Today's Shout Outs:
Sandy W, Linda C, Barbara R, Linda A, Sue J, Susie W, Shirley R, Katlyn T, Emily S, Cheryl K, Stasia T,
Lori L, Toni P, Amy E, Jennifer E, Amy T, Donna McE, Kathy B, Holly J, Barbara Diane, Peg C, Pat D
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Dear friends,
I just wanted to pop in and say hello. Things are going well and I'm not sure why I haven't posted recently. Its not because I don't have stuff to say (lol), it will all come in time.
I think I'm definitely starting to get into a real routine and since I started the neupogen shots, my white blood counts are great... today, they were abnormally hi. My markers (the measurement of how much protein my tumors are giving off) are also quite good. The numbers have been decreasing steadily.
I had an appointment with my oncologist this past Monday and the first thing he suggested was that we think about a vacation. He said that things are progressing and that it would be ok to think ahead in terms of a few months and that this is better than trying to plan ahead let's say for 6 months or more because we can be pretty sure that things will be steady in the short term, but we can't necessarily know how things will be in 6 months or a year. This isn't negative or anything, but its realistic.
So, we have decided to take that Disneyland trip that we missed at Christmas. I have a strong NEED to get this done for the boys. I feel like we owe them and after the trip I can then cross that off and move on. We are going to drive down too so we'll have more freedom. I feel better about this versus flying (germ wise). I'll have to be careful at Disney, but my little sister will be joining us while we are down there and it will be great to have the extra hands.
The other thing that my Dr. said was that it is good to cautious about germs, but there is no need to be paranoid. He also said that its a matter of balance, there is always a risk of getting sick, but is the end result worth the gain? It would suck getting sick being in a crowd doing something that wasn't fun versus getting sick after a fabulous vacation... make sense?
And finally, chemo today is going just like usual... I'm quite tired today and have dozed on and off, but nothing untoward so I'm always happy about that!
Until next time.
-Katie
53 comments:
Good for you! A vacation in a nice warm Disney location sounds perfect right about now. I am glad you are feeling better and the results have been so positive. Now you can go forward and work on some plans. Way to go!
Joyce xx
It is sooo good to hear from you Katie, the next time there is a gap in you updates I won't feel so stressed. Worried but not stressed. Good for you and your family for the opportunity to take some time away from the daily reality. Please enjoy every minute of this respite and come back tired but ready to go forward with renewed strength. Best wishes and good luck for tomorrow and each day forward.
Hooray on the vacation! Say "Hi" to Mickey for me, would ya?! Hugs to you!!
Linda
Hi Katie,
Glad to hear you're doing okay. I was worried when you didn't post. and YAY - vacay for you & your family - priceless! Hope your week goes well. Love seeing you smiling in the photo!
Lorraine
Yay! A vacation for your family! You guys very much deserve it, and I am glad that you are feeling okay. You look adorable in your pic, girlie :D
Yay for you! We're headed to Disneyland in April... I know I am looking forward to the break, and you need one far more than I do. What a wonderful memory to create with your boys, and what an escape from reality. Enjoy :)
Lotsa' love and prayers to you, Katie! Glad to hear you're going to take that vacation! What a wonderful thing to look forward to for all of you!
So glad you are going to Disneyland! I know your babes are quite excited too! Have a wonderful time and enjoy the rides!
Love your picture today ... you look good in red! Have a great day!
yahoo for everyone. so much common sense in this post I can't stand it..!!! Enjoy a thousand times.
I am very glad to hear from you, Katie! I checked out your blog every day looking for new posts. I am so glad that you feel good and also for your vacation with your family. I am sure you will enjoy it very much. I love to see your smile in the pic:)
Hugs, Edith
I am happy for you and your family
that you will take a vacation! I
hope you have a wonderful time!!
Praise God that He's lowering the numbers that need to be lowered and raising those that need to be raised; He's so good. :)
May He watch over you and your family on your vacation and keep you as germ-free as possible!
Have a fantastic time and build a lot of good memories to share for a long while! :)
Im glad to hear you are doing good! Have fun on your vacation to Disney! God Bless You!
I am so happy to read of your impending trip to Disneyland! May you enjoy the magic it brings to you!
