Jan 27th

I am so over this – seriously over feeling cruddy and always tired. This seriously is a complete bore and I am just sick and tired of being sick and tired. BUT if this is what I have to do to eradicate Lucifer then so be it – I will do it and I will smile and embrace all of it. Ok so maybe I am not smiling much at home but I do try to make our home a happy place even if I spend most of the time wrapped in a blanket with a heating pad.

So this week I had another funny occurrence – yet again in the shower. As I have shared I have not lost any of my hair! Well that isn’t actually true – I haven’t lost any hair on my HEAD nor my eyebrows, but while showering I realized that I had not shaved in a few weeks and I went to shave and wait what I had no hair on my legs and wait no hair in other areas that would be shaved or waxed! Woot woot chemo perk – waxing not necessary for a while. Sorry if I have embarrassed or shocked any of you – I promised to be honest and provide levity to this situation I find myself in. So, as I stood in the shower laughing hysterically, Millie came in and looked at me with her tilted head and then left thinking – yep she has finally lost it! I laughed so hard I had to hold on to the shower door handle in case I lost my footing and fell, “Greatest Moments in Chemo”

This week had another first where I experienced “Healing Touch”. Awesome experience with opening all your chakra points and ensuring the flow of energy through your body done with touch! The first session was Monday and then after a rough night on Friday and again on Saturday morning I had another session Saturday evening that made me feel so calm and grounded! Annette you are an angel and miracle worker! On Saturday afternoon Steve and I ventured uptown to see my new office and unpack my boxes and set up my desk – wow what a view I have from the beautiful Corporate Center in Charlotte on the 54th floor! I can’t wait till i am not immune compromised and can work from our new space! There is even a little nook for me to nap if I needed to – wink wink.

So the week brought loads of love, food, and visit including John & Peggy coming by to share stories from the JDRF Mission Summit that we were not able to make, stuffed shells from Rachel, Brownies from Laura, visit with Shirley and Dwan’s famous and fabulous pound cake, Coconut cake and visit from Jennifer. A visit with Dawn and great opportunity to hear all about her amazing mission trip to Haiti – and oh yes a little talk about her signing up for the 2018 JDRF Ride to Cure in Saratoga Springs! So excited to train with her and all our other riders this summer! Thank you Anne for the wonderful book and Suzie thank you for sending all the fun photos from years gone by and your wonderful inspirational cards. And Emily – thank you so much for making a girl who feels crappy still look pretty in her beautiful nightgown. Miss America’s cross sits on my bedside table where I see it every morning.

So we are ready to walk into the 4th and hopefully final round of chemo for this phase on Wednesday. We know what to expect and know I will be wiped out from it but it will be tolerable. I do hope that lock jaw side effect from the last time doesn’t happen again – that was a little scary. So here we go again, let’s do it and remember we will kick Lucifer’s ass! Lots of love to all my warriors – I am one very lucky girl!

January 21st

Thank goodness chemo didn’t get a snow day so I didn’t have to miss my 3rd round of chemo! Now we are 2/3rds the way through this first round of chemo treatment and one more to go on the 31st! When I arrived on Wednesday for my chemo I was so lucky cause I got a private all day chemo session with 4 nurses to make sure I was getting all the love and care one would need on this snowy day in Charlotte! It was so beautiful out and many thanks to my chauffeurs Erika and Beth for making sure I got to chemo, got fed and got home safe and sound! The nurses greeted me by saying “go ahead and have a seat and you can start taking your vitals”! Erika’s face was priceless cause I think she thought part of her duties were going to be helping me draw blood – very funny moment and just another moment where laughter is the best medicine. As I got my coat off and started getting settled in Erika looked at me and said “look at those skinny legs”. I said yep that is a chemo perk!

So for the next two days, with Aunt Antiope by my side, we got infused with more chemo and tolerated it well considering it is pure poison! I think my Mom had the best comment of the week when I told her I was worried about the continuous use of one of my stomach medicines and she said “with all the chemo poison you are putting in your body I would say the stomach medicine is the least of your worries – but let me talk you about the French fries and the article I read regarding the artificial fat in them…”. Yes you heard me right she was more concerned about the fat in the French fries then the chemo poison – classic comment said by the food dysfunctional family matriarch!

