May 6th - I finished radiation treatments. (yes, I know the exact date - plus - the hospital hands out "survivor" certificates/bracelets on your way out the door after your final cancer treatment!) I went to my zappings daily, M-F, for three weeks. It was a walk in the park compared to chemo, but it left me feeling like a zombie and gave me a funky shaped burn on my chest and back. But overall, no biggie. Just a scary looking machine and the awkwardness of being topless while getting lined up under the lasers by "older" men for 10 minutes a day.
At some point in May Ian sprouted two teeth. His crib will never look the same again.
At some point in May Ian sprouted two teeth. His crib will never look the same again.
Memorial Day Weekend - Adam left for China for two weeks. His first attempt at leaving, a Wednesday, the door broke on the plane and he wasn't able to get a new flight to Hong Kong for two days. Thank god for that malfunction, because my best friend from college showed up Thursday so we were able to get out of the house ALONE (without Ian) for some girl time... (aka we both got a tattoo). That Friday I got a CT scan to check on some strange chest pains....thankfully, REMISSION!! Later that weekend we took Ian down to my parents house so both Kelly AND Ian could experience TUBING! Ian started "efficiently" crawling while Adam was gone.
End of June - We drove up to Wisconsin to celebrate my grandma's 95th birthday. We stayed for 4 nights, met my nephew Brayden from CA and did lots of family stuff.
The week after getting back from Wisconsin - Adam unexpectedly got sent to the Philippines for two weeks!!!! So I was left with Ian, alone, and it was the end of my 6 week math class. I was NOT a happy camper between taking care of Ian and trying to study and do homework! Ian said his first word while Adam was gone, "Dadadadadadada". He said it for one day, switched to "mamamamama", and we haven't heard any "dadas" since. Sorry Adam.
This past weekend, one week after Adam's return, Ian was baptised (Catholic for the inquiring minds). We had both sets of grandparents in town and had a great time!
Two days ago - I got news that last week's CT scan revealed I am STILL in remission. Questionable chest pain seems to be a muscle issue, not a recurrence! The doctor called me, after office hours, two days before the results were supposed to be back. (I think I lost a year off my life due to the wave of panic I felt when I realized who was on the other end of the line!! And how often does a doctor actually call a patient with good news?!?! Amazing man that doc is. Hopefully no one ever needs an oncologist but I know a good one!)
At this point in time, Ian has a "fang" coming in. Top, right side. He is saying "Mama" constantly and mumbling "babababa" (bottle?). He flies across the floor with great speed, pulls up on everything, tears fur off the cat (cat doesn't mind), is starting to CLIMB, learning to play ball with Spencer, takes side steps holding on to things and is a huge fan of mangoes. Avocados, not so much.
For those curious on the status of my hair but are unsure how to ask (really, I don't care) - here's a visual. It started growing a month after finishing chemo and is now probably 1.5". It is exactly the same type of hair I had before. In the grand scheme of things, hair loss was small potatoes. It's just currently a pain to experience the "fresh start". Oh well.
At this point in time, Ian has a "fang" coming in. Top, right side. He is saying "Mama" constantly and mumbling "babababa" (bottle?). He flies across the floor with great speed, pulls up on everything, tears fur off the cat (cat doesn't mind), is starting to CLIMB, learning to play ball with Spencer, takes side steps holding on to things and is a huge fan of mangoes. Avocados, not so much.
For those curious on the status of my hair but are unsure how to ask (really, I don't care) - here's a visual. It started growing a month after finishing chemo and is now probably 1.5". It is exactly the same type of hair I had before. In the grand scheme of things, hair loss was small potatoes. It's just currently a pain to experience the "fresh start". Oh well.
Next week - I start class, again :) I am taking Anatomy & Physiology at night during the fall semester. I also just registered to take a certified nursing assistant course for 9 days straight following Xmas but before my Spring semester starts. (Before you can start nursing school in this state, you MUST be a certified CNA). Maybe I will end up working as a CNA a day or two per week to "network" for a future RN job, who knows.
Next weekend - Adam and I head to Kauai for 6 nights to celebrate no more cancer!! I booked the trip at the end of January in anticipation of celebrating remission. Thankfully, we get the opportunity to do so!
Adam heads back to class again in the fall at UK while also finishing up an independent study project. He has 2.5 years left before he gets his masters (in Mechanical Engineering). Should be an interesting time around here - two people in school and a toddler run amuck. But such is life and we're enjoying every minute!
Here are some shots of the summer:
Post-tubing
Someone loves Mommy
Here are some shots of the summer:
Post-tubing
Someone loves Mommy
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