A country club for radiation?

I drove Mom to her third round of radiation this morning. 30% done! It is my first time at this doctor's office and, despite the circumstances, I have to admit that I am impressed. Kudos to Bon Secours for making it feel like I am at a country club or the lobby of a nice hotel while I wait. Mom even has a "speed pass" to scan when she checks in. What am exclusive club!

The tropical fish, free wi-fi, and entertainment news on tv almost (for just a second, if you don't read any signs) make you forget why you are there. 

Egg Beaters

With Linda in pre-op, Adrienne, Jessica, and I had the following text exchange.

All went well with surgery and Linda is home now and resting comfortably.  She had a good lasagna dinner (thanks Debbie Piazza!).  We expect radiation to start next week.

Inner Strength

In preparation for our second cancer-versary, Mom picked out a new charm to add to our Pandora bracelets.  She picked out the charm weeks ago, before this recent round of doctors appointments, tests, and a new diagnosis. Before we knew that her (and our) cancer journey was taking another turn.  Mom, Jess, and I added the bead to our bracelet on Christmas, the day before Mom made the decision to have her ovaries removed and scheduled her surgery. This year's bead is "Inner Strength."  

I find this bead particularly fitting as Mom prepares for surgery tomorrow. Cancer (and cancer treatment) certainly tries to zap one physically, so she will have to be strong to fight back (again).  I also think that it is her inner strength that allows her to be so very aware of her body.  To feel the slightest change, to know when it's time to call the doctor, and then to be ready to hear the plan.  Tomorrow, Mom starts this next round of fighting.  I am confident that she'll have the necessary inner strength from her head to her toes, down her spine and into her pelvic bone.

Update: It’s Been A While

Almost exactly a year ago, after going through a challenging 2012 and successfully combating breast cancer, Linda wrote on this blog, “While I do not know how long I will ride this wave, I do know that if I do fall down, my “village” will be there to pick me up and keep me going.  Thank you – all of you!”  On December 31, 2012, she had a PET/CT scan which showed no signs of cancer, which set the stage for a very happy new year!

Unfortunately, earlier this month, Linda’s oncologist ordered new scans as a precaution based on Linda feeling some pain in her hip.  The scans revealed a spot of metastasis.  Knowing that the type of cancer discovered in early 2012 is not curable, this discovery was not as shocking as the original diagnosis, nor is it welcome news.  Her doctors have rallied and as before, are acting aggressively with treatment.

Her oncologist said that the medication she has been on may no longer be effective for her, and wants to change to another medication.  However, in order to use any of the other available meds, she must be menopausal.  In order to ensure she is menopausal, she must have her ovaries surgically removed; surgery will be January 8, 2014.  Immediately thereafter, she will undergo ten rounds of radiation.

We took full advantage of Linda’s good health throughout 2013 and traveled amazing roads with friends and family.  Just as we navigated the 2012 detour successfully, we look forward to 2014 with optimism and determination.

Relay for Life 2013

I have been participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for many years.  I have always found the Relay to be a way to reflect, honor those we've lost, and bond together in the fight against cancer.  Some years, that fight is more real than others.  This year, was one of those years.  

My favorite part of the Relay is the luminaria ceremony, a time when the names of those that we are walking for line the track.  Below is a collage of the luminaries that honor those that I walk for each year.   

This Relay for Life started with a first for me: attending a Survivor's dinner.  Mom joined other survivors for the first lap of the night and we followed in a Caregiver lap. Last year, Dad joined me for a few laps while Mom was at home resting after a day of chemo.  This year, Mom not only had the strength to walk with us, but she was actually ahead of us and we had to run to catch up.  Also, she was wearing a cape for part of the night to further prove she is a superhero. I'm not sure how long it will take for me to stop marking each milestone. I often find myself looking around and thinking "what a difference a year makes." 

Our small but mighty team raised $1,635 which contributed to the almost $40,000 that the University of Richmond's Relay for Life raised this year.  This was the largest Relay that U of R has hosted and surpassed last year's Relay by almost $5,000.  90 cents of every dollar goes directly into American Cancer Society programming which directly benefits families like mine. The support of friends, family, and co-workers throughout the year, and the community that is rallied through the Relay for Life, offers me hope that someday the battle against cancer will be won for good.

