Lloyd is Nothing

Because the people who love me are everything, and the life I lead is the point.  I am surrounded by love and support from so many people—my family, my doctors, my friends near and far.  And it means so much to us as we enter our next step this week.  Thursday I step back into the tube for another test round, and Friday will be my first actual radiation treatment.  This time I will be taking chemotherapy pills—Temodar—along with my daily ten minute zap for six weeks.  After the six weeks, I’ll have a month totally off, then start back up with just Temodar for another 5-6 months.  

So—in honor of my zap and chemo, my friend Liz Makowske created the most wonderful present for me: her boys dressed at my request for Valentine’s Day.  They are stunning, and so is she.  The link is on Facebook, but I can’t resist stealing two (I think she will forgive me).  You have to be lucky enough to know Liz to understand her love of dressing up her boys, let alone the simple love of having her in your life as a friend.   

Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody!

Love, 

-Kristina (&Mark)

 

On January 19, Kristina wrote (in response to some awesome other photos that were sent):

“I love that your children exist (in small part) for my amusement.  I’m going to start putting in advance requests.  For Valentine’s Day, I think white robes with gold and a bow/arrow would be appropriate—Roman style.”

On January 22, Liz wrote:

“Ummm I LOVE that you just gave me an idea/project.  I have marked my calendar for Feb 3.”

Lloyd is No Surprise

New Year's Day

Today I had my staples removed, 17 days after my surgery.  I heal well, and it feels great to finally have the metal pins out of my scalp.  We learned from Dr. L that the new piece of Lloyd is indeed a level 3 cancer.  This is exactly what we expected to learn, and this proof lets us now directly attack him like the level 3 he is.     

The next steps are—surprise!—another fitting of a mask to wear for my radiation schedule, which will likely be getting under way next week.  Radiation will be a bit more intense since we now know that Lloyd is playing a little rougher.  The main difference, though, is that I will be taking chemotherapy drugs while I undergo radiation.  Bam!  We are whacking this thing hard, right now.  We are not waiting.  I’ll take the radiation and chemo at the same time, then have a month “off”, then go back on chemo for another few months of somewhat undetermined time; probably around six months.  They are resolute to keep me healthy and happy throughout, and I am obedient.  No getting sick and spending my days ill—all I get to do is lose my hair and be tired during radiation.  And this is going to work.

All in all, this surgery was almost shamefully easy.  I was home in two days feeling normal and barely hurting.  I did get a painless black right eye, and there are always mystery bruises in the oddest of places when I get home from the hospital.  Still—how such an event can occur in only two days is amazing to me.  A wonderful, saving mystery that is letting us treat me exactly as I need to be treated. 

We are terrific, I feel great, and I am truly happy about getting this news today.  These people are working with me to save my phenomenal life, and it is going awesome.  The only thing “wrong” at this exact moment is that we are running low on pie…  

Thank you all for your love and support—it means so much to us!  I will keep the news coming.

Love, -Kristina (&Mark)

Christmas: not too bad!