THESE THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY

It was 52 degrees here in Fairbanks, Alaska today.  

As I was outside walking I was overwhelmed 

with a "happy" feeling that spring is here.  

There's other things that make me happy too...

• I got a haircut before things closed down
• We haven't run out of toilet paper
• Bella Grace magazines
• Zoom-with-the-family-celebration for Dave's birthday

• Handmade face masks

• $1.99 gasoline. We haven't seen gasoline this cheap here for probably a decade. 
• Daffodils

• Easter celebration, even though it was very different this year
• Visit with the family on Easter...with social distancing

• Drive-throughs and pick-ups for meals when I get tired of cooking, which is fairly often.
• FaceTime, Marco Polo and Zoom apps
• Connecting with the LifePoint Church family by Zoom
• Airline credits on trips we had to cancel
• Longer daylight hours
• Water boots for walking in melting snow.
• Sunshine and 50 degrees
• A snow-free driveway.
• Isolation Survival Kit (created by Jami)

• Connecting with the granddaughters

We can’t change how things are, but we can change how we will approach today. And yes, an attitude can spread. Begin with us.  Seth Godin

Thank You for Making a Difference in My Life❣️

It's been three weeks since my last radiation treatment. My skin, which looked like a terrible sunburn with peeling, is now back to normal. I never experienced the fatigue that usually goes along with radiation and I'm so thankful to be on this side of treatment. 

In my follow-up appointment this week with the oncologist, he prescribed the Anastrozole pill to try and prevent the reoccurrence of breast cancer. It decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of breast cancers. There's some possible crazy side effects - the worse two being bone pain and osteoporosis. The doc says my bones are perfect so I'm hoping they'll stay strong and healthy. I could possibly be on this pill for up to five years. I'm praying it will be effective with none of the side effects. I took my first pill yesterday.

Another follow-up appointment is scheduled in 3 months, but this should be my last blog on this subject. I'm happy about that and I know you are too. 😊  

I am so grateful for all the people God has put in my life....my family, friends and even the people I've met briefly during this season. Each person has added to my life.

❣️ Life is better with a friend like you.

❣️ Together we can get through anything.

❣️ You make my heart sing.

❣️ Thank you for making a difference in my life.

❣️ Thank you for your part in my journey. 

PS  I've survived cancer, now hopefully I can avoid the Coronavirus!

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.