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