As I write this I feel that time has seemed to fly by but I know that this has been a long journey.
Thank you to everyone who has shown their support throughout this journey. Brandon and I are blessed to have friends who continually show their love and support. This weekend marks the end of my full radiation treatment but it also is a difficult weekend for it reminds us of loved ones who are no longer with us. Brandon's father, Branko, passed away on April 15th. Father's Day will be a difficult time for Brandon, his brothers and all of our family. While my treatment has gone fairly smoothly the reality of others' battle with cancer reminds me how truly lucky I have been.
I have one more week of radiation which will only treat my reconstruction scar. My skin has held up exceptionally well for the past 6 weeks and I am lucky to go into my last week with minor skin damage.
Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Step 1...complete!
I competed my final week of chemotherapy April 15th! While I have had a few appointments, it has been nice to spend the last couple of weeks getting back to normal. I have been eating a ton of salad and fresh fruit and have enjoyed walking Kona every morning. It is amazing how quickly you get your energy back! Unfortunately, everything doesn't move as quickly. I'm am anxious for my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows to grow back. I am getting a little tired of the scarf thing but I know my hair will grow back soon. It's a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. I had a PET scan last week and will get the results this week.
SO step one is complete and I will start radiation therapy this Thursday. I am nervous about the side effects but I'm sure I can handle it. I will need to complete 6.5 weeks (33 sessions) of radiation. I should be completely finished by the end of June!!! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts!
SO step one is complete and I will start radiation therapy this Thursday. I am nervous about the side effects but I'm sure I can handle it. I will need to complete 6.5 weeks (33 sessions) of radiation. I should be completely finished by the end of June!!! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Catch Up!
One of the many side effects that chemo has been having on me is an inability to sleep...you would think with all the extra time that I would sit down and type out all my thoughts. However; instead I toss and turn and think of all the things I should be telling everyone. So I am forcing myself to write a "Catch Up" post to let you know some of the high and low lights of the past couple of months.
In November I was thankful for so many things but the major thing that comes to mind was hair clippers! Thanksgiving was a hard day. I awoke to a head of quickly thinning hair. My hair started falling out a couple weeks after my first treatment but on Thanksgiving morning it was unbearable. Shampooing seemed to be my breaking point and as my hair began to fall out my strong exterior also crumbled in the privacy of the shower walls. Luckily I have an amazing support system! I put a wrap around my head for the first time ( no way I was going to have all that shedding hair around our yummy feast) and headed off to Thanksgiving Dinner. My step dad was sweat enough to grab some hair clippers on the way into town. We had an amazing visit that day and with the help my family and Brandon I snapped out of my funk and enjoyed the day. Our evening came to an end with my Brandon, my brothers and step dad taking turns shaving my head as the rest of the family looked on with support. I couldn't have made it another day watching my hair fall out in clumps so my family and I took matters into our own hands. I am very thankful for them and for those hair clippers!
December was full of more treatments and side effects. I quickly got into the routine and learned when my body needed to rest and when it needed to get out of the house. My family and friends have been taking turns attending chemo with me and it makes the time fly. I get to spend quality time with my friends and family and am distracted from the sadness of the chemotherapy room. The over crowded parking lot always takes my breath away and I am always surprised by the abundance of patients in the waiting rooms. I take my mind off of it by playing cards and chatting with my friends/ family or by chatting with other patients. I love to teach the older ladies how to wrap their head scarves and shat with them about their progress.
January, Oh January! I was awoken on January 10th with a beautiful diamond engagement ring! Brandon has been my rock through this entire ordeal. He has been here for me physically, emotionally and financially. He has kissed my bald head everyday before he leaves for work and I am lucky to know that we will get to spend the rest of our lives together. We haven't made any wedding plans as of yet...I would like to have some hair and be finished with treatment but I'm sure 2012 will bring great things!
While January brought some great news it also started the first of what has seemed like a cascade of bad news. Brandon's dad was hospitalized and diagnosed with a brain tumor after several days in the hospital. Brandon's family is staying strong and working to try as many treatment options as possible. We are staying positive and spending as much time together as possible. We love Branko and it's very hard to see him ill. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Along with Brandon's dad, my grandpa had a stroke. Geoff and my mom spent 2 weeks taking care of him in Michigan. He is home now but still struggling. He will require surgery; his family is planning on moving him out to Arizona or California as soon as he is well enough to travel. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as well. Before my parents went to Michigan my mom was laid off after 12 years with her company. While this made it possible for her to help with Grandpa Gary it has been a hard adjustment and she is working hard to find a new job (although she would much rather retire). The last of our sad news came in February when my younger brother informed us that he will be deployed to Afghanistan on March 16th. He is strong and smart and will do fine but we will miss him so much! He will be back in February of 2012.
