FIVE DOWN....SIXTEEN TO GO

MY FIRST WEEK (5 days) of radiation treatment is 

done, 

finished, 

over-with, 

completed. 

16 TREATMENTS TO GO.  

Everyday (Monday through Friday) at 2:00 pm finds me at the Cancer Treatment Center waiting for treatment to begin.

Last night at the Ice Dogs "Stick-It-To-Cancer" Hockey game, Jami and I were on the ice. Jami was honored to drop the puck. They featured Jami's work with Kisses from Kena where she and her team donate bags filled with useful and thoughtful items for cancer patients undergoing chemo and radiation. They shared my cancer story because I was a recipient of one of her bags. It was an exciting evening full of energy and determination to "Stick-It-To-Cancer.      

Kathy and Jami on the ice.

I'm wearing the #66 jersey and carrying the bag I received from Kisses from Kena. 

This is just prior to Jami dropping the puck!

SEE VIDEO

Kathy and Jami

Our family in full support

Today at my treatment, one of the therapist asked, "Was that you on the ice last night at the Ice Dogs Game?"  That put a smile on my face as I was being zapped with radiation.  

I'm looking forward to no treatments this weekend and then on Monday I'll start round two. 

Happy Birthday to me!

I FINALLY HAVE A PLAN

My radiation theraphy plan is finally official.

 

2️⃣1️⃣ Treatments

First Treatment - Jan 27

Last Treatment - Feb 24

(5 days a week)

The actual treatments will only be 10 - 15 minutes each day, except on Mondays when the doctor will check in with me.  

I went in today for a "trial run."  During our cold weather the HEATED BLANKETS will be my favorite thing. 

I HAVE RECEIVED KISSES FROM KENA

Last week, 3 weeks after surgery, I had a cold.  I swear it was worse than the surgery.

Also, last week I had several post-op appointments with the oncologist and radiation. I've been mapped and marked - getting ready for treatment to begin.  I'll be free for the next 2 weeks while the team reviews my images and calculates the plan for treatment.

It's starting to feel "real" and I'm ready to get this ball rolling.

When I checked in for my last appointment, I was given an IKEA bag filled with helpful and fun items for people dealing with cancer treatment (lotions, chapstick, puzzle book, blanket, leggings, hand-made neck warmer, Color Street nails, toothbrush/toothpaste, Kleenex, washcloth and more).  I RECOGNIZED  the bag right away as the ones my daughter, Jami and her team, put together and donate to the Cancer-Center.  Her passion for this project, Kisses from Kena*, started several years ago when a good friend's baby died of cancer.  She partners with many different people through the year to put together 300 bags (annually) to be given to patients undergoing chemo/radiation.

(Jami, her husband and Dave 

delivering Kisses from Kena chemo bags to the hospital

the beginning of January, 2020)

I have helped pack these bags, I have donated items for these bags, but on this day, I was a recipient of one of these bags.  I have received Kisses from Kena.  😘

Thank you, Jami and your team, for your mission of love and care.  

*You can follow "Jami Welch Martinson - Kisses from Kena" on FB.  

THERE'S SO MUCH JOY TO CELEBRATE!!

Here we are at the end of 2019….

• I’m wearing new glasses (stronger prescription) and smaller clothes than at the beginning of the year. 
• I’ve had 7 months with no SVT episodes (heart ablation in May).
• Dave and I visited family & friends on the west and east coast this year, building deeper relationships. 
• I’ve seen and experienced answered prayers. 
• I have scars proving I had breast cancer surgery this month.
• My heart has been awakened with a new level of gratitude. 
• Good news (tests results - negative) on Christmas Eve makes for a richer appreciation of family and Christmas.
• I’ve discovered you can’t express love or receive love without relationships becoming more meaningful, richer and stronger. 
• God still speaks and the angels surround us as we sing.  

"When Angels Land" 

Lift up your voice

this holiday

There's so much joy

to celebrate

Now love has finally brought us here together

with a wise and guiding hand

It's the miracle of Christmas

when angels land   

Descending from the heavens

with these gifts upon their wings

The peace we share

Goodwill for all

They surround us as we sing

Lift up your voice

this holiday

There's so much joy

to celebrate

Now love has finally brought us here together

with a wise and guiding hand

It's the miracle of Christmas

when angels land  

(Written by Kristin Chenoweth and Chely Wright

from the Hallmark movie, "A Christmas Love Story")

Good News

I just received a call from my surgeon's office with test results from my surgery last Thursday:

• Lymph nodes - negative (no cancer)
• Tumor margins - clear 

So thoughtful of them to call BEFORE the holidays with GOOD NEWS!!!  

I do believe I can hear the angels singing!

Merry Christmas!!

Post-Surgery....Pre-Christmas

It's been four days since my surgery. My compression wrap and bandages came off last evening. The steri-strips are still in place and should come off on their own. I'm feeling more freedom and I'm doing very well.

