Photo of the Day - my sister Debbie and her quilting buddies

Nancy took this photo last Friday after we ate dinner at Harry's. Debbie and her friends (they are my friends too) spent the afternoon shopping for Fat Quarters. For all of you non-quilters, Fat Quarter is a quilting term for the specific size of material. It is also my favorite quilting term. In fact, whenever I see my sister Debbie, I like to ask her if she has any extra Fat Quarters. It just sounds fun, doesn't it? Back to the photo, Gayle, Anita, Debbie, and Kathy DID shop for quilting material (and other things) in Manhattan and Junction City and then joined Nancy and me at Harry's. As you study this photo, you can see that Gayle and Debbie made the same jacket choice, while Anita and Kathy made the same color choice! Maybe you are spending a little too much time together.... Thanks ladies for a fun evening!

November 11 - A Birthday Shout-out to Kevin & Barbara and Happy Veterans Day

Kevin is my nephew who sends me lots of camera-phone photos to keep me informed of the happenings on his farm at Dorrance.

Barbara has been an important part of my treatment during the past six months by giving me lots and lots of massages and energy work.

Shout out to Leadership Studies Ambassadors

Emily and Victoria waterproofed our glider and picnic table.

Todd lived up to his title as the group adviser as he supervised Brett.

Brett (yes, there were two Brett's who helped) gathered the limbs that our friends Jackie and Di had trimmed.

Lori and Ella painted our front steps.

I want to give a very special thank you to the Leadership Studies and Programs Ambassadors who helped us with yard work last weekend. They are a special group of K-Staters who gave of their time and talent on Sunday to make our yard look lots better.

Turn back the calendar to May - I was prepared for the Summer of Mary Kay. I had several projects -indoor and outdoor - that I was going to complete during the summer. STOP - I found the lump on May 11 and NOTHING happened to the projects after that. So, thanks again to the LSP Ambassadors who helped complete some of the projects that I had planned to do last summer.

Funny how life has a way of interrupting your best made plans. Even though I did not find success on my summer projects, I KNOW I found success on some important life lessons. I have written about it before, but one of the most important lessons was the value of loving. I have received so much love and support in my journey that it has been overwhelming at times. I thank all of you who have given and who continue to give love and inspiration to me to stay positive and to believe that I could survive cancer, chemo, and surgery.

Love to all,
Mary Kay

Photos of the Day - Just some photos I want to share

Dad loves to eat breakfast at the Bear House Cafe in Bunker Hill.
His favorite is American fries with fried onions.

My grand-niece Natalie was more interested in standing on her birthday present than playing with it.

My sister Susan and my grand-nephew Garrett

John, Grace, and Deuce visited us on Halloween.

My friend Lilly and her cat.

Di, Jeremy, and Jackie in their Halloween costumes.

Last week, I watched the famous Dorrance/Wilson volleyball team as they defeated TWO opponents with precision serves and 100 mph kills!! It was fun to see them play. Way to go ladies: Beth, Donna Fay, Heather, Kim, Teresa, Ellen, and Sharon.

Anna and Garrett love computers, especially my laptop. At age four, Garrett can use the touch pad while he navigates through his two favorites websites - starfall.com and thomasandfriends.com

Photo of the Day - Kelly and Sam

Visit with my oncologist, Dr Sharma

Happy Halloween!

News and notes from today's visit with Dr. Sharma: she was VERY pleased by the treatment effect of the chemotherapy on the original tumor; because of the success of chemotherapy and surgery, I can have my port removed now if I want; I will wait to have it removed when I have surgery to remove extra skin under my arms; I will NOT need radiation; I am ready to start the hormone-therapy drug Femara; I will also start taking Vitamin D and calcium because of the side-effects of Femara; protocol is to take it for five years if everything goes well; I do have some lymph fluid build-up in my chest and underarm that should reabsorb in a few months; I will meet with a nurse next week to understand issues related to lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction), I should continue to take it easy for three months to let my body heal from chemo and surgery - I still have a sore left hand and right foot from Taxol; AND slowly move to lifestyle changes of low-fat diet, increased exercise, and less stress! That just about sums up our visit today. I will see Dr Sharma again in January. Wow, that was a lot of information!!

You probably recognize Dr Sharma on the left, but this is the first picture I have taken with Kim. EVERYTHING in Dr Sharma's clinic goes through Kim - she is the nurse who can make anything happen. In fact, Kim even gave Nancy and me advice for our trip to Vegas in December. She said ' Don't buy into any time-shares and don't take any of the booklets and cards from people on the street!

I didn't realize until today how much I appreciate Dr Sharma and her staff at KU Med. It is a little corny, but I had a strong warm and fuzzy feeling about our visit. It probably had to do with the fact that she directed the treatment plan that has me to the point where I can say 'things look good for me.' I gave Dr Sharma and Kim hugs as we left, I just wanted them to know how much I appreciated the care they gave to me. I first met them on May 29 (the day after Memorial Day) and, now, five months later I feel a certain gratitude to them that is difficult to describe. Part of me wants to say they saved my life, but I just can't write that right now. I know this journey with cancer could change at any moment from the good news that I have to something more challenging. Back to Dr Sharma and Kim - how do I thank them - adequately? Nancy and I both shared our appreciation with them before we left today, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. I know they would say - we're just doing our jobs. But there has to be more to it. I am sure they get their own 'warm fuzzies' in helping people who have cancer. Hopefully, we are all doing life work that gives us those same feelings. Anyway, back to the feeling from today - the warm and fuzzy feeling of 'care and love' for Dr Sharma and Kim. My special 'shout out' goes to them. Thanks ladies for getting me to this point!! I know I have said it a couple of times before on this blog, but I still highly recommend Dr Sharma if you find yourself in need of an oncologist.

Love to all,
Mary Kay

She's One!! Happy Birthday to my grand-niece Natalie Grace Brenneman

Natalie enjoyed her very own birthday cake by sticking her fingers in it.
She didn't make much of a mess. I guess she doesn't take after her father!

What is Dad's job on his daughter's first birthday?
You got it, to document the event.