In my efforts to "setup" Kyrie's Christmas present last evening, I inadvertently deleted almost ALL my iPhone contacts. This is some serious bad luck, since our laptop with all e-mail addresses died last week. So...I have no way of e-mailing everyone I know to tell them to send me their contact information. What?! Are you kidding me. I obviously have some kind of brain malfunction going on.
Anyway...if you have my cell number and are a person I regularly contact via text or phone calls (book club members and school friends, that's you) and are also NOT immediate family (I didn't delete those, since I thought Kyrie should have them...), please go to your own contact info, if you have a smart phone, and choose "Share Contact" and then text or e-mail it to me. Please! I can't believe I did this.
Feeling Ridiculous,
Kelly
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
I'm Ba-ack!
I know you didn't know this, but my laptop died this week! As a result, I have not been able to blog for the past several days. So annoying. But, my fantastic husband showed up with a new laptop yesterday evening! I am so spoiled, I know, but boy did we both miss having a computer for the last couple of days. iPhones are wonderful, but they just can't accomplish quite everything as cheerfully as a computer. Shew!
That being said, it has not been the easiest of weeks. As usual, after my B treatment, I did not feel super-great for two days. I don't feel awful - there is no threat of losing my lunch, really. I just feel kind of drunk. If you know me, you will know that I may have an occasional drink, but I never get drunk. I really hate the feeling. So, feeling dizzy and tired for two days is not my cup of tea. My mom and Matt allowed me to mostly rest up in bed, but unfortunately the mom-duty called on Wednesday night and I was forced out of my confinement to our church Christmas Pageant. Which was hysterical and possibly the best one I have been to as my niece played Mary and my son played Joseph. They stole the show when Mary dropped the baby Jesus and Joseph decided to lounge on the job. I will try and add some photos soon, but alas, I am struggling to get to know my new computer. (My have these things changed in the last five years. This thing has a touch screen! And the startup window is SO different now.)
On Thursday, I was feeling much better. But, I had to get dolled-up once again to go out for The Berrall-Kons Group Christmas dinner. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting for me, and I made my husband take me hone at 7:15pm. Good thing, because that night HE came down with some kind of virus and was up all night coughing and tossing. Add that to Declan's asthma attacks and this Mommy got approximately two hours of sleep.
Friday was not a good day. I had some lower-back pain all week and was pretty certain it was my kidneys. We decided to call my wonderful nurses to speak about it, since I really didn't want to enter the week of Christmas worried about anything and they decided I should come in for a lab test and some fluids. Thankfully, the lab tests were negative for any kind of infection or other problem, so I felt a little silly being there, but the fluids (and IV drip for over two hours) did fix my kidney pain. And, since we ran into Dena while there, she cheered me up hugely by telling me that many patients on my chemo regimen come in for fluids on their very first week and every week after. She felt the fluids could only help me. You always know what I need to hear, Dena! Thank you!
And, since Matt was not well the evening before I forbade him from coming to the hospital and exposing other cancer patients to his nastiness. Luckily for me, my friend Steph is off of work for a few weeks and she was kind enough to go with me. We had a nice time talking, although my brain was malfunctioning (I hope from sleep-deprivation and not chemo-brain, which apparently may be a real thing), so I sometimes was not making the best sense. Steph is such a trooper! She is also a great advocate, telling the nurse things she knew were important. I am so blessed to have her as a friend.
It was not the best of weeks, but in the end, it turned out great and I am feeling a ton better, not just physically but mentally as well. I did not want to go back to the hospital yesterday, but it turned out to be for the best. Plus, I had several awesome things waiting for me on my return. The first of which was a card from Pastor Krysta Deede. It said such wonderful and nice things - it just made my heart lighter. Thank you SO much, Krysta. And then, an e-mail from a friend, Bridgett Manteufel. It was so good to hear from you, Bridgett! Thank you so much for all your words. So nice! And then, this laptop appeared! Awe-some! Thank you, Mattie! You add those to the gratefulness I was feeling towards my mom and Steph and all family that texted and called to check in on me (oh! And, the phone call from Beth that cheered me up early on), and a week that started out looking kind of bleak, turned into a thing of wonderfulness.
