Infection Control

Kathy is going in tomorrow for another attempt at a central line. She needs a few weeks of IV treatment to deal with this infection. Apparently, once you've had MRSA, it "stays" in your body, and subsequent infections must be treated as MRSA. SO - she's got to keep at it and get rid of this stubborn thing before she can move on to the radiation treatments. I think the infection is painful and Kathy is feeling uncomfortable, but even more she is dealing with the frustration of having to struggle with the problems from the infection - trying to get access to veins and having to postpone the next stage of treatments. I offered to go over and give her a foot rub or a back massage today, and she was even a bit too tired for that. Probably the most helpful thing we can all do is think of her tomorrow at 1:30 and visualize the arterial line just sliding right into place. Also, knowing that the the two younger guys aren't hanging around the house just playing video games makes her feel better too. John will stay with them tomorrow, but the play dates are much appreciated and would help her in the coming days as well.

She is a bit discouraged and tired and trying to rest. She wanted me to pass on the message that she is appreciative of the support, although she may not be picking up the phone for awhile. If you want to leave her a message, emails, cards, and posting here are great ways to touch base. And as always, I'll try to keep the blog updated when I can get through and get news from her as well.

IV Treatments at Home

This infection is tenacious and so they decided to start her on IV treatments today. They put in a port - or a central line or something like that - so that she can do it herself at home. A home health nurse will come tomorrow to show Kathy and Paul how to do the treatments and Kathy will take the meds through the port twice a day for three weeks. Not sure what the impact on the upcoming radiation will be, but my guess is that things are getting postponed until this infection clears up.

Rest is still the important factor in all of this. I hope Kathy takes it easy for the next week or so to let the antibiotics do their magic.

I've received some very nice emails from people who are reading the blog to stay updated, and I do appreciate the kind words myself. It's my pleasure to try and help keep Kathy connected to her support network and to help all of us who have Kathy in our minds and hearts keep updated.

Rest, Rest, Rest!!!

Spoke to Paul this morning...Kathy did not have to go in for IV treatment and after resting yesterday, she seems to have improved. Kath likes to keep moving and doing, but probably the best thing for her right now is to lay low, drink lots of water, sleep, and be a couch potato for a few days. Having the guys hang out with friends helps, so thanks to those we have arranged for entertainment for the boys. If you see her out and about, remind her that people who rest are not weak!!! I asked if movies and junkie magazines would help and Paul said he thought that would be good. I might have to go over there and teach her how to knit so she'll stay put...

This is really the test for her - she can deal with pain, she has courage, but allowing herself to rest and relax and just WAIT to get better is hard work.

Yucky Week

Kathy has been fighting infection in the incision site all week. Last Monday she had an infection which seemed to have cleared up, but now it's back again. She had her antibiotics tweaked - they're treating it as though it may MRSA. If things don't clear up by tomorrow, they'll put her on I.V. meds to try to clear it up. The infection is taking a toll overall - making her tired and making it hard to keep her spirits up. The different docs are doing a great job trying to get her back to normal and she said they are all very, very kind... but I know this is wearing her out. She was really disappointed to cancel her class tonight, but she is just feeling crummy, in some pain, and saving her energy to keep her spirits up too.

Kathy has done so well, and I know she's frustrated to be using up energy on an infection when she wants to put it into the final stretch of radiation. Please say a little prayer, meditation, light a candle, send good vibes - whatever is your way of calling on the collective power of positive thinking and send some over to Little River Rd. She does draw strength and courage from her friends and family.

One week post op

Kathy had kind of a rough week. After that first day post-op, she started feeling crummy and realized she had developed an infection. I think it took a lot out of her - and of course it makes you worry a little and is frustrating. Kathy pushes herself so hard, and is so good about supporting the boys at their games and keeping her schedule for work, but she may still need some encouragement to slow down and get a little extra rest (this according to Paul...).

I asked her about meals and she and Paul said they're still doing fine. When she feels good, she likes to cook and when she doesn't, Paul just throws something on the grill. BUT, they are both so happy to have the playdates for the boys and the cleaning help - this week especially. I'm pretty sure Kath had an appointment with the plastic surgeon today. They need some clarification about when the radiation can start... the radiologist seems to be giving one message (sooner) and the plastic surgeon seems to be saying something else (later).

I'm not sure how many people are still reading the blog - and I got a little lazy for awhile there, but word has it more people read it than post. So, although I didn't speak to her today, when I do get some news, I'll keep updating.

Surgery Today - June 20th

Just got off the phone with Kathy. She had her surgery today to remove the implant so that she can do radiation. She feels good - sat up and had a danish very shortly after it was over. She'll rest for a while and then they will mark her for the radiation treatments next week. I don't think there is an exact date to start, but she's thinking it'll be in a week or two.

A few people have asked if she would like meals. At this point, they seem to be doing o.k. However, after speaking with some people who have been through radiation, she may find that the six weeks of daily visits to the hospital, fatigue and discomfort may make her wishing for some of those meals again. For those who are still willing to drop a meal by, there may be a need in a few weeks to give her a rest. Stay tuned!

I will try to keep the blog up to date until Kathy gets a chance to post again. In the meantime, I hope everyone knows how important your contributions were to the tidal wave of love and support that carried Kathy, Paul and the boys through the chemo process. Many thanks. Can't say it enough!

June Update - the finish line has likely been moved out a bit

Hey Friends of Kathy,
I know lots of people have been scheming about a great big party to celebrate the end of Kathy's treatments. AND, I know the Kerrigans and family have been scheming a great big party to thank all of the people who helped them get through the treatments. Mark your calendars for the end of the summer sometime, though...

Since the last day of chemo, there have been some discussions about a course of radiation in the next month or two - but things are still under discussion at this point. The chances are pretty good that Kathy will do a 6 week course of radiation, probably 5 days per week sometime this summer, but nothing is decided for sure.

This is not a completely unexpected thing, and shouldn't cause alarm. There was some early talk of this, but with some new docs weighing in at this point, the suggestion has been raised again and seems like the most aggressive and prudent way to proceed.

Kathy will probably post again after she moves out of limbo and knows what the plan is. For now, though, we should plan to celebrate a bit later. We can all just morph our celebratory hugs into more strength and support to get through this last extra bit further to the finish line.

I know Kathy loves you all and is so glad you are behind her as she makes this journey.
Jennie