Round 4

So, I went in for my fourth round of chemo today excited for the fact that I had reached my half way point with four rounds down and only four to go, but then Dr. Bhalla came in to speak to us. As it turns out, I was originally diagnosed incorrectly. I actually started out at level 2b, meaning that I have bulk disease, or that the disease spreads more then 7 cm across my chest. What that literally translates to is I need 6 full cycles of chemo minimum instead of the 4 full cycles of chemo that was initially prescribed, so I now will be doing 12 rounds of chemo (another 2 months).I won't lie. I was pretty disappointed when I heard the news. I have been blessed with amazing strength, faith, and courage througout this process so far, but it is still not the easiest thing to deal with. Thank goodness for the tremendous family and friends I have been given and for the love of my Heavenly Father. Without those things I don't think I would be able to handle this. They keep me going and my attitude and overall outlook on life positive (I love you guys all soooooo much). Also, it was brought to Dr. Bhalla's attention just a few days ago that the CT scan I took a little over a month ago showed a mass on my right breast. This could mean that on top of my Hodgkins disease breast cancer has also developed, so I will be needing a few more tests to determine what the mass is or was and what needs to be done to treat it. Breast cancer is highly unlikely at my young age, but not impossible, so better safe then sorry. While it would be an unconvience to have yet another medical issue, the way I see it is that I am already set up to fight it, so if I have to have it bring it on!! Afterall, trials only make you stronger.
I have been feeling pretty amazing, however. In fact, somedays I would almost completely forget the fact that I have cancer if it wasn't for my bald head. The weather in pheonix has been wonderful though and I have been able to drive around town with the windows down not having to worry about the tangled knot my hair will be in when I am finshed! That is an awesome perk!
I will keep you posted on my progress and share the results of my tests and scans with you as soon as I get the information, which more then likely will not be until my next chemo session. I have also posted below a couple of more recent photos of me in my cute hats! Ttyl! :)

Round 3

Well, on Monday I had my third round of chemo and I am happy to report that everything went well yet again. This time I was accompanied by my two friends, Fran and Emily. We played card games most of the time we were there and I dominanted, especially at Uno (and no, they didn't just let me win because they felt bad for me. They fought hard to win, but what can I say? I guess I am just one hard girl to beat). I know I am responding to treatments too! The bump I had found on my neck that really started this whole thing is now just a fraction of the size it was a month ago. I take that as a really good sign. I was also having lung problems because of Hodgkins. My left lung was almost entirely filled with fluid and I had to have it drained. The doctors were surprised to learn that I hadn't been having any trouble breathing with that much fluid in my lungs. The only problem I did have was excessive coughing if you can even call it that. It was just slightly above average coughing. Anyway, after just 2 sessions of chemo I noticed that the coughing has almost completely stopped. Thank goodness for that because of all of the procedures I have had done so far my lungs being drained was the hardest and I am really hoping that I don't have to do it again. I go to see a pulmonologist, on Thursday however, so we will have to wait and see what he says about my improvement.
All of my future chemo appointments will be on Tuesday. We had to move things around because of my school schedule.It should be interesting to see what it will be like to balance school, work, and chemo at the sametime. Although, I have no doubt that with everyone's continuing support and prayers that it will be anyting too tough for me to handle. Next time, marks the half way point for me though! I am so excited!
As for the hair update, I am not quite bald yet, but my hair is still thinning a ton, so I am glad to have it so short. As strange as it sounds, we have found it quite effective to use a lint roller to get any of the loose hairs in the morning so I am not shedding as much during the day. I have really adjusted well to having practically no hair too. It is no longer strange looking in the mirror and seeing a bald head and I have come to love wearing my hats as well. I must admit it can be kind of challenging to find the right hat to go with each of my outfits, but its fun at the same time. I never wore hats before this and its great to get to try something new. Besides, it takes me half the time to get ready now and I love that, more sleep. I might even find my self slightly disappointed when my hair grows back and I have to spend all that time fixing it in the mornings.
I guess that is all I have to report for right now! I'll ttyl :)

Buzz Time

Just as I predicted I got sick of my hair falling out pretty quick! It is just not fun! In fact, its almost upsetting to keep having to pull out strands and strands of your hair. So, on Christmas Eve I was brave and decided to buzz it. I sat down nervously in the chair and let my brother Tanner go to work as the rest of the family gathered around to watch. A few minutes and a couple of funky styles later all I had was fuzz! I must say, it is not as bad as I thought it would be, but I do miss my hair. It will be fun when it starts to grow back, however and interesting to see if there are any changes. The chemo nurses told me it could come back a different color or even curly. All of my brothers joined in the fun and got their heads shaved as well (Ethan was the shocker. He always refuses to get his hair cut short). I think they look like studs! I love them so much!
After all the commotion of the hair cuts, my dad gave me a present. Several of my family members had pitched in to buy me a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings. They said they had the jeweler pick out the two diamonds with the most sparkle so that I would be reminded that I sparkle! It really meant a lot to me. I am so grateful for their love and support. It makes everything so much easier. We tried to put the earrings in, but they wouldn't go. It has been too long since I have worn earrings. I was totally disappointed, so today we went to the mall and got my ears pierced again. It will be six weeks before I can take out the studs they put in and wear my diamond earrings, but I am still excited. Thank you everyone! Love you!!
So, I don't think shaving heads was what my mother really want to do with our Christmas Eve. It is the last one for at least 2 years that will all be together because Tanner is leaving to go on his mission in February, but I think it was wonderful night and certainly one we will remember forever!

