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.

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

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

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.

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??

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.