This month marks a big milestone in this cancer journey. As of July, it's now been two years since chemo with no relapse. With follicular lymphoma, that's big news! Apparently up to two years brings the highest incidence of relapse.
So what this means is that instead of going every 3 months for a check-up and lots of bloodwork, and a CT or PET scan every 6 months -- I can now go an entire year until the next scan and exams/bloodwork are now 6 months apart. Cause for celebration.
But what really matters almost more to me is how good I feel this year. Better than in years! Since before I turned 50 actually (I'm 62 now). I'm still running and weightlifting, and those two things I attribute to a resurgence of energy and vitality that's really kind of fun.
Of course I still have another big issue to deal with -- trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain) for the past 13 years -- that rears up some days worse than others. But that's the thing about getting cancer. Everything else pretty much pales in comparison. All the other "issues" can be taken with a grain of salt with an overriding feeling of gratitude for the big picture.
But what's really making life more fun, exciting, and more passionate is a return to running. Competitive running. After fantasizing about the Senior Games for 16 years (since I reached 50, the year one can enter), is....I finally did it! In May I competed in the Bay Area Senior Games - track & field - and it was such great fun. Everything I hoped for. I ran the 800m (which I ran in college), 400m and 200m. Lots of amazing athletes from age 50 to 100, all friendly and supportive of each other. I plan to compete in the senior games every year from now on.
Not only that, I've continued running and keep improving in ways that I've dreamed could be possible (at my age, hehe). So in preparation for next spring's track season, I'm going to run cross-country this fall. Yeah, pretty crazy.
Turns out there's a whole network of races through the USA Track & Field Association (USATF) for open, masters, and seniors in this region. And anyone over 60 gets the fine distinction of being a "super senior". I love it! Although I still have a ways to go to feel comfortable racing a 5k (about 3 miles), I'm getting there. There are even cash prizes! Something unheard of in my previous running ventures.
Running now is different in other ways too than being 25 and competing. There's more recovery time, and more attention to eating not just good food, but great food -- which has been part of my healing process anyway. At 25, I could eat whatever whenever. Not any more.
And just to help inspire me and revel in the past (which is kinda meaningful from time to time), my cross-country (and track) coach from Glendale College, Diane Spangler, is getting inducted to the college Hall of Fame this year.
Which is fitting, because our cross-country team from 1977 was also inducted (in 2003), for being undefeated and winning the state meet that year with no other team since then duplicating that. It was a special time, for sure.
So my sister Marcie and I, who raced together cross-country and track (in different events), are going to her celebration in October in Glendale. Just one more thing to celebrate these days!
Sometimes I celebrate quietly, and don't make a big deal (except in this blog). The difference now is I do it all the time for even the little things. Every day.
-Adele Sonora
www.thepathofcancer.blogspot.com
So what this means is that instead of going every 3 months for a check-up and lots of bloodwork, and a CT or PET scan every 6 months -- I can now go an entire year until the next scan and exams/bloodwork are now 6 months apart. Cause for celebration.
But what really matters almost more to me is how good I feel this year. Better than in years! Since before I turned 50 actually (I'm 62 now). I'm still running and weightlifting, and those two things I attribute to a resurgence of energy and vitality that's really kind of fun.
Of course I still have another big issue to deal with -- trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain) for the past 13 years -- that rears up some days worse than others. But that's the thing about getting cancer. Everything else pretty much pales in comparison. All the other "issues" can be taken with a grain of salt with an overriding feeling of gratitude for the big picture.
 |
| In May at the Bay Area Senior Games track & field meet. I won a silver, bronze, and a gold in the 200 meters (which was odd since I'm not a sprinter -- but fun!) |
Not only that, I've continued running and keep improving in ways that I've dreamed could be possible (at my age, hehe). So in preparation for next spring's track season, I'm going to run cross-country this fall. Yeah, pretty crazy.
Turns out there's a whole network of races through the USA Track & Field Association (USATF) for open, masters, and seniors in this region. And anyone over 60 gets the fine distinction of being a "super senior". I love it! Although I still have a ways to go to feel comfortable racing a 5k (about 3 miles), I'm getting there. There are even cash prizes! Something unheard of in my previous running ventures.
Running now is different in other ways too than being 25 and competing. There's more recovery time, and more attention to eating not just good food, but great food -- which has been part of my healing process anyway. At 25, I could eat whatever whenever. Not any more.
And just to help inspire me and revel in the past (which is kinda meaningful from time to time), my cross-country (and track) coach from Glendale College, Diane Spangler, is getting inducted to the college Hall of Fame this year.
 |
| Our undefeated cross-country team from 1977 at Glendale College. I'm third from the right, and sister Marcie second from right. |
So my sister Marcie and I, who raced together cross-country and track (in different events), are going to her celebration in October in Glendale. Just one more thing to celebrate these days!
Sometimes I celebrate quietly, and don't make a big deal (except in this blog). The difference now is I do it all the time for even the little things. Every day.
-Adele Sonora
www.thepathofcancer.blogspot.com
