It looks fabulous!
Mykensie decided to cut her hair in preparation for losing it. She donated 20 inches of her beautiful hair to Locks of Love.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The New Do
It looks fabulous!
Mykensie decided to cut her hair in preparation for losing it. She donated 20 inches of her beautiful hair to Locks of Love.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tender Mercy
So I started getting tired today at about 2:30. I felt like I was never going to make it through the day (I work till 5:30) let alone the next six months. But work started to get a little quieter and then my cell phone rang, and it was Michael, the BYU student who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma a couple of years ago.
The last time I talked with him, I hadn't been officially diagnosed. He just asked if I knew yet and I told him that I had started chemo and was now "in" the process. He said that my number kept on popping up on his phone and he didn't even have my name down but he knew that I was the one who talked with him before. Anyway, that phone call was seriously the nicest gift from heaven. I was just starting to feel like I couldn't make it, then I got a phone call from someone who says says, "You can do it." I can do it. It's 5:20 right now and I'm feeling a little more lively. I took my Zofran and two advil and I'm ready for the walk home, a nap, eat a little, study a little, and then an amazing day tomorrow.
The last time I talked with him, I hadn't been officially diagnosed. He just asked if I knew yet and I told him that I had started chemo and was now "in" the process. He said that my number kept on popping up on his phone and he didn't even have my name down but he knew that I was the one who talked with him before. Anyway, that phone call was seriously the nicest gift from heaven. I was just starting to feel like I couldn't make it, then I got a phone call from someone who says says, "You can do it." I can do it. It's 5:20 right now and I'm feeling a little more lively. I took my Zofran and two advil and I'm ready for the walk home, a nap, eat a little, study a little, and then an amazing day tomorrow.
A Rough Weekend
Mykensie felt good, almost energized, on Friday.
Saturday- she started out just feeling weird- no other way to pin point or describe it; she just felt off. Then it really hit Saturday night. Mom spent the night with her and was by her side. A little friend called "Dramamine" helped to put a drowsy spell over her body so she could get at least some sleep. The night was spent rotating between hot and cold spells, frequent trips to the bathroom, nauseous spells, and an achy body from head to toe. Luckily, no throwing up, even though she probably wanted to. The Dr's say they don't want vomiting to happen.
Sunday morning was better. She gathered up enough energy to go to sacrament meeting at church. I talked to her briefly to ask how she felt, she replied, "I'm good," but I could hear in her warn out scratchy voice it must have been a long night. Poor thing.
I was cranky and ornery all weekend from a small bug going around. I had to catch myself wallowing in my "discomfort," when I knew Mykensie had it much worse and probably never even complained once. She's always been like that- a very cheerful spirit.
Thankfully, Mykensie was able to make it to class today. Mom started the trek back to Oregon to make it back to work. I know she hates leaving Mykensie. Mykensie left mom with the parting words,"next time you see me I won't have any hair." I cried when I heard this. You'll still be beautiful without that curly hair Kenz!
Cody and Camie volunteered for the next chemo duty, November 5th. We are sure glad family can be there to help her out.
Saturday- she started out just feeling weird- no other way to pin point or describe it; she just felt off. Then it really hit Saturday night. Mom spent the night with her and was by her side. A little friend called "Dramamine" helped to put a drowsy spell over her body so she could get at least some sleep. The night was spent rotating between hot and cold spells, frequent trips to the bathroom, nauseous spells, and an achy body from head to toe. Luckily, no throwing up, even though she probably wanted to. The Dr's say they don't want vomiting to happen.
Sunday morning was better. She gathered up enough energy to go to sacrament meeting at church. I talked to her briefly to ask how she felt, she replied, "I'm good," but I could hear in her warn out scratchy voice it must have been a long night. Poor thing.
I was cranky and ornery all weekend from a small bug going around. I had to catch myself wallowing in my "discomfort," when I knew Mykensie had it much worse and probably never even complained once. She's always been like that- a very cheerful spirit.
Thankfully, Mykensie was able to make it to class today. Mom started the trek back to Oregon to make it back to work. I know she hates leaving Mykensie. Mykensie left mom with the parting words,"next time you see me I won't have any hair." I cried when I heard this. You'll still be beautiful without that curly hair Kenz!
Cody and Camie volunteered for the next chemo duty, November 5th. We are sure glad family can be there to help her out.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
First Chemo Treatment
Today Mykensie received her first Chemo treatment. She has said she is ready to just get things started. The last few weeks have been physically and emotionally exhausting, full of long appointments, tests, and sitting in waiting rooms all while juggling school and work (I think she will quit her job...or at least hope she will).
