tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46039072019864043252012-02-09T15:23:19.219-08:00This is my cancer update blog. I'd like to believe that the fourth chapter of Osteo Sarcoma coming back could be done on my terms. "Kendra's Way." I would have an easy treatment; a less invasive surgery or none at all. But it's not that easy. As you'll see, there will be a lot of ups and downs, and definite uncertainties. Definite uncertainties, isn’t that an oxymoron? Well that's what my life is. An Oxymoron.Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-809116184608625062010-01-13T13:17:00.000-08:002010-01-13T13:39:56.238-08:00

Happy New Year!Hello Everyone,I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. 2009 ended on a great note for me (health wise). I managed to squeeze in one last CT just before the new year. The results were all clear.... "No Evidence Of Recurring Disease" = N.E.R.D. It's always good to be called a NERD in these cases. My next CT is in March. Which will be here before we know it. Until next

KGB4EVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477238955724113604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-46218413795178417892009-10-28T16:41:00.000-07:002009-10-28T17:06:02.654-07:00

Hello Everyone,Just a quick update...It's official! A couple of weeks ago I had my (every three months) CT and was given the "All Clear" from my favorite Oncologist. I've completed my fourth 1st year of remission on October 6, 2009. Yay for remission.Honestly, even when I was sick I didn't feel terribly ill. The occasional "being tired" was mostly because I was working 10-12 hour days after

KGB4EVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477238955724113604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-7941187913012437412009-03-11T22:08:00.000-07:002009-03-11T23:09:21.693-07:00

Dear Family and friends,It's been six months since my last update, so let me get you up to speed.October 6, 2008 was my last Rexin-G treatment. Woooo! Hoooo!Soon after I had a CT of my lungs that showed slight improvement to the surgical sight.Mid October I started working again. Love my job and my boss.December 2008 I had another CT of my Lungs done, which was once again was clear with slight

KGB4EVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477238955724113604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-80098239767410738382008-09-30T15:54:00.000-07:002008-10-01T09:17:02.334-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,Thank you all so very much for you support over the past 13 years. But more recently, these past 10 months you all have been so good to me. I am pleased to say that we exceeded our goal to raise $5K for the Sarcoma Alliance's "Ocean of Hope" campaign, by $120. So many of you sent in donations and we truly appreciate your unconditional support. Our family and friends are

KGB4EVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477238955724113604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-35119847968811439412008-08-21T17:45:00.000-07:002008-08-21T17:48:08.642-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,I hope this message finds you well. This weekend, Sunday, August 24th is the 2008 Ocean of Hope (O2H) campaign and I am asking for your continued support. This year is especially important to us. As some of you know, I am currently undergoing treatment for lung metastases. Since discovering the cancers return in November 2007, I have completed 4 cycles of Rexin-G, had

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-85335465510821890432008-08-10T13:10:00.000-07:002008-08-15T15:48:21.412-07:00

Hello Family and Friends,We returned from Maui on Friday (08.01.08). Kicking and screaming of course. Once again I thought about finding a job and moving there. But then reality set in and we're back in Cali.This was a much needed trip. Brian and I had another "first" together. We Zip-Lined through the West Maui mountains. The longest line was 2600 ft. You can't see the end of the line. Crazy

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-16830636838688207752008-07-09T19:03:00.000-07:002008-08-07T13:03:14.938-07:00

Hello Family and Friends,Three Weeks Down, One To Go! (O2H Team Captain and me) Well this is the first day of the last week of my first cycle of treatments since my surgery. Whew! Did you get that. 'Cause it looks funny when I read back to myself. Anyway, I've been trying to blog for the last three weeks... Let's just say my motivation has not been there. So here's what's going on. It was

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-31405261148976351362008-06-15T22:27:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:53.873-08:00

Suvivors and Supporters volunteering at O2H 2007. On Sunday June 8th I had the opportunity to speak to Team Ocean of Hope (O2H) 2008. A group of athletes who've been training for months to compete in the 32 mile paddle board race from Catalina Island to the Manhattan Beach pier on Aug 24th. I shared my personal experience with Sarcoma, and what the Sarcoma Alliance means to me and others living

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-52891150913411909002008-06-14T18:07:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:54.047-08:00

Dear Family and Friends,I have some sad and unfortunate news. The Lakers are going to lose to the Celtics! I'm sorry to disappoint all you Laker fans, but it is true. My expert opinion is they cannot come back from a 3-1 deficit. *Disclaimer* if the Lakers do come back I will edit this portion of my blog in the Lakers favor. LOL Now, on to the stuff you really want to know about.Rexin-G is

