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Home > Collective Diary > Faith, Positivity and Circle of Life

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Faith, Positivity and Circle of Life

6-12Months

Jessica M. on December 11, 2017

I was Diagnosed with:

Cholangiocarcinoma

Employment Status:

Full-Time

Gender/Age:

Female/38

Type and Description of Treatments:

6 rounds of chemo- Gemzar/Cisplatin. Surgery, then 2 months of oral adjunct therapy- Xeloda (Capecitabine).

How do you feel today?

Amazing, can honestly say like I was never diagnosed with Cancer.

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?

A lot. As a mother of 2 young children, I think of my future and theirs constantly. Taking one day at a time and enjoying my blessings daily. Living life as “normal”

What is going well for you right now?

I’ve accepted this change and bump in my road, life will continue to move along as it should. Excited for new changes at work and being a part of it all.

What is not going well for you right now?

Will I be here to see my kiddos drive their first car, graduate, go to college, get married? The day to day worries about my future.

What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?

Driving 7 hours to MDA in Houston for follow ups every 3 months, CT scans and consistent lab work. The life of knowing my body and what I have to do to stay on top of staying well.

When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?

Nothing drastic as of yet. I volunteer as a Patient Experience Advisory Council Member for Stephenson Cancer Center. I’m aware of many resources and hope to help others as well.

How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?

They will continue! My goals and career endeavors will always and have always been an important part of my life.

What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?

I still work full time by God’s Grace.

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?

My colleagues having to know more about my health now, appts, tired etc. When I will be in the office or not.

What has helped you continue to work the most?

Healing well and the circle of life. Life will continue.

What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?

Diet! Keep your immune system strong! I recommend juicing, as this is the easiest way to give your body the nutrients it needs to stay strong through treatment and a lot at once. I worked full time through treatment with no nausea or extreme fatigue. I believe diet is a huge part of being able to power through chemo and continuing to work.

How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?

I experienced some neuropathy with Xeloda. Understanding the side effects and preparing my body for what is to come helped me. Reading about certain vitamins to help me heal was a huge part of powering through all of it.

If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?

Nothing, I feel exactly the same today that I did on diagnosis day! Keep the faith, talk to God daily, embrace my bump in the road, prepare my body with diet and exercise and power through! I got this and so do you!

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