Three Years!!!

Three years...feels like yesterday...feels like forever.
I cannot believe all the things that have happened, that I have seen, learned and done.
I am grateful each day for every day that I have been given...

Life is Good

It’s been a really good couple of months; life is flying by, but like I said, it’s really good. I don’t think I could ask for it to be any better than it is.

I’ve been volunteering quite a bit at the Puget Sound affiliate of Susan G. Komen. I am on the Survivor committee for the Race for the Cure; we are in charge of the Survivor and Tribute tents on race day and also for the Survivor Breakfast. My biggest job is to make a robe for the “Queen for the Day”. I’m having a lot of fun doing it. I am also working in the office doing data entry and other various jobs related to the Race. I have formed my own team again this year…hopefully my teammates will actually join me one of these days. Feel free to check out my site and donate if you feel so inclined; http://www.pugetsoundraceforthecure.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1246541&pg=personal&fr_id=1130&et=zYRSDiEph2Vgbsk60GmsEA..&s_tafId=14030

I’ve been in a couple fashion shows in the past month, both benefitting cancer charities. The first was for Gilda’s Club, which is a wonderful place for anyone affected by any type of cancer. Henry did this one with me and we had a great time. The second was for Northwest Hope and Healing, an organization that provides support for women affected by breast cancer. Mom, Jenna, Mari and Carol came to support me at this one…what a blast.

In April, Henry and I got to go to Vancouver to celebrate Stacey’s 40th Birthday. We had such a fun time, just hanging out, shopping and going to the spa with Stacey, JT & Leanne (Henry didn’t spa).

Medically, everything is just fine, I’m feeling great. I’m actually coming up on all my check-ups in the next couple of weeks. Mammogram this week, MRI next week, blood work and doctor check-ups the following week. I have also been approved for a breast reduction as part of my reconstruction from my lumpectomy. I don’t have a date set for this surgery yet.

My 40th Birthday is this week, Friday. I’m so excited, I really can’t wait. I’m going to go to the spa with girlfriends and have a BBQ with friends and family. I have never been one to really celebrate my birthday, I’ve thought of it as just another day, but things are different now and I see my birthdays as a gift.

I hope all is well with everyone and that your year is going well so far.

Much love and Peace,

~K

One year post chemo

I woke up this morning and realized its a milestone day...one year post major chemo! It is amazing to me that a whole year has gone by.

It has been just recently that I've realized cancer has changed my life, I think for the better. It seems strange to say I am grateful for cancer, but I am grateful. It didn't change the core of who I am, but I think it has enhanced who I am. It has made me incredibly grateful for every day and for all the people in my life.

My life is not perfect, but I have nothing to complain about I am healthy and alive. I am determined to stay healthy and live my life to its fullest.

As always I appreciate each and everyone of you who has been here with me along the way.

Much Love and Peace
~K

Radiology Check-up

I went in to see Dr. Spiegel, my radiologist, yesterday for my six month post radiation check-up. Everything is good. I still have quite a bit of tenderness along my incision line and under my breast. Dr. Spiegel tells me that this is really just a short time out from radiation and that things should continue to get better. I will continue to do my check-ups with him as I need to, next one again in six months.

I am very sad today; I found out that a friend I met through another friend and through treatment isn't doing well. She has ovarian cancer that has spread. Cancer is a hideous disease, and ovarian cancer is especially hideous. It is incredibly difficult to detect and is usually late stage by the time it is found. My heart is broken for her and her son. I am going to do everything I can to support them. Please say a prayer or send a good thought, I know she will appreciate it.

Peace ~
K

A New Day...

I am grateful for a peaceful day, looking forward with hope for an even brighter day for our children and for each of us. "Yes we can"...if we do it together!

Happy 2009!

Ok, so I'm a little late in wishing a Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a great Holiday season, whatever you celebrate, and I hope this will be a wonderful year for everyone.

In my last post, I said that my oncologist had told me the following treatment would be my last. Well, we had a big snow storm a couple days before I was scheduled to go in, so I called just to ask how everything was going at the hospital with the snow and if I should reschedule. They called me back to let me know that Dr. Ellis said I could just be done. So my last treatment on December 3rd was my LAST treatment...what a Merry Christmas to me!

I still have the usual follow-ups to do and a couple more tests left, but other than that I'm done. I feel done and I'm grateful to be done. It's been a very long year and a half, I'm ready to concentrate on other things.

I am very grateful to each and everyone of you for supporting me through this. It has given me such encouragement to know that I have you by my side. Thank you.

I am going to keep blogging, maybe not quite as often but I will continue.

Peace and Love,
~K

Almost completely done

I went in for my Herceptin today. Just a normal day, but today we double checked to see when I could be done knowing that I was getting close. Last time Dr. Ellis had said something to me about January. I thought I would be done at the end of this month. Turns out I was right; I only have ONE left. It's sechdeuled for December 23rd.

