I THOUGHT I WAS HOME FREE!!!

by Deborah Garrison
(Montgomery Al)

This story started out as one of great joy for me an my family;but now it is one of great sadness.In 1999 after a bout with pnemonia and broncitis, I was given 6 blood test to check my oxygen level an blood gases because I was considered pale for a person of color.

The test revealed that I had a form of Cancer called multiple myloma a form of bone cancer an lukemia, the myloma cells were dormant at the time but could become active at any time.I was refered to an oncologist a Cancer Doctor and the journey began.I went thru a number of test including a very painful bone marrow biosipy. I was dianoised on a Wed. and started chemo on that Friday. I had often sat an watched other patients an wondered if I could handle the being stuck with a needle to deliver a posion to my body that would kill the bad cells as well as the good cells.

My faith was tested and I passed the test. My family was very upset an my oldest son went into a deep depression. I stayed under treatment for 9 months and went into remission. A great day, but as I went thru these treatment I developed diabeties and high blood pressure. Another shocker. I had worked in the medical field for 20 years an thought I would be strong, since I had talked with people who had gone thru or were going thru cancer treatment. That old saying "Walk a Mile in my Shoes" became a part of my life. I watched people who were sicker than me an who I had become friends with die all around me.

Well my mother died in 2003 and a month later my son was shipped off to the war in Iraq, Needless to say I came out of remission and suffered a great setback. The stress was killing me. Again I stayed on Chemo for 9 months and went back into remission.Material things became athing of the past an trees grass and the sky with it's beautiful clouds became something I looked forward to seeing each an everyday gifts from God that we ignore. I lost a few friends gained some new one and began to life my life as a thankful child of God.The port in my chest in which I was admisiterd my Chemo Drugs became my Badge of courage;and Camp Blubird my Vacation Resort.(A camp for cancer patients an cancer survivors)

Well this year I went to the dentist for a simple extraction of a root tip from a crown an bridge appliance that had broken. This was in March. an since I worked in the dental field I knew how to attend the area post-op. I did all the right things but the area refused to heal.After about a month I mentioned it to my oncologist and he refered me to a maxo-facial dentist in another city 100 miles away. Well he took one look an said He knew what it was.......OSTEONECROSIS. My jaw dropped an the tears began. Here I am thinking I had been tru the worst part of my life an I was home free as they say, Well I am not, I am now suffering from a problem brought on by a med I took to heal the bones in my back an spine from the cancer...a side effect; But this one has no treatment and does not heal. The jaw bone in my mouth is dying from a medication called Zometa. My Life is now put on hold with a lot of pain. I have loss 45 pounds(something I have been trying to do since I stopped Cancer treatment.)because I can't eat right. I stay depressed, I have seen the results of others who I have this ,done the research and talked with the doctors extensively.

I won't qualify for dentures, because there will be no bone left to place them on. I can have no evasive operations done in my mouth because it will not heal. A side-effect has sidelined my life as I hoped and prayed that it would be. God is my Rock and My Salvation.

I am 56 years old with 3 Adult Children and 4 Grandchildren, A loving Church Family and Friends who I have known half my Life. Blessed is what I am. Drawing Backs be Damed. So watch for the Boulders of Life. Look at the Sky and the Grass and know that: Life is a Gift given for a short While".