MK Update 5/19/2008

Hello all! Hope this e-mails finds each of you enjoying this beautiful weather! I just wanted to update you on my "chemo status". I was scheduled for my fourth (of six) treatment today. But, my blood counts were too low, so it has been rescheduled for next Tuesday the 27th. I was pretty certain when we left for Little Rock this morning that I would not have my treatment because my counts were pretty low Thursday. I was really pumped and ready for this treatment; however, I was able to get so much accomplished at work last week and was wanting to have this week to work as well. Plus, I am excited to have the holiday weekend feeling good! I think I have finally turned the corner so to speak with this whole cancer experience. A few weeks ago, Batesville's Beta Club had a mini Relay For Life. Chris's basketball team had a team in my honor. For those of you that do not know, Chris has accepted a job at Southside and will be coaching and teaching there next year. It was a most difficult decision for us--one we prayed about often. We love the girls and their families and honestly do not know what we would have done without them the last four months! They had to sacrifice so much of Chris's time and energy the last half of this season. They are wonderful! But, ultimately we realized that the job at Southside was the best decision. Anyway, the Relay For Life was sort of our "last event" with the girls. We had a great time! I will never forget walking that last lap surrounded by Chris and the girls--man what a feeling! When I got home, I locked myself in the bathroom and cried and cried and cried some more. Then I prayed and prayed and prayed some more. Up to that point, I have literally viewed this cancer and chemo as the Devil. When the nurse hooks that chemo bag to my port, I have felt like the Devil is flowing through my veins. I just can't describe to you how that feels--but I promise it is exhausting physically and emotionally to try and fight that feeling. As I sat in the bathroom crying and praying, the very last thing I prayed was that God would help me to be quiet and listen to His words. When I finally stopped crying the silence in the bathroom was deafening. I listened and boy did I hear! God spoke to me and He helped me to realize that this cancer and this chemo are a God-driven experience. Yes, I do believe that the Devil has a small role in this experience, but only to the point that I allow. I have matured spiritually through this experience more than I thought possible. I remember a sermon Pastor Kay delivered several months ago. She had just returned from a stay at a monastery. Her sermon was so very descriptive about her spiritual experience there. She spoke of the silence and the beauty of the monastery. She preached on her spiritual maturity and growth through that experience. Well, this journey has certainly not been a beautiful or awe-inspiring journey, but I know that I have grown as a Christian through this experience. This has been and will continue to be a spiritual journey for me. I have a clarity about this that is so refreshing and relaxing. I know I will have some more yucky days ahead, but I am ready. I am ready because I have finally figured this out and I know that I am going to be okay. In fact, I know that I am already better than I was at 11:59 on January 4th. I have spent the last four months wishing I could return to 11:59 on January 4th and start over without cancer and doctors and sadness and pain. But not now! Now I know that Noon on January 4th is a time to be thankful for--a time to cherish. All this time all I could think was that I will never be the same as I was at 11:59 on January 4th. Well, that is right--I will never be the same--I am better now than I ever was before that time! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Certainly, one of the very best things to come from this journey is all of you. What an Army of Angels I have! I realize that each of you have listened to His messages about me. You have been there with me for each step I have taken. Even at my lowest points, I have always felt your strength. You are all amazing and so giving of your time and prayers. I thank you for your patience with me and your love for me. I love each of you and thank you for EVERYTHING! MK

MK Update 5/6/2008

Hello all! It has been a week and a day since my third chemo treatment. I am at the halfway point--just three more to go! I have done much better with this treatment thus far. The doctor was able to give me a new medication for nausea and it worked very well. I have felt pretty good this time around. I went yesterday to get my blood levels checked. That was certainly an interesting experience. I have been going every Monday and Thursday since I started chemo to get my levels checked. I go to my PCP's office to have this done. They do not know how to access my port, so they have to draw the blood from my hand. The nurse has found one vein that works well, so every Monday and Thursday morning I get up, get ready, and wrap a heating pad around my hand for 30 minutes. I then put a thick sock on my hand and head to Dr. Walton's office where Marilyn quickly accesses this little vein on the back of my hand while the vein is still warm and ready for the task. Well, I did all of that yesterday and I guess that little vein has had enough. The nurse couldn't get any blood and she was literally digging that needle around the back of my hand to try and get some blood. Like a ding-dong I decided to watch. The next thing I know, I am laying in the floor with my legs up in a chair and cold wash clothes all over my face and arms and my mom was trying to get my attention. I fainted! I have never fainted before--what a rush! HA! I mean that was certainly a strange experience. I have learned my lesson--I will not be watching Marilyn draw my blood anymore! She did manage to get some blood out of the little vein, bless his heart. Turns out that my blood levels are really low and I can't be in public or around people. What fun! What stinks is that I feel pretty good and I can't go anywhere or be around anyone. So, I have been working from home and hanging out with Mom, Chris, and the dogs. I think poor Mom and Chris are really getting tired of trying to keep me entertained! I have done a lot of gardening! Again, poor Mom and Chris--I have about worked them into the ground with the gardening. I just want to thank each of you for your prayer support! It has certainly made this round of chemo much, much better. You are all amazing and I continue to cherish the calls, text messages, e-mails, cards, flowers, food, and gifts. They all come at the perfect time and mean so very much to me. The other day I was having a very "low" moment and one of you sent me a text message. Chris said, "there is one of your angels picking you up again"--and that is so true. Thank you for taking the time to listen to God directing you my way! August will be here soon and this chemo will be a distant memory! Much love to you all! MK

MK Update 4/25/2008

Just a quick note requesting a very specific prayer request. I went yesterday and had my blood levels checked and they have dropped even lower than what they were Monday. Dr. Harrington started me on an antibiotic. Yesterday and today I went to the hospital and got a Neupagen injection to help boost my white blood cell count. I am a little worried about getting chemo Monday with low blood counts. Please pray that my blood counts will get back to normal levels between now and Monday morning! Thanks so much for always being here for me on a moments notice. It is so comforting to know that I can lean on each of you to get me through the scary times! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! God bless! Love to you all! MK

