Today I'm feeling a little better. I finished my Tamiflu medicine this morning and decided to go into work. It was nice to get out of the apartment for a little while and be a part of society again! I'm feeling a little tired, but I would say overall not too bad. After the past few days I'm just happy to slowly be getting better. I'm still coughing and my nose is still running, but it is not constant like before.
Work was also fun because I was interviewed by a reporter at thepostsd.com They're an online news magazine in South Dakota. My blog is going to be featured in their "Blog of the Week" section a week from today. The reporter was very nice and easy to talk to. However, I'm still getting use to being the one who is being interviewed, versus being the interviewer! I also video taped our interview and will be putting it on the blog as soon as possible. Stay Tuned!
Danielle
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Slowly Getting Better
It has been three days since I went to the emergency room and I can tell I'm slowly getting better. I think the Tamiflu the doctor prescribed for me is fighting off the flu. I still had a high fever throughout the day on Sunday and Monday, but today I'm feeling a little better. I still have this awful cough and runny nose, but I don't have the chills anymore-YAY. The worst part about having a fever are the chills and then the hot flashes. I would be so cold that I would need every jacket and blanket in the house, and then as my fever began to break, I would start sweating and burning up. This was the constant cycle for me over the past few days.
As I was resting yesterday I saw the movie "The Shinning" was on TV. I had never seen that movie and thought it would be kind of fun to watch it with Halloween coming up this weekend. I really enjoyed the "Here's Johnny" movie. I appreciate that this horror film did not have the ridiculous amount of violence and torture that you typically see in today's horror films. I love a movie that really makes you think and the ending of this movie had my brain buzzing. But I must say this is the last time I ever watch a movie on TV! Oh man, with all the commercials the movie lasted for 4 and half hours! Plus, I think every time they cut away for a commercial break, they cut out a piece of the movie. So there you have it, my rant about watching movies on TV-hahaha. I guess this is what happens when you can't do anything but rest!
Danielle
As I was resting yesterday I saw the movie "The Shinning" was on TV. I had never seen that movie and thought it would be kind of fun to watch it with Halloween coming up this weekend. I really enjoyed the "Here's Johnny" movie. I appreciate that this horror film did not have the ridiculous amount of violence and torture that you typically see in today's horror films. I love a movie that really makes you think and the ending of this movie had my brain buzzing. But I must say this is the last time I ever watch a movie on TV! Oh man, with all the commercials the movie lasted for 4 and half hours! Plus, I think every time they cut away for a commercial break, they cut out a piece of the movie. So there you have it, my rant about watching movies on TV-hahaha. I guess this is what happens when you can't do anything but rest!
Danielle
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Emergency Room
Today my body is working to recover after a very scary, stressful, and painful day yesterday. Last night's evening topped off with me going to the emergency room; not the way I had originally planned to spend my Saturday night.
I guess the whole thing started on Friday. I went into work, but around the middle of the day I wasn't really feeling very well, so I went home. Then Friday night I had a horrible night's sleep. For some reason my cough and runny nose just would not stop. Saturday morning I was hoping to feel better because later that night I was suppose to go to a play with my friends. However, around 2 in the afternoon my symptoms really began to intensify and I began to develop a fever. No matter what I did I could not keep the chills at bay. At one point I was wearing a sweatshirt and winter jacket in bed with two blankets. So I took my temperature and noticed it was high: 99.5. We continued to monitor it and watched as it slowly went up and up. Finally we took three different readings and they were all up to 101.9, and my doctor said if my temperature ever goes over 101, I would have to go to the emergency room because I am immune deficient.
So at around 6pm we rushed over to the emergency room and I still had a high fever and felt very sick. The nurses got to us right away and they started to prick me all over, started an IV, and hooked me up to all these different types of machines. It was very overwhelming at first because there were 4 or 5 nurses all attending to me and asking me every question you could ever think of. I must admit the nurses did a great job and I really felt safe in their care. We even did a urine test and took x-rays of my chest and lungs. The nurses then stuck a tube in my nose and took a sample of some of the mucus in my nose.
After sampling the mucus in my nose, the doctor found out I have influenza. Of course, just what I need right now. I was surprised to find out I have influenza because I even got a flu shot a few weeks ago, but the doctor said I could still get the flu even with the shot. So of course right after my sinus infection I get the flu, just my luck! Since I am a cancer patient I fall into the category of a "high-risk" person, so the doctor prescribed me Tamiflu. I have to take the Tamiflu twice a day for the next five days, and most importantly of all, I have to rest and do nothing for the next five days. My doctor could not stress that point enough!! So there goes all my plans for next week :(
Today I have been monitoring my fever, and I had a few different scares when my fever was up to 100.7. I still feel really sick and I can't wait until I'm better. So if anyone has any ideas to keep me entertained while I'm stuck at home, I would love to hear them!!
Danielle
I guess the whole thing started on Friday. I went into work, but around the middle of the day I wasn't really feeling very well, so I went home. Then Friday night I had a horrible night's sleep. For some reason my cough and runny nose just would not stop. Saturday morning I was hoping to feel better because later that night I was suppose to go to a play with my friends. However, around 2 in the afternoon my symptoms really began to intensify and I began to develop a fever. No matter what I did I could not keep the chills at bay. At one point I was wearing a sweatshirt and winter jacket in bed with two blankets. So I took my temperature and noticed it was high: 99.5. We continued to monitor it and watched as it slowly went up and up. Finally we took three different readings and they were all up to 101.9, and my doctor said if my temperature ever goes over 101, I would have to go to the emergency room because I am immune deficient.
