Recap

Okay I'm learning why chemo isn't fun. Overall I think I'm doing pretty good it could be a lot worst. Last night was a little trying on me. About 6 pm I got more then nausea, my eye were tired but I think my body could ran a marathon and might of liked. Thank goodness they have meds for the nausea which help for a little bit. My parents keep reminding me to drink. Food doesn't even look good and I love to eat. I did sleep through the night to my parents surprise with waking up at 5:00 to watch a DVD and fall back to sleep for awhile.

For the pool staff when I was at the Cancer Center I saw Julie Benson a swimming mom in for treatment. I taught her daughter Kaelyn private lessons for years. I ask you to keep her in your prayers she has a tough fight in front of her. You can visit her caringbridge site @ julieshope It did help me seeing Julie when I started my treatment. What a nice family with a great attitude.

My mom and I also got to see my PET Scan and that was pretty cool.

Anna

Chemo #1

Today we met with the doctor I have stage 2 which basically means 8 cycles of chemo (16 weeks) followed by 3 to 5 weeks of radiation (radiation will be every day Monday-Friday).

Overall all chemo went pretty good just long and a lot of bonding time with my mom. I feel okay just tired and a little upset stomach.

I'm off to take some meds. and a nap (I'm following someones wise words).

Have a great weekend
Anna

This week

The number one question asked this week is How am I doing? For the most part pretty good, just tired. Yes, I do have my bad moments but they usually last about that long. Overall, I'm pretty positive about my treatment just a little worried about how I will feel after chemo. Anyone who knows me knows I don't like getting sick but after all who does.
Another popular question is What do you need? I don't really know what I need. And I'm usually not very good at asking.
What did I do this week on Spring Break? A lot of sleeping, some cleaning, a little swimming, a few walks, and hanging out with friends. And yes I did go skiing with 14 of my closest middle school friends today for the day. Today was the last trip of the year so I did hit the slopes for a few hours. I must say I'm tried after that.
I will be at my parents for the weekend so I have some help mentor my reactions to chemo. If you would like to stop over please call before stopping over. (I will have my cell phone or my parents number).
Thank you for all your support
I will try an update you tomorrow or have someone else update the blog for me.
Anna

Email Address

In case you can't comment. I have placed my email address in the profile.

Have a great night
Anna

PET Scan

I had a pretty good weekend minus being a little over emotional on Sunday morning. I did go to dinner and a movie (Slumdog Millionaire) on Sunday evening what a nice escape of reality.

This morning I had my first PET Scan. It's basically a two hour nap with a few wake up calls. I got there, and they tested my blood sugar, then they put some stuff in me and then told me to lay down for 45 minutes and then they got me up to move to the PET Scan room only to lay down again for hour to wake up again to move, lay down again for 15 minutes and then I was done. You know when you can't eat it's the only thing you want to do. Good thing they have pizza buffets for lunch.

I should have the results on Friday when I go for Chemo.

I'm off to take a nap so I can go to some of swim practice tonight.

Have a great week
Anna

Updates

Instead of emailing everyone I will try and update this as I continue in my treatments.

About two weeks ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (very high cure
rate) Tuesday I went to the Humphrey Cancer Center with Dena. As of right now
they aren't sure what stage I'm at but I will start Chemo next Friday March
6th every other week for I'm not sure how long (we are thinking 4 rounds or
8 cycles). I'm hoping to have my chemo on Fridays since I don't work Friday
afternoon. As of right now they are planning on doing chemo first to see how
I react. I have a PET scan on Monday March 2. Thank goodness it's spring
break next week.

As of right now I plan on keeping a pretty normal schedule or as close to
normal as I can. I'm doing pretty good minus the fatigue (I can bet anyone
in a sleeping contest). I did ask the doctor about the 1/2 marathon in May
and he said we would have to wait and see but I could do.

Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease is a type of lymphoma
(cancer originating from a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes). It
was named after Thomas Hodgkin, who first described abnormalities in the
lymph system in 1832.[1]

Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by the orderly spread of disease from
one lymph node group to another, and by the development of systemic symptoms
with advanced disease. The disease is characterized by the presence of
Reed-Sternberg cells (RS cells) on microscopic examination. Hodgkin lymphoma
was one of the first cancers which could be cured using radiation therapy
and, later, it was one of the first to be cured by combination chemotherapy.

Thank you to those who have respected me when I shared this news with you
before. You are more then welcome to share this with the appropriate people.

If you have any questions please ask I can save you some research time.
Have a wonderful day
Anna