WOWZA ~ Long time, No post!!

Hey Booble follwers! WOW...February of 2011 was my LAST blog?? SOOOOoooo much to update you on! I'll try to keep this short, but fill you in on everything! 

First, I will be changing the focus of my blog a little bit. I am not so much going to focus on my "illness" {that I am very happy to report I have overcome}, but I will be using this to update you on EVERYTHING going on in my life! I am not cancer; Cancer is not me! I am an energetic, lively, funny {or sometimes...or at least I think so} person!! I have so much to 'blog' about than Breast Caner! 

Ok, back to the updates! I finished Chemo round #2 on March 25, 2011! I started Radiation treatment on April 18th and had 33 consecutive treatments (Monday - Friday only). It was intense. Luckily the treatments themselves (on a daily basis) were short (about 7-10 minutes each), but having to go in day after day after day got to be a bit much. But I made it through, hopefully with a smile on my face, but that part I can't be certain of! 

Next came the waiting game! I had already met with my Plastic Surgeon and knew she was the one! She is a feisty, kind, sympathetic, caring woman...originally from Ohio, I mean I couldn't go wrong when I learned that, right?!? Her policy is to wait 4-6 months after Radiation therapy is finished before starting with the Reconstruction surgery. She calls Radiation the gift that keeps on giving...and as such she needed to make sure I was completey healed before going in for my next surgery.

So, I waited!! But for those of you that know me, I didn't just sit around and wait!! I was back out there, racing, trying new things, "traveling", Here is a quick breakdown of my 2011:

• January - started back to the gym
• Signed up for my first EVER Triathon (Tri For the Cure AZ - http://triforthecureaz.com/index.php)
• February - worked out at least 4-5 days a week!
• March 25th - completed my first ever Tri!! What. A. Rush!! 
• April - started Raidation
• May - Indoor skydiving
• June - lots happened:
• Turned the big 3-0
• Flew home, hung with family / friends, and drove cross country with Erin as she moved to AZ with me!!
• July - Kept up my running with my TNT family
• August - Mom and Dad came out for a visit ~ AND bought a house!!!
• September - Did my 2nd Triathlon - Nathan Tempe Tri - finished in 1 hour 48 minutes (3 minutes slower than my goal time!!)
• October - Worked on my mileage for my upcoming 1/2 Marathon
• November - Participated in the Women's Half Marathon in Scottsdale / Tempe with my TNT family, my new NWLB friends, and many other friends!! 
• December - Went in on the 1st for my Reconstruction surgery.

It has been one helluva a great / crazy / fun year and I know 2012 is going to be better!! Things to look forward to include: The Ragnar Relay in February, Tri For The Cure AZ in March, Nashville 1/2 Marathon in April, Soma Red Rock 1/2 Ironman in October! In addition, I have my whole family here now! I would love to travel a little bit this year as well, but I'll play that one by ear! 

I will be updating my blog my often ~ PROMISE!! I guess a 1-year hiatus is long enough!! 

Thanks to all of you who followed me during this journey! My treatment is over and I'm at the beginning of my new life! Here is to the future! 

~ heather :o)

Half way there

Today is the half way point in this round of chemotherapy!!!! #6 of 12!!! The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and brighter each week! I'm so excited! I will be meeting with a Radiation Oncologist in the next few weeks to start talking about phase 3 ~ radiation. I'm expecting this to begin as early as Monday, March 28th....but I don't have confirmation on that {yet!!}. As soon as I know more about radiation, I will be sure to update you! 

On a side note, I am thinking about becoming a spin instructor at the gym I go to. Why not...!!!?!?!?! I talked with my Friday morning instructor, Tim, and he gave me some information on how to get started. I'm going to work on a play list and he said he would play it during a class! I'm excited! More info to come on this as well.

Tri training is going well. I really need to get my run on more! I have been slacking in that area lately, but the weather is getting so much nicer here in Arizona, so it will {mentally} make it easier for me to get out there and pound the pavement! And my TNT'ers are going to start meeting on the canals Saturday mornings again ~ I'll be out there as much as I can encouraging, running and laughing with them! 

Have a great Friday and weekend. Happy Valentin's Day to all the lovers out there! Thank you all for your love and support throughout this journey in my life. I love you all and appreciate all you have done for me.  Have a great weekend!

4 Down, 8 to GO!

Happy Friday, Booble Spot'ers!! Can you even believe it is February 4th already?!? I can't even believe how fast this year is going. I am trying to live each day to the fullest, but I most definitely live for Friday's...or chemo days! I am currently undergoing treatment once a week - every Friday - and I'm happy to report that I have successfully completed 4 treatments, have #5 today and will be well on my way to finishing #12 before I even know it! This round of treatment is ~ and this is so weird to say ~ so easy!! The treatment takes about 2-2 1/2 hours, but I only have to go once a week - compared to last round when I had treatment on Monday and my Neulasta shot on Tuesday. And my energy levels are crazy high! I would like to thank one of my pre-meds for this...its a steroid...I finish with treatment and for the next week seem to have endless energy. This is good because I am still training for "Tri For The Cure". A sprint-distance triathlon that supports the Phoenix chapter of Susan G. Koman. The race is Sunday, March 20th ~ 5 days before my last chemo treatment! How exciting is that!!

