Chemo 6 & 7

It is two days after Christmas and I had bloodwork on the 25th and my 7th chemo yesterday. Both went smoothly and as I step into 2010 I will complete my 8th treatment and have 4 more in this series, see me jumping for joy.

Christmas eve I had dinner with The Fieldings and we had such a nice visit. I appreciate their friendship and thank them for it. Christmas Day Allison and Christopher came over and they started the cooking as The Rynne Family were our dinner guests and I could feel the love in my house and again I thank the forces that make it possible.

My company was purchased by Blackstone and the sale was completed on December 1, 2009. They are a investment company in the theme park industry and so we are all looking forward to a great relationship and believe it to be good for us as a company.

I spoke with Shannon, she and family were at Wisconsin Dells enjoying themselves in an indoor waterpark with freezing weather outside, hard to picture but she said they were having ever so much fun and glad they went.

As I close my blog today, I want to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year and to let you know that I plan to finish 2010 CANCER FREE as I will do what my physicians ask of me including chemo, surgery and the numerous tests they want me to go thru which will take me to December of 2010. I will survive this attack as I have survived Lymphoma for the past 20 years, it is as it should be. I am a warrior and my war is in full swing as I say goodbye to 2009. The past two years have been memorable for me, but here I am ready to take on the next one.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo Weeks 4 & 5

Chemo weeks 4 & 5 are in my past and I have 8 more to go. The side affects are still with me and some are bothering me more that others. The breathing is the worse, followed by blood in my nose all of the time and now I have the beginnings of neuropathy in my hands and so it goes. I am told that once I get thru this course of treatment that I will be making a comeback to my new normal self.

Allison goes to Cambridge tomorrow for a week and the folks she is meeting with have set aside some coats, gloves, hats and scarves for her because it is cold and they want her to be as warm as possible, can't wait to hear what she has to say about their assortment. December nights was a success and the attendance was at 300,000 and so she is pleased. When she returns from Mass, she and Christopher are off to Julian for a week of R&R, it is a good thing.

The weather is cold and rainy today and I am in residence and glad to be. Tomorrow I am going to see The Ten Tenors and am looking forward to that, hope we get to go out and eat after, I am going to ask.

I have a few things coming up over the holidays, I have done some decorating and my shopping is done. I have Bunco, an annual Christmas get together, a cookie exchange with coworkers, Christmas Eve dinner with The Fieldings and I will be having Christmas dinner at home with Allison, Christopher and his family and I look forward to their company.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo 2 & 3

I have chemo 2 & 3 under my belt and am doing quite well if do say so my personal self. I am bald, my nose runs, shortness of breath besieges me, leg pain that I can handle with over the counter meds, some I better be quick to the bathroom and at times sleeplessness but after answering the list of questions I am asked when I go to chemo, it could be so much worse. I am looking at my lucky stars and most of them are on my side.

I celebrated my birthday last week and started it off on Saturday going to dinner at Donovans Steak House, my girlfriend Judy and her sister Debbie took me and gave me presents to boot, yes it was wonderful. Sunday my dear friend Pam gave me a Tea Party with all of the goodies and lovely people to spend my afternoon with, my daughter Allison, my friends Kathy, Traci and Isabell along with Pam's daughter-in-law Amy and her daughter Megan and presents to boot. Tuesday morning, I went to the movies and saw The Blind Side, good movie and then to lunch with my friends Sheryl and Mary. Tuesday evening my daughter and son-in-law took me to C Level for dinner, we sat outside and had a marvelous meal and admired our beautiful skyline. And to top it all off my work gave my some beautiful flowers. Thank you everyone who spent time with me, called, sent cards and birthday wishes, I cannot tell you how much it means to me as I march into the next year of my life and do plan to be celebrating being cancer free at my next birthday.

Thursday we had dinner at home. Christopher and Allison helped me do the whole thing and without them I do know we would not have had such a wonderful meal to put on the table. Christopher's family came and I now have a very pleasant memory of Thanksgiving 2009.

My family got my christmas stuff down and helped get the trees up and decorated one of them and I have done some work this morning and may be done, we shall see how I feel as Christmas gets closer. Not a lot of energy you know.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

One of Twelve

Yesterday I started chemo round 2, which consists of 12 treatments in my battle with breast cancer. It took 6 hours to get all the meds into my personal self and I am told next week it will take half the time, as I tolerated both meds well. I am feeling good although sleep was rather elusive last night, shall see how that goes.

Thursday was Dr. and blood day. I am having quite the time with moving about and breathing and the Dr. said that is because my red blood cells are comprised and it is a side effect. Taxol and Herception which I am now on can produce the same side effect, so it is a double whammy. Both drugs have lists of what can happen, crossing my fingers that mine are few and that like the last round of chemo, I get thru this one with my Dr. saying you are doing great.

