Meet Liz...
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Winter is here to stay and it's time to cozy up with a warm cup and get to know one of our neighbours better. Meet Liz better known on our community as Warriorprincess and a warrior she sure is! You will recognize her from her welcoming and encouraging responses around the community.
Ah, the journey that no really wants to take Cancer. Yes, I did embark on this journey but, lets back up a bit.
Entrepreneur has been my profession for, well, forever. I had the pleasure of running three business over my professional career. Staffed teams of 10-25 employeees, I had the pleasure of running these businesses with my husband and eventually my family. Two of our businesses were serious, direct mail marketing and distribution. The third was mine and just for fun, an Ice Cream store. So two very serious businesses, one just for fun! Director for our local Chamber of Commerce, my life was very busy. So busy that one day I said enough, and one by one we closed our businesses, I resigned my posts. I was ready for a new chapter in my life, well connected in the business community I was back to work in no time. And that’s when cancer decided to join my journey.
In June of 2016, I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer. I remember going to my first Cystoscopy, my urologist asked if I wanted to watch, sure why not this should be cool! So I watched, and to my shock and horror, I saw them, three tumors in my bladder. The Dr never said, hey look this is cancer, but through my mind ran omg, this is what cancer looks like. It took 30 agonizing days for my reports to come back, everyone was on summer holidays! That was the most stressful 30 days ever.
So I got the good news news from the Dr. Extremely aggressive cancer, not through the bladder lining yay! I was eligible for BCG treatment. BCG is a from of immunotherapy, I was injected with a manufactured form of the tuberculosis virus. 6 rounds of treatment injected into my bladder and treatments were done. Every 4 months I continue to have followup Cystoscopy ... forever , this one will always be part of my life.
So how do I cope, well I keep my self busy. During my treatments we decided to sell our home, call me crazy, but we sold our home and moved. Moving day was a big celebration for me treatments were done and closing . Time to really move on with my life. We moved about a hour and half away from all our friends , family and business associates. I decided to really close the chapter on my old life. So hubby and our three dogs moved. And I absolutely love it here!
I have taken up Nordic Pole walking, and I love this fabulous activity. I walk everywhere I can. Not only great exercise but a fantastic way to meet new people. The rest of the time I can be found working on my crafts. I forgot how much I enjoy working with my hands. Maybe my next small business venture, but for now I enjoy gifting my creations to my family and friends.
Cancer has taught me many things, but most importantly that it’s the little things that matter and no matter what I will never give up.
Thank you Liz for allowing us to take the time to get to know you better. We appreciate your dedication to helping others and being a member here.
Ah, the journey that no really wants to take Cancer. Yes, I did embark on this journey but, lets back up a bit.
Entrepreneur has been my profession for, well, forever. I had the pleasure of running three business over my professional career. Staffed teams of 10-25 employeees, I had the pleasure of running these businesses with my husband and eventually my family. Two of our businesses were serious, direct mail marketing and distribution. The third was mine and just for fun, an Ice Cream store. So two very serious businesses, one just for fun! Director for our local Chamber of Commerce, my life was very busy. So busy that one day I said enough, and one by one we closed our businesses, I resigned my posts. I was ready for a new chapter in my life, well connected in the business community I was back to work in no time. And that’s when cancer decided to join my journey.
In June of 2016, I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer. I remember going to my first Cystoscopy, my urologist asked if I wanted to watch, sure why not this should be cool! So I watched, and to my shock and horror, I saw them, three tumors in my bladder. The Dr never said, hey look this is cancer, but through my mind ran omg, this is what cancer looks like. It took 30 agonizing days for my reports to come back, everyone was on summer holidays! That was the most stressful 30 days ever.
So I got the good news news from the Dr. Extremely aggressive cancer, not through the bladder lining yay! I was eligible for BCG treatment. BCG is a from of immunotherapy, I was injected with a manufactured form of the tuberculosis virus. 6 rounds of treatment injected into my bladder and treatments were done. Every 4 months I continue to have followup Cystoscopy ... forever , this one will always be part of my life.
So how do I cope, well I keep my self busy. During my treatments we decided to sell our home, call me crazy, but we sold our home and moved. Moving day was a big celebration for me treatments were done and closing . Time to really move on with my life. We moved about a hour and half away from all our friends , family and business associates. I decided to really close the chapter on my old life. So hubby and our three dogs moved. And I absolutely love it here!
Cancer has taught me many things, but most importantly that it’s the little things that matter and no matter what I will never give up.
Thank you Liz for allowing us to take the time to get to know you better. We appreciate your dedication to helping others and being a member here.
Thank you for sharing your story. You have been on an incredible journey, and I love the strength and resolve you show. I particularly love:
1) Your "Fight Like A Girl" motto!
2) Your decision to "really close the chapter on your old life". Cancer really does change your life. Often it's more than just changing one's diet, or being more grateful for life's blessings. I do feel like I need to close some chapters to make room for new ones that I know I need in my life, once my treatment is done (Spring 2018). Thank you for sharing that perspective, and (more importantly) for jumping in and DOING IT.
3) Your DOGS!
Keep doing what you're doing,
ashcon
regular three month visits and checkups. I am so grateful for my good news and I stay positive every day and live life to the best every day. There is a,ways that little nagging of what if it comes back but I will fight all the way if it does. If there is anyone out there that has gone through rectal cancer and the after effects I would love to chat.