Happy Birthday to a great Christ follower - My Daddy

"The Lord is their strength,

And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

Save Your people,

And bless Your inheritance;

Shepherd them also,

And bear them up forever."

Psalm 28:7-9

Dad & the original family of seven he's lead and loved for most of his life.

 

"There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn."

Psalm 46:1-5

Dad & Kristina Dawn saying "see ya later" before surgery in January this year.

 

 

The child of a tiger is a tiger.
Haitian proverb

 

 

"To her the name of father was another name for love."

Fanny Fern (1811-1872), American journalist & writer



Dad & I's Easter dinner at Md Anderson. 

 

 Happiest birthday to my Daddy, my Dad, my Father, my great example of a Christ follower!
I love you so much and am beyond grateful to God for giving me to you!

Dad heading back to Colorado after 1 year in Arkansas.

What a sacrifice and gift he gave to us staying here so long.

A verse that speaks to me about our last year together.
"My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever....It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works. ~ Psalm 73:26,28 

Small Things, Big Meaning

It's funny how my perspective has changed through this surgery recovery.  As I've gained strength and independence my mind has opened to the gift of remembering.  It feels more like random flashbacks in all honesty, but with each one it laces my heart in another layer of gratitude. 

Here are just a few things I've been thinking of.

Today, as I effortlessly step over the 4 inch wall into my shower, I remember it taking two men and my sister to help me get into the apartment bathtub, just so that my sister could wash my hair while I gripped the back of a shower chair exhausted from the effort of standing for a couple minutes. Once home, I remember letting go of my walker, clinging my sisters hands to get my foot over the 4 inch wall to my shower chair and then requiring help to dry off and get dressed. The effort causing need for a long nap. Showering independently, without a shower chair or rail, for as long as I want the hot water to beat upon my sore shoulders is a praise....a layer of gratitude.

I am attending a Livestrong/YMCA health program for cancer survivors.  I am 4 weeks into the program and I am doing 25 minutes of cardio, plus 7 different weight machines. My confidence in my body's abilities is returning and my endurance and strength is steadily growing.  I flashback to when the nurses or my caregivers were forcing me to get up and walk with my walker down the hallway just 20 feet following me with my wheelchair in case I couldn't stand a minute longer.  How grateful I am that God created our bodies to recover from such atrophy.

This photo reminds me that I had gotten to weak to shower at all. I could only sit at a 45 degree angle, but MD Anderson has a patient salon.  It took two guys to hold my reclining wheelchair at an angle for the stylist to wash my hair.  That day, in that place, I was grateful I had hair at all.  This summer I began to lose large amounts of hair every time I brushed or showered.  It would be all over my shirt and laying on my pillow every morning.  I began taking a lot of vitamins and being ever so gentle with my hair, but nothing worked. Then one day it just stopped.  I found several articles about a condition called Telogen Effluvium, which explained that this can happen when someone has gone through extreme physical stress. It can also be caused by many other situations I've experienced like, emotional or physical stress, abrupt weight loss, high fever, nutritional deficiencies, surgery and illnesses, medications and hormone changes.

Finally, I reached a point I could go see my hair stylist.  It has been 8 months and I was so ready! Here is a before and after picture!  Its amazing how a good haircut can make you feel so much better. And, I went all alone without any caregivers, no wheelchair, no wig assortment on the wall. Another layer of gratitude for healthy well trimmed hair! Isn't it nice to know God cares about these things too?

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?   (Matthew 6:25-27)

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/305154-is-hair-thinning-from-stress-permanent/#ixzz2g6SXotB1

It's My Birthday!

Today I celebrated my 37th birthday.  Was it flashy? Did it begin or end with a glamorous and well planned celebration?  I would describe it more like significant, memorable, full of laughter, smiles and little surprises.  Today, I wanted to celebrate life and the fact that I am out and living it! Nothing will explain the day better than a few pictures.   If I could add my husband, a football, a couple Facetime calls and a snow cone stand outside my daughters school I would have captured it all!

Began my morning in my favorite way! Very strong black hot tea and a carb!No oatmeal allowed on your birthday!



Faced the day as a Daughter of the Heavenly King ready for my royal birthday!
Thanks you for this awesome necklace Jenny!

Treated to a fun lunch with two of my siblings, Katy & Amy!Thanks Amy! Katy & I both celebrated as our birthdays are just 3 days apart.

Gifted a large unsweet tea with lime!  My favorite!Thank you Katy!

 Came home to these beautiful cupcakes as a surprise from a sweet friend!Thank you Sara!

 A sweaty, post football practice, Isaiah, tooted out Happy Birthday while Alyssa & Billy sang.
Thanks family! One of the most beautiful musical compositions I've heard in a while! :)

Made wishes and blew out the candles with cheers and encouragement!

 

Alyssa's gift showed full devotion to her mama!

A non-glamour day with all the beauty my heart could stand.