Mom and Beth cleared out a ton of work out clothes, shoes, boots, and some clothing and made a 4th run to Clothes Mentor. With at least two more runs to go! My closets have been purged of things I didn’t even know I owned! So today, Sunday, I noticed one thing that had not happened and nobody seemed too concerned – but I pulled my fingers through my hair and I noticed some strands of hair come out – yikes. BUT everyone around me said – “oh that is what I loss daily”. So clearly no one thinks my hair is thinning. But will keep you posted – cause my wig is looking good!

We have had a few good days and people have called and sent cards and brought food – Nicole’s goody bag from Pasta & Provisions put a smile on everyone in this house’s face. I was so happy to get in a great walk with Betty earlier in the week and a wonderful visit from Pat today to round out this cold Charlotte week. What great friends and family we have and the outpouring of love and support keeps me from coming unglued – trust me that has happened on more than one occasion and mostly cause I have over done it and need to rest – something many of you know I am not good at!

So I am learning how to do things that are not natural for me and to see them just as they are not natural but needed to get through this time! Nobody said I had to like it but they did say to get better I had to give my body some grace and allow it to be nurtured and give it rest to heal!

January 14th

The last few days have been pretty good – although through Friday I was still a bit tired and had a bad night on Thursday – I do believe it was completely my fault. I know shock of shocks I may not have had enough fluids on Thursday and pushed myself toward dehydration BUT luckily I was able to get enough fluids to reverse it and by midnight I was feeling much better but it made Friday a bit tiring. So note to all of you – dehydration feels like this… you get very tired, might be a bit nauseous or cramps, your joints might hurt but your legs and arms hurt like sore muscles. Do everything you can do to get fluids in you and especially electrolytes. If it is too difficult try a children’s medicine dropper with Gatorade or pedialyte every 30 minutes – thanks Brooke for this awesome idea. You should start feeling better but if not go to the hospital. Another way to test for dehydration is pull the skin up from the top of your hand and if it is sluggish bouncing back you need more fluids. Oh wait did I forget to tell you I have become a medical Dr since my diagnosis! SURPRISE.

So now you are wondering what the title means well – Millie has been the one spoiled this week. First she received a Furbo – http://www.furbo.com – from Sophie! A Furbo is a camera that you can watch your dog when you are not home and speak to them – then you can give them a treat as a reward. It is a great way for Millie and I to stay connected when I am at chemo or when I go in for surgery! We are having a blast playing with our new toy – oh and by the way I am not worried about the treats causing Millie to gain some lbs – she is having fun and enjoying the game. That is what life is about. Next Millie received her purple ribbon scarf from Mollie and Erika and Ed along with some extras for all the dogs who want to join in the fight to eradicate Lucifer. Mollie in the top picture and Millie with Erika in the bottom are sporting their support proudly!

Life is good and each day gets better not to mention how very spoiled I am by so many of you! Aashima your meal was perfect, Emily the nightgown makes me feel like a princess and Chan and Lucy the Hollins throw is perfect to take with me to chemo! Nancy – the dammit doll is more perfect then you know and as I begin to stick pins in its pancreas I think I will get even more pleasure from it. The team over at JDRF has been so wonderful and the treats from Pasta and Provisions – delicious. Jamie’s smile bag – a brilliant idea for anyone going through a difficult time – is filled with goodies that all I need to do when I am having a bad day is reach in for a treat – BRILLIANT! My pedicure date with Dawn on Saturday was just what the doctor ordered and our visit with the Uszacki4 on Saturday evening was so much fun – the boys got all our new technology set up and working. The cards, emails and texts continue to keep my spirits up and the support for Steve from so many, especially John and our families has been super helpful. Thank you all for everything you are doing for me and for us! I will cherish the next few good days before round 3 begins on the 17th and Mom comes in on Thursday for a few days – I will also keep all of my warriors and Mob close to my heart and in my thoughts always. And of course loads of love to all the dogs out there – you are so loved!

