Happy New Year

I've never much liked new years resolutions but I often come up with a motto or slogan for the year...this year's

All will be fine in oh-9.

It's gotta be true! This we know, it is going to start with a blast. Chemo will be starting on Friday, Jan. 2. Thank goodness there is some kind of movement. Hoping for minimal side affects. Turns out I will likely lose my hair with the particular chemo cocktail that I will be served. That is the least of my worries even though it will be the most noticeable.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Let's hope we are all in a better place next year.
Thanks to Susie for the beautiful flowers.
Love to all Kate and Rich

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, 2008's sure been a kick in the shorts.  Here's to a healthy, prosperous '09, filled with laughter, love and each other.  

ilene

Dinner Schedule

Dinner Schedule

Hi everyone,

Thank you to all who have signed up to bring dinners. Your efforts are a big help and are so appreciated. Here is an updated January schedule. I am posting the February calender if anyone would like to sign up to bring a meal in February. Check your email for more details or email Ann F to sign up.

Wed 12/31- Anne H.-chicken, rice and veggies
January

Fri- 1/2- Julie D.
Sat-1/3- Linda G.-Shepherd’s pie with ground lamb, potatoes, salad

Mon- 1/5- Susan & Kyle
Tues-1/6- Wendy B.
Wed- 1/7- Janet
Thu- 1/8- Eleanore

Mon- 1/12- Crissy
Wed- 1/14- Hollis
Thur 1/15- Mark and Mikki
Fri- 1/16- Nan

Mon- 1/19- Susan & Kyle
Tues-1/20- Wendy B.
Wed- 1/21- Meg L .
Thur-1/22- Malinda-pork, potatoes & veggies

Mon- 1/26- Donna S.
Tues-1/27- Linda G
Wed- 1/28- Mark and Mikki
Thur-1/29- Hollis

February

Mon-2/2
Tues-2/3-
Wed-2/4-
Thurs-2/5-
Fri-2/6-

Mon-2/9-
Tues-2/10-
Wed-2/11-
Thurs-2/12-
Fri-2/13-

Mon-2/16-
Tues-2/17-
Wed-2/18-
Thurs-2/19-
Fri-2/20-

Mon-2/23-
Tues-2/24-
Wed-2/25-
Thurs-2/26
Fri-2/27-

still in the hills....

Hi Katie and Rich, Well you wouldn't believe the time we're having up here... -7 sunny degrees last Monday to 56.7 foggy degrees today (Sunday) we went from 35.6 inches of snow to rain and two feet less than we started with a week ago. So.... projects are going along at a great rate.

Susan headed home again for a couple of days of work and will return for New Years eve, for the yankee swap, a couple of cannons, fireworks, food and friends. Temps are expected to start dropping tonight back into the single digits by the weekend with the requisite snow tagging along (:~) The skiing has been Great!! Deep Pow.. to Spring conditions. Only in New England.

Hey!!!! Queen Elizebeth was passing through Franconia on a a New Years tour, we had a nice visit and a cuppa. She passes along her best wishes to you both. She is really quite sweet. Good travels Tues. See you soon S&S

A Surprise Christmas Gift

We went to Boston today to visit the good Doctor, anticipating that we would come away with a date for surgery in early January. It turns out that Santa had something complete different in mind. Instead, the first few months of the new year will be spent doing chemotherapy. The Doc said we are going for a cure here and by doing chemo first we have a better chance to shrink the size of the tumor and improve the success of the surgery.

So we are meeting with an oncologist on Tuesday of next week to get that ball rolling and surgery will be delayed until I have completed 2-3 rounds of chemo. Don't yet know what the side affects will be. Always something new to figure out. We will be doing the chemo here on the cape and I will look forward to getting some acupuncture to help with at least some of the likely side affects.

I want to take a minute to thank Ann and Norm Farr and Susan Loucks and Kyle Banks for without their help I would be in deep trouble. They have graciously volunteered to organize all the wonderful people who are keeping us well fed and wined, organizing my walking buddies and all the myriad of other errands taking place to keep our lives running smoothly during this challenging time.

