bibbidi bobbidi boo

Hello, hello!!  I didn't forget about my blog updates.  Here's the skinny on my life:


Roadblock Update
I was poked and prodded today for my bone marrow biopsy.  I anxiously await the results on Thursday.  Ross will be coming with me to the clinic for the results and beginning of maintenance.  I get to show him off to my entourage.  They are excited to meet him.  The team will be shocked to see me without my parents, who are frowning at the fact that they are missing the appointment.  I can't let them get a perfect record for attendance, now can I?  


I have a toddler's hairdo right now.  My eyebrows and lashes are back too!  It's suh-weet!  Unfortunately there's more proof that God's a man because my leg hair has returned as well.  I was hoping he'd say to himself, "Katrina's been through a lot.  Let's toss her a consolation prize of no more shaving!"  Alas, He didn't.  


Puppy Love
Ross and I are happy to announce that we are proud owners of an 8 month old pupper - Emma!  She's already stolen both of our hearts.  She is adorable, with or without bias.  Emma is 50 pounds of husky and golden retriever.  She happily obliges to stroll with us and accompany us at the dog park.  It's fun to learn her quirks and favorites.  For example, she likes to hop (freakin' adorable) and chase squirrels (not quite as adorable for my shoulder).  All in all, we are a happy little family.   


Don't worry bragging pictures to come...


Madison, my new home sweet home
I'm all settled in.  My goal is to finalize the organization of my closet and desk items.  We have the walls covered with our art which I consider the icing on the cake.  It's ready to serve.  We have a happy little family in a happy little home :)  The American Dream is coming true.


And a fun little note from Shel:

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." Shel Silverstein

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.

Chapter 49: Do you remember dancing in September?

Countdown:  14 days until the end of the BIG stuff


Familiar Taste of Poison
On this detour of life, we have reached another four days of bumpy and squiggly road signs.  Today's menu included a spinal tap, blood transfusion and a mini chemo cocktail (shout out to you blood donors out there!  A million thanks!).  I'm also taking a nightly oral chemo which is a powerful little pill.  That's the update on the chemofront folks.  No big news (which is good news).


Vampire Blog
Getting blood creeps. me. out.  yuck.  It looks gross and I feel funky knowing it's someone else's blood.  I think back to the blood drives (I successfully donated once and got shot down twice) and think about the people donating.  Technically I am receiving their past meals, cigarettes, beers, snacks and air.   His or her past.  Weird.  It'd be fun if I also received his/her skills.  After I sit two hours hooked up to the bag o' blood - Hey look!  I can salsa!  Ole!   No, just the Taco Bell for dinner two nights ago.


New Glasses
I see life differently and I'm making choices with new measuring tools.  For example, I am following my heart to Madison.  I meditate.  Bought a juicer.  Babble to a therapist.  See the beauty in everyday things.  All things that I got a push to do a la the big C.  When you have one hand in heaven, you tend to get busy on earth.  More than one person has told me that my experience has inspired them to finally do those dream items.  Let's all hop on the Dead Poet's Society bandwagon and 'carpe diem' it up!  

Unplugged

Hey everyone!

I made the cut!  I was able to begin chemo again on Tuesday.  Happy day!  I have day 2 of 4 completed this week.  Next week is a four day week for treatment.  It has me dragging already.  I was so tired on my way home that my eyes were going in different directions and my eye lids were at different levels.  I felt and looked drunk.  I fell asleep passed out right when I got home.

Since I started chemo I now have a date for the last session before maintenance begins.  The BIG stuff will be over!  October 11 I will be finished!  Hallelujah.

This past weekend I went to Madison to help Ross paint our home.  We completed the painting!  The delay in treatment left me feeling good.  We painted hours upon hours.  The rooms turned out perfect (minus the grayish purple paint looking only purple - you'll see haha).  Our house is becoming a home.  It turned out great timing because I was able to spend the first night there.   I hated to leave but I'll be moving in soon!

Livestrong was in NYC for the UN Summit for uncommunicable disease.  Livestrong does create a community feel for all of us fighting the good fight.
http://livestrongblog.org/2011/09/20/photos-from-the-un-summit/?tr=y&auid=9528497
I submitted my picture - I wonder if I debuted in NYC?

kiss, kiss

The Big Spill

Question - Good news or bad news first?  


We'll go with the bad.  


My treatments had to be delayed due to my blood counts.  Bummer.  I  was right on the cusp and the Doc even tried to break the rules for me in order to move forward.  It's only a week delay at this time.  (Fingers crossed that it will max at a week.)


The reason I am bummed out is because the pause in the treatment schedule delays the good things...


Which brings us to the GOOD news.  The happy news.  The news that makes me smile nonstop.  


I'M MOVING TO MADISON!


Ross and I found a great house for rent.  It is adorable.  We have a backyard and basement so it's prime for hanging out.  I'm so excited to move in with him and finally start up our life together.  It's about dam time we're in the same city!  Ross is busy painting the place right now.   I will post pictures once we're done moving in and decorating!  

“Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”

— Roald Dahl

That's the way the Cookie Crumbles

I bit off more than I can chew.  I wanted to help out my mom re-do my room by priming and doing the ceiling coats of paint.  I have gotten as far as the prep and trimming.  I was so proud but then I hit a wall without a roller in hand.  I am really disappointed that I may not pull this through for my mom. 


This past weekend was a nice little getaway.  I headed to Osh Kosh (B'Gosh!) with some friends.  The weather didn't go according to plan, but we made due and had a great time.  Some of my favorite times are spent in sweats while BS'ing with friends.  Who needs bars?  Not I (blatant lie).   


My parents are touring Yellowstone this week.  From the sounds of it the trip could not be going any better.  It's amazing how quiet the house can get.  When 5:30 rolls around and Dad does not stroll in then my Mom does not dash in later, I end up twiddling my thumbs.  I think I am suffering from reverse empty nest syndrome.


I have very exciting news that I want to scream at the top of my lungs.  A tease will have to do.  Count this as a heads up though - once I get to share the news you're going to all drown in it.  I will share it soooooon.


Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. 
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.