Today's Shout Outs
Christi B, Diane O, Stephanie H, Kelly S, Rebeeca E, Sandy D, Sharron G, Victoria N, Lisa R, Terri M, Joan B, Jay St.V
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Dear friends,
I've got some "things" that I wanted to share with you because I find them humorous (at least to me) and I decided to call them my "cancerisms". I guess they are also kind of like "picture this..."
So, I've decided that maybe I should be bald because I find that I don't need a shower that often. I realized that I often showered just to wash my hair!! Just sayin'.
But, with that said, I did shower yesterday and wastrying to decide between body wash on the head or shampoo. Well, I opted for the shampoo and considered it very ironic that the shampoo and conditioner were "extra body" formulas. I noticed that the new 1/8" long strands of hair were falling out... interesting.
Then, I looked down and realized holy cow... I've got a forest growing on my legs... out came the razor. But I mean really???
So, I've decided that maybe I should be bald because I find that I don't need a shower that often. I realized that I often showered just to wash my hair!! Just sayin'.
But, with that said, I did shower yesterday and wastrying to decide between body wash on the head or shampoo. Well, I opted for the shampoo and considered it very ironic that the shampoo and conditioner were "extra body" formulas. I noticed that the new 1/8" long strands of hair were falling out... interesting.
Then, I looked down and realized holy cow... I've got a forest growing on my legs... out came the razor. But I mean really???
Then I get out of the shower, dry off, pat my head with the towel because rubbing it is weird with the stubble, put on my robe and then realize my head is still kind of damp. I grab the hair dryer and start drying. Now, all this makes sense right? Well, let me tell you it looks really weird in the mirror seeing a for the most part bald person using a hair dryer.
And finally, the last one has to do with the hair as well. I look in the mirror real close up and realize that even my stubble has length variety. Some is about 1/8", but others are even shorter. Kathy who is a friend of a friend and also has experience with this e-mailed me and said that in her experience the growth changes constantly throughout chemo... everything seems to be at a different stage... either growing, stunted, or falling out.
Oh and I fibbed... my very last one has to do with something that happened today. I called the infusion center just to make sure about an appointment with my Dr. that I had down on the calender. When I called, the receptionist asked me for my number and I panicked for a moment thinking that I had somehow missed or messed up by not getting a special "cancer" number and that they somehow needed it to identify me.
I responded with, "do I have a number?"
She responded with, "your phone number."
I responded with, "oh... yes, I do have a phone number."
I felt silly nonetheless.
Now for my card... This is my first card that I've made since the weekend of the "official" diagnosis. I've fluttered around my area, but just wasn't able to create... I don't know why because I wanted to, I just didn't and this card took a while to finish. I used some goodies that a very dear friend sent to me and I liked that I used those, but really the sentiment is for all of you... especially my crafting friends!
And finally, the last one has to do with the hair as well. I look in the mirror real close up and realize that even my stubble has length variety. Some is about 1/8", but others are even shorter. Kathy who is a friend of a friend and also has experience with this e-mailed me and said that in her experience the growth changes constantly throughout chemo... everything seems to be at a different stage... either growing, stunted, or falling out.
Oh and I fibbed... my very last one has to do with something that happened today. I called the infusion center just to make sure about an appointment with my Dr. that I had down on the calender. When I called, the receptionist asked me for my number and I panicked for a moment thinking that I had somehow missed or messed up by not getting a special "cancer" number and that they somehow needed it to identify me.
I responded with, "do I have a number?"
She responded with, "your phone number."
I responded with, "oh... yes, I do have a phone number."
I felt silly nonetheless.
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Until next time.
-Katie
70 comments:
Hi Katie! I found your blog via Splitcoast and have been following it since. You are one incredible person ... inside and out! Today's post and card prove no different ... beautiful card and loved your cancerisms. Take care!
Katie, your card is gorgeous! I love the colors, the embossed background, the die cuts, stamps...oh, just say everything already, lol. However, I continue to find your strength and sense of humor the best part of your posts! Praying for you and laughing with you!
Lovely card Katie, but terrific post! It is great to see you find the humour with your situation. The saying 'Laughter is the Best Medicine' is so true. Having a good chuckle can make you feel so much better. Perhaps we should all be sending you our funny moments... How about this one..my granddaughter, at about 3 yrs old, asked her mom 'why do you get furry when you get old'? This was in a public washroom no less. LOL
Joyce xx
Gorgeous card, love the embossing and the black, red and white combo! Must have felt good to create something again, glad to see you're in good humor! : )
the 'what's your number?' one had me laughing out loud!
wow, your stamping mojo is still here. gorgeous. you are on such a journey. i'm glad you can see some humor some of the time. hugs!