Finally I would like to thank Susie Houghton, my friend and officemate, who is keeping me in fresh flowers via this amazing group of friends I have surrounding me. The latest flowers (the Christmas arrangement at the top) are from my sister Gita in Minnesota. They are stunning and oh so fragrant. Thank you so much! Love to all, Kate

Back Online

Hi all,
Just got our internet operational again and you can see I posted an update last night...actually I wrote it last night and then the cable went down till this morning so was just able to post it this morning. Love, Kate

Kate's internet is down

I spoke with Kate this morning wh asked me to post that her internet connection is down this morning, probrably due to the snow.

Snowy update

It is snowing in Falmouth right now at a rate of 1-2 inches an hour. Actually it is very pretty, don't know if this picture will do it justice. It looks a little like it is coming down in snowballs. The lights just flickered a little too, hope we don't lose power!

We received the initial news today. It turns out that the elephant in my chest is cancerous. I know that sounds scary, but there is really good news about it. It is the kind of cancer that is operable and from what we know from previous tests it is still localized to my lung. That's really good news.

We have an appointment on Tuesday with the surgeon to ask lots of questions, hear more about the results and hopefully make a plan for surgery. The good doc is taking the last week of Dec. off so the earliest the surgery will be is after the 1st of the year. I'm thinking vacation is good, he will come back relaxed and refreshed to do my surgery!

Now we get to enjoy the white Christmas with family and friends. I have time to listen to my guided mediation on preparing for surgery and healing faster. I am grateful every day for the outpouring of love and concern from friends and family near and far, the rock of support that Rich provides and the awesome food and wine from so many dear friends. My walking buddies have been great. I appreciate the many emails, phone calls and blogging posts from non-shy friends. I would ask you to continue your prayers, good thoughts and positive outpouring of energy for a rapid and full recovery. Much love, Kate

Monday Update

Hi all,
We returned to the cape not long ago. Sorry to keep you on pins and needles...or that's right, that was me that was on pins and needles! The procedure today went well. They were able to get a good tissue sample. Not too much pain and really quite technologically fascinating. When I could get out of my own way, it was very intriguing to think about what they were doing. They watch the biopsy process while they are looking at a live CT scan. The Brigham is a teaching hospital, which I think is good. I had a young, (read cute) intervention radiologist fellow doing the procedure. He specializes in thoracic procedures like mine. We had to hang around for a few hours to make sure all was well, no punctured lung, and they finish with chest x-ray to confirm that. I feel as though I have had my radiation exposure for the year or perhaps my lifetime, but I'm guessing there will be more.

Now we wait. Hoping to get some results by Thursday or Friday of this week. Keep that positive energy coming this way. Love to all, Kate

Hi Katie, Just had a treatment with Karen Kirchoff and she sends you her healing energy and support. Needless to say she was shocked by the news and and asked me to pass on her best wishes for your recovery.
On another note, I went to see Milk last night. It was a really good movie. I was inspired and sobered by how far we have come. It's amazing how useful it is to have history organized in context, to allow you to gain perspective and insight into a time period that I was aware of but not deeply paying attention to at the time. Definitely put it on your list once it hits the DVD format. Hope you are feeling okay. You should have gotten the book and CD by know so let us know if they didn't get there for some reason.
Love and big hugs and lots of positive thoughts for monday.
Amelia

groovy movies

Hi- This is a post I tried to make a while ago, but I had to figure out how to actually do it ! Thank you, Sue, for helping me get here.

Hi- I am Fae Kontje-Gibbs, an acupuncturist on Martha's Vineyard and a teacher at the New England School of Acupuncture. I know Kate from workshops and got word of her illness when she was looking for help covering her practice while she regains her good health. I ran into Hollis and Dee Engly at Coffee Obsession in Falmouth on Monday morning and Hollis sent me the link to the blog.

I have a few movies I want to add to the list.

