A stage can be a place to dance!!!
A stage is what you make it and no one has to explain that to Suzanne. She’s a friend and colleague of my sister who has been given a diagnosis of cancer at the worst stage.
She has metastatic disease.
It’s not that she’s ignoring this fact. On the contrary, she’s doing everything she can to fight her cancer. She’s doing genetic testing to match her cancer genomes with new, effective drugs being tested in trials that can help her. She’s been in treatment and just went in for a very critical PET scan, where she fully expected to get bad news.
Instead of lighting up like a Christmas tree, as PET scans are designed to do around cancer, Suzanne’s tumors have faded to black. No lights, no action, no nothing! Her lymph nodes look good and her medical team has suggested she start a maintenance protocol until something in her body changes and the cancer finds a way to challenge her again. Her doctors can’t really explain the good news and as we all know, that happens, and who cares, as long as what ever the treatment has been, has worked!
So here she is, a “stage 4” cancer patient, but instead of worrying about that designation, Suzanne has decided to “stage” a comeback. Her stage is designed for dancing.
December 20, 2013 @ 12:28 pm
And long may the PET scans be light-less!! Enjoy a nice, long dance!!
December 20, 2013 @ 9:26 am
What terrific news. Enjoy this time but remain vigilant.
My friend Cathy emailed to say that she has a tumor in close proximity to a heart valve. She has been Stage IV with metastatic melanoma for several years and has fought it via clinical trials, radiation to her brain, surgery to remove some of her intestines…and now this. I have tried to assist her by giving her my recommendations as to where to go for help ( her current doctors do not want to operate due to the tumor’s location), what new doctors to consider as well as research hospitals for possible new clinical trials. She is a single mother and has very little resources to draw upon so I suggested for her to contact MD Anderson about Angel Flight. She is a very quiet, demure person but never mistake this for weakness. She has looked melanoma in the eye numerous times when she was “written off” and has overcome the odds. At this time, a miracle would be so nice and I know that it is possible. Say a prayer for her and her family as they re-engage her enemy…melanoma….on more time.
December 20, 2013 @ 12:46 am
What a TREAT to think of “stage” as something other than an arbitrary classification of a disease!
A place for dancing and celebrating………
I feel fortunate to be dancing and celebrating….I am going to enjoy ” the moment” and “stage” a comeback from ” cautious thinking” to unfettered joyous forward planning!
Suzanne
December 20, 2013 @ 9:20 am
DANCE on, Suzanne!!! (and welcome to our family!)
December 19, 2013 @ 9:49 pm
What a wonderful Christmas present for her!
December 19, 2013 @ 9:46 pm
It’s interesting that this is one of a number of spontaneous remissions of S4 cancer I’ve heard of this year. (There is also a book, “Dying to be Me”, about this subject.) I wish Suzanne the very best. May she continue dancing with much joy!
Elsewhere, my friend T. has experienced cancer’s re-taking of her body. Both she and her husband are so exhausted. And yet they sustain faith and hope, and continue to be so inspiring.
December 19, 2013 @ 7:51 pm
Your gal sounds like an amazing woman! Dance away and enjoy each step! Great news and for sure, I will be lifting!