A Smile That Conquers: My Journey with Cancer

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a personal update with you all. I've finally undergone surgery to remove my left wisdom tooth and another tooth to prepare for radiation treatment. This is just the beginning of my 37 radiation treatments, and I'm taking things one step at a time.

The financial burden of cancer is no joke. Paying out of pocket is expensive, and the co-pay for the tooth extraction alone is equivalent to a week's salary in Florida.

While waiting for the numbness to kick in at the dentist's office, I couldn't help but feel a bit down. I've always been known for my bright smile, but now I feel a little broken.

I remember of a job interview  back in 2001 with Mrs. Althea Edwards. She was tough, but I kept being myself, and my smile made a great impression. She even told me it made her think I'd be a good worker! ( I sound conceited lol)

That job was a game-changer for me, and my son, Johnnie. Thanks to God and  Mrs. Edward I had the privilege to work 23 years for the City of New York with some amazing co-workers that became my HPD family.  It's funny how certain memories stick with you.

Now, as I prepare to start radiation and chemotherapy on January 27th, I'm faced with another financial hurdle. But I'm staying positive and focusing on my health.

If you have a loved one starting a new job, please remind them to check if their employer offers Critical Illness insurance, short-term disability insurance, or long-term disability insurance. Trust me, it's worth it. Cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or health.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Your emotional support means alot to me!

My Journey : Radiation Consultation Update

 Radiation Consultation Update

I just wanted to share a quick update with you all! On December 17, I met with Dr. David Graham, my amazing radiation doctor, at the Watson Cancer Clinic. I was blown away by the warmth, kindness, and compassion he and his staff showed me.

Dr. Graham took the time to explain everything in detail, making sure I felt comfortable and prepared for what's ahead. Here's a quick rundown:

35 radiation treatments are coming up to target my neck and upper neck.
My skin will need some extra TLC during treatment, with regular moisturizing to manage changes.
I will develop mouth sores.
To make sure I'm getting the nutrients I need, I'll have a feeding tube connected to my stomach.
Before we get started, I need to have one of my teeth extracted to prevent any complications.
And, I'll be getting a custom-made mask to wear during radiation sessions!

Thanks for being part of my journey! I'll keep you all posted on my progress.

My Journey

My Health Journey: A Cautionary Tale

I'm sharing my personal story with you today in the hopes that it might encourage you to prioritize your own health. For a while, I struggled with persistent problems speaking, feeling like something was cutting my tongue way in the back. I also experienced constant neck pains, earaches, and headaches that were incredibly frustrating. My primary doctor would often tell me I didn't have an ear infection and would give me a shot for the headache and neck pain. But the pain wouldn't go away. I even noticed that my left tonsil was swollen to the size of a gumball and was almost touching my right tonsil. The Uvula resting on my tonsils made it difficult to speak without feeling like I was choking. The pain was so severe that I had to call out from work. 

Finally, I decided to see an ENT specialist. Luckily, I was able to get an appointment quickly, and the doctor's physician examined me. She was concerned about a mass in my neck and something on my left tonsil, so she sent me for X-rays and a CT scan. The following week, I saw the surgeon and was scheduled for surgery to remove my tonsils and the tumor. The recovery was painful, but I was relieved to have the surgery behind me.

 However, on November 21, 2024, I received the shocking news that I have cancer. I was in shock, as I had only expected to have my tonsils and the mass removed. Now, I'm facing a long journey ahead, with 35 treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. But I'm determined to stay positive and focus on my recovery. A Message to You Please take my story as a cautionary tale. Don't neglect your health, and if you notice something abnormal, address it with your doctor. If you're not satisfied with your diagnosis or treatment plan, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset. Take care of it, and don't wait until it's too late.

 Thank you for reading my story. I hope it inspires you to prioritize your own health and well-being.

Looking back

As I sit on the stairs, looking back on time, I'm struck by how fast life has passed. At 57, I wonder where the years went. I remember being 35, full of hopes and dreams for my future. I thought I'd have someone to share my life with, but that's a dream I've had to let go of.

