Keep Running! -Kim

Hello Adoring Fans of Kim! I bear tidings of great... feet. You wouldn't believe what this last round of Chemo has brought on.

She started this round on Monday, both her first day back to PCMC after her little break at home, and her first day of Chemo. They've had her on a few different kinds, but the main two have been ARA-C, one she's had almost every time- it's rough. And a new one- they call it Cloe. She usually feels feverish and itchy with the ARA-C, and is prone to rashes, so that was to be expected. But Cloe seems to have brought on something all together new-

The feet. As strange as it is, her feet have swelled into puffy little balloons, with aching bones, and skin as red and tender as the worst of sunburns. It's so bad at times, that she can't stand to have them touched, let alone walk on them. We've been keeping ice packs on them 24-7, and giving her pain meds around the clock, just to try managing it. The rest of her body is in reasonably good condition- it's just the feet.

Fortunately, today they feel just a little bit better than yesterday, and as yesterday was the last day of her chemotherapy, we're hoping this means she'll keep feeling better bit by bit.

I have another story to tell you from earlier this week. I'm not really sure how to lead up to it, as I've never written anything like this before.

Kim's life has been one of many miracles, small and large. This week she was able to be a part of one of the most miraculous yet:

Early this week, just after starting chemotherapy again, she had a day of terrible nausea. She threw up several times, and was miserable the rest of the time. This was very strange for her, as she usually never gets sick until after her chemo treatment is already through. The nurse she had that day was spending almost all of her time with Kim, and ended up quite neglecting the other patient she was taking care of.

The day passed, and the other patient, a one year old little boy named Michael, was due for a round of chemo himself. The nurse put it off and put it off, until his mother, Rachel, was very nearly getting upset- it was getting late. Just as the nurse was finally getting ready to start the chemo, nearly two hours past it's scheduled time, the doctor rushed in telling them to stop. They had done some tests and found that the walls of Michael's small intestines were sepparating. If they gave him that chemo, it probably would kill him.

Later, Rachel came by to tell their story to Mom and Kim. She told them that Kim had saved her baby's life.

Later that week, Rachel came by again. Michael had been given a blessing stating that he would be healed, and she wanted us to know that his intestines were better- something that should have taken a long time, and a lot of treatment. He was able to start his chemotherapy again.

I know that blessings like these are brought on by people like you, with your prayers and thoughts and love for Kim, and the others in situations like hers. It's so amazing, the wonderful things I have been able to witness throughout this journey. Thank you all for being there along the way. We need you.

Love Always, Emily