Two medals: Part I

This past weekend I participated in two 5Ks:  saturday was the Komen race for the cure, a walk I did with my friend Janel's team, and sunday was my goal race for my cancer to 5K training program.

Saturday was special because I got to walk wearing the survivor t-shirt with my friend Janel, who's been my rock steady exercise buddy since we both started going to a cancer fitness spinning class together six months ago.  I also wore my earrings that I bought to distract me from my bald head last summer and the bracelet Aunt RoseAnn made for me.  And the little $2 purple backpack I usurped from mom while in west palm beach around diagnosis time last  year.

It was an effort because it was early and crowded!  But glad I did it.

The team!

Janel & me at the finish

Part II to come...

"ring my bell"

Ding dong, the herceptin's done.

After a somewhat crappy few days earlier in the week, I had my final herceptin appointment last thursday, May 26.  Herceptin # 18 of 18.  I've been feeling so blech and blah lately that it was hard to get too excited about it, but it was a very nice final appointment after all.  First I met with Dr. Smith, who was plotting out the next several herceptin visits ("I'll see you next time, but after that, I'll see you every other one.")  I had to break it to him gently that this was my LAST herceptin.  He did warmly congratulate me.

I brought the nurses a cute arrangement of fake flowers (I was concerned about bringing real ones into the chemo room where people are sensitive to smell...).  Got applause from the nurses for really graduating this time - yay!  And a big ol' hug from Nurse Karen.  And then - very special - she brought out this enormous bell for me to ring.  And since I didn't do it loudly enough, I got to do it over & over.  I think at that late time in the afternoon, there was only one other person left in the chemo room and she was very happy for me.

Nurse Karen & me

 Right after getting home from the doctor, raced off to the kennedy center to see the awesome girl duo, the sweater set (plus drummer).  Dinner with friends and then home, exhausted.  But done.

the sweater set

My chemoversary

Today marks one year from the beginning of my chemo treatments.  It's been both a very long and very quick year all at once.

Next Thursday is my final herceptin.  Whew.  Mixed emotions about that (mostly relief) but more on that next week.

Continue to be really tired all the time.  Am hoping that some of the fatigue is due to the herceptin, since next week is #18 of 18.

But in the meantime, continue to run - training with Cancer-to-5K for a race Sunday June 5.

And the day before, Saturday June 4, will walk the Komen race for the cure 5K with my spinning-running-walking buddy Janel's team.

And the following Sunday, June 12, will do a "survivor harbor" 4 mile race in baltimore with some of the Cancer-to-5K teammates, and my friend lisa.

Hiking tomorrow.

That's about it for now.

In the chemo room, again

Writing from the chemo room as I receive herceptin #17 (of 18!).  Can't believe that next time is my LAST ONE!!!

Good news to report - I had a mammogram at Sibley on Tuesday, and results came back normal!  I hadn't even realized how tense I was about it until that morning; the 15-minute wait for my results was agonizing.  Afterwards I just felt weak with relief.   Had lunch afterward with a friend at chef geoff's - a very tasty italian grinder (haven't heard a sandwich referred to as a grinder since my days at wesleyan).  Was so drained that rather than head back to work, got myself a mani-pedi with hot stone massage.

In other news, have continued to be really tired, a lot of the time.  This is frustrating.  My depression has been acting up this past week too.  This morning I was unable to get myself out of bed to run and get to work, so instead, just stayed home.  A few hours of work and a few hours of unproductive, non-relaxing time.  Ugh.  It is super nice out too, so unfortunate that I squandered the day.  Perhaps I shall go for a walk after treatment today.  Dinner tonight with two friends I haven't seen in a while.

My hair continues to grow like crazy and one day soon I'll post pics.

Catching up, Memento style

Today:  met with Dr. Smith, he told me that the lump I found was just an infected cyst and most definitely, definitely NOT cancer.

Sunday, 4/17:  after a wonderful hike in rock creek park, found a strange lump to the right of my right (non-cancer) breast.  Wow, really freaked out by that.

Thursday, 4/14:  met with Dr. Smith (McGrail's former partner), and had Herceptin number 16 of 18.  Still bumming about Dr. McGrail being gone.

Wednesday, 4/13:  consultation with Dr. Kaltman, as potential replacement for Dr. McGrail.  Liked her a lot.  Support group @ sibley afterwards.