After working since I was 14, I've reached retirement age. I would have loved a retirement party with colleagues, sharing laughter and memories. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Now, I work from home out of necessity, not choice. My knees and back ache, and some nights, like at 4 am, I'm wide awake despite exhaustion. Losing my son has changed me profoundly. There are days I reach for my phone to call him, only to be hit with the painful reality that he's gone.

In meetings, I sometimes excuse myself, pretending to have a cold, but it's really tears streaming down my face. My heart yearns to hear his voice say, "Mami, I love you." But that's a comfort I'll never have again.

Attending a three-week training has been bittersweet. One of the new hires resembles my son – same beard, hair and build. Seeing him online brings back memories, and the pain feels overwhelming. The clock ticks, and tears follow.

 My fear

It is going to be three years since my Johnnie passed, before the passing of my Johnnie I was taking medications for depression but since his passing my doctor has increased my antidepressants and anxiety pills to the maximum dosage with the hope that it will help me have some peace. I have also been taking therapy and finally, I joined two chat groups online for Mothers who have lost a child.  In that chat, I am surrounded by females now I call my sisters.  We don’t share the same blood but we all share the same pain; the loss of a child. We understand each other pain.

 Every day I wake up with the hope that I will not feel this pain in my heart. I wake up with the fear that my Johnnie will be forgotten, in my head, I can hear him saying “Mami please don’t forget me”. My head is a can of spaghetti so many things go through my head. I have failed to give my other two children the love and attention they deserve, but I can’t control my emotions.  I had three children and I never thought that the number three would become number two. I hope they find in their hearts to understand that I have not stopped loving them nor that I loved their brother more than them, It’s that I am broken, my heart aches every single day. My sister who has become a widow, I hope she can understand that I truly wish from the bottom of my heart that I could give her emotional support but I  can’t because I can’t even help myself. I feel lost and I can’t find my way back. I am drowning.

Around two months ago I was watching John Wick, my Johnnie used to love that movie.  Every time he would watch a movie that he thought was good we would talk about it. Sometimes he would call me when he was on the John and tell me “Mami you got to watch this movie” and I would, then I would call him and we would become critics of the movie.  After I saw the last chapter of John Wick I found myself looking for his number on my phone to call him and talk about the movie.  I looked at my phone in my hand I became full of rage, and pain in my heart I wanted to scream Johnnie where are you? Come back, please. So I did what I always do when I feel desperate, I locked myself in the bathroom and shower to cry my eyes out.

Until the day I exhale my last breath of air I will always tell the world “I had a son called Johnnie”.

 Spotted Love

 

Dry cleaning can be expensive, when living on a budget.

My son John's dream was to become a chef. When he was just a little boy, he would be in the kitchen with me, helping me peel garlic, grind them in the Mandel, or go outside to pick cilantro. He loved the kitchen. As he grew, the kitchen became his passion, so I enrolled him in a culinary school when he was seventeen. We couldn't afford it, but with the student grant and two student loans, we were able to pay the course. The course included a culinary knife kit, his chef hat, his uniform, two black pants, and two white chef coats with the school's emblem.

The course was for two years, consisting of constant washing and wearing his two chef coats. He was excelling in the classes. The proof was on his chef coat. Every day he would bring home something he had made at school. I could see the happiness in his eyes; he was genuinely enjoying the culinary arts. He was so excited when the internship time came. He was finally going to feel the live experience of working in the kitchen of a restaurant. The fast pace would motivate him to become better at what he had learned at school.

Finally, the big day was approaching; Graduation Day!. He was excited, and so was I. At the time of the graduation, things were not the best at home; there were rent arrears, utilities were unpaid, and we were struggling. The graduates to be were all purchasing new chef coats for the graduation, but I couldn't afford one at the moment. Humble as always, my son told me not to worry that he would wear his chef coat.

