Katie's BMT Updates

I'm thinking that you're rockin' it more like Natalie Portman did. She too had a good head to shave. :)

Hugs,
Marie

Even with a hospital gown, tubes coming out of your neck and a shaved head, you're the hottest girl I know.
-ian

Ian, you are the man! You have it right--Katie is a hottie. I say three cheers for the new do.

As I explained a few comments ago, hair falling out is good news--the chemo is doing its thing, knocking out those rapidly multiplying cancer cells. One day medical science may figure out how to blitz only the bad guys; but for now, hurrah for short hair.

Sorry about the neutropenia, et al. Yes, freshies are good; but the truth is that they are not all that they are sometimes thought to be. Today's modern processing can preserve nutrients that get lost in the time it takes to ship the fruits and vegetables. Of course, you live in California and have farmer's markets that speed goods from field to table; but let us think on the sunny side: This, too, shall pass and soon you will be devouring summer fruits--with cancer as history!

Change of subject; or, News from the World Outside the Hospital. North Korea is permitting the US Navy to bring in food aid--even as I am writing! The North Koreans will admit UN aid workers. I know that Bush is probably a swear word to you, but this is phenomenal. Future days may bring insights into how this happened; but for now, this achievement promises great hope for the people of North Korea and for peace in that stormy part of the world.

Imagine. . .

Lovingly, Eva

Dear Katie,
I like the wig-it looks really natural. Yeah, you do look like Peter. You guys always did as kids-it was difficult to tell you apart in the first year. I has those pictures of each of you for each month, remember? What about a baseball cap? I was thinking of sending you one from Oklahoma State-didn't know if you would wear it or not-but I guess Zach would, Huh? I always thought you would look good bald since your high school pictures. Those pictures were so beautiful that I thought you would look good even without hair, honestly. You look good to me but it is difficult to realize why you are bald-I wish so for this to be over for you.
I finished the grass and am now going to clean the dag houses-it's aperfect day. Don is doing the rest of the riding lawn mower stuff.
Remember I took the dogs to the vet for routine shots. Joyee, out balck lab was mellow and Kirby, out Welch-Corgi had to be muzzled. well, what was supposed to be routine turned out to be an hour and a half. He drew blood and found that both dogs have EHRLICHIOSISI, an infedtion transmitted by ticks that affects the red blood cells in the bone marrow. so now both are on antibiotics 2X a day for 28 days!!! There have their cream chesse ball in the morning and afternnon-it works slick. Kirby also has heart worms if left untreated will kill her-so she has to apend a week at the vet's and that will be $600 later. this is enough to geve me diarrhea-quick get me a yellow Banana Gown!!!
Well, got to get going and get things cleaned up.
You look just great, but I think the stocking caps look a little gangish.
Tlak with you later.
Love,
Mom

Dear katie,
Just thought of something-you had your hair short when you were bout 2 or 3. I got it cut, I don't know what possessed me but I got it cut short. I saved the hair-you got it in your babybook. It turned out to be a disaster, I felt so bad about it. Because you hated it even as a little kid. You looked cute but that didn't matter. And your dad was furious with me. I was wishing I could glue it back on somehow becasue that is how badly you felt. so I'm sorry about that-but it grew back quickly.
Well, hope the itching stops and I'll pray for the blood counts so that you can get the hell out of the hospital.
I see that the nurses date your dressing change on your central line-I guess that is just standard practice every where.
Talk with you soon.
Much love,
Mom

Well.....no more "bad hair days" for you!! From now on, only good hairs!! Wasn't it interesting to finally find out exactly what color your roots really are??
May every cell in your body work to create the symphony of events needed to create the new you.
You are beautiful!
It's an overdone saying....but "It's what is inside that counts" (and that is wherein lies your beauty).
Thinking of you daily and sending you JOY.
Love, Cousin Barb

Hey Katie,

It looks like you are in good hands with your stylist Zach, can I get an appointment or is he all booked up!

You are definitely rocking the Natalie Portman, rather than a butch lesbian, not that there is anything wrong with that,you could get some good action this weekend at the pride parade.;) Matthew says you look hot in that red wig, and that you've got a little Julianne Moore thing going on.

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling good and that the doctor says things are going smoothly, even with your blood cell count being down. We hope you can come home soon!

lots of love,
kai

I dig the purple hat too actually... But like I said before, I would support a killer dragon tattoo or something on the scalp while you can! Just a thought, but it would be a super rockstar maneuver. :-) The beanie is more of a hip-hop look, and you know I always advocate the RAWK!

Jokes and fashion statements aside though, I know this isn't an easy step in the trek. I send an extra dose of love and support, and again, an inspired sense of awe with your courage and wonderful attitude. Yer cells appreciate it too, and will see you through this. Keep it up rockstar!

