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You are here: Home / My Book In Previews / From Cancer To Zumba!

By Karina 6 Comments Filed Under: My Book In Previews

From Cancer To Zumba!

This may not be food related, but I thought it may be a good time to introduce myself! And I promise…there’s a crazy good Blondie recipe coming your way TOMORROW! In the meantime…

I thought the best introduction would be a visual one. So here it is…From Cancer To Zumba: A heartfelt interview of my battle with Stage 4B  Blood Cancer: Hodgkins Lymphoma, from Australian TV program  Today Tonight — My story of how health and fitness with Zumba changed my life…and possibly my diagnosis back in 2009—–> From Cancer To Zumba

And 2 years after this interview, I finally finished a book I wrote (Liberation: Breaking The Chains To Survival And Freedom) about my entire journey and sometimes terrifying moments of facing my own mortality. As a mother of three children, it was one of the hardest battles I’ve ever had to face…and my family was my strength and my pathway to salvation.

And from out of my book, here is a short excerpt…just for you guys!

“The first morning of chemo I was a nervous wreck. Reality was smacking me in the face along with the fear of the unknown. My whole body was chilled to the bone, from my fingers down to my toes. I felt like I was strapped to an anchor, and every step was as heavy as lead.

‘I can’t do this,’ I thought. ‘I can’t go through with this. I can’t go and have chemo. Maybe I can cancel it, or avoid it. But how? I had no choice. I went through all the motions of a typical morning, which kept me busy enough to hide the desperation, even from myself. My insides churned as my eyes grew wider than normal with anticipation. Panic, anxiety and fear of the unknown all rolled into one huge ball.

Caught in this sinister shark’s mouth, chemotherapy was now inevitable and in a few short hours I was to go through it.

Just as I had thought I was ready, I wasn’t. I was petrified.

Yesterday, I had cancer. Today, I was a cancer patient, whatever that meant. This would be a day I would never forget.

On the way to the hospital I dissolved into tears. The word chemotherapy repeatedly whispered through my head. It was something so strange to me. Something I’d never experienced before or thought I’d ever have to deal with, and here I was on my way to face it. I couldn’t stop my tears. I felt helpless and furious with my body all over again. I couldn’t wrap my head around the whole six months treatment thing.

I turned the radio off. It was too much noise that I didn’t have patience for. Looking out the window I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe the past two months had come to this. I suddenly felt trapped. Claustrophobia clouded my head and I couldn’t breathe. The inside of the car was closing me in, suffocating me while I cried into my hands. My heart was racing, with every beat thrumming in my ears. I wanted to turn the car back.

I frantically considered opening the car door mid-highway, and running to hide away somewhere, to escape what was coming. I didn’t want to go through with this. I wanted to go home! I wanted to wake up from this nightmare that had become my life!….

….

We walked into the hospital, as I dragged my feet around to the chemo ward entrance. When we reached the ward doors with the words ‘Chemotherapy Unit,’ I stopped. I couldn’t go on any further, paralysed and slammed into an invisible wall. Time stopped. Everything just stopped. I couldn’t walk through those doors. It’s not that I didn’t want to, I physically couldn’t.

I stood there listlessly, staring at those words with the smell of the antiseptic invading my nose, sickening me to the core until I burst into tears again. ‘I can’t do it, Paul! Please, don’t make me! Don’t make me go in there!

I didn’t ask for this! Please!”

 

Banana Bread Blondies!! »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenn says

    October 08, 2014 at 3:25 am

    I just watched your youtube video & your story is amazing. Thank you for all that you do with this blog & God bless you & your family.

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 11, 2014 at 10:58 am

      Thank you so much for your beautiful message. it truly means so much to me Xxxx You’re very sweet!

      Reply
  2. Mira L says

    October 03, 2014 at 1:54 am

    Hi Karina, I just watched your interview. It is really nice to watch sharing your story and how strong you are! Zumba is great, no wonder that was one of the things that helped you! I’ve been following your blog and love every single recipe here. Pictures are very inspiring! Thanks, keep staying positive !

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 04, 2014 at 7:47 am

      Thank you s much Mira!!
      Your blog is amazing! I just peeked and wow! I love your photos and recipes! Thank you for your message girl Xxxx

      Reply
  3. Eddie Chau says

    October 02, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    Hi Karina, just watched your cancer to Zumba interview. I know this was filmed a while ago, but It was amazing to see you with your positive attitude and the fact that you would never let the cancer beat you.
    Take care Eddie. By the way your recipes are awesome. I must admit I haven made one yet, but I will !!!

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 02, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Heyyyy Eddie!!
      Aw thank you!! It’s so nice to hear from you!
      And when you make a recipe..I’d love to see your pics!
      Thank you for reaching out and for your beautiful message. Zumba definitely helped me in more ways than I could ever put into words… Keep on dancing Eddie and keep smiling!

      Reply

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Welcome! My name is Karina and this is my internet kitchen hang-out. A self-confessed balanced foodie sharing some waistline friendly recipes that are full of flavour. Life is too short for bland and boring. …

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