2 down!

Well, I went in for my second of six rounds of chemo today...it went fine-except I have bad veins so finding one that will work for the IV is always a challenge...man, that really hurts...
My mom went with me this time-jasen came last time for my first one.
We stopped at the store and got a huge stack of magazines to keep us occupied-thanks, mom:)
So, hopefully side effects won't be too rough this time-it wasn't too bad last time-just really tired...
Thanks for your continued support and happy thoughts!!!
Hair status=almost ALL gone;(
Oh well, no brush, no bra, no fuss!!!

This is hard...

Well, I thought losing my hair would be easier and it's NOT. Jasen shaved my head day before yesterday and I was okay at first, but then looked up and started to cry;( yes, it's just hair-I know-but looking like this is tough. Lots more hair fell out today and yesterday-and it will continue;(
I am doing my best to stay positive, but for the first time it's been hard to...
I don't like this at all.
Thankful for supportive family and friends-couldn't do this without you:)

New Today!!!

Well, today I got boobs! It's great and weird all at the same time! I think tuis may take some time to get used to...

Lose hair... Next

Well, as I look ahead to the next week or do, I can expect to lose my hair completely. I'm really not that nervous and have already cut it short-I know when it starts falling out it will be strange, but I'm just thankful to be here, and be on a healing path!
Today, I got a wig.
It's fabulous, and its crazy.
Thank you mom -
Thank you sis.
Love you.

One down...

Well I had my first round of chemo today. After long deliberation, I decided not to use the cold caps after all. I have been lucky to connect with a gal who is going through the same thing I am, and she let me borrow them...after much thought-I just didn't want to deal with one more thing... It took a weight off my shoulders knowing that nature will just take its course. For those who may not know-cold caps can help you from losing your hair... I don't have a connection with my hair-and I know I will lose it-and I'm okay with that. Sure-it will be dn adjustment-just like having no boobs has been... But I'll be fine... Not sure is I'll do wigs-but hats for sure;)
So the chemo room is set up in a very open way-I ended up going back to a private room which felt more comfortable for me-especially since this was my first time... Chemo went fine, and I left 5 hours later feeling just fine-a little tired, but good;)
So here we go...
I think I'll go get a really short haircut this weekend so that when my hair starts coming out it won't be as drastic...thankfully my sis can do that;)
Oh, and a visit from my new neice right after my IV went in was just perfect;)
Thanks for the continued love and support-means the world to me;)

Here we go again...

Well, I had my follow up appointment today with the oncologist.  I found out that I will start Chemo next Friday, Dec. 9th.  I will go in every 3 weeks, and I will have 6 rounds - about 5 months.  I will lose my hair and have nausea..but I am going to try to get my hands on some cold caps - which may lessen or prevent hair loss...
I saw the chairs that I will be spending many hours in...
I am feeling positive, though...I have so much to be thankful for:)  And, this next Wednesday, I am getting prosthetic boobs!!!  Yeah!  I must admit, I am tired of looking like Flat Stanley:)  At least if I lose my hair I'll have boobs:)
Looking down the road, there are shots to turn my ovaries off and then removing them altogether - more with genetic counseling, and then I must get stronger - because I will go into pre-menopause...must strengthen my bones!!!
WOW, another day FILLED with news...
Thank you for your love and support...
Here we GO!!!!!

Tough to take...

I met with the oncologist this morning for the first time. I was expecting for chemotherapy to come up-but it turned out to be a lot more than that. I will go in for genetic counseling and have some other tests run. There will be 6 months of chemo. I have a lot of questions-but was so overwhelmed today, I didn't think to ask them.
I will also be getting shots for 2 years (to prevent Ovarian cancer) and take meds for 5 years.
The details are a blur to me today-I felt like I was "done" and now this... It's all too much and I'm not sure why this happened...
So, today I feel overwhelmed and sad, but I know all of the treatment is for the good... Just a little tough to take.
So lucky to have the support I do;) hugs

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming.......

Well, today marks the 18th day from my surgery!  I am getting better, and healing more each and every day.  I am heading back into work this week for a couple hours here and there - just to ease myself back into the swing of things.  I do have to ask myself: Why must Report Cards have to be due the day I am returning to work full time?????  Oh well, there's always got to be something:)
I really wish I could sleep on my side - it's my favorite sleeping position, and I'm just not sleeping well on my back (and my hair is quite the birds nest when I get up!!)  I guess this will happen soon:)
I have an appointment with the Oncologist Thursday, the 10th, to discuss treatment options - I will let you know what we decide.  Chemo may be an option for preventative measures.
I am in love with this time of year - starting to think about the holidays, and of course my baby niece that is coming so soon!!!  My girls talk about that baby being here every day - they are SO excited!!!
We are SO thankful for all of the love and support that continues to come our way - love you all!!!