That brings us to March, I had my 12/16 chemotherapy cycle yesterday. I am feeling strong and continuing to stay positive. Sometimes you have to fake it a little but I am so lucky to have so many people pulling for me. This month has been filled with a lot of events; spring training, Brandon turned 30 and lots of destination weddings. Two of my great friends got married and Brandon and I were lucky to spend their special days with them. I am surrounded by LOVE! I was able to visit my classroom this month and it was amazing to see the kids and staff. Unfortunately, I had to inform my school that I won't be able to return back to work this year. I have 4 more chemo cycles followed by 3 weeks off then 6.5 weeks of daily radiation. I am focusing on me and my health. I am anxious to get back to work but want to be 100%. They have been sp supportive and I received my contract for next year today!!!!
Keep my family and me in your thoughts, we can use all the positive energy and love that you can send us.
In November I was thankful for so many things but the major thing that comes to mind was hair clippers! Thanksgiving was a hard day. I awoke to a head of quickly thinning hair. My hair started falling out a couple weeks after my first treatment but on Thanksgiving morning it was unbearable. Shampooing seemed to be my breaking point and as my hair began to fall out my strong exterior also crumbled in the privacy of the shower walls. Luckily I have an amazing support system! I put a wrap around my head for the first time ( no way I was going to have all that shedding hair around our yummy feast) and headed off to Thanksgiving Dinner. My step dad was sweat enough to grab some hair clippers on the way into town. We had an amazing visit that day and with the help my family and Brandon I snapped out of my funk and enjoyed the day. Our evening came to an end with my Brandon, my brothers and step dad taking turns shaving my head as the rest of the family looked on with support. I couldn't have made it another day watching my hair fall out in clumps so my family and I took matters into our own hands. I am very thankful for them and for those hair clippers!
December was full of more treatments and side effects. I quickly got into the routine and learned when my body needed to rest and when it needed to get out of the house. My family and friends have been taking turns attending chemo with me and it makes the time fly. I get to spend quality time with my friends and family and am distracted from the sadness of the chemotherapy room. The over crowded parking lot always takes my breath away and I am always surprised by the abundance of patients in the waiting rooms. I take my mind off of it by playing cards and chatting with my friends/ family or by chatting with other patients. I love to teach the older ladies how to wrap their head scarves and shat with them about their progress.
January, Oh January! I was awoken on January 10th with a beautiful diamond engagement ring! Brandon has been my rock through this entire ordeal. He has been here for me physically, emotionally and financially. He has kissed my bald head everyday before he leaves for work and I am lucky to know that we will get to spend the rest of our lives together. We haven't made any wedding plans as of yet...I would like to have some hair and be finished with treatment but I'm sure 2012 will bring great things!
While January brought some great news it also started the first of what has seemed like a cascade of bad news. Brandon's dad was hospitalized and diagnosed with a brain tumor after several days in the hospital. Brandon's family is staying strong and working to try as many treatment options as possible. We are staying positive and spending as much time together as possible. We love Branko and it's very hard to see him ill. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Along with Brandon's dad, my grandpa had a stroke. Geoff and my mom spent 2 weeks taking care of him in Michigan. He is home now but still struggling. He will require surgery; his family is planning on moving him out to Arizona or California as soon as he is well enough to travel. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as well. Before my parents went to Michigan my mom was laid off after 12 years with her company. While this made it possible for her to help with Grandpa Gary it has been a hard adjustment and she is working hard to find a new job (although she would much rather retire). The last of our sad news came in February when my younger brother informed us that he will be deployed to Afghanistan on March 16th. He is strong and smart and will do fine but we will miss him so much! He will be back in February of 2012.
That brings us to March, I had my 12/16 chemotherapy cycle yesterday. I am feeling strong and continuing to stay positive. Sometimes you have to fake it a little but I am so lucky to have so many people pulling for me. This month has been filled with a lot of events; spring training, Brandon turned 30 and lots of destination weddings. Two of my great friends got married and Brandon and I were lucky to spend their special days with them. I am surrounded by LOVE! I was able to visit my classroom this month and it was amazing to see the kids and staff. Unfortunately, I had to inform my school that I won't be able to return back to work this year. I have 4 more chemo cycles followed by 3 weeks off then 6.5 weeks of daily radiation. I am focusing on me and my health. I am anxious to get back to work but want to be 100%. They have been sp supportive and I received my contract for next year today!!!!
Keep my family and me in your thoughts, we can use all the positive energy and love that you can send us.
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