My Pink Threads

Celebrating 3 years of NO CANCER

2011-10-24T18:27:00.002-04:00

Hello All,
Life is an everchanging cycle of events! I am in full remission from my uterine cancer for three years now! I have two more to go and I am considered "cured". I am overwhelmed at God's goodness and graciousness!

Since my last entry life has dramitically change for Jim and me. We moved with the Army to Rancho Cucamonga, California in February of 2010. And in May of 2010 we had our second child - James Isaac Orbock. His adoption was finalized in May of 2011. We call James - Jack. We came up with that due to the first two letters of James and the last two letters of Orbock. It just fits him.

I had no idea how life could open up such a blessing in such a short amount of time. Danielle prayed for a little brother and God answered! It is hard to believe we are a family of four now.

I am on the road to healing!

2009-09-13T16:36:00.011-04:00

Hello All,

It has been a bit for me to write! I finished my radiation on 30 April. And after that I took some time to heal and rest and travel over the summer. I was exhausted from the radiation. June through the end of August I visited with friend's here, there and everywhere...it was an amazing summer full of fun, family and friends! The best I've had in a long time....

I have hair and eye lashes now. In fact I have had my first hair cut....I love being able to put on makeup and do my hair. The photo is from this summer at my parents place in Michigan. A very dear friend took the photo and captured our joy....Amazing Heidi!

I just saw Dr. Stany up at Walter Reed last week for my second post-cancer evaluation and he said I look great, healing well and I am in remission! I am so thrilled down to my toes! I feel great!

I was recruited last November by Col. Maxwell for a half marathon put on by/supported by Walter Reed. So I have been training to run. It has been a long time since I have done any exercise and I am even lifting weights to strengthen and tone up my body! Jim and I will be running the 5K race with Dani in the stroller. I cannot wait to run in celebration near our National Capital Mall...I am pumped! If you would like to come and run with us it is on November 8th at 7am til 11am in Washington DC. Here is the website to check it out http://www.gcfrace.com/ only 54 days left until the race.... I have been using the Podcast from I-Tunes called Podrunner:Intervels - great music and gets you moving!

More news for us is we will be moving to Upland, California on January 15th, 2010. Jim was picked up for a new job out there so we are leaving DC on a new adventure. I will keep you updated on our plans...

Speaking of news I just want to express to the world how incredible my cancer journey has been! There have been good and bad days during this season! And God has redeemed my illness with complete care, love, provision in amazing ways. It has affected my entire life and those family and friends around me. I could not have walked through this without you friend!!! Cancer is a thief. Choosing an attitude joy proved nothing can be stolen from me! I am grateful for this life I live!

Drop me a note via email or Facebook if you get the chance....I need to make sure I have my address book updated and revised.

I got to RING the BELL!!

2009-04-29T10:31:00.005-04:00

Hello All,

It has been a bit because the external radiation took every bit of energy I had. It was a long six weeks!!! I have been done since April 15th and resting comfortably. I am feeling great and doing well. The Video is documentation that my 28 Radiation Treatments is over! It got to ring that glorious bell - oh what fun it was!

Today my Mom and Dani are driving me up to Walter Reed so I can begin my Brachy Therapy (internal radiation treatment). This is the last big push for my overall treatment. I will sleep overnight at the hospital and in the morning they will start treatment. It will be 33 hours and 15 minutes exactly. I hope to be home Friday afternoon if everything is perfect!!

I am nervous but who wouldn't be?? I know God is with me and all will be well. I will be in touch soon!
Love to you all - Khris

My Radiation Therapy begins....

2009-03-08T20:47:00.006-04:00

Hello All,

Life is good - here Dani and I were together with Jim at Disney on Ice in DC back in February having a ball...what a great day

Tomorrow I start with my radiation therapy at Walter Reed. I am rested up from my last chemo and feel encouraged about the days ahead. I will start with 6 weeks of 5 days a week of external radiation and then end with a three day internal therapy at Walter Reed.

