Patient
Hi folks. Lucky here again.
I need to start by saying that Kate doesn’t want to use this blog as a place to provide updates on her health. However, so many of you have been asking how she’s doing, and the last couple of weeks have been particularly eventful, so Kate asked me to take a minute to let everyone know what’s been going on.
As I write this, she’s just been discharged from the hospital. A couple of weeks ago, she noticed a new ache in her side. At first, she was able to write it off to a busy weekend in which she went kayaking, jetskiing, and Zorbing. Zorbing, by the way, is the practice of climbing inside a large plastic ball and being rolled down a long hill. It’s as fun as it is crazy, from what Kate tells me, and if you ever find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountains or the North Island of New Zealand, you should give it a whirl.
Anyways, the ache never really got better and last Monday, Kate ended up in the emergency room because of the pain. She was admitted, and since then has been undergoing some tests to try to figure out what’s causing it. As it turns out, there’s something on her liver that’s pressing on her biliary duct. Kate and her oncologist are ready to attack the problem, and she has an appointment with him on Monday to talk about localized radiation treatment intended to have the effect of taking the pressure off; they’ll also talk about a new chemotherapy. In the meanwhile, she’s also had blood and platelet transfusions to help bring her numbers back up so that she can go home strong and ready for next week.
Kate’s been in good hands at the hospital. She’s thankful for everyone who’s been coming by to visit. Tim’s been with her all week, and she’s been receiving phone calls and emails and lots of well wishes, for which she’s very grateful.
How is she?
Without a doubt, she’s frustrated, tired, bored, nervous, and happy be back at home with Tim and the animals. She’s glad to get out of the bed with rubber pillows that seems to have a mind of its own, occasionally rearranging its position just to make sure she never falls too deeply asleep. She’s thrilled to be untethered from the IV tree and the blood pressure cuff. She’s ready for a Sunday morning in a kayak on the lake, followed by some delicious blueberry pancakes.
And she’s definitely all caught up on recent video releases.
And for all of that, she’s doing okay. Strong. Fighting. Surviving.
And ready to eat something other than jello.
June 15th, 2008 saat: 3:12 pm
God bless Kate, give her my best wishes. We’ve never met, but we share the experience of PC. My prayers are with her.
June 16th, 2008 saat: 5:18 am
My best wishes for you, Kate and Lucky - I am so happy you are all right. Keep strong!
Andrea
June 16th, 2008 saat: 9:12 am
Hi Kate. I have been thinking about you and praying that you are well. I hadn’t heard from you in a bit and I wanted to make sure that you still have that strong attitude and that you are staying positive! There are lots of people who love you and are praying for you. Go enjoy those Blueberry Pancakes and get ready to tackle this latest bump in the road! You Go Girl!!
June 16th, 2008 saat: 10:05 am
Kate, Kate, Kate…I’m so glad to hear from you (via Lucky) about the latest trials. I think about you all the time. Please let me know if I can be of any help to Tim, the dogs, and most importantly to you. You are just as strong as I remember you being 3 years ago. Keep it up. All my love and admiration, Carrie.
June 16th, 2008 saat: 1:31 pm
Hi Kate,
My Mom had that same pain in her side and had the same diagnosis. She did the radiology and it seemed to help although it was temporary. Also, they did a nerve block that helped.
My Mom found that she had a hard time with all of her prescriptions.. they all made her feel sick. We tried Marinol the prescription medical marijuana and she hated that. We finally figured out that inhaling the marijuana out of a vaporizer was very helpful for her pain and stomach aches. The vaporizer didn’t hurt her lungs. She was able to go on a RV trip with us, when before the vaporizer it would have been impossible. You can e-mail me if you want to know the logistics.
By the way, this wasn’t normal for her. She had never smoked anything in her life. It just seemed to be the only thing that worked.
You are a very stong, young woman with so much to look forward to! Keep up the good work!
Katie
June 16th, 2008 saat: 7:07 pm
Lucky,
Thanks for the update. Your posts are always so good. I’ve been worried about Kate, and it’s good to hear some news. I know that she’s strong and determined, but I’m also sure she’s unsure about things right now and wishing there were some certainty from which she can draw strength. I just wanted to ask you to remind her that there are some things that don’t change, and primary among these is the love that her family and friends have for her, the support they want to provide, and the hope that they hold for her.
Harris
June 17th, 2008 saat: 3:11 pm
Hi Kate:
I check your blog evey day and I’m glad for the update. Like so many of your friends and readers, I was worried. I had the honor of meeting you last year at the PanCAN Walk in Bel Air and was blown away by your incredible spirit and strength. Whenever I saw you that day, your beautiful smile was always there to help brighten everyone else’s day. You are truely an amazing person: Strong. Fighting. Surviving.
You e-mailed that you planned on making the walk an annual event. We’re all looking forward to seeing you and the rest of “Kate’s Ugly Shoes” team on October 12 in Bel Air for PurpleStride Maryland 2008. Until then, know you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Ken
June 29th, 2008 saat: 5:14 pm
Tell Kate I wish her a happy, healthy July 4th.
July 1st, 2008 saat: 12:06 pm
It’s July 1, Happy 29th birthday again!!!!
July 3rd, 2008 saat: 5:44 pm
Kate, Happy Birthday (belated). Hope you’re enjoying the DVDs of The Wire. Sheila and Rich Fullenbaum