"R-E-M-I-S-S-I-O-N" sing it out loud Aretha!

I AM IN REMISSION.   Hearing "remission" felt like sunshine.  (I have been since the clean results, but I didn't know it.  A perfect example of Katrina smiling because she's not really sure what's going on.)  


Last time I mentioned that I met with the Doctor yesterday.  It went very, very well.  I was nervous beforehand since I had bad news that my new PICC (where they hook up the IVs)  was starting to show signs of a blood clot.  Previously, I had to switch arms for the PICC due to a clot.  (do not worry, the doctors have repeatedly told me that they will go away on their own and it's nothing serious.  I freaked out when I heard clot too.)  The Doc completely trusted my judgement.  Fortunately/unfortunately, I was correct.  My slim arms and veins did create another clot on the PICC.  I am switching to a port, which is a lot like the Matrix but it's in my chest instead.  We learned a lot in the meeting.  I think she's fantastic.  


The schedule ahead will be grueling.  A lot of time will be spent on I-57 ping ponging between home and the doctor's office.  It is a tough bet to tell what I'll be more tired from - chemo or car rides.  It's a good thing I have my Kindle!    (fyi: Amazon is not paying for product placement)


I will have two weeks of b!tch juice pounding then two weeks of only a few doses.  Then repeat.  The cocktail of the chemo changes week to week, but that's the gist of the schedule.  


On a positive note:  I won't be back to a doctor's office until Monday!  I'm soaking it in.


I won't go as a passenger, no
Waiting for the road to be laid
Though I may be going down,
I'm taking flame over burning out
-Sara Bareilles, Uncharted
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxB9zGH8GU

Goooooood moooooorning Midlothian!!!

I AM HOME!!!  I apologize for the delay in breaking the news but I'm sure you are all aware by now :)


It is soooo nice to have the comfort of home.  I am back in my old room - orange and pink - complete with a "Save the Last Dance" poster on my door.  My plans for the next coming weeks will be to unpack and transform my room to 2011.  


We meet with my doctor tomorrow for the game plan of the next 8 weeks.   All I can update you on is that there's more chemo in my future; bring it on.

Lazy Mornings

As many of you may know, I am not a morning person.  I believe I may have even voiced it in an earlier blog.  A joke among my college friends is that they would invite me to brunches on the weekends, and I would never join.  It was tempting - I do love breakfast.  I love it more for dinner!

The point is, I appreciate morning a lot more with this view!  Saturday they moved me to the best room on the floor - two walls of windows!  From my window seat I can see lake Michigan, Navy Pier, NW Law School, John Hancock, Water Tower, down Chicago Ave, and the most gorgeous apartments.  Not to brag or anything ;) I like to call it my billion dollar penthouse.  It makes the daydreaming a breeze.

Yesterday the Machurick's visited :)  (Thanks for the visit!)  But I had two surprise visitors - Sarah and William!!

I wanted to share the picture because I love it.   He's the happiest baby on earth.  He also rocks the cool haircut.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”  Dr. Seuss

baldy

Saturday I took the plunge under the shears - GI Jane has nothing on me.  Buzzzzz

No Scrubs

Ironic Observation:  I was never able to handle watching medical scenes or shows.   Now more than ever those are out the window.  Who wants seasons 1 and 2 of Scrubs?


Ironically, I love the show Dexter.  I was informed that the show is actually pretty accurate from a blood tech.  She was fun.

The good - no the GREAT news

I left a bit of a cliffhanger last time because I didn't want to report a rumor.  


Drum roll........  rat a tat tat..... 


My biopsy of blood and bone marrow came back CLEAN!  One hurdle done.  eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Yesterday, my dad and I had a whirlwind run in with my main doctor and she literally told us "The biopsy looks great!" then she was gone.  Busy lady - lives to save.  


There's still a long haul left but this is HUGE.  Now how long until I can eat sushi?


Now in other news... my hair is coming out with vengeance.  It's tough but I knew it was coming soon.  Thankfully I started with a lot of hair so it has stuck around a bit longer than I was told.  Now for that leg hair to fall out... naturally it's taking its time!


Otherwise, I'm just living the lazy life in my downtown penthouse... 


I was reading a quotes of the day and had to laugh when I saw this one - 


One has a greater sense of intellectual degradation after an interview with a doctor than from any human experience. - Alice James (www.quotationspage.com)

brief update

Key Updates:


1.  Another round of spinal chemo - DONE
2.  Another round of regular chemo - DONE


I fondly call chemo "bitch juice" because my oh my I think they need to list it on my side affects haha 


I accomplish more on Saturday mornings by 7 am than ever before.  Chemo prep started at 5:30 AM which is something my body refuses to accept.  I am not a morning person and this experience is cementing the idea that I never will be.  


One of Ross's favorite stories was right after one of my first chemo treatments.  He was in his post - next to my bed - and the nurse had just left.  He leaned over for a smooch and I just stared at him and said "I can't. I feel radioactive!"  Some of the tests and treatments make me feel like I will have spidey-skills by the end of this.  


Things are still going as planned and BIG news may be reported tonight!


Lator gators

punk rock princess

Here's a picture of the new hairdo with a kick @S$ shirt.   

