I don't know of you remember me, but...

Back in March, I had posted a picture of my picc line that I had gotten put in before I started chemotherapy for my stage 2 cervical cancer (neuroendocrine carcinoma). I received a huge outpouring of support from this awesome community.

This is me, Jenny, about 8 months before my diagnosis, and before my whole world would change.

The ridiculous routine I put up with in order to shower with my picc line. Towel, tape, saran wrap, more tape, and a rubber shower cover (JUST IN CASE!)

I had a lot of support, from family, friends, coworkers...even when I wasn't asking for help, help seemed to find me. Going through treatment is hard, asking for help is really hard, luckily I had people checking in on me all the time.

That dreaded inevitable. I was shocked at how fast I was losing hair. Within 4 days of losing my hair, I was fed up with having to clean and vacuum hair from everywhere, and my friend came over to give me a shave. We put on some stand up comedy, joked around, and went for it. To be honest, it's a blessing in disguise. I was so exhausted, I can't imagine washing and trying to style my hair. I could spend maybe 5min in a hot shower and then I'd have to go lay down.

Didn't look or feel too bad :)

Then 25 days straight (excluding weekends) of external beam radiation started after my 1st round of chemo. My bladder had to be almost bursting before I could receive the radiation. Not fun. Mostly you just lie there for 10minutes, trying not to think of how much you have to pee and focus on whatever radio station they put on that day. When they tell you to wash the area with mild soap and use aveeno lotion twice a day, do it! I got through my treatment without any skin damage. (Except a new large freckle beside my belly button)

When you can, you eat. You eat as much as you can. I wolfed down this burger and chips in probably 5minutes. I lost my appetite and am still struggling with eating certain foods (I can barely stomach meat now). Even with all the anti-nausea meds and steroids, it was really hard to eat something substantial during chemo weeks.

During that time, I also had to say goodbye to my sweetest girl, Cleo. She was my cat of 18 years. I miss her very much.

Me with a little fuzz. I didn't lose all my hair, but this is what was left.

Right before my last round of chemo and my 2nd round of brachytherapy, I developed an allergy to the adhesive used on the tegaderm patch that was covering my picc line. That picc line was a blessing, as the following times that they had to find veins for an IV were a nightmare.

That glorious day, when I got to ring the bell! Chemotherapy done! All that was left was to finish brachytherapy!

But wait...a follow up CT showed a pulmonary embolism in the back right side of my lungs. I most likely developed deep vein thrombosis (clot in the leg), that broke off and travelled up through my heart and into an artery in my lungs. I am extremely fortunate to have had that follow up CT. I brushed off my lung issues as something residual from chemo. Even a slow paced walk, felt like running with pneumonia. I am very fortunate indeed. I will be on blood thinners till December. Huzzah....

One month on blood thinners, two months after treatment, and I'm back at the gym, trying to regain some strength and energy. I'm also back to work part time (kindergarten teacher). It's exhausting, but I'm giving it my best.

Me, today. A recent mri shows basically a complete reduction in the tumor, most likely without residual cells. My case was presented to the tumor board to weigh the risk/benefit of surgery (hysterectomy), but until then...FUCK CANCER!! :)