🐛➡️🦋 May the June Be with Me

Can you believe I’m about to have my fourth chemo? The puzzle pieces are finally coming together. The hump is behind me, and I can just barely see the light at the end of the tunnel ✨.I thought I had the chemo side effects figured out by now—but I was wrong. These new cells have their own way of surprising me. June is the month I began to function more like a human again. My surgery is healing, I’m moving around more freely, and it’s time to spread my social wings 🕊️.

🦋 June 4, 2025 – It’s Jacob’s Birthday Party! Let’s Celebrate 🎉

Jacob’s birthday! It’s about time we celebrated something—and today was the perfect day to do it.

Jacob called me and asked if he could throw an impromptu birthday party, just a casual get-together with friends. I was a few days out from chemo and feeling a bit better, so I said yes. He and his friends planned everything, and I didn’t have to worry about a thing—especially since I was working that day.

Sarah helped out, and together we cleaned up the sunroom so they could have the party there. I stayed inside the house, listening to the laughter, the games, the movie chatter. Just hearing them enjoy themselves filled the space with warmth 🫶🎬🎈.

Ever since my cancer diagnosis, chemo has been incredibly hard on Jacob. I’ve seen the fear in his eyes—the fear of losing me to this disease. Watching me struggle through side effects, ER visits, and the unknown has been terrifying for him 💔.

So today, seeing him smile and laugh with his friends gave me a deep sense of relief. For a moment, I felt like maybe—just maybe—he’ll be okay, even as I continue this chemo journey.

Jacob's Birthday

🦋 June 7, 2025 – The Weekend of the Social Butterfly Begins!

I asked Mike if we could go to the Chalk Festival—I wanted to test my stamina and see if I could handle a 40-minute drive 🚗. He said yes, and it turned out to be such a lovely way to spend the weekend.

We headed out early, and the best part of arriving before the crowds? A close parking spot! 🅿️As we walked the streets where the artists were just beginning their chalk creations 🎨, we realized they were still setting up. So, since we were both hungry, we went looking for breakfast.

We found a great spot with patio seating—perfect for enjoying the weather and watching the event unfold ☀️🥞. The food was delicious, and I was feeling good.

After breakfast, we returned to the festival and stumbled upon a caricature artist. Mike said, “Hey, let’s get ours done—to compare with the one we had a few years ago.” Of course, I said yes! It was fun, though I felt a little self-conscious about not having hair 😅. The artist kindly offered to draw me with a hat, as if I had hair underneath. The caricature turned out so cute—we loved it! 🎭🖼️

We continued strolling through the chalk art. Some pieces were finished, others still in progress, but all were amazing. As the crowd grew and the sun got hotter, we decided to head home before it got too overwhelming ☀️👣.

On the way back to the car, we spotted Culver’s and couldn’t resist stopping for ice cream 🍦—the perfect way to wrap up our sunny Saturday.

Chalk Festival

Revealing our caricature drawing

🦋 June 12, 2025 – The Boil That Made Me Broil!

Cells have a way of surprising you—just when you think you’ve seen it all.I took an early morning shower (one of my few remaining luxuries these days 🚿), and suddenly, I panicked. I felt a nodule under my chest area. It was significant enough to make me go numb with fear.

My mental state? Oh no... not again. 😣I called the triage nurse—not just for reassurance, but hoping it was nothing. It was red, round, and visible to the touch. I could even see it in the mirror.

As I described it over the phone, the nurse recommended I go to urgent care. Mike had an early tee time 🏌️, so after notifying my manager and coworkers, I went in.

The doctor examined it and later described it in MyChart as:

“Appears to be an infected cyst—like a pimple that’s not ready to pop.”

She prescribed a 7-day course of antibiotics 💊. What a relief to know it wasn’t something more serious—at least for now. But she warned me: if it worsens or I develop a fever, I need to head straight to the ER 🚨, especially since I’m undergoing chemo.

nodule cyst/pimple like

🦋 June 13, 2025 – Comfort Hat

I tried counting how many times I’ve been on antibiotics over the past couple of months. I believe this is my fourth round 💊—all due to infections. That’s how low my neutrophils are. I feel sorry for them; every time they regenerate, chemo comes in and ravages them again, only for them to repopulate and try once more 🧬.

But I have to stay in the saddle. Chemo keeps rolling, and my neutrophils have to hang on and keep going 🐎.

June 13th was a rainy day 🌧️. I worked all day, letting my body fall in line with the antibiotics. Later in the afternoon, Jacob came in carrying a soggy box that had gotten wet in the rain.