So at around 6pm we rushed over to the emergency room and I still had a high fever and felt very sick. The nurses got to us right away and they started to prick me all over, started an IV, and hooked me up to all these different types of machines. It was very overwhelming at first because there were 4 or 5 nurses all attending to me and asking me every question you could ever think of. I must admit the nurses did a great job and I really felt safe in their care. We even did a urine test and took x-rays of my chest and lungs. The nurses then stuck a tube in my nose and took a sample of some of the mucus in my nose.
After sampling the mucus in my nose, the doctor found out I have influenza. Of course, just what I need right now. I was surprised to find out I have influenza because I even got a flu shot a few weeks ago, but the doctor said I could still get the flu even with the shot. So of course right after my sinus infection I get the flu, just my luck! Since I am a cancer patient I fall into the category of a "high-risk" person, so the doctor prescribed me Tamiflu. I have to take the Tamiflu twice a day for the next five days, and most importantly of all, I have to rest and do nothing for the next five days. My doctor could not stress that point enough!! So there goes all my plans for next week :(
Today I have been monitoring my fever, and I had a few different scares when my fever was up to 100.7. I still feel really sick and I can't wait until I'm better. So if anyone has any ideas to keep me entertained while I'm stuck at home, I would love to hear them!!
Danielle
VIDEO: 3rd Round of Chemo
Here is video from my third chemotherapy session. I'm sure you'll notice
this session was a little harder for me to keep positive about. Everyone
kept telling me it was the half way point, but I had a hard time staying
optimistic. I'm really glad everything went well throughout the session and
I'm so happy to be half way down. I look forward to completing the next
three chemo sessions and officially being CANCER FREE!
I am keeping a fighter attitude, but I do think it is important for people
to understand that every cancer patient can have their down moments and its
perfectly normal. I'm realizing that sometimes feeling depressed is
perfectly fine and there is no need to be assumed of it. Bad things happen
and its okay to feel sad, we all do. The important thing for me is to just
pick myself up and keep moving forward.
Danielle
this session was a little harder for me to keep positive about. Everyone
kept telling me it was the half way point, but I had a hard time staying
optimistic. I'm really glad everything went well throughout the session and
I'm so happy to be half way down. I look forward to completing the next
three chemo sessions and officially being CANCER FREE!
I am keeping a fighter attitude, but I do think it is important for people
to understand that every cancer patient can have their down moments and its
perfectly normal. I'm realizing that sometimes feeling depressed is
perfectly fine and there is no need to be assumed of it. Bad things happen
and its okay to feel sad, we all do. The important thing for me is to just
pick myself up and keep moving forward.
Danielle
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Can't Shake This Cold
This morning has been another frustrating day because last night I only got about three hours of sleep. My body just can't get rid of this pesky cold. My throat isn't hurting anymore, but now I have an annoying cough and my nose won't stop running. So last night I was just too congested to get any shut eye. Plus, last night I was hit with a lot of personal problems in my life and I don't think that really helped my restless situation. It is amazing to me how stress and problems can not only eat away at your mental health, but also your immune system.
However, today is Saturday and that means I can maybe get some rest. I'm excited because tonight I am planning to see a play in Sioux Falls with some friends, and for all of my family and friends who know me, I love the theatre!
Danielle
However, today is Saturday and that means I can maybe get some rest. I'm excited because tonight I am planning to see a play in Sioux Falls with some friends, and for all of my family and friends who know me, I love the theatre!
Danielle
Friday, October 23, 2009
Therapeutic Healing
Yesterday I was FINALLY beginning to feel a little better, so I went into work for a few hours. It was really nice to get out of the apartment and believe it or not, be in a work environment. I enjoyed thinking about something else rather than just being sick. It is funny how a distraction can be a beautiful thing.
Also, yesterday I tired something new: therapeutic healing. After talking to my doctor he recommeded I try therapeutic healing as a way to cope with stress. Over the past few chemo treatments I have been having a hard time slowing down and keeping my stress level to a mininum. So I had never heard of therapeutic healing before, but I thought I would give it a try, and I'm really glad I did.
When I first met with Tom Luke he had me fill out some paperwork to gauge my levels of stress, pain, mental comfort, physical comfort, and fatigue. He asked me how my treatments were going and how I was dealing with the whole experience. It felt good to tell a stranger about my journey so far, all of the ups and downs I have already experienced along the way. Sometimes a person you don't know can provide just the comfort you're looking for. After that we soaked my feet and put my hands and feet into warming gloves. I was surprised at how comforting it felt to have my hands and feet in a warm and small environment.
Tom then put on a CD that played a form of guided visual imagery therapy. The CD consisted of a woman talking to me about finding a comfortable place and acknolwedging all the different parts of my body. She walked me through the imagery of my secured location, and helped me take big and powerful breaths. So each breath I took was pushing out all the negative thoughts or feelings I had within my mind and body. The woman had a very soothing voice and I enjoyed the moments of relaxation. However, I must admit during the process I had to really work on keeping my mind focused. It was hard not to wander off mentally and think about what I wanted to have for dinner or how I'm going to write tonight's story!!
