Digging Out The Pink!!

The last time I was sick there was this commercial on TV about cancer (and if my memory was better I’d go into more detail) and it would make me emotional every time I saw it. Don’t even get me started on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital commercials! But whenever a Susan G. Komen 3-day commercial came on I not only got choked up,  but I felt a sense of urgency to be a part of this nationwide fundraising event to support cancer research to find a cure. I didn’t have breast cancer but there’s not a Rhabdomyosarcoma 3-day otherwise I’d walk in that one. :-) But cancer is cancer and I would love to see a cure in my lifetime. 

Growing up, I would participate in these type of events (Easter Seals, March of Dimes, etc) because they were fun but I also knew I was helping in a way. So when I started seeing the 3-day commercials I naturally wanted to be a part of it.

I signed up to walk in 2009 and had an amazing time. I think I cried all three days. Day one because I finished and thought that I could actually do 60 miles despite my foot pain. Day two because I was in a lot of pain by the end of the day and when I made it all the way back to the campsite the screaming and cheering of the people manning the entrance triggered a floodgate of tears. And day three because I did 60 miles on busted feet and I felt a sense of accomplishment. 

Along the route during the 2009 Walk

After a good cry behind the finish line

Closing Ceremony

In 2010, Dustin and I signed up to drive a “Sweeper Van.” We decorated our van (with the help of the amazing Julie Galvin) and would comb the route cheering people on and picking up those who wanted a lift to the next stop or needed medical attention. It was great to be a part of it but it wasn’t the same. We got some donations but there wasn’t a requirement for crew to raise. Since then, I wanted to walk again but didn’t think I should, with my feet and all. So instead, I would donate to friends and/or family who were walking. 

Our version of Dr. Seuss's One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Don't mess with a man in pink!

This year, after being diagnosed again, I was pretty determined to walk it a second time. When I saw the commercials being played, earlier in the month, I made up my mind to do it again. The D.C. walk takes place in October but I’ll be finishing up my treatment then. San Diego is the last walk of the year - and who doesn’t want to go to San Diego in November?! My Aunt lives in San Diego and has done the walk for a few years (her best friend is a breast cancer survivor). So, I asked her if she wanted to walk with me and she quickly said yes! 

So now it’s time to dig out my pink gear and “Cancer Sucks” pins because they’ll be put to use once again. This year I am going to do my best to walk as much as I can but I will make sure to be kinder to my feet. If I need to get in a sweeper van so that I can walk the next day, I will. I am so excited to be participating in this event once again and to be doing it  with amazing people, again! I would love for our team to grow so please consider this an invite to whoever wants to join us!!

Each walker needs to raise $2500 in order to participate. Please consider donating. No amount is too small. You can visit my page HERE!

From there you can also view our team page to see who else I’ll be walking with and our fundraising goals and progress.

Thank you!!

One week down, 41 to go!

Each cancer has it's own ribbon color. My cancer is gold and a type only kids normally get.

It’s been six years since I had to have chemo and after my recent treatment I realized there was a lot of things I forgot or forced from my memory. Different scents, feelings, and sensations. None of which were pleasant.

I was so proud of myself that day because I packed foods that I new would not upset my stomach and remembered to wear comfortable clothing. I brought my Kindle, notebook, and even a deck of cards. I was ready. I’m a pro, right? Not exactly.

My brother-in-law, Richard, took me to treatment. We chatted for a while as the nurse got me ready and started IV hydration and some necessary meds to protect my bladder from the chemo. It takes three to four hours of this before they even give me the chemo meds. They started an anti-nausea drug thru the IV. This drug is powerful and is primarily responsible for knocking out any nausea for three to four days after treatment (in combination with other drugs). I don’t remember how long the drug was dripping but a fast, uncomfortable feeling began that stopped me mid-sentence. I thought I might be sick and asked Richard to get the nurse. As soon as he left my side my face went flush, my body went numb and my airway was constricted. I said out loud to whomever might hear that I couldn’t breath. Within seconds I had three nurses and a doctor working on me while I was taking small breaths and telling myself not to panic. We later figured out that the anti-nausea drug was the culprit. The IV form is very concentrated and it was too much for me to handle. You learn things as you go along because everyone is so different in how their bodies react to things. Unfortunately many of the times, this is how you learn.