Holiday (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz)- Two women switch places for the Christmas holiday. Romance ensues. Jack Black is in this too.
In Her Shoes-two sisters, having a rough go, but then making it up. Heartening. Cameron Diaz, and Shirley Maclain is great in this too.
Millions (2005- director Danny Boyle)two boys, money, altruism, and non-altruism
Billy Eliot-a mining family boy who longs to dance
The Commitments-Irish Soul music-fun-great sound track
Kinky Boots-an old fashioned shoe factory inherited by the son, trying to keep it going- fun
Just Looking-about coming of age in the '50's
Young at Heart- elders singing rock and roll- very fun and touching
Something's Gotta Give (Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton)- middle aged people falling in love- romantic comedy-fun- I definately relate
Love Actualy-Hugh Grant and Bill Nighey- a Christmas movie that is not a Christmas movie
Playing by Heart- older Sean Connory and early Angelina Jolie- all about relationships
Ground Hog Day-Bill Murray caught in a time loop
Sliding Doors-Gwenyth Paltrow caught in two time loops
Shakespear in Love-Gwenyth Paltrow and the great playwright himself
Pay it Forward- has a sad but sweet ending. It is sad, though. But the film is overall very uplifting
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day- Frances McDermond is just wonderful in this 1930's era flick (modern flick, about that time.)
Penelope- fanciful- about a girl with a "curse" to look like a pig that can only be broken by......- light hearted fare.

Good luck with the needle biopsy on Monday, Kate !!

Cheers, fae

Hi guys, We have been off in the 4 directions trying to get on track.... Good luck with that, Eh? Had a fine brezy day in Boston on Monday, I managed to pull rank, went by car instead of boat and stayed inside for four hours getting safety training at Exxon terminal in Everett. It was a paid day inside (17 degrees outside w/32 mph wind) even chilly by my standards.... but, we would ski in that weather, Go figure. Tuesday we got out on the water out of their line of site and collected mud from the river bottom. Cheers for now S&S

Food Cooler Self Destruction

After speaking with Rich this evening, it appears that the chosen cooler for the storage of dropped off food was not a certified, High Wind cooler. It suffered some damage over the last few days of high wind rendering it unfit for the prevention of animal intrusion.
A new plan has been formulated which involves keeping the cooler in the shed, directly in back of the house. The cooler will keep the mice at bay, the shed will keep the coyotes and coons at bay. I hope this will be a pretty obvious change for everyone helping with food.

Best,
Norm

The CT assisted needle biopsy is scheduled for Monday morning at 8:30. Another rush-hour drive to Boston! I'm guessing we won't get results till the end of next week. We had hoped for something this week but it didn't happen so we wait till Monday. Enjoy your weekend all. Kate

Tuesday Update

Just returned to Cape Cod. Good news, the brain CT scan came out clean. The PET scan showed glucose uptake in the lymph of the lung and the tumor itself. But the lymph had come back clean so they are still uncertain about what exactly is going on in the mass. It could be benign, it could be cancer...just don't know yet. So next step is a CT assisted needle biopsy. We tried to schedule for today but that didn't happen. Hope to hear in the next day or two when that will be scheduled. The good Dr. Sugarbaker is still wanting this thing out...sooner than later. I'm at his beck and call. Time for my nap. Love to all, Kate

A Time of Awakening, of Learning

OK, this is probably the least appropriate thing that will ever get posted here, but I had to share this story that has been making me laugh so much today.

Yesterday Sultan went to his group swimming lessons and halfway through the 30 minutes, the lessons were stopped, and I was told that they had discovered a chemical imbalance in the pool. They didn't think it was safe for kids to be in there. Probably it was fine, but you can't be too careful. You don't want them getting a rash or anything. I was impressed by how they can manage to keep an eye on the chemical balance while busy giving lessons to 15 or so kids. So, we went home.

Anyways, later telling this to my sister in law Maryellen, who is a school nurse, she said, "Right. Someone pooped in the pool."

Huh??

So for future reference if you hear the phrase "chemical imbalance" used with regard to kids and swimming pools, know: it's code for poop in the pool.