Christmas is supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year", but it often turns into just too much pressure, stress, and despair. I hope that we can all take the time to forget about the perfect presents for a few minutes and reflect on the greatest gift ever given - the birth of Jesus.
(And, happy children home for Christmas break, everyone! Good luck!!!! Yikes!)
That being said, it has not been the easiest of weeks. As usual, after my B treatment, I did not feel super-great for two days. I don't feel awful - there is no threat of losing my lunch, really. I just feel kind of drunk. If you know me, you will know that I may have an occasional drink, but I never get drunk. I really hate the feeling. So, feeling dizzy and tired for two days is not my cup of tea. My mom and Matt allowed me to mostly rest up in bed, but unfortunately the mom-duty called on Wednesday night and I was forced out of my confinement to our church Christmas Pageant. Which was hysterical and possibly the best one I have been to as my niece played Mary and my son played Joseph. They stole the show when Mary dropped the baby Jesus and Joseph decided to lounge on the job. I will try and add some photos soon, but alas, I am struggling to get to know my new computer. (My have these things changed in the last five years. This thing has a touch screen! And the startup window is SO different now.)
On Thursday, I was feeling much better. But, I had to get dolled-up once again to go out for The Berrall-Kons Group Christmas dinner. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting for me, and I made my husband take me hone at 7:15pm. Good thing, because that night HE came down with some kind of virus and was up all night coughing and tossing. Add that to Declan's asthma attacks and this Mommy got approximately two hours of sleep.
Friday was not a good day. I had some lower-back pain all week and was pretty certain it was my kidneys. We decided to call my wonderful nurses to speak about it, since I really didn't want to enter the week of Christmas worried about anything and they decided I should come in for a lab test and some fluids. Thankfully, the lab tests were negative for any kind of infection or other problem, so I felt a little silly being there, but the fluids (and IV drip for over two hours) did fix my kidney pain. And, since we ran into Dena while there, she cheered me up hugely by telling me that many patients on my chemo regimen come in for fluids on their very first week and every week after. She felt the fluids could only help me. You always know what I need to hear, Dena! Thank you!
And, since Matt was not well the evening before I forbade him from coming to the hospital and exposing other cancer patients to his nastiness. Luckily for me, my friend Steph is off of work for a few weeks and she was kind enough to go with me. We had a nice time talking, although my brain was malfunctioning (I hope from sleep-deprivation and not chemo-brain, which apparently may be a real thing), so I sometimes was not making the best sense. Steph is such a trooper! She is also a great advocate, telling the nurse things she knew were important. I am so blessed to have her as a friend.
It was not the best of weeks, but in the end, it turned out great and I am feeling a ton better, not just physically but mentally as well. I did not want to go back to the hospital yesterday, but it turned out to be for the best. Plus, I had several awesome things waiting for me on my return. The first of which was a card from Pastor Krysta Deede. It said such wonderful and nice things - it just made my heart lighter. Thank you SO much, Krysta. And then, an e-mail from a friend, Bridgett Manteufel. It was so good to hear from you, Bridgett! Thank you so much for all your words. So nice! And then, this laptop appeared! Awe-some! Thank you, Mattie! You add those to the gratefulness I was feeling towards my mom and Steph and all family that texted and called to check in on me (oh! And, the phone call from Beth that cheered me up early on), and a week that started out looking kind of bleak, turned into a thing of wonderfulness.
Christmas is supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year", but it often turns into just too much pressure, stress, and despair. I hope that we can all take the time to forget about the perfect presents for a few minutes and reflect on the greatest gift ever given - the birth of Jesus.
(And, happy children home for Christmas break, everyone! Good luck!!!! Yikes!)
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Comment Posting
I realize there is some kind of problem, whereby, definitely mobile users are not able to comment, and possibly other users as well. I tried to adjust some settings. No idea if it will work. Please attempt to make a comment, if you have had trouble before. If it doesn't work and you could get word to my mom, sister, sisters-in-law, etc. that would be helpful - I am hesitant to put my e-mail address online, but if you know, you can definitely send me an e-mail as well. I will keep trying!!!!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Friday, December 13, 2013
4A Yay!
