Half way done

WAHOOO! I am half way done with my chemotherapy treatments! 6 more to go. Cannot wait until March 2013. Happy Holidays everyone :)

Happy Holidays from a happy girl

I am wishing all of my friends, family, and blog followers a very happy holiday and new year! I found out there are some HL patients that follow me. I am not providing medical advice, but some helpful hints to get patients through the holidays (and all the fancy meals) in a great way based on my experiences!

- exercise! Don't let the holidays stop you...even a 30 minute walk is great to keep you moving! This will also help with fatigue (ask your dr or nurse to confirm you can exercise)
- eat! This is a great time of the year with yummy food...enjoy :). Something I'm still learning and tell friends with cancer is to eat bland. I've had to go back to basics with food and every time I eat something fancy or rich I don't don't feel well.
- be thankful. Even though we are fighting a battle this holiday season,we still have a lot to be thankful for. God is good.

December Update

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. It is getting a little crazy with the holidays.I received great news two weeks ago: I am Hodgkin's lymphoma free!!!! I have to complete the chemo regimen though through March. This is a wonderful Christmas present! My doctor said that people are usually cured after 90 days, but 60 days is outstanding. God is good!!!

Great Bloodwork!

I went in for chemo Friday after being neutropenic for a week...and got great results! All of my blood levels were in range. Yay, I was able to get treated. My body was a week extra off of the prednisone pre meds, so it really hit me! I was super hyper and could not sleep well for two days...at least I had my best friends bday to celebrate and another bf in town from New Zealand.

Cancer Caddie - Going Bald for Cancer

This post is for the ladies! Okay, and the guys too :). 

How many times have we cried over a bad haircut? 

Asked for a trim and four inches ended up on the floor?

Regretted the impulsive decision of bangs in the summer?

Tons of times!

This stuff all seems so petty now to me.

Cancer wanted my hair. That's cool--I needed another reason to party with my friends :)

Head shaving party: Oct 15, 2012...leggooo.

In less political news...me

So, we have a new president...or re-elected president! Political stuff is all over the news, all over Facebook statuses, and really every where you go today.

I am also in the news. Yes...little ole me! 

Check out this article:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-brf-light-1107-20121107,0,3082351.story

If you are in the Palm Beach County area, please join me in the 2012 Leukemia and Lymphoma Light the Night Walk.

It is from 5-8pm at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in West Boca Raton, Florida. I will be with TEAM GEO Group.

Let's Light the Night, Keep Calm, and Beat Cancer!!!!

Haven't blogged in a while

Hi everyone! I haven't blogged in a while, so I am checking in! I was sick for a week, but now I am much better. I am en route to my 4th chemo this Friday-wahoo! Then there will only be 8 treatments left for me. I am having a PET Scan and monthly oncology appointment in two weeks. I am looking forward to see none, or very few little cancer dots on my body. I am feeling really well and have been juicing often and started yoga. Trying to do anything and everything to keep calm and beat cancer!!!

Treatment #3

Wahoo! My counts were up so I was allowed to receive chemo yesterday. I got really sick all week from my counts being so drastically low. My neutrophils were .1 and now they are 5 thanks to four days of Neupogen shots.

Now I know why they tell you not to get sick...it's hard to shake! But, part of the chemo regimen is prednisone, which really makes you feel better. Unfortunately it also makes sleeping very challenging! I am looking forward to this weekend! Staying home in bed for a week made me stir crazy. And one of my best friends is in town from Hawaii. Here she is....xoxoxo

Day 3 of shots

Today was my third shot of Neupogen to boost my WBC. My last day is tomorrow and Tuesday I get reevaluated. While you are getting these shots you should really take it easy, eat only cooked foods, wear masks, and avoid crowds since you are so susceptible. Expect uncomfortable bone pain...Mine is in my hips, legs, back and jaw. I really hope I can start chemo this week! I will keep you all posted...

