Capt. Flamingo Kari’s Journey

Another fun and yummy snack !
I remember roasting pumpkin seeds when I was a kid! Bonus good source of protein and iron!

When is the last time you had a box of raisins?

RAISING my iron one RAISINS at a time!!

Hey all Capt. Flamingo here !!

Well it’s 3 weeks post my last chemo, fingers crossed my shedding has slooowwwed down! Still will be babying it for a month or so more!

We flew the coop early this am and just crossed into SC heading to High Point to see Mary in her Fall dance concert ! Looking forward to see the campus decorated for Christmas 🎄 - IYKYK!

Even on the road I my cancer journey doesn’t stop! Rearranging some lab appointments, trying to consolidate how many times I head to moffitt while adding an appointment to meet with the dietitian (not till December 8th so definitely working on my own stuff with input from others - goal to do it naturally.

While I appreciate all the inputs of supplements etc I and my clinical team think I should be able to get my levels moving in the right direction. Especially as I move further away from chemo. (Ahhh such a nice thing to say) Heck I have a hard enough time remembering my vitamins!!

Till then if I turn into Popeye from eatting spinach that wouldn’t be the worse thing ! Hehe

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Hey all a day older and a frustrated captain flamingo here!

Well, yesterday was a fun day celebrating my flocking birthday It also was a day of labs clinic appointment and my PHESGO injection.

So if you’ve ever had clinicals like this, they ask you how are you doing with every side effect under the sun sometimes I asked multiple times. My biggest side effects currently include.

Fatigue
Swelling
Muscle aches
Tastebuds
Weakness/ shortness of breath (very slight)
Some signs of neuropathy still in feet and hands
Slight weight gain

Soooo what so we do about all of this????

Well I find out that I am considered severely anemic. Which is one thing I have never really experienced in my life and explains a lot of the side effects so working on increasing iron, rich food lots of googling going on.

Working on utilizing some natural diuretics, for example, green tea to help potentially reduce the swelling as they don’t want to put me on anything prescribed because I am going into radiation next week. Wearing lovely compression socks and putting my feet up whenever I can which if you know me that is not as easy as it sounds.

I also requested to meet with a nutritionist through Moffitt. As my protein levels are also low and I can’t seem to figure out what the great combination is for my body at this point in the game things that I used to do prior to chemo and medication and radiation aren’t working. So hopefully that appointment will be virtually initially.

So well, I feel like I am doing really great. Obviously, there are some struggles still to help me feel like me to help my body continue to recover. And of course, prepare for the battle ahead with radiation..

I think the biggest thing that I have said to this journey, so I just want to feel like me again from physical healing, emotional feelings, and just overall feelings. I know it’ll get there, but as many people say cancer sucks. This is just another part of the journey !

But going to make it a great day today and then, yet head back to North Carolina to see Mary perform in her fall dance show and then Amelia to perform in a show at UCF.

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Hey all happy Sunday!
This time is always everyone’s “busy” season! As I have mentioned previously my busy season has gotten busier with all my radiation etc appointments!

I love traditions especially at the holidays and doesn’t want this year to be any different. Sooo little work ahead of time and planning !

House is 99% decorated for Christmas !

Planning for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Cookies and traditional appetizers underway! My mom offered to take some of the shopping off my plate ( don’t think she expected a type 3 page spreadsheet)

Packing for NC , Moffitt appointments tomorrow ( check out my blood levels , see my oncologist and off for my immunotherapy injection!) then some work!

Then it’s crazy to think that a week from tomorrow I start radiation!! Still need to pick up a few things before that starts !!

Pray that my organization helps me NOT be stressed but to be able to enjoy the holidays despite my cancer journey! (I see more list in my future)
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Yesterday was a rough day!
Today has been a little better so I decided on a little pampering , Manicure & Pedicure! Haven’t had one since Amelia’s graduation! A little weird with the little bit of neuropathy that I have .
Hair seems be looking better everyday, still gray but that’s okay! Still limited on outfits to wear but I guess I need to go shopping , soo pray it’s cold inside !
Heading to see Amelia dance with my love !!
Living my best life!!!

