5........

5 more infusions to go....I don't think that's any consolation to Kimmy. This is getting tougher.

For a few days prior to Mother's Day, Kimmy wasn't well....at all. She had quite the date with the toilet, if you know what I mean.  All I know is the Friday prior, she sounds like crap on the phone. Saturday, she didn't even make it to Nikki's last volleyball tournament, which is a true indicator of how lousy she's feeling. Sunday, my dad delivers his Mother's Day gift....himself....on her doorstep, wearing a bow. Monday, he takes her to the doctor and then by Wednesday I get a call from Kimmy.

"I'm ALIVE!" she says and sweet lord, she is a whole new person. She highly recommends that we all let our nose hairs grow long, until we can at least braid them. Blech....but that IS what she said.

Apparently, having no nose hairs allows all the junk we normally collect up in there, to travel down into her throat and stomach. That is what was making her sick, not the chemo itself. She had a feeling and told her doctor, received some medicine and had a nice recovery from this random setback.

Dad has been out there since Mother's Day and I know this has helped lift everyone's spirits. Having another person around really does make a difference when the going gets tough. We are all so grateful that he is able to make these trips. My mom left yesterday and will return on Sunday. I know she was anxious to get back to Goodyear and see Kimmy.

Kimmy thinks she might lose her nails, they are still painful to the touch and really red. Her hair is starting to grow back. Just a little.

Most often, when I ask how she's doing, she simply says "fine"...like when we were in high school and mom asks how your day was. That kind of fine. I don't really like being relegated to the one word answer corner so I try to remind myself that my role in this is not to be that person. I think my role is to talk about just everyday normal stuff. I think. So, in our normal fashion, Kimmy texted me to tell me that she LOVED Phillip Phillips last song of the night on Tuesday. (He is the newly crowned king of American Idol, who I love. period.) Anyway, when she says those kinds of things, I sit on the edge of my seat waiting because I know Kimmy, and she only expresses like that when she really really digs something.

Here comes the song, and I'm a bawling mess. It was just so beautiful, the artistry, the production value, the words. Wow. He just sang it to Kimmy....

"Hold on to me as we go...as we roll down this unfamiliar road...and although this wave is stringing us along...just know you're not alone...cuz I'm gonna make this place your home...settle down it'll all be clear...don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear...if there's trouble it might drag you down...you get lost you can always be found...just know you're not alone, cuz I'm gonna make this place your home."

Thank you Phillip. I've watched it twenty times.

Kimmy, I know you feel like giving up and taking a break from the weeklys, but just hold on. Keep fighting and like Phillip sang, know you are not alone....YOU. ARE. ALMOST. HOME.

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/performances/phillip_phillips_home/


All my seesterly love,
Jessie

39th rotation of the sun...

Hi friends!

Today, Kimmy completes her 39th rotation of the sun....IT'S HER BIRTHDAY! Shoot her an email or a facebook message if you can because today is unique day.  It's her birthday.....it's Thursday, and we all know what that means. It's chemo day. Not one of us can relate to the highs and the lows of the emotions behind celebrating a birthday with a chemo cocktail.

In true Kimmy fashion, and despite not feeling good, I am positive she is going to find a way to laugh. I already got a few HA HA's in response to some silliness I posted on facebook. We all just want to make her smile today.

Kimmy hits halfway today....I'm sure I am missing some details, but what I know is that this round is harder than anticipated. Her hands hurt to the touch and she just feels constantly sick. She isn't sleeping well at all, is very very tired and her tastebuds are shot. Everything tastes bad, except for a few random food items.

Two mornings ago, I called her and she sounded terrible, exhausted. Yesterday, I called her at dinner time and she sounded so much better! I told her so and she said "That's because Duane made me laugh!". Apparently, corn is on the list of cravings, an item that gets past the tastebud duel. She asked Duane for corn, he prepared it, she dug in and SPIT it out! "What IS that? That's not corn!". Welp, Duane actually prepared hominy and didn't realize it. She didn't get her corn but she got a great laugh out of it and that seemed to make up for it.

Kimmy, just keep remembering that today, on your 39th birthday, you sit at the top of the chemo mountain. You are halfway there.  Look at how far you've come in what we all call a battle, a word that I now truly understand.

I close my eyes and see you as my little sister, sitting atop of a park slide, anxious to get to the bottom. After today, you get to slide down. Slide, slide, slide....it's not fun, it's not exhilirating, and it certainly may not feel like it's all downhill, but you are almost there.  Soon, you will be able to plant your feet firmly on the ground.

In an effort to continue to make you laugh today, I offer this image that I KNOW will make you laugh to tears.

Thanks to Anne Bergeron for sending this picture of her daughter with the Tennessee mascot Smoky! The Vols baseball team is rooting for you too!

To all of our family and friends on this journey with Kimmy, keep praying for her, Duane and the kids.  Add an extra prayer for the LA Kings to continue winning too. Kimmy would appreciate that!

Support, listen, and love.

Happy Birthday Kimbawick! We all love you!!!!!!

Jessie