Oh, Katie, you're adorable! I enjoyed the chuckle I got while reading your 'cancerisms'. The card is awesome, and it's good to see you creating stuff ;D
Your post today made me smile. I'm sure it did feel odd blow drying your head - but then again, I enjoy taking out the hair dryer and just turning it on myself when I'm cold! :) I just tuck myself into my bed, pull up the covers, grab a good book and dry away...
Your card is just beautiful! Your crafty mojo is still strong so just enjoy those moments when you find you want to craft something and do.
So glad today was a good day.
-Holly in SoCal
You go girl! Oh, I remember the hair thing. While I didn't lose all my hair, it thinned quite a bit and I lost my natural curl that I had grown to embrace and love after having a love-hate relationship with it through adolescence and young adulthood! Just a heads up - if your nose starts running, it's probably because you have no hairs left in your nose. Seriously.
The card is gorgeous, as usual. Glad to see you getting a little mojo back.
Hugs from another survivor,
Renee K
First, your card is beautiful. I love the embossed background. I hope you keep admiring your card and get a good feeeling from it. Your cancerism about the number had me laughing out loud. See you tomorrow here on the blog.
I am so happy that you created ....... kinda a normal thing right ?? You are so honest in your blog posts, they make me laugh and they make me cry and always make me wonder how you are that day!! Keep strong and you are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
What a sweet, lovely, funny and adorable girl you are, Katie!
Your card is beautiful!
Warm hugs, Edith:)
I love your card! You are one incredible person. I've been following your blog for a few months now. Keep strong!
Hugs, Ana :)
I too have been stalking your blog since I read your story. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I am glad you are brave enough to share and make us all smile too. The card is gorgeous - love that colour combination. Take care.
Hi again, hope its ok but ive chuckled at this post, you see i hate drying my body after a shower an dont very often use a hairdryer on my head but do use one to dry my body and i must look strange to but for different reason, I hope your journey continues on the up i check in everyday and check how youa re doing, think how hard it must be, also close to my hear is that my brother in law has started treatment today for bowel cancer, he has 6 weeks of radiotherapy every day and also a small dose of chemo enough of my rambling hugs to you and smooches to xx
Gorgeous card Katie! I am so glad to see you creating again. You've always inspired me with your designs and now you are inspiring me with your positive attitude.
I am so happy to see a spirited post and a card - that means you felt like being funny and you felt like crafting and that is awesome in my book! Keep on Truckin' on!
Oh, Katie, too funny about the number. I've had that happen before, too! Your card is wonderful. I'm so glad you are up to creating!
I loved your card I hope you are feeling better today!
Angela
Today's post made my day. I was cracking up while reading all your cancerisms mainly because I could envision you doing all those things. Love the card -- it is beautiful.
You are too cute. :) Love your stories, Katie! And your card is fantastic! Good for you for creating...because YOU wanted to. :)
Well, Katie, I must say that you did a whole lot more than I did today and I have no reason not to do anything. Today I was just downright lazy, and cold, and lazy. I'm going to take inspiration from you and go make something with a canvas I picked up yesterday....thanks!!
You are a delight! I must share your blog with my dear friend, who is a cancer survivor. She has also shared some of her cancerisms, and she has an amazing spirit similar to yours.
You crack me up Katie! Good to see your spirits up and your mojo workin' again!
Your card is fabby!
Hugs,
True :D
Oh, what a beautiful card! I'm so happy to see you are feeling crafty again!! And I loved your post - I laughed out loud when I read it!! :)
Katie, cancerisms, that is cute. I had a friend who battled breast cancer. When the doctor told her that her hair would fall out she said "Oh good, now I won't have to shave my legs." He said, no, you misunderstood, you will still have hair on your legs. She said, well damn, I should at least get something out of this.
God Bless!
Cricket
Beautiful card! I love your sense of humor and how you are using it to get threw all this. Hugs to you
Katie, that's a gorgeous card and I love the combination of colors... just beautiful! :)
Beautiful card Katie! So glad you were able to create again. I've missed your art!
Hi Katie
You're too funny... your number. You gave me a chuckle. And good grief, that is a totally cool card, you have not lost your creative mojo! Thanks for the update... still sharing a prayer for you!
