#starbrightsadventure

[hillarystarbright]

IYKYK … #starbrightsadventure #bucketlistadventures #rvliving #rvlife #rvparking #sandiego #rvlifestyle (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3BhFEP5uf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

We’re making our way through Arizona, but the roads are terrible and it’s cold as f**k here. #starbrightsadventure #zonies #arizona #bucketlistadventures #rving #rvlife #rvtravel #rvcamping (at Love's Travel Center - Williams AZ) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqogMoQvYLs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

We made it to #lasvegas! My brother hooked us up with a fabulous room at the amazing @luxorlv … gaaaah I love it here! #starbrightsadventure #lasvegasblvd #luxor #vegasbaby #bucketlistadventures #ontheroadagain #rvtravel #rving #rvlife (at Luxor Hotel and Casino) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqmJmgmpsZc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

A few more pics from my birthday yesterday, and sad goodbye-but-not-for-long this morning. I’ll miss Ocean Beach and everything and everyone in it. ❤️💜 #bucketlistadventures #ontheroadagain #starbrightsadventure #birthdayfunday #rvcamping #rvliving #rvtravel #rving #rvlife (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqi1DmiPNNv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

We’re hitting the road! I’ve got my girl Michelle’s Komen three-day shirt on for good luck, mom’s behind the wheel of Dolly, and I’m kicking back for the ride to San Bernardino. Catch you in the desert!#starbrightsadventure #ontheroadagain #finally #optimizedfortravel #rvliving #rvcamping #rvlife #bucketlistadventures #rving (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqivzOrPGQz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

Happy birthday to me! It was lovely hanging with my friends for a last brunch in San Diego for a while, cause we’re hitting the road in the morning! I love my town and all of my amazing friends! #starbrightsadventure #ontheroadagain #bucketlistadventures #thisis44 #fuckcancer (at Third Corner Wine Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqgrRR6Pn0U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

Yes, I’m still in the hospital, but I’m doing much better. My mom is learning how to empty the new draining system they set up in my abdomen, so my swelling is finally starting to go down; and the doctor says I’m doing better, but pretty much every day I’m low on something or need a new medication. Pretty much as soon as I’m discharged, we’re heading east, although I won’t get to do any of the driving this time. Thank you for all of your good vibes, please keep ‘em coming so we can be outta here soon! #starbrightsadventure #bucketlistadventures #hospital #almostontheroadagain #fuckcancer #hospitaladventures #stageIV #metastaticbreastcancer #sandiego #sharpmemorialhospital (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqV6ICIPjBn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

A pretty little fruit salad with yogurt (underneath), chia-rolled bananas, and a pear-apple smoothie … at … a … hospital? Awhaaa? This is the cutest little protein plate and salad I’ve ever had in a hospital! #starbrightsadventure #foodie #bucketlistadventures #foodblogger #almostontheroad #sharpmemorial (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOAkHAreXi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family … my niece and their spouse have become wonderful parents to my sweet kitty, and it’s such a blessing to know that whenever I do kick that bucket, my lovely girl will be taken care of. ❤️ #catstagram #starbrightsadventure #catsofinstagram #catscatscats #bucketlistadventures #janisthekitty #reversecalico https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJJCnfvLt-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

My Paracentensis (fluid drain) appointment got moved to today because my platelets were still low; they think the low low platelets and low sodium/ electrolytes were causing my falls last week. Here’s a picture of all the salty platelet smorgasbord going through my veins, then they can finally remove all of this fluid (I wonder how full it will be this time)?! Oh and #fuckcancer #ivbags #starbrightsadventure #almostontheroad #bucketlistadventures #perecentensis (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqI6TQjphAw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

Feeling much better on my second day at #sharpmemorial - I had a blood transfusion and some platelets, and I’m about to get a drainage pump inserted today so I can drain my abdomen myself; and then at some point (I think) I’m supposed to have an ultrasound. On the plus side my bruises are healing well from the several falls I had this week, and Dr. Vlad has a plan for me to stay alive for the next few months at least. Still, as always, #fuckcancer #starbrightsadventure #bucketlistadventures #almostontheroad (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGsQgVvuAW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

