All aboard the crazy cancer train...

It was a year ago today that I punched my ticket for the crazy cancer train. It was a year ago today that I went to the doctor for the strange swelling in my neck and ending up having more tests, blood work, and doctor visits than I had in my previous 29 years combined.

There are some things about that day that I can remember clearly. What I was wearing, that it was VERY hot out, looking out the window at Clarian West while bawling on the phone to my husband that they wanted to do a biopsy and more tests. (I was by myself for the initial tests). I really don't know how I drove home that day. I managed to compose myself enough to call work to let them know what was going on.

I had my biopsy two days later, found out I had cancer three days after that, and it was full speed ahead on the cancer train from that point on. Unfortunately it wasn't a high speed train, and it took about 7 months for me to get off that train. What a long and bumpy ride. It seems SO long ago, yet like I just finished chemo two weeks ago.

Goodbye cancer train, I hope I don't ever have to purchase another ticket to ride on your stupid train again. :P

Butler makes me emotional

The Butler Bulldogs just won and will now be in the Final Four. Because I am lame, it made me tear up. Not just because I'm excited for them, but because I will forever associate Butler with my cancer.

Last year, as Butler was making their run in the tournament, I discovered the lump in my neck. When they were playing in the Final Four, I was waiting for the results of my tests to see if I had cancer. At the time, I wanted Butler to win so bad because it would have given me something to look forward to on Monday evening with them playing in the final game. That Monday would also be the day I would get my diagnosis. Butler won and played Monday. I found out I had cancer around 3 p.m. Monday and that evening, I was able to cheer on the Bulldogs and temporarily be distracted from my diagnosis.

Flash forward to this year, and Butler is doing it again, only this time I'm cancer free. Their run in the tournament this year makes me think back to last year. Hopefully this year, they can win it all and I'll remain cancer free. A win/win for everyone.

Photos of a cancer beater

Taken March 30, 2010 - the day I first noticed the lump.



Another view of said lump.

The first day of chemo.



Me in Chicago in August. Note the lack of hair.


My last chemo treatment!

Still cancer free, sucka!

I had my scan last Monday and got the results Wednesday. I passed, no cancer! Of course I passed, I am an excellent student. Then the husband and I jotted off to Georgia for a wedding, so thus the delay in posting this. Next up is a follow up visit with the doc in three months, followed by a CT scan three months from that.

I may have to visit Doctor Proctor again. My issue seems to have re-emerged from hibernation. Joy. :) Beyond that I'm hanging in there.

I've uploaded some pictures I took during my cancer experience and now I'm finally getting around to uploading them. I think it's easier if I just put them in one post instead of trying to insert back into every post. We'll see!

Update

Hello. I'm not sure if anyone one is even checking this blog anymore. But for those of you who are, here's the 411. I've been doing pretty well, at least I think so. I'm "running" again and will do a 5k tomorrow. My hair is growing, although the hair on my legs is very slow growing and now my underarm hair is pretty much non existant. I will not complain, unless this is a sign of something bad. I'm hoping it's just a benefit of chemo. There are benefits to chemo, right?

Monday is my first follow up CT scan. Here's to hoping they can get the IV in on the first shot and my scan comes back clean. I'm not necessarily worried, but I am pretty anxious. It's like living my life in 3 months increments, and if this comes back clean, I'll feel ok for another 3 months, unless some other symptom comes up.

Yesterday, the hubby and I went to a LLS symposium, kind of an overview by docs on different topics. Hearing about the new research and medicine is promising and it also makes me grateful for how "easy" my experience was/is as compared to some of the other people there. Here's to hoping it continues to go smoothly!

Stay away 101!

Rememeber a few posts ago how Dr. Shorty mentioned if I have a fever of 101 or higher I need to call her...I'm getting dangerously close. It seems something is going around and it caught up to the husband and me. He got it first and I've been dealing with it since Wednesday evening. My fever has gone up and down and today it's pretty close to 101. I'm chugging orange juice, taking meds, and hoping for the best.

It's funny, but before I got cancer, I had taken 1 1/2 sick days in about 4 1/2 years at work, and in the first three years of work, I took none. My immune system rocked (and I tend to get sick on weekends or holidays, lucky me) but I've heard chemo can reek havoc on your immune system. I hope that's not the case.

It's weird being home from work on a sick day. At least I'm not laying in bed trying not to throw up from chemo.

House update: We're almost done! We just need to put shevles in closets, trim around windows, and add some decorations. :)

Hello! Just a quick update for those who still check this. I'm doing well and feeling good. I have been going to the gym and trying to get back my endurance. Nothing like some time on the treadmill! We've been so busy with the house and it's so close to being finished. It's very exciting to have a bedroom upstairs with a closet! (too bad all my clothes won't fit...:P) And I turned 30. joy. :)

I'm a little behind the times on this, but I just saw today that Deanna Dewberry from Channel 8 news just discovered she has breast cancer. She's being pretty public with her battle and even has a revealing and interesting blog. I read it at work and it got me a little teary, bringing me back to my experience. Turns out she's had cancer three times now! the first time was Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, then a type of luekemia, and now breast cancer. I must admit it made me sad on a lot of levels,the most selfish one being that I feared it could happen to me. I've read that there may be a connection between chemo for HL later causing leukemia. I hope and pray that doesn't happen to me.

I told the husband I've noticed I've been thinking about cancer and such a lot more lately in the last few days. Can't explain why,but I'm trying to stay positive and have no reason to worry right now!