Chemo-versary and checkup

The first day of fall has always been a favorite time of year for me. It reminds me of walks through the woods, going to school, a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils... Well it did. Now it is also my anniversary of when I had my first round of chemo.

This year I had my checkup with Dr. Ojomo. It actually went quite well. Everyone from the receptionist to the nurses, and Dr. O herself, made quite a fuss over how well I looked. They had seen me at my worst so they know, from post chemo to the radiation blues to chickenpox covered. This was a vast improvement.

My mammogram report came back good. The nurse asked me how it went, which I thought was odd. But I was honest and told her that it was very painful. So painful, in fact, that I cried through the entire mammogram. She said that many women have that happen after radiation. Geez! Another thing I wished I'd known before I went in! She said it gets better after a couple of years. Years?!?! I go back in six months for another mammogram and then to see Dr. Ojomo again.

Overall the best part was the fact that Dr. O. was more excited over my new boots than anything. :) She examined me then had to go get another lady while I changed to show her my boots! It was great. That's how you know your checkup went well.

Moving on while remembering...

I guess it's appropriate that I attempt this blog today. A day when all of America is remembering. Where were you 10 years ago? I remember, of course. Zooming in to New River Community College, hearing some strange news report on the radio. Not enough to process it before running to psychology class. A class that I can't remember today, not even the professor's name. Sitting there wondering if I should have been concerned with the news I barely heard. Getting out of class, walking in the cafeteria and witnessing the stillness while all the students watched the towers collapse. I still remember the rest of the day, going home with my best friend. Later working at Chick-fil-a, all of us wondering what the future held. It was hard to imagine a week from then, and here we are 10 years later.

Last year at this time, I had my port-a-cath placement and my lung collapse. I was in the hospital with a chest tube. It was one of the few times that I literally thought I was going to die from the cancer experience. Between the suffocation of a lung collapse and the stabbing pain of the lung reinflating, that was beyond excruciating. I really don't think there are words to explain... other than I really thought I was going to die.

So this isn't necessarily a fond remembrance for me. I'm grateful for life. Extremely. But I may not say a lot about it otherwise.

And I do hope to be putting some happier, non-cancer related blogs up soon. Just to put a little more random into the mix. :) Life does go on. Thankfully.

A weekend away

My family and I had wanted to take a quick weekend trip to the beach. We've had to cancel beach trips the past several times due to Dad's health issues, or Granny being sick, or then of course, my illness. For once, everyone was healthy. Then came a hurricane. So, I rescheduled our beach weekend for October. Realizing what a FOUL mood I was in not being able to get away, I checked the weather for TN and quickly made reservations for a shopping weekend in Pigeon Forge. :)

In front of the Smokey Mountain Cat House- a favorite stop

Sometimes you just need to get away! It was in the 80s and sunshine the entire time. Gorgeous. Mom and I shopped at the outlets on Saturday. I got some new clothes for work and new shoes. On Sunday, I noticed bugs in my hotel room... hmm... So being firm but polite, I asked for a refund for our last night on both rooms so we could change hotels. We moved to the Inn at Christmas Place and wow! I highly recommend it for anyone going to Pigeon Forge. The entire hotel is decorated with Christmas trees, lights, everything. The rooms are incredible. I've already booked our stay there again over Christmas. (Yes, Christmas!) It was that magical!

We also went to Gatlinburg on Sunday and just strolled the streets. There are SO many little shops there! We ate dinner at Bubba Gumps Seafood Co. Oh, it was so good! Everyone loved it. Every morning we ate at the pancake house. Normally I'm a cereal and coffee for breakfast person, but these pancakes were fluffy with scrambled eggs and bacon... yum! So basically it was a shopping and eating vacation. :)


I think that was the happiest I've been in a while. The bugs and switching hotels didn't bother me, it didn't phase me that we weren't at the beach... it was a great weekend. Just what I needed to get refreshed before fall.