Birthday Parade
29 Dec 2010 1 Comment
in breast cancer, coping, encouragement, family, hats, treatment, update Tags: encouragement, family, friendship, hats, holy cross, treatment
If you’re from the Raleigh area (and well over 30 years old), you probably remember Time for Uncle Paul. Donning a black top hat, a black tuxedo jacket, a colorful shirt, and a polka-dot bow tie, Uncle Paul hosted this live children’s television show. Each episode featured cartoons, puppets, and music, including a band of Happy-Birthday-singing fleas housed in Uncle Paul’s top hat. The best part of the show was the daily Birthday March that honored the children in the live audience who were celebrating their birthdays. I distinctly remember proudly marching in at least one of these televised Birthday Marches which was, in reality, a group of reluctant, uncomfortable children meandering in a circle behind the precious (but, mind you, visually impaired) Uncle Paul, circling the television studio set.
My 47th birthday reminded me of Uncle Paul’s Birthday March, other than the fact that I was sitting, so I suppose it was more parade-like. On December 20, 2010, I not only celebrated my birthday, but the date also marked the occurrence of my final chemo treatment.
Uncharacteristically early, I arrived at the Cancer Centers of NC for my appointment. As usual, a nurse began by drawing blood. I couldn’t receive the treatment if my lab work indicated that my white blood cell count was too low or revealed any other indicator that I wasn’t healthy or strong enough to proceed with my final treatment. I had been doing my best to ward off what felt like a winter cough-sinus-cold thing, so Paul and I were apprehensive about what my lab results might present. When I saw Dr. Singh, my lab results weren’t even complete, but because my numbers have been so good all along, my temperature and blood pressure were both normal, and I appeared relatively healthy, he sent me on to chemo anyway.
More than an hour after arriving at the office, I was finally hooked up to “the candy,” as Dr. Singh calls it. And the parade began. First in line was Janet. She presented a lovely Christmas arrangement with a big red bow and homemade sugar cookies. A bit later, Tracy and Laura came bearing a gift, balloons, and cinnamon buns. Next, Mom, Lily, and Silas appeared. I’m not sure if they came to see me or the beautiful aquariums. Or maybe they came for the snacks. Silas hardly said hello to me before he was popping open a Dr. Pepper. Donna was the Santa, the end of the line. Donna and Janet both kept me company until I was finished, generously addressing our Christmas cards which always become a gigantic project, much more burdensome than necessary.
I’m not sure how my fellow patients may have felt about my enthusiastic fans. Many of the people receiving chemo are much more sick than I have been. Many have significantly more serious types of cancer than I have. Some receive treatments in solitude every time. Others have a spouse or friend who sits quietly with them for the duration of their treatment. Did it bring them joy to see my sweet friends and family bustling in and out, trying to be unobtrusive (with relatively little success)? Did we break the monotony of a routine chemo treatment? Or was our spectacle annoying? Were we too noisy? Did we simply remind people of their loneliness? I can only pray that God will bless my fellow cancer patients, that He would give them His joy in the midst of their pain, that He would surround them with friends and family as precious as mine, and that He would heal them, that the chemo drugs would kill the sinister disease while sparing as many of the healthy cells as possible.
Hat #9, a gift from my friend Cheryl
The display of affection did not end at the Cancer Center. I arrived home to find balloons strung across my front porch, large cardboard signs declaring birthday greetings, flowers, sparkling grape juice, a chocolate cake, and other treats. While I have only clues to confirm my suspicions, I assume my church family is responsible for this array. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious chili Kristen prepared and the fabulous birthday cake, baked by one of the Klassa girls, I’m guessing.
The intended goal of Uncle Paul’s Birthday March was to help children feel special on their birthdays. Every child deserves to feel special everyday, but particularly on his or her birthday. While no one would intentionally choose to have a chemo treatment on her birthday, I felt exceedingly special on December 20, 2010.
This is what the Lord says:
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.”
Isaiah 43:1, 4 (RCV—Revised Carolyn Version)
I see my radiology oncologist, Dr. Kennedy, on January 7 and will begin a four-week, five-times-a-week course of radiation soon thereafter. I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Singh on January 10.
A series of unfortunate events
15 Dec 2010 2 Comments
in breast cancer, coping, just because Tags: breast cancer, coping, encouragement, holy cross, pets
This is the tale of a dog, a trumpeter, an Egyptian, a wacky friend, a chemo patient, and food.
