Entering a New Phase

With the final chemotherapy completed and the dreaded follow-up days of experiencing the side effects a thing of the past, I can now put the cancer treatment behind me and look ahead toward gaining strength and recapturing a more normal routine to life. My oncologist, Jenny Fox, will continue to monitor my blood work to determine at what point we will be ready to make an evaluation of the treatment's results. That will likely occur in mid-September. In the meantime my goals are to be able to celebrate Willie's September 20th birthday with our Fort Collins' kids and to resume meeting weekly with my small group. I just realized that would be taking two steps at a time! Dare I progress so quickly from the longtime pattern of taking life "one step at a time"? I think I am ready!! Pattie K

FINAL CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSION

Friday, August 14 about 10:30am, I should begin my final round of chemotherapy treatments. I ask for your prayers and best wishes that all will go well and that the result will be the destruction of all cancer cells in my body. I do not know yet what follow-up procedures will be done. I likely will not have a report for a few weeks, but I will certainly post the news whenever I have met with my oncologist and results are known. You all have been a tremendous inspiration to me these past several months. Thank you so much for your loving support. Pattie K

TOUGH WEEK

I have managed to sleep through the past seven days, getting up to go to the Cancer Center for shots and to eat meals, watch a bit of TV, but little else. The story is the same - weakness, dizziness and headache. I will have blood counts checked on Friday and see a Physician's Assistant to discuss the results. Although I do know that "this too shall pass", there is so much I see around the house that I would like to be doing. Willie and I are extremely grateful for dear friends who have brought meals, either hot and ready to eat or with preparation instructions for Willie. I am brought to tears as I sit down to eat and give thanks for the time and love that the food represents. Some of us remember Bob Oerter's telling us never to underestimate the value of a "well-placed casserole". He was right. I am looking forward to the better days that lie ahead.