Friday, April 22, 2016

My Sister BEAT Cancer.

It has been awhile since I have blogged. A lot has been going on in my world. So I will start with now. I will eventually post about Hailey finishing 17 rounds of Chemo
and 
25 Rounds of Radiation
and 
more Doctors appointments
and 
all of the other shit that comes along with having BEATING Cancer.
Because guess what…….
MY SISTER HAD BREAST CANCER! 
She had  a year of endless Doctors appointments. Chemo. Radiation. Surgeries (with more to come)
She rocked it. She is so strong. I am so proud of her. I think she surprised herself.
Can we forget about the last year?
Can we erase it from our minds?

Nope. We cant. 
It happened. The nightmare happened. 
Want to know the dumbest thing about being told you have cancer.. fighting cancer
And BEATING cancer???
The fear never goes away.
I don't know how any of this personally feels. I wasn't the one with Cancer.
 I am not the one that noticed a new lump, just to have all of the fear come rushing back. More tests. More needles. More waiting for results. 
Thankfully good results.
But Damn!!!!

Anyone that has had cancer and has gone through cancer treatments should get a free pass.
They shouldn't have to worry about things anymore.
Clean bill of Health.
Is that too much to ask for?
But no. Everything is still scary.
New lumps and bumps and bruises and something feels different and something is not normal.
Is the cancer back?
Its all really F*%^&#% scary.
And it will be forever and that really really sucks.
BUT…...
 she did it. she beat it.
She's strong, beautiful, loving, caring, brave, inspirational
and I am so lucky to have her as my sister.  As one of my best friends.
I don't think she'll ever know how many people she truly inspired,
 by how beautifully she handled such an ugly thing.
And
I don't think all of the people that loved her, supported her, prayed and sent positive energy her way,
will ever know how much they really helped her.
It has been humbling.
It has been life changing.
I have knowledge of something I wish I didn't know anything about.
I hope I never have to experience something like, my sister fighting cancer again.
I hope know one I know has to experience what she did.
I am choosing to take the positive from the negative.
My sister is still here.
She's healthy.
She's beautiful and strong.
MY SISTER BEAT CANCER!

Last year on April Fools Day, was the day Hailey was diagnosed.
I wrote about it here.
This year we wanted the anniversary to be happy.
Around 70 of Hailey's close friends and family got together to surprise Hailey.
Time to celebrate no more chemo and no more radiation.
To celebrate life.
To celebrate her.



 







Thanks again to everyone for making that night special for her.
Thanks for all of the help in making it perfect.
And happy.

Next year, I hope she remembers her party before she remembers the day she was diagnosed.



Sunday, October 25, 2015

Surgery -September 1










 On September 1, Hailey had a Double Mastectomy and 15 Lymph Nodes Removed.


Long wait in the waiting room. Hailey was taken back for Surgery at 12:40. Surgery started at 1:20 and ended around 6:30 pm.

She was moved to her Patient room around 7:30, sleepy, nauseous and in pain.
Once the pain meds kicked in she was much more comfortable, but had continual pain on the left side.
Doctors said surgery went well and as planned, but took a bit longer than they thought.


Morning after surgery.
Hailey was able to take a ride down to the cafeteria to get some snacks.
I can't believe how great she looks after having a major surgery.


Guess what is even more crazy than the fact that my Sister just had a Double Mastectomy.
The fact that she went home the next day!!!
Isn't that crazy?
I think its crazy.
But Nick made sure she was nice and cozy and well taken care of at home.


Update from Home
Hailey didn't choose to have Cancer.
Cancer chose her.
Cancer can F-Off.
Hailey didn't want to cut her hair off.
Hailey didn't want to have her boobs cut off.
Hailey didn't want to be poisoned by Chemo drugs,
followed by a sickness she knew would come
and there was nothing she could do about it.
But she took it all head on.
With a smile. Always smiling. 
She's stronger. 
I can see how much stronger she is. 
I am so proud of her.
My heart is happy seeing all of the support she has gotten from friends, family and strangers.
She is winning the battle and allowing change because she knows it is necessary.
Good Job Hayz!
You're amazing.



