Relief.
I’m cancer free, round three. The mellow yellow jaundice of the last seven weeks has now cleared.
My recent CT and bone scans to screen for a possible cancer recurrence came back clean this week, and my elevated liver enzymes are dropping. I have won yet another round of chasing possible cancer. My shoulders feel lighter and the bounce is back in my steps.
However, the mystery of what has caused this post-operative jaundice remains unsolved. My doctor says indications are leaning more and more to a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to anesthetic. A full review of my surgical files of the last eight years has been ordered to see if there have been multiple exposures to an anesthetic that may have triggered the reaction.
If this is the case (through a hepatologist consultation), we’re hoping this solves the mystery so that any future surgeries that may be required will prevent the use of the offending anesthetic, as it could be life threatening the next time. Anesthetic reaction is not a common side effect, but none of my many cancer treatments these past two years have been straight forward and without complications.
So, I live with an enhanced gift of awareness and gratefulness for my life. Two new scares of possible cancer since May 2011 have been to say the least, arduous and stressful. I am hoping that as my current cancer-free state continues, that I can move beyond the “identity” of being a cancer patient and find some good that has come out of this experience.
My life is slowly returning to its new normal. I’ve been cleared to return to work starting next week, and have renewed my gym membership for those daily workout treks that help reduce my risk of recurrence. For balance and personal interest, I round out my life with continued volunteerism with the Immigrant Centre, CancerCare, and my recent appointment as a patient representative on a provincial steering committee that is tasked with reforming cancer patient care.
The cancer “lemons” have been difficult to digest. I am resolved to make lemonade out of the cancer patient experience to benefit thousands of other cancer patients in Manitoba, and will do so with Strength, Courage, and Determination.