The Gift Of Time.

The Gift of Time: By Kellie Kennedy-One Baby Boomers View On Life.

This Christmas was supposed to be the BETTER holiday for my parents. The morning holiday ritual begins. Mom awakens far earlier than my papa these days, he now deserves to be a bit of Rip Van-Winkle. Mom makes sure the fireplace is warm and toasty; the Christmas tree lights are all lite and the coffee pot is ready. Mom plays scrabble on her Kindle Fire and waits patiently to hear papa’s slippers shuffling down the hall. The special sound of my papa’s slippers, lets her know her attention is needed and wanted by him. His cup of coffee and paper in hand and the morning slowly begins by the fire.

In exchange for the cozy morning ambiance, every holiday evening starts out with my papa lighting the fireplace for my mom. They have the lovely fireplace to enjoy-chilly desert evenings and mornings-the Christmas tree all a glow just like a Macy’s tree. Celebrating this year, papa is home with us for the holidays; after battling 1 year of  Bladder Cancer, as a family we had made it through in one piece. This was to be a joyous celebration this December.

On Monday, December 12, 2011 the holiday took an unexpected turn. I received a call from my parents to meet them at their home around the corner. My mom consumed with emotion, I knew they were coming back from my papa’s 6 months Oncology appointment. Once meeting up with my parents, I calmly sat down next to my mom. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said “It’s stage 4 and it’s gone into his bones, lymph nodes of the abdomen area, they want to begin radiation and chemotherapy immediately.” Metastatic Bladder Cancer, I  could actually feel my heart breaking … what happened to our perfect holiday? Why was this happening again? The only real gift my parents wanted this holiday, was my papa home and cancer free. Now we are looking at the Gift of Time!

During the holiday season people tend to focus on what type of gifts they are giving or receiving. All consumed on how much to spend and the brand of the gift. Is the gift a Gucci or Kate Spade bag? Did the gift come from Tiffany & Company? My god … I must have a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes as a gift! Being a Cancer Survivor myself and having faced the possibility of  my mortality at an early age;  I have felt for a long time Christmas gifts should be a complete after thought. The real gift at Christmas should be … your Gift of  Health … and your Gift of Life. Now for my parents, it is the Gift of Time. There is no bigger or better gift my papa can buy my mom other than more time with her. This is the type of gift you can’t find in a box, or on a ring finger, or on a pair of feet or even parked in someone’s driveway. The Gift of Time is priceless.

Without missing a beat, my papa made clear their Christmas Eve celebration will remain the same. My parents will be celebrating with dear friends in their home this Christmas Eve.  Celebrating the Gift of Health, Gift of Life and Gift of  Time!

I Love Medical Technology:Part Deux

I Love Medical Technology, Part Deux: By Kellie Kennedy-One Baby Boomers View On Life.

Definition of Part Deux: A sequel to a classic film. Usually a second film in a series, though not always. This is exactly how I have viewed my life the past couple of years. Of course, excluding Charlie Sheen, infamous for his 1993 version of “Hot Shots! Part Deux.”

I feel my life is a classic film, with a surprising final sequel. All questions finally answered for my loyal movie fans. My life has more twists and turns than famed road “Mullolland Drive” in the Hollywood Hills. Who are my loyal movie fans? My parents and friends of course.

http://kelliekennedy.com/2011/10/13/bionic-womanloves-medical-technology/

My October 13, 2011 post,  was a small window into my August 24, 2011 heart monitor implant procedure and new medical technology available. The heart monitor I received has provided life saving information for me. The heart monitor  provided my medical team with precise information needed; I am not the proper candidate for a pacemaker. The atrial arrhythmia I am experiencing is not coming from my heart. My heart rhythms actually look very good. In fact, the belief is perhaps a neurological injury in neck or spine area is the cause of my atrial arrhythmia. The news I received that my heart is in good shape, is fantastic news; a huge sye of relief! Ok-so now what? For now, my heart monitor stays in place-in my chest- to do … its job … monitoring. It can stay implanted for two years. Onward and up-ward I say!  Next stop, neurosurgeon.

Interesting enough, I hear all the time the topic of  pain management. When pain is not properly managed, the human body will cry-out in several ways. The body reacts to pain; regardless if the pain is coming from injury or from illness. Wow, am I now facing this issue, is this my Part Deux? Well, how I see it my life  continues to be an adventurous movie, waiting for the final sequel … with all the questions finally answered and a very happy ending!

I Love Medical Technology!

I Love Medical Technology: By Kellie Kennedy-One Baby Boomers View On Life.

 The phrase “A picture is worth a thousands words.” I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! Pretty much sums it up for me.

On August 24, 2011, I so proudly blogged about my new Bionic-ness! Is bionic-ness even a word? If not -it is now! Since becoming “Bionic Woman” and receiving my Medtronic REVEAL XT heart monitor implant, I have been nervously awaiting any useful feedback from my cardiologist.

I am certainly doing my part, pressing the camera fob when I feel the slightest bit of irregular heart beat activity. Is it my imagination? Could the flutter I feel in my chest be overwhelming emotions building up from all the hunky heart throbs sitting next to me at my local coffee shop? You know the guys, barely able to say, “whazzz up?”

