Part 11 ~ Chemo Port and a Walk: Encouragement

September 2016           Dr. S. and I met again for more surgery – my chemo port placement. I was so not looking forward to chemo. I hated the idea of chemicals coursing thru my veins and taking the good cells along with the bad. I had the class that told me what to expect in
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Supporting Your Cancer Warrior Part 3

Everything is Medicine, and You’re Not a Pharmacist Food is Scary! You know those fears you have about too much salt, too much red meat, too many preservatives, etc. etc.  Those fears are real, but they probably don’t mean much unless you’re eating a half pound of beef 3 meals a day over a prolonged
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Part 10 ~ The Next Phase: Giants

Part 10 ~ The Next Phase: Giants August 2016 The week after my birthday was another series of doctor appointments: follow-ups from my stay in the hospital, and our first visit to Dr. Sardi at Mercy Medical Center in Maryland. From the time of my surgery, all of my doctors had told me that Dr.
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Supporting Your Cancer Warrior Part 2

Supporting Your Cancer Warrior Part 2 Remember that it is not You and They are not Themselves Stress and Emotions Cancer can change a lot of things and that can translate into a lot of stress. Too much stress can change how people act; you and your loved one are no exception. Depression is common
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Part 9 ~ It’s Not Easy Being Green!: The Great Physician

Part 9 ~ It’s Not Easy Being Green!: The Great Physician July/August 2016 We finally had Bean’s birthday party, as we had planned it prior to my surgery. My friend Rachel, a very talented baker, made her a cake, and we had our relatives and some of Bean’s friends over to help celebrate!  A few

Part 8 ~ Home at Last!: More Provision!

Part 8 ~ Home at Last!: More Provision! July 2016 It was so nice to be home. The couch became mine, as it was where I sat during the day and where I slept at night, at least for the first week or so til I could get in and out of bed without any
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Supporting Your Cancer Warrior Part 1

Supporting Your Cancer Warrior Part 1 Hi, I’m Kris Ivie, the husband of Tiffany.  It is more than one person’s journey when cancer is involved. I have put together a series of informational posts from what I learned being a supporter of my wife when she battled her cancer. I would like to pass along
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Feeling much better!

Part 7 ~ Infection!: Good Gifts

Part 7 ~ Infection!: Good Gifts July 2016 I hate hospital beds. They are so uncomfortable and always make my back ache. The pillows are never like my own at home. I remembered very quickly how it felt getting out of bed after my c-section. This was no different except for the scar being vertical
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Caregiver Tips

Caregiver Tips My name is Mary, Kris’s mom and Tiffany’s mother-in-law and live-in caregiver during this time. This list, to some extent, includes things I learned while I was a first responder, EMT, caregiver for my live-in in-laws, aka Mom & Dad, and helping, to some extent, while other friends cared for their parents. First,
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Part 6 ~ Incision Time!: Peace

Part 6 ~ Incision Time!: Peace July 2016 Surgery Day! My in-laws came down – Mary to take care of Bean, and Kert to be with Kris in the waiting room. My Pastor was going to be there with them as well.  Dr. M. came to see me and go thru the usual questions such
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