I will be receiving Herceptin thru next November and when I am finished with the Taxol I go back to an every 3 weeks schedule. Herception is a biologic drug and is considered to be a great weapon in the aresnal against breast cancer.

The reason I am having chemo first is because with inflamatory breast cancer it has been found to produce a better outcome and of course I like better outcomes. Surgery will be 4 to 8 weeks after I finish Taxol.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

It's Halloween

It simply amazes me that the holidays are just around the corner and the end of the year is in sight. It is Halloween time and of course, I bought candy and I will have maybe 10 kids but it is one of those traditions that I do enjoy. I remember when I was raising kids and oh what fun the whole thing was, costumes, trick or treat and then oooh the candy. It is a terrific memory and I do hold it dear.

At Dr. day last week, the Dr. was reviewing my upcoming schedule and said that a mistake had been made, hmmm said I, what is it? Well, it is that I will not be going once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, I will be going once a week for 12 weeks, egad it is a good thing I was sitting on a chair otherwise I am sure I would have been on the floor. This regime starts November 13th and will end January 29, 2010.

I had a mugga test on Tuesday which looks at heart function and as I have not heard anything I will assume I passed. The next round of drugs can cause heart failure and I certainly do not want heart failure and they will test in me again in 3 months just to be sure.

I finished my last A/C treatment course on Friday and can look back and say I did it. I do know that I did not enjoy every step but I took them, it is that old one foot in front of another and you get it done.

I am so thankful for the wonderful people in my life and your care and concern and that you ask how I am and if I need anything and you continue to embrace me thru this breast cancer battle. I embrace each one of you back and please know that it makes my heart smile when you reach out and touch my personal self.

I am having lunch with a friend today in Old Town so it is an outing for me and I am ready, have been close to home and work for the past couple of weeks, one needs to be out and about once in awhile, it is a good thing.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

And the weeks go by

Another week has slipped by and I have my 4th AC chemo treatment next Friday and if I had my way it would not be so, but it is and I will go. Dr and blood also next week, I still have a bruise from my last blood work, egad.

Last Monday was my Bunco night and all went well. I have not been feeling so chipper so I accepted help and I am ever so glad I did and as the ladies gathered, they give me their friendship and it means so much. A friend who had never played before came as a sub and said she had a great time and would gladly come again. Bunco is a good thing.

Friday evening I went to the Fuson's home for dinner and had a lovely evening just spending time with people I love. Food was good too.

Yesterday I met a another friend in Rancho Bernardo for lunch at this wonderful little restaurant called Cafe Merlot. We were able to catch up with each other and when we said our goodbye's, she gave me 5 sunflowers and I have them in a vase on my dinning room table and thank the forces that I have such wonderful people in my life.

I am still overwhelmed by this breast cancer and sometimes feel so lost in dealing with it and then there are times like this past Friday at work when a fellow employee came up to me and said that she admired my strength as I continue coming to work and stated that when she was going thru chemo that she could not do anything else and I stood taller and reignited by determination to get thru this.

Sometimes putting one foot in front of another as I walk my walk is difficult and then I hear from women who have survived and I will be a survivor as I think that is a good club to belong to.

Shannon called yesterday morning to say hi and while we were on the phone my grandson Laith sang the ABC song, it was a moment I will always remember and baby Zade made cooing noises, what wonderful sounds.

A friend stopped by last night just to check on me and I know she did not realize it, but she topped my day off of people that are in my corner, it is a good thing.

I thank everyone in my life, I could not do this without you.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo 3

Friday was chemo treatment 3. Thursday to get bloodwork and then a visit with my Dr. who says I am doing well although my blood pressure is too low, so for now I am off of that medication and will be having the nurses at work monitor me daily and will report to my Dr. how I am doing.

I went to my chemo appointment and as Allison was in Cambridge, Mass working, my dear friend Jan took me and I do thank her for taking time to be with me. I was a good patient and had my drugs and then was set free. Jan and I went to lunch and then home she took me and I slept all afternoon. This whole process sure takes a lot out of a person.

Allison just called and is home after having a very successful trip to Cambridge. She was fortunate enought to visit with a cousin and his daughter and she was so pleased. All in all a very good trip for her. The Cambridge folks said they will keep all of the lost and found winter coats they collect and let Allison pick one as her coat just won't do in December when she will be going back. We shall see.

I did see the otter pups on Thursday and they are quite something being about 2 years old. We have all females as the Fish and Game Department does not let us breed the otters nor do they let us breed our manatees. It is amazing the care we give the creatures that live at SeaWorld. We are truly a village and I am proud to be a member of the SeaWorld family.

