In my 25^th year of life I’ve had many ups and downs. I was diagnosed with cancer, graduated with my masters and today I passed my APRN boards. That’s right, I PASSED! After 3 hours in the exam room, I hit end exam and thought, "here we go".  I literally saw my heart beating while I awaited the results.

These past 11 months have shown me that anything is possible. I’m living proof that when you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything! I’ve faced much adversity after being diagnosed with cancer. There are many good days, but there have been some bad ones along the way. But following my motto, I have taken everything one step @ a time. And of course, I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and friends. (Who had more confidence in me than I had in myself!)

I’m not sure what I’ll do with all this free time, but I'm sure I’ll find something J. It’ll take a few days to set in, but for now I’ll celebrate!

Till next time...KMS APRN

This past Saturday was “Light the Night”. I had an AMAZING turnout! Team one step @ a time represented!! It was truly an honor to be surrounded by so many people that support me. This was my first year attending the event. It is truly amazing to see all of the balloons lighting the way along the walk to support those in the fight and remember those we have lost. Participating in “Light the Night” is something that I plan on for years to come. Cancer chose me for a reason. I’m not sure I will ever understand the reason, but raising awareness for blood cancers is the least I can do. At this point in time team one step @ a time raised $7,900! That’s well above and beyond my goal and I’m very grateful for all of the donations received. This money will truly impact those affected by blood cancer and hopefully help to find a cure! Below are some pictures from the walk that Chris took, but I’m waiting for the official team picture taken at the event. We had so many people they had to do a panoramic! Looking forward to next year’s walk!

Till next time…KMS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cspencephoto/sets/72157636309919473/

Well it is official…I completed my clinical rotations! So I’ll be receiving my diploma very soon J.  It’s another thing to check off my to do list. Just one more step until I’m the real deal and as always I’m taking it one step @ a time. Hard work definitely pays off!!

This past weekend marked  one year from when ALL decided to join my life. I’m pretty sure I’ll never forget looking in my mouth and seeing purple tonsils. Yes, I said purple. I’m sure there are few that will remember the phone call about my “necrotic” looking tonsils from Ocean City, MD. While I wasn’t officially diagnosed until November 2012, it was this weekend last year that the process began. Little did I know at the time that I was in for such a journey! Those purple tonsils gave everyone a run for their money for about a month.

Chris and I were able to get away this past weekend. We went to the same car show (H2Oi) in Ocean City, MD. I survived with trip without incident! Definitely a new experience to travel. We had a good time and it was a much needed break. 

Just a quick reminder about Light the Night…On October 5th I will be walking in Light the Night. I’m excited to see everyone who will be walking! I’m also very honored by the overwhelming amount of generosity and support I’ve received. I’m very grateful for all of the donations made. Those who have donated are truly making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer! While I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by supporting and loving people, there are those less fortunate. With even a small donation, we are providing support and funding to provide for those in need and most importantly, the donations are helping to hopefully find a cure! So THANK YOU for your continued support.

Till next time…KMS

Being diagnosed with a blood cancer is something that takes anyone by surprise. It’s hard to explain, but it’s something you can’t see or feel, so it almost doesn’t feel real. It’s like something is invading your body without your permission. While it may not feel real, it’s something that occurs more often than we would like to believe. I’m living proof that cancer can affect you when you least expect it. It takes you by surprise and throws your life into a whirlwind. I’m sure my life will never be the same. Cancer has changed me forever. In the past 9 months, cancer has shown me I’m stronger than I ever thought possible, I can do anything I put my mind to, and I’m surrounded by people who love and care about me.

September is blood cancer awareness month. While cancer has taught me a lot, it’s now my time to educate others. I want people to understand that blood cancer can happen to anyone when you least expect it. On October 5, 2013, I’ll be walking in “Light the Night”. Light the Night allows people who have blood cancer or have been impacted by blood cancer, to come together and increase awareness. While increasing awareness, the money raised can also help change someone’s life.  It’s my hope to get donations to make a difference.  I can’t do this alone, so I’m asking for your help. Please feel free to make a donation to my team (one step @ a time) and help me change someone’s life. THANK YOU for your continued support!

Till next time…KMS

Fundraising page: http://pages.lightthenight.org/ct/NewHaven13/onestepatime

The month of August has flown by! I’m back in the swing of things going to clinical, so that’s keeping me busy. In addition to my clinical, I still visit Smilow weekly for labs. It’s nice to be out and about in the “real” world again. This Friday I start a 5 day chemo run, but I’ll be back in the swing of things at the end of next week. I’m about half way done clinical; the end is near! Well I just wanted to check in since it’s been about a month. I continue to take it one step @ a time on this journey.

Till next time…KMS

Tomorrow marks the eighth month of treatment. Where did 8 months go? Well for me, I know many long days were spent at Smilow. As for my A-team, many miles have been spent on the road. No matter where the time was spent, it sure has gone by quickly. Today was my last day of delayed intensification. Once my counts get the memo and come up, I’ll start maintenance. It’s funny to look back to the beginning and think, "when I'm on maintenance”, and here I am. I can promise you it hasn't been an easy journey, and I still laugh and say it doesn't feel real. I can't possibly have cancer. As I tell my friend, we’ll wake up and say wow, Katelyn handled that really well. While it doesn't feel real I have daily reminders of what I have gone through. I told Chris just the other day that no one told me I would have this much neuropathy and he looked at me and said, “would it have changed your mind to get treated?” As if that would have ever been an option. I’m too damn stubborn to let cancer win. While it’s easy to watch me cruise around in my braces, it’s definitely not how I imagined I would be starting maintenance. Cancer has taught me a lot, that’s for sure. I’ve looked fear in the eyes and overcome. Every day I see myself getting stronger. While it never happens as quickly as I would like, I continue to make strides. Sometimes it's just all in my head, so everyone says. I say it's just my personality and that I put a lot of thought into everything I do. I have thought long and hard over the past 8 months, but one thing I’ve never asked myself is “why me”, because I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Cancer may not always be easy, but it teaches you some valuable lessons, strengthens some important relationships, and for this alone, I wouldn't change my diagnosis for anything.

Till next time…KMS

I guess I have been MIA lately. The first couple weeks of delayed intensification were busy. I was at Smilow nearly every day for two weeks. So I have a good excuse! I was off last week, which was a much needed and nice break. I'm off until Thursday this week and then I start a five day run. While it'll get busy again, I'm almost half way through this phase. Believe it or not, I'm six months (almost seven months) into treatment. The time sure is flying by.

I can't believe I've been out of school for a month. I've been keeping busy with my physical therapy and little things around the house. I also had some visitors this past week which was nice. It was nice to see some of my friends. I hope as I continue to move forward I can have more visits! While I may not see everyone as much as I would like, I continue to receive support. Everyone at work put together a beautiful quilt with notes to me. It truly brought tears to my eyes to read the notes from everyone. I also continue to get cards, phone calls, text messages and even nakeds! I'm truly honored to be surrounded by such supportive people.

(and of course happy fathers day!)

Till next time…KMS