Last Chemo Done!

Three months and six days have passed and I am officially done with chemotherapy, hopefully for the rest of my life! My last treatment went by quickly, thanks to my three and a half hour nap. I was awoken by the nurses as they presented me with a cake and a congratulations song to commemorate my final treatment. I feel bad that I was so out of it that I didn't really express my gratitude to all of them. They took excellent care of me and managed to keep my dad entertained as well everytime we were there. I did thank them, walked out with a promise to visit Nancy at the front desk (Dr. K's office is right next door and I'll be needing to see him every so often for probably the rest of my life) and silently said to myself, "I hope I never see any of you ever again!"

I remember back to my first chemo session when the woman across from me received her cake and send-off song as well. I thought to myself how that will be me one day, but that day seemed so far off. 16 weeks later, I got to be that lucky girl.

I'm anticpating the achiness and numbness to set it around Monday or Tuesday. I'll be taking it easy this week, and will then be looking forward to a few consecutive weeks of feeling healthy and normal. I have an appointment coming up with my surgeon so we should be able to finalize surgery type and date.

For now, I'm just thrilled that the first part of beating cancer is over. Chemotherapy has certainly not been easy, but I know that it could have been worse too. Surgery will be no fiesta either, but it has to be better than chemo. The final treatment step is radiation, which will hopefully be a piece of cake after chemo and surgery. I'm anticipating all treatment to be over and done with sometime in October. Maybe I'll have some hair on my head by then too!

Thank you for reading about my experiences and encouraging me along the way. I'll continue to update with some of my fun summer activities I plan to get to, as well as surgery information when it's decided and arranged. Today's holiday of celebrating freedom and independence has such special meaning for me today. Enjoy!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun...I Mean Chemo

When I was first diagnosed on February 18, 2009, I was completely devastated. The road to recovery seemed endless and I had no idea where it was leading me. I felt better once getting a treatment plan nailed down, but it still seemed so daunting, scary, and unpredictable.

But now, I can't believe I have one more chemo treatment left. When I talk to people about it, many have commented, "It may not seem like it to you, but that time seemed to go so fast." I always reply that it felt the same for me too. I think the fact that I was still working as much as possible helped to pass the two weeks of time between chemo treatments quickly. I was still maintaining a relatively constant schedule, and being at work made me forget about cancer for those few hours a day. I felt useful, responsible, and worthy. My students needed me to be their teacher, and I needed them to make me feel like a teacher that happenend to have cancer while doing her job. I hated the days I looked and felt like a cancer patient, and nothing else.

Treatment #7 was uneventful, just how I like it. I slept a good three hours thanks to the Benadryl, and had my blood pressure taken about ten times, even during my sleep. I think it's lowest was 80 something over 50 something, which was while I was napping. Leave it to me to be totally relaxed during chemo.

I'm actually looking forward to my last treatment in two weeks. It will mark the end of this first and hopefully most difficult phase of treating my cancer. Dr. K. said we'll wait about a month to do surgery, which leaves me with July to "forget" that I have cancer and just enjoy the summer. I already made a list of fun things I want to do, including visiting a friend's house in CT, going to the Bronx Zoo, seeing a Broadway play, spending time with my little nephew, going to Atlantic City, going to the beach, taking a bellydance class in NYC, and doing some more exercising (although I'll wait until surgery is over to unfreeze my gym membership). I also have some get-togethers and a wedding to attend, so I'll be keeping myself happily busy during that month!

I'll deal with surgery and radiation when the time comes, and then create a new list of fun things to do once cancer treatment is completely over and done with, which will hopefully be sometime in September. Suggestions welcome :)

The Wicked Witch is Melting!

I nicknamed the tumor "the wicked witch" because that's exactly what it is: an evil, unwelcomed guest that's invading my body and causing all sorts of trouble. Unfortunately, it takes more than water to melt this witch!

