Sweet 16

On July 15^th, I entered the Infusion Center at the Moore’s Cancer Center for my last chemotherapy treatment. I had waited five months for this day and I could hardly believe the day had arrived. Was this really it? Had I really finished? Yes, this was really it and yes, I had really finished! I mean, it was obviously my last chemo; the Infusion Center was filled with balloons, Dee Jay and fireworks (not really-but we will get to that later).

Last Chemo!!!!

My 16th chemo was pretty routine. I had great company, Samira and Colleen, good snacks and some very good drugs. The only difference was that I felt the need to announce, “Hey, I am here for my last chemo!” to anyone who made eye contact with me (Samira and Colleen are my witnesses). I have to admit that I expected the nurses to do a little cheer or to sing me a clever song about my last chemo. It didn’t happen. Slight disappointment. This got me thinking. Why isn’t anyone doing a cheer? Why isn’t there a banner? Then I thought to myself, “I am crafty, I can make some cool decorations. Lord knows I have enough supplies in my garage!” (Again, Samira and Colleen are my witnesses).  So, I went to Dr. Parker with an idea- Operation Celebration. I told her how great it would be for patients to be greeted with a banner and certificate on the last day of their chemo (how easy is that?) They could even have their picture taken and be on the “ I finished my Chemo” wall. Dr. Parker loved the idea and even improved it by suggesting that we have shirts made. Good one, Dr. P! So, Dr. Parker is going to the advisory board with my Operation Celebration idea. I hope she lets me work on organizing some of it.  

Jessica Daigneault, Clinical Research Coordinator

I honestly did not really need any operation celebration myself. I have so much to be thankful for and we had our own celebration planned.  Junior and I went to the Giants/Padres game the night before my last chemo. I could not remember the last time we had been out together without the kids. It was fun to watch any type of event uninterrupted and to not have to share my churro. Then, the night after my chemo many of our good friends joined us for yet another Giants/Padres game (hmmmmm, Junior obviously planned my celebration weekend). We let our kids come this time. So much fun! Once the game was over, we tucked the kids into bed and went out to a late dinner with friends.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by people who care for us. It was the busiest day after chemo to date. I paid for it the next day. I was actually unable to get out of bed until late afternoon. But it was soooooo worth it!

Go Giants!

The following Tuesday, July 19^th, I went back to work. Yes, you read that correctly. I returned to room 802 and started off my school year (gotta love the year round calendar). It wasn’t something that I had to do and honestly, it was pretty darn exhausting. But, at the end of the week, I was glad that I made the decision to be there and meet my new group of students and their parents. All teachers know how important it is to establish routines and procedures and I wanted to make sure I was able to do that and bond with my great group of students. I am looking forward to seeing them once I finish radiation.

Forest fairies, Graciela & Maya

Somewhere in between all of these events, my little Maya Papaya turned 4 years old. This birthday was an especially big deal because we have been talking about her fourth birthday since I was diagnosed. We all knew that once Maya turned 4, I would be done taking the strong medicine and my hair would grow back.  She and her sister could not wait. They even tried to make her turn four back in May. Well, unfortunately, I had not quite explained the hair thing correctly. Maya seemed to think that on the day she turned 4, ALL of my hair would grow back. All of it. All at once. I had to explain that I meant that my hair would BEGIN to grow back on her fourth birthday but that it was going to grow a little at a time. Both she and Graciela decided that was going to take forever. Maya was the perfect Forest Fairy at her birthday party and all of our guests had a fairy good time!

July 28^th was a fun day. The family and I met a photographer at Balboa Park to shoot for the cover of the inaugural Moore’s Cancer Center Magazine. The issue is due out next month and we will be sure to post some pictures or a link to the article once it comes out.

As part of the I SPY 2 clinical trial, I was due to have my final MRI on Friday, July 29^th.   I was nervous to find out the results. I was hoping for the best but I also did not want to be disappointed. Late Monday night (August 1^st) I received a call from Dr. Parker. She was calling from home (yes, I have the number programmed into my phone). She was calling to let me know that my MRI results indicated that both tumors were no longer visible. Wow. I was in complete shock. Even though this is exactly what I had hoped and prayed for, I still had a hard time grasping the idea. Well, 10 days have passed so I believe it now and I am still walking on cloud 9.  Dr. Parker has explained that we still need to wait for the pathology report after my bilateral mastectomy; it is very possible that there is still quite a bit of cancer. We will know for sure after surgery.  

I will be having my bilateral mastectomy on August 18^th. I am checking in at 9 am and I am set to begin surgery around 11 am. Surgery should last about 4 hours and they expect that I will stay at the hospital that night.  I am obviously nervous but I know I have to remember how far I have come and this just brings me one step closer to my cure!

Happy 30th Vinicio!

Last weekend, the five of us made our way to northern California for the first time since Christmas. We had the opportunity to celebrate my little brother’s 30^th birthday and visit with many of our friends and family. Unfortunately, we were not able to see everyone we would have liked to see, but we sure enjoyed the time we spent with those that we did see. Thank you to Lolo and Lola for always being such great hosts and feeding all of our visitors (and us).

Many people have called me an inspiration, they have told me that there is no way they could have handled the things that I have been through over the last 6 months. Many people have asked me how I have found the strength. Well, that’s easy. Look at my family. Look at my kids. I think about my family and I think about the fact that I cannot imagine them continuing their lives without me. I cannot imagine not being the one to make them their oatmeal or egg burritos in the morning. I cannot imagine not being the one to make them their tutus or festive wear for holidays and birthdays. I cannot imagine not being the one to pick them up from school, they scream with excitement when I arrive (I am not sure that it will always be this way, but let's pretend for now). We have so many outings that we enjoy together-The Zoo, Sea World, the beach, Seaport Village etc- I can’t imagine any of those weekend trips taking place without me. So, when you think that I am Wonder Woman, I know that I am not. I am just a mom. A mom who is madly in love.  I am madly in love with my husband.  I am madly in love with my kids and madly in love with our life. There is no way in H. E. double hockey sticks that any of them are getting out of seeing me each and every day.

So, that is one way I was able to get through the day-to-day struggles. But, it is no secret that I have more friends than Mark Zuckerberg- okay, not really, but I am quite positive that I have more quality friends than Mark Zuckerberg. My friends and family are amazing. They played such a huge role in helping me get through my treatments. Thank you. Every text that you sent brought a smile to my face. Every phone call you made and card that you sent with words of encouragement gave me strength. Every incredible and thoughtful gift let me know that you cared. When you took the time to help me with my kids or bring us a meal you made my day easier. For all of my chemo buddies, you don’t know what it meant to have your company as I went through my infusions. Thank you.  So, even though I was the one that physically went through the treatment, I know that I was not alone. My husband, my family and my friends, you were all there in every way you could be. It wasn’t just me that got through this. You also did it. We all did it.