I'm free!!!

Well, today I got my last 2 tubes out! Those things were hard to deal with! I have an appt. Friday with the surgeon-a follow up. I'm feeling better each day! This experience continues to be pretty amazing...

Slow down.....

It's difficult to have a list of things I know I need to be doing, but can't...this part is hard-I think I'm ready to do more than I actually am... I think I need to take it slow.......I am thankful for time with family and friends this weekend;)

All is well

Today I had my first follow up appointment with the nurse. I went in to be evaluated, and to check on my healing progress. Nurse said everything is looking great, and she was able to take 2 of the 4 drains out. That hurt pretty bad and the worst part was that I could feel it unwinding from inside my chest:( icky. I was given permission to take a shower and yes-put deodorant on!!!!!! What?!!!!! I was really stinky!!!! I am at my moms today getting ready for Megans baby shower (not that I can do much-but I can tell people what to do!!!) you know I'm good at that because I am a teacher and all;)
I am supposed to check in on Monday to see about getting the other drains out...so keep your fingers crossed!!! Could not be going through this without all of the amazing love and support!!! Love you all!!!

WOW

It's pretty amazing having meals delivered to you and your family. I got home today, after spending the day at my mom and dads house (for a change of scenery) and Molly drove up right behind us with dinner...and seriously, it's overwhelming...thank you to all of you who already have, and who are on the list-to bring us meals... Maddie is in 7th heaven guessing what's coming for dinner-and my kids are not used to this home cookin-YES, I know I need to learn to cook-but I look at it this way-we all have our gifts and strengths-let's face it-cooking is not one of mine:)
Seriously,from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your thoughtfulness, generosity, and love.
We are blessed to have such amazing love and support...
So, from this non-cooking momma and her family-thanks;)

Today is Tuesday.....

So it's been 5 days since my surgery, and I've been off my pain meds for 2 days. I'm feeling okay, but these tubes that are sewn into the sides of my chest are what bother me most...I go in Friday to see about getting them out... Also, the doc called yesterday and told me that my lymphnode test was negative!!! That's what I call good news!!! Now, we will follow up with the oncologist and my surgeon and discuss options for treatment/ and talk about whether it is needed, etc. My girls are back home, after staying 4 nights away...much needed time, but we missed them so much-the house just isn't the same;)
So, here goes another day!!! Thanks so much for your love and support;)

I'm all done!!!

Well, I'm all done with that part! Surgery went well-at least that's what they tell me...I was asleep:) I woke up pretty quick afterwards and after waiting about an hour, they wheeled me up to my room for the night;) thanks to my hubby and mom for being here all day and following me around to all Of the different waiting areas:)thanks to my dad, who got the girls from school and brought them Over to see me:) it was so good to see them;) poppa, meg, Ryan, mg, pat and Mel-thanks for visiting! It was so cute-we were just all sitting around and visiting ( well I kept falling asleep) and Gracie said : "why are we all just staring at momma?!" so funny;)
I feel great-got to have those beloved ice chips and have now moved on to pudding;) I took 2 laps around the floor where I'm staying!!!
So, that's all for now-I'm going to try to get some sleep;) live to all and once again, thank you souch for all of your l

Surgery Went Well

The surgery went well. Kirstin is in recovery and her husband and her Mom are there waiting for her to wake up. The hospital will keep her under observation tonight and if all goes well, she will be released as early as tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you all for all of your prayers and positive thoughts. I will update you again when I have anything new.

Today's The Day

Hello all! This is Charity and I am updating Kirstins Blog today for her.  She has been in the radiology department since about 8:30 this morning, and now is in pre-op . She is playing the waiting game right now...Her surgery is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm and finish by 2:30pm. Please think positive thoughts for Kirstin and her family. I will keep you all updated as much as possible.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!!!

I am feeling so super loved today...my whole class wore pink, my entire staff wore pink, and it's so amazing....
As my surgery is getting closer, it is, of course feeling more real - I am going into this with a one step at a time attitude, and staying nothing but positive:)  I check in to St. Pete's, here in Olympia - tomorrow morning at 8am.  I will go in to find my sentinel node(s), then will be off to prep for my surgery at noon.  I will stay the night, and then go home sometime the next day.
It's amazing how something like this wakes us all up, and makes us appreciate who we have in our lives.  I am so lucky and blessed to be surrounded by SO many people who are so encouraging, generous, and loving.  Thank you for blessing me.  Here we go!!!

