MONDAY, JULY 31, 2006 06:26 PM, CDT

Well I made it through another round of chemo--barely! I had a reaction to the taxotere this time which created a chaotic scene in the chemo room.
My skin started getting hot and I became short of breath. The next thing I knew I had an oxygen mask on and my bag of chemo was being exchanged for a bag of Benadryl. Dr. Raefsky had to tell me that I was breathing even though I felt that I wasn't. I'm so thankful to all the nurses that were helping me. It was very scary.
I'm okay now. I'll be taking Benadryl at night to help me sleep and every time I go to have chemo to make sure I don't have another reaction.
I am excited to have met so many new people today. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. Please pray for these sweet women I met today. I pray God will heal them. I loved hearing their stories and sharing mine.
Thank you Stephanie for taking me and for hanging around for six hours waiting to pick me up. I hate that we didn't get to have our special time together. They better let you in next time! I don't care if we have to bring in a lawn chair!
Thank you to everyone who showed up in person to pray and to everyone who was praying elsewhere. It means SO much to me to know that people are lifting me up to the Lord during this scary and difficult time! The preparation time you guys put into it was so touching. THANK YOU!! It means so, so much to me.
I do have to have the shot in my stomach tomorrow. It will be half the dosage this time though. I pray the side effects are minimal.
I'm feeling a little weak tonight. I know the storm is coming and I need your prayers to get through it.
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And he knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
Thank you Lisa for making me the verse cards. I love them.
Thank you Brian Romkee for bringing food tonight. It was delicious! The girls loved the Happy Meals. Please continue to pray for my weight. I'm still losing weight. Me and Steph ask them about that today and they don't seem concerned about it as long as I continue to eat.
Thank you Kim and my mom for giving the girls a wonderful day. I don't know what I would do without you.
I will keep everyone posted this week on how I'm doing. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Blessings,
Kristina

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2006 01:18 PM, CDT

What a blessing seeing my church family. Our church was full of new faces. Praise God! I love when our church is full of people ready to worship our Lord. Thank you Pastor Alan for a wonderful day of worship.
I feel awesome today and I'm really dreading the days to come. I'm going to take it one day at a time. I want to ask for everyone to specifically pray for me to be able to keep my weight up next week. I'm still losing weight, but I'm trying so hard to eat all the time. John is juicing everything in sight (the juice isn't my favorite, but I do it). Thank you so much for your prayers. I know He hears them and that gives me such comfort.
I'm looking forward to seeing all my sisters in Christ tomorrow. I love that time with you guys. I can't wait to walk in and feel God's presence. Also, for those who cannot be there, thank you for praying for me. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful support of friends and family.
I will keep everyone posted this week as much as I can on how I feel. I'm ready to kick some cancer bootie. I'm ready to start fighting again. Jeanette, thank you for reminding me to keep my eyes focused on Him.
Okay...I have to say a HUGE thank you to Kae Roberts. She is the one who keeps this site going and posts all my pictures as soon as I send them to her. I think she is online all the time.
Stephanie, are you ready for tomorrow? I need some new stories. I know all your old ones. Do you have any new ones? Just kidding. I don't know what I would do without you. I can't wait to spend that time with you.
I just finished reading a book and this was in it and I absolutely love it:
For cancer is so limited -
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal God's gift of eternal life,
It cannot quench the Holy Spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
-Author unknown
God bless!
Kristina

SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 09:40 PM, CDT

Today was a great day from start to finish! We had a great time this morning with Kyle, Claire and Edie. We have to do that more often! You're such valued friends and amazing neighbors.
Thank you Stephanie and Valerie for stopping by and making me laugh. It was great to see you again Valerie! Don't be a stranger. Tell Dean we said hello and that John still wants that ride in his Cadillac! Thank you for encouraging me Steph and for doing all of that research for me. How did all that juice treat you? And thanks for the laugh with the wig! You look good blonde.
John and I celebrated our anniversary tonight at Fleming's. It was really great. The food, as usual, was outstanding and our special time together was very memorable.
We have new pictures up. One is from our dinner tonight. The other is of Emily's new princess bike.
Thank you so much Kelly and Daniel for your encouragement and the great time of fellowship we had with you today.
I'm starting to get more comfortable with my hair situation. It is what it is. Thanks to all of you who have gone out of your way to make me feel "normal". It makes a difference.
I can't wait to see my church family tomorrow.
Blessings,
Kristina

