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)