Matt's Blog has complete holiday coverage:

http://kringer.blogspot.com/

Return to Chemo -- start of round 4

Most chemo mornings I roll out of bed as late as possible and procrastinate the morning dull-drums as long as I. Then if I'm lucky, we depart in the thick of the morning rush hour. This last Friday I rose much earlier than the sun to take Matt to the airport. (Matt was in Nashville, TN for a Youth Work Convo). So the lovely and gracious Ms. Dawn Kujawa took a day off work and joined me (some will recall her as the self titled 'Bride's Bitch' from our wedding. After watching the wedding video this week I realize just how much work that poor chick had to do--- needless to say she has earned my undying affection and admiration). When I returned to the apartment to await Dawn's arrival (she also had to rise much earlier than the sun, and much earlier than her alarm typically wakes her).

Once at UIC we did the hurry up and wait thing, that hospitals are so good at. Eventually we were ushered into a chemo room-- where we played Uno, and I believe that there was no clear victor after the 4th round. I then slept through the entire ordeal of receiving my very special chemo cocktail. After my nap, I was feeling pretty good so we saw the newly released Pride & Prejudice. This was excellent! Much MUCH better than the 5 hours of film by PBS / BBC. I highly recommend it.

I'm still disappointed with the lack of clarity of when I'll be done with treatment and what exactly treatment will look like. The three weeks I went without treatment were a great reminder of much missed sense of normalcy.
In the mean time it looks to be a very normal Thanksgiving for me. Tuesday I get to take Matt on his second journey to LaRue, OH. It promises to be laid back (and probably boring)-- I think boring may be a nice trade from our typical drama. Mostly I'm looking forward to seeing old pals, family, and the hot tub on the folk's back porch.

Happy Turkey Day everybody!

5.5 x's 2 cm's

5.5 x 2 c.m is the size of the tumor in my chest.

It's still there. When found it was 7 x 3.5 c.m.s. So chemo is working.


But I'm not done. after today's appointment, it's a wait and see position. I'm at least having all 6 rounds now (hello february). Just for kicks, Dr. Chen actually mentioned maybe having to do 8.

I'll do another round of chemo. have a cat scan. then depending on how much the tumor decreases in size will determine if I'll have (gulp) radiation.

Possible game plans after the fourth round:
if the tumor stubornly fails to shrink-- more chemo + radiation.
If the tumor is gone -- two more treatments.
If the tumor is there but has deminished in size-- will go 8 rounds.

keep in mind these are doctors, and they could change there mind again.

in the mean time, it's a cold and blustery day in chicago-- good for sulking.

Nothing all too exciting to report this week.

I got a notification in the mail this week that according to UIC I'm good to graduate this spring. Which is super exciting. It also means that I'll be taking a pretty heavy class load, which I feel good about considering that the majority of my classes may be in the evening. Giving me day time to go to my internship and do homework. Plus I discovered early on in undergrad that I always performed better as a student with a full course load. There is something about the pressure of having to do things right the first time.

In other news I’m getting all pumped up for the holidays. Taking a short trek to Ohio, and then getting practically a month off from school. Currently I'm wondering how I'll spend that month off- but I'm not too worried about it.

Happy November!

photo's for you lookie lous

this is me in the new- somewhat grown out hair cut.

Here's Me modeling just a few of the MANY hat's I've recieved;

Look out Ethel!

This hat is really great. When I wore it to class and internship last week people kept commenting on how 'festive' I looked.

Who skinned the muppet!? Ask my mom!

Call me Cleo!