Round 2

Sorry, it has been awhile since I have written, but it has been a crazy week. Monday, I went in for my second round of Chemo. Things went a lot more smoothly overall this time. First off, the amount of time it took went down to 3 and 1/2 hours! YAY! :) and I was just so much more comfortable. I knew what to expect and had a much better idea of what everything was going to be like so I was able to relax. This time my dad and brother, Ethan, went with me. It was funny to see the look on Ethan's face when they went to stick me with the needle for my I.V. He had to look away. Its not often that I get to gross him out! It is usually the other way around! The lifesavers really came in handy too. I was grateful to have them. Saline is not the best taste in the world. I would also like to report that my Mario Brothers skills have already drastically improved. I am now able to make it to the third level without loosing a single life. In fact, I am usually able to gain 3 0r 4 lives on my way. I know, that still isn't too impressive, but for me it is awesome! I mean it when I say I stink at all things Nintendo.
I was beginning to be hopeful that I would be one of the lucky ones and make it thru all of my Chemo without loosing my hair. They said it would start falling out 8 to 10 days after my first Chemo and I didn't loose any, but Sunday night (the 13th day) as I was going to get ready for bed I went to run my fingers thru my hair and ended pulling out quite a bit ( I know that's kind of sick, sorry). It hasn't stopped coming out since then. Lucky for me I have really thick hair, so you can't really tell just yet, but I am sure by the end of the week I'll be bald just because I am tired of hair falling out. I'd rather just shave it off and get it over with. I also made my big move this week. I am now back at home with my parents. Its kind of strange. I haven't lived at home for about 2 and 1/2 years now and I got use to living out on my own. I am going to miss my apartment and my roomies a ton, I already do, but it will be nice to be at home and with my family during all of this. Anyway, that is all I have for now. I would like to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! Ttyl.

The Hat Party!

I have the best family and friends in the whole world! Yesterday, I was hanging out at my parents house, as I usually do on Sunday nights, and about 5 o'clock some friends and family started showing up. I had no idea what was going on. I just assumed that I was a popular gal and people were just dropping in to say "hello." Everyone gathered together in the living room and started handing me packages. I was totally confused. The first package I opened contained two hats and a note that read "Sorry I missed your hat party." Huh? They had me read the note over and over, but I still was getting it. After about four or five times of reading the note my sister clued me in! What a fun surprise! Everyone who came gave me a different hat. I now have tons! One for every occasion, including Cinco de Mayo ( thanks to my brother Tanner who gave me a sombrero). Because of everyone's fun and adorable hats, I am going to be one of the cutest bald girls ever!! Thank you guys so much!!!! I love all of them!!!

Tastes Like.......Metal?

Ok, so I was crossing my fingers and hoping, as anyone would, that I would be lucky enough to escape the side effects of chemo, but I couldn't. There is this orange juice at work that I love! Whenever I work in the mornings I have to have some. Well, I returned to work on wed., after having the last several weeks off, settled in, poured myself a nice big cup of OJ, and took a huge gulp only to find out that it was completely disgusting!!! I immediatly notified my boss that the orange juice tasted off and must be out of date. She didn't believe me and decided to try some for herself. To my suprise she reported that it tasted just fine. Uh oh! As it turned out it wasn't the orange juice, it was me. Everything tasted like metal. It was gross! The next day, things got worse. Not only did things taste off, but it really really hurt to eat or drink anything. Whatever I put into my mouth burned like acid. I called my chemo nurses and told them the situation and they were able to call in a perscription for me for this stuff called Mircle Mouthwash. After a few hours I was able to pick it up and use it. It too tasted awful, but it numbed my mouth and throat completely so I was able to eat and drink. :) Everyday, with the help of the mouthwash, I have gotten a little bit better and today I am back to normal. I am hoping that it won't happen again, but if it does I am already equiped!

Round One

Yesterday was a big day for me! I had my first round of Chemo. I have to admit going in I was scared. I didn't know what it was going to feel or be like or more importantly how I was going to react to the treatments and how well I would be able handle things if everything didn't go exactly right or if I had any bad reactions. Well, so far so good. I still feel pretty great and I haven't experienced anything to out of the ordinary except for being sooo tired that I ended up passing out at 9 last night (and those of you who know me really well know that that is incredibly early for me). The chemo treatment itself wasn't awful either. There is a ton of just sitting and waiting. My mom and I were at the doctors for almost 4 hours all together. Luckily, my sister Jerah was nice enough to let me barrow her Nintendo DS to give me something to do while hanging out in the doctor's offices and getting my treatments. I have been playing a ton of Mario Brothers to keep myself entertained, in fact its kind of become an addiction even though I really stink at it, but I am improving everyday and I am sure by the end of all this I will be an expert. I was really grateful for my port yesterday too. As it turns out it really is way easier to get an I.V. hooked up to a port then it is your hand! One strange thing I learned, however is how you can actually taste the medication as they are injecting it into you. It tastes just like salt! I wasn't expecting that at all, but I have now equiped myself with lifesavers so next time I go in I will be tasting the candy instead of the medication. Anyway, thats all I have for today. Ill ttyl! :)