A short follow-up...

I really want to thank each and every one of you for your messages, prayers, calls, notes etc this past week.  They have meant so much to both Don and me.  The past several weeks have been exhausting...but Monday's MRI did in fact prove that I still have a brain and it is still cancer free!  Yipee!!!!!

I choose to wait on the other MRI (for my back/ribs) until April for a variety of reasons.  Yes I'm still in pain, but my higher dose pain meds have decreased it to a tolerable level.  Also,  if the pain is from the Zometa infusion (as we suspect the severe headaches were) then it will continue to decrease...if it's not, April is 2 months away and nothing huge will occur in that short period of time!  :)
I'd like to just go on our trip and enjoy it without worrying!

Regarding my Mom (thank you all for your concern!);  she had her biopsy today.  She's such a trooper...she told me it was so much easier than she thought it was going to be.  That's Nancy isn't it?  The Dr. seemed positive about things, but we should have the results sometime next week.

Again,  thank you for all of your love and support, you can not imagine how deeply grateful we are!

Blessings~Kathy  xoxofacebook

Goodbye 2012...Hello 2013!

It's been well over a month since I've felt a blog bubbling up inside of me.  That's really how it works for me I guess, things are happening and swirling around me, and suddenly I feel the desire to write it down.  So happy new year to all...here's what's been going on in my little world.

What a wonderful Christmas it was!!!  I felt really good over the holidays.  Fatigue is a constant issue, but I am getting better at resting when needed so it wasn't too bad.  Some days I over did it (like the week that I baked Christmas cookies like a crazy woman :), but it was so much fun that I couldn't stop myself.  We were so happy to have Michael and Jenny with us on Christmas Eve...what a joy!  I make appetizers every year and the wine/cocktails flow, and we just take our time opening gifts.  Love, Love, Loved including Jenny in our traditions!  They are so much fun to have here, always so grateful for everything, just terrific and easy to entertain!  I hope they always feel at home here!  Christmas was spent with my sister Barb and her wonderful family.  It was such a perfect day.  My niece was home from CT and my nephew was home from Hamline.  The day was peaceful and full of love and Don and I were so grateful for every moment!!!!

New years Eve was spent at my brother-in-law Mike's house with his wife Jeanie.  After a great dinner we played a very competative game of Mexican Train (love that game!).  We were home early due to fatigue...but had a really good evening.

Christmas continued on January 05 when we got to celebrate with my stepson Jeff (Don's son) his wife Cheri and their 3 childrern.  Great Grandma Patty joined in the party and we had a blast!  Pizza was ordered and gifts were opened!  It was such a special day, there's nothing like having kids around to make the day extra special.  Although I was exhausted I was very sad to see the day end.  We simply love when they visit and spend time with us!

On January 08 it was back to reality as I had my first PET scan of the new year.  When you have cancer, scan days are very anxiety provoking...you just never know.

On January 10 Don and I met with Dr. H. for my scan results to be followed by my Zometa infusion.  Praise God, the scan results were really good!  No new tumors!  That is truely the best news that we could have heard to start out the new year.  We were elated.  The hormone blocker (Arimadex & the Zometa the bone strengthener) are currently doing their jobs!  Don and I headed off to the infusion department in a very good mood!!!!

Sadly the good mood didn't last long.  Two days later, I was down for the count with horrible back pain.  I spent all of Sunday january 13 in bed as well as most of the next week due to pain.  In addition to my back, the pain has settled into my hips and ribs and I developed a horrendous headache!  Knowing that there are side effects from Zometa, I took my Vicodin & Percocet like a good girl and waited for relief.  When it wasn't getting better...Don and i decided yesterday to call Dr. H.  He ordered an MRI of my brain (time to see once again if I have one...yes there's that sick stage IV humor again!).  We should have those results by Friday.  Chances are I will also be receiving an MRI on Friday on my back, ribs etc.  He also increased my pain meds...which has helped a bit today...I'm loopier than ever :).  Only kidding somewhat! It's all very frustrating!  Chronic pain is exhausting...it really makes you feel so out of control, and for those of you that know me well, I do like to be in control!  Not to mention that Don and I leave on vacation with Barb and Tom, & my parent in 2-1/2 weeks (my dream trip~a western carribean cruise~compliments of Bob/Nancy) and I'd like to feel good enough to do more than sit on deck everyday (not that that's bad...but the islands are awesome!).

So anyway, keep the good thoughts coming our way if you would!  I'd also like to mention a continued prayer request for two special people; for Fred the father of my dear friend Curt.  He's been going through some major health difficulties and needs lots of prayer warriors. And for my dear Mom, she has a cyst on her liver that is being biopsied tomorrow.  they're 99% sure it's non-cancerous but it's still of great concern. She too needs our prayers!!!

Blessings!  Kathy xoxofacebook