Jan 10

So as most of you know, all to well, I am a risk taker, playing it safe has never been my MO. But when you are being infused with poison that is wracking havoc on your immune system you have to be smart and maybe think twice before you act. Take tonight, I planned to go to a JDRF Ride Interest Meeting that was being held at Vintner Wine Bar… well I realized that a bar, even if it is a nice bar, was probably one of the places I should think twice about going to unless of course I want to wear a mask – which trust me isn’t happening EVER! So I decided to stay home with Millie by my side and maybe take a long hot bath…ugh another moment where the risk adverse angel taps on my shoulder and says…ah maybe that isn’t such a good idea – since we know I am a klutz, slipping and falling isn’t out of the question or falling asleep in the tub isn’t out of the realm of reality either. So logic and safety win again – ugh cancer you are killing my mojo.

Another thing you know about me, or any women is that we are always watching our weight – and if you know my family you know it is definitely a main topic always. What did you have for lunch, oh should you be eating that, isn’t there something less fattening on the menu, oh maybe you should wear a longer top with those pants…I could go on and on, but ever since I was diagnosed the topic of weight has turned to, did you eat enough today, how much have you gained, oh have another cookie…on and on. I love my family and my mom but we definitely have a twisted relationship with food – evident when my niece came over in October and saw Millie, that would be our dog, and the first thing out of her mouth was “oh Millie you are looking a little chubby”. Seriously the DOG is now being scrutinized. I say all this cause I am now experiencing yet another cancer perk – no one cares what I eat, when I eat, just that I eat and keep up my strength. Between you and me I went into this overweight which the doctor loved so I do have room to loss but no one wants to loss this way I promise.

So now that I am a week out from treatment 2 I can say yes we tolerated it better, on Tuesday the Dr said he was really pleased with everything and is keeping the cocktail as is. Only two more treatments to go and we will be 1/3rd of the way through the whole process to eradicate Lucifer. Thank you all for your continued generosity, cards, visits and emails. We are holding on and we will get through this – Denise’s (and Keith too) goodie bag of tea and bath bombs and lotions and potions is just what the patient ordered – just sorry I can’t use that bath bomb tonight – but there is always tomorrow night. Here is to the greatest group of warriors out there – without you I would be lost in a sea of darkness – your light shines and guides me to the end goal a CURE.

January 6th

We are three days post round 2 and so far we have remained vertical and the only horizontal mambo this chick is doing is in her bed! My body has been able to tolerate this go around much better or maybe having my sisters, niece and Mom around to help has been the ticket. I know having them here has given Steve great comfort as well so that he can continue to balance the priorities of his work, his mom, his health, our home and me! Trust me I never folded his laundry before and having Mom here he gets white glove service – wink wink.

Now I am not saying cancer doesn’t suck cause it still does, but at least this time Lucifer isn’t winning this round. Again the out pouring of love has been so humbling. The flowers from Claire and then sisters Paula and Theresa sent the most amazing burlap wrapped bouquet from http://www.farmgirlflowers.com and from Luis & Tommy and arrangement that only the Blossom Shop can create – my house has never looked so beautiful or smelled so good! Seriously – I know that this diagnosis has gobsmacked most including me but that hasn’t stopped people from stepping in and helping me fight the fight to slay and eradicate Lucifer.

The one thing that has been very exciting is that so far I have not lost any of my hair…they said if it is going to happen it will be after this round so we shall see – I have sent my wig off with Claire for her to perfect just the right balance of sassy and edge so we are ready when needed!

As I wrap up this post listening to my jam playlist from college that my college roommate, Chan, made for me – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is playing followed by “I’ll Be There” favorites of ours back in the 80’s. I am reminded that there is nothing that will get in my way and that Missy’s Mob has shown up and shined through this ordeal and together we will stomp out this beast! And for those of you who are wondering – yes I will be riding the 2018 JDRF Ride to Cure in Saratoga Springs this September – cause unfortunately Alex still battles her diabetes and I will continue to battle it with her until there is NONE.