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2006 08:51 PM, CDT

Well, it's official...I'm bald! I went yesterday to have my head shaved and to receive my prosthesis/wig. I have cried many tears over my hair. This has been really hard. John doesn't seem to mind the new me. Emily said that I looked pretty. She is so precious. Abby was a little scared at first, but now I'm just mom with no hair.
Stef, have you found me any beanies yet? The brown dirty one that lady pulled out of that drawer wasn't working for me. That was hilarious!
The wig looks very natural to everyone but me. I'm still adjusting. I've been very quiet about it because I just needed to let it sink in a little. I don't like it but it's my reality.
Mom and I got out a little today. It was fun. We went shopping. I need to stay busy right now as you might imagine.
Tonight we ate some of the chicken cordon bleu that Jennifer Pasos made. It was delicious! Thank you Jennifer! Oh, I'm still eating on the delicious Lasagna Kae made too. Thank you Kae. Also, Lisa thank you for the key lime pie. You know I love it!
Tell me this is not God... One of John's friends just called him out of the blue yesterday and said he knew our anniversary was coming up and just wanted to know if we could use a gift certificate to Fleming's. We literally had a reservation already set for there. How funny! And what a blessing! Thank you Wes Waters and wife! We will definitely enjoy it. I love that place.
I am so blessed to have all of you supporting me. I can't wait to see my church family on Sunday!
Blessings!
Kristina

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006 09:11 PM, CDT

I had a pretty good day today. I'm just enjoying my family this week. I have my next treatment Monday and I find myself dreading it. I have to remind myself to take it one day at a time.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me through today. You know who you are! I just love you guys. Also, thank you to everyone who is bringing food. What a blessing! I am so very thankful to have such an army of friends (new and old) praying me through this.
John is running around like a little boy because we received a note of encouragement from Bob Stoops today. I don't know if the Stoops family visits the site but if so, thank you so much for the impact you've had on my husband and me. It makes a huge difference.
As badly as I dread Monday and the hard days that will follow, I am looking forward to seeing those of you who can be there to pray with me. It meant so much to me last time.
I had a chance to visit the local Gilda's Club today. It's named after Gilda Radner--the former comedian who died of cancer. It looks like it's going to be a real blessing. I look forward to meeting with women my age who are going through this.
Keep posting on my guestbook. I love it!
God bless,
Kristina

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006 08:37 PM, CDT

Today was another good day. I felt great.
Thank you all so much for your guestbook entries. I can't tell you how encouraging that is to me. I check it several times a day.
I need you to say a special prayer for a lady I've met through this process named Linda. She has been battling cancer for two years and will undergo a surgery tomorrow in Houston.
Please pray that someone who reads my story or follows my journey will come to know Jesus Christ. My relationship with Him is the only thing that gives me peace and strength at times.
We've started preparing Emily for my hair loss. I've already lost a lot. She is so cute. We showed her a baby doll that was bald and told her that this is what mommy will look like. Her only question was, "Will you still be my mommy?" If only they could stay that innocent forever! Please pray that this will be as easy as possible for me. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
John and I will celebrate our anniversary on Saturday. The actual day is Tuesday, August 1 but I will probably not feel up to celebrating that day. I love him so much and am definitely happy God put us together.
I hope to post again tomorrow. God bless!
Kristina

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2006 06:30 PM, CDT

Yesterday I took Emily swimming. Thank you to Stephanie, Teri and Melissa for making that such a sweet time. Mel, when are you shaving your head? Just kidding! :-) It was great to laugh and cry with you.
It's important for you all to understand that while I may seem positive all the time, I definitely have my share of meltdowns. It's such a struggle to battle my flesh every day. There are a lot of times that I definitely want to just bury my head in the sand. Your friendship really helps to get me through that.
Last night I took my mom out to a late night movie. It was a nice change of pace and a great "getaway". It was great to get out and do something fun like that. My mom had a great time.
Today has been another great day. I've felt great and have been active. We went out to lunch and went shopping a little.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support me with everything from food to words of encouragement. The encouragement REALLY helps. Keep those messages coming!
God bless,
Kristina