Have a wonderful day, Katie. Good luck tomorrow.

xo,
Susan

A Wonderful Book

I have sent Kate a book (this is the first time she's learning of it) from Amazon called Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen. If you haven't read it, I strongly urge you to do so. She is a physician who, after dealing with her own chronic illness, became a therapist working with doctors and paitents around health issues. The book is filled with insight, heart warming, inspiring, insightful, beautiful vignettes (sp?). I don't usually go in for these kind of books, but happened on this and strongly recommend it.

Kate-I'm so glad to hear from you and will be anxious to hear what you learn on Tuesday. By the way, Daphne is delightful (although she's not you!).

Kathy Pett Ryman

Good morning!

Hi Kate! Here's a fabulous confluence of art and politics to cheer you up this morning:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

And thank you Susan for setting me up so I can post.

The more things stay the same

Directed Pledge yesterday.  4 talent, two cameras, mistimed tapes and bad outcues.  Still managed to have a few laughs along the way.  The best part is having my responsibilities end when we fade it all to black.  Crazy week ahead, but will check in with you.  

Keep on walking, eventually the scenery will change.

xo

ilene

gooey slush!

Hi Kate,

I walked around Nobska this morning and it was 32.5 degree rain which, I guess, qualifies as gooey slush, but it was so darn wet that it really felt like rain. Luckily, Coffee O was at the end of my walk and Hollis, Annie and Jim, and Ted was there too. This was the usual Sunday morning meeting of Hollis's church. Every one that walked or ran was soaked to the bone.

Cheers,
Norm

First Snow

Hey Katie,

Jodi, Tillie, Keegan, Zi and me say hi...  Photo of kids in backyard from last summer when we last saw you.  Zi insists he is a food captain...Tillie and Keegan food presidents.  Not sure who holds rank.  Sure isn't Jodi or me.  Had a dusting of snow this morning...kids tried sledding.  Would run with sled, jump on and go half a foot. Finally, ended up trying to build a snowman...imagine a very small mound of snow with a carrot sticking straight up. We're sitting here drinking coffee watching the snowman or snowpile wondering if the woodchuck whose taken up residence under the jungle gym will sniff out the carrot if we leave it over night.  Funny looking animals...woodchucks.  Hope your walk with Susan was refreshing/exhilarating...   Is there anything we can do/contribute long distance.  My brother Toby who is visiting says hi.  Sending mounds and tons and massive amounts of goodness your way...  Danny

Hi Kate and Rich,
Kyle blogging solo to stay in touch and keep my hand in.
Sultan and I had a great time today at the Renaissance Fair in WH. Saw lots of folks including the Roslanskis, Susie Houghton and her grand daughters, and lots of people and kids. It was huge fun. Mattie loved playing with a top. Just getting into the season.
Later we all went for a bike ride on the new extended bikepath. And then a sunset walk on Chappy beach. It felt great to be out and about. Now we're hunkered down eating chili and enjoying our first fire of the season. Tomorrow we may get our tree and do some decorating.
If it's crappy tomorrow, I hope you'll come and use the treadmill. We all miss you in our lives and I for one feel hesitant about intruding or bothering you. But we are all praying for you health and happiness.
love and peace
Kyle

Sunny Saturday

Just thought I would check into the blog and say hello. I sure do feel better when it is sunny outside. My dear friend Susan, who has organized this blog, is on her way over to drag me out for my mandatory walk. It's not that I don't like to walk, but it is a lot harder to drag yourself off the comfy couch and into the cold when you don't feel that great.



I hope this blog is working for everyone. If you are having troubles email me or Susan for a primer. I like checking in throughout the day to see who has posted what. Don't hesitate to comment if you check in during the day. I love the company. It's just nice to hear from people and know there is a world outside.



We head back to Boston early on Tuesday, Dec. 9th for another visit with Dr. Sugarbaker. We will get test results back and possibly have some idea of what will happen next. I continue to look forward to moving this along because frankly, I'm ready to have my energy back and get on with my life. I don't think that's asking too much. As I say that, maybe the lesson here is patience...you think? This is clearly a journey that I have no control over, but every once in awhile when I wake up in the morning I think, maybe today is the day that I will really have some energy. Ever the optimist.



