A la plage

Seriously, we should all live at the beach.  We just got back from a week in Ocean City, MD. My post chemo treat. Our friends own a condo right on the beach so all we have to do is step off the patio and we're in the sand. Perfect for the kids. We schlep all our stuff down to the water in the morning, leave it there until dinner time, but in the meantime we can come and go for lunch, naps, bathroom breaks, whatever. Luckily for us the boys love to dig in the sand and be in the water. Even litle G-ski had no fear of running right into the surf. Some people have a hard time unplugging from work while on holiday. I am not one of those people. I have no problem turning my blackberry off and keeping it off. I had the usual food issues while away which was annoying because half of the fun of vacation for me is food, but I managed. I can't really jog for more than about a minute right now without gasping for air, so instead I went out for an hour long walk on the beach every day while the kids were napping. So relaxing. I also got kind of used to a mid day siesta. I really need to figure out a way to sneak that into my work day...

While on the beach one day a woman approached me and asked if I was going through chemo. Turns out she had breast cancer a year ago, underwent chemo and radiation and is now doing great. I was also happy to see her hair was long and full a year out! It seems like no matter where I am there is some kind of cancer connection for me now. You'll never hear me say I'm glad I got cancer, that it's some kind of gift or blessing or secret mission, but I am grateful and inspired by all the amazing people I've met along the way.

Chemo - Round 6

So here we are - last round of chemo. I should be thrilled about this prospect, but instead I find myself being a bit of a Debbie downer. In case you're confused, it's not finished/finished. I'm done with the four and a half hour infusions and hopefully the majority of the nasty side effects. Instead of the full chemo cocktail (Carboplatin/Taxotere/Herceptin), I will only have to receive the Herceptin which they are telling me does not effect my blood counts, interfere with my hair growth, or cause the metal mouth, fatigue, swelling, or my nails to fall off (my latest issue). And the Herceptin infusion only takes about half an hour.  Cake, right?

I think I'm grumpy for three main reasons:

1. I'm on the Herceptin until next February. February! Until this port is out of my chest and they stop sticking me with needles, I can't consider myself done.
2. I'm not convinced that there will be no side effects. As I was sitting in "the chair" for number six I was watching Robin Roberts on television telling America that she has developed a bone marrow disease called MDS as a result of the chemotherapy she received while being treated for breast cancer five years ago. Totally and ridiculously unfair.
3. I don't know how much more my body can take. I literally feel like I'm falling apart.

I know, get a grip. I should be happy the worst is over. Not to mention the fact that Herceptin is a relatively new drug that has had amazing results in boosting the survival rates in people with my type of cancer. Hopefully when I get through this round I will start to regain some of my energy and perk up a little! We are headed to Ocean City next week for some r and r which won't hurt either...

Race for the Cure 2012

What an amazing day! The weather was absolutely perfect - sunny, warm and comfortable. We got the kids up at the crack of dawn and headed into DC to meet up with Team Canada in the International tent. I'm very happy to report that we were the top fundraising team in the International division with $12,031 raised! I got to carry the flag for Canada in the opening ceremonies which was fun. It was great to see the "parade of pink" and all the wild outfits. If my boa weren't so itchy, I might have worn it into work today.

My Olympic moment

Susan, Mindy, Isabelle, Me, G, John, Christine, Bree & Julie

Team Canada

Team Canada had 101 members which included Embassy staff, family and friends, and C2C members. I was thrilled that my little gang included John and the boys, my good friends and neighbours Nicole and Chris, Mark and his daughter Campbell, as well as my long time gal pals Christine, Bree, and Isabelle, and my new friends Susan and Teresa. The biggest treat of the day, however, was being surprised just before the race by Julie and Mindy who came from London, England and Fort Collins, Colorado respectively, to do the race with me! Sneaky Christine masterminded the whole thing, and I didn't have a clue. Needless to say I was a little verklempt over everyone's awesomeness.

Me and the boys

En route

Me & Christine

My team!

Awesome surprise visitors: Mindy and Jules

After lunch, naps, and a 3 year old birthday party, we headed over to a b-day BBQ at Christine and Brian's where I got to hang out more with the ladies. Funny how we haven't all been in one place in ages, but it felt like no time had passed at all. The same is true of my Winnipeg friends. It's just like old times.