MONDAY, JULY 24, 2006 05:13 AM, CDT

Well, I'm up early and feeling great! Yesterday we were able to go to church as a family. What a blessing seeing my church family. I have really missed you guys.
Thank you Mel for having my MK sisters come over and pray with me. What a blessing it was to meet them.
I'm actually taking Emily swimming today. I'm really excited about spending time with just her. I know she is happy mommy is feeling better. Abby is doing awesome. She is starting to talk all the time. John now has 3 girls talking all the time.
Please continue to pray for my mom and John. I don't know what I would do without them. John, thanks for all the encouragement. I love you!
Please sign my guest book. I love the encouragement.
God bless,
Kristina

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006 05:55 PM, CDT

Today I felt great. I was able to get out for a little while with my mom and Abby. John took Emily out to breakfast and a movie. What a sweet time that is for them. John has been amazing. I thank God for him everyday.
Teri, thank you for the new hair style. I love having my own personal stylist.
We should be at church tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. I miss everyone so much.
My next treatment is July 31st at 11:10. The first treatment was really hard. I'm praying the next one is a little easier. I'm taking it one day at a time. Stephanie is going to sit with me for the 2 hour treatment. What a blessing it is to have her there. She reads to me and we laugh and cry. Stephanie, I'm going to beat this! There is still so much more for me to do here.
I want to say thank you to all my friends that have sent me e-mails and phone calls of encouragement. I'm so sorry I haven't returned a lot of calls. I've been spending a lot of time with the girls. I have missed them so much.
Kim, what a blessing you have been to Emily. Thank you so much for giving her such a fun summer. I don't know what I would do without you. LOVE YOU!
Thanks for all your prayers!
God Bless,
Kristina

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 08:55 PM, CDT

Today was the last day of the IV antibiotic. Praise God! Your prayers are working. The fever is gone and my bone aches are gone as well.
Kelly, thank you for taking me to the doctor the past several days. Also, thanks for everyone who is helping Kelly with her boys so she can be with me.
Thank you Kae for getting this site going. It's very encouraging and an easy way for me to give everyone updates.
Rhonda, thanks for the advice on the Ibuprofen. It has made a big difference.
Tomorrow I see my oncologist. Stephanie will be going with me.
I will let everyone know when my next treatment will be. It sort of depends on what the doctor says tomorrow. It's scheduled for July 31 but there's a chance it could change.
I am so thankful that God is giving me opportunities to show His light to others through this. I'm not always enthusiastic but I know there are others going through this without Christ. I want them to know Him so badly.
So please pray for my strength and confidence to share God's grace with people as I encounter them.
My mom is doing an AWESOME job helping me! I was able to help her a little today and it felt great. Today was her birthday and we had a nice celebration. Please pray for her stamina. I am just scared she'll wear out from all that she's doing.
The girls are doing great. Please pray that we'll be able to be together as a family at church on Sunday.
God bless!
Kristina

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006 07:01 PM, CDT

I’m so excited to see everyone visiting my site. Please keep posting on my guestbook. I love the encouragement. Also, thank everyone so much for all the cards. I love them and I’m keeping them forever! I’m working on getting my journal on here up to date.
I truly didn’t know chemo would be this hard, but I’m feeling better and better everyday. I’m praying that will continue leading up to my next treatment. I’m still running a fever. Please pray the fever will go away. The doctors know I’m trying to fight something, but no one is sure what. I will continue to go to his office through Thursday to be given antibiotics and I’m taking them at home as well. I’m also having a side effect to the shot they gave me called Neulasta which helps boost my white blood cells. It makes my bones ache. Please pray for that side effect to go away!
Also, please pray for the people I see every day getting treatments. I don’t know any of them, but some have such a look of hopelessness. I wake up thinking about some of them and praying they know our Lord.
I’m going to get to work on updating my journal. I love all you guys. Also, please pray I will be able to come back to church soon. I miss my church family so much.
Kristina