Executive Director: Adelle Stewart Shares Her Experience With Cancer
July 10, 2020
The following are the words from our Executive Director: Adelle Stewart and her experience over the last 82 days fighting cancer. At Do More Ag, we are extremely thankful to have Adelle as part of our family. She is strong, independent, and a true warrior. We are thankful she is on the road to recovery.
Today I did something I truly never thought I would have to do. Rang the end of treatment bell.
The last 82 days have been the worst of my life. On April 16, 2020, I sat in front of a doctor of whom I had never met before, as she looked me in the eye and said:
“I will send this for a biopsy, but I wouldn’t say this to you without the results unless I was really, really sure.
You have cancer.”
In the last 44 days, I have been at the hospital for 36 of them; for scans, appointments, radiation treatments, surgery, consults, an ER visit, and sometimes even multiple hospitals in one day. I also had to do it alone. With Covid restrictions in place, no family members were permitted in hospitals or appointments. Aside from my initial meeting with my oncologists, I had to attend my first MRI, alone. Chemo, alone. My first radiation, alone. And every one after that.
After my diagnosis I had six weeks to prepare, and I went in to treatment in the best shape of my life. Physically mentally emotionally, spiritually - I figured I could not be beat. However life had other plans.
From day one, my first treatment of “micro chemo” - described as a tiny top up to my overall protocol as a radiosensitizer for the radiation, it was supposed to give me zero side effects- but took me out at the knees.
I spent weeks 1-4 of treatment completely bedridden, and was completely and immediately disabled from life. I made the terrifying decision to go against doctors recommendations to continue with the chemo and soldier on with only radiation.
I say “only”, lightly. As I have taken a holistic and integrative approach from day one; I was on a full natural cancer fighting protocol the day after my diagnosis which included supplements, meditation, mental health, food and nutrition overhaul, and strategically planned exercise. But I was so sick I could participate in none of it until recently.
I didn’t tell many people that I was diagnosed. In all honesty, I didn’t want to publicize it and rah rah my fight, because I hate to fail - and was really afraid I was going to die. But as this phase of my recovery closes, I didn’t know what to do next. Under share, over share, pretend it never happened? Bah.
Over the last three months I did have a small group of prayer warriors, personal chefs, confidants, grocery pickers, appointment drivers, magic blanket knitters, sunset picture senders, cheer leaders, tear wipers, lawn mowers, hay shoppers, stall pickers, horse exercisers, and more; but as life and conversations happen I also know that other people know, people of whom I haven’t told directly. And as I enter back in to reality- facing those people felt like an elephant in the room. Do they say something, not say something, do I bring it up, or hide it, pretend it never happened? I decided No.
This experience with cancer will now always be a part of my journey, my life will never be the same, and believe you me I have things to share, tell and advocate about the process and options. So here it is, out in the world- to be continued.
For now, although I am done treatment (which was highly successful with no evidence of a tumor)- I still have months yet of alternative care, and gut wrenching waiting until my next scan continues to show no evidence of disease.
So, if you have read this til the end, if you feel so inclined- over the next few months I’d sure appreciate a positive thought, well wish, or prayer sent my way.
I wish I hadn’t got cancer before I decided to overhaul every aspect of my life, but as I search for my lesson or the good in all this it’s hopefully that as I continue to share my journey that maybe I can help someone else and we can rid the world of this horrid disease.
Until then, my focus is on the present, returning to my new regular life and appreciating each day in a way I never have before. So now that you know, don’t be afraid to say hi or ask how I am, and this way I can at least answer honestly - as each day brings new emotion as well as the experience of life changing side effects.