Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure

More Graham and McKenzie Photos

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A little South Carolina Wedding.....Congratulations Em and Shawn!

Enjoy one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen!
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One Year PET/CT = Clear

Couldn't ask for a better day on Wednesday! My Primary Care Dr called with my results. I will see the Oncologist Monday and write more then...cancer free is more and more real every day!

Chocolate Anyone?

So today was my one-year scan. It went off without a hitch, i just had trouble with the not eating thing, man my stomach was making so much noise throughout the entire test today. Between that and not drinking coffee, wasn't a happy camper when I left...and being 90 degrees, ugh, I thought I lived in SoCal!

Anyways, I arrived at 9:15am, had to sign my life away. Wouldn't you think that if you had done this once, they could re-use all the forms I signed last time? I got an IV put in, they inject a sugar substance and then I have to relax for about 45 minutes. They came back with the contrast, today was Chocolate. It really wasn't that bad. I am not sure if it's that my senses aren't as heightened or that it had a slight chocolate taste?!?

I made the mistake of wearing shorts and a tank top to the scan, it is 90 degrees outside, but many was it cold in the scan room. I had a blanket on me, but my hands were completely numb when I was done. From there I went down for my CT scan and more IV iodine. What I find interesting is how "bigger" people get these things done, because my shoulders hardly find in the darn machine. I had to hold on to the sides of my shorts just to fit. I think they should reconsider the size of the tubes!

I was done about noon time and between all the junk I had in me, lack of fluids and food, I couldn't wait to lay down. I won't have the test results until the 14th, so the waiting game begins......

Update

Today is Friday and I can't even tell you how happy I am about that! Some weeks just fly by and others crawl....

I had my blood work taken on Wednesday. Haven't heard anything from Dr. Chen about it, so that's always a good sign. I have by PET scan on Tuesday morning, should be a big day. I will be traveling for work after that and to go to a friends wedding, so I had to move my Doctors appointment from the 8th to the 14th. No big deal, it actually give everyone a little more time to get my results instead of chasing them. Sometimes I can be to on top of things :) As I learn more, I will keep you all posted.

I have a few challenges coming up....first is the Breast Cancer walk. I met a lot of great people during TNT (even thought I didn't have a great experience personally), the people in the program were great. So one of my friends' mom was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I decided to join her team. I am walking in honor of her mom and for my Grandmother (Dot), a three time survivor!!

If you are interested in helping me out, here is the link:
http://www.ockomen.com/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=310226&supid=265746303

Also, Brent and I are taking on another challenge (I think), the Surf City Half Marathon in February. Mind you, I can't even run a half a mile right now. I can walk and I can walk far, so I figure if I had to, I could walk the entire way. I am doing a 3 mile jog, run route right now. I know I have the mind to do it, just need to get my body ready to do it. My heart still has a long way to go....to give you a reference, I jog about 1/8-1/4th a mile and my heart rate is about 180+. Pretty insane, but that's my reality right now. Brent is very supportive and I make him workout before he "runs" with me. Need to slow him down!!

Here's the most recent picture of Katherine (my niece) playing video games with Jonny...priceless!

That's all for now, more to come next week.

Weddings, travel, weddings and more travel!

I have had some very special people in my life getting married....my cousins, Graham last month and this month David. It was so great to be able to make it and share those days with them!

Before I was in Maine for Dave's wedding I had one of my friends and TYR athletes, Micha Burden's wedding, here in Huntington Beach. Actually, they were married in Bali (Jealous?), but they did a reception here...aren't they beautiful!!



Dave's wedding was an adventure, because I was in Seattle for work. I flew into Boston on Thursday night, thank goodness Colleen was there to rescue me and let me come to her place to crash. Brent came and picked me up Friday morning as we embarked on our 5 hour journey to Brooklin, Maine. When we arrive at the Eggemoggin Inn, this is what we see:

Rough, I know!

We were able to see the family, hang out and just be. It was very much enjoyed. Jon, Brent and I thought it would be a great idea to go swimming on Saturday morning, before the wedding. We arrive on the end of the dock, suits and all and touch the water - it was about 60 degrees. We QUICKLY changed our minds! The wedding was beautiful. It was on Jane's family's property and I couldn't of imagined a more perfect venue. Here are some pictures from Dave and Jane's wedding:

I was up in Seattle for the US Open before and after Dave's wedding and I was able to see Jessica and Donovan (I don't have a photo from that trip yet, but we did take one). Even though I have been all over the place, each of the stops brought me around the people I care the most about, and that makes it all worth it!

Now.....
I have come down with a little cold, so taking these few days off, trying to keep it as "little" as I can. I have my PET scan coming up on September 1st, it's a big one. ONE YEAR MARK! I got a nice bill in the mail for it too, $5,000...don't worry, I am sorting it out. It is much easier to deal with them when I'm not 100% drugged on Chemo :) I'll keep you posted on this next round of tests as well as billing. I won't see Dr. Chen until September 8th, so that will be the big day. Keep your fingers crossed.