Last night's 3-Day party left me even more inspired. I think that a number of friends who were undecided before the event actually decided to walk after hearing more about it, and I'm THRILLED by this news. On an altruistic note, I'm excited about the commitment to bringing in $2200 per walker towards the cause; on a selfish note, I'm just looking forward to walking and training with these wonderful women. Girls, we are going to have some serious FUN!
Today we're rushing around like mad getting ready to go to Orcas with Marisa and Max. Our family loves spending time with Marisa, and Shep is particularily excited to get a doggy playdate that lasts all weekend. Marisa's cabin is a little slice of heaven on earth, and we've been there so many times that it feels a bit like home to us...we love it. The sun is shining, and we're ready to go!
Tessa has a cough, but I am crossing my fingers that we're through the worst of it and it doesn't put a damper on her weekend (or ours!).
Okay, off to throw clothes in a bag and hit the road. Have a great weekend!
Love,
Kristina
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Excitement
I am starting to get really, really excited for the 3-Day. We are building a team of the most amazing people, and I am so honored to walk with these women. The team will be a mix of people returning from last year ("Team Kristina" members), friends who couldn't walk last year but are up for the challenge this year, friends of some of the other team members, and new survivor friends.
Right now, it looks like we will have perhaps five survivors on the team. When I look in these women's eyes, I see myself. They remind me why we're doing this.
We are going to kick some serious cancer a$$. I know that I'll go through the "how on earth will we ever do this" phase, but right now I'm in the "hmmm maybe more than 20 people will walk, and maybe we'll raise more than $60K this year...maybe I should shoot for $100K!" phase.
One day at a time. I'm just so delighted that so many friends have expressed an interest in doing this with me. I can't wait for the little party tomorrow. :-)
Kristina
Right now, it looks like we will have perhaps five survivors on the team. When I look in these women's eyes, I see myself. They remind me why we're doing this.
We are going to kick some serious cancer a$$. I know that I'll go through the "how on earth will we ever do this" phase, but right now I'm in the "hmmm maybe more than 20 people will walk, and maybe we'll raise more than $60K this year...maybe I should shoot for $100K!" phase.
One day at a time. I'm just so delighted that so many friends have expressed an interest in doing this with me. I can't wait for the little party tomorrow. :-)
Kristina
This week
Well, this week is going on at usual speed. Minor updates:
- Tessa has a cold. I've kept her from all kid-activities and the poor dear is dying to go hang out with her girlfriends...like mother like daughter on that one! Anyway, she's okay, but on Sunday she was up half of the night crying and coughing; nothing would soothe her. She's doing fine through the night now and it's settled into a "normal" cold; she is just coughing and sniffling during the day. No swimming lessons today because of that, and that makes her sad.
- I have committed to doing "I am the cure" with Komen. It was right for me. Twenty years from now, I'll look back at this time and know that I made a difference. The next six months will probably be crazy, but hey, it's me...so if it wasn't this, it would be something else! I know I'm spending my time on something valuable.
- Last night I went to a survivor's meeting at Gilda's Club, and I got a lot out of it. When I went over a year ago I just couldn't do it...other women's stories overwhelmed me. Now, I'm in a pretty good place, and hearing others actually helps me to deal with my own thoughts on recurrence etc. (Just so you know, that is ALWAYS in my head. I hear from other survivors that it will never go away. It's not a matter of having a good attitude, it's a matter of dealing with the facts, and being all too aware that recurrence is a regular part of this path for many women. I know several women in recurrence...it happens. The trick is to accept this possibility and not allow it to overwhelm me, and that's what talking about it does for me.) The women in the group are bright, articulate, brave, and strong, even when they are afraid. I will definitely go back. They meet monthly.
Tonight is my grandmother's 84th birthday party, and I'm looking forward to attending and celebrating her life with her and the rest of the family. Tomorrow is my wine, cheese and chocolate party (with the purpose of getting girlfriend time and talking about the 3-Day) and I'm looking forward to that quite a bit. But on that note...I'd better start cleaning my house. Time to run!
