Shout outs

This year has been tough. I lost my mom and best friend to cancer. While grieving and four months after her death, I found a lump on my neck. It was cancer. Hodgkin's stage three. I persevered and had a great support system to get me through 6 cycles of chemo. Thank you to my boyfriend, girlfriends, dad, grandma, cancer sister, family and friends. Your support was and is priceless xoxo

Down to 4

This is Gina checking in! Feeling ok, but a little neutropenic-- levels are (.6)...I am able to get treated though. After today I have 4 treatments left!!!! Here I come march 8th!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my family, friends, followers, supporters, fellow fighters, and survivors!

2012 has been extremely rough for me as I lost my mom (and BFF) to cancer, a close friend to cancer, and am coping with my own cancer diagnosis.

I cannot wait for tons of positivity in 2013. My treatment will be completed in March or April, so I'll be celebrating a new year then :) (In the mean time check out my pink wig my friend got me!!!)

Thanks to everyone for all the support, kind words, and thoughts you have been sending my way! They keep me going...xoxo

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!!!

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

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.

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 ;-)

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 ;)

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 :)

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!!!

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.