January 30, 2011

Sunday 1/30/11

Today was the 2011 Houston Full and Half Marathon.  

Matt and I have run the Houston Marathon several years and as a member of the Houston Adventure Racing Team (HART) we have had the opportunity to train and run along side an entire team of incredible athletes.  This year we did not run the marathon -- but those from the team who ran decided to wear “SuperMonkey Fight Like A Girl” Temporary Tattoos.  This very cool idea came from “Team Coach Weihan Lin”.  Pink Bracelets with the word “Strength” were also provided to the team by Debbie Tucker.

SuperMonkey Temporary Tattoo :)

The event started at 7 am this morning and the team had several folks along the course on their bikes providing the racers with much needed support.  Matt and I staged ourselves at the team tent / flag which was between mile 24 and 25 of the 26.2 mile race course.  The HART Racers started trickling by us as early as 10:30 am.  The day was a little chilly on my freshly shaven head - which by the way brings an entirely new world of element sensations.  Due to the rainy weather we saw a lot of muscle cramping marathoners -- but overall a remarkable amount of “good spirits”. 

I Love Team AWESOME!!

We were able to see most of the HART Full Marathon runners as they ran by and while I have participated in the event several times -- I will say this spectating has an entirely different list of rewards!!  By staging ourselves this close to the finish we were able to see a wide range of emotions and strength.  It is inspiring to watch the runners from the sideline and see that the immediate impact of your encouraging words can move someone to push through their obvious pain.  

A marathon is really an independent journey of self-discovery and even when people run together it is up to each racer to find the inner-strength to make it across the finish line.  Racing pushes you to your limits and beyond, a marathon is no different.  It is during this time that racers decide what is important to them:  a personal record, a first place finish or a fond memory.  During this time of my life I have learned a lot about my own limits and what is important to me:  enjoying the company of others and physically mastering my symptoms / my body with the goal of keeping things as normal as possible during this absolutely abnormal time of my life.  

The race was followed by a lunch at Jax’s Grill where most of the runners and supporters were able to have a meal and talk about the race challenges (while I couldn’t really taste my first cheeseburger since chemo it still made me happy).

HART Marathon Runners and Supporters

It is weekends like this that remind me of the value of friendship and the power of a positive attitude.  

“We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Emil Zatopek

January 29, 2011

Friday 1/28/11:

SuperMonkey Kicks Butt House Party:

Let me begin by saying that the friends I have been lucky enough to find in my lifetime have been absolutely AMAZING!!

As you all know Matt and I planned a party to shave my head as well as the heads of a few other brave soles.  

The party headcount was about 60 people.  Matt and I live in a very “cozy’ 1100 square foot house.  I don’t think we have had this many people packed inside our little house all in the main living area ever.  With plenty of food in their bellies and everyone with a ice cold beverage in hand Matt and I made some very short speeches.  

Matt thanked everyone for coming to show their support.  And I spoke of the value of friends and that through this difficult time everyone has been absolutely incredible!!  I likened this journey I am currently on to an adventure race*.  Like any good adventure race you hope to have the right people “supporting” you.  A good support person has done or attended several races and knows what to expect – they anticipate your needs as a racer and provide you with nutrition, hydration and help you pick or change your gear before you even know you need it.  I feel as though my support people during this, the most challenging race in my life have done just that.  I have received the most amazing packages and cards in the mail and heartfelt messages via email and telephone that I had no idea I even needed.  Caroline and Lance even prepared and delivered meals to my door so that Matt and I wouldn’t have to worry about meals during my week of tests and chemo, hugs and kisses.  It has been an awesome race so far with an amazing team of my friends and family supporting me.  I understand that they don’t always know what to say or even what to do because this journey / event is new to all of us – but it has been absolutely amazing!!  I have learned through racing that hard work is ALWAYS rewarded – if you train hard and have a positive attitude you will succeed in racing and in life.  I am treating this as my very own race that I fully intend to win and Matt and I expect to come out better on the other end; healthier, happier and with a clearer understanding of what is important in life.  I thanked everyone for coming to share this meaningful milestone with Matt and I.