Love,
Aaron

Dear Katie,
Well, it is 2120 here and Don has gone to bed. He is kind of frustrated with the ticks and chiggers. It seems that these varments LOVE him immensly. He is litterally eaten up. He itches and then scratches and bleeds and itches some more and on and on. He even said that he was going to put the house up for sale and move back to CA!! Now I know he is frustrated and almost out of his mind. I feel badly for him. He loves yard work and making abeautiful yard and he is getting eaten up alive. I'm trying to convince him to go to the Doc and get some Solumedrol-a steroid that would relly help. Hopefully, he'll listen, but he is a male person you've got to remember-what is it the left side of the brain that functions or whatever? sleep always helps one's outlook. There is always a rainbow after the storm-I am sure of this.
Yes, I think you are wise to save that beautiful wig for out of the hospital. And I agree that you have a Julianne Moore thing going on there-I think that was a great connection there, Kai. Thank you for that wonderful obsevation!!! We've got a star on our hands.
Now I have to tell you about my vet. Well, this is DEpew, OK. You know how most vets have a floor scale for the animals-not here, don't think they have seen them around here. the vet had a regular hospital scale and first weighed himself and then picked each dog up to weigh her. I had to turn my head becasue my mouth dropped open in astonishment. then when he went to muzzle Kirby, he brought a leash in and fashioned a muzzle, actually it was pretty clever. ONLY IN DEPEW!!!
Well, guess I'll get some sleep-busy day tomorrow.
Kisses and hugs for a good night sleep.
Mom

The red hair is definitely cute, but the purple viking hat ROCKS! A tattoo on the scalp would be pretty sweet, (I've been considering it myself), with a purple Viking helmet to cover it when you have to be a normal Joe would be the perfect combo.

Hey Katie! I like the brown and blue knit cap, and I actually like the great style Ian gave you! No fuss, no muss! Wash 'n go! My kinda style! But I have to say I was surpised you didn't have a GIANTS knit cap! What's up with that? *lol*

I think it was wonderful that you included Zach in on all of this. You two are such great parents!

Sleep well and keep getting better. I will rejoice with you when those counts start marching UPWARD!

Good night. . .

Love,
Jean

Good Morning, Katie!!!
It si cool and sunny this morning and I just got back form my walk. Saw a deer this am. that always puts joy into the walk.
Have to do errands this am. the dentist needs a new impression-maybe I'll do Phyllis Diller this time. HA! It always gets me when they say they need an impression. they also want $285 more and I paid them $1000 in cash at the beginning and that was supposed to cover it. So I guess I need to have a talk with them or rob a bank. Talking would probably be more better, Huh?
Hopw all is well todya and that you slept well and am waiting for the counts. They do draw your blood through the central line, right? I would hate to have you stuck so mcuh when you have access so easily.
Talk with you later.
Love you much,
Mom

hi katie... i wanted to just say hi and tell you that i'm thinking of you. we miss you and zach at playgroups. this is the first time i'm posting a comment but i want you to know i check in on your blog and read the postings almost daily. sometimes it's tough not to shed a tear. you're incredibly strong and i just wanted you to know that i'm rooting for you. i'd still like to take zach out for a playdate with corwin some time. if there is someone i can email or call, or they can email or call me i'd be happy to come by.

by the way... i love the new look. i've been reading the latest gossip magazines and the short style is definitley in!

big hugs and kisses from both the little guy and me

adel & corwin

Katie!

You've always loved the wigs, and I seem to remember a few times that you were looking for excuses just to wear one...such as our trip to Las Vegas when you had a different look every night! Well, this isn't the desired reason to have to pull out the wigs, but you definitely wear it well!

Thinking of you every day, and can't wait to see you!!!

~Ryan

Are you saying your brother looks like a butch lesbian? :)
Chris

Dear Katie,
Back from town and trying to get motivated to wash some floors and do some laundry. Not working too well-want to sit my but on the couch and watch some mundane TV-maybe a chickflick on Lifetime.
I just thought of something. Peter ws 3 years old when your dad was diagnosed with cancer and you were 9. i can't remember who you guys stayed with when your dad and I were up in Columbus. Was it the Michels of the Montgomery's? Anyway, to cdontinue that story, after your dad's surgery and he was quite stable, I felt a nagging need to come home to see you guys. Grandma had flown in and Uncle Ed came also. so I told your dad that Grandma and I were going back to Marietta for a day to see you and Peter. I felt Ok about it becasue Uncle Ed would be there with your dad. But your dad wanted me to take Uncle Ed to show him the house and Marietta etc. I was not in the mood to do a tour of homes at that point. And I wanted him to be there with your dad. Uncle Ed was OK with that and understood really well but your dad was getting a little upset. I think it was all the medication and stress. Uncle Ed smoothed it over and so Grandma and I took off in the middle of the night-snowing and blowing like a son of a witch. But we made it home. You remember I said that i had a nagging feeling? Well, the standing furnace was not working properly and could have blown up if we hadn't seen it!!! So trust your nagging feelings or whatever. Your dad mellowed out about me coming home. And we got central heating in the house kind like NOW. Boy, was that nice. Not the non working heater but the central heat. We had only space heaters and there was no actual heat source upstairs. So I used to bundle you guys up in those zipper sleepers. I used to worry all the time about you and Peter getting sick. But ot wroked out well. Sounds like Little House On The Prarie, doesn't it? I'm getting too old and it's showing!!!
Wll, got to get something done even if it's wrong.
Love you a lot,
Mom

