Debbie at her post-treatment celebration party
Update: December 20, 2012
On November 11 I finished chemotherapy!
I celebrated with my friends and family on November 24th!
Celebrating the end of treatment!
My friends made a gnome hat and beard for every guest that we wore for the group photo! The night was amazing!
I have just had another clear MRI.
It is now tattoo time. My Dad, Mel, Chris and Joanne have already had theirs done. Tomorrow it is me, my husband and friends Sarah, Janice and Tracy!
2012 has been a hard year and I can’t wait to see 2013!
~
Update: August 21, 2012
Debbie from Victoria, BC, following brain tumour surgery
On August 7th I had my first MRI since my treatments began. After a very stressful 48 hours I got my results on August 9th. No visible signs of my tumour! Holy what a feeling it was hearing those words! Lots of tears of joy! I was sending out “tumour gone” texts to family and friends, while still sitting on the exam table!
It really was an amazing feeling to find out that my body had accepted the treatments as we had no clue what the results were going to be!
My tumour is now considered “Stable”. I am not cancer free as they can’t see into my brain to see what’s going on so I will continue my 6 month chemo protocol and will be done by the end of November, I will have another MRI at the end of September and then they will be every 3 months for the next year and then every 6 months after that.
This has been the hardest year ever and I thank my family and friends and even complete strangers who have reached out to me and provided support to me and my family.
In November after treatments are done and I’m cleared by my Oncologist it’s tattoo time! Me, my Mom, Joanne, Janice, Diane, Sarah and Laurel (I hope I didn’t forget anyone) are going for it!!
~
Debbie from Victoria
My life before diagnosis was very busy. I am a happily married mother of two children. I worked part-time as a Legal Assistant and I did volunteer work in my community.
On January 31, 2012 I had a grand mal seizure while at work. I was admitted to hospital and found out the next day after my MRI that I had a brain tumour. On February 27 I had a craniotomy which removed 99% of my tumour. On March 16th the pathology results came back and I was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Oligoastrocytoma. That was the day my life changed. The neurosurgeon didn’t suspect my tumour was cancerous so we were not prepared at all for the diagnosis.
I am having aggressive treatments of chemo and radiation right now and after a one month break, which is almost here, I will have more chemo.
This was a devastating diagnosis for my family and my friends. We just never saw this coming! We have all accepted the diagnosis now and we are all staying positive and strong. I still have moments during the day where it’s hard but I am doing much better.
I received great advice from a friend. No one can take into account the “you” factor! Your determination and your courage to beat this cancer. Everyday I think of the “me” factor. I also love the Kelly Clarkson song Stronger. This is my fighting song!!
My friends have started a garden gnome campaign. My yard is full of these friends that magically appear while I sleep. They are like friends smiling at me!
I am looking forward to the end of the treatments. I am very tired.
I don’t think too far in the future right now. One day at a time, and I just try and be as positive as I can for me and my kids.
We have a Team Debbie for the May 27th Spring Spring and I am looking forward to walking with my friends and family.
Update: I have just been invited by my friend who is a cancer survivor to walk the Survivors’ Lap at the Relay for Life here in Victoria. I have also invited two of my friends who have also survived cancer.
Debbie is from Victoria, BC
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Debbie You are so strong. We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished since this whole thing started. Your positivity and fabulous attitude have been an inspiration to all of us. I am fully aware that this has been so hard and difficult for you and your family, but you have never once complained, never once woe-is-me’d, never once showed us that you are anything but fabulous. Love you!!! TK
Thanks so much T!
Hi Debbie, You sound like such a courageous woman. If anyone can do this, it’s you. I’m amazed at you and wish you the very best of this journey. I wish you and your family peace and light.
Debbie, you are truly amazing! Your positive attitude is inspiring. I am proud to be one of your friends. (((HUGS))). Kathy
Debbie, you inspire me, each and every day – with your strength, your heart, your will
I must say though – you do not simply volunteer LOL that is such a simple thing, you give so much to so many – you are what we should all strive to be – a truely selfless person, who just gives and gives – truely Debbie, you inspire me to be a better woman!
Thank you so much Tracy.
Debbie,
Thanks for sharing your story with us, I know from our conversations with Jan and Ted how well you are doing under the circumstances.
Lets hope the weather is kind to you all on your Relay for Life Day, but if not I am sure you will have a great day anyway.
Give our love to Paul and the kids.
Lots of Love
Tony and Shirley
Debbie,
Have seen you a few times recently and you look positively fabulous. Always a big smile on your face. Stay strong. You will beat this.
You are in our thoughts often.
Robyn and Shonagh
Thank you for all of your nice comments! I start my chemo again on Monday the day after Father’s Day. It is double dose chemo this time for 5 days then 23 off for 6 months. I am getting a little nervous but I know this is how I fight the cancer! All of your thoughts and prayers keep me going, thanks so much! Love, Debbie
You are my superhero!
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Debbie you are such an inspriation of us all.. Do ntoi know if i could have had the same courage that you have shown…Jsut so happy for you, paul and the kids. Al the best…..luv and hugs to you Carol
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i truly never met anyone with so much courage and strenght You sound like such a courageous woman. If anyone can do this, it’s you. I’m amazed at you and wish you the very best of this journey and 2013 well be healthy, happy, and most of all that you paul & the kids know that here on the cape we send our love & prayers and are soooooooo proud of you & your family love you so much guys xoxoxoxo
Uncle jack
Aunt charlotte
Hi Debbie, I just read your story and I have to say a big thank you for sharing with everyone. Our son 47 was told on Sept 23 2012 he had a brain tumor, he had it removed the next day at Royal Columbian hospital we live is Surrey. Our son is single and has moved home with us so we can help to get him through this. I just wish there was a way of finding someone for him to connect with locally here, he never talks about what he has I am not even sure he thinks about it too much, I feel very confused by all this. We also are going to put a team together for the spring walk as well I have to look but I believe ours here is on May 26. Mike has been through the six weeks radiation and chemo took the month off and is now just started chemo again for five days each month for six months.
I guess where I am going with all of this is I would love it if you can email me back I would love to start some kind of support group here in Surrey as I dont think there is much out there at the moment, I heard they have a meeting once a month in Vancouver but I have not been able to try and go to that seems like we always have an appointment somewhere.
Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to read this, I hope I hear back from you.
The Mom…Lorraine
Hi Lorraine! I am sorry it took me a long time to reply. I don’t get updates if any comments are left on my blog.