While the treatments have been going on for a while, so have my preparations for a story about my illness. WGAL is a wonderful forum for sharing stories and I was privileged enough to share mine on the air last night. It wasn't an easy decision to share what is going on. I was a little nervous, Chris was a lot nervous, but now, a day after it aired I'm feeling it was a good choice. I feel proud of what my News Director and my photographer, friend and funny man Andy helped me put together.
I received about 45 e-mails since yesterday and many of them refer to me "coming out" with my story. I just think that sounds funny. The only time I say coming out is when someone is gay. So to be clear, my story had nothing to do with me announcing I'm suddenly a lesbian. Nope, strictly a heterosexual still. The other time people refer to "coming out" is for a debutant party, big social affairs where 16 years olds are formally introduced into society. The craziest thing is this tradition still happens in Lancaster. My wonderful sister-in-law Hilary had a fabulous Deb party. But, alas, there's no country club fete full of surf and turf and escorts for me. Instead my "coming out" was simply me and my bald head in a bright yellow zip up that made me look like I just stepped out of Saturday Night Fever. At least it was a bright color so I didn't look too depressing telling my cancer sob story.
So here's the link to the story on WGAL. I hope our web guys are excited I'm linking to it so we get a lot of hits on the web page. These are the things that make the "Web Boys" happy.
Meredith's WGAL Story
This will be the first in a series of four stories. This one is "all about Meredith." Typical. It's the MoJo Show. While this one focuses on why I've been missing, my diagnosis and prognosis, the other stories are about the friends I've made along the way. The Chemo Lounge which is really a party room. My friend Agnes, who is like the Ambassador of Hope at the office and then the final story is about the Wig Lady, a breast cancer survivor who now sells wigs to women suffering hair loss. They are all such amazing women and have meant so much to me. It's time to tell their stories too!
So I knew I would post this today and all my family and friends who don't live in the WGAL coverage area would be able to see it. Well, I'm like 12 hours too late because my sister Ashley is a WGAL stalker. She googles WGAL and finds stories of mine that are posted online. She got a hold of this one before I even told her it was on and she's forwarded it to everyone. I talked to Grandma today and she said she loved the story. Gram is great at e-mail but finding that story on her own is pushing her technological limits. When she said Ash sent it, it all made sense. Not only does Ash stalk me online, but she stalks her own West Palm Beach TV station personalities. She has a serious crush on the weather guy and knows he whole life story. She's contemplated going to events that he was hosting just so she can see him. A little creepy, Ash. But she's a perfect example of the people in Lancaster who thought my story was good. They said they missed me being in their living room each night and now they're happy they know why and I missing and that I will soon be back. Gotta love devoted viewers.
I hope you like the clip as much as the crazies like Ashley!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
BINGO!
Today was a big day!
My wonderful mother-in-law Marcia has been my special guest, taxi cab and shoulder to cry on during this roller coaster since the beginning. Today it all seemed worth it. She picks me up early, we head to the lab for blood work, talk with our friends there, go to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and breakfast while we wait for the results, then go to the Oncology office and keep our fingers crossed. It's become our Wednesday routine and the two of us have grown quite fond of it.
Marsh and I can usually tell by Beverly's face if it's good news or bad news. She's the first smiling face you see when you walk into Cancer Care for Women. Well, usually smiling unless she's received a "critical" phone call. That's when the lab doesn't wait to fax or e-mail critically low results. They want the patient and the caregiver to know what's up ASAP. Sometimes we walk in and Beverly shakes her head - that's when we know it's critical.
Today, on this bright, sunny 80 degree day ... nothing but sunshine and smiles from Beverly. I could feel it was going to be a good day. All the blood levels came back first: no problems ... platelets are back up, red and white blood cells are cooperating. That's what happens when you are chemo-free for a week. The only thing we were waiting on was the hCG number.
Kristen starts the chemo. Marcia and I start socializing with all our chemo friends. My newest friend, Kerri, is a 20-something cancer patient so I feel like we've instantly bonded on the "this sucks at any age, but especially at our ages. Losing your hair sucks too. And wouldn't it be more fun to be at the bar on the weekends instead of managing side effects." It's that kind of "I get what you're going through" thing.
Two hours later, the number is in. Drum roll please .... 2.0! The lab doesn't count anything below two - so 2.0 = 0! Woo hoo! It's been a success. Now we keep on doing chemo for three more courses, just to kick it in the ass for good. That's six more weeks of chemo if I can do them all back to back. Either way, remember that light at the end of the tunnel? It's getting really bright.
Thank you God for taking me in your hands. Thank you to every soul who has prayed for me and sent me good vibes. I will survive because of all of you.
What a wonderful day.
My wonderful mother-in-law Marcia has been my special guest, taxi cab and shoulder to cry on during this roller coaster since the beginning. Today it all seemed worth it. She picks me up early, we head to the lab for blood work, talk with our friends there, go to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and breakfast while we wait for the results, then go to the Oncology office and keep our fingers crossed. It's become our Wednesday routine and the two of us have grown quite fond of it.
Marsh and I can usually tell by Beverly's face if it's good news or bad news. She's the first smiling face you see when you walk into Cancer Care for Women. Well, usually smiling unless she's received a "critical" phone call. That's when the lab doesn't wait to fax or e-mail critically low results. They want the patient and the caregiver to know what's up ASAP. Sometimes we walk in and Beverly shakes her head - that's when we know it's critical.
Today, on this bright, sunny 80 degree day ... nothing but sunshine and smiles from Beverly. I could feel it was going to be a good day. All the blood levels came back first: no problems ... platelets are back up, red and white blood cells are cooperating. That's what happens when you are chemo-free for a week. The only thing we were waiting on was the hCG number.
Kristen starts the chemo. Marcia and I start socializing with all our chemo friends. My newest friend, Kerri, is a 20-something cancer patient so I feel like we've instantly bonded on the "this sucks at any age, but especially at our ages. Losing your hair sucks too. And wouldn't it be more fun to be at the bar on the weekends instead of managing side effects." It's that kind of "I get what you're going through" thing.
Two hours later, the number is in. Drum roll please .... 2.0! The lab doesn't count anything below two - so 2.0 = 0! Woo hoo! It's been a success. Now we keep on doing chemo for three more courses, just to kick it in the ass for good. That's six more weeks of chemo if I can do them all back to back. Either way, remember that light at the end of the tunnel? It's getting really bright.
Thank you God for taking me in your hands. Thank you to every soul who has prayed for me and sent me good vibes. I will survive because of all of you.
What a wonderful day.
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