krista colvin's [putting on my big girl panties + kicking breast cancer in the ass]

Jockey

I grew up [well h.s. + college and then some ;)] wearing my jockey undies... looks like today I made their blog!

I was thrilled + surprised to see my modern-day pen pal, Michelle from Jockey... aka TWITTER, do a write up on their blog about my blog + the Camas GNO. I appreciate their support tremendously. I'm also happy to see that reaching out to someone you don't know on twitter can turn into something so meaningful. #whoknew #powerofpeople.

Here are a couple of cute snap shots of when the Jockey undies first arrived... take a peek on their blog click here to see the panties in their new 'putting on my big girl pantie' glory :) I also included a couple of shots from those my own children decorated!

 

chemo number ten

My friend Dana accompanied me to chemo number 10... which is perfect because whenever we go through my clothes closet she'll ask me "is that a ten?" #we'renottalkinsizesister;) Because if you don't feel like a ten in it... you can do better!

When I go to chemo I try to feel like a ten walkin' in.  I purposely pick out something cozy + comfortable since I'll be sitting in a barka lounger for approx. 5 hours. Note the green raincoat [which I've had for 5 years or something crazy #butit'sstilla10] will be placed on a coat rack, I'm not lounging in that puppy for 5 hours, but my new + first I may add cashmere sweater got to be broken in during chemo #10! I KNOW where and how did I miss the whole cashmere phase that hit several years ago! I'm even wearing new hoop bead wired earrings for the occasion. I'm a hoop wearing maniac these days with the lack of locks and all. A girl needs a bit of hipness to compensate ;)

So Chemo number ten... came + went. It was eventful with Dana getting a call an hour into treatment that her hubby's car broke down and she needed to rescue him off the side of the road! I was content + cozy to chat with the other chemo gals and tap on my lap top. In fact it was kind of nice and restful to be along during chemo.

By the time I was done, early this day I may add [the drip was quick as they used a pump which is the contraption attached to the iv to make sure it drips as a regular rate] Brandie, my girl Brandie, was there to chariot me to lunch and a bit of shopping.

I figure cancer is ugly, but my life doesn't have to be. Thanks to my fabulous girlfriends for their support + color they bring to my life... with or without cancer.

2 more treatments in this round... of which as I speak/type/blog I finished number 11 yesterday which that post is coming right up... SO really only 1 more to hit my dozen mark then it's on to chemo round 2 which has me a bit freaked out. Maybe I'll go plan my outfits, that may help. #SOkidding

PS. forgot to mention I had some crazy stress/hivey rash possibly sunburn (yes we had an hour or two of sun one day) that lasted from chemo number 9-10. The benedryl + steroids in my premeds helped cleared it up #whewcuzitwasuglybig.  You can kind of see it poppin' out of my pretty pink cashmere sweater [did i mention it was cashmere?!]

Chemo number nine

This was chemo number nine... My mama was in town to "assist" but I think support is a much better way to describe it :) I think the nurses now know where I get most of my personality- mama kept the "old-guys" next to me entertained with her conversation & what-not! It was nice having her visit & to see first hand that I am indeed ok. Yes you heard that "i am ok!" (so far so good) Tomorrow it's chemo number 11- I didn't skip 10 just posting this 2-weeks late. 

I'm enjoying the long weekend... I hope you are as well. It's given me a lot of time to rest, spend quality time with my husband, and clear my mind. #thinkuninterupted

I have so many blog posts swirling around in my mind- I jotted down some notes on my iPhone so I won't forget #chemobrain Remind me to share how walking on a sandy beach is like fighting cancer & about my kharma moments ;)

#todayLifeisGOOD 

coping with cancer... the columbian series

 
Photo Troy Wayrynen

Amy Benson, left, Debbie Oster, Krista Colvin and Angela Fadlovich share a moment together during a cooking party for the Colvin family as a way to support Krista as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.  Editor's note: This story is the latest installment. May 17, 2010,  in our continuing series following the journey of Krista Colvin in "Coping with Cancer." 

Krista Colvin taps away on her netbook as drugs drip into her body through a port in her chest.

An organizer by profession, Colvin doesn’t let breast cancer keep her from using her time well. She takes charge of the four hours she spends each week in chemotherapy. click here to continue reading the story.

favorite things...