This past Monday I had an MRI done to see the progress of my treatment and get a sense of how the tumor is responding to chemo. I had an MRI prior to starting chemo, so I was familiar with the routine. It's a face-down procedure where you lay on the table and place your breasts in two holes. The table then slides backwards into the MRI tube and you lay there for about 20 minutes while the imaging takes place. Headphones are worn to protect the ears from the loud noises the machine makes, and I got to listen to the sweet voice of Josh Groban.

I spoke with a nurse practitioner from my surgeon's office today about the results. Prior to chemo, the MRI detected four enlarged auxilliary lymph nodes under the arm, all of which have now decreased in size. The wicked witch herself has also decreased in size, and there is "no other significant enhancement." All good news!

Call me Dorothy if you want, but I'm on the yellow brick road to recovery!

The Bite of the Vampire

I wasn't really bitten by a vampire, although yesterday's experience made me think I have a slight idea what it would be like if I were to be bitten by one. If Edward Cullen from Twilight or Bill Compton from True Blood happen to be reading this, I'm ready for you.

Chemo began with the usual pre-meds to prevent a reaction, but this time it was the pre-meds tha caused a problem. As my sweet, southern nurse from Louisiana was injecting the steroid, I all of a sudden became short of breath and was coughing and wheezing. While that was going on, an awful burning sensation went through my body, but since I couldn't breathe it was hard to voice the pain I felt. She immediately stopped what she was doing and the burn went away within a couple minutes. She then administered the rest of the drug nice and slowly. The other drugs that needed to be dripped in were down very slowly as well, so no further mishaps to report. I was at the Infusion Center from 8 - 2:30, but it was worth it to have a smooth treatment.

Having just seen Twilight again recently, I imagined that the burn I was feeling was the same kind of burn that humans feel when they are bitten by a vampire and undergoing the metamorphosis from human to vampire. I wasn't thinking about that while I was feeling the burn of course, but perhaps if I did I could have imagined sexy vampire Edward Cullen being the one responsible for the bite that caused the burn, which would have put a whole different spin on chemo! With two treatments left to go, I'll be sure to keep this thought in the back of my mind just in case a similar mishap takes place. As if I need a reason to think about Edward Cullen!

Over the Hill Part 2

Again, I'm not referring to my age. This time rather, I'm referring to the age my body has felt this week. As I expected, the side effects of the new drug took a few days to kick in and by Tuesday I was feeling like a grandma, mainly because of the body aches. Dr. K. had told me exactly what to expect, so I was not surprised. He's right all the time! Although I ignored doctor's orders and didn't take any of the anti-nausea pills this week. Luckily, I haven't been nauseous yet and with this new drug, the chance of nausea is much more mild so he suggested I take them as precautionary. Since those pills make me loop-di-loopy, I decided not to take them and thankfully did not need to. I'll confess to Dr. K. Thursday!

Despite the aches and pains, this week was easier to deal with than previous weeks-after-chemo, when I was on the first two chemo drugs. I've had aches and pains plenty of times before in my life thanks to the flu or muscle soreness, so it wasn't terribly unbearble and it was nothing like the fatigue felt with my first four treatments. Fatigue is a total body, energy zapping, right down to the core of your bones lethargy that killed my mood and spirits at times. Body and bone aches aren't exactly pleasant, but I was still able to work nearly every day this past week and have some energy. But I certainly took it easy.

It's been a week since treatment #5 and I feel back to normal. My scarf collection continues to grow thanks to my wonderful friends and family, who all know exactly what colors and prints look great on me. Time to go pick one out and see some of those wonderful friends at a bridal shower!

Over the Hill

No, this title does not refer to my age! Today was my fifth chemo treatment, meaning I have three left! I started a new drug today (Taxol) which is fortunately supposed to be easier to tolerate than the first two drugs I was on. My fourth treatment left me with the worst fatigue so far. It kicked in during the end of treatment and it took me a week to get somewhat back to normal. Needless to say, I'm happy to be done with Adriamycin/Cytoxan. Luckily I was well enough to be at Yankee Stadium last Saturday for A-Rod's walk off homerun! It was a wonderful moment for Yankee fans, and A-Rod as well, who needed a heroic hit like that to win fans over again after his steroid scandel. I personally believe he hit it just for me!

