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
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
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
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
Saturday, September 12, 2009
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
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
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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
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
Monday, September 7, 2009
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
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
Friday, September 4, 2009
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
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
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