. . . the journey . .

Kenny got a haircut... I'm just lettin mine GROW but we are bout equal! Am in my third week of radiation...so far I feel great. Praise the Lord!

So far so good! Radiation is kind of an odd thing. You lay there and nothing really seems to happen. Then its over. Today they drew lines all over me with an ink pen and then took pictures of it. They said it was for my chart so they would know exactly where my treatment fields were. I think they just liked their artwork!!! More later , Love ya, kg

Havent posted for a while.. Finally the drain that I feared was going to become a permanent attachment is out! I have spent the last six weeks healing and enjoying a reprieve from thinking about treatment. I saw Dr Jacob the radiologist on Monday and after two hours of consult, planning and implementation can now say I have joined the current trend of obtaining a tatoo. I actually chose three rather small (dot like actually) figures. (I had to give up placement choice however and leave that up to the radiologist). I will have my first treatment this coming monday. I am very fortunate to work only a block from the cancer center and treatments only take about 15-20 min each day to accomplish so I expect this to go smoothly. I continue to praise God for supportive and understanding employers and coworkers. Will keep you posted as things progress. Oh and my hair is beginning to grow. Perhaps in a couple of weeks I'll post a pic of my new "SHORT Do"! Love you all, Kathy

As I sit here tonight alone I find that I still cant quite grasp that I have truely made it to the other side of this disease...at least for now. I received the news that Rena Tarbett...one of our MaryKay Nationals who has fought this fight for many years is once again beginning treatment. This makes me sad...and makes me know that sometimes it is never truely over. and the it will be several years before I will really know what it is for me. I have two more close friends who are just now beginning diagnostic workups for their own newly found cancers.. and I understand that I am one way that God works through his people... It is 8 months ago today that Orin crossed from this life into the arms of the savior. There is a part of me that wants to be there too and would have welcomed the other outcome from this surgery... My life becomes less and less mine as I walk this journey. Age and illness have a way of coming together in a way that begins to crystalize the answer to the Who is re

Today God's answer was the one I asked Him for! (Isn't it fun when we ask for the right thing and He says yes!) I saw Dr Connor and Dr Khan at KU today and got great reports. There was no cancer in any of the 14 lymph nodes that were removed!!! That means no more chemo! I will have radiation and will start on Femora, an estrogen blocking drug. My mom and sisters went with me to the Dr's visits and then we celebrated at the Cheesecake Factory on the Plaza. What a tremendous blessing they have been to me. I am actually still at Rita's in Olathe but will leave soon to go home. Thank you, Thank you , Thank you, for your many prayers. God has heard and granted our petition. Love you all, Blessings Kathy

Well, its over, it went well and I am already home!!! I didnt get sick from the anesthesia ( I told them I usually do, they gave me a patch like you get on a cruise ship, and it worked great) I dont hurt much worse than the first surgery so thats great too. Am just "shakey " enough to probably keep me from overdoing... gonna take a nap here in a bit. and Dr Connor said she didnt find anything that looked like it shouldnt so that is very hopeful.. I am praising God for bringing me through this step so easily and also for the many many family and friends that have prayed so faithfully. I Love you all. Blessings Kathy

Well after all my fussin I saw the Dr today and found that my surgery had been scheduled for the 18th all along! So I will be go up on the morning of the 18th . I need to be there at 11am for a noon surgery and will be there at least one night, possibly two. I am very relieved to have it scheduled so soon. I will not know any results until I go back for the followup appointment on the 31st but Dr Connor was very optimistic that it would be a good report. I appreciate your continued prayers. I am willing to have this turn out however God wills but will be really glad if He decides no more cancer! Blessings to all, Kathy

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I called today to find out FOR SURE about my surgery date, only to find out that I WASN'T scheduled AND needed to come see Dr first. I should have known that, and thought it was odd that they hadnt wanted to see me but just thought she would see me the morning of surgery. Anyway I have an appointment this Thursday afternoon and will be scheduled then. I have fortunately had a few good friends who have reminded me that God's timing is always perfect and I know that it will be. MY WAY wants to get this over with! So in the mean time I have felt great the last few days, taught my sunday schoool class for the first time in months Sunday, have met some of my new neighbors and am beginning to really get settled in my house. More after Thursday. Blessings to all, Kathy

Well the last scheduled chemo is done!!!!! I did talk to Hyla, my ARNP, before this last treatment about what happens next. ( I see her one time and the Dr the next but she knew what I wanted to know so had already talked to Dr Mathews) I will also see Dr Mathews on the 17th before my surgery and then will see Dr Khan and Dr Connor on the 31st for results and followup recomendtions the week after my surgery ( which will be either the 18th or 20th, still not sure which day) I am hoping that I will not have any results after surgery until I go back on the 31st for the followup. That would mean they found nothing obvious! I did ask what would be the next step if there were and she said Dr Mathews would likely recommend more chemo with a taxane ( one I am getting now) and possibly genzar and /or carboplatin.. She said he might want to do some before radiation. We will just have to see, if it comes to that what Dr Khan says. They work together.... talk... and make the recommendations, then

Taken at Christmas are Lily Claire (20 mo) , Anna Marie (3 ) and me with 2mo old Josie Fae.

I cant believe I havent posted since November. I didn't expect Christmas and Chemo to be quite so hard. Still, I have survived and am anticipating my sixth and hopefully final chemo treatment a week from today. That will be followed with surgery to remove more lymph nodes (tentatively scheduled for either March 18 0r 20th). I have been really careful, but also very very blessed to have avoided the seasons various illnesses. I have become somewhat of a hermit. Other than work I pretty much stay home and away from places where I could catch things. I have been able to work about 2/3 of the time, usually needing most of the week following chemo to recooperate. I have had some difficulty with the drugs causing my heart rate to go unusually high. This and the fatigue seem to get worse with each treatment so I covet your prayers as I face this last round. I look forward to spring, and hair and try to be patient and remember that God's timing is ALWAYS perfect. Blessings