Cancer Boot Camp

At the first of February I had set the goal of reaching clout 5 here on AC and to do that I was going to write twice a day. I completed that goal 75% of the way, the other 25% that I did not complete I can say thank you chemotherapy for, ok so I am using the cancer card.

Two years ago I was told that I had cancer we thought it was going to be a quick in and out surgery for I was stage 0 a few days before we had the surgery set up to go we learned that my cancer had taken a road trip and now I was stage 1. Stage 1...holy cow it won't be simply as removing it now I needed treatment. STOP! My head is moving much to face for me to keep things straight in my head. Why should I take the word of this person that this is the best way to move forward and what did he say any way for all I heard was "cancer blah, blah, blah stage blah, blah..." and then it went back to cancer. Then I heard stop at the desk and make your next appointment and my receptionist will make you the first appointment for radiation therapy. Did I have a choice in the type of therapy that I was going to get? Was it going to be just treating the cancer or was there other support to go along with it? How was I going to tell my family and friends and when?

Went home and cried then I started reading .... What! Is this a joke, I am way too young to have stomach cancer! I am a good person I do what I can to help others, I have always tried to eat right, I work out. I even say please, and thank you, How did this happen.

Then I decided that it was time to read all about stomach cancer and the different ways to treat it.

Cancer Boot Camp, this is where I educate myself about my cancer, types of treatment, what to expect from the treatments, and what my insurance will cover and the options for insurance. The steps below is what I consider to be Cancer Boot Camp.

Understand what cancer is and isn't. (You cannot fight something you know thing about!)
Don't be shot down with what you are told, no one knows what tomorrow holds so if you hear the word incurable...it's a dare to prove them wrong not a death sentence.
Approach your fight against cancer as if you were starting your own company and your mission statement is simply and to the point " KICK ASS"
Make the best team of doctors, healers, dietitians, and friends that you can find.
Travel where ever you need to go to get the best treatment you can find.
Get as many opinions that you need for you to feel great about the best way to complete your companies mission statement.
Understand your insurance coverage and insurance options.
Make a medical binder (Kick Ass - folder)to keep all information and medical documents in an orderly fashion.-In mine I have place clip art of butterflies, as they are a symbol of new life for me. I have a section where I can write down questions to be asked before I go to the appointment. There is a section of where I keep track of all the medications, the amount of the medication what it is for, all the herbal supplements and vitamins. Then next to each I have a list of the side effect that I am having with each one. My next section is for each time I have been to the hospital and why. Next section is for a calendar to keep appointments and medication refill dates on. I have a section for my insurance information. Next is my cancer phone book, this has all of my treatment teams numbers and email address in it as well as family and friends who have offered to be my cancer buddy's. Last but not forgotten is a pouch that has maps, restaurant menus, takeout restaurants, and places to refocus on me.
Before you go for your first treatment go see the center and tour it, this way you will know what to expect.
Always make sure you have a cancer buddy with you when you go for appointment and or treatments this way they can help you with your medical folder and write thing down for you. Plus four ears are really better then two.
If you have to go into the hospital for extended stay, bring things from home that will make you feel comfy.
The last but most important part of boot camp is to breath!

Well I made it through my own boot camp or so I thought at my six month scan I was told that my cancer had returned. 6 weeks ago I pulled out my Kick Ass folder and re-entered my own boot camp. This time we are using different types of therapy as the cancer is on the outside of the stomach and not on the inside. The last few weeks I have taken time to focus on the new battle that lay that I am not fighting with that in mind I get to use my cancer card and blame the cancer for me not reaching my own goal.