MK Update 4/21/2008

Well, no chemo today. My blood counts are too low and Dr. Harrington said it would not be wise to go ahead with the chemo since my counts were so low. So, my next chemo treatment will be next Monday (the 28th). She said regardless of what my counts are next Monday they will go ahead with the chemo. If my counts are still low, they will just monitor me closely next week. I can still work and do normal activity this week; I just can't have chemo. I was really, really upset this morning. I cried and cried--then I talked to my dad. He is the best motivator I have ever met. He reminded me that this means I get another good week to work, have fun, and feel "normal". He also reminded me that Dr. Harrington knows what she is doing and that if she thinks I shouldn't have a treatment today than she is right. It took about 30 minutes for his words to sink in with me and start to make me feel better. Then, Chris took me to the mall and we bought Zac (one of my nephews) some new clothes for the summer. There is no medicine like buying surprises for someone else! I know that God is using this week to strengthen me as well. I have spent the last 10 days telling Chris that I could not do one more treatment. I even told him I was not going to go. I have prayed so hard that God would give me the strength and courage to get through today. Again, God is so good! He knew I just wasn't mentally ready for this treatment. So, he is giving me one more week to enjoy the "good" days and prepare myself for the "yucky" days ahead. I continue to be amazed by His presence and His messages (both big and small) to me. There really are no unanswered prayers--sometimes it just takes a little bit to figure out the message in the answer! I feel renewed and ready! I feel God's arms of comfort wrapped around me and His healing hands lifting me. I am going to enjoy this week; and I will be ready for the next treatment! Again, I thank each of you for your continued prayer support. Please pray that I continue to feel God's presence with me this week as I prepare for next Monday. You are an awesome and inspiring "Army of Angels" and I love you all dearly! God bless! MK

Mrs. Betty Floyd 4/17/2008

Mrs. Betty decided last night was her time to start her eternal life with our Father in Heaven. She was at home with her family and certainly defeated that Devil and Fear Monster! I know that Heaven is shining even brighter today--there is nothing like a Mrs. Betty smile to brighten the day. Please pray for Coach Floyd and their children. I appreciate your never-ending prayer support! Much love--MK

Prayer For A Friend 4/15/2008

I know I have used this e-mail group to keep you all updated on my journey with cancer; however, now I need your prayer support for a friend. Mrs. Betty Floyd is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. She and her husband sit in the pew behind us in church. Coach and Mrs. Floyd retired to Cherokee Village several years ago. Coach Floyd was the Athletic Director at Arkansas State for several years before moving to Cherokee Village. Mrs. Floyd has been battling lung cancer. My mom told me tonight that she is in the hospital and she is fighting hard against this Devil! Mrs. Floyd is tiny but she sure is tough! She gives great hugs and always has the biggest smile on her face. She has been a very devoted member of our church (Cherokee Village United Methodist) and spends most of her time giving to and praying for others. When Mom told me about Mrs. Betty I sat here for a few minutes feeling so helpless--then I remembered my awesome "Army of Angels". The best thing that I can do for Mrs. Betty now is pray. To have the opportunity to call on each of you for additional prayer support for her is so wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to pray for Mrs. Betty and her family. Much love to you all! MK

MK Update 4/12/2008

Hello all! It seems like decades since I sent out my last update. I received my second chemo treatment March 31st. It looks like my "chemo pattern" is going to be as follows: receive my treatment on Monday, followed by 10 yucky days, followed by 10 pretty good to good days, and then another treatment. Let me just say that those 10 yucky days are just that--YUCKY! The first five are filled with nausea and the last five are filled with bone pain and flu-like symptoms from my blood counts dropping so low. At least this round I did not have to spend any time in the hospital! That was a definite improvement. This time, the 10 yucky days were spent on the couch (surrounded by 3 dogs) with Mom and Chris waiting on me every second. Mom spent the entire time trying to fill me up with protein to help "rebuild" my blood counts. I think when this is all over I am going to go on a protein-free diet for a few weeks! HA! Poor Mom, she tries to fix me anything I will eat--but nothing tastes very good, my mouth was full of sores, and anything warm or hot was just nasty. I lived on green grapes for several days, which is really funny because I have never liked green grapes until now. The past few days, however, my mouth is better and I have eaten much better. Fried catfish seems to be what tastes the best to me now--I have had it three times in five days. :) Mom cooked pot roast with potatoes and carrots, mac and cheese, and the pinto beans ever yesterday. I had no problems eating any of that! It was YUMMY! I am looking forward to going back to work this week. I miss my co-workers and the kids. They are wonderful medicine! I have an appointment with Dr. Hagans Monday--just a routine follow-up. I haven't seen him in six weeks. I look forward to his upbeat personality. He usually calls me "Red"--so I can't wait to see what he says about my lack of hair and stylish hat. :) I have attached of picture of me with Jay and our stylish buzz cuts. I think you will see the similarities. These past 10 days have been a very reflective time for me. The first round of chemo I think I just felt too bad to have any energy to reflect on anything. I am fairly certain I cried more the past 10 days than I have in the past 10 years. Everything seems to make me cry. I am so dreading this next treatment. I have looked at the calendar and if all goes as planned I should have 43 pretty good to good days left and 40 yucky days left. Hopefully, my last yucky day (from chemo) will be July 3rd. I plan on having a great 4th of July. I find it very ironic that on the day our great county gets to celebrate its independence and freedom I will get to celebrate my "freedom" from chemo! Again, God is everywhere! While hanging out on the couch, I tried to stay as positive as possible by thinking of happy times. Thursday, I spent some time thinking about the trip to Disney World Chris and I took a few years ago. We had so much fun! I really think I could live in Disney World--what a happy place! My favorite ride was a roller coaster ride at the Animal Kingdom--Expedition Everest. The ride takes you through the mountain while this Bigfoot-type creature (the Yeti) chases the train. The ride is fast and cold and mostly in the dark. You start out going fairly fast into the mountain. Suddenly, the ride gets slower and the Yeti appears. The train speeds up and you can see a small bit of light from outside the mountain. The train heads for the light and just when you think you are about to escape the Yeti and leave the mountain, the track runs out and the train abruptly stops. Then as fast as the train stopped it starts going again only this time you are going backward and the Yeti is quickly approaching. Again, there is the light from outside the mountain and just when you think you have ditched the Yeti and reached the light the track runs out again and the train once again abruptly stops. Then bam--the train takes off, ditches the Yeti, and heads into the light of day, around the outside of the mountain, and to the finish. The entire ride I was so scared. Between the Yeti chasing us everywhere, the speed of the ride, and focusing on not getting sick, it is amazing I made it to the finish! As I thought about that great ride, it occurred to me that my chemo treatments are really just an extended version of Expedition Everest. I am on this ride for 83 more days. I have to learn to enjoy the fun parts (the good days) and survive the scary parts (the yucky days). I need to realize that for those 40 yucky days left that I am not alone. That I have and awesome God carry me through those days and this awesome "Army of Angels" on my side. I have to learn to be less reclusive during the yucky days and to reach out for spiritual, mental, and emotional support not only from our God but from those of you who love me so much! My Dad loves roller coasters! If you ride a roller coaster with him, he makes you ride the entire ride with you arms high in the air and he will not stand for anyone to hold on to the safety bar. The first few times I rode with Dad, I really thought it was sheer torture to not get to hold on to the safety bar. Then after a few times, I realized riding the ride with your arms high in the air is a very thrilling experience. I need to let go of the safety bar and realize that I am surrounded by safety bars and He nor you will let me fall. I need to learn to find the thrill in this experience. I know I am going to reach the "light of day" and speed down this "mountain", leaving that "Yeti" far behind me! Again, I thank each of you for loving me enough to pray for me and my family, for sharing these updates with others so that our Army of Angels continues to grow, and for being my safety bar on this ride. You are all amazing! I love you dearly! God bless! MK