I had a hair appointment with me and my wigs and while I had a wig on my head a wonderful hairdresser by the name of Mackie gave each of the wigs that just overwhelmed my face a haircut and now they look better and I know that I will be wearing them along with my hats and scarves. This being bald is still a chin up moment for me. I have not lost my eyebrows or lashes and I am ever so pleased, yeah team.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Another Week

Another week has come and gone and I can hardly believe that my reunion came and went, but it did.

When you walk into a room full of old friends and you know them right away, it makes you feel as if time has stood still and yet as you look at one another, you know it has not. At my table of 8 there were 6 women, 2 widowed, 3 divorced and 1 remarried. I am not sure of the percentage but it is probably quite high for women living alone at our age group. All of us agreed we are content with our lives and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

We all received the bio book and everyone enjoyed it, some staying up late or getting up early to read it. At breakfast Saturday morning it was agreed that it was a super idea and we thanked the person responsible and by the way, the women have a lot more to say than the men. Some goodbyes were said and others were staying for the picnic on Sunday.

The all class picnic on Sunday had an abundance of food and chatting with friends made for a feel good moment and it will be treasured by me for years to come. We even had graduates from 1942 and so our class felt rather young.

The committee wants to take a survey as to what we would like next. i.e. where, when, etc. I will choose 5 years and a 3 day cruise, although whatever is chosen I will attend and be pleased that I am a part of it.

There are rumblings that my company has accepted an offer to purchase the entertainment side in which I work, so we wait and see if it is true and if it is, will I be affected and if I am, what will be that affect? Things to ponder.

I have been invited to see up close and personal baby Otters this coming week. I remember a few years ago we were invited to see baby Penguins and you should know, I never forget being able to participate in special moments.

After I see the Otters, off I go for Dr day and bloodwork and Friday is Chemo #3 and I plan to do well, it is as it should be.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

A Celebration

This weekend I am celebrating the fact that it has been 50 years since high school became something in my past.

We are having a party in Seal Beach, Ca and I believe there will be about 250 classmates and their guests. I am going with a high school chum who also lives in San Diego County, we have been friends since the 10th grade, now that's a good grief. In our all class photo taken in 1959 we are standing next to each other and had no idea where our lives would take us.

We were asked to send in a bio and the following in an excerpt from mine:

In the past 50 years, I have been able to travel and see some of our world: The mall in Washington D. C., a walk around Stonehenge, dinner at the Hancock Tower in Chicago, a ride on the Eiffel Tower with a bird’s eye view of Paris, the Grand Canyon, Big Ben in London, the skyline of Hong Kong Harbor as night falls, the Mediterranean and China Seas, a stroll thru the Kasbah, being amazed at the Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, snorkeling in Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean, shopping for Delftware in Holland, the Space Needle in Seattle, sunsets in Mexico, the Statue of Liberty, a gondola on the Grand Canal of Venice, the San Francisco trolley and the St. Louis Arch. The culinary side of my adventures has also given me unforgettable memories. I appreciate the fact that I have able to participate and thank the forces that made it possible. I am always ready to pack my bags and do look forward to my next adventure.

I am experiencing metal mouth, sour tummy, tiredness and cold hands along with gagging when I brush my teeth and yet, I continue to do my everydays. Having quite the time with what shall I wear today and do I have something for my head that will match. Have not worn a wig yet, but am taking one with me just in case, I must have hair to complete my outfit.

I have a big day today, lunch with a dear cousin in Long Beach, after which we are having our make up done, then to the hotel followed by the big party. We are having it at a county club and they have a dress code which prohibits jeans or denim-like clothing, shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, miniskirts or dresses without shoulder straps and bare midriff tops, can't imagine that I would have chosen any of those items but was so relieved to know my parameters....hmmm.

They will be taking photos of groups representing various elementary schools and I am looking forward to seeing how many of us will stand together that went to Denker Ave School. It is a celebration and I am ever so glad that I shall be there to participate.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo 2 Is Done

Chemo is done for another 3 weeks, I was in and out in little over 2 hours and then my daughter took me to lunch and a quick look for pink shoes and no, I did not get any. Yes, I put my hand out and my nurse Glen did his thing, I am a good patient. I have 2 more treatments in this AC course.

Thursday when I went in for blood work, they saw me and said stat and I wondered why and found out that chemo patients are done that way so the results get to the Dr quickly and when I went upstairs for my appointment the results were already there. . . Amazing.

The good news I received at my Dr visit was that I am HER2 positive and will be receiving Herceptin once I start on Taxane and this drug will then be a part any treatment I receive for the next year as I battle breast cancer. It is my understanding that it improves my chances a whole bunch and I do like bunches (flowers, grapes, strawberry tomatoes, celantro, bananas, people, etc etc).

Today, I am going on a Red Hat Outing and we are lunching on Coronado, you can tell we are Red Hatters because we all have a hat on, well now isn't that convenient for me. We are an eclectic group of ladies and I am one of the young ones.

