i planned on going crazy this may. my last chemo, Godwilling, is behind me. i wanted to hit the ground running, and go and see and do....
but sometimes i'm so tired!! like today ;)
don't get me wrong, i was out and about for four days in a row--and now it's kicking my tush.
this is just a mini-update. i'm so excited that it's springtime and so much is going on!!
happy.thankful.blessed.
love me,
the globetrotting gamine
5.06.2013
4.15.2013
one left. ONE LEFT!
as i sit here writing this, my pup assistant is sitting in my lap. i've submitted another proposal to another publisher. i am anxiously awaiting for my next petscan so it can say...
you beat it!! it's over!! now, go live!
i'll happily do so. please pray for me, and everyone going through the battle!!
you beat it!! it's over!! now, go live!
i'll happily do so. please pray for me, and everyone going through the battle!!
4.08.2013
the future of my hair
It's crazy the amount of things I have to do before chemo is acutally over so I can feel as if I finally have some semblance of freedom.
The to do list keeps growing, and the weather is FINALLY getting so much more friendly that the last thing I want to do is get stuck being fatigued at home.
Today, with the amount of crazy paperwork I had to do, it only made me want to do everything else and I can't help but feeling the teeniest bit of overwhelmed.
What does one do when they're overwhelmed? Well, I'm sure they look at photos of possible future hairstyles, like these!!
(most photos from google images)
Happy Monday!!
love me,
the globetrotting gamine
instagram: @globetrottinggamine
4.03.2013
rachel zoe
rachel zoe is just awesome, i love her.
as a once-travel blogger (which is what i will go back to once chemo is over!) i had to share this excerpt from her book:
Holiday Pack List for Hot Weather:
"bikinis, cute bras, and boy shorts to wear under sheer dresses (and that can double as swimwear when the moment arises); tunics, caftans, and sundresses that can serve as dresses or tops. A fabulous belt can turn a sarong into a dress, so pack one that sits on the waist, in leather or raffia, or a color woven or gold chain.
Anything in lighter, brighter colors, and definitely white, is appropriate, and leave most of the black and any items that require dry cleaning at home. leave the pumps behind, too. this is one of the few times I'll pack flip flops, and a sandal of any kind is requisite. Also, great are espadrilles and open toe wedges. Clothes might be minimal, but not accessories. Stockpile hoops, anything ethnic, and bangles (island cheapies are such a great addition). And layer yellow gold on top of a St. Tropez tan for a look that is always uberfabulous."
more to come!
4.01.2013
certainly not dull
though i have hodgkin's lymphoma, and am going through chemo-
i'm sorry, i'm still restless. at least mentally.
my hubby, LML, has the good sense to tell me when I need to sit still and do nothing. He's been amazing and our latest project kept us busy this weekend.
the truth is...once they tell me i'm in remission, other than sleeping- i won't plan on sitting still.
i've had 7 months of pent up energies here going nowhere- especially because of the mental block that chemo brings.
i've had a few roadblocks. 2 chemos were pushed to a further along date- I think I would have been done with the 12 treatments I would have had by now. My last date is ::fingers crossed:: sometime at the end of the month.
biopsies, extractions, blood tests, doctors, emergency room visits, chemo itself, smells that make you seriousl y sick, mouth sores due to chemo side effects, and constantly being on some sort of meds to fend off viruses really takes a toll on a person. especially when all that person wants is their life back.
the truth is that life will never be the same after you get stuck with something like this and maybe THAT's OK! maybe life will be better, maybe one would be happier...
at least I know I will be.
this is not something that's easy.
all through this, i've learned who my REAL friends are and who to kick to the curb. it's sad when you realize that there's people out there who don't even give you a second thought upon finding out something of this magnitude, but I have to learn to let go.
the people who have stuck around, those are some good eggs. i am totally and completely blessed.
thankfully, my chemo journey carried me through winter, where I couldn't go out and participate in anything much anyway. i've barely been out for months and DO remember the last time i saw all my friends past 9pm at the same time!
geez.
i have so many things i want, and will do when this is over that yes- i can't sit still. my soul-friends know this about me. poor things.
(sorry in advance to tire you out!)
so that's what's been going on in the chemo-fog that is my brain.
on to bigger and better- and even if i do have to live with the worry that this may or may not return one day- i'm not gonna worry too much.
i'm going to do the same thing that you should do.
go out and live.
i'm sorry, i'm still restless. at least mentally.
my hubby, LML, has the good sense to tell me when I need to sit still and do nothing. He's been amazing and our latest project kept us busy this weekend.
the truth is...once they tell me i'm in remission, other than sleeping- i won't plan on sitting still.
i've had 7 months of pent up energies here going nowhere- especially because of the mental block that chemo brings.
i've had a few roadblocks. 2 chemos were pushed to a further along date- I think I would have been done with the 12 treatments I would have had by now. My last date is ::fingers crossed:: sometime at the end of the month.