I felt like Caroline again during the second week after treatment, and I've noticed that I'm so happy those weeks no matter what's going on. It's my week to not think about cancer, not feel like I'm sick, and enjoy those days of feeling well until the next treatment.

Speaking of my fifth treatment today, I was nervous because while the drug is easier to tolerate, the chance of having an allergic reaction is high so I had to take a heavy dose of precautionary medications to minimize that risk. One of those drugs included an injection of Benadryl, which made me feel like I took ten shots of Grey Goose in less than a minute. First came the goofy smile and giggling, then I made a stupid joke and laughed hysterically at myself, and then I passed out cold for two and a half hours...all in less than two minutes. But I had no reaction and have felt well all day so far. Side effects are most likely to kick in over the next few days so hopefully the rumors about Taxol being easier are true!

Since I was asleep for awhile during treatment, I missed any humorous hijinks that went on around me, although I did get to witness Dad reading the Cliff's Notes version of Macbeth when we arrived to the Infusion Center. Apparently he found a whole bunch of old Cliff's Notes somewhere in his attic (those must have belonged to my brothers and not to me. I would never, wink wink :).

I hope everyone, including me, gets out at some point to enjoy this long Memorial Day weekend! Being able to say that I'm more than halfway done with chemotheraphy is reason enough for me to celebrate with a Bubba Burger and potato salad! Whatever your reasons are, I hope you enjoy.

A Springtime Drive

Springtime weather has finally made its way to Jersey.  The warm weather, sunshine, and flowers make me energized and eager to get to the end of the school year and the start of summer. 

One of my favorite springtime firsts is driving with the windows down.  In the past, I’ve never been able to drive with all four windows entirely down because my hair was always flapping around and getting in my face, even if it were in a ponytail.  I’d leave the windows open enough to catch the breeze but not enough to make my hair look like a bird’s nest upon arrival to my destination. 

My new (lack of) hair style, however, has allowed me to really feel what it’s like to drive with the windows all the way down.  With only the tail of my scarf swirling in the breeze, it makes it easy to really feel the wind as I cruise around.  On a particularly daring drive I chose to wear nothing on my head and felt the refreshing, exhilarating sensation of the wind while driving slightly above the speed limit on the Garden State Parkway.  As I leaned my head out the window I thought that this must be what dogs feel like when they’re in the car and sticking their heads out the window.  Since I was driving I couldn’t exactly stick my whole head out the window, but now I completely understand why dogs love doing it so much.  What a rush!

I’ve made a promise to myself now.  Every spring for the rest of my life, no matter how long or short my hair is, I will drive with the windows down, stick my head slightly out the window, and not care if my hair looks like a bird’s nest upon arrival to my destination.  I’ll just be happy that it’s back and causing me all the trouble it used to!

Halftime Show

I am officially halfway through my chemo treatments! Yesterday was the last of Adriamycin/Cytoxan, and in two Fridays I'll be starting Taxol for four times. The only noteworthy comment I can make about yesterday's chemo was my window seat, which allowed me to watch all the cute doctors walk by on their way into the hospital. Anyway, after my next four treatments I'll be done with chemo and looking forward to a month off before surgery so that I can enjoy the summer!

I feel very fortunate that the only side effects I experienced so far have been fatigue and hair loss. All of the information I received on A and C listed numerous other side effects that are possible but that I thankfully didn't have to experience. I asked Dr. K. on Thursday what to expect from Taxol, since I was nervous about starting a new drug since the first set wasn't that bad for me. He informed me that people tend to handle Taxol even better than A and C so hopefully that goes the same for me and is not the opposite! I asked him if my hair would start growing back while on Taxol and he laughed and said no. I know I know...be patient.

