Burning the Bitch to the Ground!

After starting my week with botched port accessing, almost passing out, an IV in my wrist joint, and Ryan’s wake... it sure was nice to get a good news call from my oncologist Monday evening. just as we were pulling into the funeral home parking lot, Dr. Robins called and told us that my MRI looked exactly as he had hoped it would. My scan showed no signs of recurrence or progression, which means that the radiation and Avastin infusions are working! Dr. Robins said my brain is healthier than it was on my last scan in September.

I will continue to receive immunotherapy infusions every two weeks, indefinitely. My next MRI Is scheduled for January 25^th. My eyes continue to heal, but I’m still limited in my reading. We had busy days this week, so I missed a few naps, and my eyes certainly let me know they were not pleased. I think I made up for it this afternoon with an epic actual cat nap. 

Also, I finally got the lidocaine to work today, so when I got stabbed in the chest twice to get my port accessed, I only felt it a little the second time [Small victories].

Fight like Hell.

P.S. KITTENS!!!

Farewell, Friend

This evening, we started saying goodbye to a good friend and an even better man. I’m angry, and I’m heartbroken for my husband, his coworkers, and most importantly for Ryan’s wife.

[see story from August about the green beret sniper http://krjkickstumorass.blogspot.com/2015/08/home.html]

I was relaying this story to Ryan’s wife recently, and she told me how excited he had been that I had written about what he said on my blog. She said that he had talked about it for weeks. I am honored that this had meant as much to him as it means to me.

This afternoon When we went through the visitation line, I said my goodbyes and told Ryan that I would continue being a badass for the both of us. Later, I was able to tell this story to some of the members of Ryan’s green beret team. 

Godspeed, friend.

Fight like Hell.

No Hair, Don't Care!

The deed is done. No hair, don’t care!

Last time, I was so concerned about my hair. This time, I really don’t give a damn. I was so over pulling out handfuls of hair, and it had only been going on since Saturday. Off with the hair!

You can definitely tell where I have balding spots versus just shaved hair. The three surgery scars are very visible. Oh well, the hair will grow back in a few months.

My N. was very sweet and shaved his head with me. We gave the neighbors a show, shaving each other's heads in the driveway.  

12 days of crockpot radiation left!

Fight like hell.

Tomorrow is D-Day

D-day is almost here. Tomorrow I have my post surgical appointment with Dr. Baskaya and his NP, then an appointment with my oncologist to get final pathology and treatment plan, and then another appointment with the radiation oncologist. Basically, we're spending the day at UW Hospital and Carbone Cancer Center.

Tomorrow is the day we finally get some answers. You better believe the cruise director of this bitch tumor has a sheet of graph paper full of questions on her clipboard.

I fear sleep tonight will be elusive. I'm anxious to get answers, but not scared about the answers. We already know that it is/was cancer. Of what else is there to be scared?

My type A personality is just ready to know the next phase of the battle plan. I'm ready to burn this bitch to the ground.

Fight like hell.

Packers

Well, Green Bay Packers, that wasn't so great, but I still love you 💛💚 - ‪#‎KJMeetARodg‬

Home

Good morning, everyone!

My first day back home went well, and I actually was able to sleep for 8 hours, which is impressive since I'm on a higher dose of the steroids again. I'm tapering off the devil drugs at least. 

It still feels a little surreal that this is all happening again - also that I just had an 8 hour brain surgery, I'm the same KJ, and am already home. My neurosurgeon was so impressed with how well I was doing (and how much of the bitch tumor he was able to safely remove), that he moved me to neuro general care after 2 nights in the neuro ICU, and discharged me after 1 night in neuro general care. I was supposed to be in the hospital minimally 5 days. Apparently I'm a champ, heh. 

I have to say that I got quite the compliment yesterday. A friend of ours is an ex-Green Beret sniper 1 (sniper instructor). He told me that I was a badass and that he'd take me into battle any day for how brave I've been, which is quite the compliment coming from him. He's done the stuff that they make movies about.

Ever the craft nerd, I had my mom bring a card that I had previously made so that I could give it to my neurosurgeon. Things I never thought I'd write in a card: "Thank you for saving my life."

 

This is what 8 hours of deep brain surgery looks like - 30 sutures, a titanium plate, and titanium screws.

Fight like hell.

I'm Still Me

In case you were wondering, I'm still me! - Same 'ol badass KJ.

We could not have had a better surgeon. He's the shit. Seriously. One of the best in the world.

I am so thankful for him. I'm totally making him a card. Hehe :) I'm going to craft nerd this up.

Dr.  Baskaya was able to remove ALL of the areas of the tumors that are absorbing the radioactive dye during my MRIs. The active, agressive parts of the tumor are the pieces that absorb the dye during my MRIs.

All in all, I'm feeling really awesome.

Fight like hell.

Dinner

I got all prettied up one more time before the ‪#‎bigassbrainsurgery‬. We're having dinner with both sets of parents and most of the siblings ‪tonight.

Game On

New cut, new color, new Steamboat Springs shirt ... game on, Bitch Tumor!