Never Lose Hope
The photo above is of my new bracelet stack. I found a company named Never Lose Hope, and I love their bracelets. You can customize their styles with a variety of words and sayings. Little words and mantras keep me going on this journey, and I chose my three favorites to motivate me so that I “never lose hope,” as “hope” is my word for this part of my journey.
My doctor called this morning to see how I did on Tecentriq after getting it back into my regimen this past chemo/immuno session. And he confirmed that insurance will continue to cover my Tecentriq, so I am able to continue on it! RELIEF. And now I’ve regained my hope that it will continue working, hopefully for a very long time.
I found a house online, the Wellness House, in Annapolis, that is for cancer patients, survivors and thrivers. I have always been very wary of joining a support group for cancer, but I know it’s something I should do and would like to do, ultimately. I had joined online support groups that weren’t for me — too much negativity and not enough support. I think it will be better in person, or through Zoom through COVID, but I have a lot of social anxiety. So, it’s been something I’ve been putting off. My husband is a survivor, so he can join, too, which makes it a lot less intimidating for me. I’ve perused their web site, and there are a lot of activities I can see myself participating in. It sounds like a really great place. So, I bought the book The Silent Patient to prod me to join the book club. A book club is out of my comfort zone with my social anxiety, but I need to get involved, and the book description looks great. So, I’m joining the book club, and I’m going to join the advanced cancer support group. They have lots of other classes, tea time, meditation times, massages, and other services and groups that I am looking forward to getting involved in, but for now, I’m going with book club and the advanced cancer group for baby steps! Ultimately, I think this will be a really great place for me. The advanced cancer group meets again early next month, so I will let you know how it goes in a few weeks!
I’ve had a few extra posts lately, but I just wanted to write a few things I’ve been thinking of lately. I’m doing really well again now that I’m back on Tecentriq. I’m feeling positive and hopeful, and I’m back to being able to just live one day at at time, handing all my fears and worries over to God, and putting my faith over those fears. I’ll write again from chemo — or maybe before?!
Stay safe and healthy, everyone!