www.cancermonster.net

“Tomorrow”

A Tale of a

War Between a Mother and a Monster

Welcome to My Story

It’s strange, funny, sarcastic, and just once in a while, a bit sad.

You have been warned.

hehe

This is my ongoing, daily journal of shock and recovery.

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My name is Teresa. I am a 41 year old wife and mother of four beautiful children. One is grown and on her own. The other three are bonus babies- 7, 8, and 9 years old. You will meet them if you decide to follow my tale. My husband, Dan, and I and the three little ones live an uncommon life full-time in a twenty year old Motorhome. That is part of the tale.

“How to Live in an RV with Young Children.”

That’s part of the tale, but not all. In June of 2007, the rest of the tale began. Along with my uncommon life, I have an uncommon Cancer in an uncommon place. (I won’t spoil the story by telling you more than that here.) That changes the subtitle of my story.

“How to live in an RV with Young Children and Battle Cancer.”

There is one more part of the tale, however. I have no health insurance.

“How to live in an RV with Young Children and “Batle Cancer with No Insurance”

Each part of that subtitle is a story in itself. Together, they make up an epic tale.

I call my story “Tomorrow” because I vow to have a tomorrow after tomorrow’s tomorrow. I started writing it down on June 20th, 2007 as a journal on my phone’s notepad. I carry my phone with me everywhere I go -just like you probably do. It’s more than a cell phone. It’s more like my personal command center. My Brain. My phone book, my calendar, my map. My digital memory bank and my connection to the outside world all in one handheld device. If I were to loose it, I would be literally lost as well.

So, this is a tale of a war between a Mother and a Monster. The CancerMonster is the biggest, baddest enemy one can face. But I have faced a different foe before. Seven years ago, I came across my first Monster. I have severe Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Chronic pain and mental fog has toughened me up for the battle I am currently waging. The FibroCreature and the CancerMonster have an alliance. But so do I. I have a network of warriors that leads all the way to the Big Boss, himself. I am not afraid.

Most of the time, anyway. Yah, let’s go with that . . .

My husband, Dan, thought I should share my story, so he created this site for me. The first bunch of entries were uploaded at the same time. I will continue to write on my phone and transfer it to this space daily. It’s easier to carry around than my computer. You will get my thoughts as they come to me this way. (Although I am not sure that is always a good thing! Haha)

Those of you who know me, might not want to read this. Although I am often goofy, flippant, and sarcastic, there are things here that I haven’t told you. It might be hard to read sometimes. It might be like watching me on TV living in the Big Brother House. You might say, “OH! Why did she tell them THAT?” But I hope mostly you will laugh. And I hope you don’t stop talking to me for fear that your words might end up part of the tale. Lol.

If you don’t know me . . . Well, I’m not sure why you would read this. Just as I don’t know why I would want you to. Maybe you live in a campground or thought about it once. That part will be a fun read. I poke fun at my fellows. If you have ever camped or RV-ed you will relate. Maybe you have your own battle or know someone with the Monster and can relate that way. Maybe you just like reading blogs? I don’t know. But we live in a world where people’s private lives are splashed across the TV and over the net so much that we have become a society of peeping-toms. Go figure. Welcome to the window of my life.

Ok, that out of the way, I suggest that you start with the first post and get caught up. - (excuse me here, while I explain to my mother how to find it: MOM, CLICK ON THE TAB ON THE TOP THAT SAYS “THE BLOG: TOMORROW” The latest thing I posted will be on top. To get to the first post, find June 20th on the calender and click on the date. The first post is called “Day 5″. Yah, it’s there ma. . . It’s on your page too, mom. . .OK, mother, just click HERE for the first post. (On the word “here” back there.) There ya go ma. It’s OK. I know it was confusing. Now go read. Thanks for your patience! hehe Mothers need special instructions!) I make references to the things I said before that you might not understand otherwise. The whole thing is a long running joke. Sort of.

Only it’s not. It’s my life.

Welcome to it!

I will make some admissions before I get called on them:

I am not a medical professional. Don’t follow any advice I might inadvertantly suggest. This is not a manual. This is just my story.

I know that I am not the only person with cancer. I am not alone or special in anyway. My case is not more important than yours or your friend’s or your sister’s brother-in-law’s cousin. This is just my story.

I have not used the real names of anyone outside of my own family. I am pretty sure they don’t mind and if they do they will let me know. (Being the fifth of six kids, and the wife of the youngest of six, I am used to my family telling me when they are mad at me!) The campers I talk about are combination of characters. If you think it is you that I am poking fun at -if you recently visited a campground that sounds like mine and behaved badly enough to have someone with a blog notice you, then just stop it. Lol. Please don’t send me an angry email. IT WASN’T YOU! I don’t even know you! Don’t take anything I say too seriously.

I haven’t used the full names of any doctor or medical professional. I won’t tell you who they are even if you ask. If you are curious enough, I am sure you can figure it out on your own from the story. But don’t. It doesn’t matter.

I would love to hear your comments. But please don’t slam me. I am busy with this battle and need only good and positive thoughts. If you don’t like what you read here, stop reading it and stumble on. I won’t be offended. I won’t even know.
Teresa