Can you
believe that we are "hopefully" on the last round of chemo. Isn't
that awesome? Heading to bed, b/c I am tired (day one, you know...), but I
wanted to let you know that I am here, making it through, and looking forward
to my celebration lunch with Julia on Saturday afternoon...
This is a recreation of Michelle Hastings "michellewillwin" blog, which was inadvertently taken down after she passed last year. It is my hope that Michelle's words can help to let her memory live on, and for those of us that love her to better remember her through her own words.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
DECEMBER 9, 2008
Well, it's official. I have my first post-cancer trip scheduled.
My brother Jim and his partner, Tom, have graciously offered to bring me to
England (Oxford, specifically) to come and visit them. We have been talking
about it for a while, and I never actually thought I would be able to go. So
much has happened that it seemed like too-good-of-a-deal to have occur, so I
figured it was kind of one of those "sometime in the future" trips.
Like my ideal trip to Hawaii, to visit the volcanoes.
I spoke with my brother this week, and he and Tom were looking at flights and apparently found an amazing deal - so, it's official - I am going to England!!! I leave in March on a Wednesday night, and I come back on the following Monday night.
I'll admit, I am a little nervous. The farthest west I have ever been is the 303 in Phoenix (a highway on the west side of the Valley, to all of you that are freezing in the rest of the country....), and the only "foreign" places I have ever been are Toronto, Montreal, and Boston. (Sorry - had to - the opportunity was there, Amy!!!) I haven't ever traveled much beyond my comfort zone, and this is WAY outside of that. But, I am so excited.
Now, I really have to get my passport renewed. Hmph.
So, if you have any good stories, any advice, etc., please let me know. As I said, I am nervous, but I think it is going to be so much fun! I can't wait. I know it will be here sooner than I know it, but it seems so far off now. And then, I look back at May/June, and think of how far away that seems, but then at the same time, how quickly it has gone by. Crazy.
So, here I come, UK - are ya ready?!?!
I spoke with my brother this week, and he and Tom were looking at flights and apparently found an amazing deal - so, it's official - I am going to England!!! I leave in March on a Wednesday night, and I come back on the following Monday night.
I'll admit, I am a little nervous. The farthest west I have ever been is the 303 in Phoenix (a highway on the west side of the Valley, to all of you that are freezing in the rest of the country....), and the only "foreign" places I have ever been are Toronto, Montreal, and Boston. (Sorry - had to - the opportunity was there, Amy!!!) I haven't ever traveled much beyond my comfort zone, and this is WAY outside of that. But, I am so excited.
Now, I really have to get my passport renewed. Hmph.
So, if you have any good stories, any advice, etc., please let me know. As I said, I am nervous, but I think it is going to be so much fun! I can't wait. I know it will be here sooner than I know it, but it seems so far off now. And then, I look back at May/June, and think of how far away that seems, but then at the same time, how quickly it has gone by. Crazy.
So, here I come, UK - are ya ready?!?!
Comments:
Happy said...
Well
Michelle just thought you should know the the USPS can help you with your
passport. My brother in law and his family is stationed in England. May the
Lord be with you and your husband on your trip. Take care.
Your old buddy from Craigslist
(I sold you the wagon)
Feliz Reyes
Your old buddy from Craigslist
(I sold you the wagon)
Feliz Reyes
December
10, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Michelle,
your trip sounds awesome! I visited Oxford over a decade ago, and it was
absolutely beautiful. I would also recommend going to Stratford-Upon-Avon, home
of Shakespeare, a lovely town with a rich history.
Glad to hear your life is returning to some semblance of normalcy. Our thoughts are with you, especially during this holiday season.
Glad to hear your life is returning to some semblance of normalcy. Our thoughts are with you, especially during this holiday season.
December
11, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Thursday, December 4, 2008
DECEMBER 4, 2008
My mom
came home from a trip, and told me that she spoke with someone she works with
in Albany (Hi, Michelle!!!) that had an issue with me calling myself a cancer
patient, instead of a cancer survivor.
I immediately told her that I would do this, and then had to stop and think about it. WHY do I refer to myself as a patient instead of a survivor?
