Early Christmas Present

I received an early Christmas gift from Dr. Prystas' office this morning when they called to tell me that my CA-125 levels have dropped from 1191 to 412. This time around, before they started dropping, it was as high as over 2000--so this is really terrific news! I'm only going every other week for chemo now, & they are only doing the blood test once a month. It's always wonderful to get such good news when the side effects from the chemo are really kicking in & I'm starting to feel crummy. I was worried that not being able to do 3 treatments a month with this medication wasn't going to work very well, but am pleased that they have found a pretty good dosage & schedule. Mom is still coming up each week I do chemo (she's busy cleaning bathrooms & dusting as I write!), & I've been having different friends take me down for my treatments once a month. It has been such a pleasure to share this experience with these good friends.

Thanksgiving was marvelous! My entire family spent it at my Mom & Dad's this year, & it was just a great day! I was grateful to have the week off of chemo & be able to really enjoy the experience. Kali & Jarett were both home during the holiday & had friends over several times. It was just a wonderful weekend! As we sat around the table at Mom & Dad's & shared what we were most thankful for on Thanksgiving, I said that although I'm not quite sure I can say that I'm thankful for cancer (that's pushing it a bit!), I am so very grateful for the blessing cancer has given me of drawing closer to my Heavenly Father & Savior, Jesus Christ. I am also thankful for the blessing of being so loved & having my love also grow deeper for my family, relatives, friends, ward members, people in this beautiful valley, doctors & even strangers I've met through this experience. These past 14 months have given me such a profound appreciation for the power of love, compassion & charity in our lives. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all experience this each & every day of our lives? Thank you again for your love, prayers & faith--it means everything to me. Love always, Kim