Sonya and Bill have been active members of our church as long as I can remember. I seem to recall something about Sonya being born in England, but living in Canada for many years. She always looks like she just stepped out of a magazine, a picture of elegance and grace. Bill is of Egyptian descent and has a friendly, gregarious personality. He’s a brilliant chef and often prepares meals for our entire congregation. Our church family was shocked to learn of Sonya’s breast cancer diagnosis, just a couple of months after my own.
Sonya’s journey has been similar to mine so far. She had breast-conserving surgery to remove the initial tumor. This past Monday, she returned for her surgeon to achieve the standard margin of cancer-free tissue at the tumor site. When this happened in my case, one of my children was convinced that the second surgery indicated a mistake during the initial procedure; in addition, she thought it was ridiculous that the patient should have to pay to have the situation rectified. I’ve learned that re-excision is quite common in breast cancer patients who choose breast-conserving surgery over a mastectomy.
I had been feeling pretty good over the weekend. I seem to have the most energy during the week just prior to a chemo treatment, during the third week after the previous treatment. Because of a mix-up on my CareCalendar, we were expecting two meals on Monday from two different sources. I called my friend Cheryl who coordinates the Shepherd’s Care ministry at our church and asked if I could take one of our meals to Sonya and Bill. Cheryl made some calls, and it was decided that I would deliver one of our meals to them.
On Mondays and Thursdays, Lily hops in the car after school with a grocery bag containing a fabulous meal prepared by someone I don’t even know. After the precious families at her school learned of my cancer diagnosis, they have generously been preparing meals for us twice a week for the past three months. As Lily got in the car on Monday, she had no grocery bag. Joan, the mom who coordinates meals from the school families, said the mom assigned to Monday had forgotten (or there was a mix-up or a sick child. My source was unclear regarding the circumstances.). Lily (correctly) persuaded Joan not to worry about it. Only one other time has someone forgotten, and Joan evidently went home after working all day and started preparing a meal for us. Fortunately, I intercepted her before she finished and drove 30 minutes across town during rush hour to deliver it to us. Paul really can cook or run up the road to Chick-fil-A, so it’s not a catastrophe if someone forgets. Besides, my friend Ann was supposed to be bringing ribs, Lily and Paul’s favorite.
But what was I going to take Sonya and Bill now? My mom reminded me that I had frozen a container of soup a few weeks ago that I could share. Problem solved. I pulled the soup out of the freezer, threw in a loaf of French bread, and a breakfast loaf (also frozen) for extra credit, and I was good to go.
I dropped Silas off at his trumpet lesson and headed over to Sonya and Bill’s. I planned to ring the doorbell, leave the food, and drive away undetected, but their dog started barking, and before I had even stepped off the front porch, Bill opened the door. The next thing I knew, the dog shot out like a bullet. It turns out that Bill has either the flu or pneumonia. So here we were, a miserable-feeling Egyptian and a bald chemo patient chasing a surprisingly speedy dog around the neighborhood in the dark. It sprinted two blocks before I even started after it. I finally (and miraculously) caught the dog and left before causing any greater suffering.
When Silas and I got home after the trumpet lesson, I asked Lily if she had heard from Ms. Ann. Nope. She had also forgotten (and called on Tuesday, exceedingly contrite about the whole ordeal). Ann has five children. On Monday, one of the five had a meltdown, and another was sick. To make matters worse, Ann was struck with a wretched head cold.
Have no fear—the Konings rarely go hungry. A jar of spaghetti sauce, frozen meatballs, and a box of noodles, and we were fed.
Now, unrelated to any of the above, I have a cold. Blech!
Imperial Chicken Bake
13 Dec 2010 1 Comment
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup plus 2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 T minced fresh parsley
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
6 chicken breast halves, skinned and boned
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 small clove of garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
Paprika
- Pre-heat oven to 350°.
- Combine first 5 ingredients.
- Dip each breast in milk and dredge with breadcrumb mixture.
- Arrange in a lightly greased 12 x 8 x 2 dish.
- Combine butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Drizzle over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Makes 6 servings.
- Note from Carrie: With kids, I negate the paprika and go light on the parsley because some of mine are leary of that green stuff.
