I can’t believe my “chemo vacation” is coming to an end. BOOOOOO! Chemo starts up again Wednesday the 20th. It won’t be the Red Devil at least. Next I start a chemo drug called, Taxol. I will be cursing this weekly for 12 weeks. Get ready to hear about it.

Had a wonderful time on my chemo vacation. Made it to Michigan for our families annual Fourth of July extravaganza. We have family and friends that live on a lake about 40 miles east of South Bend. As my cousin would say, we’ve made a blood-pact that our families would spend the 4th together until eternity. I wasn’t going to let chemo take that away from us. F-U chemo, I’m winning!

Being on a lake and in the sun for a week, I did learn some limitations on my body. The sun totally wiped me out. I wasn’t really able to sit in the sun for long. I also couldn’t really lay in the lake because I can’t submerge my port. At times I felt nauseas because my body was struggling. My eyes also became extremely sensitive to the sun, even with sunglasses and a hat on at all times. They felt on fire at one point. The next day we all decided to take a rest from the sun and took the kids bowling instead. I know what you’re wondering and the answer is, “OF COURSE I WON!” Bowled a 159 on the first game. It’s the only game I prefer to discuss. I’m so grateful I was able to make it to Michigan and let me tell you… I still ran with the big dogs at night! As Tom Petty said, “I won’t back down…”

I know I’ve said this before, but let me reiterate that I have some amazing friends, best friends. While we were on vacation I got a text from my ride or die girls… This is what they sent.

Bitches got a tattoo for me! I cried, of course. Love them so much!

Met with my plastic surgeon this past week to get my jello shot injections. Technically I’m done pumping them up, but now we’re trying to just even out the boobage. These expanders are pretty uncomfortable and I’m stuck with them until I’m completely done with all my treatments (chemo and then radiation). I don’t even think I’ll have the new boobs for Christmas. Dang it. It was going to be my present to my husband. I’m sure he’ll understand. 😉

Finally, I had a follow up appointment with my breast surgeon. She was amazed at physical appearance and energy level for having just finished 4 treatments of the Red Devil. She literally said to me, “You don’t look like someone who is currently going through chemo and just finished one of the most aggressive treatments.” She asked what I was doing, or taking to keep up my “health”. Easily I was able to tell her, “drinking red wine.” Kidding!!! I was fortunate to have a friend recommend me to her sister-in-law who is a Registered/Licensed Nutritionist www.fitnut4life.com. She creates a plan based on your diagnoses, your needs, your limitations, your current habits. I’ve been trying my best to incorporate more fruits and veggies along with supplements that she recommended. I also make a point of it to stay somewhat active, as best I can, when I feel well. To be honest, I feel some level of ‘yuck’ everyday. Literally, everyday. Sometimes I need to just sit down, but other times I push through it because I feel like it will take my mind off of the yuck feeling. I have a constant yuck taste in my mouth too. Like a metallic taste or film. Different foods or drinks help that, but it is extremely annoying. Just imagine it. There are others going through the same treatments as me that aren’t able to push through it. I’m grateful that my body is at least letting me continue to live life the way I want, or at least close to it. Thank you everyone for always giving words of encouragement. My favorite is when I hear my husband tell someone I’m a rockstar for keeping my positive attitude while going through chemo. I do it for him, my family, my friends and even those I don’t know. I do it to bring awareness and I do for the boobs! Get your mammogram!