The Three -ing's...

Good evening family and friends!

I was fortunate enough to take the trip to Goodyear for Kimmy's last chemo treatment of this first round.  Leaving Friday and returning Wednesday afforded me quality time with my sister and her family. I am going to write a separate post about my experience but suffice it to say, my brain is fried.  As I told my husband last night, I virtually spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in silence, except for the voice of my new tv pal Rick D'Amico, who does a whopping 4 hour telecast on the channel 10 news (I thought GMA was long!) I came home to 3 children wrapped around my legs and a dog jumping on me. The welcome committee was heartwarming and so precious, but 5 hours post-return with 3 children under 9 all talking to me at the same time was mind numbing! So, in an effort to bring to life my almost 6 day, humbling yet inspiring trip, I'm taking a moment to reflect just a tad....

I am writing tonight to serve up the latest news on Kimmy's progress. Today, she had an appointment with her Oncologist. I left yesterday afternoon and tag teamed with mom. She flew in last night to go with Kimmy to this appointment. With Duane keeping to the daily grind, it's nice to have a second person with Kimmy.

So, drumroll please.......

As stated to me by Kimmy, the doctor said the tumor is 

Shrinking

Softening and

Dissolving

in that order. KABAM!

He is so happy with her progress, everything is really going great (easy for me to say, right?)

Let's say it one more time, the tumor is shrinking, softening and dissolving. I know when I spoke to Kimmy on the phone today (she was shopping with mom), I could hear the excitement in her voice. It think she may have done a little soft shoe up and down the store. This fight is not over, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we celebrate all victories along the way and this is surely one of them.

I could also hear the lightness in my mom's voice after she and I spoke a bit later. Mom, I'm sorry I can't remember exactly the way you said it to me, but whatever you said, conjured up some images in my head.

From the first day we learned of the cancer until the recent past, I offer up this photo of Mike Wizowsky to explain how I think everyone was feeling....

At this point in the journey, I think Kimmy (and the rest of us) probably feel like Buddy the Elf when he sees Santa in the mall.....

Again, this is clearly not behind her yet, but those three -ing's were the best three words I've heard in a long time.

So, what's up next you ask?

Starting next Thursday, and for 11 Thursdays after that, she will be going through her second round of chemo, same type of process, in a chair for three hours, etc, but a different drug with different side effects.

I think there was definitely an UGH moment to hear 12 Thursdays, but the alternative was to do less infusions of a stronger dose which meant she could be down for the count alot again. Given the choice, she opted for the 12, apparently might have numbing in the hands and feet and unfortunately might get stung by the big D (not Bee, D, if you know what I mean...and if you don't know, it has 4 syllables and kids will often add cha-cha-cha to the end).

The good news is this takes her to mid June, and god-willing, she'll have a recovery period that will allow her to fully enjoy our niece's wedding in July. If there ever was a gift to get, that's the one folks.

One last thing, remember how I mentioned the significance of some of these big events falling on family birthdays? Well, this next round begins and ends on the birthdates of two of her good friends. Kind of crazy.  She is surrounded by so much love. Keep lifting her up, our collective force field is working! Incredible....

Don't forget to buy your Mega Millions ticket,

Jessie

4th Treatment in the first round.

Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow is a big day. It marks the last treatment in this first round of chemo Kimmy has to go through. The following week she has her follow-up oncologist appointment and will hopefully get the schedule for her second round of treatment she'll be starting in April.

I'll be wearing my "I WEAR PINK FOR MY SISTER" tshirt. I hope you will join us in wearing some form of blush and bashful (pink or pink) tomorrow!

Have a great day!

Erika

She doesn't fuss, she doesn't complain, she just CARRIES ON.

Just a quick update on my little sister.

I've been out here for five days now and it's been hard seeing my sister go through what she is experiencing. This third chemo treatment has hit her the hardest. She's really drained of energy, she is more nauseous than before and everytime I turn around she's sleeping. She keeps apologizing for being a lump on a log (puh-lease... like I was expecting her to entertain me the entire week).

The thrush has come back (again) and her describing what it feels like (her tongue has a winter coat on it) is something I wouldn't want to experience. She started on the medication right when she felt the first layer appearing on her tongue and hopefully in the next couple of days it will go away again.

I do what I can for her and then I leave her alone because she also doesn't feel like talking. Just a note to all her friends... if you call and she doesn't answer, she isn't ignoring you, she just doesn't have the energy to talk on the phone. But she's a fabulous texter!

I have to say... my sister is a trooper! She gets up early in the morning with the kids because she wants to be there for them when they go to school. She makes it a point to sit at the table and eat (even if it's not alot) with the family when it's time for dinner. Hopefully she will start to feel more herself sooner rather than later.

Please continue to pray for her and send her good thoughts and notes whether it's through text, facebook or on the blog! I know she loves and appreciates it.

That's it! Have a great rest of the week everyone.

Erika

Third Chemo Treatment Complete!

Hi Everyone,

First of all, I want to thank everyone who sent Kimmy messages, wore pink and posted pictures and just sent good thoughts and wishes to her and the family. It's always appreciated!!

I had the chance to take her to her chemo appointment today. Although I wasn't able to stay for the entire session, I did get a chance to see where her treatments are given, I was able to meet some of the staff and ask questions as the iv line was being inserted into the portocath. The entire process was interesting and the staff so very nice and helpful. Kimmy told me that her "Chemo buddy" had a reaction to the treatment today. She turned very red in the face and got very hot. Kimmy said the staff moved very fast and stopped the chemo treatment, introduced benedryl to her iv line and once her color became normal, they restarted the chemo treatment but at a slower pace. Situation under control, Kimmy said they went back to talking the rest of time.

After I picked her up, we went to Frye's (it's a grocery store here in Goodyear) to do some shopping, watched movies (I brought alot of our favorites to watch), went to pick up Nathan and came back home and started dinner. She took compazine prior to dinner so I'm not expecting her to stay up much longer.

She looks good, her attitude is incredible. She's such a fighter. She laughs (or should I say she laughs at me) and jokes alot. It's great to be out here with her, Duane and the kids.

OH! Before I sign off, there was one funny moment in the waiting room before Kimmy was called back for her treatment. I noticed my husband, Steve, had posted a picture with his new shirt on. It reads, "Don't let Breast Cancer steal second base". I had told Kimmy about it before but she really never said anything about it. Then when she saw the picture of my husband in his shirt she busted out laughing and said, "OH MY GAWD! I just got what the shirt meant". I just stared at her and started laughing and a lady that was sitting across from us, who was listening and watching us started laughing also... it was a great way to start the treatment.. on a very light hearted note.

A few images from today...

In the chair....

Hi everyone....Kimmy is "in the chair" now as I type (that's what she just texted to me). Keep her in your thoughts today. May this treatment continue to destroy the enemy.

Erika took a solo road trip out there. She is helping to hold down the fort for a week.

Just thought of something. The Nelsons live in Goodyear. My gut is telling me this WILL turn out to be a good year....

Jessie