Hair Changes

Today has been an anxious day. For the first time I have noticed some changes to my hair. My scalp has been sore, in particular the back of my head feels as if there is a bruise there. Also the texture of my hair feels different, almost more brittle. However, what really scared me was I noticed a lot more of my hair begin to fall out when I took a shower. Sure every woman's hair falls out a little when they shower, but I noticed more hairs than normal. My mom keeps telling me it is a sign the Chemo is working to kill the cancer, so that is something to be happy about. I hope I'm not being a hypochondriac, but I am noticing some changes. I'm just wondering if now is too early to be noticing these changes in my hair.

Also today I received my flu shot and Lupron shot. Since I don't have a spleen and since I'm going through Chemo, I really hope I don't catch a bad flu or cold. I also decided today I am going to get the Lupron shot each month. Hopefully by receiving the shot each month, my ovaries will be protected from the chemo. On a positive note, I am feeling better, I went to the driving range and I even went on a 4 miles walk. It was really nice to be outside in the sunshine getting some exercise. Its funny how a little thing like a walk could brighten your day. But come tomorrow night I know I'm going to be sad because that's when my sister leaves to go back to California. It has been really nice having her here with me during this time.

So now the count down to the second chemo treatment begins. I'm a little scared and nervous for Thursday, but I'm keeping positive.

VIDEO: Tie One On

This past weekend I went to a special event for women undergoing Chemotherapy. At the "Tie One On" event I got to try on a few different scarves and I learned a few different ways I can style the scarves. It was nice to see some of the scarves are fashionable and actually look good with the shape of my face.

I'm so nervous for when my hair falls out. I am dreading the moment when I see the first pieces of hair begin to fall. However, I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. I am not going to let this Cancer consume my physical beauty, and I know even with no hair, I'll still try to have my inner beauty shine through.
Danielle

Fertility Questions

Recently I've had some questions about fertility and Cancer. When my doctor first told me I had Cancer, he told me there was a risk that I could become infertile after the Chemotherapy. The chemotherapy can sometimes have devastating effects on a woman's ovaries.

So at the age of 24 I'm sure you can imagine the despair I felt. I have always wanted to have children of my own, but at the age of 24 I just wasn't ready. So the idea of not being able to have children in the future was devastating. I know I can always adopt, and that's still a potential option, but I just hated the fact that my cancer could take something I have always thought to be so precious away from me.

Then the doctor told me there are things a woman can do to reduce her risk. What I am doing is a shot every month called Lupron, which temporarily shuts down the ovaries, hopefully protecting them from the chemo. Another thing I am doing is going on birth control. Birth control also helps to protect the ovaries. Finally, before I started my Chemo I froze some of my eggs. I was lucky enough to have a few days to freeze my eggs. That way if I can't produce my own eggs after the chemo, I can use one of my eggs that I had frozen in the future.

So as I said before, infertility does not always happen, just in my case I wanted to be safe than sorry.
Danielle

12 Day Update

We'll it's been 12 days since my first chemo treatment and I'm feeling so much better than I did before. I'm still pretty tired, but my headaches have gone down and the pressure in my eyes has significantly reduced. My stomach is back to normal and I can tell I'm slowly beginning to get some of my strength back. However, one thing I have noticed is some mouth sores begin to develop. I have one on the back of my tongue that hurts pretty bad. But I must say I'm so happy to be feeling better than how I felt before. Yay!
Danielle

VIDEO: Morning Show Announcement

When I found out I had Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma it was important to me to share my story with others. Since I'm a young, healthy woman at the start of my career, I thought my experience battling cancer could help someone else. So I decided to share my fight with cancer with my viewers in South Dakota, and others across the country with this blog. What I have learned so far is that Cancer is scary and there are so many feelings and emotions that not only the person fighting cancer feels, but their family and friends, so its illness that impacts so many people.

So after I had my tonsils removed and doctors found the Lymphoma, I wanted to go back on air and tell people where I have been and what I have been up to. This video clip is from the first morning I was back on air after I found out I had Lymphoma. The date is August 25, 2009.
Danielle

A New Haircut

Today my sister and I got new haircuts. My hair was fairly long, and I thought it would be better to have shorter hair, once my hair begins to fall out. I know it will be a very emotional time for me, so I would rather see shorter hair beginning to fall out versus longer ones.
Hope you like the styles.
Danielle

VIDEO: Look Good, Feel Better

This week my mom, sister and I went to a "Look Good, Feel Better" class at the Avera Cancer Institute. The class was informational and very fun. I couldn't believe all the wonderful make-up products that were donated for the class.

I can still remember the first time when my doctor told me I had cancer. There were two defining points in the conversation that brought me to uncontrollable tears. When he said I had cancer I didn't cry, I was more in shock and fear. It wasn't until he told me my ovaries could be damaged by the chemo and that I would lose my hair, did I break down into sobs.

I don't know what it is about having hair that is so important to me, but the thought of not having it really frightened me. My hair has always been such a huge part of who I am, and I guess I feel without it, I might lose a piece of me. So regardless to say, attending this class really helped me gain a positive outlook about when the time comes and I lose my hair. Del, the instructor of the class, did a great job explaining some of the wig, turbine, and scarf options available for women undergoing chemo.

I cannot express the amount of appreciation and respect I have toward this woman Del. I first met her the week I found out I had Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. We met up to discuss some wig options for me once I lost my hair. My mom and I were impressed by her help and knowledge of the hair lost process. She was so compassionate and kind, as I struggled to except the fact that my life was beginning to turn upside down. Then she shared with us her own battle with cancer, and I remember being blown away by her courage and strength. In the short time I have known Del she has been an inspiration to me and my family.

So in this clip I talk to Del about her favorite part of teaching the "Look Good, Feel Better" class.
Danielle