MK Update 3/30/2008

I have had a great weekend! I have many happy thoughts to take with me to chemo tomorrow! Initially, Zac and Alex seemed to be a tad shocked by my lack of hair. It didn't take them long to get used to it and start in with the funny remarks. The best came today. Zac started calling me Spaldy. I couldn't figure out where that came from so I asked. He said, "You know from that movie where that guy is lost and he has that basketball he named Spaldy--you look like that ball." We got a big laugh out of that. Of course, I had to tell him that it was a volleyball and the guy named it Wilson. So, then they started calling me Wilson. So now, they are calling me Spaldy and Wilson instead of Sissy--I think they both sound pretty good! I know that is going to be one of my top memories from all of this, especially if the boys continue to call me Spaldy or Wilson! Your prayers for the boys are working--they seem to be handling all of this better than I thought they would! I want to thank each of you for your continued prayer support. I look forward to getting my second treatment finished tomorrow. I know with your prayers, I will get through the next two weeks better than I did after the first round of chemo. It's just amazing what can be done with such a wonderful "Army of Angels" on my side. I love each of you dearly! MK

MK Update 3/26/2008

Well, I did it--my hair is now gone! Chris and I went yesterday evening and the lady that cuts my hair, Angie, shaved it all off--and I mean ALL! I had been so dreading that day and was really feeling very depressed and somewhat anxious about the whole experience. When Angie started shaving, I cried and she cried and poor Chris just held my hand. I made myself watch because I sure wasn't going to let cancer have that much control over me. As she shaved, I remembered Pastor Bob's sermon from Sunday and found that sermon in that special place in my heart. About the time I reached that special place, Angie had shaved all of my hair off. She initially used the highest guard and when she finished I still had some very short hair left and was amazed at how much I looked like my younger brother, Jay. It was sort of funny and I even laughed about that! Not that Jay is funny looking, but Jay as a girl is certainly funny! HA! The more she shaved the better I felt. It was certainly a strange experience. I guess I just felt like I was taking back control over this cancer. And it was certainly renewing to be able to chase away the Devil and that Fear Monster so quickly!! I think God has an excellent sense of humor--looking in that mirror and seeing so much of Jay in my face was so funny! I talked to Jay last night and he found the whole thing pretty funny too! I am going to have Erin or Chris take our picture next week--I'll send it to all of you so you can see the humor as well. Laughter is great medicine and by the time it was all over Chris, Angie, and I were all laughing. Chris got his head shaved too--he has wanted to shave what hair he has left off for a long time. We look like quite a couple! When I started to leave the salon, I put on one of my hats. I brought the hat with me that was similar to the beautiful lady's hat that I saw when I went for my first chemo treatment. Well, let me just say I never realized how much hair I had because the hat was too big. It fell over my eyes--which provided us with another good laugh. When we got home, I tried on all of my hats and most of them were too big. Only two of them fit right now and Mom is going to work on the other hats over the weekend. Today was hat day at the clinic--so everyone had on a hat which was comforting. Everyone at work was so supportive, which was great. I have had some fun with this whole thing. Today, Chris and I played with three wigs that a place in Little Rock sent me. They are not the right color so I am going to take them back. But we sure had fun putting them on. Chris looked like Steven Hill in one of them. He just needed a headband! It was so funny!!! Our dogs were looking at us like we were crazy! Like I have said before--my Chris is awesome--trying on wigs, sending me flowers, and assuring me that he still thinks I am beautiful--what a blessing! We went out to eat tonight. God is great--when we walked through the door of the restaurant, the hostess said, "I love your hat"! That was so great because I was feeling a little self-conscious. While we were eating I told Chris about something that happened at work today and I told him, "it made me so crazy I almost pulled my hair out!" We both got a big laugh out of that. I will see my nephews Friday--I can't wait to see what they have to say! I know Zac will make jokes all weekend. He is so funny and has the best wit for a ten year old--I can't wait to hear some of the lines he will throw at me. And one can only guess what Alex will have to say! We have been preparing them for this for a while now--I am certain they will make me laugh! I just feel so much better physically and mentally this week. I'm ready for the next treatment--which will be Monday. I have really prayed this week that my body will handle the chemo better this time and that my spiritual, mental, and emotional health will remain strong! Again, I thank God for each of you daily! You are my "Army of Angels" and I would be lost in this battle without each of you! I am enjoying the highs of this week while I prepare to handle the lows that will be coming in the next few weeks. Thanks again for all you have done for me and my family! Love to you all! MK

