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Books Anne has written or has a chapter in.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Can this body be saved?

Some of my readers may know that since June of this year, I've been battling a fast-growing form of lung cancer...which has my doctors baffled because I am a nonsmoker. That's right, never smoked a day in my life, yet I have the classic smoker's lung cancer. No explanation for what triggered it. Maybe on a cosmic level I was bored, writing about life and death situations in my books and stories, but without much empathy for what life - and the loss of it - really means.

When I was admitted to the hospital it was an emergency life and death situation. Could barely breathe from the tumor in my left lung pressing against a bronchial tube. Since then, I've been in the OR twice, am halfway through a 6-cycle chemotherapy treatment with possible radiation at the end, and had two transfusions. It's a scary ride, and some nights my husband and I have held each other and cried.

We won't even speak of the cost, over $100,000 and still climbing.

Every day it's a constant fight to keep all my internal systems functioning. At any given time my white platelets may be too low, I might have scary-level anemia from not enough red blood cells, not enough potassium, not enough magnesium, not enough fluid intake, the list goes on...not to mention the ordinary daily process of kidney function and avoiding constipation. I've lost over 20 pounds because it's hard to keep food down on a regular basis, and many of my favorite foods have been ruined by the salty metallic taste the chemo drugs cause in my mouth.

All this is daunting to say the least, but there have been some positives as well, which is really the point of this post. The outpouring of support and encouragement from friends and the wonderful company I work for (I'm currently on leave of absence from them but hope to return before the end of the year), the selfless help of people who went out of their way to make things better for me, and so much more. I was also amazed at the number of writers I'm associated with who have their own cancer survival stories to share.  The biggest positive of all is the upgrade in my prognosis status for survival from "poor" to "good" with the goal now being long-term remission.

What has this done for me as a writer? I think it has made me less cerebral about the big issues of life and death. So easy to kill off characters on paper. But having stared my own possible quick demise in the face, my perspective is changed forever. I hope it will infuse my storytelling with a level of immediacy and empathy that was missing. We'll see....

11 comments:

  1. Anne, I knew I was missing your posts (was just thinking about that yesterday, in fact), but I must have had my head in the sand and missed learning why until now. I did a little out-loud whoop when I read about the prognosis upgrade. Yes! I can only imagine the emotions you and your husband and all those who love you have been riding these days. I'm sending all the good thoughts and positive energy I can muster.

    What emotions this experience must have opened to you and yours already. Love your attitude.

    Keith

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  2. Anne, thank you for sharing this incredible journey on your blog and the link on FB, which is where I found it. Your spirit of persistence and hope is inspiring and when I came to the status upgrade, I was thrilled. Having worked with you and known you in several roles, I know what an insightful person you are, but sharing your experience of facing death and how you have grown from it is truly amazing.

    Love and good wishes for continued strength and progress,

    Bonnie

    Bonnie

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  3. Thank you for sharing. I know you are a private person so doing so was hard, but brave of you. I've been sending you light since the moment I first heard you were going into the hospital. If there is anything in my skills and power I can do for you please let me know. Many blessing to you and yours.

    Love and Light, Lissa

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  4. Dear Anne,
    Am so happy to hear about the improved prognosis. Will continue sending you all the healing thoughts I can. You are definitely a light we would like to keep in the world as long as possible!

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  5. This has got to be the Anne Petty I knew back in Tallahassee! I still have your autographed copy of "One Ring"! How great to see you have kept on writing!
    Sarah Stravinska

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    1. Greetings, Sarah! I am indeed the Anne Petty you seek!

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  6. Anne, It has been five years since my husband had lung cancer. He has been cancer-free since his surgery. It can happen! I send you more healing thoughts, I know how rough this is for you.
    Sarah Stravinska

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    1. Sarah, would love to catch up with you. Email me at annep @ polaris.net.

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  7. Anne, I sent a big e-mail to that address, and it came back! Said it was not a valid address. Now what?
    Sarah

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  8. How about you e-mail me?
    sarahstravinska0@gmail.com

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  9. Anne ... Tears have welled up in my eyes when I read what you wrote. I did not think of that this way. Be sure that I will keep on sending you healing energy. You will defeat that with your great soul.

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