As I thought about this, it dawned on me that until I get the clearance from the PET in January that I am cancer free, I can't think of myself as a survivor. For me, the term survivor refers to someone who is through the battle, and has won the fights they have fought. Whether they stay in remission or have to wage another war, they have survived one war, and to me, that's a goal. To say that I made it through the hell that is chemo.
So, while I can't wait to be a survivor, and while I realize that I AM a survivor, just by being here, I can't consider myself a survivor....yet.
Survivor means, to me, that I made it through 13 rounds of grueling chemo. I made it through the surgery, and recovery, the emotional roller coaster, and yes, through the first post-chemo PET scan.
THAT will be my New Year's gift to myself - to make it to "survivorship." I will be proud to wear that title....just as I am proud to wear the badge of a cancer patient. They both imply an inner strength, both physical and emotional. Both tell people that I have waged a war that others before me have both lost and won. And, for now, I have won. I WILL win. It's a journey, as I have said before. One I wouldn't wish on anyone, but one I am damn proud to have taken. I wouldn't be the person I am today without having gone through this. I wouldn't be the wife, mother, daughter, sister, or friend that I am capable of being today. And for that, I will be eternally grateful to my cancer.
And, once I get to the point where I can consider myself a survivor (Jan 22nd, assuming we have no set backs), I can start planning my tattoos. And, Vegas. And, my trip to England. And, meeting my to-be sister-in-law and neice/nephew. And, going to visit the friends and family that have supported me through this. And, just getting back to living and laughing.
Here's to survivorship.....
I immediately told her that I would do this, and then had to stop and think about it. WHY do I refer to myself as a patient instead of a survivor?
As I thought about this, it dawned on me that until I get the clearance from the PET in January that I am cancer free, I can't think of myself as a survivor. For me, the term survivor refers to someone who is through the battle, and has won the fights they have fought. Whether they stay in remission or have to wage another war, they have survived one war, and to me, that's a goal. To say that I made it through the hell that is chemo.
So, while I can't wait to be a survivor, and while I realize that I AM a survivor, just by being here, I can't consider myself a survivor....yet.
Survivor means, to me, that I made it through 13 rounds of grueling chemo. I made it through the surgery, and recovery, the emotional roller coaster, and yes, through the first post-chemo PET scan.
THAT will be my New Year's gift to myself - to make it to "survivorship." I will be proud to wear that title....just as I am proud to wear the badge of a cancer patient. They both imply an inner strength, both physical and emotional. Both tell people that I have waged a war that others before me have both lost and won. And, for now, I have won. I WILL win. It's a journey, as I have said before. One I wouldn't wish on anyone, but one I am damn proud to have taken. I wouldn't be the person I am today without having gone through this. I wouldn't be the wife, mother, daughter, sister, or friend that I am capable of being today. And for that, I will be eternally grateful to my cancer.
And, once I get to the point where I can consider myself a survivor (Jan 22nd, assuming we have no set backs), I can start planning my tattoos. And, Vegas. And, my trip to England. And, meeting my to-be sister-in-law and neice/nephew. And, going to visit the friends and family that have supported me through this. And, just getting back to living and laughing.
Here's to survivorship.....
Comments:
Yeah,
baby!
S-U-R-V-I-V-O-R
without a question or a doubt...
you have earned it and you now can stand proud...
How about the newest member of our Disney Family? We need to make a reunion date to see Sharon!
You have quite the list, my dear! Whoo-Hoo!!!
S-U-R-V-I-V-O-R
without a question or a doubt...
you have earned it and you now can stand proud...
How about the newest member of our Disney Family? We need to make a reunion date to see Sharon!
You have quite the list, my dear! Whoo-Hoo!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
DECEMBER 3, 2008
Well, I
am back at work full-time. Two days, and I am pretty tired. Thank goodness it's
only two more days until Saturday.
It has been going well. I feel pretty good, and I am doing a lot of good at work, which always helps my mental status. This week has been interesting, getting back into the routine of waking up early (which still sucks, by the way), getting dressed up for work (ditto), and the drive. By the way, to all the people driving with me on the street of Surprise and North Phoenix in the morning and afternoon, it's not that big of a deal to make it one more car length ahead of me. Stop texting while your driving and PAY ATTENTION.
