Monday we go to Tampa where I start 5 days of radiation.
The Captain and I both agree that the decision to not go through with the last chemo treatment better prepares me for the upcoming radiation treatments.
I feel stronger and the chemo is almost out of my body so not feeling many of the side effects of the chemo.
Please keep your warm thoughts and prayers coming….I love and pray for all of you.
No matter what happens or what ever God has planned for me….it will be far better than any earthly thing I could of ever imagined.
Colossians 1:9
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”
Now on to something I touched on a couple months ago.
Do you remember when I told you that the Captain wanted to give me something to look forward to by updating our kitchen?
Well it has been a little slow in coming, but we have made a few changes and I thought I would let you in on what we have done.
First off, I wanted to use my existing cabinets (trying to keep from doing a demo and buying all new cabinets).
Then I wanted the cabinets to combine to form a 9 foot by 5 foot island which meant sizes were not uniform…but could be with a little extra work and effort by the carpenter.
I will show you pictures of when we bought the house and when we updated the kitchen the first time as well as the second time.
we went from this……the below two photos are from the Real Estate listing when we bought our home about 10 years ago.
You will note there were two islands. One held the stove top and the other was a larger island with the wine cooler and lots of lower cabinets.
The microwave was above the oven….until it quit working.
There was so much I wanted to change in this kitchen.
The counters (and back splash) were granite BUT the granite was in 12 inch square tiles which made rolling dough a challenge.
So after painting the walls, we replaced the honey cabinets with white cabinets and added black granite countertops.
We also added tan travertine backsplash which after a couple years, I painted white.
See below pics.
and I don’t know if you can see the “hangy down” in the upper left of the bottom photo which contained 4 pot lights…I never knew why it was there and I never cared for it.
It hung about four feet down from the ceiling and sorta defined the kitchen area from the rest of the open concept of the main living areas.
as you can see…I had two islands as well as a bank of cabinets on the back wall….that includes a sink and kitchen window and a desk area.
You might also note the very small counter space to the right (left if you look at photo below) of the stove top….very un-handy.
For this kitchen update, it was the outer island (with the microwave and wine cooler) that I wanted to separate and add to the stovetop island…to form one large island.
This would mean separating the microwave cabinet, a bank of drawers, the wine cooler cabinet, two double cabinets with two large drawers.
You might have noticed a desk area that I rarely used, so luckily, one of the double cabinets fit that area, therefore I was able to use every cabinet and drawer.
I also wanted to change out the black granite countertops to white quartz.
Now I will show you the current look.. ..which still needs some tweaking….like the cabinet pulls.
they are gold for the bottom cabinets and glass and gold for the uppers….we also need outlet covers.
The above pic is lacking my decor for countertops….just wanted to show you progress.
This island is 9 foot by 5 foot and now I have space on each side of my stove top.
The pics are from my Iphone so please excuse cabinet coloring issues….I have so much natural light that it makes it difficult to take pics.
The only change on the wall of cabinets was the addition of a farm sink and a change of the faucet to gold…and the removal of the desk and addition of a double cabinet and quartz countertop.
Of course we had to replace the floor tiles because of the sub floor under the removed island. We chose a wood floor which I will detail in a later post.
The different carpenters were so patient and understanding as they measured, removed and placed existing cabinets in a configuration that would work to form my dream island.
The Captain had to make many of the decisions (after consulting me on my sick bed) and then there were times I could venture into the kitchen for a peek and an opinion. LOL
I am so grateful for all his efforts to keep this project on target….plus taking me to chemo, making my appointments, keeping my meds up, and basically being my “go-for” for everything else.
Please pray for him too…like all of our spouses, they can get frustrated because they want to fix “it” and they can’t.
Yesterday, I was able to make sloppy joes for lunch in my new kitchen….what a joy and I must give God the Glory for my extra strength and the baby steps.
I will have radiation for 5 straight days for an hour and a half each day….starting on the 27th of January.
Thank you for your prayers and love.
God Bless You
Ephesians 6:18
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Hi Kari,
I’m seeing your post a little late. It’s great to see your kitchen’s progress through the years. You must be so happy with it now, again. I hope your treatment went well and that you will be feeling better soon.
Liberty
Praying for you this week!!!
Thank you Patsy….I am clinging to “Be still and know that I am God”
Still praying, Kari! Love the new kitchen! That ‘new’ island is quite amazing, and perfect!
Thank you Julie, I am so excited about cooking a meal in it.
Thank you for your prayers, they are so appreciated.
Keeping you in my prayers, Kari, for safe travels and best outcome from your treatment.
