I Didn’t Know What to Expect
— by CJ Savoie
This was a very difficult and challenging time for C.J. but he charged into battle with courage and hope. Not only did he defeat cancer, he wrote his very first novel and published it while doing it! Way to go C.J.! The Resolve is an explosive mystery filled with murder, lust, intrigue and an unexpected web of lies as FBI Agent, Rod Tillman, investigates an international drug cartel.
—Tina
My experience with cancer isn’t anything unique. I don’t even think it’s interesting to anyone other than my family and me. However, I will attempt to give you a brief synopsis of my bout with cancer as it was a surreal event that initially thrust me into a time of a high level fear.
I had Prostate Cancer. A number of lesions were discovered attached to my prostate gland per the biopsy. I underwent surgery with the surgeon removing the gland and pretty much all of the tissue surrounding it. I was still in wonderment - “Did they get all the cancer?!”
The next step was to discuss just that as I now meet my “attached to the hip” new best friend, my Oncologist. Our relationship begins with him advising me to undertake 33 straight days of radiation treatments since I had received the Lupron shot. That medication battles the cancer by eradicating all my testosterone, leaving me feeling like I was no longer a man, but rather a “lump of flesh”!
I agreed to my new, best friend oncologist’s treatment plan and the process began. What choice did I have?
I had agreed to it, but honestly, I didn’t really know what I was signing up for - just that I had to do this. I soon discovered that a person’s dignity is completely done away. Each day you arrive after drinking 40 ounces of water. Then, all of your clothes are removed and you wear only a thin gown. That is followed by a beautiful young woman, very professional, giving the daily enema. Afterwards, it’s off to a darkly lit room, where I receive the targeted radiation treatment, followed by a dreaded race to a restroom for a pressure release.
During the weeks of treatment and the time that follows, my fear continues to tag along...I pray that all of my previous life of sin is forgiven and I promise to follow a straight path as the worry continues. Each month, my PSA is tested to see if the level goes down to an acceptable count, indicating the cancer has not spread. I hope it has.
I was very fortunate as my PSA levels remained low and now are no longer detectable!
I do not know what the future holds for me, but I continue to pray for others and I have hope!
Check out C.J.’s book
“The Resolve” on Amazon!
C.J. Savoie (Chuck)