Just before I KNEW #asinKNEWforsureIhadcancer I posted this on my Organize the Whole Shebang [march 5,2010] Blog. #seemsOHsoLOOOOONGago

I love all the comments that followed. I welcome you to add your own here on this site. #theybringsmiles #BIGsmiles 

I ran a similar post almost 2 years ago... And today I'm feeling anxious, not mopey. I'm awaiting results from a breast + lymph node biopsy. So far all indications have pointed toward something being wrong, so I've been prepping myself. click here for original post

I need to hear some good things while I wait...

This is also a little game that my daughter and I play at night when she needs a little help falling asleep. PLEASE ADD your own in the comments.  If you've never left a comment before it's easy, the system just wants you to verify a code so that the crazy virtual spammers can't leave weird crud on my blog.

1. Daffodils... lots of them clustered together
2. Late afternoon at Lake Tahoe in August
3. Finishing my tax return
4. Taking the scenic route
5. Walking through the forest at Camp Cispus
6. Dancing with my family on a Sunday morning
7. Singing really loud with the windows down and the sun shining
8. White tulips
9. A hazelnut latte
10. Captain Crunch Berries
11. Peaches and Cream
12. Bird nests

....these are a few of my favorite it things...

mas agua por favor...

More water please...

I'm hoping that if I down more water [i got a bit lazy about my intake this week] that my itchy hivey painful looking chest rash will dissipate. It may even help with a bit with the 'resting'. I've been super tired. Beyond the whole party-pooped thing I wrote about.

So my plan... mas agua por favor.

I've been pushing myself, playing a game per se'. I reward myself with a big 'ol sip of water from my tall starbucks plastic cup with straw [have you seen these magical cups?!] after I write an email, or send a tweet. Then I lightly touch my chest hoping to feel that the hivey bumps have shrunk.  #sofarnoluck #notdiscountingthepowerofwater

I'm also on a mission to go through my email inbox + delete a bunch of these that have piled up. If I owe you an email you may find that I've gone on a binge and deleted with abandon in hopes to just make it all go-away. If I missed an important detail forgive me + resend. If you sent a well wishing email, know that I truly appreciate it. #playingthecancercard #wowneedtodothatmoreoften;)

party pooped...

The Camas GNO "Party with a Purpose" was HUMONGOUS success!!!! I'm thrilled that so many women in my local community turned out to support our cause. I had an opportunity to see my girlfriends + to meet so many fabulous women that I've only known via facebook or my blog. I took a pics, but haven't uploaded a single one. #pinkypromisei'lldoitsoon

But with that said... I'm pooped! I promise to catch up in the next day or so. My mama will be heading back home, my 'normal' will get back to normal.

Cheers! Krista

Tonight's the Camas GNO.... party with a purpose

Tonight's the Camas GNO... Party with a Purpose Event. We'll be celebrating women + raising funds for various breast cancer related organizations. I'll be speaking briefly at the event welcome around 5:30 pm at Journey Church. Then I'll be about-town enjoying all the festivities but will you'll more than likely find me at Lily Atelier where I'll be helping raise funds for the Gal to Gal Foundation via www.galtogalwalk.org for TEAM: SHE clark county  We'll be focusing on raising funds to grant wishes to women with Stage IV breast cancer.

Here's the event program: Download GNO_program_both_sides[1]

Here's the facebook page: www.facebook.com/camasGNO

"cause tonight's going to be a good good night... i can feel it wooooo hooooo" #blackeyedpeas

makin' it quick because i've got to go find all the fabu posters i had printed + find clever ways to display them around town in this blustery weather.... oh me oh my oh! ciao bella!

are you sure i'm not having a baby, cuz it's like a baby shower around here

There are SO many ways this breast cancer thing is like having a baby. A baby girl- cuz EVERYTHING is PINK. PINK. PINK.

I like pink. I chose it about 2 years ago to replace my signature green biz logo. Pink + Orange to be exact. But I wasn't expecting PINK to be my mantra.

Nor was I expecting breast cancer to be like being pregnant.

I know that sounds weird unless of course you have breast cancer or happen to be my pregnant personal trainer, Casey.

We both have/had constipation. #iKNOWWAYtoomuchinformationbuttruesothere #sorryCaseynotlikeyouwantedmetosharethatprivatepreggosideeffect

We both need to 'rest'.

We both need to 'catch our breath'.

We both had to wait to find out.

We are both pink.

We are both nesting.

We both get gifts because we 'special' right now.

We are both going to experience changes in our 'sisters'

Our bodies are changing on the inside. #hersisgrowing #mineiskilling

People shower us with love, questions, support.

I'm ok with not being pregnant.