Just when I was getting used to having no hair, my wigs arrived! Yes, that is wigs – I have two. I told Chris he can choose wife#1 or wife#2. One is extremely similar to my hair (curly) and the other is straight with some curl. I was honestly surprised by both J The person I got my wigs from is out of New Haven. He is a lymphoma survivor and it is his way of giving back. He is truly a special person. He was recommended by the boutique in Smilow, since they do not sell wigs. I contacted him during induction and he came to my room to meet with me. I then met with him at the salon and I was able to look through the book and pick out color. He then went into the city and purchased the wigs. He is definitely good at what he does. So, today I got both my wigs cut and styled. I had my two sidekicks (Kelly and Katie) there to approve. So now I have three options (1. bald, 2. curly or 3. straight), who would have ever thought I would have so many styles to choose from!

Till next time…KMS

Today I had a meeting with the radiation oncologist. The meeting went well and I am scheduled to start radiation treatments next week, which means we are already going into week 4. The weeks are flying by! In addition to the meeting, I was fit for my mask. The purpose of the mask is to make sure they are directing the radiation in the correct spot. This was quite an experience. I would first like to begin by saying if you are claustrophobic this is not for you. The long and short of the fitting is lying on a CT scan table and having this gel-like material placed over your face to make the mold. When they place the material over your face you are pinned to the table so that you don’t move and mess up the mold. They then perform the CT scan to make the markings. The doctor then reads the scan and the official markings are made. While it is a 15 minute procedure, it feels like an eternity. I had no concept of time underneath the mask, so minutes turned into hours. At one point I made a signal to the tech asking how long for the doctor to read the scan and she said 5 minutes. Well the 5 minutes felt like an hour. While I am not claustrophobic, I didn’t enjoy having the gel like material molded to my face. Overall, it was an experience that is hard to explain. Now that my mask is made, the actual radiation is about 5 minutes, so I’m told.

Till next time…KMS

Day 1 of consolidation:

Today I began consolidation. I will be getting treatment for the next 4 days in a row. So I will be a familiar face at Smilow this week! I am feeling good and my labs were good today. I was actually able to get a pedicure (with my APRNs approval of course) at the day spa J It was very exciting and relaxing, definitely a treat! And I got to have a salad tonight! I might as well take advantage of it while my labs are good J It was a BIG day for me today.

One thing cancer teaches you is don’t take the little things for granted. For example, I used to eat salad every day. I haven’t had a salad for well over a month because of my labs. I sometimes watch Chris eat salad and I get so jealous. I almost want to drool as he is eating it. Just a simple salad and I crave it! I will never take eating salad for granted again because I now know what it is like to not be able to have it. Just like getting a pedicure. I used to be able to go whenever I want. Now I have to go when my labs are good. All the little things in life are big to me now. So lesson of the day: Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize that they were big things.  (I actually have this quote on my tv along with many others thanks to Chris. You are not allowed to have a bad day in our house J)

Till next time…KMS

Yesterday we had the meeting to find out which risk group I would be placed in and which medications I will be receiving for the next phase of treatment (called consolidation). I was placed in the lowest risk group that I could potentially have been placed in, given that I have 0% blasts! Overall the meeting went well and I am actually starting treatment bright and early tomorrow morning. I now have a schedule for the next 78 days. I will continue to take it one step @ a time, but now have a new goal of day 78. Although it feels like forever and a day away I know time will go quickly. Look, it’s already 2013! This is going to be a good year J

Till next time…KMS

One would think that getting six bone marrow aspirations is hard, but today I had to do the hardest thing since being diagnosed with ALL. Today, I had to shave off the curls I’ve had for years. I knew this day was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier. I feel like I’ve just been avoiding the inevitable. Of course there were tears, but I don’t ask “why me”. It’s the quintessential part of getting chemo, right?

There’s two things I’ve realized since shaving my head:

1.     It’s COLD without hair! I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but I do have a wide variety of hats to put to good use.

2.     Looking in the mirror is going to be a tad different for the foreseeable future. When I see my reflection, I expect to see curls not a bald head. While I see someone different, I have not changed.

This is just another part of the journey. I will continue to take it one step @ a time. In a couple of days it will be 2013 and I have big plans for this coming year!

Till next time…KMS

So…I got good news! I have 0% blasts in my bone marrow! Which means all this crazy chemo is really working. I continue to feel good. I’m keeping busy reading and eating myself out of house and home. I started a book since I’m done with my school work. I’m sure I will be reading quite few over the next couple of weeks. In addition to my eating and reading I continue to try out new recipes. Tonight I made Ina Garten’s lemon chicken breasts. It’s definitely worth a try J  

Till next time… KMS

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the holiday with family J

Believe it or not today was day 29, the last day of induction! The days have been flying. Today I had a bone marrow aspirate and lumbar puncture. I cannot believe I am done with induction. When I first started this process all I ever said was “I don’t look past day 29” and here I am.

While it is day 29, we do not know where the road will take us from here. The official lab will read the results in 3 business days. With the holiday and all, the appointment is not until next Wednesday. While it feels like a long wait, I have become accustomed to waiting. We will continue each day one step @ at time.

Till next time…KMS