Isn't It Ironic?

 "Chelsea, having met you and followed you, I have no question that you would accomplish many things. But isn't it ironic that the one thing that threatened your very existence (melanoma) and continues to haunt you in many ways has also played a part in guiding you to the most incredible experiences? The Gala last year...being featured on Headline News...and now meeting two celebrities because melanoma guided you to New York. I think karma is really blessing you...rewarding you for taking your scary cancer experiences and helping others deal with it, fight it, and hopefully avoid it."

-My Friend, the author of http://blackispink.blogspot.com/

Al's message keeps repeating in my head.

We all look at our cancer as such a horrible thing--and it is--but it has given me the best years of my life!

This trip to NY was no exception: NO EVIDENCE of Melanoma! I immediately felt so much relief when my oncologist gave me the news. Melanoma has played such a role in our relationship that I really didn't want her to show her ugly face during our special wedding day. I feel especially thankful. 2 weeks and 2 days!!!

Wednesday night after my scans, we headed to America's Got Talent to catch the show! It was so cool to see how live TV is filmed. What was really cool was meeting Mrs. Heidi Klum after the show! She is absolutely beautiful and spent a lot of time making sure everyone had autographs and pictures! Super sweet.

I love Heidi for the work she did with Marc Jacobs'

Protect the Skin You're In campaign!

I was sitting in the waiting room 2 and 1/2 hours after my scheduled chemo time when I began browsing Facebook. My Facebook friend Susan mentioned something about being in NY so I asked her if she was in town at MSK. Oddly enough, she was in the same waiting room as I was, just on the opposite side!

I love getting to hug my online friends!

Please send well wishes to her husband as he begins a new treatment!

Hope to see you two again soon!

 And then we almost got kicked out of the chemo suite.

Ha!

I've mentioned Julie to you all a lot, she's not a stranger to this blog, and it is always such a pleasure to see her and her mom. I'm quite certain that I laughed during every single 90 minute sitting in that chemo chair. Julie and her mom Jackie have been such a blessing to us. Ladies, we need to plan our vacation!

While I was waiting for treatment I noticed that Giada De Laurentiis tweeted that she was going to be at the Barnes and Noble in Union Square for a book signing. I had to go. I didn't get to thank Heidi for the work she did to raise awareness for melanoma, but I had a new opportunity to thank another celebrity, so I wanted to take it! Giada's brother Dino died when he was 31 from melanoma, and this year, she shared his story in a PSA. (View the PSA.)

Giada was very sweet! I introduced myself, told her that I, too, have melanoma, and how sorry I was for her brother's loss. Then I thanked Giada from the entire melanoma community for sharing her brother's battle with the public. She agrees that more awareness is needed. Who knows, maybe she'll help raise awareness in another way soon! 

It was such a whirlwind of a trip! I was so relieved to leave the city with good news and the opportunity to focus entirely on my upcoming wedding. I do feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

So, yes. Melanoma continues to haunt me, but it continues to give me some of the most rewarding experiences that I could have never imagined. I just needed my friend Al to remind me.

"And isn't it ironic, don't ya think?"

 

Avoiding Cancer

 How do you explain cancer to a child?

I'll follow up that question by saying I don't think there's a correct answer.

Y'all know that I have a special little man in my life. He's now 6 and pretty much the greatest kid ever. We're lucky that we have him 50% of the time, and I feel so thankful to have been able to develop an awesome relationship with him. G was 3 when I was diagnosed with melanoma. We never told G what was going on, just that I was a little sick and the doctors had to make me better. He was around during my recoveries after both surgeries, he has inspected my battle wounds, and he still references the sunken "hole" I have in the side of my neck. During the recovery period he was told quite often to be gentle with me.

We've always gotten away with just telling G that I was a little sick, the doctors had to make me better, and that's why I have scars. He was 3 for goodness sake! It was easy! He knows the importance of sunscreen--and as his mom told me, he's quick to remind everyone else of the importance of sunscreen--and while he knows that the lack of sun protection led me to this disease, he doesn't know the disease by name. It isn't something we talk about yet. I've never--nor do I want to--tell G that I had/have cancer. Not yet.