A Journey of Hair

There are many ways that we will remember the last year, 2 months, and 8 days. One of the most visual ways is through Mom's hair. Last week, Mom went for her first real haircut in over a year.  Follow along through pictures and see her new 'do at the end!

Christmas Eve 2011
The day after Mom's first doctor's appointment. Blissful ignorance and the "before" picture for the next year of hair adventures.



January 13, 2012
Mom is declared a "fall risk" after her port surgery.  Hair is still the same length.

January 20, 2012
Mom's "first day" of chemo. 

 


January 21, 2012
Mom decided to cut her hair short to start to get used to the changes that were to come. Here is her last ponytail and her shorter 'do.


  

 

February 4, 2012
Mom woke up and her hair was beginning to fall out (much faster than we expected) so we went wig shopping.  Here are some never before seen photos of the wigs that didn't make the cut!

  

Later that day, Mom made the brave decision to shave off the rest of her hair. 

 

February-June 2012
During Mom's chemo and surgery months, she mastered the art of bandana, turban, and scarf wearing.  Her wig made only an occasional appearance, mostly for special occasions.

 

   

July-August 2012

Over the summer, it was really hot and Mom's hair was starting to grow back.  So, off went the scarves and bandanas and Mom's "new look" was revealed.

 

November and December 2012:

Mom's hair kept growing throughout the fall. She had curls that she'd never had before and without gel, her hair was almost as tall as she is!

 

(Does this picture look familiar?? See the first one posted.)

January 9, 2013
Mom's 1 year cancer-vesary

 

March 15, 2013
Mom got tired of having "cancer hair" and went for a real haircut and color.  Here are her before and after pictures, including the dreaded "day after haircut/first time you have to do it yourself" hair!

  

Relay for Life 2013

Friends and Family,

For many years, I have participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.  I have done the walk around the football field at my high school in honor of my aunt who lost her battle with leukemia when I was young.  I did the walk in a college gym at NYC as a recent college alum with my Georgetown roommates.  In 2009, I walked around the lake at the University of Richmond the week my uncle passed away from complications from cancer.  I have walked in honor of my grandfather.  Last year, I added two more luminaries to my list and walked in honor of my Uncle Paul and my mother.  Over the years, I have also walked for relatives of friends, co-workers of Greg, and those I have never met.  While there are moments that the cancer in my family and all around us can be overwhelming, at Relay, I feel some peace and hope.  I know that many of you have been impacted by cancer and hope that Relay can do the same for you.

This year, I am the team captain for "Walking on Sunshine" for the University of Richmond's Relay for Life on Friday, March 29.  The Relay will run from 6p.m. to 6a.m. in the Weinstein Center.  While I do realize that this is a long event (and 3 a.m. on a college campus can be intimidating), I hope that you will join my team as a walker, a cheerleader, or a funder and raise money for the American Cancer Society. Remember, as long as we have one person walking on the track throughout the night, then we’re on the right track!
Just today, I was at a lunch with a staff member from the American Cancer Society.  While she was talking about where all the money goes, I realized how my family has directly benefited from the programs and research that the American Cancer Society funds: From Look Good, Feel Better, a workshop that Mom and I attended last spring, after chemo, to the Q&A section on their website which I visited regularly to the catalog that Mom used to order comforting "cancer accessories."  The funds raised by Relay really do impact families just like mine.

If you are willing to continue on this journey with me, you can sign up by going to www.relayforlife.org/uofrichmond and click on “Sign up.” Then “Join an Existing Team” and scroll down to our team name: ­­­­­Walking on Sunshine!   Or, you can click on my Relay page directly and donate or register from there. 

From there, you have to answer a few questions, use a credit card to pay $10 to sign up and receive a shirt (or you can pay me in cash the next time you see me and I will pass that on to the Relay For Life committee), and then (if you are willing) send out emails to family and friends asking for donations.

I'll bring the big sunglasses (the shine of hope can sometimes be blinding) and hope to see you on the track.

Adrienne