What a little sunshine can do!

Yesterday seemed like an inordinately long day maybe because the color of the sky never changed. I have a much better outlook today with a little sunshine. I'm also feeling better. I'm even thinking about doing a treadmill walk today.

Thanks to all the wonderful people bringing us food. I'm very hungry after a few days of side affects so I'm eating like a horse!

Thanks to Susie and Cheryl for both bringing flowers. When I have a little more steam I'll take some pictures.

Monday Update

Thank you Morellen for the lovely flowers.

The chemo truck has arrived and rolled over me. Fortunately, it didn't back up and do it again. Having some side affects but they don't seem to be as bad as last time. I'm most grateful. Hoping to be on the other side in a few more days. Thank you for all your care, concern, and support. Much Love, Kate

The day is done

Today's chemo event went very well today. No adverse reactions. I finished just a few minutes ago and in the prescribed 7 hours, which included a doctor's appt.

So far it has been a very different experience than the first one. I got very sleepy from one of the meds, I think the benedryl. So I napped some. Read emails from some of you...thank you for keeping me entertained, and watched a few things streaming on netflicks. All in all a good day.

The magical good feeling from the steroid has not yet shown itself...just the sleepies from the benedryl. We will see what happens in the next few hours. Maybe we will go dancing...or not. Much Love, Kate

Friday is the day!

Thank you Marion for the beautiful flowers this week!

If you all have some time on Friday, drop an email or call my cell. I'll just be sitting in my chair with my computer soaking in the poison, chemo that is! Last time I was there for 9 hours, yikes! Hoping that my body cooperates a little better this time and we can do it in the 7 hours that it is suppose to be. It does get tedious so I'd be happy to have some entertainment. Thanks. Much love, Kate

Hi there Katie!

I hope your head is staying warm!

Here's something my cousin sent me that made me chuckle, so I thought I would share it.xox

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 40:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the mid dle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forth right and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?', here's an update for you: nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

No Hair!

Thank you Barb O'Neil from Headlines for coming over on a holiday to shave my head. You are an angel. And thanks to all my loving, caring friends for helping make today a much happier occasion than it might have been. I love you all. Kate

Short hair before no hair!

You know it's short when you can see the scalp! I'm slowly getting used to having a cool head. It is amazing how hair keeps you warm! Thanks to Barb O'Neil and Cheryl Williams from Headlines for taking care of all my beauty needs! What would I do without them.

I'm really feeling so much better than the first week of chemo. I'm eating like a horse to put back the weight I lost.

I'm very happy to have my sister Mary from Arizona visiting this weekend. It will be good to have a sister fix. Much love, Kate

Last Look

Thank you Susan and Kyle for the beautiful spring flowers this week!

Thought I would share one last look of Kate with hair! Tomorrow is the first transition to short hair in anticipation of no hair!

Feeling better everyday. Actually did my 20 minute walk yesterday on the treadmill at Susan and Kyle's house. Today's yucky weather may keep me from walking outside. Maybe a stroll inside the house.

Thursday update

The wrath of chemo hell has subsided and now I just feel somewhat rotten. Mostly weak, low energy. Finding it difficult to sleep, but not motivated to do much else. Wish this were cheerier! I'm trying. Much love, Kate

Monday update

Steroids have worn off and chemo side affects have kicked in. Hoping to feel better in a few days.

I guess my white cell blood count is going to drop in the next few days too, causing my immune system to be weakened. As much as I love you all, please stay away during this vulnerable time if there is any chance you are sick. And please don't be offended if I just blow you a kiss from a distance.

Thanks for all your support. Trying to remember the positive part of chemo...kill the cancer! I'll hold on to that for awhile. Much love, Kate

I know...

it's the steroids talking but I gotta tell you I feel good right now. I haven't coughed for most of the day and I've been talking and laughing. I have energy. I walked around the house when we got back from 7 hours of chemo. I'll probably be bouncing off the walls tonight at about 3 am but that's ok. It's just wonderful to be reminded of how I used to feel...and know that I will feel it again without the enhancement of steroids. No guarantees about tomorrow! Love Kate

What a long day!

Arrived to start chemo at 9 this am. They give you all sorts of "pre-meds" before you get the chemo agents themselves, benedryal, pepcid, some steroid and an anti-nausea drug. At one point I had a small reaction to something. I got flushed and had some difficulty breathing etc. That stopped after a few minutes and they started everything up again. Since then all has been fine. It is however, a long day. I'm almost finished with the first chemo agent and then have one more that will take about an hour. What a journey! Send an email or respond to the blog...I need some entertainment! Love, Kate