Hi. I’m Kate. Turn ons include IV drips, PETscans, and organic fig newtons. Turn offs include whining, hospital gowns, and artificial sugar.
Let’s see how much life I can squeeze in between work, chemo, sleep, and scans.
Bracelets
As far as colors go, purple is okay. I’ve always preferred green and think that Barney is partially to blame for my discrimination against purple. Many months ago I received a purple bracelet in the mail. I didn’t think much about it and threw it in one of our various junk drawers. After all, if I don’t like purple, why would I wear a purple bracelet?
Over these past few months, my opinion of the color purple has changed. I’ve come to realize that it’s a vivacious color, full of life and energy. It’s a very special color bracelet, one that you don’t see very often because so few people have the courage to wear it. There is a certain sense of pride that comes from wearing purple. The purple community is small, stubborn, and ever hopeful. We’re that proverbial junkyard dog, scrappy and feisty, not going down without a fight.
Last week I was told that there was a chance that I could wear a pink, not purple, bracelet. I was ecstatic at the very thought of changing colors. Pink is everywhere. Celebrities have embraced pink and subsequently funds have poured into pink research. People have walked miles to help the pink community and I was thrilled that I might actually benefit from their pounding feet.
That was last week…
A few tests (and sleepless nights) later, I was told that purple is still probably my best color, but they want me to keep a pink bracelet around just in case. Wearing both colors is apparently the best approach for me right now. Sadly, most people don’t wear purple for very long, three to four months is the average. I‘m still workin’ my purple bracelet and will keep it up for as long as I can. At least I know that I can always pull out my pink bracelet if my purple one gets lost.
If yellow and blue make green, what does purple and pink make?
More hope.
Kate,
Your words are beautiful. I’ve been doing some “cancer blog” Web surfing lately and happened upon your blog after seeing one of your posts on Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Cancer blog. (I post there occasionally, too. I also have a blog but have only managed one entry since I started it in April!) I have stage IV VIPoma, a rare neuroendocrine cancer. It’s slow growing but is incurable and hanging out in my liver and bones. In fact, we’re pretty sure it started in my pancreas (90% of cases do), although we haven’t seen definitive evidence of a primary tumor there. I’ve been on chemo (first IV, then oral) for 16 months. In addition to fueling my addiction to regular exercise and massage, I’m just starting to learn about meditation.
Anyway, I just love the way you write. Reading your blog adds something special to my day. You are in my thoughts.
Kristy, Age 44
Chapel Hill, NC
kmanning@mindspring.com
Creative blog, as usual, Kate.
It’s funny how colors effect our emotions. Prior to this whole PC thing, I loved the color purple. I painted my bedroom a muted purple. Such a soothing color, IMO. Then, after my diagnosis I wasn’t sure how I felt about “purple.” But, I’m back to loving it again.
Purple is a calming color filled with beauty & hope, and, it is unique. Loved your description of the ‘proverbial junkyard dog.’ “Feisty” describes me to a T.
I hope all is well with you….
_When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple_ …what a terrific book! …been wearing purple for years.
What do purple and pink make??
They make me smile.
So do you.
HEALthy thoughts galore!
-dp
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