Anyways, just thought I would let you all know. Things are going well. It's nice to feel normal again, and to be getting back into a routine. While this must all end (temporarily) next Thursday for the FINAL ROUND of chemo (insert happy dance here), there is an end in sight. And, by God, what a gorgeous sight it is....
It has been going well. I feel pretty good, and I am doing a lot of good at work, which always helps my mental status. This week has been interesting, getting back into the routine of waking up early (which still sucks, by the way), getting dressed up for work (ditto), and the drive. By the way, to all the people driving with me on the street of Surprise and North Phoenix in the morning and afternoon, it's not that big of a deal to make it one more car length ahead of me. Stop texting while your driving and PAY ATTENTION.
Anyways, just thought I would let you all know. Things are going well. It's nice to feel normal again, and to be getting back into a routine. While this must all end (temporarily) next Thursday for the FINAL ROUND of chemo (insert happy dance here), there is an end in sight. And, by God, what a gorgeous sight it is....
Monday, December 1, 2008
DECEMBER 1, 2008
Well, the
drs appt went well this afternoon. I am pleased with how it turned out, even
though I have to repeat a cycle of chemo. But, that's it - after that, I am
done (assuming all goes well from here on out, of course) and I am officially
in remission! I am SO HAPPY about that!
So, quick rundown.....next week's chemo is Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I got the release to return to work full-time, which is amazing! I got the clearance to go to the dentist (which I was supposed to do in the fall, but didn't because of concerns about infection setting in if the dentist cut something open....ick), clearance to travel internationally (so Jimmy and Tom - here I come!!!), clearance to get a tattoo (woo!!!), and a plan of action for "after".
I had to reschedule my PET scan from Dec 29th to Jan 19th. Basically, this is b/c I will still have to have my Neulasta shot after this last round of chemo. If we get the scan done too soon, the marrow in my body will be so activated that it could show as a false positive (meaning there is cancer showing up), and that isn't something we want to have happen. So, I have my PET scheduled for the afternoon of the 19th, and I have a follow-up with Dr. O on the 22nd in the afternoon to get the results from the blood work and the PET scan. Whew.
After that, it's blood work every 3 months, PET scan every three to six months, depending on how my blood work looks, and then another colonoscopy in (I think) May. That will all seem like a cake walk compared to the last 6 months.
Dad and Levi were at the appointment with me, and we are all relieved that this went so well. Dr. O is completely optimistic (her words) about the prognosis, and feels that this is working as well as it should.
Thank goodness for modern medicine....
So, quick rundown.....next week's chemo is Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I got the release to return to work full-time, which is amazing! I got the clearance to go to the dentist (which I was supposed to do in the fall, but didn't because of concerns about infection setting in if the dentist cut something open....ick), clearance to travel internationally (so Jimmy and Tom - here I come!!!), clearance to get a tattoo (woo!!!), and a plan of action for "after".
I had to reschedule my PET scan from Dec 29th to Jan 19th. Basically, this is b/c I will still have to have my Neulasta shot after this last round of chemo. If we get the scan done too soon, the marrow in my body will be so activated that it could show as a false positive (meaning there is cancer showing up), and that isn't something we want to have happen. So, I have my PET scheduled for the afternoon of the 19th, and I have a follow-up with Dr. O on the 22nd in the afternoon to get the results from the blood work and the PET scan. Whew.
After that, it's blood work every 3 months, PET scan every three to six months, depending on how my blood work looks, and then another colonoscopy in (I think) May. That will all seem like a cake walk compared to the last 6 months.
Dad and Levi were at the appointment with me, and we are all relieved that this went so well. Dr. O is completely optimistic (her words) about the prognosis, and feels that this is working as well as it should.
Thank goodness for modern medicine....
Comments:
Amanda: said...
Woohoo
for you!!!
December
2, 2008 at 10:11 AM
bflikke said...
I
am so glad to hear that you are doing so good. That is great!!!
December
3, 2008 at 5:21 PM
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