Wow ... a LOT has been going on around here these past few days ... just thought I'd share ...
First is a huge brag ... no, it's a reality check, but for the first time since I was a freshman in college I bought myself a pair of SIZE 12 jeans! They aren't even snug ... I guess it helps that I have no butt (a Harper-side family trait), but the one good thing that is coming from having cancer is that I'm getting healthier with my weight and eating habits. I'm still a big girl, no doubt about that, but it felt good finding that little sliver of the silver lining this morning while out shopping with my little brat sister, her husband and son, and my kids.
Next ... Nita made a HUGE leap into growing up today! She got her ears pierced! She's wanted them done since I first met her at the age of 4. Over the years we've discussed it, but her ear lobes were just too "petite" (she has none, really) to even attempt a piercing. While at the outlet mall this morning we stopped in at Claire's and the deed was done! I'll make sure to post a pic shortly. She's such a gorgeous little girl ... these make her look like the young lady she's becoming. Lord, please help me! I'm trying to decide if I should move to a remote cabin in the mountains of Montana, or simply lock her in a closet until she's 27. I'm in for some trouble! I just know it!
Brandon and Isaac want me to be sure to tell you that they had fun at the mall and their "favorite part was riding the merry-go-round!" We loaded all 5 of my kids, along with Kristie's little stinker, on the merry-go-round after lunch. There's nothing like riding a carousel to make you feel like a kid all over again!
I also accomplished the dreaded task of buying back-to-school clothes and backpacks. This year the kids' school is adopting a "voluntary uniform policy" which excites me! Nita used to go to a school that had the same policy ... mornings were a breeze! What I found out was that Isaac and Nathan have already grown an entire clothing size in less than 2 months' time! Nita is so stinking skinny that there is no way I am going to be able to buy her any skirts/skorts/pants that fit her waist, but are long enough for the stilts she walks on. I'm hoping to find a "junior-size" clothing company that makes adjustable waist khakis. Any ideas? I thought Old Navy would have something, but they didn't. Maybe I should give it another week or so to check out the stores for uniforms.
The good news ... my cancer is going haywire. It's not responding to my chemo and I feel like I need to look at other treatment options with a new oncology team. I took the first step yesterday by making a call to the Siteman Center (part of Barnes/BJC) to set up an appointment for a second opinion. I'm excited to become a patient with Siteman for a variety of reasons, primarily because they are very active with clinical trials and have access to cutting-edge technology. The other reason is because they treated my mother and were wonderful to her and for her. I trust them. My old oncologist is not the least bit happy with me. He's even charging me per page to fax records to Siteman. Oh well ... I refuse to feel like a traitor ... it's my life. It took me a LONG time to come to terms with the fact that I don't have to appease my doctor or feel like his feelings might be hurt if I leave his practice. I went for 5 weeks without chemo because of a combination of factors, but the biggest one being his schedule ... in that time my numbers almost doubled. Not a good thing! Hopefully this move will be a positive one that improves my quality of life and my chances at living a long one! Thank you to Es, Kristie, Tonya, Aunt Jeane, Pam and Danny for supporting my decision and encouraging me! It's having a support system like you that makes living with something as sucky as cancer bearable. I love you all!
So that's what's going on around here in a nutshell. Talking about nuts ... have you ever seen Squirrel Underwear? I'll leave that for another blog!
Catch up later!
Kathy
First is a huge brag ... no, it's a reality check, but for the first time since I was a freshman in college I bought myself a pair of SIZE 12 jeans! They aren't even snug ... I guess it helps that I have no butt (a Harper-side family trait), but the one good thing that is coming from having cancer is that I'm getting healthier with my weight and eating habits. I'm still a big girl, no doubt about that, but it felt good finding that little sliver of the silver lining this morning while out shopping with my little brat sister, her husband and son, and my kids.
Next ... Nita made a HUGE leap into growing up today! She got her ears pierced! She's wanted them done since I first met her at the age of 4. Over the years we've discussed it, but her ear lobes were just too "petite" (she has none, really) to even attempt a piercing. While at the outlet mall this morning we stopped in at Claire's and the deed was done! I'll make sure to post a pic shortly. She's such a gorgeous little girl ... these make her look like the young lady she's becoming. Lord, please help me! I'm trying to decide if I should move to a remote cabin in the mountains of Montana, or simply lock her in a closet until she's 27. I'm in for some trouble! I just know it!
Brandon and Isaac want me to be sure to tell you that they had fun at the mall and their "favorite part was riding the merry-go-round!" We loaded all 5 of my kids, along with Kristie's little stinker, on the merry-go-round after lunch. There's nothing like riding a carousel to make you feel like a kid all over again!
I also accomplished the dreaded task of buying back-to-school clothes and backpacks. This year the kids' school is adopting a "voluntary uniform policy" which excites me! Nita used to go to a school that had the same policy ... mornings were a breeze! What I found out was that Isaac and Nathan have already grown an entire clothing size in less than 2 months' time! Nita is so stinking skinny that there is no way I am going to be able to buy her any skirts/skorts/pants that fit her waist, but are long enough for the stilts she walks on. I'm hoping to find a "junior-size" clothing company that makes adjustable waist khakis. Any ideas? I thought Old Navy would have something, but they didn't. Maybe I should give it another week or so to check out the stores for uniforms.
The good news ... my cancer is going haywire. It's not responding to my chemo and I feel like I need to look at other treatment options with a new oncology team. I took the first step yesterday by making a call to the Siteman Center (part of Barnes/BJC) to set up an appointment for a second opinion. I'm excited to become a patient with Siteman for a variety of reasons, primarily because they are very active with clinical trials and have access to cutting-edge technology. The other reason is because they treated my mother and were wonderful to her and for her. I trust them. My old oncologist is not the least bit happy with me. He's even charging me per page to fax records to Siteman. Oh well ... I refuse to feel like a traitor ... it's my life. It took me a LONG time to come to terms with the fact that I don't have to appease my doctor or feel like his feelings might be hurt if I leave his practice. I went for 5 weeks without chemo because of a combination of factors, but the biggest one being his schedule ... in that time my numbers almost doubled. Not a good thing! Hopefully this move will be a positive one that improves my quality of life and my chances at living a long one! Thank you to Es, Kristie, Tonya, Aunt Jeane, Pam and Danny for supporting my decision and encouraging me! It's having a support system like you that makes living with something as sucky as cancer bearable. I love you all!
So that's what's going on around here in a nutshell. Talking about nuts ... have you ever seen Squirrel Underwear? I'll leave that for another blog!
Catch up later!
Kathy
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1 comment:
Kathy,
Sew elastic into the back waistband of Nita's clothes to make them fit her skinny self.
Love,
BA Jeane
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