Here we go again....

What a whirlwind it has been...

A wonderful "Celebration of Life" to send Izzy off in style - I can't imagine she would have had it any other way - Lots of cousins made the trek from Calgary, lots of friends and family, beautiful speeches and a great slide show. Many thanks to all who made that day a great success - I know Isobel is smiling thinking about that wonderful afternoon...

I have had some scan results that I have been hesitant to post as they aren't perfect (I wanted the oncologist to say there was absolutely no more evident cancer cells) However, there seems to be some activity still in my chest - It was disappointing, however the doctor seems to be pleased with how I have responded to the chemo -

So next steps, I'm off to Toronto tomorrow for 18 radiation treatments. These are just weekdays, and I am fortunate to have friends that live close to the hospital and have opened up their homes to let me stay - (Thanks Pye-pye for your open invite!) Again, I hope this treatment pales in comparison to Chemo, but I am still anxious.

My hair continues to fall out - its pissing me off, because I would like for it to start growing back - My eyebrows and eyelashes seems to be growing a bit - Losing your hair sucks more than you think - I'm trying to wear my wig more often now, because the hats aren't looking so great, but I feel like I'm wearing a helmet all the time

The renovation chugs along..... but there is almost a light at the end of the tunnel - We are still living with my parents (Whom have been amazing over the last SEVEN weeks!) With all that is going on, as well as our renovation, they have been so helpful and supportive - I'm sure they are ready to get their space back

I will update soon with my take on radiation and some reno pics...

The Life cycle

It has been a tough year for our family and I have to sadly say goodbye to Isobel, my mother in-law - a wonderful and kind woman that has been a part of my life for 30 years - She too has been trying to kick some cancer ass for the last year and half. She has been a superb grandmother to Riley and we will miss her dearly ....

Cheers Isobel

I haven't been posting anything for a while.... I think finishing chemo wasn't quite the celebration I hoping - It still takes a while for that nasty poison to get out of your body, so I still felt like crap for a few weeks and of course I had hoped that everything would go back to normal quickly...which it doesn't (I certainly would like a few eyebrows and eyelashes soon!)

I have had a number of scans (gallium and CT) over the last 2 weeks, and then next week will be another slew of doctor appointments in Barrie and Toronto... the anxiety continues....

I did read an article in the Globe and Mail yesterday (Facts and Arguemments) that a woman wrote about her situation - She and her husband were both diagnosed with cancer - with 5&7 year olds - Quite amazing how and where they have gathered strength and energy to push through -

http://http//www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/my-husband-and-i-were-both-battling-cancer/article1744200/

After reading this and as Thanksgiving is coming, my/our situation sucks, but we have a whole lot to be thankful for....

I hope everyone has a great w/e and remember all the good stuff!!

Did you hear it?

Yesterday I got to ring the bell in the chemotherapy ward. This is a ritual that one does to signify the end of their chemotherapy. I've been eyeing that bell for some time now and it is a good way to end your time in that part of the hospital and hope that you never have to return - The nurses there are truely amazing - Their positive spirit and attitudes are like no others - and they too say they hope to never see you again. I did think I would feel more elated, but realizing that I still have quite a journey to continue with - I have more appointments in the next 3 weeks, than I have in months - But none the less, a giant hurdle to get through - I hope that the next few months pale in comparison to the last few.

Lots of scans, doctors, and radiation planning over the next month and then I assume I will be in Toronto for several weeks in November doing the actual radiation

A little poem to share

A dear friend (and a saucy one I might add) wrote a little poem that I must share so that all can appreciate....

A Thought for Kel

T-cell Lymphoma,

who the hell are you?

You popped in for a visit

Threw us for a loop

You arrived uninvited

We were not very pleased

Brought in quite a detour

To life's sweet breeze

I am taking fancy cocktails

That knock you off your socks,

But if you think you're winning,

You're in for a shock

There is a team that stands beside me,

My guy and my girl

They see me through my days

Move my heart with a whirl.

There's my extended family

And my awesome medical team

We're determined to get rid of you

Walk away strong and clean

My friends they keep me moving

feed my family love and food

pop in for a visit

pick me up, lift my mood.

So please speed up your exit

There are things I want to do

Fix my house, read a book

Live my life without you

A hell of a ride it has been

And a little more yet to come

I'll move on with my new outlook

For with my will, I will have won

Christina K

Wow... I loved that today... thank you my friend

First Day back.....

I'm a little reflective today - This being the first day back to school and my little girl (who really is not very little any more) isn't very interested in having me walk her to school - She asked me if I wanted my mom to walk me to school in Grade 6, or would I like if my mom brought me to work.... I suppose not. So now I'm looking at old pictures from her first days of school thinking that life is really just too short - I didn't walk her to school, but I sure wanted to...

Those of you who know Riley well, will remember that she was obsessesed with the color Red - She would only wear red, and paint everything red. Now her favorite color is lime green -

JK Sept 2003

Ahhh September

Looking forward to this month being over, although I know it has just begun. This month will be hopefully the end of chemotherapy, however a host of other interventions to follow that I hope to be a cake walk comparatively. I am just about through cycle 5 (tomorrow) with one more chemo treatment later this month - It hasn't been quite as brutal as the last one - but perhaps its all the excitement that is going on at our house - lots of progress on the renovation, and decisions to make and spending money like a drunken sailor - seems to be taking the focus off the cancer and on to more interesting things (pictures to follow if you are interested)

Met with my true oncologist this week (he has been on holidays each time I have been at the hospital this summer) and he was quite pleased with the results of the CT scan and making plans for radiation and lots of upcoming scans- but seemed very positive.

Thanks again to all for all the support -