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-4904629117798468542008-06-03T18:11:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:54.280-08:00

Today Brian took me to my doctors appointment. Dr. Chawla was very pleased with the results from the surgery and Rexin-G's affect on the tumors. He said he wishes all his patients tumors could have the same result as mine. What's next?Next week (Wednesday) I start Rexin-G treatments. Same protocol as before. 2 cycles of 4 week on 2 weeks off; 3 treatments per week; double dose. No PET-CT at the

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-77895930119475568552008-05-30T11:46:00.001-07:002008-12-10T22:42:54.568-08:00

Yay! Today is the opening day for "Sex in The City." This will be the first movie I will see since before surgery. To the "Girls" I will be down for seeing it again and again and again. For now, I am going with my "Mr. Big," Brian. A few of you have asked how I'm doing? Pretty good. I need to walk more and I need to have my scar massaged. The scar is soooooooooo flippin sensitive. It's still

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-27335294068924791512008-05-25T09:25:00.001-07:002008-12-10T22:42:55.157-08:00

Belinda and Brian went with me to see Dr. Foshag (he performed the surgery on my lung). Dr. Foshag gave us a copy of the Pathology report and went over the results. Below is the "Diagnosis" part of the report. And to be honest it's the only part you don't need a medical degree to understand & even then you may need some clarification. So to all of my medcial peeps if you have some translation

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-11185792576277330232008-05-19T11:55:00.000-07:002008-05-19T12:01:37.322-07:00

Hi everyone, Today is my first full day home. I had a rough night sleeping. The vicodin didn't kick in but it was still better than being in the hospital. Thank you all for your support. Brian read the BLOG comments to me daily. They were a great pick me up.Thanks in advance to everyone that is coming over to help while I recover.Love,Kendra

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-82616668187115512482008-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:002008-05-29T16:26:04.640-07:00

At 9:30 am the Doctor told Kendra it was time to take out the chest tube and time for her to go home! Kendra is AMAZING! It will take about an hour for her to be discharged. Hmm? Do you think I can shower, shave and clean up my bachelor mess and get out there in hour??? Brian

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-69383059328135967522008-05-17T19:08:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:55.680-08:00

Kendra recieved her first visitors since being out of ICU. Lots of laughter and love. THanks guys Kendra really enjoyed your company.

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-24390498940893772442008-05-17T15:07:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:55.851-08:00

Kendra had her bandages removed. No Stiches nor Staples. She is doing so well she may be coming home on Sunday May 18th. If you are visiting Kendra at the Hospital take a look at the Meter Parking on 23rd street. It's only .75 an hour is very close to the East Wing entrance. Once inside she is the first room on the right (2182)Brian

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-89866156328512248122008-05-17T10:30:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:56.282-08:00

I guess I was a bit more tired than I thought. I didn't wake up this morning until after 10:00 am. I will head up to see Kendra right after I post this BLOG and get some coffee.She is in room 2182 in the East Wing (the new wing) on the First Floor. She got her room late last night. Kendra now has a phone in room and you can call either her cell phone.Brian

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-16331394986338925192008-05-16T19:32:00.000-07:002008-05-29T16:26:21.421-07:00

Kendra has been video documenting her treatment. It has taken me a bit of time but I finally uploaded all of her videos including those we shot today of Kendra walking through the ICU.These videos explain & show Kendra's treatment. As well as the emotions she goes through. So if you really want to see what Kendra goes through check out her You Tube page. http://www.youtube.com/user/KendraDK (

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-27743816316771869952008-05-16T13:18:00.001-07:002008-12-10T22:42:56.976-08:00

Kendra was up and walking by 10:30 am. YOU GO KENDRA! Kendra has had three nurses since she has been in ICU. And all three are FANTASTIC. Victoria, Heather & Joeseph. And yes Staci that is Joeseph walking with Kendra. He is in the army and is not married.BrianPS - I just wanted to say how very proud of my best friend I am. She is an inspirational soul and is an example for us all that you don't

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-30878949864977869072008-05-16T08:40:00.001-07:002008-12-10T22:42:57.510-08:00

Kendra's A-Line was removed early this morning along with her catheter & she has been approved for solid foods! Woo Hoo! I gave her an Oatmeal Rasin bar to hold her over until breakfast arrives.Breakfast took way too long & looked like the kitchen gave her the last serving. It looked like the left overs from the bottom of pan. But when you haven't eating in 36 hours you can eat just about

