Survivor of the Week

Editor's note: Leading up to the 2008 Pender County Relay for Life event, which will be held at Topsail High School's track on May 2 and 3, Relay for Life presents a series entitled "Survivor of the Week," first-hand survivor stories from brave men and women who have battled cancer. This is the third in a series of four. For more information on the Relay for Life, visit them on-line at www.pendercountyrfl.com.

In summer of 2003, I had not been feeling well for some time. One particular day I was at work feeling a lot of pressure in my chest and difficulty breathing. I thought I was having a heart attack. A co-worker took me to a local doctor who examined me and immediately scheduled me for a CT scan at Onslow Memorial.
Two days later I met with the doctor in his office. The diagnosis was non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  I recall leaving the doctors office in a fugue state. I somehow managed to drive myself back to work with a stop at where my husband was working. As I mentioned earlier, I had not been feeling well, we both knew that something was wrong but never suspected cancer. We were dumb-founded. We just sat and stared at each other for a while. Then I returned to work. 
I met with a recommended oncologist in Wilmington. He informed me that I had stage-three lymphoma. He recommended a course of chemotherapy. First I would have to have a port-o-cath inserted in my chest due to small veins. The doctors and nurses were supportive. I believed them when they said, "we will take care you Flo."  
My daughter was extremely upset by my diagnosis. Suzanne and her husband have a toddler and, I think to a large degree, were scared that their little girl would grow up not ever knowing her Grandmother. Sue and I handle things in a different way. I have an unbelievable ability to just keep going. I can put things out of my mind and it goes away. My daughter believes that knowledge is power and spent the next days, weeks, and months at her computer finding every piece of documented literature on my illness. Chemo, medications, possible symptoms, possibly side effects, possible herbal remedies. You name it she found it... only here's the thing:  She sent them to me. Sue wanted me to be well informed. However, I can't deny I have an illness if I read this stuff. I had to keep it out of my mind and she must stop sending me this stuff.

At the same time that my daughter was loading me up with information, my office mates were taking care of me. Literally, taking care of me. Wanting to do everything for me. I work in a real estate office doing reservations, etc. I cannot think of better co-workers, except they too did not know that I couldn't accept their help. I did not want them to take care of me. The love felt good but I had to keep going. I couldn't accept any help or I would have to accept my illness.

Chemotherapy went well for me. I wasn't ever sick and never missed a day of work. My biggest horror was when my hair fell out. With the help of a friend I bought some wigs that didn't change my appearance too much.  

I remember when my hair started growing back. I was sitting at my desk working when I noticed something on my arm and started to cry. My boss and friend asked what was wrong; I responded "Look at my arm, I have hair fuzz on it." The entire office erupted into laughter. There was a light at the end of the tunnel.

I only needed one course of chemo and went for my regular check ups and scans until October 2005 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. This was a big set back. It was just before Halloween and the surgery was scheduled on Halloween. My daughter surprised me the day before surgery by flying in from New Jersey to be with me. The surgery went well but the surgeon noticed that the colon cancer had broken through the colon wall. Not an ideal sign but the doctor was cautious and searched all possible places for the cancer to spread without any sign. 

I was medicated for the better part of two days post surgery. My daughter stayed with me all that night and the next night. I was having trouble staying awake despite the fact that the doctors and nurses wanted me to get up and move around. The medications were keeping me sleepy and I had no energy to get up and when I tried, I felt dizzy. After two days my medications were changed and I was able to start my recovery with a walk to the elevator and by the next day around the whole hospital floor. My dear friend Linda stayed with me the third night, also a cancer survivor. I am blessed for friends like her and my friend and boss, Cathy, who stayed the fourth night with me.  

My recovery was quick with few minor aches and pains. It might have been a difficult recovery for someone who was actually sick, but since I never believed that I was, I could just keep going on.  

 I would like to take the opportunity to thank my dear friends Linda and Cathy for taking me to appointments when my husband could not be there. And especially for not being mad when I would vomit all the way home in the cars. You are my family.  
I would also like to thank my children: my daughter Suzanne for being there when I needed her.  She is so caring and loving; and my son Bob, Jr. for carrying me into the house when I was too weak to walk. And, especially, to my husband Bob whom I love dearly and I can honestly say that we've grown so much closer over these past years - closer than ever before. I love you all.