No one promised me this would be easy right?! Well, the past couple weeks haven’t been. I have been neutropenic (aka can’t fight any infection) for a week or so now. According to my dad I am running on a ¼ of a tank. Literally, that is what it feels like. I still am doing my school work, making dinner and exercising, but everything just makes me feel tired. Some of it is the fact that my labs are UGLY, but the other part is the #1 side effect of all these medications is fatigue. In addition to being tired, I have had a busy treatment schedule. I have been going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the past couple of weeks. As of tomorrow I will be done consolidation. I cannot believe it- - another phase down! J I will have to wait for my labs to recover and then I can start interm maintenance. While I am excited to move onto the next phase, I still continue to take it one step @ a time.

Till next time…KMS

I am moving right along with treatment, Friday was day 57. Believe it or not I am almost done consolidation. I will be moving onto interm maintenance. On Friday my APRN gave me the paths for the rest of the phases. I quickly looked at them, but honestly it is pretty overwhelming. I will continue to take it one step @ a time as it is much easier.

I have been keeping very busy with school. I had a test last week and another this week. It is nice to be busy. While I am keeping busy with the course work, I wish I was able to go to work or clinical. Some days I laugh because I remember going non-stop for the past couple years. Now I have a different routine. Soon enough I will be back into my old routine. I much prefer to be the provider and not the patient.

Today I was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International honor society. I guess hard work really does pay off J While I usually go from home to Smilow, today I was able to make the outing to go to the induction ceremony. The next big outing is graduation. The countdown is on- -only two more months! Today made that light at the end of the tunnel a little bit brighter.

Till next time…KMS

 

 

 

 

Today I started treatment again after my two week hiatus. It was a long day at the hospital but I had a good reward. I got the go ahead from my APRN to go into the loft. If you know me, you know how much I love to shop. I haven’t been into a store since November. Of course my bank account was thanking me, but the stores were sure missing me. I think the mall played “hallelujah” when I walked through the doors J Of course I made some nice purchases, with everything being conveniently on sale. So now I’ve had my fix for a little while. It was nice to get out; it felt like a typical mother daughter outing (which was much needed).

Well I am off to bed. I will have a busy weekend ahead of me. Plenty of schoolwork and treatment have my name written all over it.

Till next time…KMS

Today I graduated from radiation! I completed my 8 treatments and rang the gong. I had talked about ringing the gong all weekend (who wouldn’t be excited J). Come to find out there is a significance to the gong. The banging of the gong symbolizes the restoration of balance, harmony and life energy (http://www.mdanderson.org). It was a very exciting moment. It is another step in my journey. While I continue to take it one step @ a time it is nice to take time to recognize the milestones.

Here is the video:

 

Till next time…KMS  

Today was day 29 of consolidation. I now have two weeks off from treatment. This hiatus is specifically designed to let my labs recover. My labs are definitely not pretty right now (I know, I know I asked for this). Today was a very long day much thanks to Epic go-live. All my Yale friends know exactly what I am talking about. While long, it is over now and I am home on the couch watching tv. I am planning on doing some schoolwork and relaxing this weekend. It was a busy week going to radiation every day, but Monday is my last day of radiation! I am very excited J It is going to be a big day! Another milestone in this ALL journey.

Today I watched a You Tube video of a recent flash mob performed at Union Station in New Haven, CT. It is definitely inspirational. Being closer to free is something I am sure every cancer patient seeks. While being in remission is exciting, there is still many days of treatment left. I will continue to take it one step @ a time till I am closer to free. See the link below to watch the video.

 

Till next time…KMS

Cancer changes everything- - so I am learning. It changes you as a person, your relationships, your daily activities, your goals...life in general. Although change is hard, some of the changes are for the better. While I have changed, there are some things that will always remain the same. I am still the type-A and determined girl I have always been. While still head-strong, cancer has forced me to slow down and focus on the here and now. I have learned not to look to far ahead because it can be overwhelming. For now, I look to the end of consolidation and take every day one step @ a time.  

Today was the first day of the Spring 2013 semester. In my typical fashion I Skyped into one of my classes as I am not allowed to attend. I will continue to do school from home for the semester and I will walk in graduation this coming May. Although I see the light at the end of the tunnel it’s bittersweet. For the past 4 years or so, I’ve sat side by side with Kelly in class. Today I was at home- - there was no small talk during class, no sharing our dread as we listened to them go over the syllabus, and no laughing at our inside jokes. Although I am thrilled to be completing the semester via modern technology, I want to be sitting in the front row with Kelly (yes we are nerds). Although things have changed, many have not. We still do our routine study sessions with a whiteboard and all; it just takes place in another location- my living room. Although I am not there with her every Tuesday, she knows I will be by her side on graduation day in May. A small sacrifice for a big reward.

In addition to my APRN education, I’m getting insurance 101. I have to say, that is more stressful than my regular courses. While dealing with the insurance company can be stressful, I have my parents and Chris here to remind me not to worry about the small details.

While I continue to take it one step @ a time, there are little bumps along the way to make you realize that things do change. While there are changes, it is all about taking them in stride.

Till next time…KMS

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