On an interesting note - when Jim, Dani and I went in for our first consult at the hospital we were in the waiting room a man rang a hand bell at the receptionists desk. And I wondered what that meant....we found out it is the tradition of the office that once you are finished and on your last day of treatment you get to ring that bell signifying you are DONE. Oh how I want to ring that BELL! And by God's grace I will....

To help with my "busy" schedule our MOM's are coming in be with Dani when I am up at the hospital....oh how grateful we are for them!!!

Love you all - need to go give my daughter a bath...khris

2009-02-21T15:35:00.001-05:00

I have finished chemo as of Feb 4th!

2009-02-21T15:10:00.002-05:00

Hello all - I apologize for not blogging for a bit! I finished my last chemo session on Feb. 4th and it went well!!!!!. I am thrilled and relived!!! I have been recovering nicely. My hair has even started growing back!! It is just peach fuzz but I will take it! I have been enjoying new energy levels as I have been recovering. I have been baking with my daughter, making new recipes, going out with my sweet Bible study gals to new places, and just spending time with my family. This break between chemo and radiation has been such a respite for me...

It looks like I will start with my radiation therapy on March 9th. The external part is 6 weeks of five days a week (30 sessions of radiation) and then the internal is up to three days in the hospital. It is so cool how this process works. It is a certain wave of energy that damages the cancer cells so that they cannot heal themsleves; the cancer-free cells can repair themselves. I received tattoo's on my abdomen for positioning in the machine so they are able to give me treatment in the exact same place each time - essential! Jim is calling my treatments tanning sessions! heehee....The docs say the radiation process is a bit easier than chemotherapy - we'll see.

I greatly appreicate all of your notes of encouragement, wishes and prayers for us. Your gift of friendship to me and my family means the world. I love you all and need you! Hugs - Khris

Through my 5th Chemo Head

2009-01-23T16:01:00.004-05:00

Hey All,

It has been a few days since my 5th chemo and I am coming up and out of the effects. I am feeling better everyday. I am still here and just trying to keep up with Danigirl and my housekeeping. Please pray for me that I stay on task with "doing the next thing".

A highlight for me this January was a personal tour through the West End of the White House via a close friend a few days before the Ingraution. What a privelege to walk the halls and pray for our nation and our world! Here is my lovely family.

Hugs to all,

Khris

2009 is HERE and my 5th Chemo!

2009-01-08T10:34:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I am looking forward to the days ahead in this bright new year. My Christmas and New Years were happy and full of family, friends and fun - the three F's! I hope and pray yours were full of the same!

Tomorrow morning is my 5th chemo (the 6th is my last treatment on Feb. 4th) and I am going by myself. This will give me time to knit, chat and rest. Dani and Jim are staying home and having a Daddy Daughter Day!! What fun they will have!

My numbers from the blood work this week were great! I am on track with my treatment plan. I am encouraged. I have been more tired for the last three weeks but that is to be expected. At the appointment I was told I had a certain glow about me...I know this is from how good I feel. She said I am doing fantastic with my chemo. I am tired but I have energy throughout my days. This is such a booster for me emotionally. I am able to visit with friends and get certain errands accomplished and projects completed. I am home so often that when I get to go out it really lifts my spirits.

It is my hope and prayer to finish my treatments with a joyful heart and attitude. I now feel like I am thriving not just surviving. I give the credit to my relationship with God and doing what the docs have told me to do. I am so grateful at God's provision of care through Walter Reed and my amazing relationships with my friends and family. Life is so good and meant to be lived. Knowing He is there has brought me such realization of He's presence and how real He truly is. I am so utterly grateful!!

Love to you all - I'll chat with ya later friends! Hugs - Khris

Today was Chemo #4

2008-12-23T21:01:00.006-05:00

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

2008-12-18T14:29:00.005-05:00

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

2008-12-08T10:18:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-02T21:49:00.003-05:00

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

Redefining Sexy!!