Katey that vacation sounds like just what you guys need! A chance to chill out for a while, be a family, and think of nothing but Minney and Mickey Mouse! lol
Karen
x
Oh I am so glad you posted today-been checking in every day. Awesome! I'm sure Disneyland will be a real treat for everyone, Katie. I am praying for NO GERMS, lots of sunshine for your trip and the making of many happy memories. I know you must feel so encouraged by the good medical news too.
Blessings,
Kathy
Your vacation sounds wonderful! Have a great time & make a lot of memories to treasure for years!
Good for you Katie! Enjoy Disney with your family. If you ever decide a Hawaii vacation is needed in the future, we live on Maui and have a guest room and would LOVE to welcome you with Aloha!! Just e-mail me if you're in need of rest and relaxation on the most beautiful beaches in the world! I'm serious! You just might have to return the favor someday if we ever want to come to the Northwest!! ;-) LOL.
So good to hear your positive comments an you look great. Praises for the improved counts and that you are going to get a break. Hope you thoroughly enjoy every minute. Sharon from Illinois
Katie,
Enjoy your stay at Disney with your family!!!
Take care!
Sweet greetins and a BIG hug,
Saskia :)
I am thrilled that you feel well enough to go and I hope you all have a marvellous time. Plenty of bacterial hand wash and hopefully you will be fine and have great time.
Have a fabulous time in Disneyland Katie, I'm sure your boys will. Take care of yourself and look forward to hearing all about it. Hugs Donna x
Fantastic News Katie. SO so happy for you. Keep up the good work god. Have a lovely vacation, you deserve it.
Hugs Wendy
Glad things are going well, a Disneyland vacation sounds perfect!! Enjoy every minute!! : )
A vacation to Disneyland with the family sounds absolutely perfect! Have a GREAT weekend Katie!
Katie , that is such a great idea! I am so glad to hear that you are going to Disneyland!! You look beautiful by the way. So good to hear things are going well. I keep you in my prayers!
So glad to hear from you, and that you are taking your vacation.
The boys must be happy dancing all over the house. Wouldn't be surprised to find a couple dance steps from you and your husband..
I was just thinking that your absence for a couple days has us all so concerned that we pray for you even more and more.. I was just thinking that yesterday when I combed my emails for your update, and there was none.. anyway, our prayers did not go unheard.. your counts were up, you are going to Disney.
I am so happy for you all.
A vacation sounds like a perfect thing to do for all of you! Glad to hear your sister is coming along to help out. I think a change of venue will be good for everyone!
Thank you, Katie, for taking the time to post. I am delighted to hear that you will be heading south to Disneyland for that well-earned vacation. I wish you steady improvement and more good days than bad.
I am so glad to hear you are going to Disney! I hope you have fun with your family and can enjoy it all. In my heart and prayers.
You look great girl!
ABSOLUTELY GREAT!
And don't worry about how often you post. You talk when ya wanna!
Anywhooooooooo I love that DisneyLand. I was born in SanDiego and we used to go up a lot.
ENJOY!
So glad you are going ahead with your Disney vacation! It will be a special time for you and the guys! Great that your sister will be there to help too. Less for you to worry about.
Big hugs my friend!
Hugs,
True :D
I'm so glad you are taking a vacation. You and your family deserve it! Good for you. Have lots of fun and take lots of pictures. You are looking good also. Love the hat - the color of love!
Hello!
Great news about the vacation - the boys are going to be so excited! I am happy to see your post and hope that you continue to do so well with this current chemo! I keep you and your family in my prayers every day.
Wishing you a good week!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane Ramsey
Hi Katie... Great have a Disney Vacation!! where you go? Anaheim or FLorida? I'm 50 minutes from Disney Anaheim.. have fun and enjoy!
WaHoo! You're coming down my way! :) We live in Anaheim and are about 10-15 minutes from the park. I know you don't know me or my family, but seriously, we have an extra guest room and our boys (almost 9, 6 & almost 4) have been sleeping in our room (again! lol!) so we have bunk beds in their room. If doing the hotel stay doesn't sound appealing then please let me know! We'd love to host you! Just put a post in your blog and I'll email you. But whatever happens with that, I'm SO glad your family will be able to get away for a break and come and enjoy Disneyland! Awesome!
-Holly in SoCal
Always happy to hear from you, katie. Seems I'm not the only one to worry about you when you skip a few days of posting. How wonderful that your numbers are good and you are heading to Disneyland! Do the boys know? They must be super excited!! Take good care of yourself before you go - rest up a lot so you'll have energy to enjoy!! The best to you.