After a thorough breast exam, Dr. K. also informed me that the size of the tumor is decreasing! I have been able to tell that myself since after my second chemo treatment, but it made me feel better to hear confirmation from my oncologist.

With warm weather on the way, a shrinking tumor in my breast, and a trip to Yankee stadium planned for next Saturday, I have plenty to smile about!

Sammy Dallas

My last post described my discovery of The Lump, so I thought I would continue this trip to the past and discuss the weeks following my diagnosis and leading up to my first chemo treatment.  I refer to this period of time as Sammy Dallas.  This name comes from my (late) dog’s name and my mother’s maiden name, the common formula for a person’s x-rated movie star name.  With all these strange eyes and hands on my breasts, an x-rated star is exactly what I've felt like!

After looking over my appointment book and recalling all the doctors and nurses, I came up with 20 people who have had some visual and/or physical contact with my breasts since The Lump.  The majority of these people were women, however, I thought it worthy to comment on the four men.  

The first was a young, handsome, visiting pathologist from Mt. Sinai in New York City, who I could not look at directly because I knew I’d start giggling.  The second was my oncologist, Dr. K., who can’t be more than five years older than I am.  I see him every two weeks so he’s gotten to know me and my breasts very well.  The last two were different plastic surgeons I saw for consultations.  The first was an older, seasoned surgeon who showed me a photo album of his work, so I saw nearly a hundred before and after pictures of breasts in shapes and sizes I never even imagined could grow.  When that mortification was over, he asked me if he could take a picture for “future surgical reference.”  The picture was of my breasts only, but I still felt that I deserved monetary compensation, especially since he was flying out for a “conference” that day and I pictured him going through his digital slideshow of breasts to pass time on the airplane.  The second plastic surgeon mostly talked about himself while I sat on the table with the flimsy paper vest open so he could reference, point to, and poke my breasts as he described various procedures he is capable of doing. 

Breast viewings have since decreased now that I’m undergoing chemo, but only temporarily.  With a breast surgeon appointment and MRI coming up, it won’t be long before Sammy Dallas gets to make another appearance on the examining table!

Spreading the Awareness

I've been off from work this whole week for my Spring Break, which coincided well with my third treatment so that I could take this week to recover.  "Recovering" for me also meant going shopping, having lunch with friends I haven't seen in awhile, walking on the track near my house, and spending last night at my brother Chris's and being attacked by his three dogs (Dachshund, mini Dachshund, and pit bull) with love and sloppy doggy kisses.

I've also had some time to think about the events of the last few months, which then made me think all the way back to the beginning of this whole experience:  the discovery of The Lump.  I wanted to share my story of discovery in hopes of encouraging other women and men to put their hands on their breasts and have a good, long feel!

I never did the official Breast Self Exam.  We're told about it by doctors, but I felt that daily showering and dressing and undressing was enough for me to feel my breasts and take notice of them.  And getting dressed was exactly how I discovered the lump.  

It was mid-January.  I had just hooked on a bra and was adjusting my breasts when I felt it, on my left upper breast towards the outside (closer to the armpit).  Since I was going to the gym regularly and taking conditioning classes with free weights, I thought maybe it was a muscle or something else I stupidly rationalized.  When I started feeling pain within a few days of feeling it, I called my doctor and went for an appointment at the end of January.  When she examined it she said it's common for women to develop benign breast tumors, but to have it biopsied.  And here I am.

Screening and detecting breast cancer among women under 35 is extremely difficult.  Breast tissue is incredibly dense in younger women, so it's difficult for mammograms to detect lumps, which is why mammograms aren't even recommended until a woman is 35.  We need to know our bodies and trust our instincts if something doesn't feel right, which my lump certainly did not.  Having no family history of breast cancer doesn't mean anything, as I clearly exemplify.  

My hope is that everyone who has been reading this post has been getting to know their breasts as they are reading.  This goes for men too!  We can all read and squeeze at the same time!

Thanks for allowing me my moment to preach.  Happy squeezing!

