Posts
Well Friends, we didn't learn much different than we already knew, though in some more detail.
Maryse has endometrial cancer (originating in the uterus) manifesting in her liver. There are six spots on her liver and she will have to start chemotherapy as soon as she is well enough healed from the hysterectomy. At this time there is no spread evident. Since chemotherapy kills growing cells, it is not advisable to start sooner than 10 days from now or so. The first session is scheduled for the 14th of September.
Maryse is in otherwise excellent health, healing rapidly, strong and remarkably upbeat on facing this challenge - as she has faced other challenges.
She WILL lose her hair. For sure. Her decision is whether to have a champagne party and shave it off now, or go and have a stylish very short haircut and shave it later. Better than finding loads of hair on the pillow in the morning.
The chemo will be one session every 3 weeks for six cycles. Side effects are so variable, that her response will be unknown until it happens. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mouth ulcers are the some of the possible side effects. They might not happen, or might happen intensely.
And as for me, I am riding the shock waves. Each time I hear Maryse, almost brightly, explaining over and over, to each concerned friend who calls, I feel like I am being hit with a bat again and again. I guess I better get used to it.
So into the mystery we go. Maryse will continue to work, and will time her work in phase with the chemo.
That's the current state. Thanks - and by the way, please, if you are going to phone, not after 8PM or too early. Steve
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
A champagne party sounds fabulous! You have a wise oncologist. Our love to you both. Thello and Jude
ReplyDeleteStrength to you both, and love. And Steve please take care of yourself - beware the battering bat in this long journey.
ReplyDeleteNorman & Caroll
Greetings from across the pond. i have decided to send you a joke of the day and have scoured the www's of this universe, for the best and most side splitting i can find...so get ready folks, for today's (if i can master this virgin blog idea i have finally succumbed to). I wish you Steve and Maryse, a happy moment shared with me... This just in from the Edinburgh Comedy Fest:
ReplyDeleteWalking down Princes Street, soaking up the atmosphere, I saw a big sign that said: "Bus tours, ten quid." So I thought I'd give it a try... What a rip off. Ten quid to have a look round a bus! Seymour Mace at Café Royal
Thank you for bravely sharing this ordeal. Sounds very harrowing for you Steve and my heart really goes out to you. Life is a really mysterious journey and detours (or stopovers) like this one seem to have a serious 'awakening' aspect to them. I appreciate your openness, bravery, courage and passion. Love Kay
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for keeping us informed. I really appreciate your openness and honesty. You are so brave.
ReplyDeleteLots of love
Jen
p.s. its very fashionable to be bald. all the female dancers are doing it. low maintenance hairdo.
Thank you for blogging; thank you both for being who you are.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a big journey. And the nature of healing / health has many facets, as you are illustrating in your response to the journey.
Some pragmatic stuff (learnt when walking alongside my mother when she did her journey 10 years ago): there's a great South African book, "Challenge Cancer the Holistic Way" by Monica Fairall. And marijuana helps with the side-effects of chemo. (My mother was furious when one of the other people at Constantiaberg wouldn't give her a piece of a dagga cake that a friend had baked!)
Maryse, we were just talking last night at circle dancing about how we think of you every time we dance Sfarlis. We are going to dance and dance and dance for you. (Not only Sfarlis!)
Gail and I send both of you lots and lots of love.
Hi - this is Chris Powell's mum. He just told me about Maryse and although I don't know you guys that well, the mere fact the you are so important to Christopher means I had to show my support. A friend of mine is getting over her chemo and she didn't lose her hair or feel too bad. A bit ill and very tired I gather, but no ghastly nausea. I send you loads of strength and hope you get through this ordeal even stronger than you obviously already are.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Tisha
Hi Steve & Maryse, Thanks for the update. Between champagne, a hip haircut and some grass, it sounds that some fun can be had when the fears, sadness and all other weary emotions creep in! Wishing Maryse a quick recovery at all the various stages and hopefully no horrible side-effects when she goes for the chemo.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, big hugs.
Liesel