More Shrinkage!

That's right - Kristen had an oncology exam yesterday and Dr. Carney said that she was very pleased with response to the chemo - it was better than she had expected at this point! Kristen goes in today for her last treatment of this particular type of chemo. Then a couple weeks off - a mammogram - and then 12 weeks of a different type of chemo, etc. Still a long way to go - but very glad to see that the treatment is working as well as we could hope for. Thanks to all of you for the continued support - it is very much appreciated.

Catching up with pics from Christmas Trip

Wow - a lot has happened since Christmas - but better late than never. Here is tiny sampling of pics from our family trip back East over Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Here are 4 generations of Lemonds boys:

Sugar Bowl!

Kristen in the French Quarter (it was freezing):

Jack & Marguerite McQueen Lemonds and all their descendants (by birth and marriage) on the front steps of my parent's new home in Charlotte:

We've got so many more pics - as we get through them we'll start posting them...

Love to all.

Sunday at Mokuleia

Met Ron, Robin, Nick, and Sloan over at the beach this afternoon - beautiful day.

More N Shore surf action

Couldn't fit these in the previous entry - Marc had the best drop of the day...


Yeah Marc!

Some N Shore surf action

Had a chance to get in the water on Saturday with Doug and Marc - and was surprised to paddle out next to Randall Jenkins (our dentist and all-around nice guy).

Waves were NICE:

Here is a nice sequence of Doog:



And a shot of Randy the dentist...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Hope you all had as nice a Valentine's day as we did!

We gave Kristen her surprise book "I Will Be Well" - that contained many messages and pictures from her friends and family - SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT! I'm trying to figure out how to share the book on the internet - when I do I'll post that info here. Thanks so much to all of you who sent notes and pics!

We had a surprise this year as well...



No one has yet accepted responsibility but whoever did it - what a nice surprise! We all stood around in our PJs that morning reading all the notes and guessing who did it. THANKS TO OUR SECRET VALENTINE!

Riding the wave...

Don't you love the pictures the kids have been making....
Cancer vs. Godzilla by Hudson Lockette (age 7)
"I Will Be Well" (my personal mantra) by Sidney Borton (age 5)
Olivia's picture of me and her running through a big field with flowers after I'm well and my hair is all long again!

Hey guys, I have been meaning to write, but its weird, when I feel good there is so much going on I don't sit and write. Its only when I am feeling kinda icky that I can find the time to be still and think and write. I have so much to be grateful for and it is because of all of you that I am feeling so good. There are bad days, yes, but, for the most part I am riding this incredible wave. All of your love, well wishes, goodies, emails, cards, good vibes are making me feel uplifted. I am constantly amazed by the power of love and good energy.

I want to thank all of you of so I'm just gonna make a quick list to try to touch all the bases:
My highschool crew sent a huge care package with the most amazing treats. You guys are so awesome and I am so touched that you each took the time to let alone think about me but write and send all those awesome goodies. Leigh and Ms. Bonnie, and Mr. Pete I love all the funny gifts and cheese straws and gum. Abby, I still need to take a pic with the Beaufort Grocery shirt and send to you, and Ms. Betty, thanks for the laughs remembering our naughty high school days. Phillip, the hats are AWESOME. They crack me up. I love wearing them. Shannon and Becky the scarves are divine! Tripp I loved the UNCW mug, tshirts and your sweet note. DA thanks for the book and tshirts and hat and your nice note. Lisa, Todd, Shannon, and James I loved your positive, kind words. You just don't know what this all means to me. I love ya'll. And as James says, its nice to know that my redneck, Carteret County high school, troublemaking friends will always be there for me.

Thank you so much to the Ulrichs for sending the awesome care package for those days when I am feeling down I can unwrap a little treat to brighten my day. Your thoughtfulness overwhelms me!

My cousin Alanna just sent me two awesome hats...Cancer sucks and Go, Fight, Win! They rule.

Aunt Diane and Uncle Henry have sent me a beautiful bracelet and notes of encouragement. Thank you so much.

Kim, I love the inspirational necklace you sent. I love wearing it. Everyone comments on how cool it is.

I just love reading all your emails and comments. I've been hearing from all my college friends too and it just lifts my spirits so much.

Oh and Keri and Chris dropped off some goodies last night. Sorry Keri, I was a weeping mess. The chemo makes me so weepy. Ugh. I am not feeling depressed but it definitely makes me weepy. I have times when I am scared and it freaks me out to go there. So I am trying to use visualization, positive thinking and prayer to keep on top of this whole thing.

I WILL BE WELL!

Shrinkage!

We got some VERY GOOD NEWS on Monday - the chemo is working! After two treatments (over 4 weeks) the cancer has begun to shrink - it was even difficult for the oncologist to locate a swollen lymph node that was noticeable around Christmas time. It was the news we were hoping for and needless to say it was smiles all around on Monday afternoon and evening!


The treatment plan is now a lot clearer - she had her 3rd chemo treatment this morning and will take one more in two weeks. Then a two week break - some more tests - and then a new type of chemo that she'll get every week for 12 weeks straight. After a 4-6 week rest - they'll do some more testing - and then we'll sit down to evaluate next steps with her surgeon.

So - it is very good news! I just wish she was feeling better tonight :(

Anyway - here are some pics from the weekend - thanks everyone for notes of encouragement and the meals and the help with the kids and the cleaning and everything! thank you thank you thank you.


Owen


Jack and Grandma Karen during a break in the soccer match


Bucket Head Owen at Kailua Beach

Some Good Luck from New Years Eve

Kristen - was going through my pockets and looked in my tux jacket...wham...$10,000 chip from the Prov. Thought it would inspire you a bit. The bets on black and red were amazing.

