Life of a Survivor

By Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo

3 min read

Life as a survivor for most may still include a busy day with the exception of having cancer. There we go with that word, but so many are hung up with it, so let’s get it out of the way. I wanted to walk you through my time with multiple myeloma, as a typical day. Let’s start with a map of 4 years ago and the present. You know we think life is totally over, but what I stand by is not letting the disease control me, but learn to adjust the disease to my busy lifestyle. I’m sure many can relate in one way or another.

During cancer: The party just never stops

Here’s just a sample of what consisted in my 5-year diary of a day with myeloma.

Thursday

3:00 am: Alarm goes off to prepare for work (2 states over).

3:10 am: SNOOZE ME PLEASE!!

3:20 am: Make up the bed (Feng Shui PLEASE!!!)

3:40 am: Hubby huffing “LET’S GO ALREADY!”

3:45 am: Start the day with some meds. Amlodipine (HBP), shower, dress, and makeup today? I don’t know, maybe.

4:30 am: Catch my commuter bus and SLEEP. YES.

6:15 - 6:30 am: Time to hit the clinic for treatment. Yes, treatment before heading to the office. Thursday was my treatment day. My VP knew I may be a few minutes late, but luckily I usually beat everyone to the office by 9:00 am.

6:35 am: Swift walk to the train because I HAVE TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO REGISTER!!!

6:50 am: At my train stop, there are many stairs and 3 long blocks to clinic. Rush rush.

6:56 am: “SHOOT!” There's someone ahead of me (Insert side-eye.).

7:00 am: Name called and handed admission bracelet. “What’s your date of birth?” (Insert side-eye.) “Um, I see you every week, Debra. We go through the same thing.”

7:15 am: Called in for the lab (today blood only). Okay, new face, where’s Kim? My blank face and my speech for the lab newbies. “Okay, I need the small needle, and I’m gonna need you to hit this vein over here, not that one cuz it’s gonna hurt!”

7:18 am: Patiently wait for nurses to get in to call me in for actual treatment. My anxiousness takes over as I have a meeting at 1:00 pm and I have some urgent emails when I get to the office. “What’s taking so long?” Sheesh!

7:30 am: Calling Ms. Brunson Sarrabo – “Hey, Patrick. Let’s go please I gotta go.” The Dexamethasone was just ordered but it’s not in yet. Um okay. I guess I’m ready for my Velcade shot. I hate this. :( Ouch, Having a bad morning. (laughter) But, I’m serious though, that hurt!

8:10 am: Finally Dex is here, okay ready to pop pill and Zofran

8:20 am: Vitals re-checked. Okay, guys, see you next week.

8:30 am: Quick sprint to the train to my office

9:00 am: Work

6:30 pm: LONG DAY. Leaving office. “Hubby, can you make the 7:00 pm bus? We gotta leave our office now.” I have 7 long and stressful blocks to go and feeling an upset stomach due to earlier chemo.

9:00 pm: At home, fix a quick meal but still feeling sick. Ugh, where’s the ginger ale? I’ll skip Revlimid and Acyclovir, until tomorrow. I don’t like to mix certain meds. "WHERE’S THE HEATING PAD? MY STOMACH HURTS."

Goodnight!

Life after treatment: I got this

A different schedule but still very busy in the present day.

6:00 am: Off to the Gym. I’m tired, but I gotta push through.

6:10 am: What legging and sneaker will I wear today? Okay, let me get dressed.

6:20 am: Water with lemon/lime to start the day.

6:40 am: Finally at the gym. Let’s start with treadmill and weights. Watch that elbow that is acting up. My Dr. suggests its inflammation, not a lytic lesion.

7:40 am: Done for the day. Sweating and sleepy. “How is this possible? I’m hungry.”

8:00 am: Fresh smoothie or quick avocado, mushroom wrap. “Oh yeah and my Amlodipine, Vit D, Aspirin… Thank God no more REVLIMID! Thank you, Lord.”

8:15 am: Back in shower and dress.

11:00 am: Conference call.

1:00 pm: Branding meeting.

2:00 - 2:30 pm: Some advocacy work.

3:00 - 6:00 pm: Consulting work.

7:00 pm: Fix a meal. Take my vitamins and fish oil. NO MORE MEDS!

Goodnight!

Life goes on!

Well, the moral of the story is life goes on and we learn to adjust and keep at it as survivors.

The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope, and a smile….when you feel like it

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
Your life is definitely less stressful now, but still busy. I totally agree with one of the first things you said. When you first find out you have cancer, you do think your life is over, but then we learn to live with it. I guess we have to.
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 Yes, Ann... life definitely continues, we have to get back on the merry go round.
2. Ronni Gordon Contributor
 Good description of the day-to-day. Even after treatment is over, it seems to be one thing or another. Some days are easier, some are harder, when it comes to weaving together all the things we have to do. Hey, you know, it's annoying when they always ask your birthday but I'm sure it's in the rule book. Occasionally I tell them before they ask!
dowbert Member
Thank you for sharing your journey with such transparency. 😀 I just had my 100 day, post stem-cell transplant, results meeting with my oncologist. Wow. That was a mouthful! I am in partial-remission. My numbers look great. I feel great. But he's recommending Revlimid daily (10mg) for the rest of my life. Along with a monthly shot of Xgeva and the good ole Acyclovir for a while. Yesterday's news was good, but the thought of continuing meds, for some reason, brought me down. I thought I'd just share my feelings on your article because I know everyone here understands. Thank you for listening! 😀 Have a beautiful day!
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 I also have to take a medication everyday for the rest of my life. Without ot I would die. I hated having to do it at first, but it's not so bad. You get into a routine. Hopefully yours doesn't have too many side effects. Good luck to you.
2. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you <inline-mention user-id="3641959" username="dowbert"/> in this new journey there's always hills and valleys. Though partial remission seems like no true dip, it's close to it. continue to take one day at a time with the new adjustments. It's okay to feel the way you do but remember how far you've come... and keep going. Best!