All of that being said my stylist Manny from Visible Changes, who by the way is the sweetest most stylish man   Recommended that we do at least one fun cut before totally buzzing everything off.  So – he gave me my very first Mohawk… The longest part of my hair was about 6.5 inches – which wasn’t long enough to donate.  Everyone was surprised by how much hair I really have.  I think Manny ended up using an entire can of hairspray and some other super stiff sticky product.  The Mohawk was rather ridiculous, I look like Mad Max, The Predator and a Japanese Anime character we had fun with it.

SuperMonkey Kung Fu Style

Then the buzz cut – Manny then had to undo all his hard work by trimming a little first then buzzing it all down to a Zero.  I ended the evening with some hats that show some serious spirit (use this link to see a full assortment of photos from this evening).

http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy214/NancyJordan/SUPERMONKEY%20KICKBUTT%20PARTY/

Matt and I after my buzz cut

Matt also got buzzed and 4 of my friends showed support by buzzing their hair.  

Nancy's Posse

We ended the evening by raffling several scarves I crocheted – I am happy to announce that all scarves went to good homes 

About the Dogs:

They had a day at the spa – where they got a bath and shaved and they look spectacular!!

For those of you who want to know why we shaved the dogs – “A Family that Shaves Together Stays Together”.  The dogs definitely know that something is going on and they have been very sweet since all this began.  

Gusta Post Shave

Storm Post Shave

I am still on cloud 9 from the awesome show of support on Friday … HUGE Thanks to everyone who attended!!

Special thanks to:

Matt my husband – for being so fabulous!

Manny and Visible Changes for supporting and staffing this event.

Larry and Cindy for sending Beee Bop as a special party guest / mascot. 

Jackie Farry for making a special trip to ship the hats in time for the party.

Everyone for supporting me - those who were able to attend and unable to attend.

Background:  

When I initially announced that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer to my friends and family, some dear friends of ours Nick and Jaunda Payne told us to check out Kris Carr’s Story “Crazy Sexy Cancer”.  Kris Carr has an incredible story that I highly advise everyone to learn and read about.  It is a very moving story and if you have a heart you will cry like a baby.  Anyway, Matt and I immediately bought all the Kris Carr Stuff at Barnes and Noble:  Crazy Sexy Cancer the Documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor (book) and Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips (book).  She just recently came out with a cook book; Crazy Sexy Diet – which I have not purchased yet.  

http://www.crazysexycancer.com/

In her documentary Kris follows several cancer survivors, one of which is Jackie Farry.  

The hats were a huge hit and if you want to order your own please go to the following site:

http://www.jackiefarry.com/

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway"

John Wayne

*Adventure Racing is a multi-discpline team sport varying in duration from sprint races that last approximately 3 hours to expedition races that can last up to 10 days.  The course is unknown and consists of several checkpoints, navigated by map and compass.   The disciplines include:  Mountain Biking, Land Navigation and a Water Craft Event (kayak or canoe).

January 27, 2011

Week of 1/24/11

Physically: 

This week was about finding the balance between work and leisure.  I was feeling the effects of the weekend “ab work out” also known as “Milk of Magnesia Stomach” until about Midweek (Wednesday) – at which point I started to feel a lot more normal.  At that same time I also started setting alarms throughout the night to wake up in time for medications.  This helped me manage my symptoms a lot better then taking the meds whenever I wake up.  I didn’t get any workouts in during the week … with my digestive system out of balance I wasn’t able to make it out – but hope to exercise this weekend.  I drove my car this week and remembered how much I Love Driving my little car aka Super M.

Super M

My senses:

During chemotherapy the first cells affected are those that divide the fastest, this includes taste buds.  Most of the week my tongue felt sort of puffy and irritated, the same way you feel after you burn your tongue on a hot drink or piping hot soup.  My mouth was also very sensitive and dry.  By Friday everything started to taste the same, but at least it was a lot less painful – I will sacrifice taste for pain anyday.  I at least remember what food tasted like and that is enough for me, as long as I can keep the food I eat in my body.   

January 23,2011

Weekend Update

Saturday 1/22/11 and Sunday 1/23/11:

This aint no cake walk!  The journey of Chemo Treatment is paved with side effect management and this weekend I experienced a rainbow discomfort.

