No excuses!

My first blog post was 3 years ago today.  I can’t believe everything that has happened in the past 3 years. And today, a shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.  I am sad for those who lost loved ones, for those who might never feel safe again because of what they experienced, to those who are impacted in any way.  In a world where so many things can happen to us that we have no control over I am taking this opportunity to urge you to make your annual appointments, mammogram appointments and get anything checked that you’ve been wondering about.  Take control of this one thing and make the appointment with your doctor that you know you need to make. 

In the past 2-3 months I’ve had a colonoscopy, dermatology exam, bone scan, seen my breast surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, dentist, OB/GYN, general doctor, orthopedic surgeon, had several PT appointments and probably a few other doctor appointments that I’m not remembering right now.  You don’t have an excuse to not make one appointment.  I’m not allowing you to have an excuse.

Micah’s Pediatrician passed away recently.  He was 46, a father to 6 kids, husband to a wife that loved him dearly, doctor to a ton of kids and someone that mothers (and probably fathers) could go to and get reassurance that they were doing a good job.  I can’t believe how much this impacted me and I only saw him a few times a year in his office.  He found out about 3 months before he died that he had a very rare cancer.  He’d had some symptoms but ignored them, probably because he was super busy.  His wife started a blog and wow, she have an amazing faith in God.  So did Dr Collins.

I took over a project at work for someone who was going on leave.  I wanted to ask why but didn’t dare because I actually have never met her in person so I had no clue what her leave could be for.  I happened to find out she was going on leave for breast cancer.  She’s 39 and a mother of 2.  It’s a perfect coincidence and I’ve been able to share my story and offer support to her.  I might never meet her in person, she lives in Boston!  I don’t even know what she looks like!  But we now have a bond because of cancer.

Life is weird and confusing and scary.  And great! Tonight Bobby was helping Micah with some flash cards for school.  Too cute!  Helena turns 18 in 8 days.  Wow!  She’s a senior and we’re talking about college.  My mom just got back from a long summer away from us.  This is her 4^th night home, Micah spent the night at her house on her 2^nd night home and will again on her 5th night home.  Court (my brother), Christine, Avery and Courtney are coming to visit for the first time since I’ve lived here.  I received good news at all of my doctor appointments (except maybe the orthopedic dr but that’s not life threatening so I’m counting it as ok).  We are living and enjoying our lives and dealing with the bumps in the road.  

Finale: noun fi·na·le \fə-ˈna-lē, fi-ˈnä-\ - The last part of something (such as a musical performance, play, etc.)

I looked at Kim and said “I can’t believe we are doing this!” and she replied “I know!!!”  We sounded like a bunch of giddy teenagers.

Back in Summer 2014 I agreed to be a part of this cancer survivor runway show.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into but figured I didn’t have anything to lose.  I mentioned the runway show in my blog a few times but still had no idea what all was involved.

Fast forward to March 24, 2015.  (I just got chills while I typed the date)  One of the most amazing nights of my life.  I know I won’t be able to explain the experience in a way that will make it clear how truly lucky I am to have been a part of this but I'll do my best. 

We met in February for our gifting party and to begin our weekly practices in preparation for the runway show.  OMG what a party this was.  I really had no idea what to expect but was in awe at all of the gifts we received from businesses in our community.  The estimated value of our gifts was somewhere around $2500 for EACH OF US.  After receiving our gifts and setting up appointments for our fittings we sat in a circle and each of us told our stories.  When it came to my story I had no idea what to say!  I had been listening so intently to each story, wanting to know more about the lives of each woman I was hearing from that I didn't get the chance to plan what I was going to say.  All I could do was speak from the heart. We all had something in common and at that moment became as close as though we’d known each other for years. 

Our practices consisted of learning to pose on the runway and for photos, learning to walk the runway and how to do turns and spins, learning the choreography for our show and getting our pictures taken individually and as a group (by Chandra who only snapped 2 pics of me and maybe 4 of the group and caught pictures that everyone likes!).  The practices also included a lot of girl talk!  These women really were becoming my close friends.  We all share something that is so unique and can support each other in a way that we didn’t even know we needed. 

On March 24, 2015 our lives were changed forever thank you to a few women who found it in their hearts to create an event to empower cancer survivors.  This was a top notch event!  As we were waiting to walk the runway in our first outfit, our formal dresses, we were nervous.  I looked at Kim and said “I can’t believe we are doing this!” and she replied “I know!!!”  We sounded like a bunch of giddy teenagers.  That was about as ‘out of control’ as I got.’  I walked on stage and the crowd was cheering for me!  WOW!  Everyone in that room was cheering for ME!!!  I don’t know how my friends and family got so lucky but they were smack dab at the end of the runway.  I walked towards them and could see them cheering and smiling.  Oh what a feeling!

All of a sudden I was changing into my second outfit, a contemporary outfit that I love!  And then it was time to walk onto the runway for a 2^nd time.  This time Kim and I walked out together.  We rocked that runway and then we were changing into our third outfits and couldn’t believe the show was almost over!  Everything went by way too fast. We wanted to keep walking the runway!  The nerves were gone and we all had the biggest smiles on our faces!

