Kelly Hokanson

This past Friday (yes, Friday the 13th- lesson learned!), I went in for a colonoscopy because I had been having stomach issues.  I was certain they would tell me that I had bleeding ulcers (buying 3 houses in 3 weeks is stressful! :)  What they told me instead was that I had a malignant tumor.  An endoscopic ultrasound was scheduled for today (5/17), where we found that I have stage 2 cancer, and will have to do radiation and chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the tumor.  I will meet with the a surgeon tomorrow who will come up with a plan with the oncologist.  We will know more tomorrow. 

What I know today-

1.  I am going to do everything in my power to kick this thing's ass.  I am on a crazy "starve the damn tumor" diet, restricting anything that will give it energy/oxygen, etc. 

2.  I have the most amazing network in the universe.  I got so many texts this morning I could not respond to all of them.  I apologize profusely for that, but I am going to try to "slow down", so sometimes that will have to give.  I will try to check in here as often as possible.

3.  My family is so far beyond amazing.  If I live to be 1000, I will never be able to repay my parents for all of their help these past few weeks.  WAY beyond the call of duty!!

4.  The only thing I need right now is prayers.  So many people have asked what they can do- I am certain that I will need rides to chemo and radiation in the weeks ahead, but for right now, I'm trying to pretend life is status quo (HA! :)  I promise, promise, promise to ask for help when I need it.  (Maybe this is God's plan- teaching me how to do that! :)

5.  Cancer freaking sucks.

That is all for now.  My profuse thanks to all of you- I love you, and don't have words to express how grateful I am for your support!

Love, Kel