I'm so excited, I can't believe I'm almost done. I don't even have the words for it right now...

Thank you all so much for everything this past year and a half, it has meant so much to me.

Peace
K

Oops, two months flew by!

I can't believe I haven't written for two months! It's really been even longer since the last time I wrote was just about the walk.

Henry and I had a great end to our summer. He went to his first sleep away camp and returned on his 10th birthday. It is beyond me how he's gotten to be 10. I am amazed by him each and every day. We took the last week and a half and drove to California to see friends and family. We went to the Oregon Caves, Humboldt County, St Helena, Sonoma and San Francisco. It was a really great way to end our summer.

Henry is really enjoying school this year. He seems more settled, which isn't really a surprise after last year; he had a lot on his mind. He's started playing the trumpet and is taking to it quite easily. He's also continuing his TaeKwonDo and is a green belt now. A couple weeks ago he had a small accident and cut his finger, so we spent the evening in the hospital getting 4 stitches. He was so brave, much more than I. The stitches are out and he's healed up now. I hope we never have to do that again.

I'm still having Herceptin every three weeks; only three more to go. It's easy, it just makes me tired. I have lots of hot flashes from the Tamoxifen too. Some days are worse than others, but I try to ignore them and move on, though I have been known to walk out on the deck in the rain to cool down.

There are days when I feel as if nothing has changed, other than my hair, and then there are days when I know that nothing is the same. I think I like the fact that everything is changed.

Much Love and Peace

~K


Me and Hery at Halloween
He's a hippie...Peace, Love and Obama man!

Shari did it!

My sister Shari and her team, CheckYourBoobies, participated in the Breast Cancer 3-day this weekend. They walked over 60 miles in just three days. I am so proud of all of them. It took a huge amount of dedication and training over the past few months. They are all amazing.



Just by luck Mom, Jenna and I got to see Shari as she came across the finish line, that meant the world to me. I am so honored that she and her friends took this journey not only on my behalf but on the behalf of all the other women who have been or will be diagnosed with breast cancer.



Thank you Shari, I love you!

I hope everyone is well. I will do an update on me soon.

Much love,
~K

Busy Summer

Henry and I have been keeping very busy, the summer is flying by.

We just returned from a few days on Orcas Island with my sister Shari and her family. We had a great time. Henry spent most of his three days swimming with his cousins. I spent most of mine relaxing.

Henry, Jadelyn, Kurt & Kohl

Henry will be returning to Orcas on Tuesday to attend a week at Camp Orkila. We went and looked around camp when we were up on the island and it looks great. We'll be busy for the next couple of days getting him ready.

I'm feeling pretty good these days. I feel like I've gotten most of my energy back, which is really nice. I'm still not sleeping as well as I'd like, but I blame that on the hot flashes from the Tamoxifen waking me up in the middle of the night. I went in a couple of weeks ago for my radiation follow-up. Dr. Spiegal told me that he was quite impressed that I had healed so quickly given the burns I had under my breast, he had expected I would still have some redness, but I had none. I'm thrilled too. I'm continuing with my Herceptin treatments every three weeks and will finish in December or January. Things seem to be getting back to a "new" normal for me.

I hope all is well with everyone.

Much Love and Peace

~K

It's been a year...

It's been a year since I found out I had breast cancer, it's my cancerversary. Looking back on the year I sometimes can't believe how much I've done and been through; diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

I thought I might have a lot to say today, but what I really want to say is "thank you." Thank you to each and every one of you for being here for me. Thank you for all of your love, kind words, cards, e-mails, flowers, gifts, wigs, hats, soup and visits this past year. I have received so much love and support from everyone and it has meant so much to me. Thank you!

I especially want to say "thank you" to my mom. She has been here with me through each and every step of this journey. It was mom who insisted she go with me to my follow-up mammogram; the one I thought was just going to be extra photos. I had no idea I was really going to need her there that day. Mom went to every appointment with me, held my hand through all my biopsies, waited for me to get out of surgery and sat through every chemotherapy with me. Thank you mom, I love you.

I also want to say "thank you" to Henry. This year has been difficult for him, seeing his mom go through this every day, but he did much better than I expected he would. He didn't especially like that I lost my hair, but he learned to understand it and would rub my head for luck before going to bed. He was so helpful when I wasn't feeling good, he would tuck me in on the sofa making sure I was warm enough, it really was the sweetest thing. I love you Henry.

This past year has taught me so much and I'm glad to have had it. I wouldn't say it was a good year, but it was my year and one I will never forget.

I hope all is well with each and every one of you.