But my favorite part was when I was listening to the woman on the CD, Tom gave me a face, arms, and legs massage. This was my first professional massage and it was GREAT! Over the last few weeks I have built up so much tension and stress in my face and arms that it felt wonderful to have it all pushed out of my body. Chemo and Cancer has made my muscles so physically weak that it felt nice to have them massaged.
However, something I didn't think would have as big of an impact as it did, was the power of SMELL. Tom used such wonderful smelling oils and lotions for the massage. I was so surprised at how the smell of the lotions really made me feel better. I guess I never took the time to realize how smell could have such a powerful impact on your physical and mental health. I think I might need to light some more candles!! Cancer has made me more aware of some of the smallest things in life.
When the CD was over I must say I felt so much more refreshed. Even with all the powerful chemo drugs following through me veins, I felt healthier and ready to face the day's challenges. So overall I'm really glad I tired out therapeutic healing and I would recommend it to any other cancer patient out there.
Danielle
Also, yesterday I tired something new: therapeutic healing. After talking to my doctor he recommeded I try therapeutic healing as a way to cope with stress. Over the past few chemo treatments I have been having a hard time slowing down and keeping my stress level to a mininum. So I had never heard of therapeutic healing before, but I thought I would give it a try, and I'm really glad I did.
When I first met with Tom Luke he had me fill out some paperwork to gauge my levels of stress, pain, mental comfort, physical comfort, and fatigue. He asked me how my treatments were going and how I was dealing with the whole experience. It felt good to tell a stranger about my journey so far, all of the ups and downs I have already experienced along the way. Sometimes a person you don't know can provide just the comfort you're looking for. After that we soaked my feet and put my hands and feet into warming gloves. I was surprised at how comforting it felt to have my hands and feet in a warm and small environment.
Tom then put on a CD that played a form of guided visual imagery therapy. The CD consisted of a woman talking to me about finding a comfortable place and acknolwedging all the different parts of my body. She walked me through the imagery of my secured location, and helped me take big and powerful breaths. So each breath I took was pushing out all the negative thoughts or feelings I had within my mind and body. The woman had a very soothing voice and I enjoyed the moments of relaxation. However, I must admit during the process I had to really work on keeping my mind focused. It was hard not to wander off mentally and think about what I wanted to have for dinner or how I'm going to write tonight's story!!
But my favorite part was when I was listening to the woman on the CD, Tom gave me a face, arms, and legs massage. This was my first professional massage and it was GREAT! Over the last few weeks I have built up so much tension and stress in my face and arms that it felt wonderful to have it all pushed out of my body. Chemo and Cancer has made my muscles so physically weak that it felt nice to have them massaged.
However, something I didn't think would have as big of an impact as it did, was the power of SMELL. Tom used such wonderful smelling oils and lotions for the massage. I was so surprised at how the smell of the lotions really made me feel better. I guess I never took the time to realize how smell could have such a powerful impact on your physical and mental health. I think I might need to light some more candles!! Cancer has made me more aware of some of the smallest things in life.
When the CD was over I must say I felt so much more refreshed. Even with all the powerful chemo drugs following through me veins, I felt healthier and ready to face the day's challenges. So overall I'm really glad I tired out therapeutic healing and I would recommend it to any other cancer patient out there.
Danielle
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sleepless Nights
Last night was another sleepless night for me. My nose would not stop running and my throat just kept hurting throughout the night! I tired everything from gargling with salt water to drinking hot tea and lots of fluids. I think I might have received, in total, like three hours of sleep.
However, last night I did start my antibiotics and I'm hoping today I'll start to see some improvement. It is scary to me to think that my body is having such a hard time fighting this sinus infection. I knew before I started my chemo that my body would have a hard time fighting off infections, but I guess I didn't realize it would be this tough. It is amazing to see how the chemo drugs can just destroy your immune system so quickly. Without your white blood cells you are totally hopeless. I think for now on I will make a point of trying to avoid all situations with tons of people, so I don't get this sick again. Especially with this being the cold and flu time of the year, now might be the best time to lay low.
So today I plan on trying to get some rest and help my body recover from this infection. It will be another one of those "stay in you PJs days." Hopefully I won't get too restless, maybe I'll start another collage.
Danielle
However, last night I did start my antibiotics and I'm hoping today I'll start to see some improvement. It is scary to me to think that my body is having such a hard time fighting this sinus infection. I knew before I started my chemo that my body would have a hard time fighting off infections, but I guess I didn't realize it would be this tough. It is amazing to see how the chemo drugs can just destroy your immune system so quickly. Without your white blood cells you are totally hopeless. I think for now on I will make a point of trying to avoid all situations with tons of people, so I don't get this sick again. Especially with this being the cold and flu time of the year, now might be the best time to lay low.
So today I plan on trying to get some rest and help my body recover from this infection. It will be another one of those "stay in you PJs days." Hopefully I won't get too restless, maybe I'll start another collage.
