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