Don’t know anything about these people , but it may be a gift from GOD.
This was forwarded to me by a dear friend.
Cleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign-up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. "Cleaning for a Reason" will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care.
http://www.cleaningforareason.org/
Hey there Katie! Find the humor where you can! Love the card, so pretty- you always do good work. xxoo
Lol...a lovely post x
I had to chuckle at the 'legs' bit...crazy isn't it? :)
You've made such a gorgeous card, may there be more to come ♥
Girlfriend, you made me snort!!! Your #, too funny. Last week I was trying to set up a log in for a new credit card acct but was having problems on line so I called. The very nice gentleman asked for my SS# and I totally went blank! I tried to talk my way out of it, after all, how many #s do we have in our brain!!! Luckily I had them all writen down for the whole family so I could finally tell him what it was. His response, "Perhaps that's why it won't let you create a log in." I blamed it on old-ageism.
Love your card, so totally fabulous! Think of you often.
Linda
I have been wanting to write to you since I found out about your diagnosis. I have been praying for you and your family. I myself am dealing with a life threatening disease and am struggling with my crafting even though it makes me happy to create. I was so happy to see you made a card and just wanted you to know you are so inspiring. May God continue to give you strength and peace. God bless you Katie.
Love that card, so glad you were able to create cause it is beautiful!
What a beautiful card...I love your cancerisms...it is good to see you can laugh about what life has dealt you...in 2001 my SIL was diagnosed with cancer...it was a big blow to our tight knit family...right after she lost her hair we took a family vacation to Key West...one day on the elevator in the hotel this little girl looked at her and then said "Mom I want my hair like hers...mine is HOT" My prayers are with you and your family....
ok, I just commented on the wrong post! If you are wondering why the post with your exercise talks about your card now you know. What a dork I am. Anyway, I loved how you laugh at your hair and your "number" - laughter is so good for you! And I love love your card. Beautiful!
I just cracked up AGAIN about the number. It sounds like something I'd say! You are too cute.
I just sent Kathy a note tonight that I need to see her & feel her hair. We messed with it so much when it was falling out. Her daughters made her look something like a mad scientist or a Troll doll with her few remaining hairs at the end of chemo. Now we all want to feel her fuzzy head!
So glad you got to craft. Since Kathy has to drive a 3 hour trip for her infusions, another friend & I took turns going with her. She & I discovered an Archiver's on our route. Even though she wasn't up to crafting yet at the time, it was the best therapy just shopping there. It "happened" to be Breast Cancer Awareness weekend at Archivers so it was extra special.
Hugs sweetie!
Hi Katie,
I love your card!
They say if you don't laugh you'll cry so it's good to see you are able to take a good dose of laughter along with everything else they've given you.
I appreciate the openness of your posts and have learnt so much about cancer treatment from them.
Gorgeous card, Katie! I'm so glad that you are back to creating. The world needs your art.
I'm also glad you are finding humor on your journey. Way to show cancer who's boss!
Thinking of you often.
Ooo...nice card! I love the Smooches sentiment. OXOX ~Olga
Hi Katie,
Thanks for sharing the 'cancerisms' with me and I did giggle a time or two picturing you using your blow dryer and your reference to the forest on your legs. I was so pleased to learn that you have your 'friend of a friend' that has gone through the experience and is there to help with those type of questions such as hair length, loss and such.
I was really happy to see that you made a card even if your mojo isnt there 100% yet. You are an inspiration to those of us (yes..ME) who blew off making a card today because I was tired from working. If you can do, I can do it too and am going to go make one right now! I am going to look around and see if I can dig up your mail address so I can send a card to you too.
Thanks for the smiles in your posting today and the motivation to get to my craft desk to make a card.
*Hugs*
~Andrea
bless you Katie and wow what a stunning card glad you found your inspiration hugs Toni xx
Wow, Katie your card is beautiful. I'm glad too see that you have your mojo back. I read your story every day, you are a great and special person!
Bigs hugs, Jacqueline (sorry for my bad English)
One of the things I love about you is your sense of humor and your courage. Hope that today is a good day. Your card is beautiful. I love the contrast of colors but most of all I love that you felt like stamping..hugs.
chuckled reading through your post today...your card is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!
Hello!
Today's posting made me smile. I am happy to see you back creating! Your card is beautiful!