That was FUN!!!

Thanks to all of the lovely ladies who came out to my Boob-Voyage party this evening:)  It meant a lot to me!  Thanks Mom, Megs, Charity, Roxy, and Tammy for putting this together for me...The flowers were so cute, the little favors were darling, the sign was awesome, the cake was fun (and WHO posted that pic???  UGH.  It's off now) and the company was the BEST!  Thanks to friends who drove from afar to be there for me:)  Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words and cards, thoughtful gifts, hugs and for being there for me and my family.  Here we go - FOUR days until surgery and lots to do before that...

WOW! This is tough!

So it's conference week here at Centennial, the school where I teach 5th Grade.  Having to conference with all of the parents gives me great joy, but its very tiring, too.  On top of that, having to tell each family what's going on, and that I will be out for 2 weeks due to my surgery is, to say the least, a bit draining.  I have not cried for days, and had to let it out yesterday afternoon for a bit...it just comes upon me, and I have to let it out...
My staff I work with is amazing...they had "pink" ribbon bagels for me yesterday in the staff room with a special note that said "We are with you all the way, Kirstin" - it was so special:)  AND, they are all going to wear pink next Wed., the day before I go into surgery.  I am so lucky to be surrounded by so much love and support - parents offering to make meals for my family, take care of my kids...it's very cool, very humbling.
I'm sure that everything happens for a reason, but this one may take me a while to figure out.  I feel strong, nervous, supported and loved, and am so grateful for all of the blessings I have in my life.

Now my girls know...

Today, Jasen and I sat down with the girls and told them what's going on with mommy.  Jasen let me do most of the talking...it was good, but hard to say that mommy has cancer - I never thought those words would be coming out of my mouth.  We kept it simple - told them that we have a plan, and that mommy has very good doctors taking care of her:)  Grace did not know at all what I was saying - I expected that - Maddie thought the surgery would make me shorter:)  I said, no, just flat:)  We are all wondering how that will look...ugh.....oh well, I'm glad they know, and now, we move on...

Surgery scheduled

So I visited with the surgeon again today and we are proceeding with a plan... I will have a bilateral mastectomy and left sentinel node biopsy... It is going to be on October 20th and I'm feeling pretty nervous as I've never had any type of surgery before... I'm glad to have a date set and am forever grateful for all the love and support;)

Today was another gift

So here I am, the day in between my scan, and the results...I thought today would be so hard...but thanks to the love of so many, and the fact that it was crazy hair day at school today, it was just great:)  I wore this HUGE wig (kind of "Hairspray" style) to school - and it made me even taller than I already am - had to duck under the doorways...the kids are so sweet, and continue to add to my "Wall of Love" - it all means so much.  After a long, good day at work, dinner with mom, sis, and my girls...It's really true that each new day is a gift - and that's more real now than ever before.

Getting there...

Well, I had my BSGI scan today.  It was actually quite painless, but each image took 10 minutes to capture.  It was a bit stressful, because I could see what the camera was picking up as we went along...
I got to meet a very well respected doctor, and a couple of other people up at First Hill @ Swedish.  They were all so great - and the doc was very encouraging.  Now, I wait until Friday, when I will meet with my surgeon and get a plan in place for surgery and treatment.
I got to see a long time friend when I was done - a happy visit:)  Then, Jasen and I went down to Madison Park to find some delicious food for lunch - ate at Cactus - so yummy - then walked around for a bit down there before we headed home.
I am feeling good, and am looking forward to getting a plan in place:)
Thanks for all of the well wishes and happy thoughts for today's appointment:)
Tomorrow, here I come!!!!!!

On my way...

We are on our way up to First Hill for my BSGI...feeling okay...have a nervous tummy though

Oh...

Oh, it's in the comment thread under "Waiting Game"   I'm such a dork.

A Little Tired...

Oh, okay, this is how you do it:)  I just wrote a small essay, but posted it as a comment...oh well, live and learn...It's just above this:)

It's a waiting game

Today is Saturday, it's been 15 days since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  This is for sure the hardest thing ever - but so far, the worst day was the 16th, at noon.  I remain positive, and know that I will beat this...I have too much to do here:)
Today, I took the girls shopping and got them new shoes...I love doing that with them - there's just something about a girl and new shoes...  Maddie got converse, which was no surprise, and Gracie got sparkly TOMS...
I'm so grateful for all of the love and support that I continue to get...I am blessed.
So now, I wait more...for my BSGI on Wednesday, at First Hill (Swedish)...then results on Friday...this is the hard part...waiting...
I am thankful for each moment, and for all that I have...this really puts everything into perspective - that's for sure...