Danielle
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fighting A Cold
The last few days have been a little tough on me. Especially the two days after my last chemo treatment, I have been very forgetful, something my family and I have been calling "chemo brain." It is a really unpleasant experience where I become forgetful and can't remember simple daily tasks. For instance, on Friday I was trying to drive around Sioux Falls and I got lost for an hour! I have been on these roads and streets many times before, but when I tired to remember where I was, I completely got lost. So this has been frustrating because not only an I dealing with the physical side effects of chemo, but now I feel as if I'm losing my mind. Have any other cancer survivors experienced this before?
However, a good piece of news from my last chemo treatment is I tired a new medicine to help with the nausea called Edmond, and it really did help. I received my first pose through the IV on Thursday and then the second and third pills by mouth on Friday and Saturday. I still felt very tired, had the body aches, and the headaches, but I wasn't throwing up. I think it also helped to have my sister and mom in town to keep my mind off of some of the chemo side effects. They are always a good distraction for me. We even went to the Expo For Her in Sioux Falls and had a fun time looking at all the interesting products for sale.
As for today, I'm not feeling very well, I think I am fighting a cold and my body is having a hard time staying strong. I noticed on Saturday night my nose was beginning to get stuffed-up and my throat was starting to hurt. I had a really hard time sleeping on Saturday night and that restlessness continued to Sunday and Sunday night. Finally last night I just got out of bed at 3:00am and went downstairs and just read until the morning time. I'm reading a really good book, so I guess it was nice to have a book to curl up to if I couldn't get any sleep eye! I called my doctor today and he is suppose to call me back sometime today to tell me if I need to come in or if I can take some over the counter medicine. I hope I hear back from him soon because if possible I would like to come into work tomorrow. Of course we'll see how it goes, I know I can't push my body right now, especially if I'm fighting a cold. So today I am just staying a home and getting some rest, hopefully helping my immune system! I can't wait for this headache to leave!!
Danielle
However, a good piece of news from my last chemo treatment is I tired a new medicine to help with the nausea called Edmond, and it really did help. I received my first pose through the IV on Thursday and then the second and third pills by mouth on Friday and Saturday. I still felt very tired, had the body aches, and the headaches, but I wasn't throwing up. I think it also helped to have my sister and mom in town to keep my mind off of some of the chemo side effects. They are always a good distraction for me. We even went to the Expo For Her in Sioux Falls and had a fun time looking at all the interesting products for sale.
As for today, I'm not feeling very well, I think I am fighting a cold and my body is having a hard time staying strong. I noticed on Saturday night my nose was beginning to get stuffed-up and my throat was starting to hurt. I had a really hard time sleeping on Saturday night and that restlessness continued to Sunday and Sunday night. Finally last night I just got out of bed at 3:00am and went downstairs and just read until the morning time. I'm reading a really good book, so I guess it was nice to have a book to curl up to if I couldn't get any sleep eye! I called my doctor today and he is suppose to call me back sometime today to tell me if I need to come in or if I can take some over the counter medicine. I hope I hear back from him soon because if possible I would like to come into work tomorrow. Of course we'll see how it goes, I know I can't push my body right now, especially if I'm fighting a cold. So today I am just staying a home and getting some rest, hopefully helping my immune system! I can't wait for this headache to leave!!
Danielle
Friday, October 16, 2009
VIDEO: "It's Only Hair"
Here is the story I wrote about earlier in my blog, about the Beresford woman, Christine Wevik, who has Alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition, where hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. To help others also going through any form of hair loss, Chris has wrote the book "It's Only Hair." I found her strength, courage, and humor to be very inspirational. I hope you enjoy this story just as much as I enjoyed putting it together. You can find her book at www.inkwaterbooks.com.
Danielle
Danielle
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Today: Third Chemo
Today was my third session of Chemotherapy and it was a very difficult day. Nothing went wrong with the medicine or the nurses, but it was very hard to keep a positive attitude while receiving the R-CHOP. I wonder if other Cancer patients feel like this around the half way point of their chemotherapy sessions. It is so frustrating to go into the hospital right when you FINALLY begin to feel better and get sick all over again. I know I have to look at the big picture and that the powerful drugs are in turn killing the Cancer, but it is hard to remember that, especially when you feel so sick and down. Everyone keeps telling me I should stay optimistic because I'm at the halfway point, but for me it doesn't make it easier. If anything I feel depressed that I still have to go through 3 more whole sessions!! Sorry for venting! I am still positive about my fight and I know I will beat this, it is just hard when you feel sick. I'm sure once the side effects of the chemo go away I'll be better. I know just putting these thoughts down to paper has already made me feel a little better. I'm sure other Cancer patients would agree that sometimes you need to just get these feelings out. When you're faced with so much in such a short period of time, it is hard not to feel a little down. I'm so glad I have this blog.
Otherwise, it was nice to have my mom, Aaron, and sister Brittany there to support me during the chemo session. They are such a great support system for me. Having my sister here takes so much stress off my back. She is so much fun and she really helps out in every avenue.