To my surprise, it was a package from one of my coworkers. She had crocheted a bunch of hats for me—soft, breathable, and full of color 💙💚💛. Shades of blue, green, and yellow danced across the yarn, each one stitched with care.

I thanked her the next day, telling her how perfect they were. They’re soft, comfortable, and have little holes that let my head breathe—unlike the ones I’ve been using. She made them thinking of me.

It was so sweet. My heart swelled with comfort and gratitude 💗. I am truly thankful

a letter from my coworker and one of the crochet hat she sent me

🦋 June 17, 2025 – 4th Chemo: Here We Go-Go-Go-Go-Go! 💥

My infection has been healing so far 🙏. I got up early, determined to get this fourth chemo done. I’m just so ready to push through this.

By now, I know the routine: hydrate early 💧, eat something solid 🍳, and mentally prep. I’ve been tracking everything and I’m more familiar with the side effects—I can almost predict the cycle of days after chemo.

But welp, this time around, my neutrophils filed a formal complaint with my bone marrow 😤🧬. They can’t keep up. They’re demanding reinforcements, and my blood panel backed them up.

Some of my lab results came back abnormal. My cells need more time to recover before they can run the show again—otherwise, the chemo reactor takes over my body like a sci-fi invasion 🧪⚠️.

So, for reinforcements: enter the Neulasta On-body Injector 💉. It’s designed to help my bone marrow bounce back. But it comes with a price—bone aches, soreness, and that weird alien feeling of having something stuck to me again.

When I got home, I was wiped out. Fatigued. Downright icky 😵. Especially with this new device attached to me—it felt like another layer of body armor. I thought the port was enough, but here we are.

Still, if it helps me heal, I’ll take any support I can get 💪.

🦋 June 20–30, 2025 – Moments of Social, Single, and Artistic Blooming

During this stretch of June, I discovered a hidden gem of time. Even though I had a brief ER visit due to shortness of breath 😮‍💨, I stayed focused on returning to work. Everything felt rhythmic, almost normal again.

As I moved through chemo recovery, I found myself drawn to gardening 🌱. Our backyard became my sanctuary—a place to awaken the nerves in my hands and feet, still dulled by neuropathy.

🌸 June 20 – Garden Beginnings

This was the start of my plant journey: Asian lilies, hostas, and more. I’m officially turning into a garden mom—and I think that’s a good thing!

Soaking up the sun ☀️, feeling the soil between my fingers, and letting the fresh air wrap around me—my body loved it. Vitamin D agreed with me, and I wanted more. My gardening saga had begun 🌼.

Our sunroom also became a sacred space. I started decorating it, turning it into a haven for relaxation and meditation 🧘‍♀️.I began writing poems again—something I hadn’t done since my surgery. That creative side of me reawakened in this peaceful environment.

Coloring books helped too. Friends and coworkers had sent me a few, and they became a soothing ritual 🎨. I felt relaxed. I felt like I was healing.

💼 Work Wins

My brief return to work was needed. It rebuilt my confidence—I still had my stuff together!Before wrapping up for short-term leave, I even gave a presentation. That moment was a huge confidence booster 💪.

🍗 June 28 – Brunch Celebration

It was Saturday, and Mike had an awesome golf day 🏌️. We decided to celebrate with brunch at a southern restaurant. Mike loves the food, and I love the patio seating.

The food was delicious—especially the sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows 😋. Of course, I ordered fried chicken. The sun, the ambiance, the flavors... it was a perfect social break. Brunch date: success! 🌞🍽️

🧺 June 30 – Picnic, Rain, and Retail Therapy

My friends planned a day out before my fifth chemo—picnic and maybe shopping. Grace picked me up, and we met at the park.

We started with appetizers and conversation, soaking in the outdoors... until the clouds rushed in and poured rain on us 🌧️. We pivoted to a nearby restaurant, and it turned into a beautiful evening of laughter, good food, and deep conversation.

After dinner, Aerin had to head to work, but we got stuck in the parking lot—still talking. Our conversations run deep, and time just disappears when we’re together 🕰️💬.

Still full from dinner, we decided to go shopping! Right next to the restaurant was a TJMaxx—perfect for bargain hunting 🛍️.Just walking the aisles made me feel normal again. I saw fun things for the backyard and sunroom, but I kept it simple and enjoyed the window shopping.

We ended the day with hugs and goodbyes, grateful for time spent with people who care deeply about my well-being—and never miss a chance to have fun while doing it 💖.