It Happens Every Day. For a While.

Jeff Cohen

Buy this book. Medical bills don't pay themselves.

I get cancer every day. In fact, I get cancer multiple times every day.

There's that moment when I first wake up in the morning and I'm not thinking about my health that I put my hand to my head or my face and that's the reminder. So I get cancer then. 

Anytime I glance into a mirror, that's a time I get cancer. When fatigue makes me lie down on the couch at 10 in the morning (or 3 in the afternoon) I get cancer. Take a pill at a certain time and that's a moment I get cancer.

It's about being reminded. Most of the day I don't feel all that different than what has become usual. I've adapted to this life and I forget. Then there's a trigger moment and I have to remember that I'm not exactly healthy again. Yet.

But the fact is, I'm probably quite healthy technically right now. The cancer that was in my lymph nodes has almost entirely vanished and according to the proper scans is in "normal" limits of whatever it is scans measure. I have only one chemotherapy treatment left, a week from this coming Wednesday (May 24 but it's not like I've been counting the days since early February) and I'm in the stage of the cycle right now where I feel relatively normal. So I'm doing well. Believe me.

Still, there is some neuropathy in my fingertips (one of the pills I take each day is to ease that a little). Food doesn't taste the way it's supposed to, ever. There's a medicinal odor in my nostrils all the time. I do get tired a couple of times a day, but not as much as I did earlier. 

And yes, I'm still bald. I won't say anything else about that because there are people who think I'm obsessing on it or am concerned that I look bad. That's not the issue and I've explained that here previously, so enough. Suffice it to say that August or September will be a good time to check in on that situation again.

The multiple reminders every day are the issue. The mind is the place where we really live, and mine tends to forget that I have/had lymphoma. I'm suffering now from the cure. And I'm having periodic jolts of consciousness every day when I remember what's been going on for the past four months and I get cancer again each time.

I'm looking forward to that not being the case. Gerry Rafferty once sang, "You can learn to love a lifetime of distraction." He was pointing out the danger of looking away from important goings on, but in my case, I find distractions to be an excellent tool right now. I've been watching a lot of TV and movies, listening to a good deal of music.

Reading books with fun stories can be good, too.

I'm going to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center next Sunday. Mel Brooks will be screening Young Frankenstein and answering questions afterward. There are few better distractions. Three days later I'll get my least chemo treatment and then you can start counting down to when I will feel normal again.

To the day I stop getting cancer.

Comments

[Theresa de Valence]

Great news, Jeff!

[Patty]

Wonderful news and so glad you have a date you can look forward too, at least for the last chemo round.

[Ruth Nixon]

Here's to Mel Brooks, laughter is good for what ails you. On the serious side I'm glad this journey is almost over and the next one so much easier for you.

[Betty Tyler]

Congratulations, and may you soon say instead, " Oh, yeah – I used to have cancer."

[Jeff Cohen]

Thanks, Betty.

[Nancy Lynn Jarvis]

My friend who had lymphoma five years ago said much of what you did. Now when you ask him about his health he complains about how sore he is from a long distance bike ride. I hope you get there soon.

[Jeff Cohen]

I’m not the long-distance type, but I appreciate the sentiment. When this is over I will concentrate on being healthier and losing weight.

[Bill Bratton]

Hang in there, the best is yet to come. Many more "Gummo" exchanges in the future.

[Dawn]

My mom was excited to get her ability to taste back after chemo. What will you eat when you can taste it?

[Jeff Cohen]

Raisinets.

[Celia Fowler]

Hooray for your last chemo treatment and the good prognosis on your lymph nodes. I was so glad when my last chemo was over -- then radiation. It was worth it all, I am 8 years cancer-free. Sending thoughts and prayers your way ~