The only pain I experienced during the session was some burning around the site of the IV. We did the IV on the right hand this time and all day and tonight it has been very sore. Plus, right when I was receiving one of the Chemo drugs from my nurse Marcia, I found out some very frustrating news. Last night my mom got into a car accident using my car, and it was her fault!! All she did was bump a parked car, but it is going to cost $600 to fix the scrap. And in South Dakota the person who owns the car is responsible, no matter if that person was not there during the accident or if the driver at fault has her own insurance. So that means I now have her accident on my record and my car insurance gets to go up. Just what I need right now!! I can't believe this...
However, on a positive note, new blood lab work looks great. My white blood cells are doing great, and my doctor says I look great for my third chemo treatment. So now I'm trying to keep positive and strong. It is just a horrible irony that as you are fighting a horrible disease, you also have to deal with all the regular hiccups in life. I want to ask, why can't things be easier, but one thing I have learned is to never compare my life with anyone else. I am grateful for my situation and I know it could be a lot worst.
So I'm trying to remember that I'm a Strong,
A Powerful,
And A Beautiful Person, inside and out!
Danielle
Otherwise, it was nice to have my mom, Aaron, and sister Brittany there to support me during the chemo session. They are such a great support system for me. Having my sister here takes so much stress off my back. She is so much fun and she really helps out in every avenue.
The only pain I experienced during the session was some burning around the site of the IV. We did the IV on the right hand this time and all day and tonight it has been very sore. Plus, right when I was receiving one of the Chemo drugs from my nurse Marcia, I found out some very frustrating news. Last night my mom got into a car accident using my car, and it was her fault!! All she did was bump a parked car, but it is going to cost $600 to fix the scrap. And in South Dakota the person who owns the car is responsible, no matter if that person was not there during the accident or if the driver at fault has her own insurance. So that means I now have her accident on my record and my car insurance gets to go up. Just what I need right now!! I can't believe this...
However, on a positive note, new blood lab work looks great. My white blood cells are doing great, and my doctor says I look great for my third chemo treatment. So now I'm trying to keep positive and strong. It is just a horrible irony that as you are fighting a horrible disease, you also have to deal with all the regular hiccups in life. I want to ask, why can't things be easier, but one thing I have learned is to never compare my life with anyone else. I am grateful for my situation and I know it could be a lot worst.
So I'm trying to remember that I'm a Strong,
A Powerful,
And A Beautiful Person, inside and out!
Danielle
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Please Listen to Radio Story
http://sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=57334&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all
Please listen to this great radio story by Gary Ellenbolt. Just click on the link and press the play button in the black box to the right of the story.
Thanks!!!
Dakota Digest Sioux Falls TV Anchor Battles CancerAir Date: 10/13/2009
by Gary Ellenbolt
Years ago, a diagnosis of cancer almost always meant it was time to get one's affairs in order-about the only option for doctors was to try to make a patient comfortable in their final months. But treatments have improved, and many cancers are treatable and survivable. Viewers of one Sioux Falls television station are watching a young news anchor go through the disease-a very public battle she insists she will win, and statistics are with her. On today's Dakota Digest, South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Gary Ellenbolt brings you the fight of Danielle Dupuy.
It's 6 A.M., and K-D-L-T in Sioux Falls is starting its local morning news. The regular morning news anchor is missing - and won't be back for several months.
Danielle Dupuy is 24-years old - a native of California - and has cancer.
"I'm pretty open about it," Dupuy says, "and I feel like-especially if I'm not wearing a wig or something like that, if someone has a question to ask me, I'd rather you would ask instead of just look. And I actually feel better talking about it, because if I'm with someone who knows the situation, then I can be completely honest. And a lot of times I just try to be honest with the situation to begin with."
Danielle Dupuy has decided to take her fight public.Last month, Dupuy appeared on KDLT's evening newscast and discussed her cancer with anchors Tom Hanson and Jessica Hopkins. She's doing regular feature stories on what she's going through and how cancer is affecting her life. She has also started her own blog to write about what's happening.
Dupuy said, "So many people were asking me about it, and I thought this might be an easy way to answer those questions. Also, another part of me wanted to help other people, because when I found out, the first thing I did was go to the internet, and read about other people's experiences. And you can read about it in a textbook, but hearing people's personal experiences mean a lot more."
Danielle's goal in documenting her experience is to share her struggle-and get some things out in the open that may concern her, such as side effects of chemotherapy.
For Danielle Dupuy her journey with cancer began a few months ago. She went to her doctor for what she thought was a routine physical exam. So routine, in fact, she allowed a medical intern to look her over.
Dupuy recalls: "And we're doing the regular exam, and you know how the doctor always goes ‘Open up your mouth and say ‘ah,' and so I did that, and next thing I know her eyes just got huge and she said, ‘Oh my' and I'm thinking to myself ‘what, what's wrong? What is it?' and she says ‘Wait a minute, I've gotta see this better,' and so she's looking into my mouth and she says, ‘That is the biggest tonsil I have ever seen."
The discovery led to a biopsy, which led to a phone call Dupuy never expected. She said the nurse on the other end of the phone was very quiet-and that tipped her off that something was wrong.
"And she told me it was cancer," Dupuy said, "and it was more of a shock more than anything else. The first feeling I thought I had was ‘oh no I'm sick-or ‘what does this mean for my life. The first thought was ‘what needs to be done to fix it."
Danielle's cancer is Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma. Doctor Kamran Dasabi is an oncologist in Sioux Falls.
