The Beginning

On Friday July 15th, 2016, Kim went to Providence Hospital in Milwaukie, OR for a breast biopsy and ultrasound after a doctor's consultation earlier in the week. True to her nature, she went into work early to get a head start and then returned to work afterwards. She was informed that results would take a few days and that it would be Tuesday, most likely, before she heard anything.

Kim enjoyed the weekend with minimal stress including some bike rides and seeing Ghostbusters. (Spoiler alert - It's awesome!). Monday passed by with an uptick in anxiety but life around the house wasn't all that much different. Tuesday, we both waited to hear something and we'd begun making dinner having given up on hearing anything for the day. The phone rang at 6:30.

Kim retreated to the bedroom and heard the news, the biopsy had returned a positive result for breast cancer. Further tests and evaluation would ensue but there was little urgency from the doctor and incredible fortitude from Kim. I sat with her through the entire conversation holding her hand and just kind of floating. We sat for a moment more and then went out and made dinner together. Kim asked to go for a walk after dinner but we sat the boys down first and told them. It was a simple affair and without emotion from any of us. We all made the pact right then and there that while we couldn't control cancer, we can and would control ourselves. We then walked down to the river for a beautiful sunset. That night and every night since it's been pretty much life as normal around here. Kim is so incredibly brave and strong. She's been silently at work on recovery from the very first moment.

Friday July 22nd was the first day we started to learn things. First things first, Kim has the most incredible doctor. Nathalie Johnson is one of the most respected doctors in the field and is a breast cancer survivor herself. What a gift to have this peace of mind. Even better, Kim's Oncology Navigator is our dear friend Kristin Applegate. She has already gone above and beyond to inform and inspire our family. Kim has an incredible team assembled so we can get straight to work on this.

Prognostic Factors
Luminal A breast cancer
Tumor size is 3.6 cm / Stage II (left side)
Lymph nodes / Sentinel node biopsy - Positive
Estrogen Receptors - 100%
Progesterone Receptors - 100%
MIB (Ki-67) - Intermediate 14%

Next steps

Monday July 25th:
Morning: Lab Work, CT scan chest, abdomen, pelvis.  Whole body bone scan.
Afternoon: Meeting with oncologist

Thursday July 28th:
Echocardiogram
Breast Specific Gamma Imaging

Friday August 19th:
Genetic Testing

Kim will begin a 10-year program of Tamoxifen to address the hormone receptors noted above.

This is a "good" form of breast cancer with very good prognosis rates.

Kim will also begin a chemotherapy cycle beginning very soon. This will include treatments every three weeks for the next six months.

Following the completion of chemotherapy Kim will be evaluated for lumpectomy surgery, Reverse Lymphatic Mapping, to address any remaining cancerous tumors. Following this, if necessary, will be radiation treatment.

In all, Kim has a one-year treatment process starting right now.

Our plan is to put weekly updates here and provide as much as we can in the way of results. Kim will add her thoughts as she has time. Bookmark this page and check in. We'll let you know which day we choose for updates once we get into the cycle.

Some notes:
Kim already lives a healthy lifestyle so she has a good foundation for recovery. We are all committed to maximizing our efforts and putting a massive focus on diet. As I type this Andrew is preparing a recipe from a cancer-fighting cookbook given to us by Kristen. Again, Kristen is amazing. Food will be our most powerful agent of change. Andrew, Jason, and I are up to the challenge and have learned so much over the weekend about the foods that will help Kim, and us, become even healthier. I'd bet we post recipes of our favorites on this blog going forward.

Kim will continue to exercise and work as fitness and mental creativity are integral to her well-being. Kim has not missed a step through all of this. She is our inspiration to carry on and be positive.

Now, about positivity, I offer our friend Jim Brown of Olympia, Washington. I've known Jim for over 20 years. He's a firefighter, paramedic, junior cycling coach, husband, and father. Jim has been tackling lung cancer head on for just over a year now. His experience is well-known and has been invaluable for people just like Kim. He's done the same as Kristen, sending us information to educate and inform ourselves. Further, he's a beacon of positive light and an example of the power of the mind and spirit. Kim and Jim, two of the most brave people you will ever meet. I wrote about Jim and I'd like you to read it. Click here.

Andrew & Jason:
What can I say? Their strength and positivity are no surprise as these are traits they learned from their mother. They didn't miss a step and are front and center in the mission to support Kim.

Family & Friends:
Your support is something Kim and I can feel no matter the distance you may be from us. Please stay in touch. We are so fortunate to have each and every one of you.

About that image at the top of the page. We went on a camping trip earlier this month to eastern Oregon. Kim found us a teepee in a state park on the John Day River near the Painted Hills National Monument. On the drive there we passed through Kimberly, Oregon.

And the title of this blog? Kim is very much enjoying Andrew's love of cooking and is always interested in what he has planned for dinner. (The kid is a great cook, folks. And he runs a tight kitchen with his trusted assistant Jason pitching in. I mean, who has kids reading cook books, watching cooking shows, and talking about proper knife cuts?)

OK, that's a lot to read and thank you for making it this far. More to come. Thank you for your love and support of Kim.

-Chris