I am grateful to each of you for all your kindness, care, concern, beautiful flowers, delicious food and wine, prayers, and good thoughts. Thank you, a thousand thank yous. Much love, Kate

The Long Walk

Began yesterday. Kate's doc has said she MUST walk 20-40 minutes everyday pre and post surgery. Mandatory. So let me know if you have some regular or occasional times when you can accompany her since it is much more motivating with a person to walk with.

Just spoke with her and she sounded really good!

Cooler

Rich has an appropriate cooler.

Meals Schedule as of Dec 5

I'll try and get this onto a more calendar format, but for now, here's what we have:

December

Fri, 12/5- Eleanore- dinner & wine
Sun, 12/7- Julie- food & wine
Thurs 12/11- Meg- food & wine
Fri, 12/12- Susie- food & wine
Mon, 12/15- Crissy- burgers & salad
Tues-12/16- Janet- TBD
Wed- 12/17- Hollis- TBD
Thurs- 12/18- Meg- food & wine
Fri- 12/19 Nan- food & wine
Mon- 12/22- Susan & Kyle- food
Wed- 12/24- Hollis
Mon- 12/28- Melinda- food

January
Fri- 1/2- Julie
Mon- 1/5- Susan & Kyle
Wed- 1/7- Janet
Thu- 1/8- Eleanore
Mon-1/12- Crissy
Wed- 1/14 Hollis
Fri- 1/16- Nan
Mon- 1/19- Susan & Kyle
Wed- 1/21- Hollis
Thurs- 1/29- Hollis

Ann Farr is the Food Coordinator. You should check in with her (or she with you) on what you are cooking at the beginning of each week. And Kate and Rich can contact Ann at any point with food requests (no more chicken! enough food! etc.) All is, of course, subject to change.

Susie H. has a large cooler that can be put into service on K&R's deck for drop offs. It may need a rock on top of it for marauding animals.

I'll get to other meeting nots asap, probably later this afternoon. Don't forget that if I don't have your contact info, please email it to me, Susan, and I'll get you on the contact list.

Thanks all!
Susan

Yay

Mary, Kate, all-

This is GREAT news for now and I'll be waiting to hear what they say on Tuesday. Maybe Kate was right: hairball.

The meeting went well. Not surprisingly, Kate has a lot of warm, interesting,engaged, capable friends and I look forward to being a part of this gelling community.

I'm up in Boston today, so won't necessarily be able to put together our notes or meals calendar together today, along with some support ideas for out of towners. Possibly today, but definitely by tomorrow. I'll both post and email. I'll also put together a list of our circle of friends. If you would like your name on the list as a contact person, please email me (Susan) with the following: your name, preferred contact method, second contact method, and specific things you can offer: i.e. cooking, driving, errands, as well as any other pertinent things like: available during the day, etc.

Ciao for now,
Susan

Preliminary results of lymph node biopsy

I spoke to Katie about 8:30 pm Eastern time. She said the first look at the biopsy is good news. There doesn't appear to be any cancer in it. The Dr. said maybe surgery isn't the first step. They will know more when ALL the test results are back.

Katie said it was a very long day. The surgery was uneventful and didn't take long but when she was in recovery they gave her some pain meds that caused her blood pressure to drop to 84/45. After that was stabilized, she began to feel better. By 4 pm she was feeling much better but then it was rush hour so she decided to stay a while longer and get a bite to eat.

Besides being exhausted, the worst part is her sore throat and neck ache from the tube they shoved down her gullet. The incision hurts a little too but all-in-all she is doing well.

Hope the meal planning/support team meeting went well. Thanks for all your efforts in this area.

Love from Arizona,
Mary

Hi Kate and Rich,
MANY BIG HUGS AND KISSES!!!!
WE LOVE YOU.
Amelia and Shirley

lymph nodes

If they're going in under your armpit, expect some pain and loss of mobility.  Hopefully it's not on your dominant side.  May I suggest the vicodin?  xoxo - ilene

Good morning all,
Feeling much better after a good night's sleep. We are getting ready to head to the hospital for this lymph biopsy. I'm sure that I am going to be wiped out at the end of today so no food please. Rich and I will scramble an egg for dinner or not depending upon how we feel. We'll keep you posted. Thanks, Kate

Hi Rich and Kate,

Susie and I chatted with Abe today. He was sorry to hear about your situation. He suggested a tall drink of two parts warm water, one part cider vinegar and three teaspoons of honey. He hopes that will do the trick.

