Photos.

If this is going to be my social media journey with cancer, it's going to have pictures. If you know me, you know I'm all about a good picture. The moments should be documented. 

December 20, 2021 

I was getting ready for my first MRI here. I was really looking forward to wearing this hospital gown and taking my Dressember game to a whole new level. All of the ladies there were so, so kind and I wish I remembered their names. I hope they're living their best lives today. 

January 4, 2022

Left Axillary Lymph Node biopsy surgery day. I remember not being nervous, but instead super, super tired. I even told my anesthesiologist, Dr. Conard, that I was making her job easier that day because I was already tired - she chuckled so I think it was a decent joke. Everyone that day was literally the nicest that people could be. 

Once back to the car and reunited with my phone (aka, Snapchat), I had to show off my sticker and doctors initials. Still coming off of my anesthesia, I was loving every minute of my temporary tattoo and had to document it. 

  

Last, but certainly not least, that evening while I was reading, I noticed half of my arm was orange from the iodine the doctors used. I was CONVINCED they gave me a partial Donald Trump spray tan and I absolutely lost it. This was easily the best moment of my life and I immediately called my best boo to tell her about it. 

January 18, 2022 

I went for a PET scan that morning. The worst part was not being able to eat sugary things the day before, but other than that it was a decent experience. Abby was great and let me keep my sweater poncho on over the borrowed scrubs. Obviously I was convinced that Vogue magazine would be calling to borrow my look...I'm still waiting for that phone call. :/ 

Afterwards, we went to Olive Garden where I unashamingly ate four breadsticks, two helpings of salad and a bowl of soup. Afterwards, Target, Starbucks, Hobby Lobby...the works. 

We also had a follow-up appointment at Dr. True's office that afternoon, which he wore socks with tacos on them that day. I hope to cover that story one day soon and if so I'll link it up. Full circle moment.

It was a really good day. 

January 27, 2022

When the radiologist sent the PET scan results back, they requested I get a Chest MRI and a Thoracic Spine MRI. So, here I am before getting those. Jill and Jamie helped with that and I'd like to give them a shoutout for being fantabulous. I was in there for 2 and a 1/2 hours, so they switched the music every so often and gave me blankets when I needed them or turned on the fans if I got too hot too fast. They're the real MVP's. 

At this point, I am beginning to think hospital gowns are fantastic and I'm not sure why we don't wear them more often. 

                  

 

January 28, 2022 

Port placement surgery day. This one was a bit of a doozey simply because it took place in the afternoon and they were unexpectedly running behind, so that meant not eating for about 24 hours. I'm a foodie, so this was easily the worst part. However, the hospital gown made up for it as I know I look good. 

  

   I got my phone back immediately following a bag of pretzels and a can of sprite. A picture had to document this and tell my people I was alive and well even if I did not look it. 

                            

Lastly, this was Ali and Ali was fantastic. Everyone was fantastic, but we only got a picture with Ali. Ali, thank you for representing the whole crew here, we love and appreciate you [all]

February 6, 2022

I was scheduled to take off all my band-aids and stickers on the fourth. However, I was a bit of a sissy britches and couldn't bring myself to face that reality just yet. So, on that lovely Sunday evening, I put my big girl pants on and ripped off the band-aid - figuratively and literally. They didn't look nearly as bad as what I thought they would. 

February 9, 2022 

Chemo, round one. 

When you have a port, they give you lidocaine cream to put over it about an hour before treatment. It helps with the pain of the poke, although the poke doesn't feel too much more than the bloodwork. When you put the cream on though, they tell you to put saran wrap over it to help it work better and not rub on your clothes. Let me tell you something, this threw me into the biggest giggle fit of my life. Something about tucking saran wrap into my bra really put me on another level. I think I made the look work, to be honest with you. 

    This was just before we started chemo. My mom asked to take this picture because several people were checking in. It seemed best just to send them living proof I was feeling good and in good spirits. And I was. 

 

February 11, 2022 

Bone marrow biopsy day. This was afterwards once I got back to my room. I was feeling okay here, but a little nauseous, not going to lie. I hadn't eaten or drank anything, so my blood pressure was a little low. But I was fully ready to snap my thumbs up selfie to tell my closest I was feeling good and made it out in one piece. 

February 12, 2022 

I got my first set of hair scarves in the mail, so I pinned everything up and gave it a go. Something about seeing it made me feel a whole lot better about the situation. I guess there's a reason they tell you to go ahead and prepare for losing your hair...it's not that it just will make you feel better when the time comes, it makes you feel better now. And hey, I feel like I looked kinda cute. 

ApricotAve on Etsy is where it's at. If you need scarves for anything, I highly recommend Jessica! 

February 22, 2022 

My twentieth birthday. Some of my favorite people had an Amazon package delivered to my front door with the cutest assortment of chemo caps. This one might be my favorite of the bunch. 

Just before taking the picture, I got the call that we had to reschedule chemo and my birthday plans needed to be postponed. That news stung and this surprise came right when I needed it. 

God shows up in all the places if you let yourself notice Him. 

February 27, 2022 

This one is a little silly. I curled my hair. Might be the last time I get to do it for a hot minute, but I curled my hair for church. I haven't touched my hair with any heat or products since they told me I'd lose it out of paralyzing fear that anything I would do to it would make it come out quicker. 

February 28, 2022 

The morning of the day my dog died. Slightly un-cancer related, but felt like a much bigger milestone in my life. Still does. 

March 5, 2022 

Chemotherapy round two. One of my best gal pals, Olivia, brought me in tacos for lunch. Something about chorizo and pineapple on a corn shell with lots of lime. I feel like this might be the official end of the classic taco sago. Sigh. It was a good run.