Jan 4th

Round 2 of treatment was yesterday with these two angels – my niece Alex who is my inspiration to find a cure for type one diabetes and my sissy Suzy/Suzanne who came in from Louisville to be with me for a few days – blessed is all I can say.

Since New Year’s Eve I have been feeling better and better and was so glad to get some goals accomplished like walk a 1 1/2 by Tuesday and crushed that by completing the day before on New Year’s Day and then again on Tuesday! I love to set goals and crush them – yep if you didn’t know I am very competitive especially with myself.  On Tuesday the 2nd I was so pleased to feel good enough to go to the office and spend about 7 hours checking things off my list, getting most of my boxes packed for our corporate move on the 19th.  It was so great to see everyone and feel like cancer didn’t exist!

After that, Round 2 of treatment began when I went to see my oncologist – Dr Reza.  It was so good to see him and not feel or look like Lucifer was conquering.  He was glad, to see the rebound of my true self and see some weight gain.  He made an adjustment to my chemo so I don’t feel so sick but will allow us to  stay on course.  We got all paperwork signed to obtain an accommodation to work from home through treatment as he knows I love my job but wants me to be smart about being around too many people.  The best part of that visit was that he looked at me and said, “you just tell me what you need or want and I will get it for you”. Hmmm…clearly I am making my list and will bring to him next week when I see him – he said his number one priority is my well being, happiness and quality of life.  This was one of those times when I was like…this must be a cancer perk wink wink.  When we got home that night there was a huge garbage bag at our door – was wondering why the garbage men left it for us – but we were mistaken, as inside was a beautiful pillow cross stitched with peace from sweet Cathy!  The note said to use wherever needed, including the bathroom floor – it might be too pretty to be used there, and we are hoping and praying this go around that I don’t see or feel the bathroom floor.

On Wednesday, infusion day, I was strapped in for the next rollercoaster ride and ready to take Lucifer down.  I never thought my riding my first ever rollercoaster this summer with Betty, the Fury, would prepare me for yet another ride, since upon my dismount from the ride I said – “well that is never happening again”.  Just another ah ha moment that things happened for a reason prior to Lucifer that was preparing me for this journey/ride.  All went smoothly with the infusion, no problems and I got a great visit with my niece and sissy and even got a couple hours of work in!  Then the best part – the last chemo medicine, the one that made me drunk the last time with the slurring of works and eye twitches, well this time WAM it was the same but add in the feeling of being high/stoned – and it was an awesome ride.  Dr Reza came by again and said “you still here” and I said yes and I was going to start paying rent.  Upon our arrival home there were beautiful flowers from Claire and a box of the most amazing Ginersnap cookies from Chan – check them out at http://www.susansnaps.com – proceeds go to cancer prevention – what a wonderful gift.  The evening brought me visits by Dawn and Jennifer and the May’s boys – what a treat to have Suzy and Alex meet two people that are in this fight to Turn Type One to Type None – how inspiring to have some of my favorite people in one room!  And let’s not forget the homemade soup from one of our favorite bakery’s – Renaissance.  If you have never been it is on South Blvd!

So I am home now with Aunt Antiope by my side for 46 hours, now down to 29 hours and of course sweet Millie. My mom comes later today and it will be comforting to have her here and allow Steve some time to meet his needs.  I am so blessed to have a Mom that is active and healthy enough to be here for us – Bebe will also be around and able to step in whenever needed.  The words that come to mind, lucky, blessed, fortunate, courageous, loved, empowered.  Again, Lucifer you are going down and you better not pull another take over this go around cause I am completely armed to ward you off.  Thanks everyone for your comments and notes on the blog – I am enjoying writing this and balancing real and humor!  I take suggestions if there are things you wish to know about – just let me know and I will discuss with the editor :).

Dec 31st

As we reflect on this last year many might say it has been challenging, trying, unfortunate, sad and at times overwhelming. But what I have learned in the last few weeks is that this year has been inspiring, strengthening, engaging, educational, eye opening and most of all blessed and invigorating.

