Thank You!!

Round 3, want to put a big thanks out to everyone and specially Patty J. for organizing the goody bag. Many friends and family sent cards, magazines, books, lotion, candy, scrapbook, jokes, scratch tickets, green tea, pedicure, stories of great times with special friends, and jewelry. ( guardian angel pin and cross necklace) There was so much packed into this beach bag I am sure I missed something. I opened everything but I will have enough reading material to get me through several more treatments. Huge thanks it made the day go fast. Oh, I also had a friend bring me flowers the day before just because she was thinking of me. I am truly blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life. This site proves it by all the visits and comments. It seems to take alittle longer each time to recoup, but its working so I will push on. I will let you know when my grandbaby gets here. Thank you for all your Prayers, Love Kim

God Isn't Going Off Duty

We asked God to watch over Kim and take care of her. Our narrow scope was on chemo, good thing he doesn't go off duty. The following is a recap from mom on their trip home.

Kim and I had the closest call and she advoided an accident by Louisville near the entrance of Louisville State Park when she swerved to miss a pickup that was in the park turning lane and decided to make a u-turn across the highway in front of us. We actually went into the other sides shoulder and back before we met three cars coming toward us. They would have hit us right where I was sitting and no doubt rolled us. Took us both a bit to recover from that shock.

We felt lucky that she had such a quick reaction even after a day of chemo.

Gail Bates

Like Christmas

My granddaughter Cameron and I went to visit Kim today during her treatment. Kim was in good spirits and excited to share with me the cards and gifts her friends had sent with her. They delivered them to her last night and told her to wait and read them today so that she would know they were all thinking of her. She said it was a lot like Christmas as she opened all the cards, letters and gifts from friends and family. Kim feels very blessed to have such great support.

Her chemo went well with no new side effects - she started around 8:15 this morning and was planning to be done by 3:00 this afternoon. Mom not only accompanies her to many of her treatments but makes sure she is well taken care of and fed. Today it was Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes – what better comfort food could you ask for!

Kim plans on taking it easy this weekend and getting lots of rest so she can be ready for the new grandbaby that Jess and Lori are expecting the first of September.

Thank you for all the acts of kindness you show Kim and her family.

Gail Bates

Love Kim

Hi, I would like to thank everyone for their concern, support, and prayers. As you read I had good news last week and I am hopeful. The pain I had before starting this last chemo is gone and I'm feeling great. Friday will be my third round of chemo, this is a full day and it makes me nauseous and very tired for about 4 days. Then they send me home with continuous chemo that I wear in a pack around my waist, luckily this does not make me sick. I would like to thank my family for all the work they have done putting this site together, they have done a great job. It is overwhelming seeing all the hits, my family and friends are the best and your support is truly appreciated.

On a lighter note I had both grandkids this weekend and it was a wonderful time, we celebrated Hailey's 3rd birthday. She is 3 going on 18 look out Jess. And Liz's little guy J.J. loves the farm and papa's tractors. Thank you, Love Kim

Great News!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!! Kim's scan from Monday shows that the chemo is working! It showed significant decrease in some areas and slight decreases in others. No new masses were found. Kim was relieved to hear the news. She will continue on the same chemo regimen and repeat scans after a few more cycles.

Thank you to everyone who is praying for Kim and keeping track of her through this website.

Becky Hoff

August 11th Update

Kim was up to Omaha last night for a family birthday. She spent the night as she had a CAT scan done early this morning. She meets with her Dr. this Thursday to go over the results. Other than being tired and somewhat achy she is weathering the chemo treatments. She never complains. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Gail Bates

A Day at the Med Center

A brief account of a day at the Med Center by Sandy Scheef, (Kim's mom).

August 1, 2008 ---Second chemo treatment in current series.

Kim and I leave her place a little before 6:30 a.m. for the University of Nebraska Medical Center UNMC in Omaha. We arrive at the Lied Center for her 7:30 appointment. At 7:42 a nurse comes in to take her vital signs and all is well.

We go to room 17 where two recliners wait for patients. Kim's nurse today is Sue, the same as last time. She is the mother of A.J. (Luke's friend from school days),

Someone comes to take Kim to be weighed and when she returns she says "I wish it was over."

Jenna (mother of Monte's former students) comes to change needle in Kim's port.

Sue starts a hydration solution at 8:20 a.m. and from then on Kim will have a series of fluids including six large bags that will constantly flow into her body. The fluids contain cisplatin, chemo, flushes and saline solutions. Each time the fluid bag is matched to Kim's wrist band and she is asked to repeat her birth date. The large bags take two hours to drain and sometimes two and three fluids are going at the same time. It is a long process.

About noon Kim makes her first trip to bathroom pushing her rolling stand with fluid bags attached. With all the fluid going into body - some needs to come out. There will be a couple more trips before she is finished. Kim is also provided and encouraged to drink juices and water.

I go to the cafeteria and bring back some food for lunch.

Becky stops in to visit and reads Kim's labs that she brought from Syracuse. She will be back later as her office is close by.

It always amazes us that so many people we visit with know someone we know. The people that come from other states for treatment are very interesting too. We hear some great stories.

During this day three different patients come and go from our room. We have been there eight hours and 45 minutes by the time we leave.

Jenna comes back around four and hooks up the pack that Kim wears all the time and it slowly dispenses chemo and will be changed the next two Fridays in Syracuse.

Kim will see the Dr. on August 14th and then on Friday, August 22nd(3 weeks) the same process will be repeated.

Round 2

Kim had her second round of chemo yesterday. She got through the treatment fine and will take the weekend and Monday to recoup. She told me her hair was thinning and that she didn't think it would be long before she lost it. She showed me a cute little hat she had and said that she didn't plan on wearing the wigs much in the summer as they are so hot. Kim is to be careful in the sun as some of her medication can cause her to burn easily. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers.

Love you Sister!

Gail Bates