Naaah, I have  Atrial Arrhythmia, a change in the hearts’ normal rate or rhythm, normally between 60 and 100 beats per minute. I can NOT believe the heart monitor has already transmitted life saving information. I am skipping  from 5-6 beats to 8-10 beats randomly throughout the day. If this is the first 31 days of transmission, I am nervous and excited to wait for the next transmission of information on November 7th. I find this technology AWESOME! Lucky for all of us to be living in times of crazy technology. There are several types of Atrial Arrhythmia and several treatment plans.

See Link –

http://www.cardiosmart.org/HeartDisease/CTT.aspx?id=232#Test and Procedures

I am currently discussing my plan of attack and treatment plan with my medical team- including a possible pacemaker- The pacemaker, another wonderful little life saving device. Boy, has the pacemaker come a long way. Whatever the outcome, I know technology will have saved my life! Some give technology a bad rap. I say, you take the good with the bad with technology. I LOVE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY.

Exercise With Aging Parents or Grandparents,Very Cool.

Exercise with your aging parents or grandparents …VERY COOL: By Kellie Kennedy-One Baby Boomers View On Life.

Do any of you recall the Jazzercize classes we all attended in the 1980’s? The annoying multi-colored leotards and nasty matching leg warmers. We all proudly came to exercise class each week looking like the singer, Olivia Newton John in the video “Lets Get physical.”

Jazzercize is still around today stronger than ever, sure it’s been slightly re-invented to included perhaps a larger demographics of people. Thank goodness the workout styles have changed over the years. As adult women working out; we no longer have to look like the early VJ’s of music MTV. Does the name “Downtown Julie Brown,” ring a bell with anyone reading this blog?  Ok, so I am dating myself, but you get my point. Not a shinning moment in the fashion industry for Women’s Active Sports Wear.

I exercise several days a week at my local and NEW Community Fitness Center. I realize everyday just how very blessed we are in my community to have this type of center. I urge everyone to checkout a facility like mine near their own neighborhood.

http://www.la-quinta.org -Click on Fitness Center- Oh, here is the ugly proof I do workout. Yes, that’s me on fitness center website on elliptical machine in black basic workout clothes. Notice, no leg warmers either. SHOCKER to see my friendly mug on the website!

The best thing about my workouts on Monday’s and Friday’s, my 82-year-old dad as my partner. How cool! Plus, dad always wears decent workout clothes, no leg warmers or head bands for my papa. We are both “Cancer Survivor’s.” December will be dad’s 1-year Anniversary of his Bladder Cancer surgery. He has been the poster-child for this very aggressive surgery. He came through with flying colors, better than most younger patients. My dad has battled his Bladder Cancer with grace and dignity, having lost 3 major organs. He has managed to fight back, recover and now on his way to healthy lifestyle with a good diet and weekly exercise.

I remember as young kids hating being seen with our parents, asking to be dropped off around the corner at any school event. Dreading our little friends might have spotted us with our “parents.”  OMG!  The shame of being seen with our mom and dad. Funny, how that changes when you get older. At least it’s supposed to change, if you have matured at all and have your priorities straight. I enjoy very much the days I workout with my dad at the fitness center. It’s our special bonding time. The special time I will always remember with fondness, long after my dad passes away. When I am working out at the fitness center, I often see seniors there without any workout partners. I think to myself, do they have a son, daughter or a grandchild who possibly could be their workout partner? Hey all of you out there putting your fancy workout clothes on, ask your aging parents or grandparents to join you at the gym if they are capable. You really don’t know what you are missing. A life time of memories.

Exercise with your aging parents or grandparents …VERY COOL!

Celiac Disease-Not A Food Allergy.

Celiac Disease-Not A Food Allergy: Kellie Kennedy-One Baby Boomers View On Life.

Celiac Disease (CD), Ever heard of it? Not the  Gaelic pronunciation of “Celtic” Disease. Friends often have a puzzled look on their faces when I divulge that both my Mom and I struggle with this complicated and often debilitating disease. Most of my friends and family have not heard of celiac disease. If they have heard of the disease, their information tends to be just slightly incomplete or completely incorrect. I guess my job as someone living with the disease, is to better educate people on celiac so they understand it.

Cause of (CD), also known as celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is still a mystery. One out of 133 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease. CD occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease. In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease. It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic. Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.

Celiac Disease (CD) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. When people with CD eat gluten, the villi (tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food) are damaged. This is due to an autoimmune reaction to gluten. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients – proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and, sometimes, water and bile salts. If CD is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders – both nutritional and immune related. Celiac Disease is not a food allergy – it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can sometimes grow out of. This is not the case with Celiac Disease.

My mom and I do our very best to live a healthy lifestyle. We both know the pain of living with celiac disease. It is always an up hill battle everyday of our lives even trying to eat the correct foods. We both are on a “gluten-free” diet and do are best to stick to our special diet as closely as possible. Lord knows we are only human, we stumble and fall on this new journey. I tell my mom,”we can either let Celiac Disease take over our lives, or we can take control over Celiac Disease.” My mom is 82 years young, she does a marvelous job at trying to control her celiac by monitoring herself closely. I’m not sure many kids today stay as committed to a “gluten-free” diet as well as my mom does. On days when I feel like I am failing with my gluten-free goals; I think of my 82-year-old mom, kicking ass and determined to beat celiac disease.  If she can kick ass, even at age 82, this 49-year-old should be able to do the same . Next time I hear people speak of food allergies, I know I am helping others and providing life saving information about this disease. Celiac Disease is not a food allergy.