Kristen vs. Cancer: FIGHT!

Rounds 5 and 6 were really rough, but 7 was a little better. The tricky part is while some of my oxaliplatin side effects fade, the 5-FU said "hold my pump."

This translated into some weird side effects like hyperpigmentation, soreness in hips and back, the need for naps, and not much of an appetite.

The good news is the cold sensitivity is (slowly) fading, and the peripheral neuropathy is less severe.

I still need naps, and I'm not going anywhere fast, but even though Round 7 was tough, it was still better than 5 &6!

I started Round 8 today, which means after Friday - 3 MORE ROUNDS LEFT!!!

Thanks for all the good wishes, and penguin pebbling of gifts, memes, and videos!!!

I missed the last crazy days of school as it was an infusion week. As they sing in SIX: Sorry, not sorry. Seriously - the kids were (understandably) feral.

Side effects really ramped up with sessions 5 and 6, and I took many, many naps. This is the first time I just slept on the Thursday after infusion - as in did not resurface until Friday, and only because I was going to get my pump disconnected and there was a promise of Starbucks.

My "chemo cocktail" includes 2 chemotherapy meds: 5-FU and Oxaliplatin. It's the Oxaliplatin that has really messed with me, but good news! 90% of patients don't receive the full dose of Oxaliplatin for the course of their treatments. However, making it 6 doses at full strength significantly improves chances of success. I am having enough symptoms with the peripheral neuropathy that my oncologist told me she would dial back my dosage - and I told her I would make it through six - AND I DID!

Considering cold is a trigger, and we are finally having winter in Ohio - this is great timing.

I have had so much encouragement and love through this journey, and I am so very grateful to get to share these 'on-the-way' victories with you. Thank you for your prayers, silly memes, positive vibes and encouragement.

6 down, 6 to go!!!!!!!!!!!

Our 1st born wasn't baptized until the day before he was 8 months old. JR and I wanted to make sure we had a parish before we baptized him, and we found so much more. We have made so many connections, especially through the Music Ministry, and in particular, the children's Christmas program A Bethlehem Carol (ABC).

When one of the moms of former participants (and both girls were amazing Student Stage Managers) reached out to ask about when they could bring a meal, I suggested the weekend of December 6th, as it would be after Thanksgiving and Chemo #4.

And she got together with 4 other moms to bring not one meal, but 4 from Thursday to Sunday.

Another mom asked if she could come by on Tuesday, and not only did she bring, dinner, she brought friends.

Each of these young people have been under my direction for ABC - the program I took over in 2018. They came together to Carol - the top hits from ABC - and I was absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude. I cry at Hallmark commercials, so it isn't surprising I was brought to tears

This round hit harder, and I was more exhausted. I slept most of Thursday and Friday, and wasn't very hungry at all. On the bright side, I rebounded better by Sunday.

Anyway, we are closing in on the holiday season, and I need any kind of energy I can get!

I had far too much fun to take many pictures, but we had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. We went up to Upper Sandusky on Wednesday, bringing a ham for the "pre-Thanksgiving" dinner. We took all of the kids to see Moana 2 and had a great time!

We stayed with my brother from Wednesday to Sunday afternoon; which so wonderfully relaxing. Thanksgiving dinner was at Mom and Dad's, as well as "Thanksmas" (our early Christmas with family that travels).

I had a good amount of time to relax, eat, sleep, eat, play, eat, and did I mention eat?

I still have to go back and update my Thankful lists, but I figured I'd catch up!

I'm done with cycle #3 tomorrow, and it has been a wild ride . They were not kidding when they said that the side-effects ramp up - but it is more like they level up or compound. Top on the list, and just in time for Winter was the cold sensitivity, BUT today I did some brave research and found mocha iced cappuccino went down with minimal issues. Fatigue was trickier, but it was also bananas in the preschool world last week.

Seriously, the entirety of last week, I was looking for cameras and wondering if we were being punked. Even the docile kids bordered on feral, and I think everyone in the building went home to crash on Friday.

Naps figured heavily into this cycle, and I am asking my team about the iron infusions. I did have a low platelet count this time, and was warned to "be careful not to get cuts and bruises."

I'm guessing I haven't accurately explained my natural grace or my questionable proprioception.

The BEST part is that since the infusion center will be closed Thursday and Friday, I get a bye week for Chemo! Just in time, really. This means fewer side effects at Thanksgiving, a stronger immune system, and more WBC's going into the "Return Plague" that is everyone returning from travels with their hometown germs.

It's such a blessing to be able to still see family, even if we can't do our full travel routine. Baby steps, and 25% done!

Happy Birthday to J.R., who despite the efforts of millions of bacteria is here to celebrate his birthday with us!

2024 has been a wild ride, but I'm so glad that you are right next to me, no matter what comes next!

P.S. The delay in posting was to take a pic together!

Not going to like - this particular round was trickier than the last. The symptoms from the Oxaliplatin ramp up with each dose - something I was warned about well in advance. This is the first time it has felt like something more than irritating, but I have to remind myself that the symptoms don't generally start to subside earlier than a week after treatment.

Also, the cold sensitivity has increased that if I drink something even cool, the muscles in my face contract, making me look "most seriously displeased!"

So if I look like I just sucked a lemon, or like I'm about to reprimand Elizabeth Bennett for being "an obstinate, headstrong girl," I probably just ate or drank something cooler than room temperature.

As someone who has a face with subtitles, this could get me in trouble.

Also, in the interest of science, and closer to the end of my last round, I did test my reaction with ice cream. That leads to a full on Sylvester the Cat "Thuppherin' Thuccotath" speech impediment, but was hilarious and delicious.

I might have to test that again over Thanksgiving.

You know.

For science.

For the peace and space my family allows me on those days where I really need to sleep, and spend a bunch of time on the couch. It also comes with hugs, check-ins, snuggles, water refills, and kisses on the head.

Even on the days the chemo seems to get the better of me, it still doesn't win.

For good audiobook recommendations and the time to listen to them.

For "Stolen Moments," like having JR come with me to get my pump disconnected, and then having small errands and Starbucks together. It is those little moments that make the day so much sweeter.

For quiet but productive days at home, with just me and my chemo pump - and few side-effects to speak of!

I put together two bookshelves, picked up around the house a bit, and had a slow-paced day.

Today is World Kindness /Mr. Rogers day.

Hands down, one of the best days of my life was when my Uncle Robert took me, my brother, and my cousin Drew to a taping of the Mr. Rogers show, and we got to meet the man himself, and Mr. McFeely!

He exuded such love and kindness and compassion, it was impossible not to feel it and be uplifted by it. We still talk about that day, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

I hope someday to have that kind of tranquility - but I suspect my vibe is more chaotic. As long as the love comes through - I will take it.

Time to punk cancer! That is what I am telling myself as I climb to 5' by virtue of my hair alone.

We've got punk hair, big earrings, a cardigan for World Kindness Day, my Ally pin, and a whole lotta snacks. I've colored, I've napped, and I've conquered.

So, that means I'm off the hook for dinner, right? ..... Right??

Partner in crime!

It's World Kindness Day, so I am wearing my cardigan just like Mr. Rogers, and an Ally pin. The nurses put turkey stickers on my chemo - maybe that is why I napped so well???

Also? Color in some swear words. It is excellent therapy.

For mid-day naps, and a family that lets me rest!