I am done with treatment! I went and saw the Radiation Oncologist today. After a long conversation, him, my oncologist and myself agree that radiation is not necessary. I will be getting regular CT scans every three months. So, if the spot on the bone does come back we will quickly radiate it. However, I firmly believe we are done and NO MORE CANCER!!!!! Happy Day!

I can’t believe I have finished my last chemo. I completed it yesterday at 1:18pm and not a minute too soon. I made it!  Now don’t get me wrong I still have a few more things I get to do over the next month or so but the hard part is over.  I will be meeting with a Radiology Oncologist next week to rule out receiving radiation.  I really don’t think it is necessary but I agreed with my doc that if he felt better about a 2nd opinion then so would I.   So, I will let you know what he has to say.

The nurses and volunteers gave me a certificate and some balloons at the end of my chemo session, which was really nice.  I can not begin to tell you how wonderful they are at Batte Cancer Center.  The nurses, my doctor, the volunteers, just everyone was always very courteous and kind.

This cancer journey has taught me a lot about myself. It has also shown me how much I am truly loved.  Cancer can take a lot away from you if you let it.  I decided when this journey began that I would not let that happen to me.  With the help from family and friends, I have been able to keep a positive attitude and get thru this treatment with minimal obstacles.  Thank you all for the love and encouragement.

Well, that is all for now.  I will continue to post and let all of you know what progress I have made.  I also plan to post pics of my hair growing back to all of it’s glory.  I have my fingers crossed it grows back quick  Take care!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share an article that was sent to me from a gentleman named David Haas about exercise and cancer. I have found the information to be very true in my experience as well and thought I would share it with you. The exercise regimen that I have been doing involves pilates reformer workouts (twice a week) and some type of walking/hiking/ lite running a couple times a week. This has really helped with my side effects and just general mood. I also have to say a good diet is very important as well. So, I am attaching his essay and hope it helps any of you out there or your loved ones that are dealing with this horrible disease.

Fitness with Cancer- Fitness Can Help In The Fight

Undergoing treatment for cancer can be physically and emotionally draining, but there is a way to help improve the quality of life through physical activity. Just as it has benefits for healthy people, exercise can help those with cancer by increasing lung function, improving mood, and bettering energy levels.

Exercise can be a useful tool for those with cancer or for survivors, but it should never be viewed as a cure or option for every patient. Those with lung ailments, such as mesothelioma, should discuss with mesothelioma doctors or another cancer specialist about starting or continuing an exercise regime due to the affect the disease has on breathing.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s report on physical activity and cancer from 2010, engaging in physical activity can improve the quality of life for some cancer patients. The type of exercise needed to see improvement was not identified by the study, but any type of movement appears to help. Physical activity also appears to be a factor in preventing many forms of cancer.

Fitness does not mean running miles every day. For those with compromised lung function, anaerobic exercises such as weightlifting or stretching can also be beneficial. Engaging in exercise with other people helps to ease some of the emotional turmoil experienced during and after cancer treatment. Physical activities combined with volunteering double this by shifting the focus to others instead of the cancer.

Even light movement like stretching can help to increase blood flow, improve mood, and make the limbs more flexible. Exercising outside by going for a walk or bike ride boosts the mood, especially on sunny days. Weightlifting strengthens the muscles of the body, making daily tasks easier. The type and amount of activity chosen will depend on the individual’s needs and personal stamina. Symptoms like excessive fatigue, common with cancer treatment, need to be addressed by a physician before beginning an exercise program.

With cancer treatment, fatigue and depression are common, but regular physical activity, especially if allowed by a doctor can help to reduce these effects in some patients. Before beginning a fitness regime, whether during or after cancer treatment, consulting with a doctor to create a regime will help to ensure that the right type of physical activity is chosen.

First, let me start off just saying that I hope that whoever does read this blog I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Now, I will muse about the past couple of weeks and the upcoming year ahead…..