Approved for round 4A, this morning with neutrophil levels that tripled between Monday and today. Woo hoo! (Yeah...apparently it was my neutrophil levels that were low, not just my lymphocytes. Still working on all of this fun terminology.) Moving on though, we even managed to get in a bit early - Fridays are so much quieter there, wow! We had a wonderful nurse, named Heather. She and Heather-Heather (Schwar) would get confused as to who we were talking to; fun.
It seemed to go by very fast today. We didn't even get in any games. Just did a lot of talking and catching up, which was super-awesome. I love hearing about everyone's lives and just chit-chatting. Oh! And Dena stopped by, which I always love, love, love. She has such great advice and good things to say. I think everyone could use a dietician to visit them occasionally! Why do I never get a picture of Dena?! Dena, we are doing this next time!
Here is a popsicle toast to my last FEC treatment (5-FU, Epirubicin, and Cytoxan - Yay!):
And because we finished earlier than usual, Matt and I decided to have some lunch at City Market. Mmmmmm... Dena, please pay particular attention to the many colors of the rainbow on my flatbread pizza. Super good.
And, Matt had a really good-looking bacon avocado salad, which I didn't even get a chance to try.
You may notice the bracelet I am wearing in the picture of my pizza. Carrie Kons sent me a beautiful Legacy bracelet many weeks ago. After we got our family pictures back, I contacted them to see if they could add our family photo and they were so nice. They did it for free! I got it back yesterday and was excited to wear it today. The receptionists both noticed it and took a look at it. It was fun! All of my children, nieces, nephews, siblings, parents, and parents-in-law, are pictured on the bracelet. It is really cool!
Finally, I received, at my head-shaving party, a beautiful necklace from my sister. It says on it, "Look fear in the face and do the thing you think you cannot do." Although, we agreed to change it in our heads to, "Look fear in the face and do the thing you do not want to do."
Then, just a few weeks ago, the Beck family (and I think Mrs. Beck, in particular?) sent me this beautiful necklace with several discs on it, all which have an encouraging word on them and a saying on the back.
(For some reason, I cannot get this picture to rotate):
I placed all five discs on one necklace and wore it to the hospital today. Our nurse noticed it and when I was finished with my treatment, she brought this to me:
Apparently, when you finish a course(?), round (?) of chemo, they give you this pendant! Technically, I don't finish till Monday, when I do round 4B, but she was so excited when she saw my necklace that she wanted to give it to me. How nice!!!! So, now I can add Journey to my encouraging phrases! So cool!
(Ugh, this one refuses to rotate as well!)
It seems so weird to say that you enjoyed a day that they pumped you full of toxic chemicals, but I did. I am very blessed.
I am off to bed now. This round kind of kicked my butt, like Thursdays normally do. I am done in. Good night!!!
It seemed to go by very fast today. We didn't even get in any games. Just did a lot of talking and catching up, which was super-awesome. I love hearing about everyone's lives and just chit-chatting. Oh! And Dena stopped by, which I always love, love, love. She has such great advice and good things to say. I think everyone could use a dietician to visit them occasionally! Why do I never get a picture of Dena?! Dena, we are doing this next time!
Here is a popsicle toast to my last FEC treatment (5-FU, Epirubicin, and Cytoxan - Yay!):
And because we finished earlier than usual, Matt and I decided to have some lunch at City Market. Mmmmmm... Dena, please pay particular attention to the many colors of the rainbow on my flatbread pizza. Super good.
And, Matt had a really good-looking bacon avocado salad, which I didn't even get a chance to try.
You may notice the bracelet I am wearing in the picture of my pizza. Carrie Kons sent me a beautiful Legacy bracelet many weeks ago. After we got our family pictures back, I contacted them to see if they could add our family photo and they were so nice. They did it for free! I got it back yesterday and was excited to wear it today. The receptionists both noticed it and took a look at it. It was fun! All of my children, nieces, nephews, siblings, parents, and parents-in-law, are pictured on the bracelet. It is really cool!
Finally, I received, at my head-shaving party, a beautiful necklace from my sister. It says on it, "Look fear in the face and do the thing you think you cannot do." Although, we agreed to change it in our heads to, "Look fear in the face and do the thing you do not want to do."
