Thanks

Hi Friends,
It's been 4 days since my last chemo and I'm doing okay. Afternoon naps help and of course, the wonderful meal support that I'm receiving from good friends from the MOMS club. If you don't know anything about the MOMS club, check it out. It's a nonprofit organization for mothers who decide to stay at home with their kids. They organize play groups, activities, parties and evenings out for the mothers. I've been a member for 8 years! Here's a website
http://laquintaindiomoms.tripod.com/who.html There are other local chapters as well.

So much for my MOMS Club commerial. They have supported me so much through this adventure of mine!

I've also received so much from my Jazzercise family. Thanks for the meals, and to the fabulous instructors who are teaching classes for me. A very special thanks to my students who are hanging in there for me. I miss teaching and hope to be back at it by mid - July. I'm trying to get back in shape, though it's difficult.

I've also received so much help from my church family and small group bible study. They have lifted me up in prayer and it helps me so much. I've cried with them and their prayer and emotional support has shed light on a difficult situation. I know that Tom also appreciates our church family.

Another place where I receive support is through the Gilda's club in Cathedral City. It's a wondeful organization that provides support groups, social activities and informative speakers for cancer patients and their friends and family. Here's the website. http://www.gildasclubdesertcities.org/

If I'm sounding like a commercial, forgive me. What has brought all of this on, you ask? Well, in talking with a friend, who has been newly diagnosed with cancer, it brought to mind all of the wonderful support and love that I've received throughout this ordeal. I haven't even mentioned my family, neighbors (Linda - who gives me flowers near my chemo days) and my friends at the Pendleton Foundation. Anyway, I feel that it's hard to fight this disease alone. Tom and I tried, at first. It's so much easier to let people help you.

So, once again I'm feeling very grateful and have a full heart. I don't know how to thank everyone.

Love,
Karen

Getting ready for #9

Hi Everyone,
I bet you're wondering, "where has Tom been?" Well, if you are, here's the scoop. Tom installed a roof fan on our house a few weeks ago. He wasn't happy with the volume of noise it created, so in trying to fix the problem, he got in the way of the fan and it sliced through his finger nail and down to the bone. The tip did not come off. Off to the urgent care he went for xrays and one stitch. So, typing has been a little painful for him for a while. He was just about to return to blogging, but now he's sick with a sore throat. So, maybe I can convince him to blog while he is convalescing. I'm sure you are anxious to hear what else happened on spring break - weeks ago!

I receive #9 chemo this Friday. These past two treatments have been affecting more with nausea and tiredness. The neuropathy (cold sensitivity and tingling fingers) isn't as bad as it was. I mainly have the tingling sensation and a little cold sensitivity. My throat still reacts to cold things, though. Bummer. I really miss ice cream! It's one of my favorite desserts and I can't wait to have some!!! Ahh, I'll just have to wait until July. Thank you to all who have provided meals for me and my family. It really helps me so much.

I'm excited as the Pendleton foundation continues to take shape and get ready for our fund raiser on December 14th. I really hope this foundation will always remain in the future. It would be nice for something really awesome to come out of my experience. We have so many wonderful people working on it. I'm very blessed to have such quality people be interested in an unusual cause - rare cancer support.

Well, I hope everyone is well. I am feeling pretty good about how things are going. I can't believe I will be done in July!! I've been asked what I have to do next, after the chemo is over. Nothing!!! Not really - I have to have CT scans and blood work drawn periodically to make sure the cancer is gone.

That's it for now!!

Love,
Karen

Chemo #8 finished!

Hello Friends,
Well, chemo #8 is coursing through my veins as I type. Kind of a weird thought. It's done, though and I'm in the feeling "icky" - Tom's word - phase of it all. I only have 4 more to go. I love saying that! It doesn't sound like many more, and I'm so grateful because this is getting tiring. Not tiring in feeling fatigued, but tiring in the sense that I'm tired of dealing with it. I get tired of organizing my schedule around the "good" days. I suppose I should feel grateful for those good days. Most of the time, I do. I long for the days when my energy was up and I didn't have to plan my days so carefully. The kids will be out of school soon, so getting the chemo then will be tricky. Fortunately, I'll only need about 2 treatments when they're out. Then I'll be done - in July!! I wonder how long the chemo will hang out in my system? A question to ask my good doctor. I still feel good about my decision to go ahead and do the chemo. I want to be as aggressive as I can with this cancer. I still pray to God that it will be gone forever - complete healing.

Things are going pretty well, overall. My sister came out for a visit, which was so very lovely! We treated ourselves to a wonderful pedicure and massage. She had never had a pedicure before, and I think I got her hooked on them. I know the feeling! She went all out and got a little rhinestone flower put on her toes. It's only 60 degrees in Colorado, where she lives, but she's wearing sandals today!! She felt the need to come see me and I'm so grateful - thank you Mike, Amy and Austin! I also took her to Starbucks for her first time. I know - can you imagine? I introduced her to the wonders of Chai Tea. She called me this morning to tell me that she had gone to Starbucks with her boss and had another one. Maybe I got her hooked on that too?!

Well, that's it for now. Tom should be blogging again soon, as well. You know, he has sooooo much to say.