New Year. New Journey.

Happy New Year’s Everyone,

It has been exactly two weeks since my surgery and it seems a lifetime has passed already. My Krista’s Cure Team has been moving at warp speed from day one to find out and provide me with as much information as possible to get me started on the right track to cure my cancer. You have fed me, massaged me, made phone calls, researched programs, made appointments, babysat, sent love and prayers and have stopped by with lots of hugs. It has been a beautiful unfolding of offers big and small. I am blown away every day by the generosity that people have demonstrated on my behalf. Completely blown away.

So here is where we are today:

There are many ways to tackle cancer and I plan to face this the same way that I would advise my own clients. I will use every possible tool within my means and take all facets of who I am into consideration. For me, this looks like a blend of eastern and western methodologies that considers the whole person. Body, mind, spirit. It is all one and I will treat it like one.

Western:
It is clear that the first level of treatment must include radiation and chemotherapy. Based on numerous recommendations, we decided to make appointments with UCSF and MD Anderson in Houston to find out about their neuro-oncology programs and what they have to offer. Jesse, my dad and I met with Dr. Butowski , neuro-oncologist at UCSF on Wednesday and were very impressed with him on many levels. He outlined the treatment plan and possible trials that I would be eligible to participate in if we choose them. The good news is that I can receive my radiation/chemo out of Reno. A huge relief. I will only need to travel to SF on occasion to receive any trial drugs and be monitored/tested by their team.

Jesse and I will drive to Sacramento today and fly out tomorrow, Saturday for Houston where we will have an appointment with doctors on Monday at MD Anderson. This will give us a full picture of what is available to me and we will make a decision early next week.

Eastern/Other:
It is critical that I make the rest of my person as healthy as possible to ensure the best possible outcome.

Diet/Nutrition: 
From day one I was told that an alkaline diet was the way to go so we jumped in head first and removed everything from my diet that could potentially feed the cancer. What this means is that we cut out about 90% of what I love to eat/drink every day. Hmph. No sugar, no coffee, no caffeine, no alcohol, no gluten, no dairy, very little meat protein, no BACON! Double hmph.!

It’s a good thing I like vegetables and healthy foods. I have never eaten so much Quinoa and Kale in my life. Almond butter, hummus and avocados are my new best friends. Lots of green tea and lemon water.

I lost 10lbs. in one week which I would normally have been thrilled with but it was a little scary to see how quickly my weight was dropping. I have been” trying” to drop 10 lbs this last year with little success. Nothing like a little brain cancer to get you motivated to eat the right things. Not a program I would recommend for others however. It appears we have been able to stabilize my weight loss and Jesse has been an absolute ROCKSTAR about making me very tasty meals with all the ingredients I can have to stay strong and energized…he loves to cook and is enjoying the challenge.

We are looking into other nutritional supplementation plans/programs to add to the current diet. There is a lot of great information out there, it’s just taking some time to sort through it all. Rest assured we are sorting through it all and no stone will go unturned. So please continue to send anything you think relevant to us at kristascure@gmail.com.

The other big things on the list moving forward will be getting appropriate exercise, sleep, meditation, play and spending ample time with family, friends and of course my amazing daughter Trella. What a light she is in the midst of all of this. She and Jesse are at the core of my motivation and inspiration to face this battle. It makes every decision easy, every choice simple. I will beat this. I don’t have one doubt in my mind. And I don’t want you to either.

On that note, please, please, please don’t feel sorry for me. I have not felt better in my life than I feel today. I know that seems difficult to believe. But it is absolutely true. I have more energy, more motivation, more clarity now than at any time in my 44 years on this planet. When you see me you’ll understand. And dare I say, I think you’ll be inspired too.

Other news:

• We are currently finalizing a website, logo and blogspot for me to document and record my journey for Krista’s Cure
• Many people are asking to help with the daunting financial aspect of this journey and we are working on a GoFundMe account now. Be patient! Believe me, we’re going to need some help for while so keep your wallets in your pants.
• I believe my friends are also working together to put on a fund raiser in the coming weeks. With MY ROCKSTAR husband you know it’ll be good. Bands and entertainment are flocking to support this effort will so be looking for more information on dates/times soon. 
• Hug Campaign/Challenge. All I can say is that it’s going to be AWESOME! More information on the challenge by early next week.

Finally, I just don’t know how to explain the depth of my gratitude for everything, every little, big, gargantuan thing you have done for me. I’ve known that I am blessed. I’ve known that I am loved. I have known that I have an amazing support system, loving family and friends. I did not know how deep it went. But I’m beginning to find out and it seems it is without measure. It is endless. It is vast. It is coming from a source so much bigger than me and I’m excited to see where it is going to take all of us.

2016 is going to be a journey of healing. Rest assured, this is not just my healing. It will be yours as well.

With love and gratitude,

Krista

Cancer Survivor