Wishing you a good today!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane
Katie, you had me laughing til I cried with this post! Seems you are a very humorous person to boot! Glad to see you are creating beautiful cards again. T4S Hugs!!
I totally relate to the "number" thing! Only difference is I don't have cancer!! I guees it's just old age! LOL Love the card. Glad that you were up to creating. I look forward to the next post as always!
And I have happy fingers!! Guess has 2 "s"s and not 2 "e"s....just talking to myself and making a mental note! LOL
This is a gorgeous card, very dramatic colours - but totally beautiful!!
I just had to smile about the forest on your legs :))
You sure are amazing, girl! I am glad you have a great support system around you, and obviously so many people who care about you. You have touched the lives of so many, including strangers to you, like me. Keep up that spirit of yours!! And such a gorgeous card!
Honestly, Katie, I love your ability to keep a perspective. It is so inspiring! I know one day just because of statistics I could be in your shoes, maybe not the exact same diagnosis but still facing cancer of some sort and nothing you say or acknowledge is lost on me. Thank you for keeping this blog and laying your life bare. I am also so astounded that you actually created a card. I am such an emotional person when it comes to creativity that if I'm down in any way, creating just doesn't happen. I'd never have made it as a "starving artist"! All their angst and upheaval put into their art! But what a wonderful card you created. Thank you. For being real.
Smooches RIGHT BACK!
Hugs!
Love your card! Love red so it's right up my alley. So glad you can have a sense of humour through all of this. You are inspirational
Take care.
Hang in there kiddo--you're doing great. I had a hard time concentrating on anything for the first few years after the cancer diagnosis. Loved to read but was unable to read anything except very short articles in a magazine. I just couldn't stay focused very long. Twenty years later I'm almost normal...LOL...it's great you were able to make a card...and it's a great card too.
Oh, Katie. It's so good to see that you created a card! Awesome. It's a beautiful card, and I can't wait to see more from you - when you feel the mojo flowing. :)
Know that the prayers continue.
Not only is your card lovely, your post is to. I found myself laughing at todays story and I can definatly see the humor in the things we do daily no matter what!
I am sending some hugs your way.
Sharon D
Katie, I LOVE your card! I am so glad you are creating, your work is so beautiful. Today was a treat. You are a very inspiring lady. Lots of hugs,
Shirley
Beautiful card.....and hey, you are way ahead of me, I have yet to make one Valentine card, and I need a kids birthday card by Thursday...nothing like last minute...I got a good laugh at the wanting your number...sounds like something I would do...keep up the good spirits...we all are with you on this...as much as we can be being so far away...take care!!!
Oh yippedy squee! A beautiful card and a funny post! My fave part...not knowing "your number" Kind of like when you type a word over and over and it starts to look wrong (that happens to me with the word "Friend"!) Thanks for brightening MY day, Katie!
Katie,
I was thinking about you yesterday, while I was driving to work. And thought...I hope Katie will feel up to creating and posting a card to share with us. I was so happy to see your post today :o)
Beautiful card...just like you...
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us.
Prayers and cyber hugs,
Susie
What a wonderful card Katie! I love the colors and it means alot that it's "for us" - you are so sweet!!!
I am saving it to my "Katie Inspiration" folder.
Hugs!
You gave me a great giggle. I love this beauty you created Katie Kate. Love the smooches sentiment.
Aww, Katie, I'm so glad you got to create - and your friend is so special to send you some new goodies. This card is gorgeous! Smooches to you too! Sandy D
Hi Katie,
It's so good to see you posting a card!!! Love the black, red, white colour theme ...gorgeous stamps too!!!!
Love that your sense of humour is coming through in this post too Katie............not sure how you manage that, but glad you do!!!!
Hey Kiddo! Sorry for being MIA, so just now catching up. Loved this post so much! Not only did you create (and a beautiful card at that!) you made some really funny statements that made me laugh. And that made me feel so up for you and I was thankful that you had a day where you obviously felt pretty good. And it is a wonderful thing that you can laugh not only at your self, but at some of the stuff you are going through. They don't say "laughter is the best medicine" for nothing you know! Laughed out loud at the phone number story. Off to read t he rest of your posts to catch up. Best, Curt
Funny about the leg hair... and annoying! :)
Sending lots of healing wishes all the way from Argentina.
Hi there, so glad I found your blog. I read every post Prayers are going up for you. Thanks for sharing your story with us. My daughter is a peach in the cancer race. Your card you made is very beautiful.....;
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