Kim looks good as a red head. Her hair is gone and she is sporting either a sassy red wig or cute stylin’ hats. She decided the hair was going anyway so she clipped it short last Sunday. I think she is still surprised at the bald woman who looks back at her from her bathroom mirror.
You can also see in this recent picture of Kim that she faithfully wears her Miracle Icon necklace by Mary Jo Pane, a jewelry artist who now lives in NYC. Mary Jo recently returned to Omaha where she had a Trunk Show to benefit her nephew, Alex Stowe. Alex is a young man with leukemia. Mary Jo’s inspiration behind the collection was inspired by Alex’s illness, living in New York post 9/11 and her own belief in saints, guardian angels and spirits. The antique and vintage religious icons are used to create one of a kind bracelets and necklaces to promote a feeling of spiritual and bodily well being. They are becoming quite popular too. Oprah includes one on her “Favorite Things” list. Matthew McConaughey wore one in “Failure To Launch”. The Rock wore one when he was on the View a couple of weeks ago and Johnny Depp wears his often. Kay Snyder’s GYN Doctor had her necklace on at Kay’s last visit. She happened to be the doctor that delivered Mary Jo’s nephew, Alex. After Kay chatted with her doctor about these, Kay called me and said…. “we need to get one for Kim.” Other friends and family agreed and sent me on a mission.
I went to the Trunk Show, met Mary Jo and she helped me select 3 meaningful icons. Kim wears three Saints on her necklace. St Peregrine (Patron Saint of cancer patients), St Rita (a patroness of difficult cases and healing) and Mary (a spiritual mother, symbol of all things good, hope and grace). Then Mary Jo gave me a wooden bracelet with an St Peregrine. She said she appreciated us supporting her nephew’s benefit but wanted to give Kim something as well. So Mary Jo sent loving wishes, prayerful thoughts and a Miracle Icon bracelet. She is a really neat lady and I enjoyed meeting her. You can see her website at: www.miracleicons.com
Kim will begin Chemo treatment session # 2 of 7 today. Although this is the second session, it will be a bit more typical than the last one. Last time they actually needed to do another surgery to place a port under her skin for future treatment. Shane will bring her into the Med Center and be able to see the process and ask the questions that will no doubt come up. This is an outpatient procedure. Kim plans on staying the night at Gail and Rod’s so she can be in Omaha for day 2 of this session. Again day #3 will be a shot at the Syracuse hospital to boost her immune system.
I hope she weathers this as well as she did the first go around. Kim was very tired, achy and queasy last time but she was a real trooper. She was also pleased with the blood work, as the levels would re-act as predicted and responded well to the medication. She goes to the Syracuse hospital every Monday to have blood work done. If her counts are ever too low, they will tell her to go home and stay away from work and germs. So far they have been good. She has been working as much as she can lately. After a couple of re-coup days from the last Chemo, Kim has been able to put in good half day almost everyday.
Although things have gone pretty smoothly and she has been a strong fighter, there is something that is breaking her heart. It has been a while since she has been able to hold or see her granddaughter. Little Miss Hailey had her 1-year booster shots. Good news is… these days they can vaccinate for chicken pox. Bad news is that is in a live virus and not something that Kim should be around. Hailey did break out with about 4 little pox. They have since scabbed over and dried up so maybe Kim’s wait will soon be over. Holding Hailey again will be good medicine.
I am looking forward to seeing Kim too. I have only been able to visit with her over the phone as I am nursing my first cold of the season. The last thing she needs is to be sneezed on. I can breathe now and my head has stopped throbbing so I am sure I am on the mends. It caused me to miss the last Thursday Night Sister’s Get Together. That has become a very special time for us. The men folk go off to golf and we get together for dinner, laughs and fellowship. I felt very left out last week but glad they had a good time. It was Dad’s birthday and he was able to crash the “Girl’s Night” as a special guest. We will not meet “Chemo Week” so I will really be ready for the therapy of Girl’s Night when we can kick it back in.
Kim will be resting and taking special care of herself for the remainder of the week so she can be healthy enough to enjoy her grandson’s baptism on Sunday. J.J. will be baptized in their home church and we will all be pot-lucking dinner in the social hall after the service. Life’s celebration continues and we don’t want to miss a one!
Jan Snyder
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