Neutropenia :(

Hi everyone, today was supposed to be my 3rd cycle of chemo. I feel fine, really awesome actually. But, my neutrophils count is too low to receive treatment. This is a type of white blood cell that helps you fight infection. It is a "normal thing," but is a bummer. I have to go in for shots for the next 4 days that boost my low number. In the meantime, I have to rest and follow some rules. Here are a few of them on my "necklace."

GI GINA

Some of my best friends helped me shave my head tonight! It feels so good. I high recommend doing this when your hair starts falling out. I was sick of cancer taking my hair and having it end up all over my house! Take that stupid c word...I like bald Gina!!!! And, my best friends mom rewarded me with kilwins ice cream for the entire bald party! What a treat for this vegan cancer caddie!!! #wortheverycalorie

Weekend

What a great weekend I had! I walked in the Livestrong cancer walk thanks to my boss that put together team Gina's Groupies! Thank you to all my best friends that came.

I cooked a vegan dinner of zucchini pasta, carrot & sweet potato soup, superfoods salad, and cauliflower crust pizza. These are all cancer fighting recipes; I will post them on the recipes tab.

I redid my room...It now is really comfy and promotes healing.

Tomorrow it is back to work for this cancer caddie. Work is followed by a gym sesh with galpals and then a HEAD SHAVING PARTY. It's not right that cancer is slowly taking my hair and I have to watch... TAKE IT stupid c word.

One month follow up

I had a successful one month follow up with my oncologist: my counts are down and my lymph nodes are smaller! I have chemo day 30 on Friday! Then I will be in the single digits with 9 treatments left until I am cancer free!!

Post cycle 2

Hi all! Today is day 4 after treatment and I'm feeling better then cycle one so far! They gave me a new nausea IV called amend. It is supposed to help with the "vertigo/ nausea/ loopy feeling" I experienced right after treatment the first time. Also, the prednisone has worn off, so I'm not as hyper or shaky. Prednisone also bumps up your appetite as the chemo reduces it.

Some interesting things to note are:
1- my really swollen bulging nodes on my neck and throat/chest are much less swollen
2- my CBC was reduced from 16k to 4k
3- Sorry other Hodgkins people that weren't loosing hair either... My hair is now falling out :(.

Enjoy your Columbus Day. Xo, Gina Marie

Great friends

Here is my view. #myfriendsrock

Cycle 2

Good morning!! All is well at chemo day 15, cycle two. I'm at a beautiful facility with beautiful friends. I even got a surprise visit from someone! This place is so wonderful. You can feel the positive energy flowing with this supportive staff of nurses! Also, they bring around fresh cookies every few hours and I have a lake view!

Today, I am getting one more IV treatment for nausea. This might help the weird feeling I got days 3-5. Your cancer caddie is in great spirits and feeling great! xoxo

Update

Hi everyone! So my second chemo is approaching Friday. Is it weird I'm looking forward to it? Why you might ask? I am one session closer to being cancer free. Also, it makes me my usual spunky self thanks to prednisone for two days.

Here's how cycle 1 has been treating me: Days 1-2 awesome. Days 3-5 I was nauseous, dizzy and felt loopy. Day 6-present I have leg cramps and fatigue. Days 9-hopefully not much longer MAJOR fatigue set in. This is tough for me because I'm so active and really have to slow down. Day 15 is my cycle 2 of chemo. There are ten more to go after this! Getting closer. I just want to thank my family and friends for being so understanding and supportive right now. Means the world. I'm thinking of my mom right now...here she is.

My cancer sisiter...aka my angel

I've mentioned on here about my cancer sister/my angel...this fantastic lady goes with me to all my appointments, chemos, tests, etc!  I am sooo blessed to have such a special person in my life. 

The best part of this is: she is beating cancer too. She is on a special study and is setting all kinds of records for her CLL. Her study will be over when my chemo is over in March. We are REALLY excited to party in March together.  We recently attended a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society event. Here we are! Love you angel!!!

Golf's Legendary Holes

1. A very special person gave me a great idea: relate my experience battling cancer to the most famous (and difficult) holes in golf!

Here are the holes I will be relating to when the time comes....

