I be a 40-year-old wench with a touch of the pox. Listen up, ye scallywags!
2024-02-17
Arrr mateys, I be forced into a club I ne'er desired - the scurvy club of cancer! 'Twas a cruel twist of fate, learnin' of me diagnosis on me 40th birth celebration. Avast, me hearties, this be me tale of survival on the high seas of sickness!
When October rolled around, I found myself involuntarily joining a club I never wanted any part of. As a 40-year-old wife and mother who has been a journalist at Fox News for 15 years, I now also belong to the cancer club. The news of my metastatic appendiceal cancer diagnosis left me stunned. Who knew that such a useless organ could cause such havoc?Initially, I was in denial and shock as my oncologist laid out the treatment plan and possible side effects of chemo. Fear, despair, anger, and betrayal crept in as the reality sank in. The journey began in early June with some abdominal pain that I brushed off as diet-related. But as the pain persisted, I sought medical attention, leading to the life-altering diagnosis.Fast forward through tests, surgeries, and tears, and here I am, seven rounds into chemotherapy with five more to go. Despite the brutality of chemo, I bounce back quickly between treatments and cherish the days of feeling normal. I draw strength from my daughter, my cousin's resilience, and my faith, hoping for the day I can proudly call myself a cancer conqueror.While cancer may have become a part of my life, it's just a small chapter in my story. I am a child of God, a mother, a wife, a journalist, and a lover of outdoor activities and music. Cancer may be a formidable opponent, but with hope, prayers, and a fighting spirit, I believe I can overcome it.