Who Turned Up the Heat? | Halifax, NS Breast Cancer Survivor

We sat in the cafeteria, catching up on the past few days.  We had had lunch together daily until I started my treatments.  Since I've headed back to work, Dy and I haven't had the opportunity to catch up over lunch, but today we jumped at the chance.  We talked about work, her kids, life in general.

Then I felt it.  The warmth.  All over.  It can't be that warm in here, I thought, we're in an air-conditioned building.  In a moment I stopped listening, curious as to what was happening.  Suddenly, my arm felt clammy and it dawned on me.  Dear God, I think I'm having my first hot flash!  I said it out loud.

Dy smiled a knowing smile.  She's been there.  For her, a side effect of chemo; for me, it's likely a side effect of Tamoxifen.   

I started taking Tamoxifen in June, once I had finished my radiation treatments.  It's one pill that I take every day.  There are lots of side effects to be on the look out for, some not pleasant, but I trust my oncologist's opinion that the good outweighs the bad.

I remember years ago when Mom was having her hot flashes.   We all sat at the dining room table, Mom's roast beef and mashed potatoes piled high, plates passed around as we each served ourselves... peas, carrots, gravy.  Suddenly, Mom jumps up from her chair and leaves the room.  She darts around the corner and we hear the door to the garage open.  Ahhhhhh, it dawns on us... another hot flash.  We laugh, not able to sympathize.  Moments later, Mom returns.  Her cheeks are flushed, but she smiles, picks up her fork, and continues her meal.

My hot flash was slight, hopefully they will all be so easy.  As I cooled off, Dy and I finished our meals, sharing stories now consisting of work, her kids, life in general, and cancer.

  

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Trash the Dress - Krista, Part 2 | Halifax, NS, Wedding Photographer

As you saw earlier, my friend, Krista, and I were off on an adventure, looking to trash her dress.  We drove around Sambro, stopping any time either of us saw something that caught our eye.  

Lobster traps, anyone?

Next up we had a little fun with Krista's Jeep, stopping along the side of the road, having a little damsel in distress moment...

We had parked across the street from someone's house.  We must have piqued their curiosity as they watched from the window.

Our next stop took us to the beach.  Well, sort of.  We headed to Crystal Crescent Beach but it was packed!  One of the hottest days of the summer will do that.  We turned onto the dirt road that leads to the beach and cars were lined up, not able to get anywhere.  We turned the Jeep around and continued our adventure.

Our goal was to get the dress wet!  Access to the ocean was limited, but we found a path.  Or so we thought.  Park the car, gather our gear and trudge through the forest.  

 

We knew we were close, we could hear the ocean and children's laughter.  But there we stood in the midst of the trees, she in her dress, me with my gear, and we looked at each other, then looked around, and realized right here is perfect.  And we got down to business.

The moss was so soft and spongy, Krista said it was softer than a bed.

Still we went in search of water.  We live along the ocean, it shouldn't be hard to find.  Apparently it was just hard to get to.

We finally spotted something on the side of the road, a little opening in the trees, a path perhaps?  We stopped the car and weighed our options.  Sure, we found water, but it's not going to be easy to get to.  There was no path, just a little cliff that we'd have to maneuver down.  Krista's braver than I, so she went down first.  As I followed, she turned to me, "Um, Karen, there are people here."  Having a birthday party, apparently.  Oh dear, we're here now, let's just do it.

As she walked into the water, we heard a little voice ask, "Mommy, why is that lady getting into the water with her dress on?"  We never did hear the explanation.

You can see the party-goers in the background, on the deck, watching, wondering what the heck we were up to...

Such a fun fun day for both of us.  If you have a prom or wedding dress and want some fun pictures, let me know.  You can trash it as much or as little as you want.  If you don't want to trash it, we can just rock it out and get fashion shots.  Still fun, though!

 

 

 

  

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Trash the Dress - Krista | Halifax, NS, Wedding Photographer

My friend Krista had a wedding dress that was itching to be trashed.   We met on a hot summer day last August and headed out to Sambro, in search of anything that looked interesting.  I think we found it.  Our first stop was definitely interesting and Krista rocked it out:

We got so many fabulous shots on this one day, all at locations within a few miles of each other.  Think lobster traps, moss, and a lake.  But you have to wait for those... coming soon!

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Coming soon... | Halifax, NS

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Twenty-two | Halifax, NS Breast Cancer Survivor

Ahhhhhh, the 22nd.  You hit me like a tonne of bricks.  My monthly reminder.  

The 22nd of each month brings me back to that day in December, the day of diagnosis.  It hits hard and I visualize myself getting that phone message, I hear Charlotte's voice... the doctor would like to see you... today... bring a friend or family member...

I instinctively cry.  I cry for the fear I had, the unknown, for the disbelief I had as I fell to the floor with the phone in my hand.

Then I cry with thanks.  Thanks for the path I have taken and the kind souls I have had with me along the way.  Thanks for the past seven months that have changed me.  Tears of relief.

The 22nd hits me like this each month. Tears and relief.  It gets easier.  And I'm thankful that I'm able reflect on my amazing journey and the strength I have because of it.

Happy Friday.

xoxo

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Whatchyou talkin about, Willis? | Halifax, NS

I'm a little perplexed about the blog.  Now that my world is getting back to normal, what do I do with the blog?  I mean, if you're here to see some pretty pictures, you're probably a little surprised at all the talk about breasts.  

Let's be honest, when it was just pictures there weren't too many people popping by.  Then I started talking about breasts and cancer and what a wreck I was and more people started popping in.  I like that.

So I'm going to do what feels right for me.  I'm going to keep talking about breasts and cancer (because it's important!) aaaaaaand I'm going to start showing you some more pretty pictures again (because that's what I love).  I'll throw in a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  It's all a big jumbled mess of who I am.  And I like it.

Thanks for stopping by; I'm glad you're here!

xoxo

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Thoughts for a Thursday... | Halifax, NS

I expect to pass through this world but once. If, therefore, 
there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, 
to any fellow being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, 
for I shall not pass this way again.

Author Unknown

 

 

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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