I am learning about cancer... And so can YOU! PT 1.
Hi all, Anna here. If you are like me, then the extent of your cancer knowledge is that it's bad, we don't want it, and it's literally never invited to the party even though it shows up anyway, drunk out of its mind and causing a total scene. Apparently there is... a lot more to it than that. This will be a little mini series I am making to help me process my newly gained knowledge, and maybe it will also help a few of you out who want to better understand.
1. It's not the size of the tumor that denotes the stage of cancer or ease if treatment, but rather whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body.
2. Cancer can grow either fast OR slow depending on the individual, the type of cancer, and its host's genetic markers (host sounds so.... Fancy dinner party? Just following my unwanted guest analogy I suppose)
3. Radiation does NOT involve being sent to the surface of the sun for a couple of weeks, but rather 20 minute, daily, localized sessions (or so, again, this probably depends on the cancer) that are free from major side effects other than fatigue. This is also one of the times where we very well might need to recruit some help for house cleaning, etc etc.
4. There are many different types of chemo. By the way, if you didn't get the memo, we are chanting "no chemo, no chemo, no chemo" as a fool-proof, peer reviewed method for warding off the need for it.
5. The drugs that Kris will eventually be taking will stop the production of estrogen and progesterone (or possibly the ability of the tumor to latch onto these hormones) aka cancer's food aka cancer will NO LONGER THRIVE, M'ER F'ER. GTFO. There are lots of options, and hormone therapy is not the same as chemotherapy.
6. There are like a hundred different pathways for the routes that can be taken to defeat the beast. Kris's, as you have already learned, will be very individualized to her and her genetic makeup.
I'm excited for this series. I want to be able to absorb this information, and it helps to re-type out what I'm learning. In moments like this, where you (the support system) might feel a sense of loss of control, it helps to have the power of knowledge. Also coming to this blog soon will be my very creative piece about the superhero crew that is Kris and her careola team and their fight to nipple cancer in the bud (I really, really needed to work that pun in here).
Until next time!