MK Update 3/23/2008

Happy Easter! Well, it has sure been an interesting and eventful two weeks. I am not even sure where to begin! Things went pretty okay the first week after the first chemo. I was somewhat tired and nauseated most of the time, but nothing major. I also had some pain in my bones, especially my larger bones. This is caused from the shot they gave me the day after chemo. It apparently makes the body produced more white and red bloods cells which is done in the bone marrow--thus the pain. Overall, I was doing pretty good until last Saturday. I started feeling like I had the flu. Jay and Erin came up along with Mom and Dad and we watched the Razorbacks play Tennessee. It was pretty fun but the whole time they were here I just kept thinking I was so tired. That feeling just progressed and by late Sunday night I was feeling just terrible. I remember laying in Chris's lap in the floor of the bathroom with Mom feeding me ice chips and Coke from a spoon. Mom, Chris, and David finally managed to get me to the car and somehow get me to the ER in Batesville. My blood cell counts (white cells, red cells, and platelets) were very low. My white blood cell count was 340 and Dr. Walton said it should be between 4,500 and 10,000. He said that is why I was feeling so bad. They admitted me and placed me in "reverse isolation" which basically means that anyone in my room had to wear a mask to limit my exposure to germs. Poor Mom and Chris--they wore those masks nonstop for 4 days--I know that had to be terrible. I just have to say I have never, ever felt so bad! I couldn't even talk--it just took too much energy. Oh and the noises--they were so terrible. I never realized there were so many sounds in a day until they all drove me crazy! I had to stay until Thursday and when I left the hospital my WBC count was up to 10,000. Only my platelets were still low. I went Friday and have to go back tomorrow for Dr. Walton to check them one more time. He did talk with my oncologist, Dr. Harrington, and he assured me she said she would make adjustments to the chemo so that this does not happen again. I certainly hope so!! I guess we will see come March 31st. This has certainly been a "dark" week. It was also very scary. I remember asking Mom and Chris when I was laying in the floor in the bathroom if I was going to make it. Of course, they were very assuring. I knew I was sick because I sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic no less than 30 times and still didn't feel any better. I just have to say the Devil and that Fear Monster were working some major overtime on me last weekend! And the weaker my body became the weaker my mind (and faith) seemed to become as well. It was certainly a humbling experience. One that has left me exhausted and reflective. I was able to go to church this morning. I woke up feeling very tired and almost decided not to go, but I managed to get myself up and around. And let me tell you it was a good thing because Pastor Bob wrote his sermon with me in mind! His sermon today was on the beauty and awe of Heaven and eternal life. His sermon was just so comforting. At the end of his sermon he said he hoped that we could take the sermon and tuck it away in a small place in our hearts and that when we are faced with trials or fear or sickness or doubt that we will visit that place and find comfort and peace there. I so needed to hear that today--my week was full of trials, fear, sickness, and yes doubt! I have tucked Pastor Bob's sermon (and his inspiring faith) in my heart and now I have a "vision" of a place to go when I find the Devil and Fear Monster beating on my door. My next big trial is this hair! I just need to lose it and get it over with so I can move on. I noticed yesterday it was starting to fall out. I had wanted to just make it to Easter with hair--and that sure happened! I am just waiting until it starts falling out at a little faster rate before I shave it off. We are having a "Spring Break Blast" this week at the clinic--celebrating a different book each day. The kids and staff get to dress up each day and Wednesday is hat day. I think I may just shave this hair off Tuesday night so I won't be the only one wearing a hat Wednesday. There is safety in numbers!!! I want to take this time to say that I have been blessed by the best family in the universe. My husband and mother have spent the last 10 days doing nothing but focusing on my care. I cannot tell you the number of times my mother stood for what seemed like hours rubbing my legs and feet and sometimes my hands because they hurt so bad while Chris would wash my face with a cold rag and stroke my hair. It had to be so exhausting for them, but yet they always had a smile and loving words for me. What a blessing--what a blessing! I continue to thank each of you for the prayer support. Even when my faith was weary, you were there for me--assuring me that I am not alone. I know that today is the perfect day to know that Jesus died for our sins so that we may all have eternal life. This past week was certainly a huge test of my faith. At times, my grade would have certainly been failing--but isn't it wonderful that we have a graceful, loving, and forgiving God who was with me even when I failed to see his face and who will remain with me not only throughout this journey but also for the remainder of my life here and in Heaven. I will have that special place in my heart from Pastor Bob's sermon to help me envision that never-ending love, and to help me see His face even in the weakest, darkest moments! I humbly ask that you continue to pray for my physical health but also for my spiritual health. Your love and support is a constant reminder of His love for me! Love you all! MK

MK Update 3/10/2008

One down five to go!!!! Today was not that bad. The port access was really easy and I didn't feel a thing--so that got the day started off on a good note. They started me out with anti-nausea meds and then some steroids. That all went fine. Then, they gave me the first chemo. Everything was going good and suddenly my stomach kind of starting hurting, my lips felt funny, and I got really hot. Chris went to get the nurse and by the time they got back Chris said my face was a red as a Coke can (he is obviously not a Highland Rebel) and I couldn't stop coughing. But, they gave me some meds, made me wait an hour and started it up again. This time--no problems. My body just freaked out a little when the chemo first started. I told Chris it was all of those good little cells. They were probably freaking out--bless their hearts. They have been so good to me and now they are being attacked. But, they will come back once this is all over--and like me they too will be stronger from the experience! Isn't it funny how now I view my cells as little people. Anyway, I then finished the last two chemo treatments and got to leave around 4:30. It was a long day, but not near as bad as I was expecting. I go back tomorrow at 4:00 for the shot to help my cell counts from bottoming out. Now for the awesome parts of the day. First, I need to confess that for the first 33 years of my life I am certain that God was talking to me many, many times a day and I ignored His voice. Well, this experience has taught me how to listen and friends it is amazing what God says and how He says it! Today, when we arrived at Dr. Harrington's office there was a lady I would guess to be in her early 40's that arrived at the same time. She had no hair and was wearing a hat similar to one I just bought. She was so pretty--I mean just beautiful. She had on make-up, and pretty earrings and a matching necklace. She had on a cute shirt and hip jeans and her boots were so cool. I could not stop staring at her. She is the first person without hair from chemo treatments I have seen since this diagnosis that was just "take my breath away" beautiful. And her smile--it was so pretty and comforting. Every time she looked my way of course I was staring at her and every time she would smile the best smile and I would feel so calm. I finally told Chris that I thought that lady was beautiful and he said that he thought she was too. It gets better! When they called me back to access my port, they called her too. She sat directly across from me. She never, ever spoke--but that smile--it is a smile I will never forget. Again, I just kept staring. I tried once to say something to her, but it was if there was something there telling me just be quiet and listen! So for once, I didn't say a word. I felt so calm and I never even knew when the nurse accessed that port. I was too busy staring at the beautiful lady and her comforting smile. I know she was one of my earthly angels today. I know God was using this lady to assure me, to comfort me, and to protect me. Then, I told Chris earlier in the day that I felt like I did before basketball games in high school--a little nervous and a lot ready to get it started! I told him it would be perfect if I just had the band there to play Dixie for me--it would be great! There is no feeling like running out of that locker room with the band playing Dixie! Man, that was always so cool! Well, they took us back to a private room today and told us that the nurse would be in shortly to start the treatments and the teaching session. Are you ready for this? The nurse walked in and said, "Hi, I'm Dixie and I'm here to work with you today." Isn't that awesome? When she left the room, Chris said, "Babe, there is your Dixie!" I mean I was in awe--first the beautiful lady with no hair and then Dixie! Finally, when Dixie was giving me the last chemo and I was almost finished I heard a beautiful bell ringing and suddenly everyone started clapping. It sounded so much like a bell my Mom's parents used to have in their house. It was at the end of their hallway and I would ring it all of the time. I heard that bell ringing and immediately thought of my Grandpa Delmar. I asked Dixie what that was all about. She explained that when patients finish with their last chemo treatment they get to ring that bell as a celebration for finishing the chemo. Let me just tell you, everyone from Little Rock to Sharp County will hear me ring that bell when this is over. I can't wait to ring that bell! Forget snowmen, I may start collecting bells before this is all over!! HA! Our God is so awesome! I also know that my Grandpa Delmar is working his angel wings extra hard for me. I have only told my immediate family and a few very close friends this story because I didn't want people to think I was crazy. But, after today I know that God wants me to help others realize He is with us all the time--we just have to stop and listen. When I had my very first surgery (the lumpectomy) on January 9th I had a wonderful experience. While I was in surgery, I saw my grandpa. For those of you who don't know me well, my Grandpa was one of my closest friends and was my biggest fan. I love him dearly. During the surgery, he told me that he knew I was going to be okay and for me to not be afraid. He told me that he was going to be with me the entire time and that it wasn't my time yet and this was going to be over soon and that I was the toughest person he knew and I would be okay. He looked so good and I woke up feeling so positive! I know that he also is playing a big role in all of this--no matter what, he is always there for me. I am going to get through this! I just need to lose the hair and get moving on. I also know that I need to continue to stop and listen to what God is telling me! He is there in your e-mails. He is there in your prayers. He is there in your cards. He is there in your voices. He is there in your hugs. He is there in the tears that I know some of you have cried for me and with me. HE IS THERE! You all mean so very much to me--all of you--even those of you I have yet to meet! You are the best team I have ever had the privilege of being a part of--thank you for sharing in this experience with me! Much love to you all! MK

