there's a new Pink Angel in Heaven

I lost my dear friend and Chemo buddy - Antoinette

Antoinette and I were diagnosed within months of each other and started Chemotherapy together.  We would sit and talk when she got to chemo but within 30 minutes of the nurses starting her treatment she was asleep.  I snapped a few photos of her asleep - sweet lady didn't get mad when I told her either.  

Antoinette always loved to see what I would be wearing or after loosing my hair what I would have painted on my bald head.  She said I was her rock and I kept her believing in the good and positive of Breast Cancer.   

Antoinette was stage 2 triple negative and I am stage 3A triple negative.  It is scary to think she lost her battle in just 2 yrs - I believe she was diagnosed in Feb of 2011 - I was diagnosed in May of 2011 but found my swollen lymph node in Feb 2011.  Heaven gained another Pink Warrior.  - Rest in Peace sweet angel.

June 2012 - Antoinette and me - she had just been re diagnosed with cancer

Pretty in Pink!!!! - Dr. K - Lots of Positive Energy

Today I wore a Pretty Pink sweater -ha!!

I am feeling pretty in Pink today!! My hair is really coming back fast!!

I went to radiation this morning #26 - 4 more to go - the burst is quick only 5 minutes.
I also had an appointment with my oncologist today and WOW was it great to get so much positive energy and love from the people in that office. What a great group.
The chemo nurses are great - I miss them.

J and E went out for happy hour last and just happen to talk about me of course with a couple of drinks in her E said my name as Carlene Dunnup!! ha!! Love her. Can't wait to go to happy hour with them in May when the roof deck is open at Casey's in RVC. Partying with the chemo nurses that will be fun!!! Photo below is of 3 of the nurses

Got lots of head rubs today everyone wants to have good luck. So much Positive energy I am still on it even though I am back at work now. What a great group of people.

Test, Test and more Test - ekg scheduled to check the heart - lotion for bug bite. And yes Chemo has put me into Menopause - Dr. K said the ache in hips confirms to him that I am in Menopause - NO Darlene it's not cancer - ha!! yep every ache and pain makes me think I have cancer again!!!
below is photo of 2 of my favorite ladies from the front office

Yes people I love going to my Oncologist office - there is so much positive energy and love for me there!!!!

Chemo treatment #7

I took some photos on my walk to the Oncologist office today of leaves, halloween sign my shoes - I will have to post tomorrow because even though I am on my new laptop I don't' have images on it yet and don't have card reader up in bedroom with me. I am resting after the chemo - tired and had an up set stomach either from the lettuce on my burrito or from the cheese on my pizza yesterday - i think it's the gallstone/gallbladder more than the chemo......
today as I sat in Chemo I realized I will miss the chemo nurses - they are great women ad have helped me through the 4 months of chemo!! the laughter, the talks, the sharing of stories - these women are there to make your experience more bearable and I love them for that!!
I will be finishing my Chemo on Nov 17 and will give them big hugs, take photos, share gifts, and embrace the fact that I will still see them when ever I can visit and well as long as i have my port in I will be seeing them for flushings - cleanings of the port!!
Radiation will start 4 weeks after chemo - I am hoping for a quiet start to winter since I will probably be starting in January!!
I have plans for when I am done.... like a helicopter ride over Manhattan (always wanted to do that and my friend Debra said she and her husband will take me up to celebrate!! awesome!!), photo trips with friends and a short visit home in February - hoping to have one night out with a group of friends there......
As I type this my cat Cali is resting next to me. Cali has been with me since I rescued him but since I was my diagnosed with Breast cancer he has been my shadow always with me and loving on me. when you rescue animals they know they will be loved and have found their forever homes.

I should be documenting my time in chemo more but the patients don't always won't to be photographed so I shoot the Poison that goes in my body, a couple of the nurses, signs around the room, my shoes, Kathy's shoes, self portraits, but I will documenting my last treatment and whoever is there for sure!!!! I am hoping to do an exhibit of the photos at some point. I would so love to be able to shoot more patients - how do I go about asking they don't seem to be embracing it like I am!!!!

Ok so photos to post tomorrow!!!!

Peace love photography

chemo #6 was Thursday 10/20/11

My new cuff from GreenMarket girl - to support breast cancer...had to wear it during chemo - that's nurse Cathy in the background....

Ok so I got to my chemo appt early as always 8:50am on thursday 10/20 but it was a beautiful walk to the office and I took some photos - at chemo greeted by Donna great to see her and Jeannie - they keep chemo room alive. Cathy is here to might be a busy day. Nurse Cathy came in also.

I got to share one of my note pads with the pig on it with nurse Donna - I love giving these out hte make me smile - the pig is so cute!!! see below for images - I am also sending these out as thanks you so people who have sent me good wishes...

I met a lady in staples today who also had cancer - not breast cancer but she had it worse than me. Terry lee kept saying how inspiring and cheerful I was but after all she went through and she is still smiling, she is the one who inspires....
I took Greg to the train station and a lady came over to the van to say how incredible she thought we were.. me for be bald and smiling through my sickness and Greg for being there for me - she thought we made a cute couple too... I love to make people happy and we really made her happy today!!!

Peace love Photography

Chemo #2 is complete

I went on 8/18 for chemo #2 - as I sat in the car I was pulling handfulls of hair out - they say it starts after 2nd treatment.  It's part of my journey and I know it will grow back so I have decided to dye it pink!!!!

The handfull of hair that came out in the car before 2nd chemo

Below is the needle in the port!!!

Below is the 1st chemo drug going in the IV!!!  yes I pee red after this lovely treatment but drink lots of water to flush it out!!!

Below is me after treatment - feeling good and going to get the hair dye!!

Picked up my favorite magazine to read this weekend while I am resting!!

Found the dye!!

Below is the bleaching job.

 The bleaching job looks good - want to just do pink stripes or highlights but then did whole head!!

below is the final pink hair - Fetish pink!!!  love it - got to be different before the hair falls out and I go to the bandanas and skull caps!!!