She will receive a treatment every 2 weeks and will always be on a Thursday. According to the Dr.'s the actual administration of the Chemo is a pretty easy and painless process (she has her port already in and will stay in until her therapy is complete). The nasty part usually hits on day 2-4 (hopefully the bad part hits during the weekend so she has time to rest). After the weekend we will see how she is feeling and how she reacts to the treatments.
Before today's appointment, Dr said she would only need 4 cycles (4 months) of chemo and no radiation.
Unfortunately, she got upped to 6 cycles (6 months, 12 treatments), plus will need radiation afterward. Also, the Dr. wants to do a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow to see if the cancer has spread into the bone (we do NOT want that to be the case) because her cancer is in the "bulky mass" category.
The verdict on what stage of cancer she has is still out. The Dr said after the bone marrow biopsy comes back, then he will tell her what stage she is in.
She will receive a treatment every 2 weeks and will always be on a Thursday. According to the Dr.'s the actual administration of the Chemo is a pretty easy and painless process (she has her port already in and will stay in until her therapy is complete). The nasty part usually hits on day 2-4 (hopefully the bad part hits during the weekend so she has time to rest). After the weekend we will see how she is feeling and how she reacts to the treatments.
Before today's appointment, Dr said she would only need 4 cycles (4 months) of chemo and no radiation.
Unfortunately, she got upped to 6 cycles (6 months, 12 treatments), plus will need radiation afterward. Also, the Dr. wants to do a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow to see if the cancer has spread into the bone (we do NOT want that to be the case) because her cancer is in the "bulky mass" category.
The verdict on what stage of cancer she has is still out. The Dr said after the bone marrow biopsy comes back, then he will tell her what stage she is in.
Diagnosis- Hodgekins Lymphoma
Most of you have heard about Mykensie's unfortunate recent health news, she has Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of cancer.
The good news: It is a very curable cancer! We are thankful Dr.'s have caught the cancer and we know what is wrong with her. We know Mykensie is a very strong woman and will be able to get through this, especially with lots of faith and prayer and support!
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/hodgkin
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hodgkins-disease/DS00186
"As many as 95 percent of people with stage I or stage II Hodgkin's lymphoma survive for five years or more with proper treatment. The five-year survival rate for those with widespread Hodgkin's lymphoma is about 60 to 70 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. But those numbers are based on people treated before 1990, so the outcome may be even more promising for people with more recent diagnosis and treatment."
She has noticed bumps in her neck for about the past year. Three weeks ago she discovered more lumps appeared on the other side of her neck, so she made a Dr.'s appointment. The Dr. immediately scheduled a CAT scan for that afternoon. After the CAT scan was read, a biopsy was scheduled, which resulted in a meeting with the Oncologist.
She is staying in Utah for her treatment. They have a great cancer center (Huntsman Cancer Center), and has so far received excellent care from doctors.
The goal is to finish out this semester at BYU so she doesn't have to re-take any courses and can keep her scholarship. Then she can deffer next semester and also have all summer to recover. After this semester, she will have one more semester to finish and then she will graduate with her BS in Linguistics with a minor in Russian.
Mom is currently in Utah helping out with all of her appointments and there for her support.
The good news: It is a very curable cancer! We are thankful Dr.'s have caught the cancer and we know what is wrong with her. We know Mykensie is a very strong woman and will be able to get through this, especially with lots of faith and prayer and support!
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/hodgkin
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hodgkins-disease/DS00186
"As many as 95 percent of people with stage I or stage II Hodgkin's lymphoma survive for five years or more with proper treatment. The five-year survival rate for those with widespread Hodgkin's lymphoma is about 60 to 70 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. But those numbers are based on people treated before 1990, so the outcome may be even more promising for people with more recent diagnosis and treatment."
She has noticed bumps in her neck for about the past year. Three weeks ago she discovered more lumps appeared on the other side of her neck, so she made a Dr.'s appointment. The Dr. immediately scheduled a CAT scan for that afternoon. After the CAT scan was read, a biopsy was scheduled, which resulted in a meeting with the Oncologist.
She is staying in Utah for her treatment. They have a great cancer center (Huntsman Cancer Center), and has so far received excellent care from doctors.
The goal is to finish out this semester at BYU so she doesn't have to re-take any courses and can keep her scholarship. Then she can deffer next semester and also have all summer to recover. After this semester, she will have one more semester to finish and then she will graduate with her BS in Linguistics with a minor in Russian.
Mom is currently in Utah helping out with all of her appointments and there for her support.
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