We may have experienced challenging scenarios but they gave us strength to overcome even more challenging scenarios. We learned how to cope with situations by looking for the good in everything and everyone.

As I close the year of 2017 I can say I have accomplished as great deal and have become a better person because of the events of this year. I have learned how to be kinder and gentler to myself, how to be a better daughter, sister, wife and friend. I have been reminded that everything happens for a reason and that there is most definitely someone who is looking out for me. I have learned that in giving you receive tenfold and sometimes it hits you like a ton of bricks and other times it is a gentle tap.

As 2018 approaches I know there will be challenges ahead but through those challenges will be great reward and I will become a better me. The circle of family and friends is felt so intensely and I know that with your support I will prevail and come out the other end a better Missy.   May your 2018 be everything you imagine for yourself and those you love – Happy New Year!

Dec 29th

Hello my friends and family or shall I say Missy’s Mob!  I am up and out of bed, off the bathroom floor and I am back!  Seriously, there were moments where I thought who is this taking over my body, my mind and my soul!  Chemo is evil but to eradicate Lucifer I need something evil and brutal and I am holding tight as we go through this ride.

Sunday-Wednesday are a blurr – the best part was I was able to sleep sooo much!  Astrid came by on Christmas with special soup made by Moma Lucy and it was perfect and just what I needed!  The rosary, yes Astrid gave me a rosary with prayer instructions, was perfect and I held on to it as I fell asleep that night. Tuesday, Boxing Day, Jennifer and the boys and Laura came by with Boxing Day brunch!  We ate like kings and queens, the best part for me was the grapefruit sections – I think Steve preferred the cheese grits. My Mom and Beth came back from Louisville on Wednesday and well we all know what a Mom’s love can do for you – it was awesome to have them home.  I know Steve was glad to have my Mom here too!  I woke up Thursday and “SHABAM” I actually was feeling like the Missy I knew and was up and out of bed all day!  I even ate full pieces of food!  Toast and grapefruit never tasted so good!

When we saw my oncologist on Tuesday he didn’t like that the treatment had walloped me so hard and he wants to do some adjustments to the chemo but not to the treatment plan of a CURE!  So for the next 5 days I will regain my strength and be ready for round 2 on January 3rd. I have realized that this is the time where I have to ask for help, a foreign concept, but one I am working on getting comfortable with and starting to understand how to do it.  Everyone has made it so easy to ask for help and have been there to do silly things like buy 3 different kinds of natural ginger ale to get just the right one for my taste buds. And who knew Gatorade made a flavor called “FIERCE”.  Betty your shopping skills are to be commended. Susan homemade bread – need I say more!  Since morning toast is on my list of favorites I will look forward to more soon!  Yes hint hint!

I know now more than ever that God has a plan for me in this journey – it may have been clouded by a few bad days, but he wants something very promising to come of this and I continue to look for signs of what that may be – keep me posted if you figure it out or if one drops in front of you!  I love each and everyone of you for your prayers, texts, emails, cards, visits and calls – your strength has helped me get one step closer to my CURE!

Well this actually sucks. Chemo takes no prisoners or shall I say chemo takes all prisoners. The last 60 hours have been brutal, I know I am strong and I know I can make it but there were moments where I honestly thought let’s just forget it. We had to cancel our trip to Louisville because I just didn’t have enough energy to make the plane ride.

I don’t know what we would do without family and friends.  We have not had a moment where we needed anything we have had friends come and bring food, gifts, flowers and visits not just for me but for Steve too. The other thing that has amazed me is Millie, she will not leave my side and follows me everywhere and sleeps next to me all day and night. She knows something is wrong and is channeling all her love to eradicate Lucifer!  I have never felt this kind of love in my life. I have a wonderful family who adores me but I have more than that, I have friends that will not let Lucifer get the best of me.