My Chemo Playlist

I sometimes listen to my iPod during chemo, which has a huge collection of songs in a playlist I labeled Hospital. There are way too many songs to name on that list, but it's a selection of music I thought would make chemo more enjoyable, along with the recliner, free food and beverages, and waving to all the (much) older patients as I take one of my many trips to the bathroom while toting my IV cart.

I decided to make a mix cd to listen to in the car on the way to chemo, rather than listen to whichever XM station my father/chaffeur happens to have on in his car that morning. I call it Songs that make me Happy, and yesterday was my first day trying it out. The trip is suppossed to take only 20 minutes, and my appointment is early enough to avoid morning rush hour traffic on Route 4 East as commuters make their way to the George Washington Bridge to get to their jobs in New York City. Yesterday's trip took more like 45 minutes because of a bad accident, so Dad and I got to listen to nearly the entire cd. The song list is below, along with some comments my father made while listening to them. His music tastes stopped evolving in the 1970s, so all of this music was very new to him.

I suggest these songs to anyone who needs to be put in a good mood no matter where you're going. Enjoy!

Jai Ho (from the Slumdog Millionare soundtrack); "What's he saying? Tally ho? What language is this?"
Falling Slowly (from the Once sondtrack): "This is a nice song...I like it."
Killer Queen (Queen): "Queenie!"
Rock and Roll (Eric Hutchinson)
Falling (Tyrone Wells)
Electronica Bellydance (Mezdeke): "Is this another Slumdog song?"
Come on get Higher (Matt Nathanson): "Is this about pot?"
Single Ladies (Beyonce): "So she's saying she won't screw a guy until he marries her?"
Broken Strings (James Morrison and Nelly Furtado)
She Holds a Key (Gavin DeGraw): "This is a nice song."
The Kid with the Pointy Shoes (Thing-One): "What boys wear pointy shoes?"
Lifesize (A Fine Frenzy): "I like her voice better than the one about putting a ring on it to get in on it, or whatever the hell she sang."
Yellow Rose (Christopher Jak)

I will be happy to suggest more! For me, the music I listen to can change my mood and relax me. It's probably why my blood pressure (always taken before chemo) was a cool and calm 99/68 yesterday. People would pay for that blood pressure!

I'm a Victim of the CSI!

I want to take a moment to share with everyone how fantastic my co-workers have been during this whole experience. A group of anonymous co-workers has teamed up to form the CSI: Chemo Survival Initiative. Nearly every day, I arrive to my classroom with a surprise left for me by the CSI. First, it was a mini fridge stocked with water and juice. I was given a laptop to borrow by the technology director, so the CSI gave me a hot pink foam case for it, along with a raspberry-colored tote to carry it. Today, the day before my third treatment, they left me gossip magazines and lip balm. I'm getting spoiled! Being at work has allowed me to still feel like a functioning member of society, so thanks to my co-workers and the CSI for taking such good care of me!

I saw my oncologist today for my standard, pre-chemo check-up so I'm all set for treatment #3 tomorrow. My doctor loved my new "gypsy" look, and he declared that my earrings really give me some "flair." We'll see what everyone at the Infusion Center thinks of it tomorrow!

Once chemo is over tomorrow, my Spring Break officially starts and I get to kick it off by baby-sitting my 14 month old nephew! I know that no matter what happens tomorrow, one look at that handsome little guy and I'll be smiling.

A Touching Post

My good friend "Mikey" is a fellow blogger who writes with comedy and class too. His blog contains entertaining anecdotes about his current dating life in his quest to find a "wifey."

Mikey also happens to be my ex-boyfriend, although we broke up so many years ago that I don't even refer to him as that. He's just my friend. We were friends before we dated and, although it took some time, were able to become friends again after breaking up and we have been for many years.

He took a break from his usual blogging topic of dating to write a touching post about me on April 20th on his blog, which I would like to share with the readers of my blog.