biopsies, extractions, blood tests, doctors, emergency room visits, chemo itself, smells that make you seriousl y sick, mouth sores due to chemo side effects, and constantly being on some sort of meds to fend off viruses really takes a toll on a person. especially when all that person wants is their life back.
the truth is that life will never be the same after you get stuck with something like this and maybe THAT's OK! maybe life will be better, maybe one would be happier...
at least I know I will be.
this is not something that's easy.
all through this, i've learned who my REAL friends are and who to kick to the curb. it's sad when you realize that there's people out there who don't even give you a second thought upon finding out something of this magnitude, but I have to learn to let go.
the people who have stuck around, those are some good eggs. i am totally and completely blessed.
thankfully, my chemo journey carried me through winter, where I couldn't go out and participate in anything much anyway. i've barely been out for months and DO remember the last time i saw all my friends past 9pm at the same time!
geez.
i have so many things i want, and will do when this is over that yes- i can't sit still. my soul-friends know this about me. poor things.
(sorry in advance to tire you out!)
so that's what's been going on in the chemo-fog that is my brain.
on to bigger and better- and even if i do have to live with the worry that this may or may not return one day- i'm not gonna worry too much.
i'm going to do the same thing that you should do.
go out and live.
3.22.2013
What's in my Bag?
when i started my hodgkin's lymphoma "adventure"
my bed was overridden by medications that
i really don't enjoy taking.
isn't chemotherapy bad enough?
so now i'm completely thrilled
that those days are gone, gone gone...
and i figure I can post what's in my bag, finally!
faux fur cavalcanti bag...
pink (of course) coach wallet...
(I can't tell you what's in there. no. sorry!)
my pochacco by sanrio notepad
(every writer needs a notepad in her bag for jotting down to-do list items and last minute book ideas. that, and it's way more shoulder- friendly than my HUGE leather Perry Ellis Portfolio)
lilly pulitzer makeup bag
(love love love)
lipglosses
hand sanitizer from whole foods
hand lotion given to me by my mama
(and highly necessary for this season- my hands get so dry!!)
altoid mini's (necessary, especially after chemo!)
a lucky $1 origami swan
given to me by my bestie!!
note: i have a makeup obsession. i do. but i refuse to wear much of anything until after chemo's over and my eyebrows and eyelashes grow back.
not that they fell off completely, but thinking about that whole ordeal had been one of the worst parts
of this experience for me.
so, on to bigger and better!
what's in your bag??
love me,
the globetrotting gamine
also, note: this bag's contents are day to day and have nothing to do with travel, events, or hospital runs. though those will be posted soon.
3.12.2013
to plan, to plan
I was going to complain about my 9th chemo...but this set things in the right direction even though I am not 100% yet...
"From The Secret Daily Teachings
When a big change occurs in your life it forces you to change direction. Sometimes the new path may not be easy, but you can be absolutely certain that there is magnificence for you on the new path. You can be absolutely certain that the new path contains things that you could not have experienced otherwise.
When we look back at a negative event that occurred in the past, we often see how in fact it transformed our life. We see how that event directed us toward a life that we would not change for anything."
I really wouldn't change my life for anything...cancer or no cancer.
3.07.2013
happiness and the like
happiness isn't easy to define- it's different for everyone.
for one thing, people are different. actually, that's the most important thing.
before my diagnosis, i figured i was pretty happy. beautiful family, the most amazing husband in the world, friends that spoil me rotten, and an itinerary people would throw tomatoes at me for. i felt pretty fulfilled.
BANG! Hodgkin's.
BANG!! Oh man, why didn't I do EVERYTHING I've wanted to do yet?
So it's unrealistic to think that way. At 31, I had done A LOT of things and SEEN a lot of places. It wasn't enough.
Why didn't I get up these last couple of years to tackle HALF that ever-growing to do list?
I didn't know it was HL. I thought it was early menopause, a cold, the flu, pneumonia or something. Turns out, it was more like EVERYTHING!!
Now, I don't feel too bad that i was THAT lazy- I knew that there was something wrong with me, I just didn't know what it was. It took a long time to find out, and by then, I was diagnosed with a stage 2b.
Ah, well. This chapter of my life is almost over.
Then what?
Everything.
EVERYTHING!
My energy levels (which used to border on up real early to sleepy when it's really late) are coming back. My oomph to do and see and buy and eat everything is coming back.
My poor husband. My poor friends.
Who is going to get rest this summer? Not me. I can't wait to LIVE.
I owe it to everyone- my family, my friends, other survivors, and those who have gone before us.
And I really owe it to myself.
Like my nephew said, I will always be the slayer.
for one thing, people are different. actually, that's the most important thing.
before my diagnosis, i figured i was pretty happy. beautiful family, the most amazing husband in the world, friends that spoil me rotten, and an itinerary people would throw tomatoes at me for. i felt pretty fulfilled.
BANG! Hodgkin's.
BANG!! Oh man, why didn't I do EVERYTHING I've wanted to do yet?
