Rosanne DiMauro

Someone recently pointed out that this recovery (and my entire cancer journey) is more of a marathon than a sprint. 

Luckily, it’s not a traditional running marathon—I’d say it’s more like a HIIT workout, which is definitely more my pace. I’ve tried to embrace running, but honestly, I can’t stand it. Like, I really can’t stand it. (No offense to all my dedicated runner friends!)

I needed that simple reminder to put me back in check. I can be so hard on myself – which can be both a blessing and a curse.

30,000 foot view tells me to, “Give yourself some Grace, Rosanne”. So Grace is it!

My brain is ready to go, full speed ahead, back to the routine and structure of my life I so desire.

It will come in time. Minor setback to a major comeback. 

Last Thursday, January 30th, I had my first post-op checkup. My sister, brother-in-law, and I headed into Manhattan on a beautiful, sunny day—perfect weather, no snow, and a smooth ride.

It was my first time out since January 13th, and also the longest and farthest I’d walked in weeks. I made it from the car on 98th Street to the medical building, took the elevator up 14 floors, then headed to the doctor’s office to get 14 staples removed, and a decision to keep the drainage bag in place for another week.

After that, I went back down to the first floor for bloodwork at Lab Corp, then to the sub-basement to walk through tunnels to 5th Avenue Hospital for an x-ray to make sure my stent was still in place.

Getting the staples removed definitely eased some of the discomfort in my abdomen. The x-ray showed that my stent was still in place, which was a relief.

However, my bloodwork told a different story. Between my discharge and the 30th, my red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit had dropped significantly. I was now severely anemic, which explained the rapid heartbeat, as well as the extreme fatigue and sluggishness I’d been feeling.

Then came the weekend, and there wasn’t much I could do other than focus on boosting my intake of iron-rich foods, all while sticking to a low-fiber, low-fat, low-residue diet.

Today, I went to NYOH for my monthly cancer treatment injection and another round of bloodwork. The results were the same—severely anemic—but thankfully, I received an iron infusion. I’ll be getting another one next week, and we’ll see what happens after that.

Given my history with heart disease and valve replacements, I’ve been given strict instructions to keep physical activity to an absolute minimum to avoid putting extra strain on my heart. Oxygen is what my blood is lacking and blood is what transports oxygen to your organs. 

I’ve moved from snail speed to turtle speed, but I’m definitely starting to make progress.  I can now shower on my own, navigate stairs carefully, change my abdominal drain by myself, stand for longer periods, help with preparing meals, sleep on either side, and get up or lie down without pain.

Baby steps, but it’s all forward progress and growth.

I’m heading back to Manhattan this Thursday for another post-op check-up, and hopefully, I’ll be able to get my drain removed.

After that, I won’t need to return until late March for a reverse ERCP and to have the stent taken out.

It feels especially meaningful to update my journal today, as it’s also World Cancer Day. The theme is United by Unique. Every experience with cancer is unique and it will take all of us, united, to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient.

I share with you my story once again, and implore you to share your own. We are all affected by this disease whether you are a cancer survivor, cancer fighter, caretaker, family member, or friend. We all have a story to tell. We are all impacted. 

Please keep praying for me and my family and I will be sure to keep fighting. My love to all of my supporters.