Well, December 22nd marks 7 months since Caitlyn was diagnosed. We were told she had 6 to 9 months to live. They say the holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year and be thankful for all you have. Well, I never truly lived those words until this year. I sit back and think of the roller coaster ride we have been on since May 22nd and I am so thankful that none of us has fallen off the ride. It has been trying on our faith, hope, and courage. Of course we are thankful that Caitlyn is still with us however we could not have gotten this far if we had not been given the gift that we were not even aware of needing. That being the strength to continue to live, while faced with the unthinkable. That is truly a gift from God. With out the courage and faith that God will lead us where we need to go we would be lost.
Caitlyn is doing well, we are having a great holiday season. The kids are having fun and the fact that Caitlyn is doing so well makes everything seem normal. Last Monday she had another round of her Chemo and is doing well. Other then a rash on her arm where the injection is and some nausea for a few days after treatment she is handling it well. Of course I always wonder about the drugs we are putting in her body and is it doing more harm then good since it is a trial. However it is giving us precious quality time with her and clinically speaking she is doing great. She will have another MRI January 14th. I no longer look forward to the MRI's as they can only bring your hope down. I look at her and I feel positive, hopeful, and courageous because that is what SHE IS showing me.
All of this has changed the way I listen to the world now. Since cancer has happened into our life's our world is so much quieter now. I can hear things that I did not hear before. I guess that is the gift cancer has given us. It will not beat us and tear us apart it WILL make us stronger even if that is not what it had planed to do.
I hope everyone enjoys their time with their family's this Christmas I know I will. Have a Merry Christmas.
Kara
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
12/04/2007
The holiday season is here and we started it off in the best way. The day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I took the kids to Idaho. Jason stayed behind in the real world, worked and did many unfinished chores. He surprised us with A LOT of honey-do tasks around the house (ie... He got the Christmas lights up outside, Caitlyn's room got a new paint job, tv room got a new paint job, and the bathroom got some new tile). He worked hard at home and we appreciate it.
We had a GREAT time in Idaho. We visited relatives and showed the kids the beauty of the mountains. For those of you who don't know where Idaho is it is on the west coast between Montana and Washington state (not Washington D.C which I am sometimes asked). The kids had fun meeting all their second & third cousins and seeing their grandparents & great grandparents. It snowed while we were there and the boys loved being able to sled everyday. Caitlyn went out and down the hill a few times too. Patrick even tried sticking his tongue to the flag pole --thank God it didn't stick.
The plane ride there and back was perfect ( No delays and there were even open seats). It was like it was all meant to be. We had to make connections both times so the boys were excited to sit by a stranger. My mom, Caitlyn and I were always behind or across the aisle. Caitlyn said to me, "Mom I thought you told the boys to never talk to strangers." I told her it was ok this time because I was right there. Also I felt more sorry for the stranger. Actually everyone they sat by told me what nice boys I had. Except the last person on the way home, I don't think he liked the water they dripped on his book while they were handing the stewardess their drinks.
Caitlyn is doing well. She did get sick in Idaho a few times but the doctors are not sure what it is because she looks so good. She has no other symptoms so we think it is a side effect from the chemo. She had her third round of chemo yesterday it was a very long day. She looks very tired today and I have finally coaxed her into taking a nap.
We are taking it one day at a time. We Thank God for each day we can live normally and it's what get us to the next day. So back to small steps and little planning. We just pray for a healthy and symptom free holiday. The kids will all be in the Christmas pageant - Patrick one of the Wise Men, Jackson a Shepherd and Caitlyn --what else an ANGEL.
God bless everyone this holiday season and thank you for all your support and prayers. The lives that Caitlyn has touched are brought to our attention everyday in some small way. We would like to thank the Wiltgen family and the Laning family for sharing Caitlyn's story with so many people. Carole Laning touched so many people and that is showing now through the support that Caitlyn is receiving through the people who cared about Carole. Thank you.
Have a blessed and safe holiday season
Kara & The Churak Family
We had a GREAT time in Idaho. We visited relatives and showed the kids the beauty of the mountains. For those of you who don't know where Idaho is it is on the west coast between Montana and Washington state (not Washington D.C which I am sometimes asked). The kids had fun meeting all their second & third cousins and seeing their grandparents & great grandparents. It snowed while we were there and the boys loved being able to sled everyday. Caitlyn went out and down the hill a few times too. Patrick even tried sticking his tongue to the flag pole --thank God it didn't stick.
The plane ride there and back was perfect ( No delays and there were even open seats). It was like it was all meant to be. We had to make connections both times so the boys were excited to sit by a stranger. My mom, Caitlyn and I were always behind or across the aisle. Caitlyn said to me, "Mom I thought you told the boys to never talk to strangers." I told her it was ok this time because I was right there. Also I felt more sorry for the stranger. Actually everyone they sat by told me what nice boys I had. Except the last person on the way home, I don't think he liked the water they dripped on his book while they were handing the stewardess their drinks.
Caitlyn is doing well. She did get sick in Idaho a few times but the doctors are not sure what it is because she looks so good. She has no other symptoms so we think it is a side effect from the chemo. She had her third round of chemo yesterday it was a very long day. She looks very tired today and I have finally coaxed her into taking a nap.
We are taking it one day at a time. We Thank God for each day we can live normally and it's what get us to the next day. So back to small steps and little planning. We just pray for a healthy and symptom free holiday. The kids will all be in the Christmas pageant - Patrick one of the Wise Men, Jackson a Shepherd and Caitlyn --what else an ANGEL.
God bless everyone this holiday season and thank you for all your support and prayers. The lives that Caitlyn has touched are brought to our attention everyday in some small way. We would like to thank the Wiltgen family and the Laning family for sharing Caitlyn's story with so many people. Carole Laning touched so many people and that is showing now through the support that Caitlyn is receiving through the people who cared about Carole. Thank you.
Have a blessed and safe holiday season
Kara & The Churak Family
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