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