Dasabi explained, "That's a sub-type of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma has about 40 sub-types. It has an incidence of 60 thousand a year in the US. Now of those 40 sub-types, the most common type is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, which occurs in about 40 percent of those 60 thousand people."
Darabi says this is an aggressive cancer, but it's highly curable. He says nearly 85 percent of those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer beat it. Dupuy says talking about her cancer is just as important a medicine as the chemotherapy she'll have infused into her body.
Jill Ireland is with the American Cancer Society in Sioux Falls. She says journaling and blogging about experiences is becomming more common as a means for survival.
Ireland said, "We're seeing for younger survivors who are used to accessing the internet, its instinctive for them to turn to social networking, or an online journal to cope-such as blogging, which can be helpful because it can allow others to be a part of their journey. And it's practical, because people can inform lots of individuals instantly, without having to repeat themselves with the same information."
One of the first people at KDLT to find out about Dupuy's illness was general manager Mari Ossenfort. Her large office features three televisions showing what's on competing stations in Sioux Falls. As the manager, she's sometimes called on to make difficult decisions, without a lot of emotion. But on the subject of Danielle Dupuy, Ossenfort lets her heart into the conversation.
"My heart broke for her," said Ossenfort, "and I thought ‘no 24-year-old should have to go through what she's going to go through."
Ossenfort was fine with allowing Dupuy to chronicle her condition and treatment-and she's making sure those who work with her take precautions for Danielle's sake. She admits, "I'm definitely worried about her catching a cold, catching the flu, anything like that. We're preaching ‘Wash your hands, wash your hands' all the time-and if you're sick, we don't want you coming to work."
Dupuy has decided to make her battle with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma a proactive one. When chemotherapy started, and her long hair began to fall out, she took the rest of it before the medicine did it for her.
As for that decision, Dupuy said "I felt like it was such a slow process; I almost just wanted it to all fall out at once, rather than seeing it on my pillow or clogging the drain in the shower, that was the hardest thing. So finally, I just went in, and once I started to see spots, and my part was enlarged, I just thought I'm done with seeing this all over the place-it would just be easier than to deal with that from day to day."
She wears a dark wig to work now-and most of the time, she wears a smile on the job. Danielle Dupuy is confident-really, certain-she will defeat the enemy.
Through her smile, Dupuy said "Come talk to me in a year, and I'll be cured. I won't have cancer anymore. And to be able to say that is a really great thing. So I feel like I'm blessed, almost, to be honest, to have this type, because it is so curable, and it's just a little part of my life and I can move on."
Dupuy will have six chemotherapy treatments and radiation as part of the treatment plan. The station will use other anchors in the morning until she's ready to come back to the early news show.
Please listen to this great radio story by Gary Ellenbolt. Just click on the link and press the play button in the black box to the right of the story.
Thanks!!!
Dakota Digest Sioux Falls TV Anchor Battles CancerAir Date: 10/13/2009
by Gary Ellenbolt
Years ago, a diagnosis of cancer almost always meant it was time to get one's affairs in order-about the only option for doctors was to try to make a patient comfortable in their final months. But treatments have improved, and many cancers are treatable and survivable. Viewers of one Sioux Falls television station are watching a young news anchor go through the disease-a very public battle she insists she will win, and statistics are with her. On today's Dakota Digest, South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Gary Ellenbolt brings you the fight of Danielle Dupuy.
It's 6 A.M., and K-D-L-T in Sioux Falls is starting its local morning news. The regular morning news anchor is missing - and won't be back for several months.
Danielle Dupuy is 24-years old - a native of California - and has cancer.
"I'm pretty open about it," Dupuy says, "and I feel like-especially if I'm not wearing a wig or something like that, if someone has a question to ask me, I'd rather you would ask instead of just look. And I actually feel better talking about it, because if I'm with someone who knows the situation, then I can be completely honest. And a lot of times I just try to be honest with the situation to begin with."
Danielle Dupuy has decided to take her fight public.Last month, Dupuy appeared on KDLT's evening newscast and discussed her cancer with anchors Tom Hanson and Jessica Hopkins. She's doing regular feature stories on what she's going through and how cancer is affecting her life. She has also started her own blog to write about what's happening.
Dupuy said, "So many people were asking me about it, and I thought this might be an easy way to answer those questions. Also, another part of me wanted to help other people, because when I found out, the first thing I did was go to the internet, and read about other people's experiences. And you can read about it in a textbook, but hearing people's personal experiences mean a lot more."
Danielle's goal in documenting her experience is to share her struggle-and get some things out in the open that may concern her, such as side effects of chemotherapy.
For Danielle Dupuy her journey with cancer began a few months ago. She went to her doctor for what she thought was a routine physical exam. So routine, in fact, she allowed a medical intern to look her over.
Dupuy recalls: "And we're doing the regular exam, and you know how the doctor always goes ‘Open up your mouth and say ‘ah,' and so I did that, and next thing I know her eyes just got huge and she said, ‘Oh my' and I'm thinking to myself ‘what, what's wrong? What is it?' and she says ‘Wait a minute, I've gotta see this better,' and so she's looking into my mouth and she says, ‘That is the biggest tonsil I have ever seen."