Tonight we ran into a little situation.

Our beautiful friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. As she has a husband and two young children, we wanted to do a little something that could help make things a tiny bit easier so we took dinner to them tonight. G made a card, wrote "Get well soon!" and knew to be very gentle with Mrs. Mel. We didn't think anything else about telling Gavin the reason why Mel is sick.

As we were driving down the road tonight, G says, "Why is she sick?" I start babbling about how she had a surgery that is similar to the one I had a few years ago, and G interrupts me, "I know, but what made her sick? What made her have to have surgery?"

How do you introduce Cancer to a sensitive 6 year old?

Mr. Spots and I both started babbling. I have no idea what he said, I said something like "she was a little sick so the doctors had to remove what was making her sick!" and then I changed the subject.

I know. I'm postponing it. But I know this kid.... I know he will worry about it, and I know Cancer will be mentioned until something else comes around for him to worry about. He's just like that. He has a sensitive heart and he will worry. So I avoided it. Again.

Only a few hours later, it almost came back up again.

I was tucking him into bed, giving him one last snuggle, when he said "I don't want you to leave." I said, "I know! But we are going to spend all day tomorrow and I'll be back in just a few days!" He asked me why I have to go, and then he said one little statement that hurt my heart: "We will need to be gentle with you."

I don't know if it's because of seeing Mrs. Mel tonight that reminded him of the recovery days, or if he just associates me going to NY for appointments as being something that may cause me pain, but he understands the seriousness of these trips.

I just can't introduce such a cruel disease to him just yet. He has seen enough of it without even knowing what it is. Can't I just protect him for a little longer?

Sigh.

On that note, I'm off to bed. It's that time again. That time being the time to fly back to New York for my next set of scans and treatment. Fingers crossed...

XO

Drama Girl

My doctor goes on vacation, I find a new melanoma, drama erupts! What does he expect? For me to behave while he's gone on a much needed vacation? Ha! Teasing, Dr. D., I could have done without that experience.

I wrote about how I received the phone call from Sloan Kettering stating that I was no longer able to participate in the ipi/placebo clinical trial since I had new evidence of disease. Yes, they were told by my dermatologist that it was an in-situ melanoma. Still, kicked out of the trial, the nurse said.

The Monday that my doctor returned from vacation the same nurse called and said that it was determined that because my new primary was an in-situ, I am not disqualified from the trial. 

I was confused about what I wanted to do. I was relieved because I wanted to continue the trial for the reasons I mentioned the other day. I was worried that I needed to do more or that it wasn't worth my time.

Like always, my oncologist helped answer my questions.

When I was waiting in the room for my appointment, my oncologist stuck his head in the room & told me that my scans were clear. Because he knows his patients, he knows I can't relax until I hear the results. (Yes, he also knows he has me spoiled & that the moment he doesn't come in before my scheduled time, I am going to know something is wrong. We've set up a bad habit, but I love him for it.) Then I met with the head research nurse who I had only heard about from my friend Julie. I mentioned to the nurse that I had not met her before, and she said, no, but I know who you are! Apparently, I caused a bit of drama with the doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering last week. There was apparently a 4 day debate about whether I should be allowed to continue the clinical trial or not. I'm not sure who stood where or why, but it was ruled that because an in-situ melanoma is not invasive, I should continue as planned. The drug is designed to treat metastatic disease and has no control over new non-invasive melanomas which is why we must keep our scheduled appointments with our dermatologists! (Remember, early detection IS key!)

Because the research nurse has a lot of experience with folks on this trial she was able to answer a lot of my questions and provide me with information I had not heard before. For example, remember that weird facial swelling I had on a few occasions after my last infusion in December? Although rare, has seen that in other patients. The joint pain in my hands, normal side effect. The inflammation of my lymph nodes 2-3 weeks after every single infusion = totally expected.

See, these were all things that no one had really talked to me about. I don't call with problems, but I've called Sloan (and headed to my local oncologist in tears) after almost every infusion regarding the swelling. Finally, someone tells me to expect it!