MK Update 3/9/2008

Well, tomorrow is the big day! I am scheduled to start chemo at 11:30. This is supposed to be a "teaching session" so while I am I getting the chemo the nurse will be teaching Chris and me all about this glorious experience! :) I am very ready to get this started so that I can get it finished, but I am also nervous and scared as well. I am just anxious to see what, if any, side effects I will experience. I did have a great time in the snow yesterday. Chris and I went with David, Zac, and Alex to my parents' house. We had a massive snowball fight complete with four-wheelers and hideouts! It was great! My Dad took us sledding in Cherokee Village. It was so much fun! Alex sledded right into a thorn bush. Chris tried to "snow surf". Dad pulled Zac and Alex on sleds behind the four-wheeler. He pulled both of them over a pile of snow and straight into a mud puddle. I even got on the sled a few times. At one point Dad said, "I haven't laughed this long and this hard in a long time." We had so much fun and laughed so much. And, Mom had great food prepared for us all day. It was a great day--full of many happy thoughts I can take with me to the doctor's office tomorrow. I just love snow--it is so much fun and it's just hard not to be happy when surrounded by snow. I know the snow was God's way of getting me prepared to start this chemo out on a positive note--isn't He awesome! My co-workers have prayed for weeks for a big snow. They know how much I love snow and they really wanted me to get my chance to play in the snow before chemo starts. They too are awesome! I will keep you posted on how everything is going. I can't thank each of you enough for your continued support. I certainly do not feel alone in this phase of the battle. I can't wait to celebrate OUR victory over this cancer soon! You are all AWESOME! Love to you all! MK

MK Update 2/18/2008

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give you a quick update. I completed the MUGA (heart) scan and the PET scan today. Everything went fine and they said I should know something Wednesday. I assume we will find out the results while I am there getting my port placed. Thanks so much for the continued prayer support! As soon as I know the results of the PET scan, I will let you all know. Love to you all! MK

MK Update 2/19/2008

I just received a call from Dr. Harrington's office. My scans have been read and there was no sign of cancer in any other location in my body--not my ribs, not my brain, not anywhere! Praise to all of you for lifting me up in continuous prayer the last few days regarding these scans. The past few days have been very difficult. I told Chris last night that I was starting to feel like a loser. I have always met any challenge in my life head on and basically have just steamrolled through any challenge. But this has been so different. I told Chris I felt like I wasn't steamrolling through this and was merely searching for the key to the steamroller! Yesterday, during the PET scan I started having negative thoughts and scary thoughts. I just started telling the Devil to get away from me and then I just said a prayer and starting singing every hymn I could think of. For an hour straight--I was laying on that table singing hymns over and over. It was so calming and it drove those thoughts and the Devil right out of that room. I know that God is my steamroller and I need to learn to have faith in Him at all times and just let Him do the driving! I am so ready to get this chemo started knowing now that this cancer is cureable! It is your prayers that continue to allow me to face each challenge! I go tomorrow to have the port placed for chemo and will start the chemo March 10th. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayer support! Love to you all! MK

MK Update 2/14/2008

Happy Valentine's Day! Just wanted everyone to know my PET scan and heart scan will be Monday. My insurance didn't want to prior authorize the scans, they had to be certain I had cancer first! HA! So, they could not get it scheduled for today. I will let you all know how it turns out as soon as I know! Thanks again for the prayer support and love! MK

MK Update 2/11/2008

Just wanted to keep you posted following my appointments today. I saw Dr. Hagans first. He said I was healing nicely and looking great. Then, he sent me on to meet with Dr. Harrington, the oncologist. She was very nice--I really like her and all of the staff. She gave me the results of the testing done on the tumor removed. She said it was estrogen and progesterone fed--which is great. She also listed three other things which sound like a foreign language but she said all of those were excellent--and certainly what we wanted to hear. I'll take her word on that! She said the cancer in the lymph node was only 2 mm and she couldn't believe they even found it! She said that was good as well. But, because of my age and because the cancer did make it to one lymph node, I do have to have chemotherapy--which I already knew. I will start the chemotherapy on Monday, March 10th. I will be receiving three different types of chemo (Taxotere, Cytoxan, and Adriamycin) every three weeks for six sessions! I think that is great--in my mind I was thinking it would be much more! She said it would last about 4 1/2 months and barring nothing crazy I should be finished by the end of July. She said it would take about 2-3 hours each time and they would start by giving me lots of anti-nausea meds before they started the chemo. She said the Adriamycin was the worst one and used to be called "The Red Devil" (isn't that nice) because it used to make people so sick. But, she said there were many, many meds to help control this now. She gave me three prescriptions for nausea meds to get filled before starting. She said the key was to take the meds often to prevent getting sick--I have no problems doing that! My Dad passed along this terrible gene to me (I will say it is the only bad thing he passed along--again, Ronnie Brogdon, Jr. I am!) and when I get sick--it lasts along time and is terrible! I will go back to her office the following day and get some kind of shot to prevent my blood cell counts from going too low. I will lose my hair, which is not thrilling. She said there were many, many side effects and we would just have to play it one thing at a time. She said I may not even experience any of them. I will be going Wednesday morning, February 20th for Dr. Hagans to place a port in my chest for the chemo treatments. It will be an outpatient surgery that should not take long. The only thing I have some concern with is that she wants to do a PET scan to make sure that the spots that showed up on my ribs on the bone scan are not cancer. She said Dr. Hagans was certain it was not and she was pretty certain, but wants to make certain. She said if that comes back good--and she thinks it will--then my prognosis will be excellent! If the areas in the ribs are cancer, then the treatment would not change at all--but the prognosis would change. She said the prognosis would go from curable to treatable, but not curable. I will be going Wednesday or Thursday of this week to do the PET scan and to complete some scan on my heart which she said she orders for all of her patients to make sure the heart is healthy before I start the chemo. So, today was pretty good and pretty yucky at times. I have been dreading this chemo and this appointment--so at least now I have that part behind me and I can get going with the treatments. I mean six treatments--that is just all the fingers (and the thumb) on one hand plus one finger from my other hand. That will be easy to count down! As I type this, David wanted me to pass along a specific message to each of you. Remember, he has appointed himself the "Party Planner" for my beating cancer party. He said he expects every person that receives or reads this e-mail to shave their heads prior to March 10th. He said it is a requirement to attend the party! I say--please, please, please don't do that! One bald woman running around will be enough! I don't even want to see David bald! I still need your prayers--I humbly ask that you please pray for the following.1. Please pray that the PET scan will come back with no cancer and that I will be able to keep that dreaded Fear Monster from coming back and attacking me this week! 2. Please continue to pray that my nephews (Zac and Alex) will continue to be "okay" with what is going on--I fear that when I lose my hair that will scare them--not at how I look, but why it is happening. 3. Please pray (and bless God) for my Chris--he is the best spouse in the universe (and was before this) and is doing the best job ever in taking care of me!4. Please pray for the rest of my family--they all have such important roles in this battle and I know it is trying and exhausting for them--but they never let on or complain--I have been blessed with the best family in the universe too!5. Finally, please pray for the doctors and staff who will be caring for me--that they will be guided by God when providing me with the best care. 6. And, continue to pray for my friends and "extended family" in Sharp county as they rebuild from the tornado! I so appreciate all of the cards, flowers, gifts, cards, phone calls, food, etc.--but make no mistake, it is the prayers that are sustaining me and my family! I would like to share with you an e-mail my younger brother, Jay, sent to the family Sunday night as we all prepared for this week. He wrote: Things have been pretty crazy for the past several weeks, huh? From cancer to tornadoes and everything in between, we have been dealing (and continue to deal) with some pretty tough stuff. Heading into this new week, some difficult decisions and potentially daunting details are staring us right in the face.As we search for answers, my prayer is that we ask the right questions. You know, the best book in the Bible is James (of course), and James starts off in chapter one and verse two like this:"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him…12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."Hebrews chapter 12 has a similar text: "1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart… 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."I pray that we might each come across a sense of peace and clarity this week…that we may be genuinely courageous and even excited about the "race marked out for us by the author and perfecter of our faith." I love you all so much! See, I told you my family is awesome! I think Jay's e-mail pretty much sums up the strength of my family as guided by "the author and perfecter of our faith" (and my parents of course). Know that I love each of you, even those of you for whom I have never met. I need you at all times and I will hold each of you in a special place in my heart forever! Thanks for allowing me to lean on you during my battle! God bless you all! Much love!! MK