Then, just a few weeks ago, the Beck family (and I think Mrs. Beck, in particular?) sent me this beautiful necklace with several discs on it, all which have an encouraging word on them and a saying on the back.
(For some reason, I cannot get this picture to rotate):
I placed all five discs on one necklace and wore it to the hospital today. Our nurse noticed it and when I was finished with my treatment, she brought this to me:
Apparently, when you finish a course(?), round (?) of chemo, they give you this pendant! Technically, I don't finish till Monday, when I do round 4B, but she was so excited when she saw my necklace that she wanted to give it to me. How nice!!!! So, now I can add Journey to my encouraging phrases! So cool!
(Ugh, this one refuses to rotate as well!)
It seems so weird to say that you enjoyed a day that they pumped you full of toxic chemicals, but I did. I am very blessed.
I am off to bed now. This round kind of kicked my butt, like Thursdays normally do. I am done in. Good night!!!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Some Awesomeness
I received this in the mail today from my six-year old niece, Amelia:
(Why is the blogger system rotating my photos? Anyone?)
Amelia, thank you for the beautiful picture! I just love it and am keeping it with all of the other wonderful cards I have received so that when I have a not-so-good day, I can reach in and pick out some words of encouragement! Thank you!!!
Amelia, thank you for the beautiful picture! I just love it and am keeping it with all of the other wonderful cards I have received so that when I have a not-so-good day, I can reach in and pick out some words of encouragement! Thank you!!!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Hiccough (Hiccup)
A slight setback in the overall plan... My lymphocyte levels were too low today to do Chemo. This is a bummer, since I was already there and set to go and would've liked to get this round over with. BUT, and I want to be pretty clear on this, the Doc did not seem overly concerned. She said that "this happens". And, that waiting a few extra days for Chemo is not going to change anything, other than that it gives my body a few extra days to recover from the effects of Chemo to my immune system.
So...while I am super-bummed since this pretty much revokes my "Rock Star" status, I am trying to look on the bright side of things:
It was a bit of a rough day, since I didn't take this news all that well after having a hard time with crazy kids early on in the morning. But, the doctor did convince me that this is not a big deal, so I am choosing to see it that way. No pictures of the fun, since there was none, but I did take a picture of the Breast Cancer Center Christmas tree. I thought it was very pretty.
Oh! The other silver lining - my husband took me out to lunch at The Chancery. It was nice to have that quiet time with him and to enjoy some delicious food that didn't taste weird or off.
Hmm...but the black(?) lining - I don't feel like I deserve these beautiful flowers that were waiting for me upon our return. I guess I will have to endeavor to earn them on Friday instead. Thank you, Matthew.
So...while I am super-bummed since this pretty much revokes my "Rock Star" status, I am trying to look on the bright side of things:
- It means I won't feel sick at Kyrie's orchestra concert on Thursday
- It means I get a few extra days off of feeling pretty good.
- It means I should feel pretty good this coming weekend since I am on all the wunder-drugs.
It was a bit of a rough day, since I didn't take this news all that well after having a hard time with crazy kids early on in the morning. But, the doctor did convince me that this is not a big deal, so I am choosing to see it that way. No pictures of the fun, since there was none, but I did take a picture of the Breast Cancer Center Christmas tree. I thought it was very pretty.
Oh! The other silver lining - my husband took me out to lunch at The Chancery. It was nice to have that quiet time with him and to enjoy some delicious food that didn't taste weird or off.
Hmm...but the black(?) lining - I don't feel like I deserve these beautiful flowers that were waiting for me upon our return. I guess I will have to endeavor to earn them on Friday instead. Thank you, Matthew.
Friday, December 6, 2013
What?! More Awesomeness?!
When my mother arrived this morning she came bearing gifts! Great minds think alike and that is true in this instance. Longtime friends of our family, Keith and Dede Marty sent us a poinsettia plant! Look how beautiful my family room looks with these two plants! How cool! Not only that, the Marty's sent us a beautiful card and an extremely generous Visa Gift Card. Thank you so much, Martys. You have always been so good to our family. Thank you for being so good to me.