When my oncologist came in for our appointment I jumped up to hug him and told him he's no longer allowed to take a vacation. He said he knows, that when he goes away, I cause trouble. We started chatting later and he said that while his much needed vacation lowered his blood pressure, he couldn't escape wifi so he checked his email. "Every time I checked my email I had 60 new emails & 20 of them were about Chelsea Price!" Oops.

I asked him point blank if he thinks we should continue what we are doing and he flat out said yes.

There was no debate.

Yes, continue what we are doing. In May 2013, it will be 2 years since I started the clinical trial & we have a year to go after that. None of us know if I am getting the drug or the placebo, but whatever we are doing is working for me at this time. I can't risk changing that.

I headed into the Chemo Suite 2 hours behind schedule only to have a nurse that my veins are not used to. Boy, after the lab folks having to use 3 veins for blood and the chemo nurses using 3, I was mildly annoyed.

 

 Sorry, doctors, that I caused a little confusion, but hey, that's why you earn the big bucks, right?! (Best story I heard: Julie asked her doctor how he does this--delivering the bad news--every day. He told her that he does it with hopes of delivering good news! *OK, I may have that a little wrong, we did split a bottle of wine, but that was the main point. He's there to give us our lives back.)

Speaking of Julie......... Not only did I get some QT in with my mom, I also got to visit with Julie and her mom! Remember Julie? (Please continue to pray for her.) We had dinner in Little Italy & laughed, laughed, and laughed! Seriously, the waiter kept laughing at us laughing! There were extra long hugs, maybe a few blinked away tears, but mostly there was laughter.

A good trip, answers to my questions, and meeting up with ladies I admire = one great week.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

No Sweeter Words

Like always, I needed a break after my trip to NYC and the news of our friends who passed away. I get so anxious, nervous, and down right grumpy before my trips to Sloan Kettering that I usually need a break from melanoma when I return to Virginia. After I heard about Brett, David, and Steve, I really needed to take a step back and appreciate the life that I am living.

I must not take this beautiful life for granted. 

Speaking of beautiful life....I will finally share some of the photos from our most recent trip to New York City!

We began our trip by attending The Comedy Cellar

where we were able to see Louis C. K. and Aziz Ansari!

 

 
Then we went to The Empire State Building around midnight.

Beautiful...

but super crowded.

We strolled along The High Line

and visited the 9/11 Memorial (and preview.)

Rockefeller Center was fully decorated 

for the 4th of July!

We strolled around Grand Central Station

and 

I was a good patient during my last infusion!

It was a wonderful trip with my mom and Mr. Spots. The trip, of course, was made sweeter by hearing the reassuring words from my oncologist, "Scans are fine." 

There are no sweeter words when speaking to a cancer patient that those.

 

I may have some exciting news to share with you all in the near future. My campaign against melanoma is still in full attack!

Stay tuned!

And I'm Off To See the Wizard!

 Picture

During my weekly yoga session tonight, my instructor whispered a few words I needed to hear:

Everything is going  to be OK.

I have to head to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center this week for my 3 month scans, follow-up with the Wizard, and visit to the chemo suite for treatment. Like always, the 3 months of freedom flew by. I can only hope that this trip is as peaceful as the last visit. I would like to have they type of appointment that my oncologist refers to as a "Healthy Baby Visit."  It's quick, it's painless, and it brings good news to all. 

Instead of making this trip fully medical, we are adding an extra day to our trip so that we can fully enjoy 4th of July in the big city. I've never been in NYC for the fireworks so it should be a great adventure. Mr. Spots is actually joining me on this trip which I am really looking forward to. I think I relax a bit more with him next to me. 

If you have a free moment and wish to send some warm thoughts my way, I definitely would appreciate it. I know what the statistics say, and I know the likelihood that something ugly will pop up, but I am going to ignore those statistics. I am going to hope, wish, and pray, and then I'm going to try to put it in the back of my mind for the first portion of this trip. I need to have some fun with my loved ones before this appointment. I will, until Thursday, treat this as a vacation then it's time to be a patient for a few days.

