Life is pretty good right now. I started my 2nd "round" of chemo last Monday, & am feeling almost normal this morning. This time around, a "round" of chemo consists of 2 treatments spaced 7 days apart, & then a week off--so it's 3 weeks total. After my treatment on Monday, they sent me over to LDS Hospital to have my right chest cavity drained again--2.5 liters this time! I still have a cough, but the fluids seem to not be building up so far--I am able to still breathe easily & even walked around my block yesterday (albeit slowly!) The third & fourth day after the treatments seem to be the worst. I am just really headachy, nauseaous & my torso, abdomen, kidneys, etc. just hurt. When that happens, I just tell myself that the chemo must be working & killing all those nasty cancer cells. Other than that, I'm just incredibly tired--much more tired than I remember being last year. I end up falling asleep often during the day & take a few cat naps, which is totally unusual for me! They did my CA-125 test this last Monday, & although the numbers didn't go down (in fact, they went up a bit) they didn't go up as much as they had in the two weeks previous to my starting chemo. Dr. Prystas is hoping that the first round of chemo has just stabilized things, & that we'll see the numbers start to go down in the coming weeks. If they don't begin going down, she may consider changing the chemo drug that I'm receiving.

I am--once again--amazed at the love & support of such good people. This has been such a long year, & I am sure that everyone must be tired of thinking of me, praying for me, & serving me & my family. I know that I have days where I'm sooo sick of myself--of being sick, & feeling like I'm the center of attention. There are times when I wish so much that I could just go back to being the "old" me. But, that's not possible--our entire purpose in being here is to learn, grow & progress--to change & develop a "new" heart that is more like our Heavenly Father & Savior's. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had this past year to grow & stretch spiritually. I just hope that I am becoming what They see I can become, & that I can in some way serve others as I have been so lovingly served by you.

Here are some of the pictures from a couple of weeks ago. Camille Garrison did the photos--I think she's awesome!! She was wonderful to work with, & I'm glad they've turned out so well. Love always, Kim

Feeling Like I've Turned a Corner

Last week was a pretty tough one, but I feel like I've turned the corner & things are looking better. I am so thankful...once again...for the many prayers being offered on my behalf. I went in, still fevering, for my 2nd chemo treatment this Tuesday. My white & red blood counts were okay, so Dr. Prystas gave me the option of going ahead with the treatment or waiting until I felt better. I decided to go ahead--I couldn't imagine feeling much worse than I had for the past 5 days! She wasn't sure why I was fevering--there wasn't any sign of infection--& it would just come & go. After my chemo tx, they sent me over to LDS Hospital to have them drain my right chest cavity so I could breathe. They were able to drain 2 liters of fluid from it. There probably was more, but they don't like taking more than that because it can kind of "rebound" on you if you take too much. It's amazing how much better I felt after having it removed! Mom has been here with me throughout the week, & I've pretty much stayed in my jammies until today. My breathing has become a little more difficult--I think the fluid is beginning to build up again--but it's not gotten too bad. It seems to be taking a little bit longer for these drugs to begin working on it.
Two blessings that I'm most thankful for are the opportunity to do our family pictures, & the blessing of being able to attend General Conference for the first time in my life on Sunday afternoon. When I was so sick, I just prayed that at least I would be able to participate in those two activities with my family. My prayers were answered abundantly! I was even able to attend Braedon's football game Saturday before I started feeling lousy again. When I get the pictures back, I'll have to post one...my dear friend (& hairdresser), Heather Holbrook, showed up at my house Saturday morning & did my hair & make-up. I wish I'd taken a "before" picture so you could see the miracle she performed on me that morning. My brother, Paul, told me that morning that I have the best friends...I totally agree! How could one person have such great family & friends? I am especially thankful for my best friend, the Savior, who is always there during my darkest hours--I know that I am never alone and that I matter to Him. Love always, Kim

Faith and Prayers

Today I have been asked by Kim to update her blog.  Since her chemo treatment last Tuesday, she has been struggling a bit with the side affects - they were not able to use the same drugs that were used during her first series of treatments because they began to cause an allergic reaction.  So heading into her first treatment this week - she was not sure what to expect.  Wednesday she was able to be up a bit in between resting and was even able to get a walk in around the block of her subdivision.  Then Thursday was not a good day - she was continuing to feel week, head achey with no energy.  Saturday their family was able to get together for an extended family picture - which was something that they had been planning for months.   Then by Saturday afternoon she was experiencing fever, chills, and aching all over.  In contacting Dr. Prystas, she thought that Kim had either a bacterial or viral infection and prescribed a strong antibiotic for her.  This morning Kim was feeling a little better!

As Kim's family and friends she has requested our faith and prayers in her behalf.  She is scheduled for another chemo treatment this coming Tuesday and really wants to get some strength back going into that second treatment.  We are asking that each of us combine our faith and prayers to match Kim's great faith and please keep her in your thoughts and prayers this week as we prepare to fast on Sunday.  We have definitely been blessed to see miracles in her life this past year - and we know there are more to come for her.

 For those of us who have been able to listen to Conference this weekend - we have definitely been reminded of how each of us are loved and known by our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.  How blessed we are to have a Prophet - President Monson - that reminded us today in his beautiful talk of the Savior's words - "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

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