A much needed update on Kris.
I haven’t had a chance to write about Kris’ progress in over a month (last entry was March 10th when she came home from the hospital).
I saw Kris at home the day after she left the hospital. She was very happy to be home but looked tired. She had lost most of her hair again and the blisters on her hands and feet from treatment were really hurting her. I didn’t stay long because of the flood of phone calls and visitors stopping by. I hugged her goodbye, and told her I’d see her next week.
Kris came to visit me at my work about five days after coming home. She came in and I almost didn’t recognize her. She lost her eyelashes, eyebrows and color in her skin. Her hands were peeling so badly I couldn’t believe she could even hold anything. I was a little shocked. But as soon as she started talking, I was at ease. She’s still her old self. Funny, energetic, sarcastic. It was great to see her out and about. She just has to avoid being around crowds or anyone with the sniffles so she doesn’t get sick. Her immune system is really low so she could get anything and not be able to fight it off. We talked about regular stuff. The kids, vacations, husbands working too hard. It felt so wierd to me that she’s been through so much yet it feels like nothing has changed. Well, except for all the side affects from her treatment. And even that we talked about like it was this thing separate from anyone we know. It’s like the stuff that’s happening to her body is so separate from who she is that it’s almost like watching it on The Learning Channel.
I left last Thursday for a long weekend of birthday celebrations for some out of town friends. On my way home Monday, I was checking messages. I had one from Kris that she left that Sunday. She said she knew I was still gone, but just wanted to let me know she was back in the hospital and had been there since Thursday. I was worried sick so I immediately called her. She said she had gotten a staph infection in her Hickman catheter (a catheter that is surgically implanted into the chest that goes into the heart to receive chemo and other medications). She had a fever of 102.5. If she had waited any longer, it would have been fatal. She was trying to make light of the whole thing, saying she didn’t think I’d want to come home to a dead friend. I was wiping tears off my face when she said that. It’s really scary how something so simple to us could be so life threatening for her. But she was being taken care of and feeling better. She came home six days after being admitted.
We’re still working hard training for the marathon. Kris wanted to be part of the fundraising, so I made her flyers a couple of weeks ago to send to her family and friends. She’s already raised $1,000. I can’t believe she did that while still going back and forth to the hospital every week for tests and medication. But then again, I can believe it. She’s a very strong person. She asked me to thank everyone for donating and all the positive mojo. It has really helped keep her going.
Kris just passed her 50th day of treatment. She’s half way there. She has to go back to City of Hope for a few days in May to give her something that will help boost her immune system. Then she’ll wear a pump at home for an additional 10 days to continue to deliver this medication into her. This will help her body fight off any illness as well as any leukemia that might still be in her. She is also having a biopsy on April 28th to see if her transplant is preventing the leukemia from coming back. Keep your fingers crossed!
We have had several requests to set up a Paypal account to receive more donations. Of course, I have no idea how to do that (I’m sure it’s something very simple and I’m just being a lame girl). Wil kept assuring me he would set it up as soon as he finished his book. He’s FINALLY done so now we’re all set. Of course this option does not allow for the tax deduction but if you aren’t concerned with that, then this is for you! We’re more than half way there but could really use your help reaching our $25,000 goal. We only have a couple of weeks left to get our donations in. Skip that Starbucks today and send a few bucks toward a wonderful cause. No matter what you donate, you can be part of helping Kris and so many others.
A note from Wil: I can’t take any credit for the awesome PayPal donation page, because all I did was e-mail my friend Russ and beg him for his help. Thank you, Russ. I owe you one.
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i hope kris can stay positive through all of this. good luck and much love.
It bears repeating: the doctors tell us that attitude is a HUGE part of beating cancer, and Kris has a fantastic attitude, in large part because of all the WWdN readers who are pulling for her.
There is great power in numbers, you guys, and you’re making a difference. 🙂
Glad to see an update on Kris. I hope she will be feeling better soon. Any kind of illness really sucks and (trying to think of way to put this non-religiously) I look forward to a time when no one will have to deal with any of that. Best wishes to your friend!
About bloody time mister! 😉
Anyways, all the best and mojo to Kris!!! You’ll make it!!!
hooray for paypal.
Le grand euro-mojo a Kris!!
Wil & Anne,
I have to say, being new to this forum, how moved I was to see how great you guys are. It is so wonderful how a few concerned people like yourselves and your friends, can go so out of their way to help each other. I am truly inspired and proud of you guys. I am so inspired that I want to help Kris as much as I can. I know a money donation is welcomed (and I will make one)but I want to help more.
First off, even though I sell these products and have every reason to be biased, I am coming from a good place. I do not wish to make any money on this. I only want to help.
That being said, you mentioned that Kris’immune system is low. The company I am a distributor for has some great products that I ahve seen help people with the same situation as Kris’. The products made a significant improvement with raising their immune system. They make no medicial claims but the stories speak for themselves.