1. No. 17 at Sawgrass. 
2. No. 13 at Augusta. 
3. No. 9 at Royal County Down. 
4. No. 13 at Muirfield. 
5. No. 13 at Pacific Dunes. 
6. No. 17 at St. Andrews. 
7. No. 12 at Southern Hills.
8. No. 16 at Cypress Point. 
9. No. 18 at Pebble Beach. 
10. No. 12 at Augusta. 

After chemo

It has been two days since my first chemo appointment! I feel great. Part of the ABDV regimen includes a steroid. So...I am pretty hyper :-)! They said days 5-10 after chemo you might feel a bit crummy. During this time your counts and resistance will drop so avoid crowds, sick people, etc.

My doctor really wants me to continue to live my life! He's all for me going to the gym, playing golf, and spending time with friends and family. Last night I to a Zumbathon for my mom. It was beautiful and she definitely was with us there dancing away. Love you, Ma xoxo, Gina Marie.

Chemo day 1

I'm at my first day of chemo! En route to becoming cancer free. Ok, so they used my port for the first time...ow! Just felt like a bee sting. Not that I have ever been stung by a bee before ;). I am grateful for friends and family here to support me. Love you all.

Friday's the day

My first chemo appointment is Friday. I will be at UM all day. They administer the drugs to you at a slow pace to see how you react. Lucky for me I have some best friends and family coming...and I have blogging to do. Wish me luck. Xoxo

Cancer caddie update

Hi Everyone! This is your cancer caddie checking in. Sorry it's been a few days...

Here is what I've been up to:

I cut 11 inches of my hair and donated it to locks of love!

I am all healed from the port surgery. The first 3 days were rough (it hurts, was hard to get dressed and uncomfortable to sleep), but then it gets better. A full week later (yesterday) I was able to do the elliptical and an arm workout. Did I mention I got stuck in my dress the Friday night following my surgery?? LOL

Hair

I am chopping 10 inches off my hair tomorrow! The hair will be donated to locks of love. I cannot wait. This is so liberating...you wan't my hair?? Take that, cancer ;-)

Port

Yesterday I got my port put in! I am sore and bruised today, but nothing a caddie can't handle ;). Here is what to expect: 1- you must fast, 2- you will be sedated, 3- you will feel pressure on chest, 4- you'll never have to get pricked or poked again...yah!!! Xoxo

PS: Anyone out there have port tips??

Pre surgery dinner

I just had dinner with my best friend and my mom's godchild! It was nice to catch up and relax before tomorrow. In the morning I have surgery to place my port. Main concern: does this mess up my golf swing???? No! My mom had one and you are able to swing. Second concern: fasting! I can't wait until these tests and procedures are completed because this vegan needs to eat ;)!

So...the port is placed on your chest and filters the chemo into your body. An IV in your hand or arm isn't recommended. Wish me luck! I will check in tomorrow. Xox.

Hair is overrated!

I love long, BIG hair...and I have long, big hair. In a few weeks it will be gone! Ah!! There's something about women and hair...scary thought that my ponytail down my back will no longer be hitting me in the face when I golf. This is the least of my worries when I fighting stupid cancer!!!

My best friend Whitney cut off 14 inches for locks of love and another friend, Ryan, shaved his head after my diagnosis. Next week, I am cutting my hair short and donating it. Hair is overrated! But ladies with cancer, I feel for ya! In the meantime, let's rock some awesome wigs and scarves ;)

Alternative Medicine!

I am a vegetarian that is sometimes vegan. I told my oncologist that during treatment I will be following a CLEAN EATING and VEGAN lifestyle. He said that is fine! Also, there aren't any food restrictions. I told my doc I not really into medicine and chemo in my body makes me a bit nervous...

He is setting my up with the University's alternative medicine/holistic MD. He is going to assess my diet and I am super excited!! I think he also covers aroma and plant therapy, as well as natural supplements. Ask your oncologist if the program you're on offers a nutrition or alternative program that you can supplement with chemo! More to come on this...