No news.  I will have my bone marrow and bone tested tomorrow for a check point.  I will anxiously await those results.  Otherwise the circus of doctors all say my counts are looking as expected.  I like it when I pass tests.  Maybe they'll give me a gold star!


I am getting mighty spoiled lately.  Generosity is flowing from all angles.  I really am surrounded by great people.  So danka for the gifts, thoughts and prayers.  


Last night dad and I watched the Marquette game.  We laid back with snacks and yelled at the tv.  I really had a great time.  WE ARE MARQUETTE!  Next week he's taking off Thursday so that we can hunker down for a day of basketball games.  Much like last night, I expect to see my blood pressure and sugar counts to sky rocket.  Worth it.  


Tonight's a mom sleepover.  Last time we dominated a puzzle.  Livin' on the edge.   It's actually been really great to hang out with my parents this much - we tend to laugh a lot.  We Lords try not to take things too seriously. 

dos semanas

We've hit the two week mark.  


Right now I'm sitting in my window seat looking out over the sulky day.  I feel like a Disney princess locked away in a castle.   Thankfully prince charming will arrive Friday.  

I hit a slump the past couple of days... the teasing of a potential early release was too much.  It's a nice glimmer of hope but it doesn't stay buffed.  As usual, my visitors pulled me out of the murky waters.  


Today's amusement - instead of thank you, say "gracias", "danka", or "merci" since the phrase has been too worn.  


Time to go watch some terrible teenage soap operas... 


A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping stone to the optimist.  Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady

Tick Tock

Update on the progress:  

Friday I had a session of chemo in my spine (pro-active).  I'll spare the details but the tough part of the spine is two hours of bed rest follow.

Saturday was another session of chemo.  The tough part for me is that the session starts at 4:30 am!  I was buzzing after so Ross and I watched the morning colors over lake Michigan.  Love is showing itself in unexpected places.  If he's willing to sleep in a chair and wake up every four hours, he's a keeper.

The weekend was a blur with visitors in and out.  The reason is a shame but it's great to see everyone.  

Saturday Ross and I had a date night complete with dressing up.  Our table for dinner was over looking the shoreline.  After some dinner, we had a romantic night of slow dancing.  I am one lucky girl.

I get to be cocky - I love this dress.

Yesterday was a BIG day.  The hair cut.  Christine did a marvelous job.  I'm told that I have the jaw line to support the cut.  My motto - my hair will grow back.  In the meantime I'll rock the Emma Watson then hats... 

Right now we're all waiting to hear when I'll get to go home!  Everyone keep your fingers crossed!  

Quick, blunt post.  More wit next time.  

Until then, just keep swimming.

cute and fluffy

My mom told me that I should share this anecdote from our walk:   I announced out of the blue that I would never have a hamster.  She, naturally confused and unsure where the comment came from, asked why.  I told her that I now understood why they bit people.  The halls have become my own neon colored tubes for their houses.  Going around the same ones repeatedly leave someone a little nuts - even if you are cute and fluffy.  


We laughed and strolled quite some time.  Gotta love my parents.  They provide the best medicine - laughs.  I knew our odd humor would come in hand one day.


Today I had my first negative reaction - I got hives!  My oh my was that a trip.  I did not know the skin could morph so quickly.  I hid in my room this morning... didn't want to scare the floor.  I went to business school for a reason; medical stuff gives me the heebie jeebies.


Until next time - Rock it like a hurricane!

ramblings

It's been a week!  Believe it or not I feel like it's been two days.  I take it as a good sign that I won't be banging my head against the walls from cabin fever too soon.  Now those would be some bruises to see.


I realized that I can be eccentric here - thus I have begun to take my morning stroll with some dance tunes.  Bopping down the floor is a bit more eye catching than a languid stroll.  After a few rounds of the hallways, I do some stretches and exercises in the room with the lake view.  I get looks that vary from "you are odd" to "you go girl" during my stroll.  It's amusing.  Let's just say one of the songs that I will do my work out to is "Eye of the Tiger"


I am excited for some of the activities that a group here has.  I will be taking up yoga and relaxation classes; soon I will be totally zen (whatever that really means).  Then later in the month I hope to attend a make up class.  I'll be the first to admit that I will be rocking more make up and jewelry.  A lady needs to be a lady.  


I'm feeling good and you know what, life is good.  It's a shitty situation but it could be shittier.  

Like the lady that I am... #%&K cancer.  That felt good.

Post numero dos

Hello blogosphere -

It seems the easiest way for me to track my progress is through my chemo sessions.  They are pumping me up right now with some; the chemo does the hard part, I just sit back and listen to tunes.  It's a one time chemo session so once this is done I shouldn't have it again!  

The nurses and I keep a goals list for each day and I will get to check chemo off for the day.  Ross was leader of the board and had started some creative ways to check off the boxes.  I am keeping it up while he's in Madison.  I am a list maker by nature so I love to see the boxes check off.  Hello nerd, that's me.

I must say one of the perks is that I can rock the bed head all week.  I have never been so in love with messy hair.  I have some friends that will be helping me chop my locks to a pixie cut - if you see cute any low maintenance once shoot me an email (katrinajlord@gmail.com).  I'd love suggestions.  So far Erin and I found the below picture:

Until next time - keep on, keeping on