It's the final countdown...

Yes, I am a child of the 80's because when I type those words, this is the song that I think of. (Not sure if the video will actually work so you may need to click on this link to hear the song & laugh at the band's hair).

Anyway, today was my 5th chemotherapy. I have to say it feels good to be in the home stretch.  I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Getting half way there was a bit anti-climatic but I'm feeling good about having 5 down and only 3 to go!  My word of the day was hope, which is a pretty powerful one for me.  It was the first time in a while that I have felt this hopeful -- I'm almost done with chemotherapy, I'm feeling pretty good (all things considered) and I just have this powerful feeling that I'm going to come out on top.

I also started Taxol today (a new chemotherapy for me) which  is supposed to be the 'easier' of the two regimens that I'm on; so we'll see how the next few days go. I hope that will be the case. 

I had quite the entourage with me today.  My Aunt Barb, Dad and Katie were there with me during treatment (although I think Katie just wanted me to concentrate on getting her to the next level of Angry Birds).  Regardless, It was nice to have so many cheerleaders by my side.  

After  treatment my Dad, Aunt and I got an early dinner to one of my favorite places -- the Athenian Room.  I love this place because it's just a good neighborhood Greek restaurant.  And because they have a 'vegetarian salad' on the menu that is a dieters dream --- it's a salad with Greek fries on top.  No joke.  That's the most delicious oxymoron I've ever had.  

...and to continue the afternoon of indulgence (and since we were in the neighborhood), we had to stop at Sweet Mandy B's for cupcakes...

Not a bad ending to the day.  I'm going to call it an early night soon.  I don't have much planned for this weekend, just going to rest like I normally do after treatment.  If I'm lucky, I'll get some laundry done. :)

Oh, and tomorrow is opening day for the Chicago Cubs!  GO CUBS GO!  May this be your year!! 

50% Completed!

Rather than spending St. Patrick's day drinking green beer, I was getting my 4th chemotherapy treatment.  While that doesn't sound like the most fun day, I was pretty psyched to get over the half-way hump of chemo!  Thank you Chevy for coming along with me to chemo this round.  And thank you to Christy & Mike for the delicious Irish meal afterwards.

I'm now done with the 'harder' of the chemo regimen (A +C) so hopefully the next four treatments (Taxol) will be a little easier on my body.  I'm actually feeling pretty good this round, which is a surprise because I didn't feel so hot after my last treatment.  The weather in Chicago is finally getting warmer so maybe that has had an impact on my energy level.  I made it out for a walk on Friday and Saturday but today is a rainy spring day so I'm just going to lay low.

I don't have much going on for the week ahead, which is fine by me.  I've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks so I hope to just take advantage of the warmer weather and get out while I can enjoy it.

Thank you all for the support thus far.  I hope the next four treatments fly by so I can have this part of my treatment behind me!

xoxo  

Dinner with Wolfie

Last night I had the pleasure of going to an event where Wolfgang Puck was doing a cooking demonstration!

My friend Molly (who you may not recognize without her tinsel wig) was invited because she's coordinated events at the space where the dinner was held.

It. Was. Awesome.  Wolfie is a very funny guy and made jokes throughout the entire demo.  If I saw him on QVC, I would possibly watch to hear what kind of jokes he would make on live TV.  :)

It was so nice to get out and have a couple glasses of wine (I've really missed wine!) and enjoy an amazing meal.  I feel like I haven't done that in ages.

Here's some pics from our night...

The menu was the same as what Wolfgang served at the Governor's Ball before the Oscars 

First course -- trio of salads 

Second course - Dover Sole....SO GOOD! 

Side of paella with spring vegetables 

Lemon cheesecake for dessert -- so rich and delicious! 

Thanks again, Molly for inviting me! 

3 Down....

Treatment this week...

I've got 3 chemos under my belt!  I'm almost to the half-way point.  My regimen is broken down by two different types of treatment: 4 A + C (Adriamycin and Cytoxin) and 4 Taxol.  From what I understand, A + C is the harder of the two treatments (which is why they front load them) so I'm almost done with the harder stuff.  My word for this treatment this round was "strength" -- God, please grant me the strength to endure chemotherapy and kick cancer's ass! 

My date for chemotherapy was Jamie, a good friend of mine from my days working at NPD.  Thanks for coming with Jamie.  It was fun catching up with you!  

Jamie and I after treatment was done

My new 'do...still an adjustment for me
I'm still getting adjusted to my new 'do.  It's growing on me.  A few people at work (that I don't see regularly) have commented on my new hair cut -- thinking that maybe I just wouldn't lose my hair.  That definitely has made me feel good.  I haven't had the guts to leave my apartment without a wig on yet.  I'm still trying to lead a secret agent double life -- 'normal Heather' when out and about and 'cancer vixen' when at home.  


What I did last weekend...
Last weekend I went home for the first time since Christmas (boy did that time fly).  My mom's best friend, Kathy came over to my aunt's house and we had coffee just like the old days.  For those of you that don't know, my mom and Kathy would have coffee together one to two times a day and our families would just spend hours together chatting.  My aunt made my great grandmother's buttermilk biscuits, one of Kathy's favorites (sorry friends, it's a family recipe that I cannot share) and Kathy brought my donuts from my favorite bakery in Lake Zurich.  It was very nostalgic to have coffee with her and a great way to celebrate my mom's memory.  

Kathy and I also stopped by my dad's house so she could meet the newest puppy in our family, Abby.  She is so adorable and my dad is lucky that I have too  much on my plate because I would like to "borrow" her from him (and perhaps not return).  

My Dad and Abby

  

Abby after getting groomed & wanting a treat.
She's so cute! 

My cousins Rob and Kristi were also at my aunt's last weekend so it was nice to see them. Rob introduced us to Wii Wheel of Fortune and we had a lot of fun playing that!  I'm looking forward to a rematch (preferably when my Aunt Barb doesn't blurt out the answers while it's Rob's turn!).


What's ahead for the week...
It's gonna be a busy week for me!  On Tuesday I have my second monthly Young Survivor's Coalition meeting (which as many of you know is where I met my friend Bonnie).   So I'm looking forward to seeing her and connecting with other young breast cancer survivors.  On Thursday, my friend Molly invited me  to see a Wolfgang Puck cooking demonstration, which I'm pretty excited about.  And then on Friday, we have a team outing and we're going to the Bull's game!  This will be my second Bull's game ever (and twice in one season no less).  


Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Happy MARCH!  I am so excited for spring to arrive!