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CancerSurvivor1985
I would like to introduce my self I am Debbie Goodman and I am 45 yrs of age, I am a Survivor of Cancer , I was diagnosed in 1995 with Large Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma when I was 36 yrs old and married with with a 4 yr old daughter Sarah and married to Paul. I had no idea what was coming I discribed as a bad storm that nearly got away with my life and distroyed everything in its path. At the time I had three Sisters battling Cancer at the time Mary and Ruth had already had breast cancer which one had already had a breast removed and another getting cancer treatment , but, not long after I found out that Nana has found out she had a spot on her breast also. At that time I had heard there were a chance that one in four women would get cancer , but, what were the chances I would be the one in four with all three sisters also diagnosed also. when I found out I thouhgt I had a really bad cold or just a fever so I blew it off but, when I was taken to the a Doctor I had found out i had Pneumonia which eventually the next Doctor found it was not Pneumonia it was actually Cancer and Like a ton of bricks it did not hit me til I was have way through my hospital stay. I was then rushed to the hospital to start procedures to find out what kind of cancer I had and how bad it was, then my family was contacted and everything snowballed from there and my life was to change for the better or the worst from there on but, the worst fear I had from that moment was not that I had cancer but, it was telling my 4 yr old I had cancer and however do you explain that when she could not even understand why I was in the hospital and she could not visit me but, even worse I had to explain I may or may not die , I have always been honest with her and she knew when there was something wrong . I never told her I may or may not die but, I told her I had cancer and she of course never understood how aweful that was but, she told her friends and teachers I had it and I would be OK! and like they say " Out of the mouths of babes" it was true , but, when my family arrived my mom , and my three sisters Mary , Ruth and Nana but my mother not realizing or being told I had cancer she was clueless but, quickly found out when a lady came into my hospital room with a bag of wigs asking which would I perfer and then she ( my mom) said "what is she doing with that bag of wigs?'" so she was told I had cancer but, the reason they all came to Redding was to plan my funeral but, to their amazement I was sitting up in bed eating and doing very well, I had began what was a long road to recovery and with that came depression before going home to begin my 8 months of Chemo and Radiation which I did get through as well as to be expected I don't remember to much but, I do have some memory of what was happening from day to day , like chemo treatments , doing cross stich , going to doctor appointments , blood test from time to time and going with my daughter for blood tests when she and I would be getting them at the same time because she had Siezure and needed her levels done for her meds. well, anyway I finally started losing my hair and my weight then eventually getting a wig (Laughing, I want dolly parton wig when I was shoping for a wig in a local beauty store and then I ordered one), Then i got through one session and then two and then I was done with the chemo , then came the radiation treatments I found out how to keep the radiation from totally burning my skin by using a lotion for horses Horses Dream Vet. Cream and then I learned about another product for when I would get my hair back it was also for horses called Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner. well, when I got my radiation treatments I met a tech. his name is Todd and he wanted to tattoo me so the radiation would go directly to my cancer area to help fight the bad cells from returning. well, I had a fit over that due to the fact I did not want any tattoo's on my body and he promised they would not be seen YA Right !! I told him and well, I was right they are still there 12 yrs later. well, I always said if god intented me to have a tattoo he would be the one to give it to me when i was born but, I had no idea it would have to be put on to save my life but , now I wear them with pride and respect due to the fact I am a Survivor of Cancer and I want to show I can go on with my life and live it to the fullest and there is a chance of winning this monster and we are bigger than it and can over come what hurdles we much jump. I want to make a difference in my experience and I have made one small step , I was in a Parade for Cancer Survivors and will continue to fight the fight my two of three sisters have lost and keep trying to win til there is a cure , even if Mary whom left us first I think four years earlier and then Ruth whom left us soon after on Sept. 3 2007 whom donated her body to science to help fight the fight for other woman and men who are still fighting the monster of cancer. I took the first step to show there is a chance for all of us woman and men but, my fight started with a Possitive Attitude and a good diet and a lot of prayers along with family , friends and the good Lord on my side , if there is a faith to be held it is in Family , Friends and the Lord because if those three are not there there will always be god and someone like me , or a doctor or a nurse even a pastor to help you through so with all that we go through ,,,,,,where there is a will , there is a way!
Latest page update: Sep 27 2007, 8:36 PM EDT
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