the Burn from Radiation

3 more treatments left and I am still dealing with the burn from Radiation - it itches and I am hoping the skin doesn't crack.

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!!!!

Radiation #16 completed today

16 down 14 more to go then it's off to SC to be with my family and some friends. I haven't seen my family since July 2010 - they couldn't come to visit while I was sick - dad can't travel and mom has to stay with him and my aunt can't travel. My sister wanted to come visit while I was going through chemo but I said no because I wasn't in the mood for visitors - even if they are family. I am going for a 9 day visit at end of February when Radiation is over with.

I am trying to stay up to date with my blog and trying to document my journey - I take the photos but sometimes I am just not good at getting images organized

A friend of mine in SC is doing a magazine and I will be a contributor - it will be cool to have my photos and projects in the magazine. My first project/article is my story as a Photographer living with Breast Cancer. I got my pet scan from my surgeon so I can possibly use it in my story. I have to say it is scary to see the black dots under my arm and know it's Cancer.

On January 24 or 25 I will go into the City (NYC) to see a photo exhibit of a man who documented his wife's journey through Cancer - she had Stage 3B breast cancer, it scares me because I have stage 3A. I can't wait to meet Angelo and see the photos.

Love the books I have been ready by Kris Carr, Crazy Sexy Cancer. She really rocks, love her positive energy.

Radiation #11, rainbows, portraits and so much more

so far so good - no side effects
It's rough getting up so early in the winter months to leave the house at 6:30am to get to Radiation by 7am but I am doing it. I do not like the cold so getting up is hard especially when it is raining - i shot the image below with my phone

My hair is growing back - it's either going to be dark or salt and pepper - if I don't like it I might just shave it off again and start over

I went to a meeting on sunday with a gourd of women Photographers in Harlem, NY - Deb's is a great hostess and photographer and took photos of everyone that wanted photos. I needed headshots for a magazine I am going to be a contributor in below are a couple of photos that she took

this is such a good message - I love joy and try to bring it into my life all year long

I got the books I ordered from Crazy, Sexy Cancer - Kris Carr - she rocks the cancer for sure. Love her books i bought 3. her message is great and very inspiring.

I had gifts from an incredible lady waiting on me when I got home today

I am now a member of Shoots for a cure -
Celebrating Life
Through our professional photographer network, we are helping cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed. Please see the “Celebrating” page under the “Info” section of this site for more details and information.

New tattoos, radiation, and therapy dog!!!

So I started Radiation today went in with a smile on my face and a positive attitude. Radiation is easier than Chemo - thank goodness and only last 15 minutes. I will be getting treatments everyday but Saturday and sunday until Feb 9 - I am so glad the technicians are happy people and not sticks in the mud robots - I like to be able to joke around and talk to the people I am spending time with.

I got a card today to scan in at the Cancer place so they know I am there for my appointments. So tomorrow for my 7:30am appt I will take the card to scan in, the aquaphor lotion to put on after the radiation so the skin doesn't get damaged I hope, and the pink van to shoot at the radiation/cancer center.....

I met two of the greatest technicians S and R - they were great and let me take photos and even posed for one. I already feel connected to them but S will be rotating to work at the hospital on Tuesday - hope the other technicians are just as friendly


here's a shot of a sign in the dressing room - I love the dog!! I only had to take my clothes off from the waist up so no worries about the back side showing

of course had to have 2 new tattoos put on - tiny as a pin head - I told S and R that the tattoos should be big if they are going to be there for life. I really did expect something larger than a pin head!!! ha!!


when I got home I took some photos around the house

I also got to visit with my favorite Therapy dog - her Mom dropped by when they were walking outside - mom had just had major surgery (thank goodness it wasn't cancer but it was crohns diesase)