Dear Family and Friends
This has obviously been a year of Great Change for me. I am amazed at how much time has already passed since The Great Spirit moved my life in its current direction. While it certainly has been a challenge I did not expect to face, it is one that I have accepted and currently move through as if it were any other challenge life presents us.
So many of you have expressed your concerns and blessed me with prayer, cards, words of courage and support and I am just now sitting down to express my gratitude for all you have done. Each and every one of you bring me great joy and it lifts my Spirit with your concern and generosity.
At the end of July I was diagnosed with a pretty good sized tumor on my right ovary. Within a week, I was at Mission Hospital set to have a hysterectomy which was my surgeons recommendation. No problem for me ... whatever you need to do was my response. This surgery took place on August 2 and its estimated 2 hour time frame ended up lasting over 5 hours, where not only did I have a total abdominal hysterectomy, but since the tumor wasn’t the only thing my surgeon found, I ended up also having a whole lot more done - a Bilateral Oophorectomy, an appendectomy, an Omentectomy, an rectosigmoid R&R (which is partial colon removal), About 45 lymph nodes removed, some debulking (which means removing minute cancerous tissues) and had my diaphragm repaired. Whew! A whole lot of stuff as they say .... During surgery I obviously lost a lot of blood and had to have a transfusion. I spent 2 days in icu and a total of 12 days in the hospital. I felt like Frankenstein’s Bride due the stem to stern vertical incision on my body. They use staples these days rather than stitching you up and with the weight loss, I was a sight to behold in the mirror. I will say though that my surgeon did an excellent job and my body jumped right up to the challenge and it began its healing process very quickly. Today the incision has faded considerably and looks really good (if that sort of thing can look good )
I took through the end of September for home recovery from the surgeries. While I couldn’t move fast, at least I was moving. I spend most of that recovery time reading tons of novels and books. A great passing of time since I was spending most of it in a very large recliner. My animals were amazing, always gathering close to me and giving me endless hours of love and affection. I was up mentally and spiritually and in the overall reality of this situation, I didn’t even think about it.
While I had been diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer and I had gone through surgery and hospital stay, my mind and emotions stayed on life in general. I honestly can say that this dis-ease and all of its “supposed connotations” didn’t enter into my thought processes and that attitude continues today. All due to the positive way I was raised and my belief that Spirit has a plan and this challenge was just part of my life’s mission. I must say, though, it has surely changed the direction I was taking and pushed me into the direction Spirit needed me to go. A Blessing for me in so many ways..... I originally had determined that I was not going to do Chemotherapy and that was my intended plan since I have always been a healthy individual... never sick (not even a cold in over 30 years), ate fresh and most always organic food, drank very little, etc. I couldn’t see adding toxic chemicals to my already invaded physical condition. This decision was reversed after a nice discussion with my surgeon who told me it was “now or never” as they couldn’t do anything for me if there was still some of those so-called invisible cancer cells floating around in my system at a later date. It was zap em now or possibly be wearing angel wings in 8 months ... hummmmm .... sounds like I had better zap-em then!
I began Chemotherapy the first week in October and I am currently on my next to last treatment. This particular method is only 6 treatments, spread out over an 18 week or 4 month period. The treatments themselves last over about 4 hours where they very slowly introduce the chemo drugs into your system. A proven more effective treatment than mega doses. These treatments are done in Asheville at The Hope Women’s Cancer Center. A beautiful, totally healing place where during treatment you look out expansive windows to a wonderful garden. Relaxing, healing and a good space.
My first treatment “kicked my butt”. All those horror stories you hear about chemo I think I experienced. I can only say it was The Pitts! I was ready for someone - anyone to put me out of my misery. I had determined that if the treatment was going to make me feel this way, I was quitting! Fortunately for me my support team came to the rescue and made certain I took my meds as prescribed, etc. They really do make a difference! The last two treatments have been a breeze. No sickness, no pain, no real fatigue, with my energies high for the most part. I still get tired and there are days where I can’t seem to do much of anything.... On those days I watch a movie, read or just basically rest rest rest. I have also been polishing up my computer skills by studying and learning new things since I have the time and motivation. And its fun too!
My relationship with David went south too as they say and he left and returned to Oregon to pursue his life as he saw fit. I would like to say his timing could of been better but to wait until I was well was not on the agenda, but it was actually better for me as I look back on it.
Once again, thank you so much for your words of concern, encouragement and the many prayers sent my way. They really do work and I know if it were not for those of you who pray for me that this challenge could of been much worse. God Bless you and may the peace of spirit fill your hearts with joy and love. Remember, life is truly short and today really is the Only day you have ... make the best of it and tell those close to you that you love them and appreciate them - it really does make a difference.
Lots of Love, Karen
My brother Gary, my Mom, me and my Sister Kathleen
