Hair growth from the past few months!

2/10/2014 (two months post chemo)

2/25/2014

5/17/2014 (5 months post chemo)

5/11/2014 Mother's Day

5/20/2014

Today! 6/1/2014

3/7/2014 First day back to work!

No more port!

Wow wee, a lot has happened!

I apologize for the lack of posting!! It has been almost six months. I guess I've just been living my life!  I had my twelfth and last chemo on December 18th, 2013!!! One of the most amazing moments of my life was when I walked out of Metro knowing that I had kicked cancer's ass.  I've been feeling wonderful!!  I returned back to work at the beginning of March.  I work part-time from 12-6 Monday thru Friday.  I missed working so much, and all the little ones...I'm very glad to be back.  I've taken on a new lifestyle, when it comes to eating and exercise.  I don't eat any fast food, I prepare all my meals and I've been walking in the evenings with my mom.  I've really noticed a difference in my energy level, in a good way!  My hair has been growing like crazy as well.  My eyebrows starting growing back in after a few weeks of my last chemo.  I'm going to post pics of course!!  Even my hair has gotten pretty long...well, long considering I had none at one point!!  It's looking very similar to a pixie cut...I think I'm due to get it shaped up but I really don't wanna cut it just yet!  I forgot what it felt like to run my hands through my hair, it's such a great feeling.  Another big event that just happened, was that on Friday (May 30th), I had my port removed!!  It was kind of a bittersweet feeling, but I'm so happy that it's gone.  I just felt like the port was the thing that saved me, and I was losing something that did so good...but I'm doing better.  I don't know if that seems weird but I had mixed feelings about it.  Now, I'm glad it's gone...I feel like that was the last chapter of this crazy story...my life with chemo is now complete, and I'm moving on to new chapters in a new book of my life.  After I had it removed, I was in the recovery room waiting to leave.  A worker there said to me, "Thank you for that smile!"  I thanked him for his smile too.  I was thinking to myself, I have everything in the world to smile about.  I'm alive and healthy.  God can throw anything at me, and I can handle it!!  Throughout this whole journey, I've found that out about myself...I'm so much stronger than I thought I was! I'm ready to celebrate my new life, cancer free! The past year has been an emotional rollercoaster ride... I've had moments of sadness, joy, anger, happiness, relief...I pushed through it all and still kept my positive attitude, even in the worst of times!  The one thing that always remained consistent was the support from my family and friends.  I feel so very blessed and thankful.  I live for every moment in my life now, I am so grateful and I never take anything for granted.  Remember, it's the little things in life...those are always the ones that make me smile and laugh! :)

I look sad, but I look different too. Physical changes, especially the color of my eye lids. Zombie like?! Lol.

Been sporting the wig, A LOT!

Just me!

My brother, Mark and I.

Took this today, December 16th!

Almost the end!

Sorry for the lack of posting! It is now December 16th. After I had my petscan on November 1st, I received good news from the doctor. He called me a few days later to tell me that it came back clear! No tumor in sight! I was so happy! 

When I went to my ninth chemo, I had an appointment with the doctor. I was a little confused by what he meant by everything being "clear". I asked and he said......that I was in remission! That's right, REMISSION! I felt so overjoyed! So many emotions going on! I felt like I was on top of the world, I had actually beat cancer! Although I was in remission, the doctor wanted to finish out the remaining therapies just in case there were any cells still floating around. 

At this very moment, I've had my eleventh chemo and on Wednesday, December 18th, I will have my twelfth AND FINAL chemo! I've waited six months for this! It went by slow at times but also fast. I couldn't truly ask for a better Christmas gift!

So what happens now? I will see the doctor every 2-3 months for the first 2-3 years. For the last 3-5 years, I will see the doctor every 6 months. I'll have a physical exam and CT scans. (no more petscans, yay!). I've kept life as normal as I could for the past 6 months...but now it will really go back to normal. Hair growth, back to work, no more feeling always tired!

There's one special lady I'd really like to acknowledge in my blog - my mother. My mom has been my rock during this journey. I truly don't know what I would do without her. She came to every chemotherapy, every doctor appointment, every scan...she has been by my side every step of the way (even times when I was a total crab!). In times of weakness, she was strong for me. She gave me strength to get through this. I will be forever grateful for her. I can't imagine my life without her, she is my angel! Thank you, Mom! I love you more than you will ever know.  

This isn't the end though. I will definitely continue to post pics, especially since I can start growing some hair now! Thank you for everyone who has supported me throughout this time. My family, friends, and my Scribes family. I love each and every one of you. I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life. I couldn't have made it without you guys. As for now, I'm outtie! Thanks for reading and joining me, every step of the way! :)

Life!

Just me!

Friends and myself :)

7th chemo with one of my best friends, Justin! :)

Spending time with my second cousin, Mikey!

Momma sent me this, love it.

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile but here it is!

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I've updated but time sure if flying by! I've had my 5th, 6th, and just yesterday, my 7th chemo! I'M MORE THAN HALF WAY DONE! I'm so excited! I've been feeling pretty good, just the usual tiredness and loss of appetite after the first few days. I met this woman at the Gathering Place (a place cancer patients and their families can go for yoga, reiki, massages, or just to hang out!) and she told me that lemon drops help for nausea. I bought a bag and it really does help. I'm mostly nauseous when I'm actually getting chemo, I think it's just me not wanting to be there lol. I can't complain though, it could be way worse! My hair is weirdly growing but thinning at the same time. I've had my days where I'm really missing my hair! I look at other girls with such nice, long hair and I do get jealous but...I keep telling myself it'll grow back. I think I'm going to start taking biotin (if the doc approves) to help with growth and my nails...my nails aren't as strong as they used to be. The only other weird thing I've had is my right eye watering in the mornings after I wake up. I told the doctor about it yesterday but he isn't too concerned, unless it starts to effect my vision - could just be a blocked tear duct thing. He also told me yesterday that I'm doing so well. My nurse Barb, scheduled my second pet scan for November 1st. The doctor seems very excited to see what the results will be since I've been doing so good! I can't wait to see! I wanna see most of that stinkin' tumor to be gone! My attitude during this whole situation has been strong and positive - I can't see myself being any other way. With such a great cure rate, how could I not be? As always, I want to thank my family, friends, and Scribes family for sticking by my side! I thank God everyday for putting such wonderful people in my life. Thanks for reading, see you at my next post! :)

“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” — G. K. Chesterton.

Just life :)

En route to Marblehead!

I don't always wear glasses...but when I do, I look like a nerd :P

Just me :)

Admiring Lake Erie, this was in Marblehead

Indians game with Dad! :)

Very excited for this event! Love my Scribes family!

Silly Belle and I

Thinning! : /