Isaiah 46:3-4“I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (NLT)



A Summer of Growth

As summer kicked off I was full of anxiety, though I would never want to show it.  I began waking and before I had breakfast feelings of no purpose sat themselves on my heart and mind eating away at the joy of progress I was making.  I had found boredom, but also sweet security knowing  people were rotating so that one person could care for me and another could care for my children. This spoiled lifestyle was coming to an end and I alone would be responsible for myself and the kids while Billy was at work. See, my caregivers were graduating me to independence. I knew it was time, and even looked forward to it a little bit.

My kids were excited to have their mom to themselves.  I was scared that I wouldn't be able to keep up with them.  That their summer would feel boring and they would just fight with each other all day. I had 3 weeks of antibiotics and anti-nausea meds left and the nerve pain in my feet was at an all time high.  My strength and endurance was minimal, though making fast progress through physical therapy. I repeat some of this just to set the stage for my expectations of summer. I should have prepared myself for something different entirely.

God blessed me this summer with quality time enjoying family, friends and especially my children.  No, we couldn't go on bike rides, river raft, hike Colorado mountains, or spend a day at Silver Dollar City yet, but we made fun memories and had plenty of laughs. 

I traveled to Oklahoma to see the Wright family there and share in the celebration of Aunt Gail's life and her entering Heaven's gates.


Alyssa & her cousin Ashton



Isaiah & his Wright cousins: Ashton, Taylor & Ian

Isaiah & I - July 4th

My first trip was to Branson with my mom and dad. I was nervous to be away from home where I was comfortable taking care of ostomies and sleeping with multiple pillows. I had a scare that I forgot my ostomy supplies, but I found them! I had a recovery day at home after this trip, but the awesome news is that I did it! I even did a cave tour!













I hosted, which I LOVE to do! We celebrated Isaiah's Independence day birthday (just a tiny bit more toned down than usual), plus had an overnight visit from Mindy & Greg Linderink.


 

Mindy Mannel Linderink & some of my family

Alyssa & Charlotte at Camp

I had a break - I drove them to their camps and during day camp they stayed with their Aunt Amy's family! Such a special two weeks!

Harry, Isaiah and Luke at Summer Camp

Breck, Isaiah & Luke at Basketball Camp

 I babysat! I decided I could keep up with my 3 year old nephew and had him over for a picnic and sleepover!  Even got to babysit my sweet 1 year old nephew, Caden.  What a gift after months of not even being able to hold him because he was over 10 pounds and I was too weak.



 

 

 

I Played! I took the kids to the creek to wade and fish. We saw several kid movies, went to the Aquatic Center, had sleepovers and playdates, ice cream outings and a backyard campout. Went to two festivals, where Alyssa even got pulled up on stage with the lead singer to "dance a little"!

 

 



By the end of summer I DATED my husband and left the kids behind without any guilt!  It was our 16th wedding anniversary and I planned a surprise historical & tasting tour in Kansas City, requiring 2 miles of walking!  I even did it in heels! Won't do a tour in heals again, even in a great year, but I looked cute for our date!

Lost Valley Trail - Buffalo River

 Labor Day week-end I HIKED! I love the outdoors and especially enjoy hiking through the woods with my family. I admit I was tired and still required some recuperating the next day, but I hiked a 2.3 mile trail to this cave, which I also climbed up into with my husband's help! My heart was happy and feeling blessed! To think we were celebrating that I could walk down my driveway and to the neighbors driveway at the beginning of summer! I was anxious wondering if I could keep up with the kids needs for food and laundry, etc at home! Now I'm hiking...next biking!  If God brings you to it, He WILL get you through it!


Ponca, AR

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10, NIV

 

" I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2, ESV

 

Relay for LIFE 2013

With a great amount of pain in her feet and atrophy in her legs, Kristi walked the Survivor and Caregiver laps again this year with fellow survivors and friends from her Caner Posse, Hope in Him Christian cancer ministry, plus her dedicated family. Although we weren't celebrating a miracle as we did when her surgery was canceled in 2012, we are celebrating a miracle that she is already joining into life just 4 1/2 months after surgery. To attend and walk this was one of Kristi's physical therapy goals and she did it! Thank you Chris for helping her reach this goal and so many more! It is amazing to think she was in a reclining wheelchair, using a walker, and being helped in and out of bed not long ago!

Kristina Wright, right, and Ingrid Plumlee, second from right, cancer survivors, receive their Survivor Medals on Friday from Ashley Russ, left, at the Benton County Fairgrounds during Relay for Life near Bentonville. The event hosted 37 cancer survivors and about 200 participants for the overnight walka-thon. Relay for Life benefits the American Cancer Society.

Posted: June 8, 2013

 

 

Caregiver Lap

Some of Kriti's Family: Kacey, Dad, Alyssa, Kristi, Joshua, Caden, Amy, Jeff, Jackson, and Katy.

Survivor Lap
Fellow cancer survivors: Terrie, Marnie, Kathryn, Ingrid and Kristi.

