Kristin "Kourageous" Katich

Kristin had an appointment this morning for Vincristine at Renown. Tomorrow we will go back for stat labs and probably a transfusion. Since her counts are heading south, Dr. Raphael wants to avoid a Thanksgiving Day transfusion as no one from Oakland will be in town after Tuesday. While we were there she talked with some of her favorite nurses, Tia Spiers and Sandy Payne, about her new career decision...nursing. They gave her some good advice. I know she is excited about the future and we are just as thrilled also. We talk about future plans often, knowing that there are so many good things in store for her. I personally think she would make an excellent nurse especially if she chooses the hematology/oncology path as a nurse practitioner. (yes Connie, just like you!) As of today there are only seven days left of Delayed Intensification 2 and then she will be in Maintenance! (count dependent)This is significant because she can look forward to having her Broviac removed in February. Mos...

After chemo on Monday;I know, no rest for the weary, Kristin's platelet count was on the way down. Last week she was at 187 (x1000) and by Monday her count was 30. Connie called with the plan, a stat CBC early Wednesday morning and plan on a transfusion for later in the day. We knew her counts were low as she has had a little nose bleeds since Sunday and the three shots of PEG bled more than usual. So while Kristin ate waffles for breakfast, I drew her labs. Yum-o! Her counts as of today are ANC 200, Platelets 17, HGB 10. We spent the afternoon at Renown getting tanked up on Platelets.

Kristin is currenly in room 5330 getting two units of PRBC's. Her counts are on the way down and I am hoping that this is all the drama we will see. It has been a long, difficult...two months.....seems like forever.... especially as we approach the one year mark. Our daily excursions to Berkley have been uneventful. (I decided that if I had another life, I would like it to be in Berkley. I love this area!) We are going to Alta Bates Hospital. I am taken by the compassion, charity, and warmth that the patients are treated with here. It is the same spirit you feel when you walk onto the 5th floor here at CHO. Wonderful people who truly and compassionately love what they do. Back to her radiation.....Her radiation takes all of two minutes. I call it a "lick." Thankfully she is getting a very low dose so the side effects are pretty much nil. Kristin really looks forward to returning to school on a more regular basis. I cannot begin to tell you of the hardships Kristin has ...

We have been here in the bay area for a week now. Kristin was admitted to Oakland where she received Cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) and Ara-C. We are also doing radiation daily in Berkley at Alta Bates Medical Center. Except for a rather severe anaphylactic reaction to IVIG (iv immunoglobulin) so far all is going well. After alarms and the whole hospital descending on Kristin's room, our Doctor said,"We won't be doing that again!"I told Kristin I am over the drama! Remembering Eric I am asking all of you to please remember the Trowbridge family in your prayers during this very difficult time. They are a beautiful family who have endured and experienced more than one could imagine with courage and grace beyond my ability to express. I honor his memory with the courage he fought his battles with.

I would like to ask all of our faithful friends and family to remember Eric Trowbridge in your prayers. He really needs all the help he can get right now. Sadly, there have been many serious complications following his successful bone marrow transplant. Eric is a fellow Galena student who we have grown to love. Heaven is very close to these children. Kristin comments on this often, they feel the strength of your sincere and humble prayers offered on their behalf. Thank you for remembering Eric.