’t be one of the non-cancer-patient
like things).
It’s sardonic, really, how so often in my past I’ve gone to
the doctor: I’m sick, He gives me drugs, I feel
better. But now, I go to the doctor (oncologist): I’m sick, He gives me
drugs, and I am merely confined to the expectance of feeling worse.
My customary assumption, similar to most peoples, was that
you get medicine to feel better. For me, this now only remains true to the extent
of long term pain as I know that only until the end of my treatment will I feel
better, cured and back to normal. But it’s hard to think long term with
chemotherapy; I continually am taking it day by day. And within this short term
lifestyle, these words, ‘medicine,’ ‘pills’
and ‘drugs,’ have grown to haunt me. What were formerly reassuring words that
would bring anticipation of wellness, I’ve now associated with illness, pain and
chemo-brain.
But being optimists, we look at the positive side of things.
This phase’s combination of drugs, chemo
cocktail, should typically only lower my neutrophils while my hemoglobin’s
stay fairly high. For those of you who are of non-sciencey-sort, this means
although I will be more prone to viruses, the affects of this month’s
chemo-cocktail will leave me with decent energy levels. Yay for more energy!
I would like to mention thanks to Sarah Massah, reporter
from Peace Arch News, for writing a humbling article about my story and
journey. Also to Kolby Solinsky for another inspiring article, written and posted
in the Surrey Leader. Thank you for all the support but more importantly,
thanks to all who’ve helped to spread awareness about this disease: it’s all making a difference for future
fighters.
Breeding optimism with shorter hair,
-
Serena Bonneville J
Dear Serena, I am a 13 year old attending grade 8 at Earl Marriot Sec. and I read about your story in the Peace Arch News. On Octoper 6, 2006 I was starting first grade, when i got called down to the office. My mom picked me up, took me to BCCH where they did blood tests on me for 5 hours. At the end of the day, I was diagnosed with ALL, at 6 years old. Now that I'm older and free of cancer, I have more time to think about what happened to me, and I am evere thankful for the care I got at BCCH. Your story and so many other's like yours inspire me, and you are a huge inspiration. Keep on keepin' on [from the words of Megan McNeil] and keep fighting. Simran Sarai
ReplyDeleteHi there Serena! I was reading up on few of your posts and had quick question about your blog. I was hoping you could email me back when you get the chance, thanks!
ReplyDeleteEmily