Carrot Soufflé
From Heart and Soul by the Memphis Jr. League, 1992
Ingredients:
2 cups thinly sliced carrots or a 15-oz can carrots, drained
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 T all-purpose flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground nutmeg
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
- If using fresh carrots, cook carrots in a small amount of boiling salted water for 7-9 minutes or until tender; drain.
- In a food processor bowl or blender, combine carrots, sugar, eggs, melted butter, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cover and process or blend until smooth.
- Pour into a 1-1/2 quart casserole.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.
- Garnish with shredded orange peel curls if desired.
- Makes 6 servings.
Date Night
11 Dec 2010 1 Comment
in coping, family, hats, just because Tags: coping, family, hats
My feet are killing me! I generally prefer practical, sensible, comfortable shoes, thus you’ll nearly always see me sporting Dansko clogs, Birkenstock or Keen sandals, or running shoes (even though I don’t run any more). However, this bald thing has thrown off my casual confidence.
Last night, Paul and I had the opportunity to see Young Frankenstein at the Durham Performing Arts Center. I love Broadway shows. I really love Broadway shows. I love the orchestra, the singing, the dancing, the plot lines, the characters, the sets, the production, the crowd. I love dramas, comedies, parodies, and classics. I love everything about musical theatre, so I was happy that I was not too tired and felt good enough to go.
- Hat #7, a gift from my sister-in-law Bev
However, I chose the wrong shoes. In a misguided effort to look feminine, I wore a pair of fancy heels that haven’t graced my feet in over ten years. I know full well that the parking deck is half a mile from the DPAC, across the Tobacco District. What was I thinking?
Despite my aching feet, we had a wonderful time. I am grateful for my sweet husband, a “Nano” who willingly hangs out with grandchildren, the means to attend the theatre once in a while, and the fact that I have shoes at all.
Lessons from Elizabeth Edwards
08 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in breast cancer, encouragement, family, mammogram, prevention Tags: breast cancer, coping, encouragement, family, mammogram
Visit Examiner.com to find out what every child most wants for Christmas.
I write a parenting column at Examiner.com. In this case, I use the present tense of the verb “write” loosely, since my last article was published in early July. I had other writing projects that account for my Examiner.com inactivity in July and early August, but since my diagnosis, I just haven’t had anything to say. I’ve concentrated my intellectual energies on breast cancer and the implications of a positive diagnosis on every aspect of life.
The end of Elizabeth Edwards’ public battle with breast cancer yesterday reminded me that I still have something to say to other mothers. You can read what I’ve learned from Edwards at the Raleigh Family Examiner.
Shepard’s Pie (vegetarian)
07 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
Melissa Nelson
From peta.org/recipes
Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes, diced
2 T margarine
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium onion, chopped
12 oz Yves brand Meatless Ground Round crumbles (from Whole Foods)
1 10.5-oz jar mushroom gravy
1 6-0z can peas and carrots, drained
salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne to taste
- Pre-heat oven to 350°.
- Boil potatoes. Drain and mash/mix with milk, margarine, salt, and pepper.
- Saute onion in oil until translucent.
- Mix cooked onions, beef crumbles, gravy, and peas and carrots.
- Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Pour mixture into a pie pan.
- Top with potatoes, spreading to the edges.
- Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are browned.
Complaints
04 Dec 2010 4 Comments
in coping, just because, side effects, update Tags: coping, treatment
“You never complain,” my sweet friend Karen commented. Actually, I do. A lot. My audience is usually my family. Just to prove Karen wrong and to banish the Miss-Merry-Sunshine illusion, I’ll share a few of my chemo-related frustrations today.
- Most food tastes yucky.
- Heck, my mouth tastes yucky.
- I’m too hot.
- I’m too cold.
- My bones ache.
- My teeth hurt.
- I have sores on my lips and in my mouth.
- I don’t have any hair.
- My hands and feet tingle.
- I’m tired. Really tired.
- And grumpy.
- And short tempered.
- Sometimes I feel depressed.
- And pitiful.
- Everything smells foul.
- I hate cooking.
- Driving wears me out.
- All superfluous noise gets on my nerves.
- I can’t focus half the time.
- ADHD + chemo means I haven’t been productive in weeks.
- The thought of Christmas shopping is overwhelming.
- Everything is overwhelming.
My third chemo treatment was on Monday, November 29. My fourth and final treatment is scheduled for Monday, December 20, my birthday.
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