The Oxford Dictionary defines stigma this way: Originally in the late 16th century a mark made on the skin by pricking or branding, as punishment for a criminal or a mark of subjection, a brand; in extended usage, a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. This is how I have often felt: marked, branded, disgraced and it began before I was even born.
I mention the following doctors who have cared for me with the greatest appreciation and respect: Dr. Strauss, Dr. Sanjana, Dr. Mullen; Dr. Gaisa, Dr. It was a time of growth for me, painful and joyful growth, which led me to take a one-month sabbatical in May of My month in the desert was most unpleasant—soaring temperatures above degrees—malfunctioning equipment—loneliness—loss of hope.
I came back from sabbatical feeling like I was at rock bottom, questioning my journey, my faith, and my ability to push through the isolation of my NYC apartment.
The voice on the phone informed me that they had detected cancer. I was calm—it appeared as a logical next scene in the movie of my life—now I was at rock bottom. I was heading to upstate New York where my mother lives to be there when she had an aortic valve replaced with the TAVR procedure.
(mh=MFrnFxdaRo996GLM)0.jpg "Sex guide in Thousand Oaks")
The Anchor Study recommended an excision procedure, but I decided to get a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Romesser, from the MSK team, recommended chemoradiation as the treatment plan. I agonized with which path to take; both come with various levels of success and risk. At the American Cancer Society website, they stated chemoradiation was the gold-standard of treatment and this gave me the decisiveness I needed to finalize my plan.