My dog Hannah has an appointment at the groomer today and when I leash her and go to take her out the back door she will dig in and not want to go as she knows we are going somewhere in the car, oh well she is a 9 lb dog and I am the mistress and she will go and be beautiful when I pick her up and ever so glad to see me.

Monday, I am going to a class put on by the National Cosmetology Association and it is called Look Good...Feel Better and is a program for women undergoing treatment for cancer and is a two hour hands on workshop including a 12 step skin care and make-up program and we receive a complimentary kit of cosmetics to use during the program and then take home. My nails may be affected by my chemo and they will also address nail care. They will also talk about being bald.

I also have Bunco on Monday and have been in my group for almost 20 years, the women change, the group stays the same. They will gather around and we will hug and they will put their hands and hearts out and I will know that I am loved and cared about a great deal, it is a good thing.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Doctor Day

It's Dr and bloodwork today. I am thinking my Dr shall ask how I am and I shall say fine and yes, I am having side affects and did I really think I would be exempt, well of course not but chills and a sore jaw, good grief.

I have had blookwork done quite regularly for the past 20 years and you would think it would be a walk in the park, well I still don't watch and they still bruise me, so the answer is: Can I skip the park today? and they say no and so I do it.

Now while going to work with something on my head other than my hair is an adventure and one that like I said I shall embrace (I always say, I should be able to wear anything as after all I work with people who wear yellow rubber pants, its a look). People see me and some say cute headcover and others look and then the elephant in room appears and stops them from asking, are you alright? why do you have a hat on? are you sick? you don't look sick? or where's your hair? etc, etc.

I am now on Facebook and not quite sure what is going on and someone wants to give me a gift which I think is virtual and I am afraid to accept, but I shall learn and will look back and say "Oh" this is easy.

Tomorrow is Chemo Day 2 and I will show up and I will put my hand out and they will insert needle and they will give me flush followed by Adriamycin then Cytoxan followed by another flush and then I can be unhooked and go home. My body fluids will be red for 2 days and last time it was strange to say the least but I got through it and I will again this time.

One must give ones weight because your dosage is based on what that weight is, I have lost 5 lbs and since I am a WW I am cheering myself on, although Dr may frown and I shall say it is OK, this is a benefit I had not counted on. Being the victor at the end of this battle is, but to be svelt also, can you stand it.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

September 7

Today is September 7th and when I awoke this Mom held close, that 14 years ago her son passed from this living earth. I am thankful for the years we had and will always remember him and I know he is proud of all that I have done and will cheer me on as I walk my walk into the future.

Yesterday, Allison (daughter) and Christopher (son-in-law) shaved my head as my hair was coming out quite rapidly and now it is done. I look in the mirror and egad one should have their hair as this bald business is not to my liking and I do say, that not all things are as I wish it. I find that it is a good thing that there are so many ways to cover the head and I plan to be up for most of them.

I have been having some side affects and of course think I am the only one and then Allison finds that it is OK and that there are people out there doing their battle with cancer and have the same things happening and I find that this knowledge eases this persons mind.

Tomorrow when I go to work, it will be my first day with something on my head besides hair, so I must be brave and buck up as I need to remember that, if it is to be, it is up to me.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

It's Week Two

This morning starts 7 days and counting to the 2nd chemo treatment to combat Inflamatory Breast Cancer that decided to invade my personal self, egad as if living for the past 20 years with follicular CD-20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma wasn't enough and I have done very well and of course, I think that one type of cancer per person should be your quota, well not so much.

My lymphoma is active right now and will not be treated with Rituxan which is a monoclonal antibody and it is received thru infusion because of the chemo. I believe that the first chemo treatment is also working on the lymphona as my tumors seem to be shrinking, yeah for me. I will see my Dr. this week and shall let her know that the bright side may be that lymphoma will go to sleep for awhile.

It is believed that this breast cancer is a side effect of receiving radiation therapy 20 years ago in my ongoing fight with lymphoma.

I made the decision to start this blog, as I find that sometimes one just can't get all of the words out and one does have words and the brain won't rest. The people who are in my life tell me to use my ism's and I will, as it is how I am. When my son-in-law heard that I had ism's he was afeared but my daughter told him why everyone does, he didn't think so but, has come to realize that we do.

I hope as I take one step at a time that reading my blog will give you insight as to what is happening to me (my hair is coming out) and most likely as I ramble on you will know that it is just my personal self.

I have been online shopping for head coverings and I am beginning to have a wardrobe of what shall I put on head, should it match my pants, tops or shoes, hmmm it will be a thought process and I will embrace what is taking place because that is the only option that will keep me off of the pity pot.

A moment in my time

Kathryn Konrad