Radiation - DONE

I can officially say I am done with radiation - 20 treatments done. I can't even explain the relief I have that I am done with them because they were so hard. The level of damage they did to me is up there with biochemo and that isn't easy.

Radiation has done such a number on me and landed me in the hospital last weekend once again. I woke up the morning after my second chemo just feeling awful. I actually threw up my feeding tube (not pleasant in the slightest) so I had to get that replaced while I was at radiation and my energy was so low that I knew I was dehydrated. I asked to get fluids and while they were working me up to see about fluids I spiked a giant fever, 104. Fever = admitted for two days. We weren't sure of the source for the fever as it could be multiple things such as lingering infection from the week before, the new bone med they gave me or the burn I had gotten from radiation. They also did a CT of my face/neck that showed I had a blood clot in my vein in my neck that is caused from radiation. It isn't the same as a clot that causes strokes or goes to your brain or such, but that my body will take care of it with the help of blood thinners twice a day. When it comes down to it we decided it was the burn that was causing the fever.

My artsy hospital shot

My burn is from radiation and is behind my ear. It was a giant blister that burst and then just is not good. The rest of my neck is burned now as well, but not to that extent. I have been keeping a close eye on it and treating it. It is good radiation is done because I don't think my skin could take more. It is all tanned and burned and starting to peel. The inside skin of my ear is burned as well. Just a lot going on for a body that is already weak.

My Radiation Completion Certificate, Mask and Flowers

Just some real feelings is all.. 

Little look at radiation prep

I did finish another chemo and felt really good that day and the day before. I truly think most of my side effects are from the radiation with just a bit from the chemo. They reduced my dose for one of the chemo drugs and I think that should help with my numbers dropping so low. I am laying low though just to be safe and not risk anything, and to let my body have a break from things and not land in the hospital again. While I was at chemo Intermountain Therapy Animals came and visited and I got to snuggle this sweet dog Luna for a bit. It was so sweet to just have her lay her head on me (something the owner says she doesn't do with people, that I was special haha) Hope that I see her again next time.

Luna

While I was in the hospital over the weekend my dear friends came in and decorated my house for Christmas with my tree and some decorations. They also did my picture wall and cleaned. My picture wall probably wouldn't get done for weeks because it takes a lot to do.. and there is a lot of pictures. They did a really good job and I was so surprised to walk in to a tidy and decorated house.

My elf deliveries continued as well - and man do they not disappoint! Today was the last and giant one and a bunch of people pulled together and got me the couch I had been looking at since moving. I have said it before but this time it's proven - my army is amazing! And sneaky! My couch makes it feel like a home finally and I can have people over and not be stressed about where they will sit. Now I have enough room for two people to crash if needed and that is helpful to know in case I need someone to stay with me overnight.

6th day

7th day

8th day (delivered secretly to the hospital even

9th day

10th day

11th day

12th and final day! And you can see part of the picture wall 

I am eager to heal from radiation and hopefully get some energy back and start feeling better day by day. I plan on staying low key for the next week and hope that will help with things. I have been better at asking for help from friends on things like laundry and food and random things. Takes a lot for me to do so, but I know it is necessary.

My booster Tshirt campaign ended as well and it was so successful! Over 80 shirts ordered! Can't wait to get them. Thank you for all who donated and purchased.

Next up is scans on December 16th so here is hoping that things show improvement and that the treatment is doing what it is supposed to.

Miles for Melanoma - Salt Lake, September 10th! Join my team!

I am heading a team for the second annual Miles for Melanoma walk on September 10th at Wheeler Farm! I am excited to be part of this for a second year and to help this walk grow and get more attention. Last year was the first one and it was a pretty sad turn out.

My team name is #melafreakinoma, I figured they probably wouldn't like my signature hashtag so I toned it down just a hair.

If you feel like attending then you can join my team by going to the Miles for Melanoma page and joining my team. If you just want to fund-raise for me that would be great too! Last year I was the fastest fundraiser - raising over $400 in only a couple days! I have almost reached my team goal of $1000 which is great! Our team is currently #2 for the top fundraisers, I think we can beat the other team - but time will tell.

Thanks for all your help! I am working on getting some t-shirts made up too possibly, I just don't know if they would be done in time.

http://join.melanoma.org/site/TR/5kRunWalk/MilesforMelanoma?team_id=3047&pg=team&fr_id=1270

LaterBlog: Survivors at the Summit

On Saturday (July 30th, 2016) I attended Survivors at the Summit.
Maryann told me about it a day or so before and to be honest, I didn't want to go. With the new news it felt like everyone was fixating on things and I just didn't have the energy. It has been a crazy few weeks.
And then I snapped out of it. And realized it was 6 months since Mandy had passed away and knew this was bigger than me.
Survivors at the Summit is put on by the Cancer Wellness House and people attend and buy a prayer flag for someone fighting, has fought/survived or lost the battle to cancer. You are supposed to summit the peak however you are able - hike, bike, walk, or like us, take the tram up. There was a breakfast at the start and then ice cream and snacks at the end... Not sure riding the tram validated earning an ice cream but my prednisone/steroid ridden self didn't say no!

Maryann and the boys, Jack and Ben, came and they wrote on a prayer flag for me. We told Jack to write/draw what he thinks of when he thinks of me - and that is a pink elephant. Oh you sweet boy... haha. Pretty great actually, definitely a memory!

I made a flag for Mandy and then we made the trek (ha!) up to the summit. At the top all the flags were all hung and it was a site to see for sure. Kind of takes your breath away. It is hard to look at them all and think of how many people cancer affects. Basically everyone. No one goes untouched.

My best #mandyselfie

We sat at the summit for over an hour and I met a gentleman that talked to me about his battle with his cancer (super rare kind that I can't even remember it!) He was 4 years into remission and just was refreshing to talk to. Very nice.

Maryann also bought 40 raffle tickets for what was called the 50/50 raffle. 50% went to the Cancer Wellness House and 50% went to the winner. She made the mistake of telling me she would then give me 50% and guess what? She won! $546 to be exact! After taking out the cost of the tickets we are both $253 richer! We never win anything!! She was so nice for really giving me anything! We attempted to go shopping with the money but we both hate spending money, we did go to lunch though. I'll treat myself to something besides food I promise though.

Can't wait go next year and hopefully feel well enough to hike at least half of it. Goals my friends.

Big O

As many of you know I drive a funky car and for some reason can't let go of it. It is now a random part of my identity and I just don't know what I'd do with a normal nice car. If you don't know about my creeper van, it is basically a caravan transformed into a cargo van with a cage and no seats in the back. Wide open space, enough space for a full bed. Anyways, that's ol' blue and I for some reason love it.

But it's got lots of miles and tends to run great and then not so great. I have been putting off fixing a bunch of things just cause life has been busy and obviously other things take precedence. My dad offered to pay for the things to get fixed, and I knew it would be a lot. We took it in to Big O like always and they fixed her all up. When we came in to pick it up I was just waiting for the bomb to drop as to how much it would be. He put the bill down and I saw the damage, close to $1000.... Yikes!! And then he says, "it's taken care of". The owner knows what our family has been dealing with and was so gracious and generous that he took care of it all. He said I had enough to worry about and I needed a safe car to be in. Truly amazing. My dad and I both teared up and just shook our heads in disbelief.

People are good and kind. Even in this hectic crazy world if you put out good energy it comes back - when you least expect it.

I had to thank them so I headed to The Baking Hive and stocked them up on all the chocolaty, buttery, sugary goodness they could handle. It's the least I could do. And give them all a big hug.

Some days are just amazing in the middle of the dust.