You Should be Dancing

Happy Halloween Weekend!

^This is a preview of me and five friends tomorrow night.  Aren't we good looking?

But more importantly - it is here!  The first day of a life outside of chemo regimens.  Feels good.  (Despite the nausea that's lingering from last week's potion but it too shall pass.)  I received a lot of congratulations including a dancing nurse.  The clinic was abuzz with excitement.

Thanks for all of the support to make it to the glorious milestone!

Check this out:
http://www.cancerbites.tv/
It's a guilty pleasure, but those Twilight movies do make me giddy.

And now for that dancing....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l_x2zm_pIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_3TE7ieScQ&NR=1

I'm getting a chemo-cation until mid November... until then boogie down!
 

Update!  Here's our minion group:

A Light in the Attic

Commence treatment & countdown!


Today I received my cocktail complete with Benadryl and a nap.  Yes, it was supposed to happen Tuesday, but the fates made it delay to today.  The last post was not all truths.  I was not able to start work because I did not receive the final nod from my doctor.  What Olga wants, Olga gets.  Also, the MRI came back clean.  No worries there.  And as my parents liked to point out, there is proof of a brain.  Or as referenced in the title, there is "a light in the attic."  Thank you Shel.  Anywho, we can hang the countdown banners back up!  

7 days til the final cocktail

~17 til the bone marrow test 

~20 til the test results

< 24 hours til I'm back in Madison

Now for my diatribe...

I know I will never be able to escape the monkey named "C" on my back, but I can when I am preoccupied with things and the people around me.  I've been told by the entourage to keep busy.  It does not help to dwell.  It is very hard to do when there are constant reminders everywhere.  For starters, there's the mirror.  My fuzzies will become hairs then a hair do in time.  But for now I still look like a goon.  Another example happened this past week when I went to see Footloose with Ashli.  We had to go see the remake.  We watched the original movie countless times; swooning over Ren's warehouse scene and Ariel's red boots.  (They are hot, you can't deny it.)  We are watching the new movie, tra-la-la giggle-giggle, then *BAM* Ren goes on to explain his mother's long death due to Leukemia that emotionally traumatized him.  Grrrrrrreat.  I was enjoying myself!  Stupid screen writers.  No escape.  
Finally there are the never-ending commercials hawking St. Jude's and the million (or so it seems) cancer centers have given me more reason to stick with Hulu and Netflix.  I don't need to ruin my entertainment all of the time.  Just another reason to opt out of commercials.  I too believe in "standing up to cancer" but please don't ruin Modern Family to try and wrangle dinero out of me.


xoxo
Katrina Jeannette

I Don't Want to Wait

Yes, that is a reference to the Capeside, MA angst-ridden teen drama Dawson's Creek.  I am about as annoying as Dawson Leery at this point in time.   I complain more than him; who knew that was possible?  And I don't want to wait either.
My end date is delayed -- again.  My cold symptoms are not gone enough to get cleared for chemo.  I never thought I'd want chemo cocktails, but now all I want is to belly up to the treatment bar.  Barkeep!
I was given a shot to jump start my white cell production.  I'm excited for the little buggers to do their work and help me get rid of my cold.  
I have a MRI on Friday to verify that nothing has gone awry.  I spent last Wednesday in the ER for some abnormal numbing.  Oi vey.  Why all of this now?  (well, at all for that matter.)


But this weekend will outshine the rest.  I MOVE TO MADISON. 


Then Monday I start back at work - part time.  With the appointments and backlash from treatments I just can't play in the big league yet.  But we're on the way to 'normalcy.'
With that said, I will be a road warrior now.  Betty the Jetty and I will be best buds by the end of this.   We'll be bouncing between Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago.  But I think it's worth it.  I am not letting the delay get in my way.  


Well folks, that's all for now.  

There's a flag on the field

The ref has called a "delay of game."  That's right, Katrina pulled out sports jargon.  
October 11th is no longer the magic date.  The countdown has ceased.  


I have the rhinovirus.  

We, common folk, call it a cold.  My cold was wicked enough to set me back on treatment.  LAME.  I feel like I'm running a race on a treadmill with the finish line being right beyond the machine.  But what's not LAME is that my treatment and tests are going so well that my MDs are OK with the delay.  I love when silver linings shine through.  
A delay even in my schedule... que sera, sera.  I will just bop back and forth from Madison a few more times. Nothing's keeping me from moving in with my man!  

Me too Audrey, me too.

Quickly and Loosely Rhymed

It all began Wednesday
with a tiny sore throat.
Then it progressed on Thursday
to bogies and chills that demanded a coat.

Friday was the norm
naps to kick this cold!
Until Dad kissed my temple, "You're warm!"
he exclaimed as he went to make a call.

And so began our journey
to the Northwestern ER.
Needless to say I was angry.
I don't need to be here!

After much waiting
and cons from my parents to avoid my flight,
the doctors began their poking and prodding.
I sighed, but tomorrow was supposed to be a double delight.

Hours ensued,
and good news arose.
My fever came unglued!
A doctor announced, "You can go home tonight" - it sounded like prose!

We avoided inpatient
but my plans were dashed.
Despite my impatience
I came home and I crashed.

Pills, pills, pills
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Are the happenings of my weekend - thrills!
Let's hope on the chemo schedule we keep.