Aside from chemo, training, and work, not a lot of new stuff to report! Which is nice!! I wanted to let everyone know that I am doing really well - I'm staying positive - happy - strong - and can't wait for the next few months! I keep saying it, but 2011 is going to be a great year! I can't wait to see what this year holds for me. 

Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend, bloggers!! Thanks for checking in on my blog and progress. I will updated you in a few weeks!

Love always,

  ~ heather :o)

New Year, New Goals, More Inspired than EVER

Hi Hi Booble Spot Followers! Just a quick Sunday night updated from the Valley of the Sun! Today, January 16th, 2011, was the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon & Half Marathon! Over 6,000 marathon runners took to the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona to conquer 26.2 miles! I am proud to say that I knew 5 full marathons and 3 half marathons! They are the most wonderful and inspirational people I know!! What they did today brought me to tears....and made me want to be out there running so badly. What I love about my friends is that they are so self-less....they gave their time and energy to fund-raise for an amazing organization ~ The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; they gave their time and energy (and a lot of Saturday mornings) to physically prepare for today's event; but what I love most, is that they give hope and inspiration to so many, like myself. 

I have been told over and over again, 'Heather, I don't know how you can do what you do...go through treatment and remain positive and have a smile on your face'. WELL...I'm here to tell you that I do it because of the 8 individuals that I personally know that completed today's endurance event. In my opinion, cancer is cancer...and hopefully, once a cure is found for one, cures will be found for all...so knowing that my friends helped raise so much towards the research and support of finding a cure for cancer made we want to get out and run with them today! I know my time will come when I can be a participant again (perhaps Savannah, GA....November 2011?!?), so, until then, I will cherish the memories I was able to share in today, cherish the friends that are in my life inspiring me every single day, and KNOW that they will all be with me, when I cross my finish line ~ both in my treatment and in my next endurance race! 

So, anyone who is interested in meeting a GREAT group of people, becoming inspired, and taking an AMAZING personal journey, email me or call me...ask me how...!! 

On a side note, my training is going well for the upcoming Tri For The Cure Woman's Triathlon in March that I am participating in. I'm back in the pool, taking a spinning class and pounding pavement!!! Two months to go until I can officially add Triathlete to my list of accomplishments! 

Have a wonderful night, a GREAT week....and make 2011 the best year ever ~ YOU deserve it! 

Love always 

 ~ heather :o)

First new treatment, Tri For The Cure, and more!

Hey Booble Spot followers! Welcome to 2011!!! I'm so happy the new year is underway...as well as my first treatment of the new round of chemo! I have successfully survived the first dose and it really wasn't that bad. It got off to a bit of a rocky start...they give me Benedryl and when the nurse started the drip, it was going pretty quickly...and made me very dizzy and generally 'icky' feeling. Once the nurse slowed the drip down, it was semi-smooth sailing! I ended up falling asleep (no doubt because of all the Benedryl, huh?!?), and managed to sleep through most of the treatment! This Friday's appointment should be much shorter ~ I won't need to meet with my Oncologist...just go right in, get chemo, go home and relax! I will see my Oncologist probably every other week to touch base, see how I'm feeling, etc. 

On a side note, I have registered for the "Tri For The Cure" women's triathlon in March in Chandler, Arizona! It is an all women's race that benefits the Phoenix chapter of Susan G. Koman For The Cure! I know 4 other gals that will be swimming, biking and running with me! I'm very excited and have begun training! I think I can handle the running part (this particular race is only a 2.25 mile run)...the swim (400 yards...not bad) and bike (8 miles) will be the true test! But, I have been attending a spinning class in the morning before work and will be getting out on the open road to bike probably in the next week or so. Tonight will be my first swim for laps in about...oh...like a few years! Should be interesting! Hopefully no one has to fish my lifeless body off the bottom of the pool!! :)

I am also starting a weekly Yoga class with AnMarie, my cousin, friend, travel buddy, chemo cohort this weekend. It will be nice to relax, stretch and spend a few hours on a Saturday morning focusing on me! I'm looking forward to that! Maybe once I'm done with treatment, I can look into more Yoga classes...really become a Yoga guru! 

I hope your year is off to a stellar start! I know 2011 is going to be amazing...why wouldn't it?? Just remember that you create the life you want to live...so make it a good one and DO the things you want to do...WHY WAIT?? 

Talk to you soon!!

  ~ heather :o)

End of Year Recap

Hello 'Heather's Booble Spot' followers! I am sorry for not updating my blog more frequently, but here I am to recap what 2010 has held for me and what I have to look forward to in 2011!!