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-40505871289604258192008-05-15T16:10:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:58.018-08:00

We are now in room 2236 (ICU) with Kendra and she looks great! She has her own room (HUGE) hardwood floors & a Plasma TV. We just finished watching Oprah. Do you think Kendra is happy with her room???Kendra is at a 10 out of a 1 thru 10 for pain and is using her morphine drip. She is a bit swollen and uncomfortable and of course is extreme pain when she cough's.We can not use cell phones in here

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-29790200019269563712008-05-15T12:29:00.000-07:002008-05-15T12:33:43.151-07:00

I just spoke with Dr. Foshag & Kendra did GREAT! she will be in ICU in an hour (1:00) on the 2nd floor of the new wing. I'll post again after she is in her room.Brian

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-10065711920937824272008-05-15T09:00:00.001-07:002008-05-15T11:44:45.005-07:00

Kendra woke up this morning with a headache and was hungry before going in for surgery at 8:30.Her spirits were high as we were able to laugh and crack jokes in the waiting room before she went in.She should be out of Surgery and into ICU around 1:00 or 2:00. She will most likely get her own room on Friday afternoon.We are at St. Johns Health Center in Santa Monica.

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-41029919251851577372008-05-15T09:00:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:58.491-08:00

St. Johns has a high tech way of tracking patients and updating thier families. They give you a pager (similar to that of a restaurant would for seating). The pager has a range of 2 miles and lets you know when your family member is in their room.They also asign a number to the patient (47645 is Kendra's number) and then post updates on a large plasma screen in the waiting room.Brian

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-8523527743033080932008-05-14T08:05:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:42:58.503-08:00

We met with Dr. Foshag for Kendra's Pre-Op. Where they took her blood pressure, drew her blood & took her urineWe went over the details to the surgery.Kendra needs to be at St. John's (Santa Monica) by 6:30 a.m.Surgery will begin at 8:30 (most likely 9:00 or 9:30)Surgery should be around 4 hours long with the majority of it being prep work. She will be in ICU until sometime on FridayKendra will

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-38086857657066032002008-05-09T13:43:00.001-07:002008-12-10T22:42:58.670-08:00

We are getting ready to come home from Maui. We will be back on Sunday (Mother's Day).On Monday I have PET-CT & a regular CT scheduled to see the progess of Rexin-G has made on the tumors. Should have the results by Wednesday.On Tuesday I meet with Dr. Foshag to discuss the surgery in more detail & go over the PET-CT scans if they are done earlier.On Thursday I go in for surgery. The surgery will

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-74882265259061651032008-05-09T13:01:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:10:55.781-07:00

Hello Family and Friends,I'm back to give you the update. Well, a few things have transpired since I informed you of the treatment and the progress that I am undergoing. My third cycle of Rexin-G began the 3 day per week treatment (Wed, Fri, Mon. Wed is the first day of my treatment week), with double the dose per day. The last Pet-CT scan shows the active tumor to be slightly larger. That tumor

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-48458526421033041692008-04-26T07:38:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:20:58.630-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,Let me begin by apologizing for delivering news to you via e-mail. I may or may not have your phone numbers; as I have attempted to call some of you only to play phone tag.As many of you know I have been in remission for the past eight years from a rare bone cancer 'Osteo Sarcoma.' Which was an awesome time for me. That time allowed me to complete a few goals. Such as

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-83545837386621507352008-04-23T21:03:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:37:04.548-07:00

Hello Family and Friends,In laymen's terms (because doctor speak hurts my head), this is an update on the progress of my treatment. So far the treatment is doing what it is supposed to do. Here's what we know.• There are 3 tumors in the lower lobe of the left lung and one scar tissue in the mid back left lung.• There is one scar tissue in the mid back right lung from the metastasis removed ten

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-66689697027098164752008-04-15T07:33:00.000-07:002008-04-15T20:23:42.660-07:00

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-24170439253664453772008-04-15T06:55:00.000-07:002008-04-15T07:29:56.267-07:00

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4603907201986404325.post-62455836383983135542008-04-10T23:33:00.001-07:002008-04-11T07:30:46.454-07:00

This is my first very first BlOG so I am not sure how to start. Did you know that that BLOG is for WEB-LOG. I do now.Anyways here are a couple of videos from the first few weeks of treatment

Kendra D. Krausehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04856826214487307674noreply@blogger.com0