We plan to drop in for the meeting Wed evening.

I'm going to get you a menue from Mins Kitchen and you can pick what you want for us to pick up later on.

Other move suggestions would be: October Sky, Big, Banger Sisters, Mississippi Marsalla, My cousin Vinny.....

Cheers for now. S&S

Dr Sugarbaker has fans

Sorry to post again but I thought folks might want to hear this. A very close friend here in Arlington is an RN at the Brigham (she was our food coordinator). I asked her to find out what she could about Dr. Sugarbaker. Here's her reply:

Well the first two people I asked about Dr. S-Zulma, the wonderful medical asst I work with whose judgement I trust completely, and Kristen, our office manager who knows everybody, both had only good things to say. Zulma said Dr. Sugarbaker was very kind and honest with the family.

Kristen said with authority and emphasis, "He's amazing, he's THE BEST".

Kate's food allergies

Kathy-
Check the food allergies if you will- Kate can't eat onions, garlic or legumes, including tofu, so maybe you, or someone, could think of something else? Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but her allergies make her itch!

Thanks!
Susan

Good Doctors and Uplifting Movies

Sounds like they found a good doctor. Though the news is hard, trusting the poke & prodder makes us all feel better.

And it's nice to know our girl can poke him back in extra special places, should the need so arise.

Below is the list of movies John and I quickly cobbled together a week or so ago and sent to Kate. She said Dee and Hollis have given them a three month subscription to Netflix. Though it may feel trivial at this time, PLEASE add to the list - uplifting, violence-and-death-free films are almost as valuable as food during the tough times and surprisingly hard to find.

Trouble in Paradise (Ilene recommendation)
Music Within
Princess Bride
Lars and the Real Girl
Some Like It Hot
Secret of Roan Innish
Space Balls
Once
Babe
Emma
Persuasion
Sense & Sensibility
Before Sunrise
Billy Elliot
Bend It Like Beckham
Amelie
Harold and Maude
What the Bleep Do We Know
Son of Rambow
The Straight Story
Sullivan’s Travels
Duck Soup
Top Hat
His Girl Friday
Some Like It Hot
Singin’ In The Rain

I'm glad they feel confident about Dr. Sugarbaker. That is so important. He sounds very reassuring. I have some frozen turkey soup (with mushrooms, barley, spinach, onions, carrots) that I could drop off sometime tomorrow. I could put the containers in a cooler with a cold pac and leave it in the morning. If someone is able to bring something over in a more timely manner, that's fine.

Kate Update

OK, I just spoke with Kate and Rich and there is much to tell.

Today Kate has had a Pet Scan, a chest X-Ray and will get a head CT scan.

They liked the Doctor, Sugarbaker, and he says they still have no idea about what this tumor is, that they still need to do more tests. They are going to do a biopsy of the lymph nodes tomorrow morning and once that's finished, they'll go home, return Tuesday, Dec 9th where they will discuss a plan.

Sugarbaker said that it's looking like a cancerous tumor and when Kate asked, he said he thought there was a 80-90% chance that it is malignant, but he emphasized that he has seen much, much worse that people have survived and that they should "have faith, we will deal with this and we'll go on." They felt reassured to be working with him, and to be at the Brigham.

The process tomorrow will be this: in at 9:30a, with biopsy of the lymph nodes at 11:30a. It's a 20-30 minute procedure, with recovery taking 1-2 hours. Apparently biopsy-ing the surrounding lymph nodes is just as good as sampling the tumor itself, because you don't disturb the tumor, and since the lymph nodes are vaccuum cleaners/filters for the tumor it will give a clear picture of what they're dealing with. The procedure has them making a 2" (I think) incision in the space where the neck and torso meet, inserting a camera and taking a sample. Sugarbaker said he's done this thousands of times, so it should go smoothly.

