Shine On.

Today I was sitting in the common area of my residence hall, goofing off with some friends and procrastinating on homework. I happened to glance up from my computer and I saw something that I couldn’t believe. Standing before me was a strange, bald person with no eyebrows. His face strangely resembled that of an old man and obscurely reminded me of my own image mid-treatment. Only when he started talking and I heard his voice did I recognize this person as my beloved friend, Jamie.

Jamie, Dawna, and Matt are all co-founders of something called Shine On. The purpose of this event is to raise money and awareness about blood cancer through a multitude of school-wide events, culminating in head shaving. All money will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Although the large head-shaving finale event is only occurring on the 26th of February, Jamie and other members of the swim team decided to shave their heads early for their final swim meet. So far, Shine On has received several pledges from students and teachers to shave their heads. Also they received a pledge from the cafeteria staff saying that if they receive at least $1,000 in donations, all nine of them will shave their heads.

Not being able to recognize Jamie brought back the frightening memories of not being able to recognize myself when I lost my hair, when I lost my eyebrows, when I lost weight, when my face was swollen from steroids or other treatment, or my eyes were hidden in deep, dark circles. To think that all of these people at my school are doing something so bold just to show that they care about those who are ill means the world to me. They say that actions speak louder than words. Well, right now the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is screaming at the top of its lungs.

Three bald heads are better than one.

From left to right: Me, Jamie, Sam.

I drew a face on the back of Jamie's head.

The Best Medicine

If I've learned anything from this hell of a roller coaster ride, it's that no matter how strong the pain killers are, no matter how many chocolate soy ice cream smoothies you drink, no matter what your doctor tells you, nothing, and I mean nothing in the entire world can make you feel better than your friends can. I must be the luckiest person alive to have such amazing ones. On Tuesday, I was having the official worst day of my life. I felt like crap, didn't want to get out of bed, and was completely unmotivated to take a crack at my schoolwork that had been piling up since my last trip to the hospital. After an unproductive day of moaning, groaning, and drowning myself in misery, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. That night, my dad had just walked in from work, and he told me to come downstairs and look at what he had found at the train station. There, standing in our foyer, were my roommate Dawna and my boyfriend Matt. I tried to run down the stairs to hug them, forgetting that my fragile body is no longer capable of what it used to be able to do. Toppling on my surprise guests, I welcomed them. I could not believe they were standing before me. They had taken two trains, all the way to Highland Park from Aurora to see me! They stayed the night, and completely turned my mood upside-down. Too bad they don't sell this stuff at Walgreens!

Floating on a Cloud

I can't believe it. I feel like a Disney princess, but somehow 'The Great Baldini" doesn't sound as elegant as Cinderella, Jasmine, or Sleeping Beauty. Either way, last night was a dream. I went to the homecoming dance at my high school. I was voted Homecoming Queen, and my boyfriend Matt was Homecoming King. Even as I sit here typing this I can't believe it. It is amazing how my class makes me feel like such a part of them, even though I am not physically at school. I am so grateful to everyone for their support. Last night I felt cancer-free and on top of the world.