MK Update 2/7/2008

Just want to give you all a brief update. I went back to see Dr. Hagans today. He was able to remove all three drain tubes that have been following me around for the last week!!! What a relief!!! I know my recovery is going to speed up now. This past week (since the mastectomies) has been long and boring, but I have had great care! I go back Monday morning for another follow up with Dr. Hagans and for my first appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Marianne Harrington. I hear excellent things about her, so I am really looking forward to meeting her and learning my plans for chemo! I ask that you continue to pray for me through this, but more importantly right now--please continue to pray for my friends and loved ones in Sharp County how are working so hard to put our town back together! Again, you are all the best--I feel so humbled to have such an awesome support team surrounding me in Christian love! Much love to you all! MK

Prayers Please--Immediately 2/5/2008

Friends and Prayer Warriors,I am sure many of you have been following the weather across Arkansas tonight. My hometown has been hit hard. I am from the Ash Flat/Highland/Hardy area. I was on the phone with my Dad as the tornado passed by our home. Our home was spared; however, many of our friends and neighbors have great damage to their homes and businesses. My Dad is currently at the high school checking out the damage--which appears to be minimal. We do know there is great damage to homes and businesses close to the school and to homes just south of Ash Flat. Specifically pray for my former doctor and his wife. Dr. Charles Tucker and his wife Jackie have had great damage to their home. Dr. Tucker was my doctor for over 30 years. He and his wife are awesome people! I know there are many, many people across the state suffering at this time. I ask that you take time to specifically pray for my friends and "family" from Sharp county. Just like my body can be repaired/fix from this cancer, I know the same will be true for Sharp County, but it will be difficult at times. Please lift them all in prayer! Thanks again for allowing me to lean on you yet again! You are all awesome! Much love! MK

Prayer Request 2/3/2008

Friends and prayer warriors,We need your prayers! For those of you who do not know, my husband (Chris) is the girls basketball coach at Batesville High School. About 3:30 this morning we received a phone call informing us that one of his players had been in a car accident and was in the local hospital waiting to be flown to Children's Hospital. Chris immediately went to the hospital. The player's name is Elizabeth Callahan. She is a junior. She broke a vertebrae in her back. When Chris got there she was able to move her toes and by the time they loaded her into the helicopter she could move her hands and arms. So far, we have received great news. It looks like she is going to be able to heal completely with no paralysis wearing a brace and no surgery. Of course, this has been very scary for Elizabeth, her family and all of the team. I ask that you please pray for Elizabeth and her family as well as the entire Lady Pioneer team. Thus far, these girls (and their families) have been a huge source of support for us. My situation alone has been somewhat stressful for them and now this. Please pray for them that they can continue to be strong and grow as Christians throughout these experiences. They are an awesome group of young ladies and we love them dearly! Again, thanks for being there for me during my battle and for allowing me to depend on you to pray for others! You rock!!!! MK

MK Update 2/1/2008

Just wanted to give you all a brief update. I just saw Dr. Hagans. He said everything looked great. There was NO cancer in my right breast! Which is wonderful news. He did find a few smaller cancers in my left breast, but he said that was nothing major and he got it all out. He said there was cancer in one lymph node--which we were hoping for none but he said one was not bad. I will have to do some chemotherapy, but he was not sure about how much or for how long. I have to come back and see him next Thursday and will know that plan by then. He did say this was very curable! So--all is well and I get to go home this morning! Your prayers continue to work miracles for me and my family! Thank you all so much for your love and support! I love you all!!!! MK

MK Update 1/31/2008

Hey Everybody! Just wanted to check in and let you know that I am doing great! I have to stay here another night and will get to go home tomorrow. I have just a little soreness, but nothing I would consider to be painful! Dr. Hagans said everything looked great and he thought there was a good possibility that there was no cancer in my lymph nodes, which would be a true blessing! I will find out about that tomorrow afternoon. I can't say this enough, your prayers continue to work miracles for me and my family! Thanks so much for praying for me, for praying for my family, and for loving us! You are all so awesome! Maybe when this is all over, we can have a big party to celebrate each of you and all you have done for me! Love you all! MK