I am wondering what it will be like after I am done with chemo.  I mean, I can’t go back to like it was before (cancer) because everything is different now.   It’s not good or bad it’s just different, I guess.  I get to start the new year cancer free but I still have two more cycles of chemo in January.  I will be following up every few months with PET scans, so I will get that cancer reminder every few months once I am done with chemo.  Of course, cancer will never be far from mind again.  Especially, since I will be working on my oncology nursing certification and I work on an oncology nursing floor.  I guess it is just that time of year that one starts to reflect on the past year and then looks towards the future.  The priorities I have for the coming year and the many years ahead have just kinda been tweaked a bit

In this next year, I think I will be quite a busy girl.  So let me just tell you about a few resolutions I plan to accomplish in this next year.   I start school in just a couple of weeks (an on-line RN to BSN program at UNC-Charlotte).  Ron is convinced I will be a student forever lol but this program should have me done by the end of the year.   So, I will get to end the year with my BSN.   Also, I would like to complete a full marathon by the end of the year.   So, I will be running quite a lot.  And finally I mentioned it earlier I will hopefully be oncology nursing certified by this late spring/early summer.  I guess I am saying, I hope to end this next year with a lot of initials behind my name  So, lots of things in the pipeline for the coming year along with some amazing trips with the family.  I hope that cancer gets the memo that I have too many things going on this next year, so it better stay clear.   I hope that everyone is as excited for 2012 as I am.  I feel I am truly blessed and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.  I want to make the most out of every opportunity that life gives me this year  Also I don’t want to take life so seriously and I plan to laugh a lot!!!!  So there you have it.   Some of my goals and resolutions for 2012.  Now what are some of yours????  Happy New Year everyone!!!!

So I spoke with the doctor today regarding the results of my PET scan, it’s official I am in remission I still have to continue with treatment to insure that the cancer NEVER comes back, so three more cycles will have to be endured but totally worth it!

The results of my PET scan are in…… no signs of cancer were noted!!!! I am so EXCITED!!!!!!! Apparently, I am responding well to treatment!!!!!! I, of course, have to continue with treatment but I can handle it

Well true to form I feel so much better this week:) Yay! I really am looking forward to Jan. 27th, when all of this is behind me. I miss being a nurse and just being “normal”. I am tired of being tired.  I want to start planning my next race and just want to feel good all the time not just for 10 days or so.  I know it is all a matter of time but sometimes it feels as if time is standing still.

On another note, I have my next PET scan scheduled for tomorrow. I look forward to seeing the results whatever they may be.  I will post the results as soon as I know them.

As far as the next few days go, we have some lovely family activities planned for the weekend. A winter hike for one! Also, Ron and I get to have dinner out together to celebrate his birthday a little early. His birthday is on the 20th and my next chemo is on the 16th so needless to say I probably will not be feeling to great on that day lol. Also, I am really looking forward to spending the holidays with my family this year. My parents will be coming up from Georgia to hang out with us for a few days and my brother with his family will be coming up as well to do some Christmas celebrating.

So, all in all, everything is lining up.  It looks like I may be even having dinner with some wonderful nurses next week as well.  I am looking forward to the many laughs that they will provide  Take care everyone and have a most lovely weekend!

So this week has been pretty rough for me. It is hard to describe really how I feel except just to say I feel “crappy”. I have absolutely no energy or desire at times to even get up out of bed. This is torture to me. I don’t do well with just lying around all the time. All I seem to do is sleep and eat.  Yes, I am eating at least lol! Not even with cancer can I lose those last stubborn ten pounds lol.

I keep wondering when will I feel rested again. I am beginning to think the last three treatments will be extremely hard. I was at first thinking that I was kicking chemo’s butt. However, I am rethinking that notion.  I am still waiting to find out when I will get my next PET scan.  I am very anxious about it.  I know it will show improvement but how much is the big question.  I am so ready for this whole thing to be over with.

This weekend we have a lot of Christmas stuff planned.  I am determined to enjoy it with my guys and just make the most of it.  I just have to remember to take one day at a time.  I am in a marathon for my life and I need to just pace myself.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was very easy going. Our neighbors came over and we had a feast! I went off my vegan diet for the holiday and really enjoyed everything
Today, I am doing my 3rd cycle of chemo. This is my halfway point and I am super excited. I will also be getting another PET scan in the next couple of weeks before my 4th cycle. I look forward to seeing the results of this PET scan. I know that my cancer is retreating, I just don’t know how much. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it is all gone????

So, this week has been super awesome for the most part. I hung out with some girlfriends as previously blogged over last weekend and then it just continued into the week. Christy stayed with me while Ron went out of town and it was just such an easy going week for the most part. One of the many things we did was to purchase me a lovely, as Joseph likes to call it, “hair hat”