Like my yoga instructor said, and like Mr. Bob Marley--fellow melanoma warrior--sings, "Everything is gonna be all right."

Let it Be

I can hardly believe that in 2 weeks from today I will be back in New York City for my next round of scans and treatment. My months of freedom just fly by! As always, scanxiety is starting to hit. How am I focusing this nervous energy? Well, I have been writing for Everyday Health, I have been working my butt off at my office job, I have been attending yoga once a week (Love it!) and I have been going to the gym. Needless to say, I sleep well at night out of pure exhaustion.

I know I can't change or predict what the scans will show. I can only wish, hope, and pray that life will continue on as it has been going. Like Jason Mraz sings, I can't worry my life away.

I hope you are all doing well. Were you wearing your sunscreen in the hot weather today?! I sure hope so!

It's Time!

The time has come again for my 3 month scans and treatment session in NYC. This time I am READY to see The Wizard. I want him to look at the rash covering my arms, legs, and belly, and tush. Rash update:

I called my dermatologist at Sloan yesterday and tried to schedule an appointment with him. I was told his first available appointment is in August. Obviously, that will not work for me. I called The Wizard and asked to speak to my favorite nurse. She called me back about 30 minutes later and asked that I email her updated rash pictures. I sent them to her last evening and another nurse called back today saying they would definitely get me in with someone on Friday. Yes! It is needed! 

Here is my schedule for the next few days:

*I fly out of Roanoke tomorrow morning. I will meet Mom & head into the city. 

*Thursday I have a special meeting with my friends at The Skin Cancer Foundation. (More to come on that later!)

*Thursday at 3 pm I have my scans. Woo! Scan juice! (Gag.)

*Thursday night I have a dinner with 2 special ladies--We are members of a group called Cancer Chicks. I am looking forward to meeting up with them in person!

*Friday morning I meet with The Wizard at 9 am for a check-up and scan results. *Prayers please.*

*Depending on results, I will head to the Chemo suite for my next treatment session.

I have a fellow Molemate who is also receiving scan results this week. Please pray that Nick hears that his drug is shrinking his tumors. He's a great guy. Check out his blog: http://melanomafighter.blogspot.com/

If you could send some prayers our way, I know we both would greatly appreciate it.

Pinterest

Defying Gravity

My mom helped check off another item from my non-existent bucket list tonight: Seeing Wicked on Broadway!


I had heard from so many people that it was an amazing musical, but I had no idea just how amazing it would be. The cast was beautiful, beyond talented, and it all seemed so effortless to them. The people in charge of the special effects are just as talented. It really is Amazing. If you have the opportunity to go see it, please do. The Lion King & Chicago had nothing on Wicked. 
It  is that good.

Is It Worth It?

Is your tan worth this?

Think about it.

"Oh! Oh!"

Sometimes I should not be let out in the public. Today was one of those days. I woke up this morning, got myself ready, and Mr. Spots took me to the airport. Being the best boyfriend ever, he came inside  (against my demands of him going home to rest) to spend a few extra minutes with me. As I was checking in, I was informed that my flight was delayed. Bummer. So, Mr. Spots and I hung out in the restaurant for a bit, chit chatting, enjoying our last few minutes together. I figured I would head on back to my gate close to my flight time just in case they decided to leave on time. Good thing I did! After being rushed through security, forgetting to remove my shoes, and being yelled at for forgetting said shoes, I headed towards the gate looking forward to a few minutes to organize myself before boarding the flight. As soon as I sit down I hear, "We are now boarding Zone 2." Wait...It's only 10:10. They said my flight was delayed until 11:15! Good thing I left Mr. Spots when I did...

I have been on some small planes before, but holy cow...this plane was unusually small. I had to put my feet on my laptop case and purse. The plane was definitely made when people were much smaller than they are these days... Flying was wonderful. A 90 minute flight was much more pleasurable than the 5+ hour car ride. I was concerned how I would feel after flying. I feel fine. I am still having the shoulder pain I discussed with Dr. Glinda, my surgeon, yesterday. Mom said it looks like fluid. I will have The Wizard take a look tomorrow...