I was heartbroken; what could I do? His chef coat had so many spots of food. Two days away from the graduation. I took a deep breath. I went to his room and got the chef coat. I looked at it; so many stains of oil, frosting, and other things on it; how can I get this all out? So I went to the kitchen and grabbed a can of Easy-off Oven cleaner; the can said it removed tough grease. So I sprayed it on every spot and let it sit for a while; then, I put the coat in a bucket with hot water, Tide, and Clorox, not any bleach. I used Clorox. I left it overnight in the bucket. The following day, I put it in the washer. Once washed, I aired dried the coat and ironed it with starch. My son was amazed at the results. He thanked me so many times and kissed me. He even offered to promote my cleaning services as a specialist in cleaning chef jackets to his classmates.

My chest was complete with pride; there was my Johnnie dressed as a chef on the stage among the other graduates; he had accomplished his dream. I felt comfortable to see that you could not distinguish his jacket was a two-year-old chef coat; it looked bright white and new. Sometimes It takes the power of love to make miracles happen.

 Going Back To Work

 

Since I was twelve years of age, I always tried to earn a dollar, regardless it was washing windows, cleaning houses, or helping to babysit. I remember my grandmother giving me five dollars for polishing her furniture; five dollars to me was a lot. So I grew up to like working to earn my own money.

As I grew up, I had the compassion to help other people; sometimes, I could see a senior grabbing dishwashing liquid in the supermarket. I would approach them and show them another dishwashing soap and tell them how good and less expensive than the one they had in their cart. They would smile and change the dishwashing soap to the one I recommended. If I saw someone who didn't understand English, I would translate it to Spanish even though I walked out of the store. And that is how I was at work; I enjoyed helping others, regardless it was my co-workers or the clients, it was a sense of satisfaction to know I helped someone.

I was blessed the day I moved to New York. I arrived in New York on May 17, 2001; I started working on June 27, 2001; by December the same year, I already had my place, Thanks to the Lord.

I have been twenty-one years at my job; the City hired me as a Temp worker, then the City hired me. I received two promotions at my job. It was my ideal job. I was helping others, and as a supervisor, I was able to help the team I oversaw. When someone from my team was going thru rough times, I was there to try to lift them. I recall this young lady named Felicia; she was a lovely young lady. I can't say we interacted a lot, but the day she left the agency, she gave out certificates of recognition to the team at her farewell get-together. Every certificate she handed out, she would recognize the person's strength which I thought was thoughtful. Although I was the last person to receive my certificate, I still have my certificate, and I still remember her words when she gave me my certificate "Darlene, the Momma Bear of the team."

Now present, the joy to go to work is non-existent. The loss of my son Johnnie has changed my whole life, I am lost, and I feel like I will never find the way back to happiness. My baby left this earth on August 7, 2021. Three months later, I went back to work. I thought the drive to work would take me to another state of mind where I would not be hurting, but unfortunately, it didn't. As I drive thru the FDR, memories of my son sitting next to me in the car taking him to work, memories of when I had surgery he got a cab, helped me get in, in the cab he would wrap his arms around me, for I could sleep on his arm. I hear a song play on the radio, and it's one of his favorites. When I reach my desk there, he is smiling on my mouse pad. When I leave my job, I see him outside the building waiting for me. Twenty-one years at my job and now I can't focus, I can't retain or comprehend sometimes.   

The other day one of the team members was having difficulty with a client on the phone. They transferred the call to me to assist the client. The client on the phone was upset; I tried to calm them down. I tried to explain to the person because of COVID; we were short on staff which was the cause of the delays in the unit. Like a slap across my face, she responded, "You guys need to get over COVID; it's been almost two years, lady. Life goes on". As she said those words, I pressed my eyes shut, trying not to cry. I tried to take a deep breath, but I still felt like I couldn't breathe. Between struggling with the knot in my throat, I took down the client's information for further research; I promised her I would get back to her the following day, which I did.

My heart aches for my baby; I miss him so much. Not too long ago, a dear person told me to "Move On Johnnie is not coming back by crying you won't bring him back!". I know my tears won't bring my baby back. But how else can I take this pain out of my chest?

Sometimes I wonder why this happened to me, I prayed for those who asked for prayers, and they were healed, but when I prayed for my baby, the Lord did not hear my prayers.