Post # 66: I am a SURVIVOR

After a long, internal debate I have decided to retire my blog.  What better time than when we are coming up to the one year anniversary of being cancer free?

The big C has won some battles, but I won the war.  Fly the metaphorical flag at half mast for the casualties (my right shoulder, tears, time, friends, blah blah blah) and celebrate the victories (25th birthday, lessons learned, blessings, etc).  I'm spending my 366-clean-days anniversary with Mr. and Mrs. Lord.  I want to celebrate the day with them, so I invited them up to Madison for the weekend.  (E, we will call you on a four-way phone call since you'll be working).

Truly, I will miss writing the blog.  I enjoyed it which was a pleasant surprise.  I'm thinking of starting up a new one soon, but it is time to move on from the chemo-driven topics.  I have more b!tch juice, struggles, triumphs and good GREAT days ahead of me, but they will not be documented here.

So, thank you readers for sticking around through this tumultuous ride through Katrina's World.  It has been a hard trip, but I think we are returning to the main road safely together.  The detour is coming to an end!

I will leave you with these two tokens:

One, here is a link to a blog that I find useful - the author Kris Carr's book was my Bible:  http://networkedblogs.com/s6POb

And two, here is my theme song lately -  it's called "Get Thru This" by Art of Dying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMRjWGr9sH4&ob=av2n

All the best,
Katrina Jeannette

Baby It's a Wild World

Step by Step
My good friends put together Team Navigating the Roadblock last year and as I boasted before - they were the top fundraisers!  This year a few of the girls are on the board for the Leukemia Research Foundation.  Ironically, I have grown up with the foundation.  My mom has been a member for my entire life (if that length of time is wrong, then I'll state that it at least seemed like it).  I helped out at the annual fashion shows and attended the weekly meetings with her.  Truthfully, I wanted to grow up to be a member.

Here's a link to the Web site:
http://www.leukemia-research.org

Here I am, "grown up" and instead of a member I am receiving aid from them.  Cancer is an expensive hobby.  Beyond the assistance, LRF is an advocate in medical research.  Leukemia treatment has gone leaps and bounds in the progress in the past five years.  But let's be frank, it has leaps and bounds to go.  I always remind myself, all that I am going through is what little kids are going through too.  Scary.  It keeps my pity parties in check.  It also gives me all the more reason to hound people to support my cause...

So, in case I haven't bugged you in another form... here's the address for my fundraising page:
http://www.active.com/donate/lrf2012/KLord16

Drip by Drip
I am getting closer and closer to the end of chemo-fication.  June 24, 2013, June twenty-fourth two thousand thirteen, 06/24/2013, 24 June 2013... looks good from all angles.  I had another dosage today.  I am still not quite where Doc wants me to be in counts so that's always a bit of a worry, but she assures that it's more of a matter of mixing up the right dosages for my dailies.  I had another lumbar puncture which is a nice way of saying spinal tapping and it went smoothly.  Mom and Dad had presents for some of the team today.  Mom made an adorable blanket for Doctor's baby girl so moods were all happy and eyes a little teary. 

Inch by Inch
My 'do' is coming in nice and thick.  I get a lot compliments and in the most unexpected places.  The remarks make me feel a bit more comfortable in it, but I still haven't been able to truly tame it and rock it.  I have some crazy cow licks and curls going on.  But I am SO HAPPY to have it back that I just let it go crazy and call it a happy non-bald day.

Shot by Shot
Despite my wile counts, I am hopping a plane in a few weeks.  MARCH MADNESS BABY!  Dad and I are heading to the final four in New Orleans!!  I am pumped.  Marquette is also stoking the fire for my excitement since they are looking good (minus tonight).  They are just saving their wins for the tourney.

Line by Line
This post is getting wordy so I will sign off.  Till next time!