• I'm still not lifting anything heavy with my right arm.
• No Jazzercise yet, but I did walk 2 miles on an inside track at the Dipper today.
• I'm enjoying beautiful flowers and gifts I've received. 

• The impatiens I'm trying to keep alive during the winter actually had one bloom during my surgery time. I welcomed its message of hope and cheer. 

• Proudly wearing my "Save a Rack" sweatshirt. 

• My next appointment is January 8th and all the test results from the lump and lymph nodes should be back. At that time we will move forward with a treatment plan.  I see no reason to expect anything other than what's already been discussed....five weeks of radiation.  
• While I love the Christmas lights, decorations and gifts, my heart will be full of gratitude for the presence of family and friends. Their laughter, smiles, words, hugs and love will be the best gifts of all around our tree this year.  
• Merry Christmas to you and yours.  Make sure you get your mammogram next year and don't delay if forgiveness in a relationship is needed. Don't be afraid to make the first move. 
• Christmas songs I've enjoyed this season, both by Lauren Daigle
• Noel  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vwu-t7QRaE)
• Light of the World  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR5iwssnTn4)

Surgery is Over

I'm thankful to be on this side of surgery and that my recovery is going well.

Yesterday was a long day, but successful.

• I checked into the hospital at 8:45 am (10 degrees) and was released around 5:45 pm (-25 degrees).  
• Before surgery I was injected with a radioactive dye, which would travel to my lymph nodes, and a radioactive chip was inserted by the tumor to guide the surgeon in locating the tumor during surgery.  Dr. Fowler said some women experience pain and lots of discomfort with the injection of dye, but, thankfully, I only felt a little sting and no discomfort at all. And I'm not glowing. 
• While waiting for surgery I enjoyed the visits of family and friends and many of them waited with Dave while I was in surgery. Thank you Geoff and Nicole, Jami and Matt, Joan and Kaiden. Of course, Dave was with me the whole time. I received many encouraging texts that morning and Nancy prayed over me via the Marco Polo app. The prayers, love and support helped keep me calm and at peace. 
• About an hour and a half later than scheduled, I was wisked back to surgery. One lady assisting with the surgery team asked me what kind of music I would like to hear. My first thought was "no jazz, please." Then I asked for Christmas music.  She said, "Christmas music it is," but I was out and never heard any music at all.
• Surgery went well. The lump was removed along with a couple of lymph nodes. Everything looked as expected (no obvious signs of cancer migration). The lump and nodes will be sent off for testing, with results in possibly a week. If all is clear, which we're expecting, I'll begin 5 weeks of radiation in about a month. Thankful to be on this side of surgery.
• We were on my way home around 5:45 pm. We hadn't left the parking lot when I got a call saying they had forgotten to take out my IV.  I went back in and they met me at the door and removed.  Now we could go home.
• I was hungry for mashed potatoes and gravy, so Kaiden stopped by KFC and brought dinner home for the 3 of us. Later the family stopped by and we recounted the events of the day. I feel so blessed to have my family close by. I never want to take them for granted and I need to say "I Love You" much more than I do. 
• After the kids left, Dave and I settled down for the evening. I crawled into bed and he was next to me watching a Hallmark movie (😊).  I fell asleep but Dave woke me up at midnight to take meds. I was awake and started talking about the day: 
• how everyone at the hospital treated me with such care and respect
• Remembering people by name and specific things they had done to help me. 
• I laughed and cried (good tears) talking about how blessed I am. 
• I'm sure Dave was thankful I finally fell asleep....around 1:30 a.m.
• Today I am up and about and feeling good. Looking forward to movie night with the kids this evening. I am taking the advice of many to rest, rest, rest.  

A faith moment:

I recently read a book "He Called me Rhea" by Rhea Zakich (my 2nd cousin's wife).  She talks about picturing  Jesus in specific circumstances in our lives.  

Before surgery when I was having the radioactive stuff done (as I explained above), I was waiting in the room all by myself for 15 or so minutes. I was very nervous because the Doctor had already told me this could be very painful. I thought about Rhea's book and tried picturing Jesus in the room with me. My IV was already in and I was trying to get my left arm comfortable. In my mind I tried to picture Jesus holding my left hand, but I could not get a picture of it in my mind. The doctor returned and as he started the injection his nurse, not saying anything, took my left hand and held it while the injection took place. (As I described above, I experienced no pain or discomfort). I told the nurse how much I appreciated her holding my hand. So when the doctor started to insert the radioactive chip, the nurse came over and asked if I wanted her to hold my hand again. We both smiled and I said, "yes, please."  You may see this as simply the nurse holding my hand. I see (and feel) that it was Jesus, through this nurse, who was holding my hand. It was such a strong spiritual moment that I cannot even think about it without tearing up. I'll always remember Jesus holding my hand.  

I've received so many texts, private messages, cards, phone calls, flowers, gifts, visits.

How will I ever pass on these blessings?