2009 Lu'au a great success!

Thank you to all our friends and family who were able to join us for our Lu'au to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation of Greater Kansas City. We had a wonderful time and feel very blessed by the support and generosity of everyone. A special thank you to all the employees of Haynes Equipment for helping pull this all together. The pig turned out great and the show was amazing. The performers were magnificent, the company was great and the food was delicious. We raised a great deal of money for a wonderful cause. Thanks again!

Lu'au this weekend

Aloha! We are getting ready for our first fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure this Saturday, May 30th. It is a Lu'au with a traditional Kalua pig cooked Hawaiian Imu style. The Lu'au will be performed by the Ahuna Family from the islands of Hawaii. All funds raised at this event will benefit the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. So far we have over 150 people who plan to attend. Please pray for good weather! We had a wonderful Memorial weekend with the Bellerive's at Glen Elder Lake. Believe it or not the weather was gorgeous. I think this is the first time in 7 years we have not dealt with adverse weather conditions. James and the kids even got to water ski! Noah had a great time with Jake and I even made it on the boat. A great time was had by all. James & I both are a little under the weather but both are now on antibiotics. Hopefully the kids stay well. Chemo again tomorrow....yuck! The bright spot only 6 more to go!!! We plan to celebrate with a nice vacation in July. My hair is beginning to grow back mostly gray. I think I used to be blonde....not anymore, at least not until Stephanie can fix it. Join us if you can at the fundraiser this Saturday. If not pray for good weather! Aloha :]

Last Week of School

Well it has finally arrived...the last week of school. Noah can hardly wait for school to let out for the summer. Regan and Alex are done so mornings are hard for him. I am doing great. Chemo was a little more difficult this past Friday and yesterday was not a good day but today I feel much better. Hopefully chemo this Friday will be easier. One bright note, my hair is starting to grow back. Not much yet but a little each day. Who knew I wasn't a true blonde anymore????? Regan graduated last week and has been on the party circuit since then. James & I are hosting a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization of Greater Kansas City on Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 at Haynes Equipment. It is a Hawaiian Lu'au with performers from Hawaii and a traditional Kalua Pig roast. The event is free to attend. There will be an opportunity for love offerings to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for Breast Cancer during the event. James is the driving force behind this event. He just thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to give back and help raise funds to stop this terrible disease. We would love to have everyone join us for a fun afternoon! If you plan to attend RSVP to Kathy@Hansen-Home.com by May 23rd so we can get a count for food. We are looking forward to the annual Bellerive Memorial Weekend Campout! James, Regan and Noah are leaving on Wednesday and Alex and I will take off after chemo on Friday! Have a great week everyone!

8 more treatments to go

I had chemo yesterday and I think my body is still humming from all the steroids. I did sleep a little better but seemed really drained after treatment. Just basic stuff wears me out and my fine motor skills seem to be very effected. I do think my hair is starting to grow back, YEAH! I have peach fuzz everywhere, even on my face which seems really weird...The neuropathy was pretty bad in my hands yesterday but it seems to have let up a little this morning. As the end of chemo approaches I am growing increasingly uneasy about how to get my life back on track. How do you not live in fear? During treatment you are actively doing something to fight this horrible disease but what next? My mother and sister gave me a book to read entitled After Breast Cancer but I have not read it yet. Maybe that will help. I have missed seeing my friends but I think they see their worst fear when they look at me...I don't know. It makes me sad. Prince of Peace families have been wonderful and I thank God everyday for being part of this community. Sitting in the chemo chair really puts your priorities in order and I intend to remember that feeling as I move forward in life. So much really doesn't matter. I now say what is on my mind and don't dance around it. Not that I every really did. Life is to short to be petty and mean. I hope to have many more years to teach my children how to embrace life but if not I will not waste the time I have now! Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer is almost Here!

Yes, believe it or not it is almost summer! Regan has 7 days left of school and this includes field day and a trip to World's of Fun! Alex is done on the 14th but has finals until the 19th and Noah is done Thursday, May 21st. I know the kids are looking forward to summer. I am trying to get the house in order so we can enjoy our days together. Chemo is going fine. I am having a little trouble with my hands and feet. It's a side effect of the chemo. I am taking a dietary supplement and B-6 to help. They warned me this would be a problem and that there isn't much they can do about it. Some days they hurt like I have bad arthritis other days they just tingle. Head aches have been a problem lately but I don't know if it is the chemo or allergies. Only 9 more treatments to go!!! The bathroom is almost finished, Finally! We just need to put the baseboards back on and the door frame. It looks good! This project was a lot harder than I anticipated! We are looking forward to Memorial Day and the volleyball tournament. Have a wonderful week.