The Thunderboats

In San Diego you know fall is just around the corner when you hear the Thunderboats on Mission Bay.

I am planning on an overnight to The Mission Inn in Riverside and it will be my first visit. I am looking forward to seeing the place, as it is on my bucket list.

I saw my cardiologist nurse practioner and she says I am doing a good job. Next I see Oncology and as I have said, we shall talk about my Lymphoma.

I ran into a coworker who asked if I wanted to donate my hats, wigs and scarves and I thought, gee, am I ready, do I think I won't need them and I told her that I needed to mull it over as I am a bit afraid to believe I am not going to be bald again. Shall sleep on it.

My car had a battery issue and by the time I got it fixed the sunroof got into the act and now it has its own mind and I know that I will have to see the dealer to get it fixed, you do know, if it isn't one thing it is another.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

It has been a year

When I think back, I am astounded that a year has passed and of course, I wonder what the next year will bring. As I have said in the past, I am planning on walking into 2011 with my cancers sleeping.

I did finish the Rituxin series the end of July and still have lymphoma living with me, Dr. and I will talk about what is next in September. I am sure that I will be doing another round.

I am feeling better all of time and find that I am doing things I was not able to do at the beginning of this year, yeah team. I will continue to strive to walk tall and appreciate that I am able too.

I continue to be busy at work as it is summer and the nature of our business keeps us going and at times I would venture to say at breakneck speed and since I am in my 13th summer, I do know that it ends and we all slow down and then of course, wait for the next summer to descend upon us.

A moment in time,

Kathryn Konrad

It's The Chemo Suite Again

I had my visit with oncology and the decision was made that I would go with Rituxin again. I have not had any for 2 years so the thought is that I can react favorably. There are other drugs that fight the cancer in the CD20 but am trying to hold off.

Yesterday was 1 of 4 treatments at the chemo suite. I know the place well and I am thinking what a place to know so well. I put my left hand out as I am no longer able to use the right arm for any medical stuff and they stuck me and I was a good patient and finished by 3 pm. Allsion took me and then came back to take me home. I am calling on the forces that watch my back as it were to see me thru this.

I saw my radiologist this past week and he has released me from his care as to my breast cancer. Told me, that if I needed it, he could zap my head, now that is a thought.

Cardiology said we shall see you in 3 months, yeah for me.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

The Longest Day of the Year

The longest day of the year is the 21st of June and I have gone thru one of the longest years of my life, I still know that the time after my son left this earth was the longest several years of my life, so this ain't nothing and I am still planning on walking into 2011 with my cancers sleeping and that I feel well.

I have been released from my plastic surgeon and have had the CAT scan and do not know results yet, but will at the end of the month. I see my surgeon tomorrow and will await his words of wisdom. The cardologist is coming up and will see what he has to say and at the end of the month, oncology and I will have our talk re: my lymphoma.

I have been back to work since 5/27/10 and find that my days again go swiftly and I have been embraced by my coworkers and know that I was missed, gives me the warm and fuzzies.

I have been enjoying my new weight and find that those clothes that were in my other closet are now in my everyday closet and I get to have the pleasure of deciding what to wear. Nothing on my head now as I have hair albeit very short and it was coming in grey and now is turning quite dark, it is a mystery as to what my final result will be. I have made the decision that I shall hang onto my head stuff for awhile and then I will donate to the American Cancer Store.

I am having dinner with a friend this week and we shall chat and catch up with each other, it is a good thing.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

And Things Will Change Again

Today I had my second to last radiation treatment and tomorrow when I go in for the last one, I shall blow a wish into the room that I never have it again. I have a large square burn on my chest and I will also ask how long for that to heal.

I also saw my Oncologist today and she has put me back to work as of the 27th. She says I am quite the warrior with what I have gone thru and as my lymphoma is back I will need to have that addressed. First a CAT scan and then in a month we will talk about my options. She feels I need more healing time and I agree.

Thursday shall be a big day after being home for 3 months, I will give it my best shot. Our new show Blue Horizons opens this weekend and of course I do hope it is a hit. I have missed my work and the people I see on a daily basis and I look forward to being successfull and to continuing to heal, it is as it should be.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

A Trip to the Hospital

I had been feeling quite ill but just did not know what was wrong. Not be able to freely breate is just not a good thing. I had a CAT scan on 4/23 and was told to expect to hear results by the following Thursday. Phone rang Monday and it was one of my Dr.s telling me that I had to go immediately to cardiology for an ultra sound as I had fluid on heart and that he would be putting me in the hospital.

Christopher came and got me and off we went and 5 days later I was released to go home. I was having congestive heart failure and with drugs was able to get the fluid moving and myself feeling so much better. I am now on drugs to help with the condition and plan to continue to follow Dr.s orders.

I am doing my radiation treatments and last week was taken by ambulance for said treatments and now I have taken a ride in a box on a guerney with wonderful EMT's who could not do enough for me. Thank you San Diego Fire.

I am half way thru radiation and of course will be glad when it is done.

My dear wonderful friends and family continue to lend their support and help and I do so appreciate everyone, it makes my heart smile.

My hair is growing back and I think I shall try for the Jamie Leigh Curtis look, hmmm.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

April 18, 2010

I am now post surgery 6 weeks and have been put off work for another 6 weeks. The Dr.s are now trying to figure out why I am having so much difficulty getting enough oxygen. I am on oxygen and have a compressor, tanks that can roll along with me and small tanks I can carry. It is an education I probably would like to have missed out on.

