~*Kristin's Website*~

my family at my graduation!!

Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by! I am a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, majoring Animal Science. When I was almost finished with my freshman year in March 2004, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a childhood bone cancer, that had metastasized, or spread to my lungs. I went through 18 rounds of chemotherapy, which brought on 4 fevers and infections that also landed me in the hospital. I had surgery in June of 2004 to remove the main tumor on my right distal femur. The surgeons removed inches of my femur along with part of my knee and replaced it with a chrome rod and a partial knee replacement. Then, in July 2004, I underwent a double thoracotomy to remove the spots on my lungs. I finished up my chemo in November of 2004. In all, I was hospitalized a 24 times, usually for about a week at a time. I had scans in December 2004, and as of then, I AM IN REMISSION! :O)(O:

In October 2005, another spot was found on my lungs. We watched it for a month and it didn't grow. We decided to give it the "3-month test" and check it again in January. By January, it had grown a bit, so I had a thoracotomy on January 26, 2006. The entire spot was removed. It tested positive for osteogenic sarcoma. It was decided that no further chemo would be needed at this point. Thank GOD!

In January, 2007, it was decided that the spot we had been watching since October 2006 needed to be removed because it had grown. On February 8th, 2007, I had another thoracotomy to remove the spot. I'm so glad Dr. Moir is such a great surgeon. He removed the spot and it was sent to pathology. It was positive for OGS again. But, because it was the only nodule he found and it was again encapsulated, no further treatment is needed at this time. Again, PRAISE THE LORD! I can continue on with my senior year care-free!

This was on the front of a card that I got from the CFC FFA:
"What Cancer Cannot Do"
Cancer is so limited..
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal eternal life,
It cannot conquer the spirit.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32) For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Gospel of Matthew

adopt your own virtual pet!

"I believe in mind over matter.
I believe in the human spirit to prevail.
I believe in miracles and blessings, both big and small.
I believe in possibilities.
I believe that hurdles in life are to be jumped over, not as something to stop us."

"We cannot all do GREAT THINGS, but we can do SMALL THINGS with GREAT LOVE."~~Mother Teresa




*HUGS* TOTAL!
give kristi_lou more *HUGS*

Get hugs of your own






"Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever." ~Lance Armstrong

"I take nothing for granted. I now only have good days or great days." ~Lance Armstrong

Journal

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:41 PM CST

well, merry christmas...
sorry i lack in updates, but in my defense, i'm a very busy girl...

to start things off, i just had appointments in rochester yesterday. i had blood work, a ct scan, leg x-rays, and an echocardiogram. everything checked out fine. they moved me from check-ups every four months to every six, so i don't have to go back until june. i'm also going to be transitioning from a ct scan on my lungs every time to just x-rays. they're beginning to get concerned about the amount of radiation i'm recieving from the ct scans and that can cause a secondary cancer later on down the road. i'll also be seen in the same place, just on a day they call the long-term care clinic...for survivors who have been out for a few years. these are all great signs... :)

i just finished my fall semester of my second year at uw-river falls...i took some pretty hard classes this time around and pretty much was eating, sleeping, and breathing homework and studying. i did find time to go visit hannah in la crosse though, and also made it to some parties. don't worry, i behave myself. i know whats important. i ended up with two As and three Bs this term, so i'm very happy with that. i only missed the deans list by a .1 on my GPA...next semester, right?

things around home have been pretty basic, i guess. mitch and jarod keep my parents pretty busy. although it's much easier now that they're both in high school. football was a bit rough for them with a losing season; needless to say they were very excited to start basketball. varsity is looking to have a great season, and the jv has been struggling a bit, but they just love to play. they also fill up their free time with hunting and fishing. i'm pretty excited to go out ice fishing with jarod while i'm home on break.

speaking of break, i'll be keeping busy working at the old ways, fishing with jarod, and keeping up with my online class.

well, just thought i should update quick after my appointments. i'm very excited for this Christmas season. tonight my family is going to mass, then opening presents from my parents. tomorrow my dad's side of the family will be over and then on saturday we go to sharl and jeff's house to celebrate with my mom's side.

but let's not forget the real reason for this joyous season. my faith in God and Jesus has never been stronger. i know i survived cancer thanks to them, and i will always be so thankful for that. so as you are celebrating Christmas with your families and friends, make sure to take time to celebrate with God and Jesus as well. i know i will.

peace...
kristin

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: Through the kitchen, down the hall, second door on the right

HoMe SwEeT hOmE
S2120 St. Rd. 35
Alma, WI 54610
(608) 248-3176

Links:

E-mail Author: kristinschamaun@hotmail.com

---

 

Your gift will help millions of people stay connected with friends and loved ones during challenging times.

---

 

This page has been viewed 42714 times.

Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.