They'll stay the night at Kate's friends Barb & Julie up in Boston.

They gave me the ok to post all this info on the blog here and requested that phone calls be kept to a minimum today and tomorrow. Katie so much wants to talk to each of us, but doesn't have the energy (or sustained voice) to have many conversations. They expect to be back late tomorrow afternoon, and expect Kate to be pretty wiped out.

I had invited Rich to come tomorrow night, but know that he, too, will be zonked. My own question, not vetted by them: Anyone want to drop a simple meal by tomorrow afternoon?

Kate has trained Rich on posting on the blog. maybe he'll be able to give us more info when they're back. He can take calls on his cell. I have his number.

That's it for now, everyone.

Susan

Right now they are still doing diagnostics: pre--op meetings with the anesthesiologist, testing, etc. Just to make sure they're ready to go.

From Susan L

Hi Kathy
Kate is in Boston this morning seeing the doc there. She hoped that she would be shuttled into various tests today, and the paperwork the Brigham sent indicated that she would be there 3-4 hours today. It didn't sound like surgery would be scheduled until they could biopsy her, but from my perspective, there are still a whole lot more questions than answers. Hopefully they will schedule something today or very soon after today's meeting. Kate was packing an overnight bag just in case they could keep moving forward after today's appt.
We should know something this afternoon when they are done with the appt.

As to food,we are having our organizing meeting tomorrow night at my place. Feel free to email me privately if you don't have my address, I feel weird about posting it here. Meeting is at 6pm, hopefully for no longer than 30-45 minutes. Tentative agenda in aan earlier posting. If you can't make it, don't worry, I'll post notes, etc. afterwards so everyone has an idea of how they can help/support.

Great job on the blogging. It's cool, isn't it?

Questions

Do we know when the surgery is? Has Kate has the further test regarding the tumor or is that the surgery? Do they want/need food now? I have never posted to a blog, so this is my "first time."

Kathy Pett Ryman

Food Captain

Food captain on the Cape or food coordinator here in 'burbs. My friend, Lucy, performed this job beautifully. If people wanted to make something they would run it by her. I had suggested that for the week around surgery time we might need meals every other night (for Ana and me) and then twice a week, or something, for the week or so post-surgery. Folks knew to email her - she had a list of food allergies and preferences - and she coordinated schedules. If we were experiencing food build-up I'd ask her to wiggle things around, but that didn't happen more than once 'cause I had asked to space things out a bit. Then folks would drop by with the food - yum, there were countless excellent cooks - and Ana would gobble and I would pick, until things settled down, then I started gobbling too. John didn't get his appetite back for quite awhile. I remember the surgeon said it would take about four to six weeks and then he'd be hungrier than he'd ever been.

So one question to consider is: how's Rich's appetite around stress times? Also, what's their freezer space like? Meals that can live in a freezer for awhile are best. Then pick a food captain that Rich can work with easily, someone who likes to plan and who communicates clearly.

Hugs,
momo

A Question from Susan

Momo-
Can you describe what a food captain does? Sounds like we need one!
Thanks dolly,
S

Sister Gita (she's not a nun...)'s Email if you didn't get it...

Good Morning to you all. I am Kate's sister who lives in MN. We organized a meals program for my son and his family when Colleen was in the hospital for 9 weeks before the twins were born. Just a hint - do not bring too much food. We were overwhelmed by quantity and had leftovers and threw too much away. Also, get a list from Kate and Rich of the things they like or the things that Kate is up to eating at any given time. We found that out-of-towner's could participate if they like by a gift certificate to a local place that will do take out. We had several Outback steak dinners that were fun. I have no idea where on the cape there are such places. One of the neighbors officed near Outback and would pick it up after work and drop it off. I can imagine the lobster bisque on the Cape. Well just a couple of thoughts. If there is ANYTHING I can do from MN please let me know. I told Kate I would be happy to come out and help if there was the need. Love and thanks to you all in whatever way you feel you can participate in this outpouring of caring. I have added Bob and Colleen to the list as well. Love Gita

A second e-mail noted:
Throw away containers are a must and also helpful are grocery staples like milk, bread, OJ, etc. Thanks for the help. Gita

Susan's note: Gita included her address and phone numbers in her e-mai to all. I have not included them here because I feel weird about putting this info on the blog in quasi-public. As a side note- you can't Google the blog or search for it, as I have asked for it to be hidden to cut down on any stray lurkers. So remember the title and bookmark it if you choose.

