Meet Addie!
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Many of you will recognize Addie one of our community mentors here in the community. Take a moment to get to know her a little better, and pop over to the book club that she facilitates here in the community and say hi!
So here it is. I was diagnosed in Sept. of 2014 with SCLC, an aggressive, less common form of lung cancer. Previously I have always been fairly healthy and strong. I had some sort of progressive joint trouble which no one could seem to diagnose,presumably from wear and tear, seeing as I am 5'2", and a small frame. Anyway it was beginning to limit my ability to work in the fields that I had held as careers. (professional Cook and house painter) Also would do freelance commission work when possible, but it could not be considered an adequate income source.
I began a process of retraining towards office work, and studying Graphic design. In 2013 I started to have shoulder issues, and eventiually it was determined that I needed surgery. In early 2014, I had tendons reattached in my shoulder, and was recommended to stop working in such highly physical jobs. Something which I was already thinking. I was about 6 months in physiotherapy with my shoulder, when I started having difficulty breathing and a bad cough. I went to the doctor and was told it was a virus that was going around, and to wait it out. It continued to worsen until I suffered a bout of pleuresy. Again I was treated and sent home. Finally I awoke one morning with shingles in my leg. I went to emerg, and mentioned about my shortness of breath and cough again. Finally an exray was taken and here I am.
I was immediately given chemotherapy, which very quickly made me feel more comfortable. I did 6 rounds that time, which was very successful. I was stable for about 8 months before my scan showed some progression. We tried 4 more rounds of the same drug, (Etoposide/Cisplaten) although there was no improvement, there was also no further progression. I was told this was good news. Which turned out to be true in that I have been basicallystable ever since. I recently had some progression in lymph nodes which was treated with radiation and now I continue stable again with a scan in August.
I exist between scans. I often have unrelated pains in my back and legs, and I will never be as strong as I once was, but I do the best I can.I have lost a lot af ambition and confidence on this journey, but I strive to enjoy myself as much as possible whenever possible.
I hope to gain some more freelance work if possible to boost my confidence etc, but I loathe the promotion/marketing aspect that this requires , so I will carry on by word of mouth. I will not waste any more time than necessary on things I loathe anymore, lol.
I love to fish and just bought myself a fishing boat. I have never spent this kind of money on myself before. Whoot! Whoot!
I hope to get a lot of use out of it this summer. Watch out for my wake!
Thank you so much Addie for sharing your story with us. Have a great time making waves this summer
So here it is. I was diagnosed in Sept. of 2014 with SCLC, an aggressive, less common form of lung cancer. Previously I have always been fairly healthy and strong. I had some sort of progressive joint trouble which no one could seem to diagnose,presumably from wear and tear, seeing as I am 5'2", and a small frame. Anyway it was beginning to limit my ability to work in the fields that I had held as careers. (professional Cook and house painter) Also would do freelance commission work when possible, but it could not be considered an adequate income source.
I began a process of retraining towards office work, and studying Graphic design. In 2013 I started to have shoulder issues, and eventiually it was determined that I needed surgery. In early 2014, I had tendons reattached in my shoulder, and was recommended to stop working in such highly physical jobs. Something which I was already thinking. I was about 6 months in physiotherapy with my shoulder, when I started having difficulty breathing and a bad cough. I went to the doctor and was told it was a virus that was going around, and to wait it out. It continued to worsen until I suffered a bout of pleuresy. Again I was treated and sent home. Finally I awoke one morning with shingles in my leg. I went to emerg, and mentioned about my shortness of breath and cough again. Finally an exray was taken and here I am.
I was immediately given chemotherapy, which very quickly made me feel more comfortable. I did 6 rounds that time, which was very successful. I was stable for about 8 months before my scan showed some progression. We tried 4 more rounds of the same drug, (Etoposide/Cisplaten) although there was no improvement, there was also no further progression. I was told this was good news. Which turned out to be true in that I have been basicallystable ever since. I recently had some progression in lymph nodes which was treated with radiation and now I continue stable again with a scan in August.
I exist between scans. I often have unrelated pains in my back and legs, and I will never be as strong as I once was, but I do the best I can.I have lost a lot af ambition and confidence on this journey, but I strive to enjoy myself as much as possible whenever possible.
I hope to gain some more freelance work if possible to boost my confidence etc, but I loathe the promotion/marketing aspect that this requires , so I will carry on by word of mouth. I will not waste any more time than necessary on things I loathe anymore, lol.
I love to fish and just bought myself a fishing boat. I have never spent this kind of money on myself before. Whoot! Whoot!
Thank you so much Addie for sharing your story with us. Have a great time making waves this summer
So glad you are responding well and able to carry on with things you do find fulfilling. Enjoy that open water!