Capt. Flamingo Kari’s Journey

Hey all!!!!!
Reality check!!! Yesterday kicked my butt!!
I was was exhausted, swollen, emotional, achy, and just down right defeated!! Made it a few hours at work to get done a few things : but blessed my staff kicked me out and I was able to nap!!

I HATED feeling like that yesterday !
I HATE my mind telling me what I need to do and my body not letting me!

I know this will pass (already feel better as I type this) but UGHHHHHHHHHH ! Yes I know I am just 2 weeks past my last chemo!

But this is the time of year that I love !!!!
My birthday is Monday
My girls are dancing
The holidays are in full speed

Yes I will listen to my body, but my body needs to start listening to me !! Hehe

Love my flamingo 🦩 socks and gingerbread house from some dear friends!!

It’s a looonnnggg story but my radiation now starts 11/20/2023 & my last session will be 12/22/2023!!!
Merry Christmas to me!

2 weeks ago I rang the bell 🔔 for my last chemo! Still babying the hair but getting there day by day!! Starting to feel like me more and more each day !! Looking towards the 1 month mark and maybe a trim ✂️! 
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Time to introduce Capt Flamingo and crew to the Moffitt Cancer Center magnolia campus!! (Other then the PCU and OR staff). Let’s get this radiation simulation going !!!!

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Hey all !!! Happy Monday Eve !

Busy day today at work with a great program call ex Be A Santa To A Senior - Lakeland - Polk County (check it out )! Love this time of year but realize with all I am going through and with radiation ☢️ coming up I am glad we have volunteers this year!! But ughhh does my head and heart say go go go!!

Tomorrow I have my 2nd meeting with my Radiantion Oncologist and the simulation. This is where they practice, align , map how I will be on the table during radiation. I will also be getting my first tattoo!! They will actually tattoo me with marking to ensure all is lined up. Maybe I will make it into a connect the dot picture after!! Hehe

Yes a little apprehensive about the process and getting to know the team. I will be at the Moffitt Magnolia campus. So yes flamingos are ready to be handed out! The flamingo 🦩 outfit is ready to be worn!! (No not the inflatable, yet hehe )

Other then that I have been well, some ankle swelling and fatigue I am doing well. Just learning to pace myself!

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Stay hydrated they say! Love my 2 cups!

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New flock of flamingos 🦩 ready to spread some Thanks & Cheer! Will be starting my radiation journey on Tuesday with my Radiation simulation! I will be at the Moffitt Magnolia Campus- haven’t been there since surgery!

Little nervous of course of the unknown but all will be good ! Been laying low today dealing with some fatigue and ankle swelling! (Thinking the trip and last week might have caught up to me! )

Working on some KARIng Acts of Kindness through radiation!!
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Happy Flamingo 🦩 Friday Christmas style !!!
Yup it’s that time of year for an amazing time at Home Instead where we do Be A Santa To A Senior! So rocking the red but of course still needed my flamingos!!!

Let’s see your holiday flamingos!!!!!

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Hey all Capt Flamingo here:
So had an eye 👁️ appointment today, why you might ask? Well after my 4th round of chemotherapy I noticed a few things (besides my eyelashes and eyebrows falling out )
1) my close vision definitely has changed
2) I have had random twitching of my eyelids, randomly .

My Dr. Isn’t a 100% sure It’s related to chemotherapy, thinking it could be
— Stress- haha who has stress?
— Lack of sleep - haha not me!

But neither here nor there the plan is:
1) Try a new prescription for my contacts with a slightly stronger bifocal for reading
2) Scheduled me to see a specialist on 12/8 so IF the twitching is still occurring I can then meet with him and one of the possible treatments is Botox ! ( well there is another word I didn’t think would be in my vocabulary ) And if the twitching stops then I get to cancel!!!

Yup just another part of the chemotherapy / cancer journey you don’t think will be apart of it.

*PS if you saw my post about prenatal vitamins , they are for my HAIR silly people!!!! Enjoy some funny eye appointment pictures!

