Less than four weeks. . .

Well, it’s less than four weeks until my surgery, so I thought it was probably time to do an update.

I haven’t set up the meal train yet, but I’m planning to use the Lotsa Helping Hands website for people to volunteer to feed me and/or the kids. A number of people have mentioned that they plan to help, and I really do appreciate it. I promise to post info soon – I just want to make sure the site works as I’d like with multiple people coordinating. I want to believe I can manage it myself, but probably need to plan for other people to help me ask for help… Along with my boyfriend, my mother and my teenaged son could also post updates. We’ll figure it out soon.

I’m starting to buy the things that my research indicates I will need – extra pillows in various shapes, safety pins, etc. I saw my primary care physician, who is still the doctor who looks at my overall health and not just my diagnosis – he gave me a flu shot and talked about what kinds of over-the-counter items I might want to have on-hand after surgery.

And I decided to cover the walls of my home with pictures that make me happy. I bought some (removable) hooks, twine and mini clothespins, so I can hang up photos or cat memes (thanks, Therese!), pictures of unicorns, funny quotes, whatever. It’ll probably look like a hot mess, but I’m OK with that. It’s temporary. And I will happily take inputs from friends. 🙂 (On a random aside, when I was a kid, my parents let me completely cover the walls of my room with pictures I cut out of National Geographic and scotch taped to the wall – totally destroyed the finish on the walls, but I still remember this fondly. I’m not sure my parents remember it with the same fondness, though, since they had to repair the damage.)

And this weekend is PurpleStride! My daughter and I will be walking in memory of my friend, Aaron de Guzman, and it’s not too late for you to sign up. A number of people have had other commitments come up, but even if it’s just a couple of us walking, I’ve been humbled by the donations made by my Nike friends. I owe a lot of people thank you notes, but I get all weepy about it – so please forgive my delays. It’s not because I’m not grateful.

PurpleStride: Our Purple Stride team

I think that’s it just now. It occasionally overwhelms me, this adventure, especially when I’m experiencing pain (this is not technically caused by the cancer, but the distinction isn’t really significant when I’m gritting my teeth at the office…) But it helps to have the support of so many people, including survivors. Huge thanks to you all.

Kate