Grandma Karen's Birthday

Today was a good day. Mom got in last night and today is her birthday. It is great to have her here and today I rested all day and felt good. The Ray family brought dinner and even a birthday pie!

Oh, and I just discovered tonight that people can post comments on this blog. So, I just read all of them. You guys rule. Thanks everybody. 

Second treatment today!

Today was a whirlwind.  The kids were taken care of by Tricia and Keri and Aunty Jan - and Alison went with me for my second chemo treatment.  I should say that my hair started to fall out - really fall out - yesterday, and it kind of hurt.  So - today, after chemo, Alison had my back and I took the plunge...

I wish I had an eyebrow piercing, some neck tats, and a bunch of earrings and I could totally pull off the "punk mom" look!  Seriously.  

A funny thing happened at the salon (plug for salon - Henry at Salon 808 rules!  They shaved my head and Henry gave me a wig that he cut and styled to match my old short hairdo.  Highly recommended) - a lady that was waiting to get her hair done in the chair next to me (gawking) asked if I had lost a bet when she saw the girl shaving my head!  Well - I must say I think it looks better than poor Britney!

Thanks so much to Allyson, Keri, and Chris for coming over while I was out to clean the house!  You guys rock.  Bathroom grout has never looked better!  Thanks Marie for dinner :)

Oh - the wig!  It looks pretty good - Dave said it passed the 10' test (later revised as the 5' test) - and it looks a lot like my short cut although a little darker.  Owen, upon seeing me this afternoon, pointed at my wigged head and said "funny".   Liv and Jack didn't notice - they only asked if the chemo made my hair darker today.  Pics of the wig tomorrow. 

Mom comes tomorrow - yippee!

Mariner's Ridge Hike

Had a great hike today with the Lietzkes - right to the top of Mariner's Ridge. Panoramic views of the windward side were awesome.

Red on red on red

K and O'en

Lietzke fam

Girls

The geeky photo theme of the hike was "texture" - here are some more pics for the truly bored.

K is feeling good - second chemo treatment on Tuesday this week.

Well, it's been a week...

Life is going on here. I felt pretty crappy Wed., Thurs., Fri. of last week. The weekend I felt good. And now I am back feeling pretty normal. I am trying to be good with my diet and eating only healthy foods, lots of greens and dragon slayer milkshakes. Moments of weakness have included... a whopper with cheese,  a big piece of fudge and a rice krispie treat. Even with those treats I am at my ideal fighting weight. Damn if I ever thought it would take cancer for me to get here!

It's been a busy week with all the kids running around. Olivia and I went wig shopping on Tuesday and found one that looks like my hair. And, yes, I still have hair. No pics until I have to wear it.....

Jack's finds

This is what I found in Jack's pockets tonight when he got undressed to take a bath. He said "Don't you like what I found mommy?" A HUGE rock and a jagged piece of glass.

Oh, and I have to tell what their reactions were to my haircut.
Olivia immediately cried upon seeing me and said "I don't like you with short hair. Are you gonna take me to school like that?"
Jack saw me the next morning and came in the room and said "I'm not laughing at you mommy" "Is that your new haircut or is it just bed head?" "I can wet it down for you mommy".
Owen saw me and said "You hair ugly, butthead"

Kids are great. Gotta love their honesty.

Dave and I both like the haircut now. Its kinda sassy. They say in about 10 days it should all fall out anyway. Oh well.

Something Fishy

Shannon, Becky and Simon sent the coolest Humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish today. We love it. It makes us all smile.Thanks guys!

1st chemo treatment

Had it, one down 3 more to go on this first round of chemo. I go once a week every two weeks for four times. Then my next round of chemo with different meds will start. Looks like I'll be doing this til summer. I'm visualizing these drugs eating the bad stuff away. It didn't hurt at all. The nurse numbs the site first and then puts the meds in the port in an iv. While I get one medicine I have to eat ice to hopefully prevent mouth sores. Nice! Christy went with me today and kept me company. It was great!

Thanks to so many people!

I am feeling the love! Thank you guys for all the well wishes and beautiful flowers. I am feeling good and ready to start chemo tomorrow (Monday) at 1:00. 

New Hairdo!

Thanks to Christy and Tricia - I've gone Jamie Lee!  

What do you think?

KU!

Here I am with Ku - the Hawaiian god of strength - which was given to me by my Hui-friend Marie.

Thanks Marie - I'm ready to fight!

Kristen's first entry

Kristen's yucky news....Christmas Eve Dave and I found out I have breast cancer. I've been having a gazillion tests: Needle biopsy, CAT, Bone scan, breast MRI, blood work, all the good stuff.

I don't really know what I should be writing about on this. I'll say this, this is a crazy time. It all feels a bit surreal. Dave and I are learning more than we ever wanted to about the medical sides of things. And I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster. One minute I'm strong and positive and the next minute, I feel total despair. I feel like I need to call so many of you, but I don't have the time yet.

I had a port put in today that will be a good thing for my chemo. It's an under the skin thingy up on my chest that has a tube directly into a vein into my heart. It's where they will give me shots and take blood and give the chemo. I also met with the pharmacist from oncology about what chemo is gonna be like. Whoalie, it is wicked stuff. It's almost comical how awful it is. 

I am so thankful to all of you who have called, emailed, stopped by, brought flowers, made food arrangements, etc. We feel so loved and lucky to have such a great group of friends. I can't express how grateful we are.

There was some good news today. My bone scan came back negative so no cancer in my bones. Yippee!