This morning, Sunday, I slept till about 730. Awoke a bit nauseous but took some drugs and then ventured to the shower.  Who would think getting into a shower would take it out of you but I was feeling a little weak and had a BRILLIANT idea!  I pulled my garden stool in there and was able to sit on that and wash my hair and shave my legs! It was kind of a treat and a bit decadent. I seriously think Chemo might be making me smarter- LOL.  But the realization was how we take the little things for granted and this morning they became such a treat and delight.  If only Steve had realized such small things were such a treat, he could have saved a ton of money on my Christmas gifts this year!

Both Steve and I are missing our family this Christmas but Steve will get to spend time with his Mom on Christmas which will be very special to her, and we will extend Christmas a few days longer when Beth and my Mom come back from Louisville on Wednesday. Our Framily all over Charlotte will not let us be alone or lonely – they are all truly amazing, we are truly blessed!  Merry Christmas and all the love and joy to each and everyone of you and yours.

Dec 21st

…and so it began!  The cast of characters included my Chemo teacher Cristina who ran chemo school beautifully and loved our term “chemo school”.  My chemo nurse Annette, along with Lindsay and Tay. As Steve said, first we were infused with knowledge then infused with chemo which is what transpired yesterday and continues for the next 46 hours at home. I had a beautiful warm UGG blanket draped around me all day keeping me warm and feeling loved from my sissies and Mom.

First challenge thus far – I had a reaction to the anti-nausea meds which caused my throat to close up, heart to race fast and then Steve said “ oh wow you are really red” so they gave me benedryl and  tried again and all good!  Then I went through the next chemo treatment for 2 hours pretty uneventful.  Mom and Beth came by to visit and then Steve brought in some lunch from Dean & Deluca.  All was moving along super smooth when I got the last chemo treatment, that one brought back memories, but wait, Chemo and I have never met before!  All of a sudden my speech began to slur and my eyes started to twitch as if I had too many cocktails – seems you can take the cocktails out of the girl’s hand but never out of the girl…I was seriously drunk!  To which Steve said well I guess today was the party and tomorrow is the hangover.  Well let’s hope it is only as bad as a hangover, those I know I can handle.

After all was complete we gathered my belonging along with my side kick Chemo pump, which we now call Antiope, and headed home.  Aunt Antiope taught Wonder Woman everything she needed to know, so I am assuming she will kick some Lucifer arse.  My body felt like it was in an accident but my mind was clear.  Enjoyed dinner from Jennifer and lots of love from my Mom and of course Steve – my rock during all this although he might think it feels more like a butler.

I had a bit of a thick tongue and felt a bit drunk this morning but that has subsided.  My sweet BIL Bill stopped over this morning while in town for a lunch meeting and that was such a treat, good thing my buzz subsided, not that it mattered cause he has seen the buzzed Missy on a few occasions. I got a few thing accomplished, probably over did it but I am trying to figure out what I can handle.  I know that I can handle whatever it takes to eradicate Lucifer so I continue to push the boundaries while giving myself GRACE and being KIND and GENTLE to myself.

With Millie and Antiope at my side I will face the day with courage and humility.  Each day is an adventure and a treasure.

 

 

Dec 19th

Wow this whole situation is so humbling. I have never felt so loved, cared for, nor have I ever had so much attention. Everyone and I mean everyone has gone the extra mile to make me feel loved and cherished!  What many of you don’t know is that I am an introvert playing an extrovert – ok so many of you are shaking your head now and saying right Missy get real. But seriously I work hard at being an extrovert and engaging with people and each of you has made it so much easier for me.

On Sunday when my friend Wyn came by with soup we had a good visit and I went outside with her to show her our new flaming light bulbs…well that ended up a bigger event then intended as I missed the bottom step and bit the dust. Seriously I fell down the stairs – good news nothing broken which is kind of amazing, but I showed Wyn the true klutz that I am – I laughed and after Wyn realized I was ok she laughed too. We knew it would make the blog.  Yes you heard that right…I fell down the flipping stairs.

Yesterday was a little tough – Many people have said you will go through a variety of emotions as you travel this curvy road. Yesterday was a day where I said “ok the novelty of this has worn off” and I got sad, confused and a wanted tons of answers. As I walked out of the CT scan with Steve I told him how I felt and all he had to do was take my hand and give it a squeeze and tell me it is ok to be bummed out but you can’t stay there. He held me and loved me like no other and pouf I was back to my fierce self.

