Groundhog Goodness

It's now been a year since I've been diagnosed with cancer. It would typically be hard as February 2nd approached, but not for me. I have this man, Michael Everhart, and a legion of Groundhogs who have been supporting me and praying for me and rooting for me and I think drinking some beers in my honor for the past year. With all that love, of course I'm gonna survive!

As Groundhog Day 2013 approached, there was no doubt I would be partying at the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge. In fact, this year would be even better ... I could actually go and party instead of having to file reports. Plus, the icing on top was Chris - because it was a Saturday this is the first year he had ever ventured down to the festivities. I knew it would blow his mind: fun, smart, upstanding members of our community, dressing up, drinking well before noon and playing with a stuffed rodent. What's not to love??

I was so moved though when the men paraded through the covered bridge by brigade to the Hibernating Governor and I saw the back of Mike's white coat. He had a sign that said simply <2.0 - I'm sure most people didn't have a clue what that meant. But I know and Chris knows and Michael knows and that's what he's been hoping for for me since last year. It was a shock to see how many people care and how much they care.

 

 

 

 

You know me, never one to shy away from attention - I was equally as excited and flattered when they gave us a shout out from the stage, AKA the Pinnacle of Prognostication. Not to mention that no fewer than 6 Groundhogs asked Chris if he wanted to be part of the organization. Ummm, yes! (Sorry Ladies, boys only. But what I would GIVE to be the first female Groundhog!! What an honor that would be!! Things to work on after curing cancer ...)

It was a bright sunny day. Chris' friends from work, Jill, Heather, Jenae ... all came out to see if Octorara Orphie would see his shadow. No surprise, he did, so 6 more weeks of winter. No problem though; with friends like these, we could party all winter long.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge and it's families. Your caring is unprecedented and it overwhelms me. I'm so lucky to have such Guardians. Happy Groundhog Day (a little late)! Now here's to 2/2/14!!

2.7 Baby! That's What I'm Talking About!

With such good news, you would think I would have blogged it sooner. It turns out, I have so much to blog about!! I've gone Bowling for Cancer, hit the Groundhog Lodge on Groundhog day, I stopped into work to give them an update. I have a lot to catch up on. But I won't bury the lead ... my numbers are great!! I started the new chemo two weeks ago. Got in one treatment, then took a week off for low blood counts. Then this week, even after missing that week of chemo, I still dropped from 3.4 to 2.7! It's so damn close to 2.0.

I feel so good when the numbers are good. It really is an emotional rollercoaster. It sets the tune for my whole week. And Marcia's too. As my designated Special Guest and Team Cooke Cheerleader, she cheers pretty loud on the good weeks. I put her to work an extra day today when my car wouldn't start and I had to go to the lab. So she rearranged her day to cart my ass all over Lancaster (had to fit a nail appointment in there too!) But maybe all that driving around helped the hCG. When Marcia heard the number, she was over the moon. Everyone was. I call my mom with the number, she's at work and can't talk. I give her the basic info and hang up. She calls back a few minutes later crying tears of joy saying she's so happy! With people like this on your side cancer has no chance!

So, here's the plan: Get bloodwork Wednesday morning next week. Hopefully the number is even better! If all the blood levels are good, I have a short chemo day. Once I get a less than 2, I have to go two more complete cycles - 6 weeks. I'm trying not to count my eggs before they hatch. Let's call it cautiously optimistic. But, my friends, I feel I'm about to kick cancer in the ass, once and for all!