Love,
Kristina
- Tessa has a cold. I've kept her from all kid-activities and the poor dear is dying to go hang out with her girlfriends...like mother like daughter on that one! Anyway, she's okay, but on Sunday she was up half of the night crying and coughing; nothing would soothe her. She's doing fine through the night now and it's settled into a "normal" cold; she is just coughing and sniffling during the day. No swimming lessons today because of that, and that makes her sad.
- I have committed to doing "I am the cure" with Komen. It was right for me. Twenty years from now, I'll look back at this time and know that I made a difference. The next six months will probably be crazy, but hey, it's me...so if it wasn't this, it would be something else! I know I'm spending my time on something valuable.
- Last night I went to a survivor's meeting at Gilda's Club, and I got a lot out of it. When I went over a year ago I just couldn't do it...other women's stories overwhelmed me. Now, I'm in a pretty good place, and hearing others actually helps me to deal with my own thoughts on recurrence etc. (Just so you know, that is ALWAYS in my head. I hear from other survivors that it will never go away. It's not a matter of having a good attitude, it's a matter of dealing with the facts, and being all too aware that recurrence is a regular part of this path for many women. I know several women in recurrence...it happens. The trick is to accept this possibility and not allow it to overwhelm me, and that's what talking about it does for me.) The women in the group are bright, articulate, brave, and strong, even when they are afraid. I will definitely go back. They meet monthly.
Tonight is my grandmother's 84th birthday party, and I'm looking forward to attending and celebrating her life with her and the rest of the family. Tomorrow is my wine, cheese and chocolate party (with the purpose of getting girlfriend time and talking about the 3-Day) and I'm looking forward to that quite a bit. But on that note...I'd better start cleaning my house. Time to run!
Love,
Kristina
Monday, February 19, 2007
Okay maybe I should still do Herceptin?!
I'm confused...obviously!
I spoke to our insurance company today. Apparently they are only covering 90% of all Herceptin fees since July (when we switched companies) and the bill reflects the amount that is out of pocket until we hit our $2200 annual deductable.
This means that we owe $2200 from last year and haven't received that bill. We will also owe $2200 this year because I've continued Herceptin, but also because I'm slated for 2-3 more surgeries, and that will easily make me hit my out of pocket. Even if I quit Herceptin, I'd hit the $2200 deductable (which, by the way, I have no idea how we're going to pay) this year, and quitting Herceptin now wouldn't change that.
So, the money isn't part of the equation. It is a royal pain, but it's not part of the decision making process for Herceptin.
I now suspect that I will continue Herceptin through September, as planned. "Leave no stone unturned" is my motto. I know too many people dealing with recurrances right now to forget the message.
Yes, I know it sounds like I'm indecisive...but it's my blog, and I'm thinking it through...just that I have an audience!
Kristina
I spoke to our insurance company today. Apparently they are only covering 90% of all Herceptin fees since July (when we switched companies) and the bill reflects the amount that is out of pocket until we hit our $2200 annual deductable.
This means that we owe $2200 from last year and haven't received that bill. We will also owe $2200 this year because I've continued Herceptin, but also because I'm slated for 2-3 more surgeries, and that will easily make me hit my out of pocket. Even if I quit Herceptin, I'd hit the $2200 deductable (which, by the way, I have no idea how we're going to pay) this year, and quitting Herceptin now wouldn't change that.
So, the money isn't part of the equation. It is a royal pain, but it's not part of the decision making process for Herceptin.
I now suspect that I will continue Herceptin through September, as planned. "Leave no stone unturned" is my motto. I know too many people dealing with recurrances right now to forget the message.
Yes, I know it sounds like I'm indecisive...but it's my blog, and I'm thinking it through...just that I have an audience!
Kristina
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