One to Go!!

I know what you are thinking.....finally a blog update:) When we started this journey numbers were in every conversation we had. The size of the tumor in centimeters, the stage of the cancer, how many weeks of radiation, and, of course, how long were chemo treatments going to last. At first, we were doing chemo every other week for eight weeks, then every week for twelve weeks. Then, when the tumor hadn't shrunk any we changed to every three weeks for 7 weeks. Then that was changed to every three weeks for three more treatments. The most important number you need to know now is.....one. That's how many more chemo treatments Kaitlyn will have. We couldn't be more excited to reach this milestone.

Our chemo day was a good one. Aunt Angie, Aunt Donna and I traveled to Indy last night and stayed in an apartment at the kid's complex that out-of-town quests can rent. We had supper with Kaitlyn and Scott and the Aunts got a tour of the new place. Kaitlyn's appointment was early this morning and we were up and on the way by 8:45. Kaitlyn's visit with Dr. Newton went well and the tumor continues to shrink. We are so thankful!! Infusion was good today as well. Scott was back on board this time and, frankly, kept us all entertained. Kaitlyn was happy to have the Aunts along but missed Aunt Dianna. She had work commitments. Kaitlyn continues to have the largest crowd at chemo. Kris was there as well and Andhra stopped in on her lunch hour. The nurses have started talking about how great it is that she brings such a large group and that we spend a lot of time laughing. Chemo lasted a little over three hours. It is a long process with the added chemo drug. But, that Taxotere is potent stuff and is doing the job, so we don't mind at all.

We've had a busy few weeks since Kaitlyn's last treatment. The weekend after treatment we moved the kids into their new apartment. Has I predicted Kaitlyn was really tired and feeling pretty nauseous. She toughed it out to help us get things organized on Saturday afternoon. After a trip to Walmart though in the evening, she was done. We finished up the next morning and then left her to recuperate. She got a cold the first part of the next week and battled thru that nicely. We were concerned for her because her immune system is pretty non-existent, but she rebounded by the end of the week.

The Sunday of that week we all went to the State Fair and had a great time. She got a little tired walking so we took it easy and rode the tram some as well. We hadn't been to the fair since the summer before she went to college so it was great to attend once again with both her and Scott. The State Fair is always a good time.

The last week she got back on track with her work schedule. She works a short week the week she has chemo and the week after because of the fatigue and sickness she suffers from the drugs. The next week she tries for a full 40 hours and then she's back to a chemo week. Once again, the Hartford has just been fantastic to her and it's been so appreciated. So she worked a full week and even got a couple of softball games in on Friday night. She loves her softball:) Saturday she and Scott were home to attend the Craig Open House. They got to see and visit with some of the people I work with and they really enjoyed themselves. Basically, I just want you all to know that she tries to keep pushing forward. She might not blog on here but it's because she's keeping herself busy and is out there living her life. Exactly what we want her to be doing!

Kaitlyn will have her last chemo on September 16th. After that, she will have an appointment to see Dr. Kennedy to discuss her operation and begin moving forward to schedule that. She'll need a little time to recover from the chemo and rebuild that immune system. She will begin, three weeks after the 16th, herceptin infusions. She will have them every three weeks for a year. This will not interfere with the surgery and she won't suffer any of the side effects she's been dealing with. They will only last about 20 minutes and she will have them either before or after work. After what she's gone thru this will be a piece of cake! Those prayers you all have been sending up are working so please keep praying and she'll keep fighting. Thanks and love to you all:)

Peace, Love and Hope
Lisa