Enjoy your vacation Katie! You and your family deserve it.
Hugs Jacqueline
I am so happy for you. Never been to Disneyland but have been to Disney World almost a dozen times and love it sooo much!! Have fun...make fabulous memories for the family and tell us all about it! Love & hugs, Nancy
You all deserve that break now so you enjoy it. Good to hear you are ok, and you look fabulous in that red, it suits you so well.
Take care of yourself, all my love
Claire xxx
OK, I can finally type. . .I was out of breath from doing the HAPPY DANCE for you. The trip is exciting and wonderful news, but so are your counts!!! (See I told you you'd do better if you study for these tests before you take them!) LOL You look wonderful, and red is definitely your color. You look beautiful in red. Hugs to you and Kevin and those beautiful kids. Best, Curt
So glad to see you posting, Katie! It's wonderful to hear that things are going better and I am so happy about your upcoming vacation!
So happy for you that things are going well. And the trip to Disney will be perfect. Remember, while you are there, to have a lot of fun because God says in his word 'A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine'. Lots of fun=lots of medicine doing good.
Good to hear from you and that things are going well. Have a wonderful vacation in Disneyland (and be sure to take pictures so you can reflect on the fun). Hope you have a wonderful and safe time! Oh, by the way, you look beautiful in that red shirt and hat!! {{hugs}}
Leeci
This is the best thing the Dr has ordered..:) I think a vacation will be excellent and how awesome that your sister can help.. Have a blast...so glad your treatment went well too.hugs.
Hi Katie!
Oh this is such good news that you are feeling strong enough to go with all your "Boys" (I am including your Husband there!)to Disneyland!
This is something positive for you and your whole family to look forward to and to plan! And especially the drive! You will get to see things you would have otherwised missed if you flew. I remember when my Husband and I drove home from my brother's home when he lived in puyuallap,we drove by this field just outside of the Redwoods and there was a whole heard of deer and bucks! And not like 3 or 4,but like 12! And the bucks where just amazing to watch. Anyway, things like this made the drive so special and unforgetable! And the drive down highway 101 is absolutely spectacular!
I keep you in my prayers everyday!
And I will continue to do so as well as your boys,and I mean all of your boys! ;)
Blessings and Hugs,
Mary
Hi Katie Kate! (me waving!). Disneyland! Fantastic. You will only be a little ways from my Kyler. He will be back in San Diego at the beginning of next month. He will visit us in April. I cannot wait. It must feel good to plan the Disney trip...moving forward. Sounds like you are in good hands medically. I think oncology staff is a special breed. Big HUGS.
Katie,
You are a beautiful and strong woman. I am in awe of your courage and the words you share with us, many whom you don't know. I pray about you and hold you and your family in my heart. hugs
Fantastic news young lady on both the counts and some great quality time with your family!!! I sent you something in the mail and I promise you I am a total freak with germs and everything was clean and the container that I used was just bought and washed before I sent out a package to you and the guys!!! Have a super great week and I cannot wait to tell my husband Curt about this great post today!!!
So happy about your lab work and you going to Disney...hope you have a wonderful time. Your chemo picture just makes me smile...you have such a beautiful smile and I know that you must brighten that room each time you go for treatment. I have chemo again on Monday, and I always leave feeling good after having been able to visit with other patients and hear their stories...it is wonderful to be able to encourage one another and share our experiences. I know your boys are counting the days until your trip...it is wonderful that your sister will be able to go with you and help....sisters are truly the best gift.
Hugs and prayers,
Debbie
Dear Amazing Kate,
So glad you will be taking that trip and crossing it off your list. Things on a list are so often drudgery, but this should be way fun for all of you!
I, too, am on a med that lowers my immunity. I carry my little bottle of hand santitizer and a surgical mask. The mask is only when I'm in crowds with lots of sniffling and coughing going on. It has kept me remarkably free of germy-passed-around-gross-stuff!
Have a terrific time!
Have a wonderful time at Disneyland! I'm sure you guys will have a lot of fun and it will give you all time to escape daily life. I am so happy you are feeling well and I continue to think of you and your family!
Peg
Great to hear this positive news - hurray for VACATION. Sending hugs and all good thoughts your way, Deirdre
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