The next day I went back to get my Nulasta shot which is a white blood cell booster. This shot is known to cause bone pain. What I remembered about that shot is that my pain was concentrated in my jaw but also affected many other areas like my joints and ribs. So between feeling borderline car-sick all the time and my bone pain which was worse then I remembered, it was an uncomfortable first four days.

But then by Friday, I got significantly better. Right now I am able to do things around the house, go out, and even go to the gym but I have to do it all in moderation. This morning, I felt a little too good and over did it trying to reorganize the pantry and ended up on the couch for a while. It was a good reminder that even though I feel almost normal, I’m not. It changes that quickly. So, this first treatment didn’t go as well as I hoped but I’m doing better. 

Lately I’ve been keeping myself busy doing random things. I still have my hands in the Literacy pot with Orphan Network so that makes me happy. I have also recently gotten into Pinterest.com and have tried random crafts, organization ideas, and recipes. I have plenty to keep me busy though - a full to-do list really. Just taking it one day at a time.

A recent quote I saw on Pinterest was Don’t tell your God that you have a big problem. Tell your problem you have a big God. I love that.

A Happy Holliday

   .A cheerful heart is good medicine.  Proverbs 17:22

Despite the craziness of the events in early December, the last two weeks have been great! I try to glean all the positives out of my current situation and having extra time to fellowship with friends and family is definitely a positive I am enjoying the most.  

Dustin and I got to spend time with my Dad and his wife in NY to kick off the multiple Christmas celebrations. Christmas Eve was spent with Dustin’s parents and siblings, and Christmas Day was spent with my Mom, my siblings and kids, and a variety of needy animals!

Then we were off to South Bend, Indiana to visit our friends who are having the same experience as Dustin and I right now. It was great to spend time with them and I got to meet a few people who I have only heard about via Dustin’s stories and of course being friends with them on Facebook. I also got to see my great friend Jeanna who recently asked me to be in her wedding party in May. I’m still recovering from trying on all the dresses!

Just for fun we spent a night in Chicago since it was only two hours from South Bend. The last time I was in Chicago was for a JIQ conference our friends put on. It was January and bitterly cold. Lake Michigan was crazy choppy and there were small icebergs being tossed around in the waves. But this time, we got a beautiful sunny day with barely a breeze. Our hotel was on the magnificent mile and we spent the day walking all around, chillin’ in Millennium Park, and eating amazing food. It was a great early birthday gift. The day we left it was cold, dreary, foggy, and rainy. Our timing was perfect!

I can’t forget all the time spent with friends in the NOVA area too - old and new! Lots of Starbucks, lunches, laughter, and even a murder mystery!

Once again, I am reminded of how richly blessed I am in the family and friends department. Life is notorious for making it difficult to regularly keep in touch with the ones we love but I have an opportunity to use all my spare time investing in these relationships before getting back into “regular life.”

So I am thankful that I had this time before starting my chemotherapy treatment. Today my super sister took me to my PET/CT scan in Washington DC to check for any chance that the cancer might have spread, which my doctor said is unlikely. Tomorrow I get my medi-port implanted at Reston Hospital. Here is a link if you’re not sure what it is (port). It got infected the last time I had one implanted and they had to tear it out, literally, without knocking me out because I had already eaten a meal. Not a fun experience so I’d love to avoid a replay of that if at all possible!

I start my first chemo treatment this Monday the 9th.

While I was trying to unclutter some areas in our home, I came across some photos of myself from my very first battle with cancer and thought I'd post a few.

In Poughkeepsie, NY

In Manorville, NY holding my Dad's childhood teddy bear.

Post chemo - love the orange couch!