2008-11-25T17:22:00.003-05:00

It has been three weeks since my last entry...it has been full and challenging. I am doing well overall. To bring you up to date my 2nd chemo was on November 13th. It was a good treatment up at Walter Reed. The weekend before I decided to cut my hair very short due to the fact that the carboplatin was making it slowly fall out. It was very freeing and ego boosting for me....let me explain.

On November 9th when I cut my hair my daughter woke up from her nap to a new Mommie. And when she saw me she came up and touched my head and declared - "Perfect Mommie" while patting my head. She brought so much joy and acceptance to my soul I cried.

It totally helped me see myself in a new light. In the light of how God views me and sees me. I am not defined just by my outward beauty alone but by my attitude and love for Him and others. His love is what makes me so courageous and full of life. I believe that is where true beauty is born. My journey with cancer is redefining how I view beauty, health, and self image.

As I have been going out into the public with my new doo I have a confidence I have never had. I was nervous about people staring but that really hasn't happened. I think this is so due to how I feel inside. I feel so forunate to be in a recovery plan for my cancer I cannot express how glad I am to be alive and well!! Everyday is a gift to me and another one to be with my family and friends. I am so grateful to God that the docs caught it when they did.

Recoving well from last week

2008-10-30T09:35:00.002-04:00

The first experience of chemo was a positive one. Last Thursday was a life changing time with all the new information I had to learn about my situation and the lovely ladies I met as the day progressed. I was profoundly moved by how cancer radically changes your world view and your everyday tasks. I am grateful for the eyes to see such beauty and grace in the faces of those I met on the 7th floor of Walter Reed.

As the day started I sat with all the other chemo patients and our drugs were delived from the pharmacy. When everything was ready my nurse had me hold the bags of cocktails to read them back to her for verifcation on the type and amount of drugs we were going to put into my body. I was scared, awed and knew I had to do this. It was a life changing moment. It was so nice to walk through this with my husband Jim. He is an amazing man who God often uses to stabilize me in a profound way.

In the recovery process I had a bit of constipation due to the strong drugs so I just worked through it all. I just didn't feel good. Between the hysterectomy hot and cold flashes and the effects of the Taxol and Carboplatin I was coping. It brought me to a place of just taking each moment at a time. I kinda feel like I am on a huge river ride and I am going with the current as God holds me in the boat.

So now a week out from my first chemo I'm recovering well and often I feel the drug side effects throughout my day. The body is a remarkable creation of God and I have been thinking and praying good thoughts over my situation for God's purpose and plan. This cancer is so much bigger than me - I know this without a shadow of a doubt.

Today is a good day! I appreciate your love and support! hugs - k

1st chemo in the morning

2008-10-22T21:28:00.004-04:00

I am full of things to say but don't know what to share exactly. I am emotional yet calm, nervous yet at peace, tired yet alert. Today I had the surgery to implant my port for the chemo drugs and it went very well. It was quick and neat. Jim was a great support to me as well.

As tomorrow approaches I am asking for God to hide me in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17) and for His strengh, peace and courage. I will try and have Jim post something tomorrow night and a possible email to go out to you for an update. If there isn't one by evening we just need a bit of time to get settled in. I love you all...k

Here I go....

2008-10-19T21:47:00.004-04:00

For my first entry into MY PINK THREADS I hope and plan to share my journey through my cancer! I am going to Walter Reed in the morning with Jim to take another step into my cancer recovery. I am encouraged overall and know without a doubt I am in the middle of God's will.

I would like to be doing something else right now but this is what the Lord has for me and for my family. And I was talking with HIM about this and asked if I could just be Star Trekked - beemed to September of '09 and not have to go through all of this. And He said back to me...with a whisper I am going to walk all the way with YOU my daughter. This is for you to see ME and know ME in ways you have never experienced with ME. The bottom has not fallen out I have YOU in MY Palm, Khristina. I love and know exactly where and how you are!!

I feel assured in my doctors, our plan for my recovery and we have prepared in advance for the known things and are trusting in God for the unknown things. It means the world to Jim and I that we have you in our lives. We are so grateful to have you make this journey with us.