The discovery led to a biopsy, which led to a phone call Dupuy never expected. She said the nurse on the other end of the phone was very quiet-and that tipped her off that something was wrong.
"And she told me it was cancer," Dupuy said, "and it was more of a shock more than anything else. The first feeling I thought I had was ‘oh no I'm sick-or ‘what does this mean for my life. The first thought was ‘what needs to be done to fix it."
Danielle's cancer is Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma. Doctor Kamran Dasabi is an oncologist in Sioux Falls.
Dasabi explained, "That's a sub-type of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma has about 40 sub-types. It has an incidence of 60 thousand a year in the US. Now of those 40 sub-types, the most common type is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, which occurs in about 40 percent of those 60 thousand people."
Darabi says this is an aggressive cancer, but it's highly curable. He says nearly 85 percent of those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer beat it. Dupuy says talking about her cancer is just as important a medicine as the chemotherapy she'll have infused into her body.
Jill Ireland is with the American Cancer Society in Sioux Falls. She says journaling and blogging about experiences is becomming more common as a means for survival.
Ireland said, "We're seeing for younger survivors who are used to accessing the internet, its instinctive for them to turn to social networking, or an online journal to cope-such as blogging, which can be helpful because it can allow others to be a part of their journey. And it's practical, because people can inform lots of individuals instantly, without having to repeat themselves with the same information."
One of the first people at KDLT to find out about Dupuy's illness was general manager Mari Ossenfort. Her large office features three televisions showing what's on competing stations in Sioux Falls. As the manager, she's sometimes called on to make difficult decisions, without a lot of emotion. But on the subject of Danielle Dupuy, Ossenfort lets her heart into the conversation.
"My heart broke for her," said Ossenfort, "and I thought ‘no 24-year-old should have to go through what she's going to go through."
Ossenfort was fine with allowing Dupuy to chronicle her condition and treatment-and she's making sure those who work with her take precautions for Danielle's sake. She admits, "I'm definitely worried about her catching a cold, catching the flu, anything like that. We're preaching ‘Wash your hands, wash your hands' all the time-and if you're sick, we don't want you coming to work."
Dupuy has decided to make her battle with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma a proactive one. When chemotherapy started, and her long hair began to fall out, she took the rest of it before the medicine did it for her.
As for that decision, Dupuy said "I felt like it was such a slow process; I almost just wanted it to all fall out at once, rather than seeing it on my pillow or clogging the drain in the shower, that was the hardest thing. So finally, I just went in, and once I started to see spots, and my part was enlarged, I just thought I'm done with seeing this all over the place-it would just be easier than to deal with that from day to day."
She wears a dark wig to work now-and most of the time, she wears a smile on the job. Danielle Dupuy is confident-really, certain-she will defeat the enemy.
Through her smile, Dupuy said "Come talk to me in a year, and I'll be cured. I won't have cancer anymore. And to be able to say that is a really great thing. So I feel like I'm blessed, almost, to be honest, to have this type, because it is so curable, and it's just a little part of my life and I can move on."
Dupuy will have six chemotherapy treatments and radiation as part of the treatment plan. The station will use other anchors in the morning until she's ready to come back to the early news show.
Monday, October 12, 2009
VIDEO: 2nd Round of Chemo
Here is a video from my second chemo treatment. The treatment went very well, but the side effects were a little tough. I'm just hoping the process goes just as well for my third treatment on Thursday. Wish me good luck!!
Danielle
Danielle
Relaxing
After this past chemo session I have been really making an effort to set aside some time to relax. In my spare time I like to make collages and I just finished one. Here is a picture of my latest collage. This is from a picture I took in Jeffery City, Wyoming. Jeffery City is a ghost town, but this lone, solitary church really stood out to me. I really love the stark contrasts between all the different colors, from the blue sky to the white church to the green-brown grass. I think it makes the church standout in an open and vast field of mother nature.Before I found out I have Cancer, I was a very physically active person, so it was hard for me when I found out I couldn't work out anymore. So this week I bought a Yoga DVD and have been doing a few exercises. I must say Yoga is a lot harder than I had originally thought. During each of the yoga exercises I am really feeling a workout. So it has been fun and relaxing for me to do some physical activity.
In addition to trying to relax, I'm really excited because my sister Brittany is coming back to Sioux Falls on Wednesday. I'm so happy she is able to get some time off to come out and visit. I'm a little sad that the reason she is coming out is because of my third session of chemo on Thursday, but I guess her coming gives me something to look forward to.
Danielle
VIDEO: PART 3 Radio Interview
At the end of my interview with Gary Ellenbolt with South Dakota Public Radio, my assignment editor, Jackie Fink, asked Gary some questions about his story. Jackie asked him how he heard about my fight with cancer, why he is doing the story, and if there is anything else he would like to say. Here are his answers:
Danielle
Danielle
Sunday, October 11, 2009
NEW!! VIDEO: PART 2 Radio Interview
Here is A NEW part 2 of my interview with South Dakota Public Radio. Better Quality.
