Today was Chemo #4

Hey All - great news here! I had my fourth Chemo today. It was a bit of a touch and go thing....let me explain. On Friday I got a call from my doctor and chemo nurse telling me I was neutopenic ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutropenic low white blood cell count basically) and to be careful not to be in big public places, wash my hands often and eat food that is cooked very well. And I did those things.

So on Monday morning I went up the Walter Reed early and had my blood drawn stat. And then I met up with Dr. Allard at 9:30am to hear the results and to see if I could have chemo on Tuesday. In my appointment I had an exam on my hysterectomy incisions - they are still healing nicely. He also checked my lymph systems and they were fine. Then we discussed the blood work. All the levels were back to normal so I was good to go for my 4th Chemo. Yeah! I had bounced right back fortunately just like Sarah, my cancer nurse, said I might.

As Dr. Allard and I discussed my blood work I asked him what my CA 125 was. He shared 23.8. Anything at/or under a count of 35 is normal. This news is my favorite Christmas present for 2008. This test is a marker (a lens/a piece of the pie) to help the doctors see if the chemo is working. He was pleased and I was totally elated that I cried. When I started chemo I was at 63 and on my 3rd chemo I was at 51. And it dropped 27.2 points since December 3rd. All this work is paying off thanks be to God!! I am overwhelmed with the progress and how my body is healing from within. This doesn't mean that it won't go back up but yesterday was a good day!!

And today was a good day!! Jim and I went up to Walter Reed and had our 4th chemo day. It went off with out a hitch. I am feeling good and tired. Need to get some rest...thank you for standing with me and praying. I appreciate your love and support!!

I wish you all a great week with your families and friends - we love you! I'll be in touch soon!
hugs, Khris

Heading into my fourth chemo next week

Hey Everyone - Just wanted to give an update. I am feeling pretty good. It has been a good week for me however I am a bit tired. I guess I have been doing a bit much but I have felt so good after the last chemo. I am taking it easy today doing laundry and went to Target to get stocking stuffers for next week and now my Christmas shopping is done! I feel pretty good about that. Now my Christmas cards....well that is another thing....there is still time.

Next week Tuesday (12/23rd) I am off to Walter Reed for my fourth chemo treatment (six in total). It is hard to believe I am on the fourth treatment. My niece, Rebecca, came in to help us with Danielle so Jim and I can be together on Tuesday. I cannot begin to express how much it means to have family and friends coming in and helping/serving us. I am overwhelmed most days with how much others love and care for us. I am so grateful.

Today a pretty lady came up to Danielle and I in Target and she asked me how I was doing. I had my light pink breast cancer hat on and she said she noticed. I said great surprisingly. She is a cancer survivor herself and wanted to encourage me. She reached out to me as if to say - you are doing great and keep it up. WOW! It meant the world to me! I had a kinship with a complete stranger and we connected. That is the great part of cancer - there are no strangers. I have been adopted into a sisterhood(manhood too) of compassionate people. I think this comes about because we have been confronted with our mortality and going deep with people is just easier due to the adage "time is precious".

So with that phrase "time is precious" hug your loved ones and tell them those things that you don't always say. Christmas is full of new beginnings. I always ponder how much God loves me when I see the baby Jesus in the manger then I know in my heart Christmas is truly here!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in 2009! love - khris

Coming off chemo

Hello - today is a slow day. I am not feeling well. My chemo treatment went well last week but this weekend was hard. The side effects have kicked in. I am feeling sick, fatigued and achy. I am off to the hospital today for my weekly blood draw with Dani and Jim. bye for now....

3rd Chemo tomorrow

Hello All - I am headed to Walter Read in the morning. It is my third chemo and at the end of the day I will be half through my total chemo treatment. That is exciting to me!! Jim is spending the day with me - it is a date with my hubby!! My dear friend Rita is staying with Danigirl for the day and a few more with my recovery. I am so grateful to her and Larry.

I am feeling good. I am nervous to have my treatment but know this is what I have to do. Please stand with me in prayer as I face my fears, myself and those beautiful people with cancer at Walter Reed. I consider a privilege to be there among them.

I am off to bed to get some rest!
Hugs to All,
Khris