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Well home from NC and apparently the flamingos were cell Halloween with some friends ! 🦩 💀 ! Thank you whomever 💕

And some additional sweet treats from some sweet people ! Thank you Liz Samuelson and Sherry Keppley Flamm ! Plus my awesome socks from my chemo buddy Kim! We both said peace out chemo last week!!!
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Hey all!!

Getting back home after a trip to High Point after my last chemo! So just checking in to give y’all a quick update on how I am!

- Was sooooo nice to have the family all together- loved the hugs!
- Was great to see Mary’s friends and faculty that have been an amazing support to her while I am on my journey!
- Slept a lot!!! Not sure what I am going to do tomorrow when my alarm goes off!
- tastebuds are hit or miss right now! It’s like a surprise every time I go to eat!
- No rash or bruises at my last IV site !!
- stairs are not my friend! I had no issue walking but , walk up to the third floor and ughhh my heart rate !!! Some thing I need to work on!
- swelling has been very minimal !
-hair , well still following my protocol I have been for a few more weeks! Hoping maybe the shedding will slow down and just maybe I can do something with it for the Holidays!

All in all it was what I needed and enjoyed seeing alittle fall! Now back to the grind, doctors and Amelia’s first Tap performance at Dancing For Diabetes , then a quick trip back for Mary’s dance concert before radiation starts! And maybe just maybe some more Christmas Decorating !!!

Funny phone call today from Moffitt:

Moffitt: Mrs Gomez , we are calling to see if you are done with chemotherapy and cold capping?

Me: ummmmmm YES!!!!

Moffitt: ok just wanted to make sure

Me: slightly confused , I did ring the bell 🔔 last week right and did have 6 infusions

Moffitt: yes that is what our records show

Me: ok , yeah I am done - I don’t think I want any extra credit in this area !!

Moffitt: slightly confused by my response- ok have a great day!

Me: yup you too!!

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Happy Flamingoween! Heading to a special Halloween night showing of the Adams Family and steal a hug or 2 from Mary before heading back tomorrow!

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Happy Monday All!
As I am enjoying a few more days away I have been on the phone a lot with Moffitt. Why you might ask….. appointments. When one get a diagnosis of cancer I don’t think you could ever fathom the amount of appointments you will have.

As I get ready to enter the next few months I have just counted that I have 44, yes 44 appointments between 11/2-12/31 (that I know about!)

These appointments included;
-25 rounds of radiation
-6 appointments with the radiation oncologist
-2 appointments with the medical oncologist
-3 immuno therapy injections
-2 blood draw appointments
-1 radiation simulation appointment
-1 Breast cancer surgeon follow up
-2 Medical Eye doctor appointment, as the chemo has impacted my vision
-2 medical massages

While yes some of these appointments are on the same day it still is an appointment! As many of you know how busy the “holiday” season is mine has just gotten a whole lot busier!

So this is part of the reason I already decorated 50% for Christmas, part of the reason I am sure I will appeared stressed out, part of the reason that I will not be able to make events, happenings. Part of the reason that we will be making quick trips to see our girls in performance . This is part of the reason I will feel guilty about not being at work (yes I know I own the company but still feel guilty)

But will be the whole reason I will celebrate life!! Celebrate with my friends and family! Hand out many more flamingos 🦩 along the way.

I share this not for anyone to feel sorry , but to shed some insight on what one goes through . What someone you might know is facing but doesn’t share. It is definitely a journey ! Yup one that sucks sometimes but there has been sooo many times of laughter, sooo many times when I felt like I have been able to help others.

Thank you for ALL the love and continued support during this crazy journey of mine called life !
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Hey all!!
Happy Sunday!!!
Been laying low here in NC and getting lots of rest! Might have seem crazy to head out right after my last chemo but being with family and friends has been amazing! Plus I have taken more naps then I probably would have done if I was at home !! The love that I have felt from all and Mary’s friends at school has been amazing! It warms a mommas heart to know the support system that my girls have near and far! Heading to see show number 4 , The Adams family and a dinner to celebrate Amelia’s, birthday (11/1) first one away from home 😞 !