I will send you an email with the name of the products I recommend. God bless you guys and my prayers are with Kris.
Mario
Anne! It’s good to hear from you, babe! Next time Wil goes off to write another damn book, you should just take over the blogging. Kris, I’m so glad you’re doing well! Sending mojo in truckloads, dahling!
Note from an accountant:
Actually if the gift is made for charitable reasons, it might still be deductible to the person making the gift. Down side is you don’t get an actual letter from the 503(c) organization when it goes thru paypal like this. But if a person wanted to make a donation and as long as that person kept some kind of record that he/she were making the donation for the benefit of the charity it should still count. You should all still save your receipt/confirmation and ask your tax professional at the end of the year. Depending upon your situation, you might still get the write-off.
*sorry this sounds so disclaimer-y but everyone’s situation is different and I don’t want to come off like I’m mis-leading you. The deal is that as long as you intend the gift to go to the charity, and with the fact the paypal account is set up specifically for that purpose, you should still be entitled to the deduction even without an “official” letter from the organization.
g
I know prayers are pass
Wil and Anne,
I just made a donation. Not a huge one, but every little bit helps. I’m feeling very lame as I should have done this when you first announced it, but never got around to it. Then last week I was diagnosed with lymphoma. It sort of hit home, so I finally made that donation, and was happy to see that the society is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That’s how lame I was, I never even read your Team in Training page until today. You two are great to be doing this! All my best to Kris. She is an inspiration for me.
Emily
Anne (and Wil), thanks so much for the update on Kris. I made a donation a while back but might make another, just to help you get a little closer to your goal. Best wishes and mucho mojo to Kris and her family, and to you guys too!
Best of luck!
hey anne and wil,
thank you so much for an update! i’m so glad that Kris is doing better! More Mojo coming her way! please let her know that there is a big bunch of people at the University of Derby in England who are sending her get well mojo! we hope it helps!
keep up the training guys..hope its going well…
take care
rach
Much mojo to Kris.
And to Emily, while we’re on the subject.
Keep up the great attitude, Kris… and look forward to the day that your eyelashes come back in full. My dad fought cancer three times over 17 years and his grew back fine. [movies/tv never mention eyelashes going… actors may shave or pluck there brows to look realistic, but I doubt anyone would like to go that far for their art.] Wil & Anne you keep up the great attitude and wonderful help, too.
Wish I could afford to give more, but I know I couldn’t not give something.
Take care,
Edwood
I donated a little a couple weeks ago. I only wish I had more to offer. Best of luck to Kris. I’m sure friends and a good attitude will help her through.
doh!
“…pluck there…”
pluck where??? hey now! didn’t I mean to type “pluck their”? yeesh.
Wil and Anne,
Thanks for the update! I was actually wondering about your friend just the other day. Going to the Paypal page now. All three of you are so inspiring. Thank you for all you do.
(and Emily, Mojo to you!!)
Yay! Glad she seems to be doing okay!
I put my money in the kitty a few weeks ago. To anyone who hasn’t: DO IT NOW.
My best wishes to Kris’ speedy recovery and continued strength. With friends like you and Wil behind her, she’ll be nigh invulnerable again in no time.
I’m glad to hear her in such good spirits! Yay for Paypal!! I can’t wait to watch the numbers rise!
mojomojomojomojomojo!!
*hugs*
i donated last week, not much but some is better than nothing.
i’m glad to hear that kris is doing better and that she has such a wonderful support system. she’s a very lucky women. my good wishes go out to her for her fight and also to her support system. i know from experience it can be rather draining for everyone involved!
Wil,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m also a Team in Training trainee, with a goal of $5,000 to raise for the Maui marathon in September. Good luck to you and Anne and especially Kris! We’re all in this fight together!
Team TK421? Shouldn’t it be Team NCC-1701-D or something? Or are you hoping for a walk-on in Episode III?
Either way, lots of continued mojo to Kris, and to all of you. You’re doing a good thing here.
Kris is lucky to have friends to have friends like you guys tell her to hang in there.
As someone who has gone thru much of the same treatments, I must say it is great to hear the Kris is doing so well. Luckly I managed to avoid the transplant but I know how much the rest of the treatment sucks.
If I can dig up some extra money I am definatly donating.
Anne & Wil: Thanks for the update on Kris! Been wonderin’ how she’s doing. Glad to hear that she’s doing well. Just a thought…if Kris wishes real hard, maybe her hair will grow back in the color she wants. ;^) Sending more good mojo from the middle of the Pacific toward Kris’ way!!! :^)
Emily: Hang in there! Sending some good mojo your way too! :^)
the love of family and friends is the best medicine there is…Kris is blessed….hang tuff y’all…
Um…the original Team in Training page currently lists you guys at over $18,000. The Paypal page says $17,000. Dare I hope that those two totals are meant to be added together, putting you guys silly-over-the-top of the goal???