Update On MK 1/30/2008

Hey everyone, this is Chris. I just wanted to let you all know that surgery went fine, it only took about an hour. Dr. Hagens said everything looked great and that her lymph nodes looked good. They will get the pathology back Friday to let us know for sure if there was any cancer in them. He said we could go home tomorrow if she isn't too sore. Regardless, we will be home Friday barring some unforseen happening. We are all very thankful for your support through this and I will keep you updated as new info is gained. Thanks again, Chris

Getting Ready 1/30/2008

I am leaving now heading to Little Rock. I slept like a rock last night--I am ready. I have spent this morning reviewing all of the scriptures that many of you have shared with me. I copied all of them into a Word document and have them ready to take with me. Before my last surgery, I took the Armor of God scripture with me that my very awesome sister-in-law Erin sent me. Dr. Hagans read it with me and prayed with me before the surgery. This time, I am taking that one and several others. I am going to test his reading skills before surgery this time!! Thanks to you all for wrapping your loving arms around me and my family! YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!!!! Much love!!! MK

MK Update 1/27/2008

Okay, I am going to try this one more time. For some reason my e-mail is not allowing all the recipients to receive this e-mail when I send it in a distribution list. So, I am going to try one more way and hope it works. All of the e-mails I have sent previously are below. Everything is still going great. I plan to work tomorrow and Tuesday after the home health nurse cleans this wound. I am so ready for Wednesday! Mom went home yesterday and is coming back Tuesday night. I think Chris and David are already missing her cooking! I continue to greatly appreciate the prayer support and certainly continue to need prayers! Thanks to each of you for being such valuable members of my team! The cards, e-mails, flowers, food, and phone calls are just awesome and really do get me through each day. If I wanted to feel sorry for myself, I wouldn’t be able to because there is always something to cheer me up! You guys are all awesome! Again, please share my e-mails with others—the prayers are getting me through! Much love! MK

MK Update 1/23/2008

Okay, I have tried to set up a distribution list so that I can e-mail each of you to keep you updated on what is going on with me. But, it is apparently not working. I have worked on it this morning and hopefully it will work now. I have copied the two e-mails I previously sent to this e-mail so you can see how things have gone thus far. Now for the update…
Everything was going just great until last Tuesday night. I woke up feeling not so great and in some pain. I went to work Wednesday morning, but just continued to feel bad so I came home early. Things just got worse throughout the day. I ended up in Baptist hospital and was there until Monday. The incision from my original surgery was infected. I had surgery Friday afternoon to re-open the incision and remove the infection. Man, I sure felt better when I woke up from the surgery! It was not staph, but was the bacteria that causes gangrene—isn’t that pretty! J I am home now. I have a home health nurse coming each morning to clean and pack the wound. Dr. Hagens is still planning on doing the double mastectomy next Wednesday (the 30th), however, the reconstruction will not be done at that time. Instead, I am going to complete all of my treatments first. We still don’t know what that will be, we have to see if I have any cancer in any of the lymph nodes they remove during surgery on the 30th. After I finish all of the treatments, I will have to wait one month and then I can start the reconstruction process. I feel really good about all of this. I think this current infection was God’s way of leading me in the right direction. I had been very concerned about doing the reconstruction and chemotherapy at the same time. Dr. Bauer, the plastic surgeon, had told me that I would have an increased risk for infection from the chemotherapy with the expanders they would put in my chest to stretch my skin in preparation for the saline implants. Now, I won’t have to worry about that. I will finish all of my treatments and make sure my body is well and I am healthy and then they will start the reconstruction by inserting the expanders. So, even though this open wound is disgusting at least now I am at peace with my plan for reconstruction. Isn’t is funny how God leads us down various paths to get us to the proper destination?!?! I know your prayers are working. For example, when I got to the hospital in Little Rock I was not sure what doctor I would see because Dr. Hagens was on vacation in Florida. I was a little worried, but it turned out that the doctor was the son-in-law of Chris’s former principal. I know God’s hand was in on that! He was an awesome doctor and took great care of me. Of all of the surgeons in Little Rock, I ended up with someone that had a personal connection with me. That is not just luck—that is your prayer support hard at work! I feel great now, I am just ready for the surgery next week! Please continue to pray for me and my family! Again, you may share my e-mails with others. I don’t mind at all. I love each of you and so appreciate your care and your support! MK

MK Update 1/15/2008

Just a quick update from yesterday:
My CT scans of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis came back clear! J There was a brief scare with the bone scan, but it turns out that I have a fractured rib—no cancer in the bones either! I guess that cough I had in November and December finally got the better of my rib! So that was great news! I met with Dr. Bauer, the plastic surgeon. He was awesome! I have decided to be very proactive and preventative in my approach to this cancer. I am going to have a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. This way, my percentage of recurrence is less than 1% in both breasts. You can’t get much better than that! The procedure is scheduled for 9:30, Wednesday, January 30th. Dr. Bauer assured me that when all of this was over I would fill out a bra, bathing suit, and sweater better than ever! That will take some getting used to! I still have to talk with Dr. Hagans next week and make sure that he is okay with my decision and that the chemotherapy will not cause major problems with the reconstruction of my breasts. But, barring anything crazy I do plan to have the procedure on the 30th. Dr. Bauer said if I did take chemotherapy that would slow down the reconstruction considerably but I should be finished with all of those procedures in seven to eight months if there are no complications. I will have to be in the hospital 2 days and then have about a 10-day home recovery. Dr. Bauer said he could tell I was very tough and not feeling sorry for myself. He said he thought I would speed through the recovery with no problems. I sure like it when people tell me I am tough!!!! For those of you who are concerned please hear this---I could careless if I have “real” breasts or not! I barely have them anyway and don’t really care what they look like. I still am way more concerned about losing my hair than my breasts! J Dr. Bauer said it was clear I was mentally read for all that was coming my way—I take that as a huge compliment. I surely owe that to all of you who have been praying so diligently for my mental as well as physical health! Like I said initially, I know there will be some yucky days, but as of now I have been able to limit those to yucky moments and that has been wonderful! I can’t thank each of you enough for all you have done to keep me going in this fight. Thanks way in advance for your future prayers and support! Love you all—you are awesome! MK

MK Update 1/13/2008

Okay, I have set up “MK’s Support Group” distribution list. I will update you guys as I progress through this process. I will be brutally honest—I want you to all know the truth throughout this process. Please feel free to pass all e-mails on to others who might be worried about me. I don’t mind! I understand that people are worried about me and I would prefer them to hear about me from me rather than hear incorrect information. I appreciate all of the support I have received this past week. It has truly been overwhelming and very humbling. I sincerely feel the prayers and that has really helped! I know there are people that I have never met praying for me and that is so amazing! And, I have the best family in the world! I have yet to go to any appointment without at least three people with me. A nurse asked me Friday if I had my “entourage” with me! Like I said before, cancer was sure stupid to pick on me and my family! We have beat this once with my Dad—I guess they wanted to try again! Stupid disease!!!