Much love and Peace,
~K

All healed up

It took about a week, maybe a little more, but all of the redness from my radiation is completely gone. My skin is still quite dry, but even that is getting better. I'm feeling more and more like my old self every day too. It's nice not to feel so tired all the time.

We've had a busy couple of weeks since our summer started. I went to Las Vegas with my girlfriends for Laura's 40th birthday. I had a great time. While I was gone Henry went to skateboard camp. He said it was really fun.

We didn't do quite as much last week. We went to Shari's for a night, went swimming and for a bike ride. And Friday was the 4th of July...we watched the parade and fireworks.

I think I mentioned a post or two ago that Henry and I were going to have Lynette take some more photos of us. We just got them and I really like them. I thought I'd share a couple.



I hope all is well with everyone.

Much Love, K

Race for the Cure

Our little team (me, Henry, Shari, Jadelyn, Kurt, Kohl, Stacey and Kate) participated in the Race for the Cure yesterday. It meant so much for me to be there and I am grateful to have been able to share it with people I love.

I hope everyone has a great week.

Love and Peace

~K

Done...

It's been 11 months since I was diagnosed, it feels like a life time and it feels like it was just yesterday. I think I needed a few days for it to really sink in that I'm done with treatment. It occurred to me last night that I didn't have to get up and go to radiation today, it was almost surprising.

My skin is healing up quickly although I'm still a little red underneath my breast and my arm, it's not hurting like it was just a few days ago. It's gotten REALLY itchy and started peeling in a couple places. I'm happy to have my aloe and hydrocortisone. I'm still so grateful that I only had a relatively mild reaction to the radiation; I know it was much worse for so many people.

I have my next Herceptin treatment tomorrow and will continue to have them every three weeks for the rest of this year. Even though I'm still doing that it really does feel like my treatment is over. Herceptin is so easy and there aren't any side effects from it, it hardly feels like cancer treatment.

Henry went to Camp Hamilton for three days with his class last week. I went up too, but didn't stay the night because I needed to be back to finish radiation. We got the good half of the week, the sun came out and it was beautiful.

Wednesday is the last day of school. I think Henry is looking forward to being done and having some time off. He's going to skateboard camp next week and is really looking forward to that, it should be fun.

On Wednesday we're also going to see out friend Lynette for another photo shoot. I love that we've been able to do this with her and that we've gotten some really great photos to capture this past year.

Saturday is The Race for The Cure. I'm really looking forward to it, I have a feeling it will be very emotional for all of us. So far our team has raised $1,485 ($985 on-line and a $500 check) for breast cancer research. I'm really proud of us and I'm grateful to everyone who has donated. I will post a group photo of us after the race on Saturday. http://www.pugetsoundraceforthecure.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=10900&pg=team&fr_id=1110&et=yowcefBxYwizooJIiSi4lw..&s_tafId=9620

I hope eveyone is doing well

Much love and Peace
~K

Almost done

I'm almost done with my radiation treatments! I have only 6 left, 2 more full breast and 4 directly to my lumpectomy site. My skin is very pink (like a bad sunburn) but it doesn't really hurt that much, mostly it's just achy. I really thought that given my fair skin my burn would be pretty bad and I suppose when you look at it it does look like a bad burn, but it's not nearly as bad as I thought it might be or it could have been. I feel very lucky.

I went and had my first "hair cut" today. It was getting pretty scraggly looking. Sian, my hair stylist, shaped it up very nicely. I could tell that it was starting to come in darker than it was originally, with the cut it looks much darker to me. It had also gone from being very soft, to really fuzzy. Anyway, I like it I think I'll keep it short for a while.

It's getting to be the end of the school year and very busy. Henry has 2 field trips this week and a 3-day camp trip next week. I think he's looking forward to being done with school and ready for summer.

I hope all is well with everyone.

Much Love and Peace
~K

39 for the first time...

It's my birthday today. Someone asked me how it felt to be 39. Quite honestly it feels great. I'm grateful I'm still here to be 39 years old and I will be grateful for each and every year I get to have after this one.

Things are going pretty well. Radiation isn't so bad, it's a bit of a pain in the butt to go every day, but most days I don't mind it (they all sang "happy birthday" to me today). My skin is getting a little red and itchy and my breast feels a little like it's bruised on the inside, very achy. The thing that has surprised me the most is how tired I feel in the late afternoon. My doctor told me I would probably feel fatigued I just wasn't expecting it to be this intense. Most days I just try to push past it.

My hair is getting long (it's all relative!) and curly. It doesn't have that downy soft texture any more. I can see that the red is getting darker too. It's pretty cool to watch the changes it's going through. My eyebrows have pretty much grown back and my eyelashes are getting longer everyday too. I really like my eyelashes; they're much fuller than before.