You look pretty amazing, with or without hair. Good job making it less intimidating for Zach; very thoughtful!

Hi Katie!
I was so moved by your story of making the hair-cutting event a family affair. And the fact that you were able to stay cheerful and make it fun for Zach just proves once again what a kick-ass mother you are.

And a shout-out to Ian, your hubby-cum-stylist extraordinaire! As other posters have said, he is the MAN! :-)

And just in case you're needing additional fashion inspiration, check out this little pink number:
http://marieclaire.co.uk/imageBank/k/Kim-Catrall8.jpg

Missing you and wishing you home soon!
Love, Mer

Happy Monday! It was 112 degrees in Phoenix. The lovely carrot of 104 degrees that was dangled in the weekly forecast a few days ago has disappeared. Perhaps it will plummet to 109. Now the night time lows are rising. Tonight the temperature may drop to 87. It is discouraging to walk the dogs before sunrise and sweat like Big Brown after the Derby. Yet, what is there to do but be grateful for air-conditioning? And wait for the monsoon. No kidding--America has a monsoon season--and haboobs. Stay tuned--more meteorolgy tomorrow.

For today, know that you are ever in my thoughts--

Lovingly, Eva

Dear katie,
Hope that you had a good day. I got some hats for you today and will send them soon. I'm trying to get some pictures together of the area and my life were so that I can send them to you. You can get an idea of how out in the sticks that we live, It will probably make you shutter.
Did a fes things today to keep caught up-nothing much very exciting. I bought my fishing license aboout 2 weeks ago and hopefully will get to go fishing soon.
Well sleep well and remember I love you and have you in my heart at all times.
Mom

Dear Katie,
Hope all is well with you this morning and that your levels are rising so that you can go home and recuperate. I'm sure that you sleep so much better at home. I know that no matter what, I always sleep better in my own bed.
Don is starting to paint the guest house, white with blue trim. It's starting to look really good. You don't realize how bad things look until you start to fix them up.
I had animal clinic this morning. We have 3 outside cats, Muffy, Tuffy, and Buffy. Muffy has been Don's cat and is 10. Buffy was my calico from the farm and she is 3. Buffy just happedned by one day and stayed. Let me tell you the story of Buffy. We brought Muffy, Tuffy, and Turkey from Califonia. Turkey was a red male who had been chewed up and his top lip was missing and he had difficulty eating and drooled all the time. You never know how important a body part is until you're missing it all of a sudden. Well about 4 months after we moved here, Turkey came up missing and was gone for about 3 days or so. Then one morning Joyee, our black lab brought Turkley's dead body and set it at the back door. I was so gald for that becasue we could give hime a proper burial. Don does not have the stomach for this sort of thing and he was just not over joyed. But he tokk Turkey to the Northeast corner of the property and buried him and we had a little service, buried him proper like. Then Don got a bush and now that is officially TURKEY HILL. Then about 2 months later this red male cat showed up and he just fit right in. It was like Turkey coming back. then one day shortly after his arrival I came up with the name Buffy because of his color not thinking of the other cat's names. Muffy, Tuffy, and Buffy-crazy, HUH? Don calls him Tom. He never calls the animal by their names but some nickname. Muffy is Fuzz Butt. Tuffy is Miss Independent. Joyee is Waddle Butt (alias fat ass). Kirby is Nervous Butt.
Now about the clinic this morning. Tom has worms and so I decided to wrom all the cats today. so yesterday afternoon I took all the food up to get them good and hungry I got really fowl looks form them all all day and this morning, I got the EVIL EYE. So I started with Buffy and a litte food with the medicine on it and put him in the Cat Room and so on and so on until they all got their dose. Then Kirby and Joyee had their cream cheese balls. Now the clinic is closed and I'm done for the day.
Well, think I'll go help Don for a little bit. Take care.
Love you,
MOM

Katie,
We are so impressed with the creative ways that you are educating Zach. Way to go! We love the pics!

hi!
i love your shaved head! i have always wanted to shave my head. my high school mohawk was the closest i got. and i love, love your wig! you are so strong and beautiful, and the most amazing mom ever.
love,
kristy