First of all ~ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL of you!!! I would like to thank you for all of the love, support, and encouragement you have shown me this past year! I know with the amazing support system I have, I will not only be able to beat this, but will beat it to a bloody pulp!!!!!!!!

So, it is almost New Year's and I finished my last Chemo of the year just over a week ago! My first round of treatment consisted of 4 treatments spread out over 12 weeks {1 appointment every 3 weeks}. The weekend before my 2nd treatment, I lost all my hair...it was rough to see because it really meant I was going through with chemotherapy treatments. But, after a few days, the new look started to grow (no pun intended!) on me!! And since then, I have been able to embrace my new, temporary look of "Q"-ness (as my cousin calls it and me!). AND...rumor has it my hair will come back even better than before!!

As for what is ahead...a long road, but it will be broken down into manageable chunks that I know I can handle! Starting right away on January 7th with the first treatment of Chemo Round #2! This set of treatment will consist of weekly appointments for 12 consecutive weeks. The frequency is becoming a bit more; but hopefully the dose is easier on me. AND...good news...this set of drugs does not cause hair loss...so my hair should start growing back soon! WOOHOO!!! If you are doing the math in your head, I will be receving this Chemo until March 25th! Once I'm done with that, I begin my 7 weeks of Radiation...this is when things get really 'fun'. 5days per week for 7 weeks I will undergo Radiation. 

Like I said...long road, but totally manageable 'chunks' of treatment! 

Outside of Chemo and Radiation - 2011 is going to be an amazing year...I mean, why not??!!?? I am going to get back into the gym...Start training for my next TWO big adventures...a Triathlon and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure. I am going to walk the streets of San Diego in November with a very good friend of mine, Lynne, and her mom, Diane, and WHOEVER else wants to join in! More info to come on this!!

I want to get back into marathon running as well. I have a long list of races still to accomplish! I am going to do some light traveling (probably back to Ohio for the most part! See my amazing family and friends there!). And I really want to get out to California a few times this upcoming year...lay on the beach in San Diego...Maybe learn to surf!! The sky's the limit ~ and speaking of the sky - I have plans to jump out of a perfectly good plane with a friend of mine and I want to go to Trapeze U - learn to fly on the trapeze like the best of 'em! 

It is going to be an amazing year! I will continue to update my blog (hopefully more frequently than I have been recently!) and keep you posted on treatments, Operation Re-Grow Hair, training for all the fun activities I want to accomplish, and occasionally, just life in general!

I love you all so much for keeping tabs on me and really appreciate the support I have received the last few months. Like I said earlier...I KNOW I am going to beat this! Just you watch!

Have a safe and happy start to what is sure to be a 'FANTABULOUS' year!! Hugs and kisses to everyone and talk to you after the 1st! 

 ~ heather :o)

Long time.... no update... Till NOW!!

My Booble Followers ~

First, let me apologize for being MIA for the last few weeks. I have lots to update you on, but I'll try to keep it short(ish) and to the point!

I'm back at work ~ and loving it!! It is so nice to be around all my friends again. Everyone has been so wonderful too. I am the luckiest worker ever!!! 

My hair has fallen out...But it lasted a lot loner than I thought it would, so that was good! Time to break out the hats...and THANK GOODNESS it is getting cooler here in Arizona!! Geesh....can you imagine going through this during the 100*+ temps in AZ?!?! Phew...I can't!! 

Today was chemo #2 and so far ~ so great!! Getting tired now (maybe because it is almost 9pm!).  I'm ready to see what the rest of the week has in store for me. I'm actually really hot...I always am after treatment...and for those of you that know me, you know I'm always cold!!!!!!!!! After chemo, I always get the flu-like symptoms...achy lower back, upset stomach, sore joints / muscles...but they told me some secrets at the Oncology center on how to combat that, so I'll going to keep taking the OTC 'goods' they told me about and hope for the best!!

On to the really exciting news...My amazing baby sister is organizing a wonderful benefit in my honor. I can't believe it! She has worked so hard on this benefit and it is going to be amazing...and, I'll be there!! I was given the 'ok' by my Oncologist to travel and bought my ticket already!! Here is the info on the benefit...anyone that is able to make it, please be there...It will be wonderful to see so many happy, familiar, loving faces!!

When: Sunday, November 14th, 2010 from 1 - 4pm

Where: Park Road Bar & Grill * 9 Park Road * Painesville, Ohio 44077

Cost: $10 per person; $15 per couple; $4 for children 10 & under

What: Spaghetti Dinner and amazing Auction of some great goods!!! Including, but not limited to local restaurants, personal training sessions, a one-hour massage and great gift baskets!!!!! 

Tickets can be purchased at the door...so come and have a great day!!! 

I'm signing off for now, but PROMISE I will update my blog again SOON!! 

Love to all and thanks for checking in!!

  ~ heather :o)