With the priority of sleep in mind – I began the weekend with a little Benadryl to make it through one full night of sleep.  The Benadryl worked and I slept right through my dose of anti-nausea medication.  Anyone who has read about or gone through chemo understands that it is much better to avoid nausea then to treat it.  Needless to say – I started my Saturday plenty nauseous. 

Chemo chemicals had all but halted my body functions – for the first time ever I took Milk of Magnesia and the lesson here – a little goes a long way and lot goes places you don’t want to go!

Nausea all over again.  With my systems working again thanks to the Milk of Magnesia, which also caused abdominal pain/cramping that had me buckled over for most of Sunday.  Thank goodness for after hours Doctors – with a little medical advice and additional pain pills I am happy to say that I have survived the weekend. 

While I did not get a run or a bike or even a walk in this weekend – my abs are feeling the pain.  I don’t think I will be sitting on my exercise ball during working hours in the days to come.

On a positive note:  I was able to get a few movies in during all this mayhem – "Machete" and "Total Recall" as well as a complete marathon of pre-recorded "How I Met Your Mother" – I have a ton of one liners now and no one but Matt to torture with them. 

Party planning:

A well known side effect of Chemo is hair loss.  I have been told to expect hair loss as a result of the second treatment.  My second treatment is currently scheduled for 2/10/11.  I have decided to shave my hair before then.  I would rather take my own hair before chemo does, and I would like to share this milestone with my friends – so Matt and I are having a party on Friday 1/28/11.  My stylist from "Visible Changes" has agreed to come to the house to shave my head (and anyone else who wants to partake).  The whole family will participate and we will also be shaving both our dogs for this occasion.  Our family has been very supportive of my treatment and both my father-in-law and brother-in-law have shaved their heads (pictures coming soon). 

Picture of Storm and Gusta with Hair (they know what is coming)

This weekend has been LEGEN...wait for it...DARY.

Nancy

Aka:  SuperMonkey

I walk slowly, but I never walk backward. Abraham Lincoln

January 21, 2011

On Friday 1/21/11

The last couple days have been pretty good – I feel like I have the flu (sore muscles and tired).  The biggest challenge is eating enough.  This morning Matt was kind enough to make me a fresh juice (ingredients:  3 carrots, 5 leaves of romaine lettuce, 1 beet, 3 celery stalks and one apple).  The beet got the best of me and I don’t think I will be ordering this drink again any time soon.    Below is a picture of me hard at work today – I am still in the process of setting up my home office :)

I have been using an exercise ball as an office chair for about 2 months and it gives me quite a work out all day long. 

Hoping to get a workout in this weekend – running and maybe a bike ride.  I miss riding my Ducati :(  I don't anticipate getting on it anytime while I am going through treatment.  

Wednesday:

1/19/11

Went to the clinic for the Neulasta Shot.  In all honesty I was feeling the effects of chemo – but in true SuperMonkey KungFu Style I had to get a little exercise.  So I showed up for my shot in my running gear.  The nurses joked that I should be the “Chemo at Kelsey Poster Child”… get chemo and run the next day.   Neulasta Shot is a white blood cell booster and as I understand will help keep my treatments on time.  The side effects are pretty yucky:  Bone Aches, Muscle Aches, Strange Tooth Pain, Dizziness, Fast Pulse being only a few. 

Matt and I stopped at the park on the way home for a 3 mile run and it went very well considering.  Below is a picture of me after the run – eating dinner. 

Pessimism never won any battle. Dwight D. Eisenhower 

January 18, 2011

On Saturday 1/15/11

Wigs:

I originally did not anticipate getting a wig – I thought it would be ok to go with caps and scarves.  But after talking to several cancer survivors who underwent Chemo Therapy I decided that it would be a good idea to look at my options.  

Matt and I went wig shopping – and oh boy there are a lot of decisions to make including:  height, style and color.  Cut is actually done after you receive the wig (which is totally awesome).  Below are a few pictures of the experience (notice the Ducati red hair in the last picture) 

Outside of Wig Salon

Blonds Have More Fun

But Brunets Do It Better

So Many Hats, Scarves and Turbans To Choose From

Bee Bop

Matt Wishes!!