Feeling good, on my way to great!!!

Well if anyone is keeping count 6 out of 6 Fridays after chemo suck!!!
A day in bed chilling for me, hopefully feel up to tonight show !

Just a little photo dump from my last chemo on Wednesday - honeslty it is still surreal that it’s been over. Been feeling good, tired but good, emotional but good!!!! Enjoying some downtime with the girls and Mario!!

Because why shouldn’t you show up dressed as a flam for your last chemo!!!
Capt. Flamingo Kari’s Journey

Let’s FLAMINGOOOOOO!!!!!
Ready for FLOCKTAIL #6

I will tell you the anticipation of tomorrow and the end of chemo has me as excited as a little or big kid on Christmas eve! I know I have another
Leg of this journey but I am ready to celebrate tomorrow!!! Thank you for all the love , prayers and support!! I truly could not have done it without all of you! 🦩💕🦩💕🦩💕🦩💕🦩🎄

So an early Monday at Moffitt Cancer Center !
Last set of labs for chemo clearance for Wed!
Pretty to see the building with the pinks lights on it ! (Matched my blinking flamingo necklace ) hehe! And yes I wore it to my appointment! I know some people probably wonder why I do things like that! But honestly if you would see the smiles and the giggles it is all worth it!

Managed to find the one recliner in the waiting room and kicked back and relax till I was called. All is well with my labs. Yes, my white blood cells and things dropped which they expected with the fifth round of chemo but all in all everybody was pleased with how well I was doing and handling the chemotherapy. we did decide to not do the extra nausea medicine that I did last round as it knocked me out for a long time and I personally didn’t like that feeling so we just talked about managing it with my prescription medication and food.

We also talked about the fact that my echo was good. There is very little change from what they could see from the initial echo done in March so unless I am experiencing any cardiac discomfort or stress, they will redo the echo in three months.

So on Wednesday at 8 o’clock I will report for my sixth round of chemo in my immunotherapy medication and the goal. I should be ringing the bell by 2 to 2:30.

So what’s next? A lot of people ask so I will continue to have my immuno therapy injection every three weeks for another 12 injections. I will continue to have lab work on those injection days while they watch the numbers go back to normal. My oncologist is guessing we should start seeing the upward swing and 6- 9weeks.

At that time, I will go to seeing the doctor every six weeks and stretching out my labs as well. This, of course will be sprinkled in with my radiation, so I may be adjusting my location on those days as I will be going to the magnolia campus for my radiation .

Ironically, my next time for my injection will be on November 13 which for those who may or may not know is my 49th birthday. They were sweet and said we don’t want to make you come here on your birthday and I said no it’s OK. You guys are helping ensure that I have many many more birthdays to celebrate. 

So for now, the focuses on having a great infusion celebrating with my amazing team family loved ones coworkers employees, support system, near and far on Wednesday and praying that the side effects from this round are minimal as I will be heading out of town right after chemo to see Mary and her musical at High Point University , !!The Addams family

Capt. Flamingo Kari’s Journey
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To do list:
Pack for last chemo
Pack for NC /HPU
Pack costumes for musical !
Finish KARIng Acts of Kindness during Chemotherapy!
Finish Ring The bell ……
Decorations for my ID band !
Pack some special surprises!
Watch new Halmark Christmas movie & maybe decorate some more!!

Not sure what I am more excited about finishing chemo or heading out of town for a little !!! But I know this flamingo 🦩 is ready to fly!!!

Long busy work week and weekend resulted in 2 naps so far and lots of survivor episodes!

Thank goodness I started with thick hair!
Shedding from the last 2 weeks!
No bald spots !
Goal: preventing permanent hair loss and alopecia.

Hummm only 4-5 months till I can color my gray and hopefully get back to normal! Was joking that I might need prenatal vitamins again! ( had amazing hair when I was pregnant)

** hehe could have probably made some small animals out of all the hair!!

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