/hoping and hoping and sending mojo to Kris
remember, folks, bone marrow transplants are only possible if there are enough bone marrow donors.
Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide
Hey, it’s always my pleasure to jump in and help for a good cause–you know that!
No one owes anyone anything… Well, just those Guinness Beers(tm)! 🙂
And, just so everyone knows, the numbers for the totals donated are going to be a bit different as the Team Page will only reflect those donations and everywhere else (Soapbox, Anne’s page) the numbers are manually entered. I’m sure Wil will keep everyone updated… ummm, somewhat regularly!
Wil and Anne,
I just made a small donation via Paypal, it’s so easy. In episode 52 of ST:TNG Captain Picard says “religion is ignorance and superstition.”
Maybe that will be so in the 24th century. But here in the 21st century religion can be very comforting in times of trial. I offer my prayers for Kris and for you and Anne. May grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Freeman 🙂
Muchos Mojo to Kris. Emily, big hug and think positive.
Adding some more good mojo to the mojo mountain.
Go Kris go.
Thanks for the update!
Odile
Hope your wife is ok.
More Michigan mojo comin’ Kris’ way! I was actually thinking to myself last week, “I wonder how Kris is doing”. Glad to see that she’s keeping that great attitude and kickin’ cancer’s ass!
Keep it up, girl!
Hi Wil and Anne…
I was waiting for the PP thanks i just donated as much as i could…
I’m really glad Kris is doing well, i know its tough through watching friends go through similar situations! One things for sure Kris is a fighter!!
Love to you all
Andrea xx
My birthday is on the 28th so I’ll send all my mojo and the mojo I get in lieu of presents out to her.
Atta girl, Kris! Hang in there! Wish you a full and speedy recovery!!! I’ll be praying!
Can’t leave much of a comment, must get back to work producing mojo for Kris and all involved in the healing process…
But! Kris is being herself? Good! That’s a sure sign that, no matter what happens health-wise, she’s winning the fight. It hasn’t beaten her. Go Kirs, you RAWK! \m/
Now, back to the MojoMines(TM)
Eric in Central PA
First public comment anywhere ever here. And I already am a donor to L & L Society in memory of my aunt, I’ll just make the next one in honor of y’all too when they send me the stuff. May Kris be watched over by the angels, the Cosmic Muffin – all of it.
Way back, at the time, I was not a fan of Wesley Crusher. I don’t know why I got all scrunchy about him, maybe his discomfort hit too close to home for me then? But Wil, you have more than blown that away now, and watching reruns of STNG recently I feel differently about Wesley too and outright hooted an hollered at some eps. Isn’t it great to realize personal growth?
Your website is a daily appointment for us, we ENJOY THE HECK OUT OF YOU ON TECH TV (hint hint) and we’re waiting for the arrival of Dancing Barefoot via Amazon/postal (sorry it took us so long).
Again, Kris is in the universal thought system, thanks to her friends like you, and your fans like us.
Hello again, I goofed?
The donations are Kris-specific, not just L&L?
Payday for us is Friday; it will be done.
Massive amounts of
Our prayers are with you Kris. And bless you Wil and Anne. I’m going through this with my mother (she FINALLY let hospice folk into her house, and THAT was an undertaking in itself). You just continue to impress the heck out of me each time I visit here. Keep up the wonderful work!
Is that version 3.4 of “the wife,” or version 3.4 of her comments? 🙂
I wish your friend all the luck in the world for beating the leukemia.
Just wanted to say, good luck to Kris. Anne & Wil, you are wonderful friends to her. My prayers will be with you all.
Yay! The paypal thingy is up!!! *does a dance and then donates*
I’m glad to hear an update on Kris. I’m really in awe of her.
And really, I don’t think many people are going to care about the tax deduction. I didn’t even make enough money last year to have to file taxes so it’s not like it matters to me, lol.
Anyway, I’ll be sending goal-meeting mojo and Kris getting well mojo!
Anne & Wil,
Thanks for the update on Kris! I have kept her in my prayers. I know what a tough path that she is on, but she will make it! She has the right attitude and that counts for a lot in this!
Anne, I know what a shock it is to walk in and see Kris without hair. My grandmother (who is going through chemo right now) is also losing her hair. We are going to take her to get a wig tomorrow. My wedding is in a month and a half. She is fighting to go to that and I want her there whether she has hair or not!
Tell Kris that we are all rooting for her! Tell her that when she is the most tired, her friends and family will help her push through. Tell her someone is praying for her in PA!
I don’t have much money right now. The wedding and a home have eaten most of that up, but everything that I have I am sending to the fund! I know that we can help it break the goal!
To my fellow readers: Keep on donating! Every donation goes to help save lives!