Back In It

Its been a great few weeks—no doctor’s appointments, no sitting in a lounger with a needle in my arm, and almost no thinking about cancer. We packed a lot in to these few weeks. It was great to have some time off from school and we had a fantastic Christmas.

Chris and I also celebrated our 10^th wedding anniversary at Indian Springs Resort. If there is any place that can turn back the clock on how you look and feel, it's Indian Springs. While we may not have reached where we were 10 years ago...

...we did our best, and had a blast trying. 

Now, back to being a patient. This week I had an MRI, a mammogram and a sonogram, all in preparation for my January 9 surgery.  When I was diagnosed in July, my tumor was 1.6 cm x .9 cm x 1.2 cm. It is now (per the sonogram) .72 cm x .3 cm x .7 cm. I’d love to hear from a math whiz on the % reduction—all I know is it’s a lot smaller and that is good news.

Next week we will meet with Dr. D’Amore (my plastic surgeon) and Dr. Kelley (who will be doing the double mastectomy) and will talk about results of all of those tests I’m sure. Until then, Happy New Year!!

Celebrating, 5:15 Style

Last Friday, starting at 5:15am, there was a big celebration at TJ’s Gym. The people behind this end-of-chemo celebration are the folks that go to the weekday 5:15 class at TJ’s. This is a tight-knit group, with most of us showing up at this ungodly hour for years. Having gone through the last five months with their unwavering support, I can safely say there is no stronger, more caring group anywhere. Thanks friends.

Our party started with a work-out of course, then moved to champagne and home-brewed Hefeweizen (thanks to Brewmaster Joe Ball), and ended with the biggest, baddest, best coconut cake I’ve ever seen. There were eggs and sausages throughout as well.

After the party, I crashed for three days. While my mind knew that chemo was done, my body hadn’t caught up yet. Fortunately, I’m feeling great now and every day get closer to normal.

My surgery is scheduled for January 9, 2012 and between now and then, I have a few tests scheduled. I’ll post here when I get any kind of news. Until then—enjoy your families and friends this holiday season—I know that I am! 

DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A quick post for now, and I’ll let the pictures do the talking today. See that zero at the bottom? That means no more chemo—all f***ing done.

This is what happens right after that zero flashes—a song, a dance, and a celebration with the fabulous nurses at California Cancer Care.

I got my Certificate of Achievement, and got to accept it standing next to my amazing husband.  More later—for now, we are celebrating!!!!!!!!!

At End of Tunnel, Light Up Ahead

Yesterday was a big day—last official Bad Monday. One more day on Thursday and I’m done with chemo.

The chemo lounge was buzzing yesterday. My dear friend Christina came in right as Lindsay was searching for a good vein to tap. Ha! Easier said than done. Three taps later, we were in. Christina kindly distracted me throughout this unfortunate process, and stayed with me through the last minute of chemo—4 hours later! Joining Christina and I were my parents and Patty. I have to say the place will never be the same. Thank you so much for being there guys--I could not do this without you.

My parents left this morning after a wonderful visit with our family. The girls got Grandma and Grandpa all to themselves for four days—they could not be happier, as you can see in the pictures.

I want to introduce you to Chris Case. Chris and I go to TJ’s Gym together, and until about a week ago, I just thought he was a really nice guy who, like me, liked to work out at the crack of dawn. These things are true, but what I also recently learned, is that Chris lost his sister Kelly to ovarian cancer in 2007. In honor of Kelly, Chris, along with his family and friends, founded Kelly’s Wishes Foundation. Kelly’s Wishes has made an extraordinarily generous donation to our family, and we could not be more touched or honored. Chris probably knows more than most what cancer does to a family—and his support, and that of Kelly’s Wishes, means the world to us.

Two Taps to Go! F!!!!!!!

One. More. Week. Feels d*** good to say that.

This picture shows my friend TJ the way we see him most of the time—always moving, teaching us new things, and continually showing us how to get stronger and feel better. He did exactly the same thing yesterday, but sitting down, next to my lounger. Thanks so much TJ—it meant so much to have you there.

Today kicked off Nutcracker weekend. We’ve got the before-school picture with Elsa and her supportive sister Alice. And right before the show this afternoon—looking good Elsa!!