All is good. Mom goes to Mayo for some app'ts March 17-19. So let's pray that those are A OK. I'll provide an update following those appts. Kris

Yippy! Mom finished radiation this morning....rang the bell really loud. Dad took her picture. There were some tears with the radiation ladies. Now they are packing up the apartment & heading to Beaver Dam. No doctor app'ts until Jan 15 & that is with the plastic surgeon & the physical therapist. Thanks for all of your love and support. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

21 radiation treatments complete, 7 to go. Actually going very well, some redness, but no burning or blistering "yet". Met with the Medical Oncologist today and he said, "you're breezing right through all of this". I hope & pray daily that he's right. Can't wait to ring the bell on my final day - will explain this when I see each of you.

Duane spent Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday in Beaver Dam this week for some meetings and a men's steak night at Old Hickory, so our good friends Darlene Laihinen and Barbara Martens were able to come to Rochester with me to keep me company and go with me to all of my appointments. We never left the subway and skyways, but had fun shopping, playing cards ( I won $ .60) and dining out, along with all the appointments. Put quite a few miles on I think, walking back & forth between the apartment & the clinic.

I've decided to have my port removed and that's been scheduled for next Thursday, 12/20. I have a feeling my final week here will be very busy trying to fit in all of the necessary appointments before "checking out" so to speak. I'll be "released" on 12/21 till March 18 & 19 when we'll travel back to Minnesota for a CT scan, blood work and Dr. visit. Guess that will be the routine, every 3 months for 2 years then every 4 months for a year, every 5 months for another year, then 6 months & so on. MRI and Mammogram in June too.

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful, caring friends and family - it means so much - I can not tell you. Merry Christmas to all and a Blessed New Year! Love, Kathy

Happy week after Thanksgiving! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday meal & time with family & friends. Mom, Dad & my sister Kim & her fam were home for Thanksgiving. Mom had 2 treatments on the Tuesday & one on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so she was able to enjoy 4 days at home in Beaver Dam. Mom & Dad went back to Mayo on Monday & she is having radiation every day this week. She also met with the physical therapy doctor on Monday...so she is working on building her range of motion. This weekend they are heading to Minocqua & Jason & I are joining them for the weekend. We're all looking forward to getting back up north. Till next time...Kris

Mom has 26 radiations to go. She had her first one yesterday and one today. So far everything is going fairly well. She has a little discomfort in her arm, which is to do with having to have it above her head for the treatment & xrays. The treatments should go faster now that they have a few under their belt. She also met with a lymphedema doctor & physical therapist. She is working on prevention & some stretches to get her range of motion back. They have an apartment right by Mayo so they are spending the weeks there while she is receiving her radiation treatment. Their apartment phone number is 507-424-4362. They plan to be home in BD or Minocqua on the weekends. Thanks for the continued prayers! Kris

Had the meeting with the radiology oncologist this morning & we're a go for 11/12 to start the first of 28 treatments. I went through the simulation & marking process...very uncomfortable. I still need a few expansions, but I can't have any more until after radiation is complete. I'm going to check out our apartment today before we head back to Beaver Dam. All for now. Kathy

Chemo is done!!!! Mom had her last treatment on Wednesday! She had a good day yesterday. She is feeling good today & is going to Curves & for a walk. She heads back to Mayo on Monday to get mapped for radiation & to get another expansion. Then she starts radiation the week of 11/12 for 5-6 weeks. She will go every day, 5 days a week. Thanks for all of the prayers. Keep them coming as one chapter is finished, but she still has another to go. TGIF!

Good news update....Mom had a better weekend than she's had since she started this new group of chemo. She was able to go for walks, cheer on the badgers & even go out to dinner. On Sunday & Monday she was a little tired, but by Tuesday she said she was back to feeling a good as she usually does. Now she has another week until her next (& LAST) chemo on 10/31. Kris

So far so good. She feels better than she has other Fridays after treatment. She slept good last night. The rash & itching on her face from an allergic reaction from the taxol is almost gone. Just a little itching on eyelids. She says one to go & she can do it!!

Mom had her bloodwork this morning & is scheduled for chemo at Noon. She has her expansion tomorrow. I haven't heard anything today, but I'm assuming all is good. After today only ONE more chemo to go. YES!!!!

They have been at Mayo since Monday night as Dad has a few app'ts between yesterday, today , and tomorrow. All the tests have been good. Kris