Zeke or Zeek is still missing and more

Hello Kathy Kerrigan fans,

The staff infection initially was thought to be nasty(by us pseudo-doctors), but should be treated and we hope that we stay on the normal chemo course of action, as exciting as that is! Kathy went down to continue her Pilates certification testing this weekend. She was concerned about her level of concentration. Ya me too; she will likely get a 98, or maybe even a 97 on this one. I of course have been incredibly supportive of the studying. I want to thank all you volunteers who have taken the heat off me here at home. If it weren't for you, I might have found myself strapped to that machine of torture. Sure, it looks easy in the video. I just keep thinking of the last scene in Braveheart. I just want to yell FREEDOM every time they strap you into a different position!

Not that I couldn't use a few hundred hours of work out time. I also want to thank each and every one of you for the delicious food that has been bestowed upon us each and every evening. I mean every evening. Chicken Parmesan, Steak Tips, Ribs to die for, Pork loin, A Full turkey dinner( a second Thanksgiving), deserts that make your mouth water. Hearty soups, Mexican dinners, tacos and burritos, stews. I literally have not eaten like this ever. I have threatened to name a dinner hall of fame, but have been advised against it. Kathy is an awesome cook, but there is something about not having to prepare things that makes it like...you are going out to dinner.

So I want you to imagine for a second what happens when you go out for dinner. You check out the menu, order, enjoy the company, eat a delicious meal ...for me most often OVEREAT. But you always find room for desert, and somehow maybe even a drink or two. Are you getting the picture. Every night.

I had to go the the Dr's the other day. I felt like I had the flu. Kevin had been sick for several days and the last thing we need is sickness near our patient.
So I am in the office feeling rather sluggish, I check in and the nurse brings me down the hall. I have my blood pressure checked, passed with flying colors. Then I had to jump on the scale. This is after YOUR meals for five weeks. I see the readout, jerk my head around to see if the nurse is standing on the back of the scale. No wonder I can't get up and down the basketball court this year. I am thinking I need to loose 5 pounds, no... how about 15 pounds. This explains alot. I only have 5 pairs of pants that I can now wear. Three of which have expanding waists. So many of you nice folks come up to me and ask how things are going. How is Kathy. How are the kids. Truthfully, everything is going pretty well and it is all because we have such nice friends and family.

I have realized what is important in life. Friends, family and a belly that hangs over my pants. Evidently this is the way I handle a little stress. Eat like Labrador retriever. There is an old wives tale that says that if you keep feeding a Lab they will eat themselves to death. Please do not test me anymore. If you are going to cook for us, and I assume some of you will, do not send along two dozen cookies each night.

OK, seriously. Labrador retriever:
Zeke is still missing. I could use some help. Many of you asked about helping. This is it. Zeke is a BLACK lab, male who weighs 100-110 lbs.(large like some one we know) He has two collars, both red one has the receiver on it for an electric fence.
He is friendly, jumps a little, eats like a horse. When we find a picture I will distribute it. He is a classic looking large black lab. If you know people in Durham, Lee, Madbury, Nottingam, Newmarket, Epping, Barrington, pls pass the word!!!
He could easily latch onto whoever is willing to feed him.

Kathy just walked in from her Certification. She may have slipped to the low 90's, but I will wait for the final score. I am betting on 97!

I thank you all for taking the time to keep up with Kathy.

Paul

Please Help Find Zeke, the Beloved Black Lab

I talked to Kath today and she said its been a rough week. She's dealt with a staff infection that is requiring some additional doctors visits and stress, but the worst of it was losing their beloved dog, Zeke. He's a two year old black lab with a red invisible-fence collar. On Tuesday, he got past their invisible fence by using a snowbank, and he hasn't been seen since. Please, please, please, if you see a goofy yellow lab trotting around your neighborhood, call "Zeke," and see if he comes. He's friendly, he'll get right into your car, and his collar has one of those finder chips, so you can call in.
Pass the word to friends if you would, and maybe we can help get Zeke back home safely.

First chemo down...7 to go

Hi Everyone,
Abby did such a great job with the pictures of my new hair cut. She is such a cutie pie! I'm already used to the new doo, too bad it won't last very long. Yes, I will lose all of my hair very soon. I may have a variety of looks to share with you all. Hats, doo rags ( as Sammy calls them), scarves and wigs will be among the styles I may be sporting.

I had my first chemo treatment on Monday. I was there for several hours and home by 1:30. Paul was there with me and I really was a bit grouchy at the start of the day. Yes, I was grouchy!! I had decided that , nope I really did not want to do this cancer/chemo thing and that we should just turn the car right around and go home. Then when we got to the Oncology department I had ants in the pants to just get the dang thing started. What is taking so long!! God bless Paul. The man is as patient and calm as a saint. He just laughs and says,"Okay Kathy. But I just want to know, are you going to be like this ALL day?". I stopped my grouchyness after about an hour. The people in that department, like in every other department at Exeter that I have encountered, were great. We read the paper, I had a chair massage, had a little lunch and I even did a little art project. Sounds almost like a spa don't you think?

Every day I wonder how I will feel. Really it is every moment of every day that I wonder what is next. I really hate the unknown and just like to be able to know what I'm up against in advance. Cancer and chemo , I have discovered, don't work that way. I guess I just need to learn to go with the flow. Any way...I feel great. I'm afraid to even say it or write it for fear of jinxing myself. Alright, not great, but quite good. No nausea, not too tired, maybe just a bit anxious. I am hoping that this is how I will weather the entire course of treatment. One down...7 more to go.

Our family is blessed to have the kind of help and support we are continuing to receive from all of you out there. The meals have been a blessing when I just don't feel up to whipping up a delicious healthy meal for the boys. You are all so generous with your time to do this for us. Thanks to all of you who have volunteered for my Pilates. Many of you said that you really felt it the next day. I love it!! It is very challenging and so good for you. My testing is next Sat. and I have all of my hours in now. Those of you who I have not had a session with, no need to worry. I still need practice. I'll get you in! You too can experience Kathy's Pilates kicker!

With hope, faith, gratitude and thanks,
Kathy

Pre-chemo haircut.

Kathy got her haircut on Tuesday. Mia, her hairdresser and friend, made this process so much easier for her. From what I heard, there were a few tears, loud music, some dancing, and lots of love and support. I think she looks fantastic!!!!! Quoting another friend, LL, "it makes sense for Kathy's hair to be short, since she herself is, well, not exactly TALL!"

Abby, Kathy's niece and budding photographer, did an "America's next top model" type photo shoot at our house so we could post some pics of the new do. We had a rough time trying to get the "fierce look" of Tyra's models, but we sure had fun. Kathy promises to let Abby capture her next during-chemo look - we know Abby can capture the true beauty of my beloved sis, hair or no hair.

It seems that despite the challenges, Kathy, her friends and family are finding the joy and the fun parts of this too.