Thursday, July 16, 2009

Well needed vacation...

As you all know...we made it on our vacation. Up until 2 days before we were leaving...it wasn't looking very good for me being able to make it...but WE DID!!! Every day has been better and better. I've been able to get my pain under control. However, the pain meds cause really bad dry mouth and I've developed a few mouth sores which has make it very difficult to eat. Everyday has been a struggle to eat as much as I know I should. Each day gets better!

I know we haven't talked much since the last time I was in the hospital and why we are moving to the Cancer Treatment Center Of America. After my last chemo, I continued to have rectal bleeding. Additional scans were done which showed that my body is no longer responding to this chemo. Therefore, my doctors office doesn't have many, if any, treatment options left for me. My family has been very busy this last week getting all the paperwork and behind the scence stuff taken care of for me. Thank you to you all that have taken so many hours out of your days to make sure that things are getting in line for me. Thank you to Natty, Laura, Erin and Sammy for packing up my entire family for me so I didn't have to worry about a thing. Thank you to the Drucker's and family for the kids beach toys and giving Deron and I the ability to have a wonderful vacation. And also the Smith family for feeding us each night and also contributing to our vacation fund. You are all such amazing people. We are so lucky to have you all in our lives. We get home sometime Saturday late afternoon. Monday morning will start our 3 day consultation with the Cancer Treatment Center of America. We are all so excited to start with such a great and uplifting Center.

As you can see from the pictures, Natty came and took my family photos and did such an amazing job! Thank you Natty! I love you

Another amazing thing that happeded to Deron and I this last week was we were the recepients of the News Channel 5 Pay it Forward. Today, Thursday at 10pm our interview will air on TV. A major thank you to Chad and Charlene Waltz.

We'll keep you all updated on how our appointments go this next week. Please keep all the prayers coming!!!!!

Much love,
Kim

8 comments:

Sammy said...

Kimmy,

Your thanks are not needed, but that never stops you does it! Pure love for you & yours is what fuels us all! I am so blessed to help you in anyway with any and all time I have.

God Bless You & Keep You,
Sammy

Also, for out of Arizona State can view the news piece at:

The piece will be available on the internet by Friday morning. Here’s the link:

http://www.kpho.com/payitforward/index.html

Have them look in the video section on the right. We currently have our 12 previous Pay It Forwards over there. Kim’s story will be the first one available by tomorrow morning.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!! I am SO excited that you won the Pay It Forward - can't wait to see it.

I def want to try to get together with you next week - I went to CTCA last week, and I am SO GLAD that you are going there. This is going to make such a difference in your treatment. I am now friendly with the marketing director there, and she has a friend there. Will be coming to visit you both...

Many hugs. I miss seeing your beautiful smile, and I can't wait to see you again. Safe and happy travels, and I'll see you next week.

Mike B said...

You and your family look so beautiful, Kim. You are still and always in our thoughts and prayers! Hang in there!

Mike Billar

Unknown said...

Kim, I just saw your story on the news, and have to share my friend's story with you. When she turned 50, my friend, Beverly, got her first colonoscopy and was also diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. They told her to just go home and put her affairs in order. She told them she had too much to do, and was not ready to die. That was about 6 or 7 years ago, and today she is cancer free! She has just retired with her husband from Pittsburgh, PA to Florida. You have a beautiful family, and I pray for the same outcome for you as for my friend Beverly! I also know first-hand what a cancer diagnosis can do to a family--I just lost my dear husband after he battled a rare form of blood cancer for 20 years. God Bless.
Bonnie O'Shell
Fort Mohave, AZ

JessieOliver said...

I am so happy that you & your family are having a great time on vacation! Also, thank you so much for keeping everyone updated on how you are feeling. I think about you everyday Kimmy. Enjoy the rest of your vacation! :)

anthjaco said...

Hi Kim,
Just saw your story on channel fives' "Pay it Forward." Just like to let you know that I will be praying for you and your family to get thru this. I understand where you are coming from, I too, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August of last year. Fortunately (if I can say that), I was stage 3 threatening. I had the most evasive surgery - a permanent colostomy, and have been cancer-free since! I am 47, never a day in the hospital before the diagnosis, no family history; just happened to be the one. God has a plan for you as He does for me. Just believe and trust in Him and don't be afraid to get mad at Him for your situation, believe me He understands! I wanted to go to the CTCA, but they were a few months away from being opened when I needed the treatments. I had six weeks of radiation treatments and about eight months of chemotherapy. You will have your bad days, but remember to take one day at a time; that's all we can do.
I AM A SURVIOR AND SO WILL YOU.

Colleen said...

You looked amazing on the news program. Hope you are enjoying your vacation! XOXO

MelissaW said...

LOVED the story last night, Kim! Keep up the fight and we're still sending those prayers! :)