Danielle
Danielle
Saturday, October 10, 2009
VIDEO: PART 1 Radio Interview
This past week I traded positions with a fellow journalist and was the one behind the microphone. South Dakota Public Radio asked me if they could do a story about my fight with cancer. I agreed to do the story with them, in hopes my battle could help someone else also fighting cancer. However, I must say it was strange to be the one being interviewed. I'm so use to asking the questions that it felt weird to be in the hot seat!! But I must say the interview was very fun and I enjoyed talking with Gary Ellenbolt. Gary is a great guy and is very easy to talk with.
Gary Ellenbolt with South Dakota Public Radio is the journalist doing the story and I encourage everyone to check out his story. The story will run Tuesday at 7:30am and 5:30pm as a part of their Dakota Digest piece. I will of course put a link to it on my blog.
During my interview with Gary on October 7, I was able to video record portions of our conversation. Feel free to watch the videos. The interview is long, so I will be splitting the interview up into a few different parts. Here is the first one:
Danielle
Gary Ellenbolt with South Dakota Public Radio is the journalist doing the story and I encourage everyone to check out his story. The story will run Tuesday at 7:30am and 5:30pm as a part of their Dakota Digest piece. I will of course put a link to it on my blog.
During my interview with Gary on October 7, I was able to video record portions of our conversation. Feel free to watch the videos. The interview is long, so I will be splitting the interview up into a few different parts. Here is the first one:
Danielle
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Great Interview
Yesterday I interviewed a very inspirational woman from right here in South Dakota. Her name is Chris Mager Wevik and she wrote the book "It's Only Hair: hair loss help and humor." The book follows Chris as she learns how to live with alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes baldness, where the body mistakenly fights off hair like an allergy. So Chris is completely bald, and in her book she offers support, humor, and understanding for women who are also dealing with hair loss.
I found my interview with Chris to be very helpful. It was nice to talk to a woman who is also dealing with hair loss herself. I think at times our society put so much stress on physical appearance, hair included, that without your hair framing your face you feel out of place. Even if people are not looking, you feel as if someone is staring at your head. The key though is to develop self-confidence, where you choose to look and act the way you want.
I know growing up I always had long hair all throughout high school and college. I was known for my hair and it was always the first thing everyone noticed about me. I can remember when I interned at KABC in Los Angeles, I was known as the intern with the really, really long hair. Sure I wanted to be recognized as the intern who is a good journalist, but at that time, in the number two market in the country, I was just happy to be recognized at all!!!! So I think this type of recognition made it hard for me to lose my hair.
However, its kind of funny, now that I'm bald I have accepted the fact and I don't tend to dwell on it too much. I know this is just a slight bump in the road for me, and in the end I will be a stronger person. I'm grateful that this is only temporary, and my heart goes out to Chris and other alopecia patients who will have to deal with hair loss for the rest of their lives. Learning to march to your own drum can be tough in today's society.
So stay tuned to my story with Chris. I'll be putting together a piece that will run on KDLT and I'll make sure to post it here on my blog.
Danielle
I found my interview with Chris to be very helpful. It was nice to talk to a woman who is also dealing with hair loss herself. I think at times our society put so much stress on physical appearance, hair included, that without your hair framing your face you feel out of place. Even if people are not looking, you feel as if someone is staring at your head. The key though is to develop self-confidence, where you choose to look and act the way you want.
I know growing up I always had long hair all throughout high school and college. I was known for my hair and it was always the first thing everyone noticed about me. I can remember when I interned at KABC in Los Angeles, I was known as the intern with the really, really long hair. Sure I wanted to be recognized as the intern who is a good journalist, but at that time, in the number two market in the country, I was just happy to be recognized at all!!!! So I think this type of recognition made it hard for me to lose my hair.
However, its kind of funny, now that I'm bald I have accepted the fact and I don't tend to dwell on it too much. I know this is just a slight bump in the road for me, and in the end I will be a stronger person. I'm grateful that this is only temporary, and my heart goes out to Chris and other alopecia patients who will have to deal with hair loss for the rest of their lives. Learning to march to your own drum can be tough in today's society.
So stay tuned to my story with Chris. I'll be putting together a piece that will run on KDLT and I'll make sure to post it here on my blog.
Danielle
Monday, October 5, 2009
Feeling Better!
It has been 11 days since my last chemo session and today I am beginning to feel a little bit more like myself-YAY!! As I said before the recovery after this last session was harder than my first session, so today I am very happy to feel better. I'm realizing that each session will become progressively harder, but I'll make a fully recovery and be back in no time.
I think I also feel refreshed today because over the weekend I went to Wisconsin for a wedding. It was really nice to do some traveling and see another part of the country I'm unfamiliar with. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, so its nice to know I can still travel and see new things even as I battle Cancer.
So the weekend I even got to do some DANCING!! I love to dance so I tired out some moves on the dance floor at the Wedding and had a blast. I got sick later that night from too much physical activity, but it was worth it to have some fun- I hope so that is!
Danielle
I think I also feel refreshed today because over the weekend I went to Wisconsin for a wedding. It was really nice to do some traveling and see another part of the country I'm unfamiliar with. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, so its nice to know I can still travel and see new things even as I battle Cancer.
So the weekend I even got to do some DANCING!! I love to dance so I tired out some moves on the dance floor at the Wedding and had a blast. I got sick later that night from too much physical activity, but it was worth it to have some fun- I hope so that is!
Danielle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