On Monday 1/17/11

I had a PET Scan – this was done to determine whether or not I have cancer anywhere else in my body.  It including an injection of radioactive material – which meant I was not to handle small children for at least 6 hours post scan … pretty cool huh.  

The PET Scan was done in the back of the clinic which is currently being remodeled to accommodate the PET Scan capability.  I changed for the scan and the best part – I got pants   I was called back by the nurse and we actually left the clinic and went into a mobile scanning unit (so I basically got my radioactive scan in a radioactive trailer).  They told me this is the same type of unit that was used during the hurricane by all the hospitals locally in Houston and in Louisiana because of the damage sustained.  I rode a platform up to the “garage door” which revealed the FBI type environment.  Scan on one end – technicians in the middle and patients on the other end.  Now I know how ET Felt!!

The scan itself takes only about 30 minutes – but the prep takes a while – they are essentially testing for other cancerous cells with a combination of radioactive material and glucose.  Tests results currently look promising, more tests to come.  

Self Portrait Before the Scan

View on Scanner While I Am Drinking the Glucose

On Tuesday 1/18/11

I had my first chemotherapy treatment.  

Pre-Treatment:  Blood results were given to me, they have to take blood counts before every treatment.  I take steroids orally the day prior, the day of and the day after each treatment.  

Treatment:  I take an anti-nausea pill orally while at the clinic.  I am administered all remainder of the medicines via IV including:  anti-nausea, Benadryl and separately 3 types of chemo medicines.  It took approximately 6 hours to administer all the IV medicine (they expect that this will decrease in the next treatment – but it main remain the same).    

Post Treatment:  I manage my body pain with good old fashioned Aleve and Claritin (for 7 days and if that doesn’t work – rub some dirt on it I guess … Right Rick).  I continue the steroid orally (for a total of 3 days).  I do return to the clinic tomorrow for a white blood cell booster to keep my counts high and work on recovering from a day of chemo chemicals.  

Chemo Next Steps:  Start all over again the first week of February by going back to the oncologist for a follow up visit and another battery of blood test.  

Party Planning Note:  Matt and I are still working out the Party details, FYI I will be shaving my head (before my hair falls out) and all others are free to join – the tentative date for the party is Friday 1/28/11. 

What to Wear -- I Changed Twice Before Leaving

Me In My Chemo Cubby

I Am Ready!!

Stay tuned for more Super Monkey Adventures!!


"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay it's price." - Sun Tzu

January 16, 2011

Here are a few photos of the life I was leading before 1/6/11, Active and Adventure seeking ... I thought I was healthy!!


On 1/7/11 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, poorly differentiated. In short, that means I have cancer in my breast as well as in a lymph node under my arm.  I will have a PET Scan on Monday 1/17/11 that will tell me if the cancer has spread anywhere else.  Regardless of the PET Scan results I start chemotherapy on Tuesday 1/18/11.

Last week (1/13/11) Matt and I told our friends and family about the diagnosis and treatment plan and we have received an abundance of support and love.  The kindness in the hearts of those nearest to us is extremely evident in this difficult time.  

The out pouring of support and positive thoughts are helping prepare Matt and I as we embark on the difficult journey ahead of us.  This experience will make me stronger and I have accepted the challenge!

My chemo cocktail has the pleasure of providing many unpleasant side effects -- the most pleasant amongst them ... hair loss.  In the spirit of including family and friends in this journey we have decided to have a party to embrace my new style.  Everyone in attendance (physical and virtual) is invited to cut their hair in celebration of the Kick Butt attitude we are taking towards cancer (more on the party details later).  We went wig shopping this weekend, pictures coming soon :)

I plan on posting updates several times a week ... Stay Tuned!!

Nancy 

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.
~ John F Kennedy

Houston Urban Adventure Race

My First Motorcycle 

3rd Place Women's Overall at Triple Threat

Big Bend with Mattie

My First 999R Xerox

MSR Houston Track Day 2010

Agawam Dinner in MA

Palomino on Guadalupe River

2010 Marine Corps Marathon