We rock.

I have tons of pictures I could post, but here are a few taken by my colleague.  Enjoy!

Race for the Cure VIP Kickoff

For the first time in several years, the vice presidential mansion did not play host to the Komen Race for the Cure VIP kickoff reception because the Biden's had a pretty solid conflict - their daughter's wedding. This worked out quite nicely for me because the Embassy offered to host the reception, so I got to meet a bunch of Komen staff, survivors, top fundraisers and sponsors, as well as other notables like actress Gabrielle Union and singer Colby Dee. I admit, I recognized Gabrielle Union, but have never seen any of her movies! I can tell you that she is stunning and does not look 39! I really enjoyed speaking to the survivors who referred to me as a "newbie" and always included in their introduction the number of years they've been a survivor. I was impressed that all the ladies I spoke with had been cancer free for 10+ years and they were still involved in the cancer community. Apparently Komen has a survivor committee that helps with fundraising and events to raise awareness about breast cancer.

Moi et Gabrielle Union

Ambassador Brinker

I thought the catering staff did a great job decorating, right down to the little pink ribbons on the wine glasses. Georgetown cupcake added to the decor by donating boxed cupcakes for the guests to take home. FYI - I am feeling much better this week and was able to enjoy the BBQ fare in all its deliciousness. My feet are all swollen again, but I managed to wear my lovely new purple wedges for the two hours the reception lasted. I just didn't think flip flops would cut it. Here is a blurb from one of the DC bloggers in attendance (I really wish non-Canadians would stop using "eh")! Ambassador Brinker spoke highly of the venue and the hospitality, so who knows, maybe they'll be back again next year? Either that or I'll need to score an invite to the Veep's.

Georgetown cupcakes

Chemo - Round Five

So, I'm a little overdue posting on round five which was last Monday. Despite our smiling faces, this round's been a little rough, so I haven't felt much like getting on and writing. I'm definitely feeling the effects of the cumulative fatigue and lower hemoglobin counts. My oncologist said I'm basically operating as if I were at high altitude, which is obvious by the way I huff and puff going up stairs. I did the elliptical for half an hour at lunch today - same course and resistance I always do - and I was dying.  It's super frustrating because I'm dying to get back into my routine and some kind of shape.  I feel like my muscle has all turned to jelly with all this inactivity.

Blond day

And I swear the taste thing is getting worse. I've been surviving on soup, scrambled eggs, sparkling water and peppermint lifesavers for the past week. It usually works its way out by the end of this week; I can hardly wait. The Embassy is hosting a race kick-off VIP BBQ this Friday, and I will be very upset if I can't partake in the spread! Speaking of the race, I just checked Team Canada's page and we are up to 97 participants and $7978 raised - not too shabby. Thanks to all of you who snuck a donation in there when I wasn't looking! Race day is this Saturday. Did I mention I'm carrying the flag for Canada in the opening ceremony?

Keep Calm and Carry On

Many of you have been asking about John... All is well. He finally passed his stone today at work. Hopefully it's another nine years before we see a re-occurrence.  Maybe we can celebrate cancer/kidney stone-free anniversaries.  So romantic.

Fat Necrosis

Good news today re the arm nodule - not cancerous! I had the fine needle aspiration this morning.  They stuck a needle into the lump guided by an ultrasound and pulled out some tissue. The pathologist on site whipped it off to his microscope in the back room and within a few minutes came back with a benign diagnosis. He said it is probably fat necrosis sustained from some kind of injury to the area, perhaps from the physical therapist working on it. I had no idea what fat necrosis was, but apparently it's the destruction of fat cells within the body. The fat cells are broken down in response to some kind of trauma and a mass of rubbery tissue can form. It will likely go away on its own or stay as is. As long as it doesn't grow or start doing tricks, I am not to worry.  Phew. 

In other medical news, we spent last Wednesday night in the ER. Nope, not me this time. John - kidney stone. It seems remarkably similar to labour without the cute little baby at the end. It has yet to pass. We're working on names as we speak.

Grin and bear it?