STAYING STRONG

Michael di Gesu, an amazing man with a huge talent and even a bigger heart, created this blog hop to raise funds for our friend Melissa Bradley to defray the cost of her cancer treatments. Melissa is battling endometrial cancer with tumors that have metastasized to her hip bones. Under Michael's direction a group of people have come together to participate in this hop. We're all showing the uplifting side of an ugly disease. Entries will be collected into an anthology and those proceeds will go toward Melissa's extensive medical bills.

I've had cancer twice and also had family members who fought the villain. And I'm here to tell you attitude is what it takes to be a winner. I am a firm believer in doing normal things in abnormal times and practice what I preach no matter the situation. Cancer was no exception to my philosophy, especially when I had stage 4 larynx cancer. I'm an email type of gal as opposed to the telephone, which I hate. Anyhow, to keep friends and family aware of my life and treatment progress I sent weekly updates. So here's one of those emails for your reading pleasure.

From: Sloane Taylor
To: Cancer Pals
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 1012
Subject: OMG! I'M PREGNANT

is what I told Studs last night. After we got his heart pumping again, he said that was impossible since I'd told him I'd been spayed years ago. "Sure," says I, "but what about Immaculate Conception? Since that's my birthday maybe it's an omen. Hell, look at the rosy glow in my cheeks. It all must mean..."

Two snorts later, he asked, "Yeah, right. So what's going on?"

Well, boys and girls, guys and gals, the chemo has decided to its best to make me remember those long ago mornings of being pregnant with my beautiful daughter. Most of you ladies will relate to that and never want to relive it.:) The nausea pills help and this will only go on through late Monday afternoon. Unless God has another new joke he wishes to play on me.

The glow isn't from radiation. It's from the big bag of steroids they give me at chemo time to stop nausea. I don't know if it works well for that, but it sure as hell fills out the wrinkles on my face. And I'd like to that there really aren't that many. Also, I have extremely dry skin and always have. So there. I come by them honestly. Little K, my 7 year old granddaughter is fascinated by my wrinkles. The girl freaks me out because she gets right up next to me to study and trace the lines. It's too weird, like she's doing palmistry but in the wrong location.

Three radiations down along with three chemos that are literally running through and out of my system. Life's good and I'm still eating real food.:)

Have a wonderful fourth of July, Everyone!

Love, S

Melissa also sent Michael di Gesu this letter.

Thank you so very much for all the supportive and wonderful words of encouragement you have sent me. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this community. I am now done with stage 2 of my chemo treatments and it has been a fight. Particularly this last time as I had an allergic reaction to the chemo drugs. I turned redder than a fire engine and horrific pains in my legs. Yet, all I could think was "freakin" perfect, I look like I could land planes in a blizzard." Yes, I do keep my sense of humor about me. It sure helps to see the funny side of everything.

I've learned a lot about cancer through this experience so far, more than I ever thought I would know. The most important is having a great attitude and keeping your sense of humor. I also know that this disease is very expensive. To that end I'd love to do a blog hop with vignettes of humor from people who have been touched by this disease, particularly reproductive cancer. I'd love to collect these stories in an anthology to be published. I want to share the profits with Gilda's Club Chicago, an organization that helps women fight endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers. I'll keep you all posted.

As far as myself, having lost my job (because what else could go wrong, right?), my friends have started a Go Fund Me page to help with my expenses. If you could share this or even donate, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much for everything.

Hugs,

Melissa

Learn more about Melissa on her blog and on her Amazon Author's page.

Be sure to check out the other people participating in the BIG C blog hop for Melissa Bradley. Their stories will warm your heart.