Mikey doesn't give himself enough credit. He admires me for my "stubborn courage" when he possesses the same unique quality that has enabled him to face his challenges as well. It was probably the only thing we had in common when we dated! He's a devoted friend, excellent advice giver, horrible speller, and ladies...he's single!

A Tribute to Ancient Greece

A few days have passed and I’ve adjusted to my new look.  I was fitted for a wig prior to losing my hair, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about it.  It’s high quality and a cute style, but it’s not exactly me.  My natural hair is dark, curly, dry, and frizzy.  With the help of numerous products and practice with tools, I’ve learned how to make my hair presentable.  It’s never perfect but always in control, while being slightly untamed at the same time.  In fact, that’s exactly how I would describe myself! 

I took home the wig right after I had my head shaved.  I wore it for a couple of hours and found that it gave me a headache.  As mentioned, I have different head scarves that I’ve been wearing to work and out in public, and I think I prefer them over the wig.  They are each multi-colored with beautiful patterns and I’ve gotten many compliments from friends, co-workers, students, and strangers.  I’ve been told I look suave, foreign, exotic, like a Greek goddess, adorable, beautiful, cute, fashionable, hot, and sophisticated.  Since the scarves are made of cotton they are extremely lightweight, very comfortable, and able to be worn all day.

For now, this is my new look. Of course I prefer the original me, but I’m having fun matching outfits to my scarves and wearing big, funky earrings and necklaces to give myself that exotic, gypsy look.  Who knows?  Maybe my ancient Greek ancestors were poor peasants who wore scarves on their heads, togas on their bodies, and worshipped the gods at the temple of Pallas Athena.  But I’m sure that underneath their scarves they had the same dark, curly, dry, frizzy hair that I look forward to taming again one day!

It Will Grow Back

I knew I was going to lose my hair.  I was cautioned that after the second treatment is when the significant hair loss begins, so I was not surprised.  Traumatized?  Absolutely.  But like the good little Girl Scout I was as a child, I am prepared with a collection of adorable head scarves and a wig.  Once it started coming out in handfuls I handed my mother a pair of scissors and said one word:  “Chop.”  She obliged, I cried, and ten seconds later it was over. 

Now that I looked like my one-year-old nephew cut my hair, the next step was for the full on buzz cut.  I called up my hair stylist, Anthony, and asked him if he would do the honors.  He said, “It’s a date!”  I reminded him that I was bringing my brothers to chaperone our “date,” which thrilled him because he cuts their hair regularly as well and finds them almost as hilarious as I do. 

My older brothers are quite a sight to look at.  They are nearly 6’6”, built like linebackers, and are identical twins.  I happen to think they are the two funniest people in the world.  I knew shaving my head was going to be upsetting, but if anyone could make me laugh during this experience, it would be Frankie and Chris. 

As we were escorted to the private room in the back where the buzzing took place (“Private room…classy,” Chris remarked), I could feel the tears in my eyes and knew I was about to lose it.  But as I sat down, Frankie commented on all the inappropriate things that probably go on in this private room, which led Anthony into a boss-bashing tirade, and the comedy routine ensued!  They talked about how the Yankees were in the midst of embarrassing themselves on their opening day at the new Yankee stadium, told dirty jokes about each other and Anthony’s boss, and by the end of the shaving session Frankie and Chris were serenading me with a hilarious rendition of Nothing Compares to You, by controversial female bald singer Sinead O’Conner.  After remarking that my forehead no longer looks like a "fivehead" (they've teased me since birth about my big forehead!), I knew I would have the courage to swing my chair around and face the mirror. 

I could not have done this without my brothers there.  Thanks to them I laughed through the whole ordeal and when I finally looked in the mirror, I saw their reflections looking right at me with goofy grins on their faces as they said simultaneously, “Yeeeeeeeeeeep.”  How could I not laugh at that moment?

Lessons in Italian Cooking

My second treatment took place on April 10th. There's really nothing too remarkable to report about. I showed up at 8am and chose a chair right next to the window. I sat in my sea foam-colored recliner, this time armed with various forms of entertainment provided by my wonderful friends and family, including my iPod, a laptop on loan, a portable DVD player, books, and magazines. My powerport was successfully and nearly painlessly accessed for treatment and the hours flew by!

