It's Go Time!!!!

Today is the day!!! Tonight I will join with family and friends to participate in the Light the Night walk. Today I remember the diagnosis and the phone calls home to break the news. Today I remember the scans and biopsies. Today I remember the chemo and radiation. Today I remember the nurses and doctors. Today I remember the fight. Today I remember all that I have learned. Today I remember to be grateful for all that I have and all that I am. Today I CELEBRATE!!

Would you consider making a small donation today to help me celebrate? Every dollar counts, no donation is too small!

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime

Checking Up to Check In

Day 11 of Light the Night Campaign. I actually just got done with one of my 6 month check ups! Every 6 months I return to the cancer center. And while I know in my brain that the likelihood of my cancer coming back is very small, my heart still beats a little faster as I walk through those doors. I am careful not to let the "what if" questions cloud my logic. But it is the small amount of anticipation that makes the "all clear" declaration even sweeter! It is the preceding anxiousness that makes me remember to be thankful for where I am. It can be easy to get wrapped up in life and forget about where you came from and all the progress you've made. But the 6 month check ups remind me to check in and be grateful for all that I learned and all that I gained through my cancer journey.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime

Brave

Day 10 of raising awareness for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. 

10 years ago today, a 10th grade boy with curly hair asked a 10th grade girl to be his girlfriend. 10 years ago today, that boy and girl had no idea all that life would hand them, but they ventured together. 

I am so thankful for everything we have gained in love over the last few years. Together we faced cancer head on. Together, we were brave. Together, we beat it! Thank you for being brave with me, Shane Griffin!! 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/08/childrens-hospital-brave-video_n_4066018.html

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime

Red Face Assumptions

Day 9 on this wonderful October day is a perfect day to raise awareness and money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society!

One of the funny memories from radiation is remembering everything people kept noticing about my appearance without knowing the situation I was going through. I continued working all through chemo and radiation and not many of the gym members knew I was going through cancer treatments because I didn't lose all of my hair to or share my circumstances with them. But as I began to experience the effects of radiation, my face and neck turned red from the radiation burn. As people began to notice my red face, their comments usually varied, but always made me laugh. Some asked if I had just got done working out. Others concluded I must have just gotten back from a warm vacation. But my favorite assumption was that I must have high blood pressure if my face was that red.

If you've ever seen someone with a red face, would you consider donating $5? Because who knows, maybe they weren't red in the face for all the reasons you thought. Maybe they were really fighting through radiation treatments. Your $5 will help people fight and win the battle against Lymphoma.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime

Chicken Nuggets

On Day 8 of my Facebook stampede to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society I will share a memory from one of my favorite nurses.

Friday after my chemo treatments, I always had to return to the cancer center over my lunch break to receive a shot of a white blood cell booster to ensure that I would be ready to receive chemo again in two weeks. This was always a quick, simple appointment where the nurses asked how I felt the through the night, took my temperature and blood pressure and gave me a quick shot. One particular week during treatment, I was having a bizarre craving for chicken nuggets. Because I have the best husband in the world, he retrieved them and I scarfed them down while they pumped me full of chemicals. The next day when the nurse asked how I felt after my treatment, I told her my stomach didn't feel its usual self. I had felt a little more nauseated than normal and just felt sick all night. With her syringe raised in the air, she looked me straight in the eye and said, "You think it might have had anything to do with all those chicken nuggets you ate yesterday?" Touché, Linda! I loved that she called me out. I loved that she wasn't babying me. More than anything, I loved that she was being 100% real with me.

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime

Eyes on the Goal

Day 7 to raise fund for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society! Light the Night is almost here! 

Though I danced and celebrated the amazing news of my cancer free scan 2 years ago, I quickly had to put my party hat aside and put my game face back on. You see, the battle wasn't over yet. I still had to power through 17 bouts of radiation to ensure a full recovery. One of the biggest things I learned through the transition from chemo to radiation is that you must always keep your eyes on the end goal even once you've reached it and focus on what you need to do in order to maintain that victory. 

2 Years Cancer Free

It was 2 years ago today, on October 6th, that I had my first cancer free scan!! As I walked into the cancer center, my heart was full of apprehension. But I was overcome with joy, relief, and gratefulness when the doctor declared it showed no signs of cancer. There have been many milestones thus far in my 25 years and this was by far one of the most significant.

Help others celebrate being cancer free by donating to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. 

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/DesMineL13/ItsGoTime