Morellen's Thoughts sent to Susan's e-mail

From the wonderful Morellen in Arlington:

Hey Suki,

I went to blog but wasn't sure how to post so I'll just email you
here. If you think it's useful to paste and post feel free. Sounds
like folks there are already doing a great job of supporting Katie
B. It's 'cause she's so wonderful.

A couple things that we learned that might be useful and I'm sure
much of the below is pretty obvious -

FOOD: gift cards to restaurants (you all @ CAI sent us one) were
really great too and it's a nice way for folks who aren't in the
cooking/delivery area to help out. Rich will probably need food
support while Kate's in hospital - and just after she gets home he's
going to be the one eating. Gift cards can help out then, especially
to places that are both in Falmouth and Boston area.

Right after surgery the household tends to be on high alert for any
infections that can come along so visitors, even beloved smiling
ones, can cause concern. It's a dicey time because you really want
to see people and you don't want to offend all the lovely folks who
are helping you. A porch drop off sounds good as long as it's a
large enough cooler with fresh ice packs plus a secure critter-proof
storage for non-cooled items (though, if it's January, it's all
frozen). Also, spacing deliveries so that there isn't a lot of food
pile-up is a good idea. Having one Food Captain for folks to contact
and for Rich to turn to when the Stuffed Zucchini Casserole Surprise
is overwhelming the freezer makes it really easy.

You wouldn't believe the number of great recipes we got out of John's
surgery.

ENTERTAINMENT: Kate asked me, and I'm sure she's asked others, for
movie ideas. You wouldn't believe how important fun, light movies
were to us! Do they have netflicks? If they don't, having some
folks help them with an account would be a great idea as are movie
suggestions. If there's a way to post movie ideas to the blog I
could put up the list I sent her and everyone could pile on their
suggestions with her requirements (something like: no one dies, no
violence, no onions - can't remember).

HOUSEKEEPING: Groundskeeping, actually. If it's snowing around
surgery time or post-op check up time it is great to know that
someone can help shovel driveway.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS: John and I are pretty sure that the reason he's
around today is because everyone sent and gave such palpable support,
love, energy, prayers. The more Kate can hear those thoughts the
better. Some folks will be more comfortable sending them directly to
Kate and not posting them on the blog - unless Kate and Rich are
checking the blog each day. Rich might want to think about what will
work best for him when Kate's laid low - does he want to check her
emails? Would they prefer cards? Just let us know.

That's what comes to mind now. Hugs to you for all you're doing Miss
Suki.

Hi, this is my first blog splat.... Looks cool, hope I can keep up. Thanks for the inclusion. See you on the 3rd. Cheers, Ship

Welcome to Kate's Circle of Friends Blog

Thanks for the various emails I have already received & we'll look forward to seeing many of you at our place next Wednesday.

Here's a thought for our agenda-

names and phone numbers for all of us

When do we start? Kate thinks it's going to be a long haul & thus we start after her surgery, whenever that is. Ann and I think they'd be glad for some suppers now (thanks to the many who have already been doing this)

Getting everyone on the calendar

Food restrictions, we'll go over them, but here they are:
Please do not cook with onion, garlic, mushrooms or legumes. Regular beans like wax beans and green beans are ok, but beans like lentils, kidney beans, soy beans- and therefore tofu- all should be avoided. Kate loves them all, but these items make her itch!

Odds & ends like using disposable pans or labeling pans, setting up a drop off place on their porch (if she's at an appt or sleeping),posting to the blog, whether we have other things like driving or cleaning

That's all I can think of. Feel free to start adding to this right away with things to include on our agenda, other ideas... anything.

Looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it on Wednesday at 6pm.

thanks all,
Susan