Sunday, 4/10:  hiking amidst the Virginia bluebells.  That was nice.  It also marked a year since I hiked (or, hobbled) amidst the Virginia bluebells a year ago with my mom, 3 days after my surgery.

Wednesday, 4/6:  support group @ georgetown.  Really love this group of women.

Wednesday, 3/30:  met with Dr. McGrail.  Discussed why she was leaving practice effective immediately.  The very short answer:  contract dispute; Dr. Smith exercised his right to terminate her contract.  Very sad.  Crying, tissues and hugs.

Tuesday, 3/29:  found out from friend in breast cancer spinning class that Dr. McGrail was leaving.  Very upset.  Very attached to her.  No notice.

Sunday, 3/27:  great yoga for cancer survivors class, lunch with yoga friends, and my very first hair cut!!

Thursday, 3/24:  Herceptin number 15 of 18.  Routine visit with Dr. McGrail.

Sunday, 3/20:  nice hike along potomac heritage trail.

Wednesday, 3/16:  really relaxing smith farm yoga class.  Needed it because reentry to real life after vacation's been a bit rough.

Saturday, 3/12:  began my Cancer-to-5K training.  I think there are more volunteers than program participants, crazy!  I have a coach now who emails me workouts!

Friday, 3/11:  Back home from vacation.  Sigh.

Diagnosis day: A year later

It was a year ago today that I received the call from georgetown that my biopsy came back positive (positive not being a good thing).  Invasive breast cancer.

Twelve months later:  1.8 cm lump successfully removed on the first try by the amazing Dr. Cocilovo, 2-3 lymph nodes gone (still not sure whether I had two or three removed ... the important key being that they were negative!), one port implant, 6 rounds of chemotherapy (TCH ... taxotere, carboplatin & herceptin), 8 more rounds of herceptin (4 more to go), no hair for five months, 30 days of radiation, 10 pounds heavier (despite feeling queasy on chemo half the time, I managed to gain weight, go figure) .... here I am.   From the sunshine state, where I learned of my diagnosis, to the grand canyon state, where I am celebrating being beyond cancer, and trying to figure out my new life (including handling anxiety over recurrence), here I am.

I have so many people that helped me through, whether for the whole year, or just a small moment along the way, for which I am very thankful.  I wouldn't dare try listing people for fear of missing someone.  You know who you are, so thank you.

Bridge to spring...getting past the bumps

I'm in Phoenix!

Just a few weeks ago I planned my trip to arizona.  I just finished a big deadline at work (and got positive feedback on the comments I wrote - yay - my brain is starting to work again).  And as I've already mentioned, I am now coming up to the one year anniversary of my diagnosis day.  So, this week seemed like a good time to go.

Last spring I was miserable with diagnosis, surgery and the beginning of chemo.  Then came the summer which was unbearably hot whilst on chemo.  Fall was a blur of driving to and from sibley hospital for my radiation treatments.  And this winter, I have been tired and a cold weather wuss.  So, I have been yearning for spring to start.  And I have been viewing this trip as my bridge to spring (as I've told a few of you).  Because once I get back, it is the weekend of daylight savings time (and my birthday), the beginning of the Cancer to 5K training program I registered for, and I will finally start to feel settled into my new reduced work schedule, I hope.

I am convinced I have SADD, seasonal affective depressive disorder, or whatever it's called.  The cold dark days just bum me out.  So, very excited to spend a week in arizona where it will be in the 60s.  And then to come back to the beginning of spring in DC.  Hence, my bridge to spring.

About the bumps.  The short version is, despite all my obsessive planning the perfect travel arrangements, it all went to hell when US Air canceled my flight this morning, after keeping us delayed about an hour.  I managed to get on a United flight out of Dulles, but instead of getting to Phoenix at 2 p.m., I didn't get here until 9.  Had to transfer through Chicago (Pete, I didn't even have a chance to call you!).  Some turbulence heading toward chicago, and even more turbulence heading away from chicago.  But - big picture - despite a detour and change in my friday plan (not driving to flagstaff tonight), I am here in phoenix and ready to hit the road tomorrow morning.  Grand Canyon here I come!  No pictures yet, but there will be many :-)