Our third outfits were resort wear.  My outfit was pretty much a muumuu and a bikini top.  But it was better than that and I felt like a million bucks in it.  This was our final walk.  Everyone was still cheering!  Everyone cheered the entire time we walked the runway!  All 19 of us, Cancer Survivors/Mothers/Daughters/Wives/Friends, were on the runway together having the time of our lives!

This event was a monumental day in my life.  I didn’t even realize this until after the event but I couldn’t have planned it better.  Doctors, nurses, friends and family came to celebrate My Finale.  After pretty much being off work for 2 years, I plan to return to work in 1 week.  The Kemp family is about to find out what our new normal is and this finale was one I will never forget!

Susan and Lisa had an idea to empower cancer survivors and they sure have done this!

Our team!  Dawn, Eloise, Lane, Lisa, Celeste, Patrice and Susan.  We love them all!!!

My formal dress.  

Me in my muumuu

My favorite outfit, the contemporary outfit.

Some of my new friends!  Stacie, Kim and Allison

Kim, Diane and me

Me, Stacie and Lynell

Seats for my friends and family at the end of the runway

My 'head shot' but Candra.  

You Night NOLA Class of 2015

Helena, Cate and Me after the show

Another new friend Karen, after the show

Feb 2015 update

If you ask me how I’m doing, I’ll tell you I’m doing really well.  Cancer-wise I’m good.  Hip, wrist and memory wise I could use some help!

Monday, my Oncologist gave me the thumbs up and said she’d see me in 3 months.  That’s fantastic!  Although I thought it was my 6-month checkup which reiterates to me that my memory is still not HERE. 

Three weeks ago I went in for my 6 month checkup with my OB/GYN, which I thought I needed because I had an abnormal pap awhile ago due to the chemo I was on (or some other drug, I’d have to look through my blog to get the details).  I signed in, waited a few minutes and the receptionist said I didn’t have an appointment.  I personally had the appointment entered in my phone calendar and my paper calendar that I carry around (a good way to double check myself, I thought).  But I wasn’t upset, we just scheduled an appointment for the following week.  When I went back last week, signed in and was called back to get my bp, weight, and a urine sample the nurse asked me why I was there.  Oh geez… here we go again I thought!  She looked through my chart and found that I’d already had 2 normal pap smears so I didn’t need to be there.  We scheduled my annual exam for August.  FYI  When I had an abnormal pap due to the medications I was on I needed to get checked every 6 months until I had two normal paps.

I was supposed to have Physical Therapy today because I had a hip Bursectomy done in January.  I have my 6-week post op visit with my surgeon on Wednesday (I think???) so this appointment was an evaluation before I see my surgeon.  My phone and paper calendars show the appointment was scheduled at 4pm.  Apparently the appointment was actually 2pm and I missed it.  I have so many checks and balances for my appointments, I don’t see how I can keep messing up!  I wonder if I have too many checks and balances…  Anyway, I’d been having pain in my right hip for a few years.  PT didn’t help my hip.  Time didn’t help. I guess the steroid shots helped, or at least that’s what my surgeons notes say.  The surgeon said to me “so the steroid shot helped.” I thought he was asking me so I answered and told him it didn’t.  He looked at me and said he wouldn’t have entered that note if I hadn’t told him that.  I laughed and said, “well then, I guess it did help.”   And then we talked about Chemo Brain. Whatever…  So on January 14^th I had a right hip bursectomy.  I think it’s helped but I’m also still sore from the surgery so I guess I can’t say for sure.

I’m at 6 weeks post op from the hip bursectomy and am able to schedule a carpal tunnel release on my right hand.  I’m hoping to have this done in the next week or two.  The same orthopedic surgeon who did the hip surgery will perform the surgery.  When I told Micah’s pediatrician who performed the hip surgery he said, “Ooooh the surgeon to the athletes.”  I like that :) 

Which brings me to my family.  Micah turned 4 on January 25^th. We had a party with his friends and he had a blast!  Bobby’s birthday was February 2^nd and my mom watched Micah so we could spend the night in the French Quarter.  My moms birthday was January 17^th but it kind of got skimmed over because of my surgery on the 15^th.  She even had to pick up her own birthday cake but I think I paid J  Helena, my mom and I went shopping last weekend for Helena’s prom dress.  We found one and she looks beautiful in it!  Hard to believe we have a teenager, probably because she is nothing like I was at 17! 

Playing with Alex at Micah's bday party.

Micah is taller than 91% of 4 yr olds.
I know he gets that from me!!

Micah is 4!!!

Nana and Micah at a parade.

Garrett and Micah

Me and Renee
(my friend and Garrett's mom)

Endymion is one of our favorite parades.
This is to looking the left of us.

On the balcony

Looking to the right.

Johnny Giavotella and me. He just got traded to the Angels
which happens to be my favorite team.  Bobby took this picture.
  If I were single I  might've done my hair a little differently :)

Another Endymion party.
A homemade float for the kids!

On the float!!