"Attitude for Gratitude"

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We had a great day with all the cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents - 36 in total.

Before celebrating many of us plus some family friends attended Thanksgving mass at our local church, St. Augustines.  The pastor Fr. Pradrig Greene had asked both myself and a Marine reserve to speak about our "Attitude for Gratitude".

Below is my take on the Being Thankful.  But it is such a small world.  Of all the people in our parish, the other speaker was Ken Yonker.  I wish him all the best in his current assignment in Bahrain.

• 1st we both selected the same quote for our speech.  Quite a surprise when I heard it and had yet to go.  But I worked it in and it was fine. 
• 2nd, when I was in elementary school (5+ years ago).  "Mr. Ken", as he was known, was my Kids Club (afterschool program) teacher.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

My name is Kaitlin Gallagher, How has my "Attitude for Gratitude" changed this past year?

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

I have pretty much been a "glass ½ full" person, pretty optimistic about life in general. 

• Grateful for this great town, unlike so many who can't wait to escape from.  
• My Family, all 9 cousins and my 4 grandparents close by.   
• My Friends whom I have known since Kindergarten and others who I have the privilege of meeting since.  
• My CCOP community, enjoying the FF classes as a child, receiving the sacraments, participating at mass as a lector, usher, singing in the choir, an alter server and currently co-teaching a 3^rd grade FF class.  
• And of coarse being a part of the VBS family

During that one week of VBS per year, God's many blessings are all present. 

• The message and music carried us thru the rest of the year. 
• The transformed hall reminded each of us of the gifts that surround us daily. 
• The many talents that God has given so many in order for the week to be a success.  
• The spirit felt as on entered, either as a participant or an observer, was permeable.

This past year I have battled stage 4 Leukemia & Lymphoma.  The diagnosis, although a surprise, made sense somewhat.  My body had been calling out for help.  I had back pain that started as a "softball injury", we thought.  However, it quickly progressed to unbearable pain.  I also had a lump at the base of my throat.  Although painless, not normal.

Thru God's grace we landed at UCSF where they were able to diagnose and begin treatment quickly.  While a cancer diagnosis is difficult.. knowing what was wrong and what path needed to be taken was comforting and reassuring.  I quickly learned that the blessings I had enjoyed and recognized thru my life did not end but were vastly expanded.

I can recall my phone calls and visitors all with well wishes and many, many prayers.  There was holy water from Fatima & Lourdes.  But I most remember Fr. Pradrig's visit at the hospital during the first couple of weeks.  He wanting to comfort me mentioned "It's just not fair".  "Not fair", I said.  Why not, someone has to do this why not me?  I did not see this journey as a punishment or "bad luck".  It was a battle that I knew I would get thru.

I quickly began to take note of all the new blessings that I had not been privy to in the past.

• The scientists who tirelessly search for a cure, but in the meantime have developed with precision the ever evolving treatment plans.  
• The doctors with mind and hearts that WANT to heal.  It's not just a job  
• The nurses, who caringly watch over me, administer my meds, watch movies with me and became my friends.  They truly wear angel wings.  
• My best friends and their families; the many long trips to SF to visit, the comforting blanket, the meals for my family, the support for my parents and can't forget the many signs or the 1000 peeps in front of the house  
• This wonderful community; the prayer shawl from CCOP, the 1000 cranes made by kids led by Morgan Ingram, the beautiful cards of well wishes and the months of meals. All made with such love and an abundance of prayers.

I believe I was one of the fortunate.  I tolerated the chemotherapy, surgeries and the scans.  I count that as a great blessing!  I was able to enjoy life during a time when others would hibernate and have difficulty seeing the constant bounty of blessings around.

This Thanksgiving, I am done with my treatments, cancer free and returning to school after break.

Although I had, for the most part been grateful for whom I am and what I have, My "Attitude for Gratitude" has only been strengthen by the events of this past year.

I pray that God gives me the grace to repay these gifts and blessings by helping others in need.

So, how has this past year changed or not changed your “Attitude for Gratitude”?

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Cancer Free! YEAH!!

Since my last round and blood transfusion, I have had blood work and a PET/CT scan.  All have come back clear!  I went to a check-up earlier today and Dr. Matthay showed me my initial scan and my most recent scan.   What a difference!  The first scan had many white patches which were tumors.  They were everywhere, even in my shoulders, down my thighs, 3 next to my kidney amongst the ones we already knew about (mass in my chest/throat).

I am officially done except for check-ups, scans, and bloodwork.  NO MORE CHEMO!

My eyelashes and eyebrows are well on their way to regrowth.  My hair is a little slower, but I do love wearing my hats.
 