Chemo for the caddie

Treatment for HL is pretty streamlined. ABVD is the chemo treatment I will be undergoing for the next six months en route to being CANCER FREE. For all my fellow cancer conquerors, ask your doctors about this treatment. You get chemo via IV day 1 and day 15 for six months. I do not need radiation, and I hope you don't either :).

Cancer Caddie Cure

Hi All!

I met with my oncologist at UM Sylvester in Miami yesterday. He is wonderful and so positive.

He told me I have Hodgkins Lymphoma- Stage 3A. I am almost a 2, but have a tiny spot on my spleen. The prognosis is very positive. This disease isn't about remission.. IT'S ABOUT A CURE. There is a 90% cure rate for HL. If you are a women, under 45, don't have cancer in bone marrow, are in good health, etc...you have an even better CURE rate. I'm all of those...yay!

Now I get to celebrate with my old and new golf team! Here's to kicking cancer to the curb :)

PET Scan

Hi all! I am just leaving my test! Okay, so heres what to expect: they will inject you with the radioactive sugar via an IV and you will wait for 90 minutes. The scan takes 15-30 itself. Not too bad :-). I wish I didn't sleep so much last night so I could nap!! Between the test and blood work I was there almost 5 hours. I am so blessed for my wonderful dad that drove and waited for me! Now we are off to get some laughs at the Michael Yo show! #fightingtogether #laughoften

Pre Pet Scan

Tomorrow I am getting a PET Scan. I have to follow a special diet today: high protein & low carb. So, I had to deviate from my diet as only meats, hard cheeses, eggs, tofu and green veggies are allowed. Not sure how i will manage without fruit!!! But, this diet is to ensure a proper reading. Also, I have to stop eating and drinking 6 hours prior tomorrow. Wish me luck...let's fight!!!

Weekend

Morning cancer conquerers!!! Your caddie is reporting in from Delray Beach. I'm almost feeling 100% after BM test. I hope I can golf tomorrow...I'm with my second family getting some R&R and having many laughs. We are getting some sun (wearing spf 50) and listening to the calming waves...working on my mind this weekend and getting lots of positive thoughts circulating...enjoy the long weekend! #fightingpretty

Day after test and diet day 6

Okay... So maybe it feels like a UFC fighter beat the heck out of my hip, but I'm still getting around! It "hurts less" than a hangover ;). Even limped my way to the FAU game last night and we won!!! And, today is day 6 for me of vegan, organic, CLEAN eating. I've had fresh fruits and veggies all week. I've been eating nut and seeds for snacks. I've also been juicing! Well...visiting jamba and juiceteria until I buy a juicer. This is great for cancer fighting! I've been adding quinoa to dinners is as its high protein and gluten free. Also, I'm off the sugar and therefore the booze...cancer cells like that stuff and you can't fool this cancer caddie!!!!

Bone marrow shmone marrow

Hey guys!!! Just leaving my bone marrow biopsy. Sooo much support from my two angel friends and my dad that went with me. I was so nervous and scared. My friend with leukemia was with me (she's literally an angel) and said it wasn't bad as she just had one. AND it wasn't bad :). So, don't let Gray's anatomy or house scare you. If I can do it, you can do it....FIGHT! Xoxo

CYA Hodgkins lymphoma

Last Friday I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I cried and laughed when my doctor told me. I thought it was impossible. I feel fine!!! I am 24 and in the best shape of my life...and did I mention I was going to use all my vaca days at work to go to Q-School????? 
Q-School will always be there, so getting back to health is key. 

 My plan is to heal myself by two things I can control: my mind and my diet. What I cannot control is medical treatment, but with my all-star attitude and clean eating I am revved up and ready to go!

Bring it on, cancer. 

Step 1: Bone Marrow test in the morning.

Who's your Cancer Caddie?!

cad·die/ˈkadē/ Noun: A person who carries a golfer's clubs and provides other assistance during a match.

can·cer cad·die/ˈkansərˈkadē/ 

Noun: Gina Marie. One that provides assistance during your match with cancer, while she fights with you and documents all the positive actions to beat this disease.