So it's unrealistic to think that way. At 31, I had done A LOT of things and SEEN a lot of places. It wasn't enough.
Why didn't I get up these last couple of years to tackle HALF that ever-growing to do list?
I didn't know it was HL. I thought it was early menopause, a cold, the flu, pneumonia or something. Turns out, it was more like EVERYTHING!!
Now, I don't feel too bad that i was THAT lazy- I knew that there was something wrong with me, I just didn't know what it was. It took a long time to find out, and by then, I was diagnosed with a stage 2b.
Ah, well. This chapter of my life is almost over.
Then what?
Everything.
EVERYTHING!
My energy levels (which used to border on up real early to sleepy when it's really late) are coming back. My oomph to do and see and buy and eat everything is coming back.
My poor husband. My poor friends.
Who is going to get rest this summer? Not me. I can't wait to LIVE.
I owe it to everyone- my family, my friends, other survivors, and those who have gone before us.
And I really owe it to myself.
Like my nephew said, I will always be the slayer.
3.06.2013
what it's like...
i posted this letter to a hl group...
Dear "HL (hodgkin's lymphoma) Bitch"--
I know you're almost gone, because I feel it and well you should be. I have chemo #8 next tuesday and am so tired in general, but mostly of you. You've taught me the lessons you were supposed to teach me, like I best go to the doctor when i'm sick and also get my yearly checkups--and not to waste a single day-- so thanks. Now go away. Also, thank you for kicking my ass through the winter, because you'd be a bigger bitch if you kicked it near summer. Thank you for showing me who my true friends are, and showing me all sides of family members who have mostly been nothing but supportive and tolerant of my chemo induced mood swings, crying fits and brain farts. Thanks for having me go through the chemo that stopped the itchies, allowed me to breathe normally again, and even improved my energy levels because I didn't know how sick I actually was. Even though you suck for a lot of reasons, like my q-tip shaped head being bald(ish), a bone marrow biopsy WITHOUT meds, biopsies and scans out the wazoo, thanks. Everything happens for a reason, right? Right. So, thanks. Thanks. Now leave. I know you're not coming back because I'm not letting you in. Bye bye.
Dear "HL (hodgkin's lymphoma) Bitch"--
I know you're almost gone, because I feel it and well you should be. I have chemo #8 next tuesday and am so tired in general, but mostly of you. You've taught me the lessons you were supposed to teach me, like I best go to the doctor when i'm sick and also get my yearly checkups--and not to waste a single day-- so thanks. Now go away. Also, thank you for kicking my ass through the winter, because you'd be a bigger bitch if you kicked it near summer. Thank you for showing me who my true friends are, and showing me all sides of family members who have mostly been nothing but supportive and tolerant of my chemo induced mood swings, crying fits and brain farts. Thanks for having me go through the chemo that stopped the itchies, allowed me to breathe normally again, and even improved my energy levels because I didn't know how sick I actually was. Even though you suck for a lot of reasons, like my q-tip shaped head being bald(ish), a bone marrow biopsy WITHOUT meds, biopsies and scans out the wazoo, thanks. Everything happens for a reason, right? Right. So, thanks. Thanks. Now leave. I know you're not coming back because I'm not letting you in. Bye bye.
3.01.2013
wow.
there is so much going on that i can't begin to go through it all.
happy first of march! exactly 2 months more until my no-fun adventure with hodgkin's lymphoma hopefully comes to an end. that alone is enough to make me want to jump up and down for the rest of my life. seriously.
my first book discussion on images of america: greeks in queens took place at the bayside historical society last friday (thankfully, time flies, especially during chemo week when you're stuck in a sleepy-haze). i had the best time and met a lot of great people. here's some photos...
it was quite fun. between events like this and friend-based fun about to happen, i couldn't be happier. it'd be great if chemo was over already!
really, chemo sucks cuz you want to end it as soon as possible and as a result, you stay home more. but i'm making plans to go (and be) out all the time come springtime.
it can't come fast enough.
so please, if you have any ideas of fun activities (new york based or otherwise, cuz we all know i am NOT staying home) please let me know. whosthatgamine@gmail.com
can't wait to catch up on your blogs now!!
happy first of march! exactly 2 months more until my no-fun adventure with hodgkin's lymphoma hopefully comes to an end. that alone is enough to make me want to jump up and down for the rest of my life. seriously.
my first book discussion on images of america: greeks in queens took place at the bayside historical society last friday (thankfully, time flies, especially during chemo week when you're stuck in a sleepy-haze). i had the best time and met a lot of great people. here's some photos...
really, chemo sucks cuz you want to end it as soon as possible and as a result, you stay home more. but i'm making plans to go (and be) out all the time come springtime.
it can't come fast enough.
so please, if you have any ideas of fun activities (new york based or otherwise, cuz we all know i am NOT staying home) please let me know. whosthatgamine@gmail.com
can't wait to catch up on your blogs now!!
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