Saturday, October 24, 2015

Chemo Round 7 or Round 1 of 11 Rounds of Herceptin- August 19


1st Round of Herceptin only. 
No more getting sick from the Chemo!
Yay! 
And much shorter time spent in the Chemo Room.
Somehow I missed this round of Chemo. 
Sorry to miss it Hayz! 
But you did awesome, as always.

Chemo Round 6- July 30

I love this saying. 
Hailey has already become a stronger person.
Going through something like Cancer changes you. It changes people around you.
For the better. Even though it's hard sometimes. 
My eyes are much more open.

Hailey decided against having the Sister Wig made. 
As you've all seen.. 
She rocked her bald head! Why hide it?
She looks so great.
You never really get used to people starring, in public.
It can be pretty annoying. 
Sometimes I wish people would just stop and ask.
They have questions! Why not ask? She wouldn't care.
The starring is annoying. 
That is one thing that has changed in me..
I've seen a few different women around.. In the grocery store and while getting a pedicure.
I asked their story and how they are doing.
I think they appreciated it.
Knowing that a complete stranger is now on their side and rooting for them. Sending positivity.
I wish people knew that sometimes it's okay to just stop and ask. 
And please stop Starring.
But here is Hailey with the Wig they gave her at the hospital.
She rocked it too. 
But never wore it.
I'm proud of her.
She embraced her bald head and faced Cancer head on.
People are GREAT!!
That's all I can say. 
Amazing. 
Thank You all again.



Waiting for Echo. 
Last Echo they couldn't get a good view of one of the Chambers. This time they could see it just fine.
They think maybe they couldn't see it because the tumors were sitting in front of her heart.
This proves Chemo is working and shrinking the tumors!
ROUND 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy shit! It's already round 6.
I can't believe this day is here.
LAST BAD ROUND!!!!!!!
It was a party.



Here comes the shot to the belly.
The anticipation…..
Last round that will make her sick.
She did it…
I knew she could do it. 
I think she handled it much better than she thought she would.


Thanks for the awesome cake Joshy!
And for the entertainment..
Everyone in the Chemo Room loved the entertainment.
Or thought we were all crazy.

These 2..
They've been through a lot of hard stuff.
I'm proud of you both.
Deuce..
Hailey's favorite Nurse.
She has been here from the beginning. 
Thanks Deuce!
Ring the bell after last treatment!!
Even though Hailey has 11 more rounds of one drug.
The bad rounds are over.
Seeing her ring that bell was awesome!
My eyes filled with tears. 




It seemed like not too long ago, we were standing in the entry of the chemo room, after chemo class.
Right next to that bell. 
I remember feeling like I was going to pass out while Hailey bravely showed the chemo class her port that had just been placed hours before.
I couldn't believe we were all standing there.
Ringing that bell seemed like it was so far away.
But she did it. 
GOOD JOB HAYZ!!!
You did it.
:-))))))))

Holly/Holley Sandwich
And group picture with Nick!
The entertainment continues. 
What I want to know is what he is going to do with "the shot glasses" that he took home!?

More support!! 
:-)



KFOG contacted the FIGHT4HAYZ Instagram Page and asked if Hailey would allow them to use the picture above in a project they are working on. 
A music video for the Boob Project.
Song is called Boob spelled backwards is Boob.
More to come on that!

An update from Hailey

My kiddo wanted to wear his "Hailey" shirt and send her a picture of it!

Love this shirt and the thoughtfulness of everyone.

Sorry Hayz. I had to write about this. 
Cause it was funny and your attitude is always so great!
You always find humor.
It was probably a selfie.




New shirt on the site www.thehaileyshirts.com
Support from Hawaii!!



The conversations about food.. 
Food has been super frustrating for Hailey, over the last several months. 










She WENT to Swiss Days, people!!!
Crazy girl. More to come on that. 

Poor Nick.
Another thing they have to deal with. 
Chemo sucks!
The needle that goes into port for Chemo Drugs is huge!!


Yay for good news! 
We are hopeful! 
I am so glad this last "BAD" round is behind Hailey.
Good job Hayz. You continue to amaze me.