This past weekend Henry participated in the Tour de Cure to raise money for diabetes research. He rode 45 miles in 90 degree heat. It took him nearly eight hours to complete the whole thing. He could have chosen to do a shorter ride or pulled off the course at any time, but he said he wanted to do the 45 miles because that's what he said he was going to do and his Tae Kwon Do instructor told him you should finish what you start. I can't tell you how proud I am of him.

I hope all is well with everyone.

Much love and many blessings.
~K

Just a quick update

Radiation has been going well. I've completed two weeks and I'm into my third now. I still don't like it, but it's tolerable since it's such a short time out of my day. I can see a small change in my skin color. It's slightly pink and it's starting to feel uncomfortable in places. I was really hoping I would be one of those women who didn't have any skin irritation. I know it's silly, but a girl can hope, can't she?

I had my third Herceptin infusion and saw my oncologist last week. My chemo side effects seem to be pretty much gone. I hardly have any numbness or pain in my feet any more which is great. I'm still not as fast as I used to be, but hopefully now that I'm not hurting so much any more I'll be able to move more and start to feel even better.

Henry and I are going to be doing the Komen Race for the Cure on June 21. Our goal is to each raise $150. I know it seems like a very small amount, but that is the amount that will make it possible for an uninsured or underserved woman to receive a mammogram. It is very important to me because without a mammogram my cancer wouldn't have been found as early as it was, and early detection is so important. Please visit our "Team Red" website if you'd like to donate. http://www.pugetsoundraceforthecure.org/site/TR?JServSessionIdr007=rwcwwf9qj5.app8a&pg=team&fr_id=1110&team_id=10900

I hope all is well with everyone.

Peace
K

First day of Radiation

Today was the first day of radiation. I don't like radiation. I don't like that I have to be alone in the room and I can't move. On the plus side, it is very quick. My appointment is at 9:20 and I was out of the office and in my car at 9:35. They're very efficient, one person in, one person out. They're also very nice and I know they could tell I didn't want to be there so they were trying to ease my fears, I appreciate that.

I don't have much else to update. I just wanted to let everyone know how the first day went.

I hope everyone had a good day.

~K

Hair

My hair is still growing back nicely. I think it may even be getting some curl to it. It's still hard to tell what color it's going to be. It's red, but not as dark as it used to be. I hope that changes, I really liked my color before. I'm really ready to start going without my hats, I'm tired of them, but it's still a little cold sometimes to go without. I got a really nice complement on of my hats today though; a lady actually pulled over in her can while I was on my walk to ask me where I got it. It was one of the ones I made, so of course I felt all proud of myself. I'm still ready to be done with them though.

So while the hair on the top of my head fell out during chemo, I managed to keep most of my eyebrows and lashes. They thinned out a bit, but I still had them. Had them until yesterday that is. A few days ago I noticed that I had lost more eyelashes and then the next day more were gone. Yesterday morning I had four left (I counted) and by the end of the day they were all gone. I have no idea why they waited until five weeks after chemo ended to fall out but that's what they did. I've gotten myself some very nice false lashes but I'm also getting used to going without. I only have a few eyebrows left now too. I'm hoping both will grow back quickly and maybe they'll even be thicker and fuller than they were...a girl can dream can't she?

My radiation test run is in the morning. I'm off to get a good sleep.

Peace
~K

Got my new tattoos today

Today was my radiation planning session. It was pretty painless. I went in, Dr. Spiegel marked my chest and then the radiology techs put me through the CT scanner to ensure proper alignment for radiation. After they made sure everything was lined up correctly I was given my tattoos. One is right in the middle of my chest and the other is at the other end of my incision, somewhere under my arm. I love how they tell you it's just going to look like a little freckle. It actually looks exactly like what it is, a place where someone poked ink into my skin. The one on my chest is kind of irritated, I'm hoping that goes away quickly. Radiation will start next Monday, the 28th, and end on June 12th.

I also went to see Dr. Beatty (my surgeon) today for further follow up and to get the results from the mammogram and MRI I had last week. Everything is just fine there. I will go in again in six months for a follow-up mammogram and then an MRI in a year.

I like Dr. Beatty so much, he will always tell me just how it is and I appreciate that. Today he told me that because of the fairness of my skin and the fact that I still have a fairly large breast (so a larger area of radiation) that radiation may be harder on me than other people. No sugar coating, that's just the way it is. Now of course I'm hoping I will get lucky like I did with chemo and I won't have the big side effects, but it's good to know what they are and what I can expect so I can attempt to do something about it if I experience them.

Oh and I also started my Tamoxifen today the first day of what will most likely be five years.

Henry has been going to Tae Kwon Do for the past couple months. He's doing very well. He's going to belt test on Friday to move up to a new belt. This evening he attempted to teach me his form, I'm sure I looked hysterical, but it was fun.

Wow, it has been a busy day, no wonder I'm tired...

I hope all is well with each of you.
~K