Perhaps the most entertaining part of treatment was listening to Dad and Mary, my nurse for the day, bond over Italian cooking tips. Dad suggested the lasagna noodles that don't need to be precooked, while Mary prefers meatballs made with a combination of meats and not just beef. They debated the pros and cons of using crushed tomatoes or tomato puree when making their own sauce (the pride and joy of any Italian cook!), and by the end of treatment had swapped Easter menus as I sat there with my stomach roaring, hoping that the nasty metallic taste in my mouth (a common chemo side effect) will hold off so that I can enjoy spiral ham, stuffed shells, green bean casserole, roasted potatoes, and corn with my parents, brothers, sisters-in law, and handsome one year old nephew.

Easter Sunday will be missing the original "classy broad," my grandmother, who passed away last Friday on the 41st anniversary of her husband's funeral. She loved her family dearly and her kindness, cheerfulness, and quirkiness will be missed tremendously. Family gatherings will never be the same without Grandma's signature question whenever she was offered a drink: "You mean booze?"

Happy Easter!

I'm a Superhero!

Prior to receiving my first chemo treatment, I had surgery to implant a “powerport” in my body. This port serves as the landing ground for nearly every sharp object that needs to be poked into me. This is where blood is taken from my body and drugs are injected into it.

The port is a quarter-sized, heart shaped piece of titanium about 2cm thick. It’s located on the right side of my body, near my collar bone, and looks like a little bulge under my skin. It’s usually hidden underneath clothing, but as the weather warms up and my wardrobe becomes more revealing, you just may catch a glimpse.

In order to make this powerport more interesting, I’ve convinced myself that it’s not made of titanium, it’s made of “adamantium.” For any fellow X-Men dorks (I mean fans), you know that adamantium is the fictional metal alloy that was implanted into Wolverine’s body. Get him fired up and the metal comes shooting from his knuckles and he looks like a stronger, meaner, and much more masculine version of Edward Scissorhands. Now that I have a small piece of adamantium in my own body, that makes me Wolverine’s female counterpart (and let’s face it ladies, who wouldn’t want to be Hugh Jackman’s female counterpart!). I thought I needed a superhero name, but since Wolverine and Caroline end in the same three letters, all I need to do is change the pronunciation to Caro-lean. So next time you see me, be sure not to fire me up or a knife may come protruding from my right clavicle and Wolverine and I will go all X-Men on you. You’ve been warned!

1st Chemo Treatment

Since today is the eve of my second chemo treatment, I figured I would write about my first one, which took place nearly two weeks ago on Friday, March 27th. During my two hours at the infusion center I relaxed in my recliner, listened to my iPod, and watched my father get up every ten minutes to use the bathroom. When it was over, I went home. Piece of cake!

Besides some nausea the night of the first treatment, the most significant side effect has been fatigue. I first felt it Sunday night and it was as if I took part in the Iron Man competition and won, then was beaten up by all the angry losers of the competition. Fatigue scared me because I did not like feeling so useless and I didn't know when it would end. Thankfully, by Thursday of that same week I felt like myself and have ever since! I know it won't last so I've been walking laps around my apartment in anticipation of being stuck on the coach again in a few days. I love my couch. If you've sat on it, you understand. If you haven't, I invite you to come over and sit.

Welcome!

I never considered keeping a blog before.  While I may find my life fascinating I tend to think most other people would not, so I never bothered to share it on the internet.  My life became much more fascinating after my cancer diagnosis, however, and a good friend suggested blogging as a way to keep everyone updated on my progress.  Therefore, let me formally introduce myself and welcome you to my blog:  Hi, my name is Caroline and welcome to my blog!  Expect to read plenty of comical posts about my experiences, thoughts, ideas, and feelings as I battle breast cancer.  Thanks for stopping by!