After all those fun and games at the hospital today, I was pretty famished! @jen.makes.things and I were thinking of dumplings, and decided on some fresh Polish-style #pierogies at the wild @hancockstreetcafe … def one of the more uniquely-decorated restaurants in town! #starbrightsadventure #foodblogger #bucketlistadventures #foodiegram #food #pierogi (at Hancock Street Cafe) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp1eV2tOBxS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

Through the miracles of modern medicine, the good people at #sharpmemorial were able to drain 5.2 liters of fluid from my abdomen today. Fluid has been seeping from my liver for a month now (since the last one where they drained 2.4 liters and I thought THAT was a lot) and I feel a great deal better afterwards. Thank goodness for health care workers, that’s all I have to say. #starbrightsadventure #fuckcancer #chemo #paracentesis #cancersucks #fightlikeagirl #metastaticbreastcancer (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp1MzjupAjg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

A friend told me recently that she wished I could have a break - not a two-week break from chemo, like I’m on now, which I have thoroughly enjoyed - but a *real* break. A break from cancer. * I responded that I’ve been on a break for almost two years! I’ve been stupendously lucky since I got my prognosis of imminent death. I had the time, the support, the money, and most of all, the health and the physical ability to travel all over this country for the last two years. Most of that time I was in remission. Most of it I had very little pain. * I had an amazing two years in the road. I danced at my college roommate’s wedding last summer. I went to Yosemite with my brother. I camped over 4th of July with my dad. I went to the annual #diadelosmuertos festival that my sister organizes every year in Houston. I met cousins I had never seen and met kids of my friends who I’ve only known through social media. I saw many friends I haven’t seen since college. * In short, I had my break already, and I got everything out of it that I possibly could. I wasted no time. I knew the day would come - and could come at anytime - when remission would be over and my tumors would be back. I knew eventually I’d need more chemo or other treatment. * I can’t wait to get finished with this stupid chemo so I can get back on the road. Here are some landscape shots at a few of my favorite places: Zion National Park; Starview Winery in southern Illinois; Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri; an adobe monument in New Mexico; Lake Powell on the Utah/ Arizona border; Spenker Winery and Cheese Farm in Lodi, CA; a lake and a covered bridge in the Poconos; Yosemite National Park; Deception Pass/ Anacortes Island near Seattle, Washington; and Mount Rushmore. * #starbrightsadventure #rvtravel #roadtrip #fuckcancer #nationalparks #bucketlistadventures #rving #rvliving #rvcamping #rvlife #ontheroadagain #zion #starview #hahatonka #newmexico #lakepowell #lodi @spenkerfamilyfarm #poconos #yosemite #deceptionpass #anacortesisland #mountrushmore https://www.instagram.com/p/CkPCfh5PUWR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

New chemo starts today - my tumors kept growing while I was on the last drug, so Dr. Vlad has me on two different medications now. And I’m so glad my mom is here with me! I know it’s important to her to be here when I’m sick and tired, and it’s a true blessing to have such an awesome mom. Let’s hope these drugs kill all of my tumors so I can get back on the road! #fuckcancer #starbrightsadventure #sharpmemorial #bucketlistadventures #cancerlife #chemo #chemotherapy #nohairdontcare #fightlikeagirl #cancertreatment #cancer #metastaticbreastcancer #stageIV (at Sharp Memorial Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjJLxI6OjO9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hillarystarbright]

Bonita sunset #starbrightsadventure #bucketlistadventures #rvcamping #rvliving #rvlife #rv #ontheroadagain #rvtravel #glamping #sunset #bonita #sweetwater #campground #sandiego #roadtrippin #fuckcancer #travelblog (at Sweetwater Summit Park Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcunLzDJMI/?utm_medium=tumblr