"For Better or For Worse...In Sickness and In Health"

Ten simple words. A tremendous responsibility.

How easily these customary words roll off our tongues on one of the happiest days of our lives.  Sure, we'll be there to comfort our spouse after a bad day of work or after a fight with their family.  And of course we'll make them chicken noodle soup for the occasional cold and flu.  But never do we imagine that "in sickness" will mean cancer and "for worse" includes watching your spouse battle for their life.

Dan has endured a greater burden in our first two years of marriage than most people have to in their entire lifetime.  And true to his incredible character, when he said his wedding vows, he meant every word...and then some.

In the past five months he has become an expert in breast cancer, taken me to all of my doctor's appointments, sat through days and days of chemo, given me injections and medications, held my hair when I was sick, shaved my head (so he didn't have to hold my hair anymore!), cooked, cleaned, carried me when I couldn't walk, watched me cry, assured me that we will beat this, and shown me a greater, deeper love than on the day we were married.  All of this while working at all hours to continue being the exceptional attorney that he is.  Simply put, he has been my research assistant, advocate, chauffeur, nurse, best friend, barber, chef, house cleaner, legs, counselor, cheerleader and soul mate....

in two words, MY HERO!

There are very few extraordinary people in this world.  Most people are lucky just to know one.  I'm lucky enough to be married to one.  And not a day goes by where I don't stop, reflect and thank God for this incredible gift of a husband I was blessed with.

Phase One...Completed!

15 rounds of chemo
            +
5 months of side effects
            +
over 30 blood tests
            +
over 25 self injections
            +
1 bald head
           =           

 1 BIG SMILE!!!

Today marks the end of Phase 1 of our fight!  And of course I had to go out with a bang.  Apparently all of my veins were on strike and refused to open up enough to allow placement of the IV!  But after an hour of poking and prodding, numerous pep talks, and blood, sweat and tears...literally!...well, not the tears, one finally gave into the peer pressure!  Five hours later, I was out of that Popsicle stand and couldn't be happier!

I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about going three weeks without any treatment (even though I'm finished with chemo, I still have IV treatment every three weeks for a year.  I just couldn't leave my nurses cold turkey so I asked my oncologist for a little extra time with them.)  The last time I did treatment every three weeks, my tumors got bigger.  BUT, this is new treatment, that has proven to work....and whatever is left will be removed on the 13th.

In three words...WE DID IT!  Great work, team.  I look forward to seeing you all on the battlefield for Phase 2!

Who Says Number 13 Is Unlucky?

Not this guy!  In fact, I recently read an article that said the best day to have a major surgical procedure is on the 13th day of the last month of the year, especially if it falls on a Tuesday in the afternoon.  So imagine my surprise and excitement when my surgeon called and said my surgery is scheduled for December 13th...which is a Tuesday...at 12:30!!!  I mean, does it get any better than this!!!..(aside from not having to have the surgery in the first place)  This guy is riding one nice, long, lucky streak!  And because I'm such a giver, please feel free to stop by and rub my head for good luck, or send me your lottery tickets to scratch off.  I'll be at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, located at 24451 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills...just ask for the pent house suite! 

But even with the lucky surgery date, I'm still a little nervous (OK, maybe a little more than a little nervous).  Why?  Because my pain tolerance is like a 0 out of 10.  I mean, I've been known to shed a tear from paper cuts before. 

You know, now that I think of it, that was the Sheyanne before breast cancer...before biopsies, before chemotherapy, before self-injections, and before all of the miserable side effects!  I know I'm going to rock this surgery just like I've rocked everything else.  But you better believe I'm going to request the strongest pain medication they have...not because I need it, but just because I can! ;)

3...2...1...

Let the countdown begin!  No, I'm not talking about the wait for the first Colt's win (and by win, I mean not a loss since we have a bye week coming up soon).  I'm talking about the other "C" in my life...chemo.  Starting today, I only have three chemo treatments left!!  Yes, you read that right...only THREE chemo treatments left! (Well, they said something about maybe needing additional chemo after surgery, but I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.)

You know what that means?!?  Only three more weeks of mouth sores, blood tests, icy cold injections, headaches, body aches, fatigue, neuropathy and skin rashes.  What the heck am I going to do without these loyal friends??  Well, they tell me I may be losing my fingernails and toenails after my treatment ends so I'm sure that will more than make up for these loses!

Oh, and it also means I GET MY HAIR BACK!  OK, I get that it's not going to all magically appear on my last day of chemo (although a girl can dream!), but it will definitely be a great start....to some crazy hair styles, I'm sure!  And you better believe that I'll be lathering my head up with some magic potion (think Chia pet style) to speed up the growth....that and some hair extensions the minute it's long enough to attach them!!

Five months ago I could only dream of getting through this stage of the journey...and now it's only weeks away!  Two words...

BOOM SHOCKA!