Amador Spirit!  Go Dons!



Last Round with a stay at Morales Inn

Round 9 began on Oct 23 and was totally different as it was outpatient (my 1st).  For 3 days we had to show up at the clinic (drs. office) at UCSF and receive my chemo there.  For 2 nights we stayed with my mom's good friend, Rudy and his brother, in SF.  They live in a beautiful flat that feels like you are staying at at a really nice hotel.  We had great dinners (one with his niece Marissa) and went for several walks.  THANK YOU Rudy & Michael!  The 3 days went by uneventful and this round required shots at home, 7 in total.  They don't hurt, but I can't seem to get used to them either.  My counts did drop and a transfusion was necessary.  Of course on Halloween of all days!  Was bummed that I wouldn't be in town but then was better when I got to see the nurses in costume.  Loved the "bag of blood".  How fitting for this visit and a great idea for next year.  Spent the night at USCF and went home the next morning. 

My sister was a "baby" with feety pjs.  My brother and 2 of his friends decided to be a girls.  Perfect, we even have a wig he can wear.  He really went for it and let me apply his makeup (including mascara) and dress him.  He fooled many at school including his teacher.  The girls recognized him and then began saying he was dressed up as his sister, KK.

Kaitlin with sister Maddie and brother Timmy (little KK)

Only 2 to go!

Can't believe it has been almost 2 months since the last post.  Time goes by quickly when you are having fun!

Round 8 went well especially since there was no port.  They did put in a PICC line that stayed in till after Round 9, but it was painless and made all the necessary access easy.  FYI - a PICC line is like an IV in that it goes into your arm.  However, it is a tube that is insterted and fed thru your arm up to your chest and into an artery close to your heart.  Round 8 was my last inpatient stay for chemo.  The hospital staff were lots of  fun and even made me a poster.  It was kinda of sad leaving on the last day.

Best part of this round my counts were stable and no fever, ambulance ride, or blood transfusion!



Between Round 8 and Round 9 was Homecoming.  It was a great event and I am fortunate that I was healthy enough to be able to go, with my nurse Cindy's ok :) 

My perfect date, Cody

My bff Alexis and our daddys

don't you love my fashion statement (PICC line cover)?

Finally a round with no ambulance ride!

The last few weeks have come and gone quite quickly.  After round #7 my counts did drop, but no fever which means no ambulance ride!!  YEAH!!  I did have to come in for a blood transfusion, but that is relatively easy and a very short visit!

We celebrated my Nana's 70th birthday (wasn't sure I would be able to attend).  It was a great party and I really loved seeing my Uncle John and Aunt Katherine from Colorado.

Nana with Uncle John



Dad with Auntie JoJo and Aunt Katherine



My LexLex!  Silly girl!

Emily, Suzann, and Auntie Anne Marie

I finally got my driver's permit.  Only six months late.  I got a new pair of glasses (required for passing the vision test at the DMV) and finally got the braces glue off my teeth (thanks Liz!)

Celebrated Ava's 3rd birthday!  Cutie Pie!

Found a Homecoming dress (pix to come in a later post).

Celebrate Timmy & Tommy's Birthday and went to several of Timmy's soccer games.

And got to do a lot of homework!!  But really like my home teacher and love my tutor Rachael!

All in all, really got to do a lot in 3 weeks and now I'm in for Round #8.  Two nights and hopefully my final stay in the hospital.

Cutest Little Boy Ever.... Love him!

Ok, you have to see this...  It is a video about a 6 year old who has cancer.  He is the cutest thing ever.  I will meet him someday!

Little Fighter Link

Just a Page in the Book of Life...

So one day in the hospital, probably back in June, I mentioned to my mom that I wanted to have portraits taken.  Her response, "Really??".

She began googling "Cancer Photographers"...  She wanted someone to be able to really capture what I was going thru.  What happened is truly the result of a higher power.

She connected with a great photographer from Colorado that has a little boy with cancer, Jennifer Wyeth. After a quick email introducing me and wishing her son the best and wishing she lived in the Bay Area, she wrote back and said "Let me see what I can do..."    This Colorado mom sent out a message to her photography friends as well as her facebook friends.  That message reached Marielle Hayes right here in Oakland who wrote us that she would love to do the portraits when I was up for it.  After looking at her website Marielle Hayes Photography, we could not be more excited.

About a week ago we (Cody, Alexis and I) met with Marielle at Tilden Park in Oakland/Berkely for the photo shoot.  What an amazing photographer Marielle is...  Even more so, she is an amazing person and I am a better person for having met her.  One of my favorite all time people. 

Thank you Marielle for documenting my journey so beautifully....