I have started radiation which will continue M-F until 5/24/10, yeah team (not so much) but I will get it done. Herceptin is on hold. I will be seeing cardiology, will have a CAT scan to see if there is something on or near the lungs and another Mugga test. I have been put on a drug x 5 years, now that is a prescription.

I had a couple of outings last week that were not related to Dr. visits and I did enjoy myself. There is life out there and I am working on getting well enough to become an active part of it.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

March 24, 2010

I can hardly believe that tomorrow is 3 weeks out from surgery to remove my cancerous right breast followed by plastic surgery which ended up just being a closure, probably called quick and easy, not so sure.

I saw both of my surgeons yesterday and I am now to excerise my right arm/shoulder to gain back strength. I will do that. I will be having some more doctor appts coming up with various departments and will see what they all have to say.

Everyone has been so kind and I again thank you.

My 2 Konrad daughters and their boys were here for a visit and my goodess they are just the cutest grandsons ever. After they left the house was so quiet.

I will continue to heal and take tentative steps forward into the new me and I will learn to live there as I know it is what is best for me.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

It is time for Surgery

Today is March 3 and I have finished all of the appointments and tests asked of me for the surgery tomorrow including buying a compression sleeve and I have plastic surgery on March 9 and have made the decision that I am going to have the wound closed with a skin graft.

After having my first treatment of Herceptin I find that the side affects for me are continued shortness of breath and runny nose. It is very bothersome and I do look forward to when all treatments are done. I will be having radiation which I thought I was not a candiate for but the radiologist does believe it would be best for me.

I am as ready for this next step as I can be and my goal is still to walk into 2011 without active cancer and I believe that all of my doctors are working toward that end with me.

I have received many good thoughts for what is coming and I am pulling on all of the forces that walk with me that I will come thru the surgery in good stead and that the plans ahead are within the realm of I can do that.

I will miss going to work and the people that fill my days, they have all been wonderful and consistently kind and I thank them one and all. I am planning on being off 6 weeks and know that I will be happy to go back to work at the end of that time.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

The Chemo Is Done

I have finished chemo and now start Herceptin only and will be taking that in thru November at 3 week intervals. My surgery is scheduled for March 4, 2010 and I have numerous Dr.'s to see and tests to be done beforehand. It will keep me busy.

Today is Valentines Day and my daughter Allison is celebrating her 36th birthday and we are having a breakfast party to say Happy Birthday to you. I do thank Allison for all of the hours given to my battle with cancer and for the hours to come as we go thru this detour to my personal self. I cannot imagine having walked my walk without my darling daughter and I am so very proud of her, she delights me and feeds my soul.

My Konrad daughters and grandsons are coming for a visit and I am ever so pleased, it will be wonderful to see them up close and personal, it is a yeah team moment.

I am looking forward to the Taxol side affects to start diminishing, they have given me some serious thoughts as to what next and I would rather not experience this, but I have and I am and I do remember that it is one step at a time.

I had lunch yesterday with a friend and breast cancer survivor and she is doing grand and has her life back and that will be me when this chapter has been written.

A Moment In My Time

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo 10

I was unable to go to my Dr.s appt last week or to have chemo 10 and so postponed for another week. Saw my Dr. on Thursday and made the decision to continue with taxol/herceptin as I have 3 more treatments to go to finish the current regime and I also will have completed all that my Dr. has asked of me and it is important to believe that your Dr. only has your best interest at heart and I do think she does.

I had been quite sick and just did not think I would be able to finish but somewhere in my personal self I found enough of me to go on and I also know that my daughter wants me to do everything I can to get thu Breast Cancer and I love her so much and am not ready to stop being a part of her life.

I also know that my family, friends and co-workers are pulling for me and as I march I have my army behind me and I appreciate everything you give. Thank you.

I am feeling pretty good this morning and am planning a trip to the grocery store, let's see - make a list, get dressed, get in car, drive to store, go in store, pick groceries, buy them and get them in car, get them home and put away. Did you know that there was so much to going to grocery store? egad.

I think when my hair grows back it is going to be white. I saw two ladies yesterday at chemo who have white hair and it looks pretty, so am going to look to them for inspiration and I am going to be happy that I have hair. One of the ladies at work told me when her hair grew back, it was grey, brown and orange, not sure it would be a look for me, I know I can have it colored. It is something to anticipate because I will have completed the hair killing drugs. Forward Steps.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad

Chemo 8 & 9

Catching up on my blog and to let you know where I am at.

I completed chemo 8 & 9 and was all set for 10 when I got whammed and there I was wondering what happened.

I had come down with chest congestion and it about did me in what with all of the side effects going on. I saw my Dr. last Thursday and I knew that I would be unable to take a treatment on Friday (#10) and so it was cancelled. My hands are in a condition that the Dr. stated she had not seen anyone so bad and let me tell they hurt. Feet and legs are bad also. Shoes and socks hurt but I wear them anyway.

I see Dr. today and we will discuss tomorrow and at this point I do not want to go in, a decision will be made regarding treatment #10. I have 3 more to go in my current regime. I do want to finish but will only if I know I can get thru them.

My niece Kristine came down with her hubby and they went to their first professional football game, she is a Charger fan, she had quite the time but we were sad that the hometown team lost, I guess as they say Better Luck next year.

A moment in my time,

Kathryn Konrad