100 Days of Cancer

Today marks 100 days since I learned I have cancer. I started the day with my hour of physical therapy and then another hour of psychotherapy. We discussed the journey and how much has changed in the last few months, I stayed focused on the positive progress the chemotherapy was making in killing my cancer.

I was thinking a lot about my mom’s 18 month fight and how she had great success within her 100 days. She had a massive surgery in December of 2022 after she was diagnosed in September of that same year. I am very careful not to compare my journey to hers as the cancer fight looks different for everyone but thinking about it had me quite emotionally charged. Since I still have my liver pain under control and have been driving I decided to go to Pierogi Fest, something that my mom and I would have done together as she loved those cheese pierogis. I immediately saw Mr. Pierogi himself, Tony Panek and he came straight up to me and asked how I was doing. My mom LOVED Tony and his local social media show on WJOB, Panek in the Region.

I spent most of the time walking the full festival from the beginning to the end of 119th street in Whiting. I thought about my mom walking with me and found myself just grieving and missing her. I did enjoy a few “polish 🥟 dumplings” which is how Google translates the word. I loved seeing the Buscias - they are just precious and celebrated by the businesses and homes with old fashioned aprons,
nightgowns and underclothes - so fun, I posted photos I snapped. Here is more about these street characters: https://www.pierogifest.net/the-buscias

Looking forward to the next 100 days of healing and aggressive action against this disease that is trying to kill me. Not so fast, I have more Pierogi Fests to attend and memories to make with my family and friends. I’m not done here yet.