Last night at dinner with my girls, Cathy, Astrid, Karen and Michelle we laughed and inspired each other and we walked out with our new purple braclets that say “Missy’s Mob”. “Be the Beast” – for years Cathy has referred to me as a beast cause of the training in so in my bike to find a cure for T1D. I plan to let that inner beast shine. So next time you see me just let me know if you want one we are wearing them till this journey ends. Thank you sweet Cathy for doing this for us!

Today we will shop for the wig, go to chemo school and spend time with my Mom. Tomorrow will be the first round of chemo and we will post an update Thursday. Remember as my grandmother used to say “no news is good news” so if you don’t hear anything don’t worry!

Please keep the prayers and protein coming!  You are all the engine that will keep this train on the right track.

December 16th

This first blog post is one of many where I will share the reasons why I started the blog, how we are doing and what we are doing as we enter a brand new chapter in our lives.

On October 7th I completed my 5th 100 mile bike ride for JDRF. On this particular ride the heat index was 108 and many riders were stopping at 75 miles. Oh but of course not me. I had to go for the 100 – for no other reason then for my niece Alex who doesnt stop her management of Type One Diabetes because she just doesn’t want to do it anymore. In her case and so many others living with this disease stopping the management or care of their T1D will kill them.

Right after my ride I started feeling rather punky, I got a cold, fatigue, indigestion and stomach pains, throw in some back pain and bam they find a malignant tumor, who we have named “Lucifer” in my pancreas – kind of ironic don’t you think since I spend my time, talent and treasures in keeping the pancreas heathy and finding a cure for T1D.

So the journey begins to beat my stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer – which I know will be cured and that when this is over something very special is going to come of this. The good news is that the tumor has not metastisized nor impacted any lymph nodes.  So Tuesday the 12th I met with my surgeon, Dr Baker at CMC who is a pancreatic specialist but who I worked with earlier this year to remove my gallbladder. What are the odds that I would have to go back to her EVER – seems someone was watching over me back in February.  Next I met with my nurse navigator, nurse and dietitian who worked hard to identify the best oncologist for me and they were spot on.  Dr Reza at CMC is awesome – might be why he was named physician of the quarter which we saw walking into the Levine Cancer Institute, just another sign we were in the right hands.  After meeting with the Dr on Friday the 15th we reviewed all the options and we have opted for Neoadjuvant approach which is chemo, surgery, the wipple, and then more chemo. The chemo will be a 4 medicine cocktail 2x a month followed by 46 hours of chemo administered through a chemo pump.  They said the chemo pump comes with it own “cute” bag…ah I am guessing that I will have to find my own bag for this Pump or design one myself – more to come in a later post.

Later that same day we were scheduled for a dianostic laparoscopy to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread into my stomach and the insertion of my port.  We got some great news after those procedures and my stomach is cancer free!  So the port is in and I have a CT scan of my lungs on Monday, Chemo school, my name for it, on Tuesday and my first round of chemo on Wednesday morning.  I was very relieved to know that Chemo doesn’t take a long holiday break!  I go back to meet with Dr Reza on Tuesday the 26th to see how I am tolerating the chemo so if you see me with a stylin head scarf or a different hair style you will know I have lost my hair, but that is ok as long as they are killing off Lucifer.

Lots happening and we are moving forward with positive intentions.  Lucifer will not control me and will be eradicated from my body!  The most ironic part of this is that the JDRF Ride to Cure in Amelia Island, FL might have saved my life.  Just another reason to keep trudging through to find a cure for T1D.  I have a tribe of warriors surrounding me and without you and your prayers I wouldn’t be able to beat this.  Thanks to each and everyone of you!   Special thanks for the amazing food delivery from Kim, Jennifer, Beth and Wyn.  My doctor wants meat on my body so I thank you all for helping to get there.  I will update this blog continuously and will have other guest writers if they wish to participate.  Watch out Lucifer this is the chick with the fierce pants on all the time – you will not be around long.