My blog inspired me to...

While going through cancer and writing my blog, I constantly was told that I should write a book.  And I decided to do just that. I know when I was first diagnosed, I spent endless hours searching for that "perfect" book that was going to tell me what to expect from the diagnosis. Although, I never found that- I found comfort in others blogs. I decided that I would write something and although it may not be the "perfect book" - I figured it may just help that one person that was searching for what I was searching for. With that being said...it's published and it is called "yes, I CANcer" - check it out!!! 

Goodbye port, it's been real...

FINALLY, I am getting my port removed, the surgery is scheduled for May 14th at 9:30am. It's been a bittersweet relationship with my port. I pretty much wouldn't have survived chemotherapy without my lovely little port, mostly because I was born with the crappiest veins ever. It is pretty much once in a blue moon that nurses are able to access my veins to stick me with a stupid needle. Long story short, the port pretty much was the best thing ever and I highly recommend it if anyone ever has to go through chemotherapy, which if you are reading this, I probably like you, and I would never want you to go through chemotherapy. But I also don't really wish cancer on people I don't really like...anyways, my point of this whole babble mcgabble is that I would like to high five the person who invented the port. The only thing I would recommend that be changed is that it maybe shouldn't look like a giant, weird, third nipple in your chest. And if there isn't a way to change the shape of it then instead of being called a port, it should be called a third nipple.

Okay, that's all. Just wanted to update everyone on my oh-so exciting news of the port removal!!! Oh one more thing, my blood was taken today (I have to have blood work done once a month until my doctor is sick of seeing me) and he said my blood looked PERFECT...verbatim. Awesome news. :)

And the results are...

So, I have my PET scan results. I have to be honest and tell everyone that I have known my results since last Thursday (the day after my scan) but until I hear the words from the doctor, I don't like to tell people! I would hate to get all excited about the results to find out I potentially misread something, which can either be a good or bad thing. As much as I like to think I'm an oncologist now from all the stuff I have learned, let's be honest...I'm not. Anyways, I'll start by saying this, the doctor walked into the room today and the first thing out of his mouth was, "congratulations." I sort of had wished I had just won the lottery or something, but me being cancer free was just as exciting! He said that he wants to see me once a month to draw my blood and check my levels - which can also be a good indication if something is going wrong with me. And other than that, to move on with my life and be happy. He also said I can get my port a.k.a. third nipple out. I will be meeting with the general surgeon on April 26th to schedule that appointment. My third nipple was a life saver throughout chemo treatments, but it does not look good with tank tops...and helloooo, it's summer time.

So, to end on this note...cancer and all of it's components and I have broken up, OFFICIALLY. We don't plan on ever getting back together either. I pretty much told him that I hate him and he's super ugly.

I'll keep everyone posted on any updates that I may have. But never stop praying - there are so many of us that have been affected by cancer, and that doesn't just mean those that have been diagnosed. Whether it is someone that has personally battled it or someone that has watched a loved one battle it - it's a disgusting disease, so please, please, never stop praying for people. Regardless of how many years I stay in remission (hopefully forever) I know I will never stop praying....

First scan since Nov. 11th...

I finally received a post-chemo scan yesterday! I can't believe my last PET scan was on November 11, 2009 - that honestly seems like 20 years ago. Possibly because I feel as if I have aged 20 years in the past 6 months. I will find out the results on Monday at 10am so stay tuned...

That's all for now. I'm keeping busy with "my child" a.k.a. Milo, my dog. He is such a handful, but it does force me to get outside more and run, which isn't such a bad thing! :)

Update...

A little update...

I am getting my first "after chemo" PET scan on April 7th and will have the results on Monday, April 12th! I have been mentally driving myself crazy. I can't seem to always have the stupid cancer in the back of my mind. It's quite annoying, so what did I do to help maybe get my mental energy focused on something else...well, I got a dog. Yep, it's true. Little Mr. Milo.

I attempted to adopt a dog at the local animal shelters, but was not successful. My dad called their veterinarian and it just so happened that someone had found a 2 year old terrier and had no luck finding its owners. The dog has now become mine. :) Hoping the little guy is able to make my days brighter and not think about the stupid thought of the stupid cancer returning.

My friend Jackie did shave my head today too. I know, finally! I was SO thankful that I never completely lost my hair throughout chemotherapy...so thankful, you have no idea. BUT it has been so thin the past two months that I knew it was inevitable that it would have to come off. I'm not bald, but it's still kind of weird looking at myself in the mirror and seeing a spinning image of Britney Spears. Kidding. It's Britney Bitch, haha. :)

That's all for now! Prayers, prayers, prayers....

Life after chemo...

I haven't blogged in what feels like forever, but in reality - it's been like 2 weeks. This is the week what we used to call my "chemo week" but as we all know, those days are over. In the past two weeks, I turned 25 and have been able to start teaching my body what "normal" feels like again. I have decided I am going to get back to pushing myself physically, so bring it on cardio! It kind of started last night though - at the airport in Vegas. I arrived at the airport a little over an hour before my flight left - all was going well until I arrived at the security before the gate. It was PACKED! The time was 5:15, my flight left at 6:06. I started getting a bit nervous and often wanted to politely ask someone to cut them in line, but never got the courage to do so. I then worried that my port inside my chest was going to ring the little metal detectors, but don't worry I had just left the doctor and had them write me a note that I was not trying to blow up the plane and I simply had a metal device in me for chemotherapy. Anyhow, left the security gates at 5:50 to get on the tram to take me to the gate...and then had to SPRINT, followed by running up the escalator. Needless to say, I was panting like a dog. I'm like, wow, I have officially aged 40 years in 8 months, I'm really 65, not 25!

I am in California now visiting my sister and brother-in-law...and I was able to go on a lengthy walk around the beach (don't be jealous, well kind of be jealous) and I even climbed these stairs. My sister kept asking me if I was okay...I think she was a bit nervous I was over exerting myself. But I did okay...so moral of these long stories is I am going to get myself back in good shape!

Okay, back to the boring medical stuff. I met with my doctor yesterday and I will be getting a PET scan probably the first week of April (waiting on the place to call me to schedule it to set an exact date). I then will meet with my doctor April 12th to get the results and kind of go from there. I do have fear that the cancer will come back...but I am trying my absolute hardest to not let my mind go there, but I tell you, it's hard.

My blood work was excellent though yesterday so my white blood cells are starting to catch on that they can live freely and not run and hide from the chemo. The doctor also told me that I do have the best possible prognosis for Hodgkin's and he felt comfortable saying there was over a 90% chance the cancer wouldn't return. But I would rather have heard 100%.... :)

Anyways, that is my life! Please continue to keep me in your prayers and send me healthy, happy, positive energy!!

A few days later...

My sister asked me yesterday if I was going to continue to write on my blog and my answer was, "I don't know!" To be honest, I really wasn't planning to unless there is news that I really want to share such as, results of a PET scan! So, other than that - I probably won't be blogging much anymore!

Just to update everyone on how I am feeling, the answer is okay. I have been so exhausted the past few days and have literally spent majority of the days sleeping. I think my body has finally said, "ENOUGH CHEMO, NO MORE!"

I am very excited to get my body back to normal though and start pushing myself harder and harder each week to get my strength back. I will be eating a diet full of high antioxidant foods as well!

I turn 25 in less than a week and am excited to start a new year with a new perspective on life and health!!