Update....

I apologize for taking so long to update my blog. I have been slacking! Here is what I have been up to the past couple of weeks:

School started. I spent the the first day of class explaining to my classes that I have cancer, explaining that it is not contagious, and that I plan to be at school as often as possible. Of course I had to assure my students that I am NOT dying. Being as straightforward as they are, my students will just come out and say things like "are you going to die?" or "I don't know what to say..." Kids are just so blunt. I love it. I have students who actually ask what everyone else is thinking. I have had to assure my students, friends, family, and colleagues that I do not plan on dying for about 50 more years. When people reveal that they do not know what to say to me, I respond with I don't know what to say either. At this point there really isn't much to say because I actually feel FINE. It is weird. I have been anticipating this huge onset of feeling ill, and it just hasn't happened yet. I actually feel pretty great, and although that may not last long, I will take what I can get. I have made it through one treatment. I have 5 to go. At least I can say I made it through one without being sick...just tired.

Beyond school starting and breaking the news to my students many other things have happened. After my lumpectomy, I was sent to have a bazillion scans to make sure that my cancer had not metastasized to any other part of my body. I had cat scans and MRIs and a bone scan. Unfortunately my bone scan showed something in my right hip, so they did a regular x-ray, then an MRI. All of which came back inconclusive. So, it was off to an orthopedic oncologist up in Akron.

My bone specialist in Akron sent me for a cat scan guided biopsy of my hip. In case it is ever recommended that you have a bone biopsy...just say NO! I do NOT recommend it. There is something gross about hearing someone knocking a hole through your bone. The whole experience was gross, painful, and all around disturbing.
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Do I look as nervous as I feel?


The nurse is showing the cat scan image of the area of bone in question to my husband and mother.

When I got the results of my bone biopsy I was not shocked. Right hip-malignant for breast cancer. Yes, breast cancer in my right femur. I guess metastatic breast cancer was not originally in my plan for the future, but it is what it is...and I will play the hand I have been dealt, so metastatic breast cancer it is. (Don't worry, I still plan to kick cancer's A**!)

The bone biopsy put me on crutches for two weeks. What a pain. Lugging my school stuff in and out of the building is frustrating, but other than that, it hasn't been so bad.

On a lighter note, I cannot express the magnitude of thanks I have for the well-wishes that have been sent my way. I have absolutely amazing family, friends, and co-workers. Everyone has been extremely understanding, helpful, and willing to help me in anyway they can. I am truly fortunate to be surrounded with such love, support and hope.

Here is an example of how far Scott and my friends will go for us. FIVE of our friends shaved there heads BALD for me as a gesture of their love and support. One of the five had hair so long it was in a pony tail...about 8 inches long. Also, one our friend's five year old son cut his hair (but did not shave it) in my honor. Here are the pictures (sorry they are grainy, they were taken with my cell phone!):

The boyz