Now for the update—I went back to Little Rock Friday (with Chris, Mom, & Jay in tow) and met with Dr. Hagans. He is so awesome! He was very detailed in his explanations and even provided me with visual aids—which is great for me since I am a visual learner! He called the tumor an Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IFDC). He said the tumor they removed was 1.8 cm in diameter which was good because anything under 2 cm is consider to be a Level 1 or Grade 1 tumor which is the lowest level. He said that this week they will be testing the tumor to see what the DNA make-up is, how fast it grows, etc. to determine one part of my treatment. He said that clearly there was something wrong because it was not typical for a 33 year old female to have breast cancer—no kidding! J There is a 10-12% chance that someone my age would develop breast cancer—I always knew I was special! He divided my treatment options into two areas—treating the breast and treating the body. I have two choices for treating the breast. I can have a mastectomy and no radiation and then I would have a less than 1% chance of this recurring or I can do what he called conservation where he would remove some more tissues and lymph nodes but not the whole breast. With this option, I would have to have radiation to the area everyday for five minutes for six weeks. My chance for recurrence with this option is less than 5%. Chris and I are going to meet with a plastic surgeon tomorrow in Little Rock. If I choose the mastectomy, I would have the mastectomy and reconstructive surgery at the same time. Dr. Hagans said the surgeon had many options with reconstruction including taking fat from my thighs to reconstruct the breast—which I find to be very appealing!!!! J The major difference in the two is that the conservation approach is an outpatient procedure and would then require six weeks of radiation. But, the mastectomy would require me to stay at least two days in the hospital but would have no radiation and about a 10-day recovery process. So, that is what I have to decide at this point. Whatever I decide, the surgery will be sometime the week of January 21st.

He then talked about treating my whole body. Several factors will decide this treatment including the results of the bone scan, CT scans, and blood work I completed Friday. He will literally put all of these results into some kind of “formula” and it will tell him what treatment is best for me. It may just be some oral medications with little side effects or it could be some serious chemotherapy. I won’t know this plan for a couple of weeks.

I am doing great! I am going to go back to work tomorrow and plan to work all week. I went to the Kell Classic last night. The ballgames were good and I saw so many people who are in this fight with me. I have received more hugs this past week than ever before and it is just the best medicine. I still need your prayer support and humbly ask you to please pray specifically for the following.
1. Please pray that together with my family, I will make the best choice regarding my treatment.
2. Please pray for my Chris—he has just been the best—and I know this is hard on him!
3. Please pray for all of my family—they have been so great and I know this is going to get exhausting for all of them—they need prayer support too!
4. Please pray for my nephews, Zac & Alex, that they can understand what they need to in this process and not be worried about their “Sissy”!
5. Please pray for the doctors and nurses treating me—they have all been fantastic!
5. And finally, please continue to pray for my mental health—physically I am not concerned about me—but this is certainly a mental battle. I am not worried about the cancer, but I seem to be overwhelmed with worry over my family and friends that are taking care of me! I know I need to be mentally prepared for this battle, and your prayer support is helping to keep me in a good place!

My more than awesome sister-in-law, Erin, sent me the following group of verses last week to help me through this fight. I took them with me to my first surgery. Dr. Hagans read them with me before the surgery and then we prayed together. I was so nervous before the surgery, but once he read that to me—I was ready to go!
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Not only do I have on the “full armor of God”, but I know I have God’s army fighting with me. You are more than my prayer warriors—you are my teammates in this fight and you will never know how much I appreciate and love you all! Thanks for being there for me and I will keep you posted! God bless! MK

On My Way 1/9/2008

I’m leaving now heading to LR! Prayers please today—lots of them! Thanks and love to you all! MK

One More Thing 1/7/2008

Just one more note: for those of you who really, really know me—you will know that my least favorite color has always been pink. Nothing says “sissy girl” more than pink (Sorry Melissa!). Anyway, I still don’t like pink and this is not going to change that—so don’t expect to see me dancing around in pink anytime soon. I think I will make Duke Blue be my personal color in this fight and not pink. There is no better color than Duke Blue! So, please no pink coming my way—I am not a girly-girl and pink just isn’t going to inspire me! J Love you all! MK

Doing Okay 1/7/2007

Okay, I am home now and I left the “Fear Monster” somewhere in McCain Mall. I would stay away from Dillard’s and Luby’s—I think I got rid of him in that hallway somewhere. I do feel better now; actually, I feel much better. That “Fear Monster” attacked me sometime around Noon Friday and I just had to have a little alone time to kick his ass! J Anyway, I will be having surgery Wednesday morning at 7:30 to remove this nasty lump. Dr. Hagen’s said he would know immediately if it was cancer, but he told me he already knew it was so not to expect to hear anything differently. They will also remove some surrounding tissues. He said the tissues will have to go to pathology and the results of those will determine our plan of action. I may need additional surgeries and will definitely need at least radiation and maybe chemotherapy. At this point I am really okay with everything—I even ate a good lunch which was good because I have not been able to eat since Friday. I was really hungry! My big concern now is my freaking hair! I don’t even know if I will have to have chemo, but I am just vain enough to worry about my hair—but that really isn’t that big of a deal. I am enjoying watch Zac and Alex play on the trampoline they got from Santa. That is the best medicine in the world! Alex is currently telling my brother that I am a “big liar” because I told them the trampoline was not together yet! Anyway, I still need your prayer support—your prayers certainly helped me to regain my body, mind, and soul from that damn “Fear Monster”. He sure was mean and ugly—he must be from Pocahontas!!!! (Go Rebels)! Well, in the words of the awesome Jimmy V., “Cancer cannot take my mind, it cannot take my heart, and it cannot take my soul”; so I have no worries. Besides that, cancer really is a stupid creature—because it should know better than to mess with a stubborn redhead with Brogdon genes! I know that I will have some yucky days, but that is doable! I would much rather this be happening to me than to someone I love—at least I have control—which you all know is very important to me! I love you all and I will talk to you soon! MK

Prayers Please 1/7/2008

Okay, I am getting ready to go to Little Rock and I would like to ask each of you to pray for me as often as you think about it today. Please specifically pray for the following:
Pray that this growth is not cancer!
Pray that I will be able to mentally and emotionally handle whatever I am told—I am struggling with my emotions currently!
Pray that Chris will continue to have the strength and patience to deal with me—I have smothered him since Friday and he has been so good!
Pray that my Mom will be able to listen and write down everything we are told and that I am tolerant of her eternal optimism J!
Pray that my brother David will continue to be the “in my face” kind of coach I need when I am having a major meltdown—Dude—I know that was hard for you to do Saturday—but I did really need that!

Thanks to each of you in advance for lifting my prayer requests up today! You are all awesome and I love each of you immensely! MK