Music To My Ears:

 Chemo treatment 4 of 6 DONE today.

 Realized the I pod my sister gave me really helps get me through treatment. I'm able to tune out of the not so fun 6 hour day and tune into good music and really listen to the lyrics. Anna Traetz left a nice note in my "chemo" bag for me. Chauffeurs Amy Morales and Stacy Labo Knott got me to treatment and home safe and sound. When I got home Luke Traetz was weed wacking the back yard...without me asking him to. Luke also had country music playing for me when I came in. To top off the day, a nice neighbor boy found and returned some sunglasses that were stolen from Jesse's car. I love how having just enough of the "nice little things in life" can add up to minimize some of the big, ugly stuff life can throw at us. We can choose to listen to the noise in our lives, or choose to turn it down. Change what we are listening to and take time to understand the lyrics. Music to my ears, today.

Round 2

     Met with oncologist yesterday and got an A+ on my "report card" from first round. One round down, five to go. Ready to "step into the ring" today and BEAST IT UP for round two. Thank you to all for all of the love and support you've provided to me and my family in SO many ways. Feeling blessed and grateful and ready to BEAST IT UP!

posted by Kathy

Super Hero

Kathy you are my SUPER HERO!!!!

Rock it Girl!

Readers will have to wait for the real photo!

Small Town Love

About a week ago one of the students at the high school decided to do something amazing for Kathy and her family. Her name is Erin Clendenen. Erin has been a part of Kathy’s family for years this is one of posts that I copied from Instagram that explains their connection:

Erin and Kathy- February 2015

“This woman right here has done so much for me since I was a little girl. I’ve spent endless nights at her house, eaten all of her food and even almost burned down her house once. Now, I’ve been given the opportunity to give back to her…She told me last night we were put in each other’s lives for a reason and I’ve come to the realization this is one of them. I am hosting a Benefit Dinner for Kathy on February 21^st….” 

We are amazed and humbled at the love and support the community has shown towards Kathy and her family. This experience has given me new insight on life and how to be a better person. If you can make the benefit dinner we would love to see you, if not feel free to send a card or a note to Kathy to her spirits up. 

Hare today gone tomorrow

     It is supposed to happen 14-18 days after chemo. As of Wednesday Feb 4^th it is still there. I am talking about Kathy’s hair. It is always a chemo curiosity question. (say that 3 times) Did she lose her hair?

     Kathy and I spent Tuesday doing some important errands. The main mission of the day was to get her wig trimmed up and looking good.  The salon was in the back room of an average looking ranch house.  Once we entered to doorway we were transported to the early 1970’s complete with shag carpeting and a cute kitchen set with vinyl covered chairs. The stylist was a sweet lady who had been in the business for over 40 years. Our initial impressions were wrong as she worked her years of magic on the hair. You may be wondering what Kathy’s now “do” will look like…  you will just have to wait and see!

     We also had another great visit with Judy at the    Cancer Discovery Thrift Shop in Redding. Judy is a 14 year breast cancer survivor. She has been a great resource for Kathy and I. She and Kathy get along well and have the same giggly sense of humor. I think the two of them will make a good comedy team at the next Relay for Life!

It seems every time Kathy and I go out it turns into some kind of adventure . I am known as the task master sister. I am constantly creating “to do” lists and driving across town for errands and generally moving quickly through life. When spending time with Kathy I am learning to slow down. I have noticed the beautiful mountains, the sweet smell of morning air, and how much our relationship has grown. I think I may  need to learn to slow down.  Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Slow and steady---Kathy  will win this race….

 because i can not see the sunshine through the haze.

things i want to fix today; broken hearts, mortgage companies, bank accounts.

things i can fix today:

i will water my garden and let the cats outside to eat some grass.

and then i will clean up grass 

inspired cat barf.

(Confessions of a caregiver)

Add another item to the list

Nurses double glove and wear plastic
 gown when administering

Aleve pain pills....for the deep, agonizing, painful side affects of the Neulasta shot.

Nobody should have to say, 
" I feel much worse today than when I woke up from my last brain surgery."
"This feels like the worst flu ever."
And my question, "Why is the medicine that will heal her making her feel so terrible?"
‪#‎Chemosideeffectssuck‬