kristin

Hey Kris,

I’m soooo glad you’re going to start radiation with a small dose of Xeloda. As I’ve said in the past, that worked like a charm for me– more than three years of wonderful, doctor-free life! While I was lying there I would try to imagine I was sunbathing under the most beautiful white rays of light that melted everything bad away. Of course, the treatments are so quick (not even a minute for me) that there wasn’t a whole lot of time to think about much of anything!

Please don’t get too far ahead of yourself, thinking about if it “doesn’t work.” Just focus on it working, and relax and enjoy life. Do you have your kitties with you now?

Tons of hugs,

Kristin

HI, Jack, and welcome! I’m your “neighbor” over here in Berea. What part of the state are you located in?

It’s true that KY is a very conservative place, but I have received wonderful help in dealing with this cancer from two acupuncturists, a holistic nurse, an energy healer, and a nutritionist here. There are also herbalists and other kinds of healers practicing here. So even if we don’t have a big naturopathic center, there are a lot of different people close by who can help you.

I was diagnosed in 2004 and had surgery, then a recurrence in 2006 treated with radiation. The tumors are still there but not progressing, and I give all the credit for that to acupuncture, qigong, energy healing, and enjoying every single day.

The people on these boards are the kindest, most helpful folks you’ll ever meet. I’m so glad you found us!

Kristin

That’s so encouraging that the doctors are considering radiation. My second surgery had to be be stopped because I was bleeding so much (the tumors are on a major blood vessel) but I was able to have radiation. Since then, the tumors haven’t grown at all in more than three YEARS.

Are you delivering all our hugs to your wife? That should keep you busy all day! Thank you so much for keeping us updated.

Kristin

Well… It seems to me that these days, once you get past a certain age, pretty much everyone is put on some kind of cholesterol med, so perhaps it’s not surprising that many people with cc have been on cholesterol meds.

I wasn’t– no health problems at all, until this.

Hi Jesse,

I had several different oncologists– at UK first Dr. Hanna (he left soon after to go to the University of Maryland) then Dr. Kee (who also isn’t there any more.) I stopped seeing Dr. Kee because we really didn’t see eye to eye about things– he was always extremely pessimistic and talking about the worst possible outcomes, and I am much more “the glass is half-full” type.

I switched to Dr. Monty Metcalfe at Bluegrass Hematology Oncology in Lexington and I really, really like him. He’s a good listener and very encouraging. Also I am SO glad I don’t have to sit in that gigantic waiting room at Markey for hours and hours… that always felt like a train station.

The daffodils are up in my yard– hope you’re enjoying a lovely spring too!

Kristin

What a great article! I think the reporter did a great job of expressing all your hope and calm. Your story will be a big inspiration to everyone who reads it. Thanks for being so generous and sharing it with the world. I admire you so much!

Kristin