I also talked to Steph last night (she sent us the other poinsettia plant) and she told me how she saw one at her Drs. office and had never seen a pink poinsettia before. She loved it so much and said when she saw it she knew she had to send me one. We definitely love pink here! Thank you, Steph!
And...my Dad's Aunt and her daughter were nice enough to send us this fruit basket. Awe-some! There are pears and apples, kiwis and grapefruit, and even a pomegranate in this thing. Umm...and did I mention the chocolate?! Godiva truffles and chocolate-covered pretzels. Wow, you know the way to this girls heart! Thank you so much Aunt Beverly and Cousin Jacque! So unnecessary and so very generous and wonderful. Thank you!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Lots of Awesomeness
There has been a lot of awesomeness this week. Crazy. First, Matt's cousin, Dawn, who was not feeling good still managed to make us a truly beautiful dinner...of tacos! How do you make a beautiful dinner of tacos?! Like this:
So fun! Thank you so much, Ms. Bruders and Mrs. Kveen!
I forgot to mention the wonderful brat dinner the Brandels made us on Monday as well. I have no pictures of that, because the kids scarfed it down so fast. These guys just love brats. So bizarre.
Okay, backtracking a bit to last Saturday, Cathy's family sent me yet another present - a beautiful book called "Fight On" as well as a necklace, a motivational sign, that goes perfectly with the one Cathy had already given me, some aloe socks (interesting!), a nail file (I always need these) and some nail polish. It was such a nice thing for them to do. Here is a collage of some of the pages in the book - such beautiful photos and great sayings. I know I will be looking at it often.
Finally, I was so surprised when the doorbell rang today with a flower delivery. My very good friend, Steph, sent me this beautiful poinsettia plant!
Thank you, Steph, and Bondioli family! We are definitely in the Christmas spirit around here now! So pretty!
Yum! The tacos were delicious! And, the fruit. Wow!!! Dawn, Matt and I loved the chips and cheese add-on from your kids. So good! Umm...and ice cream for dessert? I don't think it could get any better. Thank you so much, Dawn! We hope you are feeling better and that the week has been full of good news for you!!!
Then...Declan's preschool teacher from last year brought over a gift basket for me from her and a former preschool teacher of Kyrie. It was so neat. Full of fun hats to wear! And, lotion, and cards, and note paper. So fun! I wish I had taken a picture of the basket, because it was beautiful, but we kind of ripped it apart really fast trying on all of the hats. Here are some pics:
So fun! Thank you so much, Ms. Bruders and Mrs. Kveen!
I forgot to mention the wonderful brat dinner the Brandels made us on Monday as well. I have no pictures of that, because the kids scarfed it down so fast. These guys just love brats. So bizarre.
Okay, backtracking a bit to last Saturday, Cathy's family sent me yet another present - a beautiful book called "Fight On" as well as a necklace, a motivational sign, that goes perfectly with the one Cathy had already given me, some aloe socks (interesting!), a nail file (I always need these) and some nail polish. It was such a nice thing for them to do. Here is a collage of some of the pages in the book - such beautiful photos and great sayings. I know I will be looking at it often.
Finally, I was so surprised when the doorbell rang today with a flower delivery. My very good friend, Steph, sent me this beautiful poinsettia plant!
Thank you, Steph, and Bondioli family! We are definitely in the Christmas spirit around here now! So pretty!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Kelly's Army Playlist
I knew there was something I forgot yesterday. I had more to say under the category of "And More". Here's what it was...
Matt made me a Kelly's Army playlist for my iPhone/Pod. I merely mentioned to him that it might be fun to copy this CD for others and within two days he came home with all of the supplies. So...if you are interested in a Kelly's Army CD, please let me know. Here is the playlist:
I would like to add that number 17 on the playlist, "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan has become kind of special to me. Lariska was home sick one day and was watching the movie "Charlotte's Web". This song played during the closing credits and I said to Matt, "Why isn't that on my CD?" (jerk that I am). He immediately added it to my list, realizing that I obviously liked it mucho.
You can hear it on YouTube as well. I like this song because I am hopeful that someday curing or preventing cancer will be just another ordinary miracle. This song is not only beautiful, it gives me a lot of hope.
