2,061 days

"Mama said knock you out, uhg!" - LL Cool J

2,061 days ago I was diagnosed with one of the rarest, meanest, most aggresive little cancer bugs out there. 236 of those days were spent in treatment which included but was not limited to:

4 hospitals

38 CT Scans

18 MRIs

1 PET scan

232 hours of chemotherapy

825 minutes of radiation therapy

27 days and nights spent during inpatient treament

1 PICC line

1 brain and sinus surgery

1 titanium plate w/ 6 screws

44 surgical staples

32 stitches

1 surgery attempting to remove the plate (unsuccessful)

5 blood transfusions

1 plasma transfusion

1 Power of Attorney including a Living Will

Hundreds of Ensure protein shakes

Thousands of pills

Countles vials of blood drawn

and a wisdom tooth extraction

 

All of that, plus the thousands of prayers and well wishes that were sent my way, was what it took to get me well. Then I spent the next 1,825 days = 5 years - to stay that way.

 

Even though I will have to get yearly testing done to make sure the cancer has not come back, and though my doctor said I will always stand a 50/50 chance that it could come back, I fret not. First of all, after the gamut that I have been through - an MRI once a year is nothing. Second, I believe it is the doctor's job to give you worst case scenario. When I was diagnosed somewhere between stages 3 and 4 of a very deadly disease the doctors were preparing my family for my death. Statistics showed 72% of people with my disease died within the first year, and the latter of the surviving ones died within the first five. But, I knew I would never fit into that statistic. Which brings me to my last point: I am Becky Busch - I am the Rocky Balboa of circumstances. (Yes, I am really going to compare myself to one of cinema's greatest champions - its my blog) The swings keep coming, I dodge the ones I can, but I must be a slow learner because a lot of big ones land and even knock me down, but (with wobbily little knees) I will always stand up.

 

2,061 days.

236 days of treatment 

1,825 days in remission

OFFICIALLY CURED!

YO! EVERYBODY...... I DID IT!!!!!! :)

Latest comments

05.11 | 16:12

I am so sorry you had to experience this, Becky. But one thing no stinking fire can take away from you is this: You're an awesome writer. Keep on producing!!

15.04 | 16:00

You are the first person that I have heard from that has this bugger! feel free to reach out to me in the contact me section. Limited response in this section

15.04 | 03:48

Wow. IHow are you doing with the Teratocarcinosarcoma. I was diagnosed with it last September.

15.11 | 18:32

Wow! What an inspirational story! I hope that you continue to share. And for those that don't get it. Try and fit in her shoes one day.