Amazing news in terms of spreading awareness! My sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, has a national magazine called THE CREST. The editor, a lovely lady, emailed me yesterday asking if I could put together an article by this weekend. She said that she thought my story was something our Sisterhood needs to hear. I could not agree more! I spent last night quickly writing an article for the magazine. It sure is hard to say everything I want to say in one article. Thank God for this blog... ;-)


Back to this latest trip, I met Mom at the hotel. We are staying again in Jersey City since the hotel prices are significantly cheaper than in the City. Plus I sleep better...Maybe I am not cut out to be a city girl after all! I value my quiet time a little too much. We were too tired to go into the City tonight so we decided to take the train down to Hoboken. Mom had been talking about Carlo's Bake Shop for the past few trips, so we made the decision to finally go. Wow, what a busy bakery! 

Mom & I decided on red velvet cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, and 2 cookies. I have had one of the red velvet cupcakes and here's my verdict: Cake Boss is famous for a good reason. They are DELICIOUS! Nom...nom...nom! Lisa, one of the sister's, was at the bakery, and came out to thank everyone for coming in. She was very nice...very normal. 

Mom and I decided to head back to the hotel since tomorrow is going to be such a hectic day. There we are, standing on a side street, waiting for traffic to clear, when I make eye contact with a man on the other side of the street. He smiles. I smile. And then it hits me....

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" I point over him. He raises his arms like, "Yeah, you got me...it's me!" Mom sees where I am pointing and says, "Oh my God! We were just at your bakery. We hoped to see you." Buddy, the Cake Boss, walks on over to us, thanks us for our business, and agrees to pose for a picture. (Yeah, we were those people...) Mom was just going to take the picture, but he insisted his friend would take the picture and the three of us could all be in it. 

Cake Boss!

I have nothing but kind words for him. He could have easily ignored us, but he didn't. You're a nice guy, Buddy! ;-) (And I was a total starstruck ditz! Sorry, I normally can make words! I swear!)

After we walked away, Mom & I looked at each other and began to laugh. If anything, we expected to see Buddy at the bakery, not on the side of a side street! How random. It made it even more fun.

So, tomorrow..........here's the updated schedule for those interested:

I have to be at the outpatient center by 10:30 for some blood work. They need my morning levels before I can start the trial. Then the schedule is the same. 12:15 appointment with my oncologist, The Wizard, 1:00 ultrasound (nervous!) 2:00 Day 1 in the "Chemo Suite." I expect I will be there until 5 PM or so. It is going to be a very long day for us. 

The messages, comments, texts, and phone calls I have received today have meant so much to me. I am nervous, yes, but I know that I am in the care of awesome doctor's who will make sure we make the right decisions for my body. I am confident in that. 

I can do this. After all, I am a fighter. 

Wear sunscreen. XO

Mr. Spots & the City!

Since today is a special day for Mr. Spots--graduation!!--I figured I would share some pictures of our quick trip to NYC last weekend. He had never been before so we were so excited to show around our other home. (I mean, really...it is becoming that!)

Because of our late start, we arrived to New Jersey around 6 PM. Mom, yet again, found us a great deal at The Westin. It is probably my favorite hotel. It was beautiful. The rooms were gorgeous. And the beds were heavenly...or maybe I was just THAT tired. 


We took the subway over to Herald Square with no problem. We explored Macy's, and headed over to Time's Square. You have to go to Time's Square at night! The lights...unbelievable! 

The

We then walked over to Rockefeller Center. I joked that I wanted to go ice skating, but the rink is gone! I guess I should have known...it is spring time! It was beautiful with all of the tables.

Mr. Spots has a slight obsession with Lego's so we walked over to the Lego store. Unfortunately, they were closed! 

As it was getting late, we decided to cut our site seeing short, grab a cab, and head over to Serendipity. I have been talking about the Frozen Hot Chocolate's since my first trip to MSK. As always, the cab rides in NYC are exciting...

And we ended evening with the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate....

Yum. Yum. Yum.