If you would like a copy of the Kelly's Army CD, please let us know!
P.S. Cathy also made me an awesome CD - "Kick It Kelly". I love it as well. I can also make copies of that for anyone interested. But, I don't have the list of songs.
Matt made me a Kelly's Army playlist for my iPhone/Pod. I merely mentioned to him that it might be fun to copy this CD for others and within two days he came home with all of the supplies. So...if you are interested in a Kelly's Army CD, please let me know. Here is the playlist:
- Marry Me 3:25 Train Save Me, San Francisco (Bonus Track Version) Pop
- God Gave Me You 3:50 Blake Shelton Red River Blue (Deluxe Version) Country
- Gone, Gone, Gone 3:30 Phillip Phillips The World from the Side of the Moon (Deluxe) Pop
- Holy Ground 3:23 Taylor Swift Red Country & Folk 12
- I'm Going to Love You Through It 3:49 Martina McBride
- One More Day 3:36 Diamond Rio Diamond Rio: 16 Biggest Hits Country 1
- It's Time 4:00 Imagine Dragons Night Visions Alternative
- One Step At a Time 3:25 Jordin Sparks Jordin Sparks Pop
- Who I Am 4:15 Jessica Andrews Who I Am Country
- F**kin' Perfect 3:34 P!nk F**kin' Perfect (Perfect) - Single Pop (The clean version!)
- Radioactive 3:07 Imagine Dragons Night Visions Alternative
- Fighter 4:06 Christina Aguilera Stripped Pop
- Roar 3:44 Katy Perry Roar Pop 1
- Fly (feat. Rihanna) 3:33 Nicki Minaj Pink Friday (Deluxe Edition) R&B/Soul
- Survivor 4:14 Destiny's Child Survivor Pop
- Skyscraper 3:41 Demi Lovato Unbroken Pop
- Ordinary Miracle 3:04 Sarah McLachlan Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff, Vol. 2 Alternative 1
- Healer (Live) 7:05 Hillsong Live This Is Our God (Live) Christian & Gospel 3
- The Hurt & The Healer 4:50 MercyMe The Hurt & The Healer Christian & Gospel 2
- Here I Am 5:48 Marvin Sapp Here I Am (Deluxe Version) Christian & Gospel
I would like to add that number 17 on the playlist, "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan has become kind of special to me. Lariska was home sick one day and was watching the movie "Charlotte's Web". This song played during the closing credits and I said to Matt, "Why isn't that on my CD?" (jerk that I am). He immediately added it to my list, realizing that I obviously liked it mucho.
You can hear it on YouTube as well. I like this song because I am hopeful that someday curing or preventing cancer will be just another ordinary miracle. This song is not only beautiful, it gives me a lot of hope.
If you would like a copy of the Kelly's Army CD, please let us know!
P.S. Cathy also made me an awesome CD - "Kick It Kelly". I love it as well. I can also make copies of that for anyone interested. But, I don't have the list of songs.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Some Awesomeness and More
Let's do the "more" before the awesomeness, actually. I wrote the other day asking why no one comments on the site. Turns out, I had it set that only registered users could comment. Whoops. Sorry about that. I have changed it and now you should be able to comment anonymously without having a Google account or other (but, if you would sign your name, I would really appreciate it!). Yay! Hope it works!!!
Now for some awesomeness. Check out the cookies my neighbor (and a book club member) made for us today. Holy moly!
There is a batch of chocolate chip cookies there, labeled "just for Kelly" (Love!), as well as another batch of chocolate chip cookies, but with no milk or egg, as well as frosted cookies with no milk or egg and finally kolache cookies. I have tried them all and they are all delicious. Can you believe Angela and her mom worked so hard today?! They made A LOT of cookies!!! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!!!
Now for some awesomeness. Check out the cookies my neighbor (and a book club member) made for us today. Holy moly!
There is a batch of chocolate chip cookies there, labeled "just for Kelly" (Love!), as well as another batch of chocolate chip cookies, but with no milk or egg, as well as frosted cookies with no milk or egg and finally kolache cookies. I have tried them all and they are all delicious. Can you believe Angela and her mom worked so hard today?! They made A LOT of cookies!!! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!!!
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