ZERO TREATMENTS TO GO

I had my last radiation treatment today (2/24).

Twenty-one treatments finished.

ZERO treatments to go.  

Thank you Mary and Vickie for the beautiful flowers.

The family helped me celebrate over dinner

and then we lit sparklers in the street.  

Jami and Geoff

I'm happy to be done with radiation

TODAY IN FLORIDA...

Joy, Marilyn and Steve helped me celebrate by eating one of my favorites - Krispy Kreme donuts. 

It was so thoughtful of them to celebrate with me by eating my share of the donuts.   

This journey is about over.  

• I have a few follow-up appointments over the next several weeks, but I'm so thankful the DAILY treatments are finished. 
• I've been blessed to have had only a few minor side effects.
• Kudo's to the radiation staff at the Cancer-Treatment Center here in Fairbanks. They always treated me with upmost respect, kindness and care.
• So many of you have been such a great support to me during this time. I will never forget it and I thank God for you.  
• 85 days since my doctor said, "You have breast cancer." 85 days and now cancer-free!

  

   

SIX MORE TREATMENTS TO GO...

As of today, I've finished 1️⃣5️⃣ radiation treatments.....6️⃣ more to go.

During the last ten treatments....

• I had a sinus infection and was on antibiotics for ten days. That was definitely worse than any of my radiation treatments.
• I spent my birthday in bed sick. Number seventy-four did not get off to a very good start, but it's improving rapidly. 
• Maddy spent the week with us while her mom and dad were in Phoenix (business trip for Nicole).  It was a fun week with our youngest granddaughter.  
• I enjoyed a belated birthday celebration at Pagoda (in North Pole) with all the family. Pagoda did not disappoint...it's one of my favorite places to eat, especially when surrounded by family.
• Flower delivery. These flowers are so cheery in our sub-zero weather, and a reminder from Nancy that I'm not alone.  ❤️

• Happy Valentine's Day!  Dave and I enjoyed  Cold Stone ice cream this afternoon at -15 degrees. Sweet cream is my favorite flavor.  We'll have dinner and a movie at home tonight since it's suppose to be -25 to -30 degrees. Don't worry, we have a good supply of chocolates on hand.  
• Even with being sick I didn't miss any of my radiation treatments so I'm still on schedule to finish February 24th. 
• I continue to THANK YOU for your thoughts, prayers and expressions of love.  
•  IT'S ALMOST TIME TO PARTY AND CELEBRATE!  

Thanks, Teresa!  😂

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!!