Caregiver Lap
Kristi and Alyssa

Next Steps - Pathology Results

In my last update I mentioned that Dr. L sent off some skin/tissue samples to pathology and they did come back as he expected.  I have some skin not healing correctly and I believe he referred to it as granulation tissue. My plastic surgeon described this as skin that is trying to heal, but instead produces little clusters of blood vessels.  These blood vessels are very tender and bleed easily, plus they have a lot of nerves going to them causing pain and discomfort. He believes one of his incisions didn't heal well because of excessive swelling in the month following surgery.  He and Dr L. will discuss timing and procedures and then will want me to come back down for an outpatient surgery.  Obviously, going back to the operating table under anesthetic is the last thing I want to do right now, but they believe they can relieve some ongoing pain I'm having if I allow them to remove this granulation tissue and any scar tissue they find during the procedure.

Billy & I are praying and discussing our options while we wait to hear back from my doctors this week.  On one hand, we feel anxiety to have to face any additional procedure, but we also feel hope that they can eliminate some pain and symptoms I'm still having.  The doctors were clear that I should not be feeling pain at this stage of recovery.

In the mean time I'm loving being home with my kids for the summer and feeling good enough to "do life" with them!  I may be a bit different physically than before, and I may get tired much easier, but I'm alive and making more memories.  In light of the several lives lost to cancer just since my surgery in January, I feel incredibly blessed and genuinely humbled to be where I am.  My heart has cried for Martina, Georgia, Toni and Kathy over the last several months as they left this world to go be with our Savior.  It is hard not to ask why they are gone and I am not....survivors guilt, I guess.  They believed in miracles and fought just as hard as I did.  They asked God to leave them here with their families and yet they are gone. Toni was one of the ladies we had been asking you to pray for specifically and she lost her battle with Ewing's Sarcoma the last week of June with a funeral on July 3rd. My heart ached terribly for her husband, children, family and friends who walked so closely with her. Please continue to pray over those left behind.

These ladies lives reminds me of my favorite song, Blessed be the Name of the Lord, based on Job 1:21.  "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."  All of these women were praising God publicly, even to the end of their days.  The least I can do is praise God for giving me an option to be cancer free and live on.  In all honesty, this perspective hasn't always been easy in the last few months, but it is a choice I am making over and over.  I hope those who have lost their battle with cancer will be honored by the way the rest of us live on with our gift called LIFE!

"Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering. Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be your name.  Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say...Blessed be your name!"  (full song below)

Post Operative Checkup - July 2013

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Some versions say not to be terrified of them, one says not to panic before them; a third says not be afraid or tremble. This verse has been coming to mind for a couple weeks as I knew my follow-up trip to Houston was approaching. Dread is the perfect word to describe my emotions leading up to this visit, but when my sister, Amy, sent me the same verse from her bible study this morning her version used the word terror.  I felt a tinge of terror when I walked back into the Mays building and for a minute fought back the urge to throw up. It felt as if I was walking back into my own battlefield of bad memories.

My appointment was at 9:30 and by the time I saw my doctor at 12:00 I had relaxed some again. I had missed two more appointments by the time he came to my room, but this has been normal and I tell myself it is because he is helping another woman in her own battle against cancer.  No need to be frustrated with him, he helped cure me....and will cure many more with his God given talents/knowledge.

The doctor said he found none of my symptomatic issues to be serious and gave me a few answers.  I do have a section of skin that is not healing properly post surgery and he removed the skin to allow for it to regrow and heal properly.  He will send this to pathology to confirm that his diagnosis is correct, but he feels certain that this was done to aide in healing and not because of concern for any cancer.

I  have been having a lot of nerve-type pain in my feet, but a change in my long term antibiotic is greatly helping this. The Infectious Disease doctor overseas this, and was still willing to see us very late. Our prayer is that this 2nd tier antibiotic will still kill all of this slow dyeing bacteria infection.

I took the time to visit my hospital nurses and physical therapist between appointments (see pic) and it was so fun to see everyone.  I remembered a nurse saying that patients leave their floor and they never know what happens to them, so I wanted to encourage them that their hard work is worth it.

All doctors and nurses thought I was doing really well for not quite 6 months post surgery and said I don't have to come back for 3 more months!

Tomorrow I get to see a woman who had my same surgery 2 years ago and ask her all my nitty gritty questions.  I'm excited for this divine appointment! 

One more appointment on Friday morning with the plastic surgeon and then we head back home.  Tomorrow mom and I get to be tourists in Houston and we don't have to have any tears or DREAD while we do it!

Thanks everyone for your many many prayers, your financial gifts, your well wishes.  We have been beyond blessed by all of you through this time.  Today someone texted me they were in awe of me. I didn't have to think at all about who she should be in awe of.....all of you.  The ones that have entered into this journey with me, prayed me through the most difficult 6 months of my life, volunteered time, money, advice and gifts well beyond anything I would have dreamed.  God has blessed me, and my entire family, with such wonderful friends and church family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I'll have to post more about the outpouring of blessings and how it has encouraged me soon, but know that without all of you and our Savior I couldn't have gotten through this time (my personal battlefield) like I did.

Kristi