Chapter 8
January 13th, 2014 finally arrived and today would be my 25th and final radiation treatment. I would also be having my chemo bottle disconnected along with that nuisance of a PICC line finally removed.
It also was a very emotional day, because I was going to be banging the gong.
It also was a very emotional day, because I was going to be banging the gong.
Banging the gong, is just one of the rituals when a cancer patient has reached a milestone. Just like ringing the bell after your final chemo treatment, banging the gong symbolizes your final radiation treatment. I'm officially done and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I hope I will never see the inside of a radiation ward again.
For the last five weeks, I walked past the gong and today it was going to be my turn to bang it. My Cousin Janet also came down from the chemo ward. Janet, along with my rad techs Amanda, Muhammad and Chris who had assisted me on every one of my treatments gathered around. I banged that gong as hard as I could while Sherry took a picture.
Although, ringing the bell after that afternoon's final chemo treatment most likely would have to wait.
For the last five weeks, I walked past the gong and today it was going to be my turn to bang it. My Cousin Janet also came down from the chemo ward. Janet, along with my rad techs Amanda, Muhammad and Chris who had assisted me on every one of my treatments gathered around. I banged that gong as hard as I could while Sherry took a picture.
Although, ringing the bell after that afternoon's final chemo treatment most likely would have to wait.
Yes, I was also finished with my chemo treatments and technically being a stage IIA it meant no more chemo, just surgery. It was not carved in stone, but there was a pretty good chance I was not yet done with the chemo ward. The suspicious node that had shown up on my MRI, would probably see me doing a mop-up round of chemo.
I figured that I would be seeing a lot more of my Cousin Janet and most likely ringing the bell later that summer.
I left the Cancer Centre that day relieved, I was now finished with all my treatments. I never missed one. All my blood work was good with my levels always within the proper ranges. The five weeks were not as hellish as I originally expected and the side effects were manageable and tolerable.
I now had a six week wait until my big operation.
Chemo and radiation had put such a strain on my body, there was absolutely no way I could have major surgery right away. I would need to heal internally. Although, I was now done with chemo and radiation, both are still working in tandem to shrink the tumour even weeks after treatments stop. I just needed to rest, recuperate and get myself ready for my big operation.
As I left the Cancer Centre that day I was looking forward to the break, but I knew deep down in my heart I would be back in a couple months. I had mixed emotions, but for now it was back up to Muskoka and hitting the gym.
Physical fitness has always been a big part of my life and I love being active.
I was missing hockey and I was missing the guys. I had been getting a lot of encouraging emails and texts while keeping everyone updated weekly with my journey. I was happy to have been able to make it down for three surprise visits. It was very emotional for me to see my empty stall with a jersey hanging on the hook on each visit. One of the guys had put the name ‘MIKE’ in white tape on the back of the jersey.
I decided that my goal would be to return back to the ice on Saturday, October 25th. It would be exactly fifty-one weeks from my diagnosis and within the year that I had vowed to myself.
I printed up a 2014 January to October calendar for my fridge, that Saturday in October I circled in black marker. Each week leading up to my return, I would cross off the calendar. I became totally fixated on that black circle in October taped on my fridge. It was now less than ten months away.
Dr. G had told me that my physical fitness would pay off huge in my healing and recovery after my surgery. In the six weeks leading up to surgery, I was able to hit the gym thirty-two times. Each time, I pushed myself as hard as I could. I continued sweating out more of the chemo toxins which can linger inside your body for weeks after treatments.
I was eating healthy and my weight was stable. I was determined to be the best I could possibly be fitness wise before my big operation. I wanted to give myself every advantage of hitting the ice in October.
I was now into the second period of my journey, I knew that the game was about to get a bit tougher.
I figured that I would be seeing a lot more of my Cousin Janet and most likely ringing the bell later that summer.
I left the Cancer Centre that day relieved, I was now finished with all my treatments. I never missed one. All my blood work was good with my levels always within the proper ranges. The five weeks were not as hellish as I originally expected and the side effects were manageable and tolerable.
I now had a six week wait until my big operation.
Chemo and radiation had put such a strain on my body, there was absolutely no way I could have major surgery right away. I would need to heal internally. Although, I was now done with chemo and radiation, both are still working in tandem to shrink the tumour even weeks after treatments stop. I just needed to rest, recuperate and get myself ready for my big operation.
As I left the Cancer Centre that day I was looking forward to the break, but I knew deep down in my heart I would be back in a couple months. I had mixed emotions, but for now it was back up to Muskoka and hitting the gym.
Physical fitness has always been a big part of my life and I love being active.
I was missing hockey and I was missing the guys. I had been getting a lot of encouraging emails and texts while keeping everyone updated weekly with my journey. I was happy to have been able to make it down for three surprise visits. It was very emotional for me to see my empty stall with a jersey hanging on the hook on each visit. One of the guys had put the name ‘MIKE’ in white tape on the back of the jersey.
I decided that my goal would be to return back to the ice on Saturday, October 25th. It would be exactly fifty-one weeks from my diagnosis and within the year that I had vowed to myself.
I printed up a 2014 January to October calendar for my fridge, that Saturday in October I circled in black marker. Each week leading up to my return, I would cross off the calendar. I became totally fixated on that black circle in October taped on my fridge. It was now less than ten months away.
Dr. G had told me that my physical fitness would pay off huge in my healing and recovery after my surgery. In the six weeks leading up to surgery, I was able to hit the gym thirty-two times. Each time, I pushed myself as hard as I could. I continued sweating out more of the chemo toxins which can linger inside your body for weeks after treatments.
I was eating healthy and my weight was stable. I was determined to be the best I could possibly be fitness wise before my big operation. I wanted to give myself every advantage of hitting the ice in October.
I was now into the second period of my journey, I knew that the game was about to get a bit tougher.
Actually, it would be getting quite a bit tougher.