Editing Crystal Conway's cancer survival story was a great honor. And the timing couldn't have been better. Her inspiring story resonated and encouraged me.
Here's why.
My mom has suffered from Multiple Myeloma (bone & blood cancer) for five years.
It continues to relentlessly ravage her body. We continue to helplessly watch, wishing we could do something - anything - to relieve her pain.
Of the five years, there was one year of reprieve from intense pain and aggressive tumor "involvement".
They call this remission.
Suddenly intense pain seared her inner ear and burned in her neck and pulsed in her skull.
Tumors were discovered on her spine, and were pressing against her spinal cord. You know... the central communication from brain to body that controls such things as breathing and muscle control?
The tumors swelled, threatening to pinch off that line of communication.
So much for remission.
Facing a new round of cancer felt like starting all over again. All the shock and sadness and fear and anger washed over me in waves. The heartache is deep and heavy, and helplessness is a frustrating feeling.
In her suffering though, Mom's faith has become stronger and more vocal, and she has fiercely determined to remain positive and hopeful. I am proud of my mom, and thankful for her example of suffering well.
It was at the end of my mom's remission that I had the honor of working with Crystal Conway.
Here's why.
My mom has suffered from Multiple Myeloma (bone & blood cancer) for five years.
It continues to relentlessly ravage her body. We continue to helplessly watch, wishing we could do something - anything - to relieve her pain.
Of the five years, there was one year of reprieve from intense pain and aggressive tumor "involvement".
They call this remission.
Suddenly intense pain seared her inner ear and burned in her neck and pulsed in her skull.
Tumors were discovered on her spine, and were pressing against her spinal cord. You know... the central communication from brain to body that controls such things as breathing and muscle control?
The tumors swelled, threatening to pinch off that line of communication.
So much for remission.
Facing a new round of cancer felt like starting all over again. All the shock and sadness and fear and anger washed over me in waves. The heartache is deep and heavy, and helplessness is a frustrating feeling.
In her suffering though, Mom's faith has become stronger and more vocal, and she has fiercely determined to remain positive and hopeful. I am proud of my mom, and thankful for her example of suffering well.
It was at the end of my mom's remission that I had the honor of working with Crystal Conway.
She's done this rodeo four times, and since the age of fourteen has lived with cancer, and all the emotions and tests and treatments and pain that come with it.
One of my favorite parts of her book (there are many highlights) is the description of her time receiving Radioactive Iodine Treatments to destroy cancer cells. This required such high levels of radiation to be pumped into her body that she was secluded in a radioactive-safe room away from people.
"The door to the room was a heavy stainless steel door with a slot in the middle that was big enough for my food to be served through. Nobody could come into the room because of the radiation. It was like being in jail, especially when they slid my meal tray into the slot.
Every few hours I would be measured with a Geiger Counter CPM, which reflected how much radiation was still in my system. To take the measurement, the nurse would open the door to my room, and I would have to stand behind a taped line on my floor.
The nurse would stand in the hallway and point the counter directly at me. the measurement had to reach over three points before I could be released."
It stuck out in my mind because it was an odd thing to picture. The nurse pointing a weird gun at patients every few hours from the safe distance of the hallway made me snicker. Cancer treatments are full of awkward silly moments. (Thank goodness, because sometimes when life hurts you've just got to laugh...)
Each page of Crystal's story unfolded yet another example of hope. Her determination to live fully and with joy was inspiring.
"Four-time cancer survivor Crystal Conway
may have cancer, but cancer does not have her.
With resolute positivity and determination,
she continues to overcome diagnosis after diagnosis.
She shares her story to inspire and encourage others
to rise up and press on and never lose hope."
may have cancer, but cancer does not have her.
With resolute positivity and determination,
she continues to overcome diagnosis after diagnosis.
She shares her story to inspire and encourage others
to rise up and press on and never lose hope."
Crystal Conway's story can be purchased here.
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