Your kitchen looks so beautiful, and much safer and functional with the double island, instead of a stove top just floating by itself. Lovely!
Thanks Irene, I so appreciate your prayers and support. The kitchen is coming together nicely.
Oh how wonderful! What a beautiful kitchen! It really does look fabulous and you made Sloppy Joes! How yummy!
Praying for you my dear Kari! May the Lord be with you next week!
I made it through radiation with few side effects….Praise God.
i am so anxious to see what remains of the cancer tumor…will know after more MRI’s and Cat Scans.
Thank you sweet friend.
Oh sweet friend I am praying so very hard!
🙏🙏🙏
Sweet Kari and your Captain, beautiful work indeed I know it gave you great joy to look forward to the finish work…. change is a beautiful thing indeed! I pray for you daily along with Cindi K she is not well stage 4 cancer, overwhelming indeed.Yet believing for God to do what only He can do. You 2 are missed at FCC and prayed for at the Altar, and the prayer sheet.
God is a good Father and we are loved by Him.
Much love from us all.
Johnnie B.
Thank you Johnnie, God does answer prayer.
I have been in touch with Cindi , we text often.
I believe God can use both of us in situations like this, to help each other with love and encouragement.
Our God is omnipotent.
You and your Captain remain in my prayers. I will certainly be thinking of you next week. Your kitchen ni is beautiful!
Thanks Rita…Your prayers are working as the radiation side effects were barely noticed.
Thank you for “hanging” with me through this ordeal.
Hugs and much love
kitchen looks great! Good luck with the radiation. I’ll keep the prayers coming.
Thanks P.J. I so appreciate your prayers and the support you give me during this trying time in the Captain’s and my life.
The radiation did tire me out but I can deal with nausea pills and fatigue! God does answer prayer. I hope all is well with you…say a special “Hi” to the birds. I wish I had been up to a visit with you all the night you came caroling us. I promise we will get together with all as soon as God rids me of this condition.
Hugs and Love
Kari, you came to my mind this morning and I prayed for you. Later, I opened my email and there was a post from you.
I love your kitchen changes. Looks so efficient and roomy. I’m amazed at your husband’s ability to handle all that and care for you at the same time. I went through a redo about four years ago and I still remember the challenges of moving everything out of the cabinets and cooking in the laundry room. Not to mention having people in your house with wonky schedules.
You are in my prayers as you go through radiation. Your strength and faith are amazing.
Believe me Bonnie…he struggled at times to get things done. The Captain arranged for some one to be with me when he had errands and such. There were times he felt frustrated with carpenters and I told him…anything is better than the way it was. It also helped that he had previously installed “pull out drawers” in each cabinet so it was easy to Pull out complete drawer with out the individual removal of each item. The surprise part was when we had to re-learn where items were because carpenters used the measurement of where to place a cabinet…..instead of what was in it. It was a “surprise to find the silverware drawer across from the fridge. LOL but I also found that i liked it there.
Thank you for your prayers. Please don’t stop as we are nearing the finish line.
What a wonderful husband to provide you with a beautiful “new” kitchen during this difficult time. That is such a thoughtful idea to have something like that to look forward to. Making that huge island was a brilliant idea of yours. It certainly makes much better use of the space.
Prayers for you all as you travel to Tampa and for strength and peace during radiation.
radiation over and few side effects Nancy. Thank you for your prayers. Yes, I think I will keep the captain around a few more years. Now we wait for the results of the radiation and the next step in the riding me of this tumor ! I love this kitchen and can’t wait to be strong enough to cook a full meal.
Kari, I loved seeing this post and your new kitchen. It is fabulous and good to know you were up to making lunch. What a precious gift from your Captain.
I am praying for you as you begin radiation. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Your grace in walking this journey is amazing, but I know God is with you every step of the way. Sending love and hugs to you my friend! ❤️
Thank you for your prayers and support Pam…it has meant so much to me even if I did not have the strength to type a response, i knew you would understand.
God is so good and i know He was with me during the radiation, The nurses and doctor said I was perfect at breathing and holding my breath. Don’t know when I will be able to use that skill again but so glad I had it when I needed it as God was holding my hand. i clung to the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
I love you sweet friend and keep up the prayers as this thing is just beginning.
Hugs
Kari
Kari, I am so excited to hear from you my precious friend. I never expect you to reply, save your strength dear one. Reading this is a beautiful reminder of God’s care in all of the details of our lives. He is with you and you recognize His grace and faithfulness as He holds your hand on this journey. Kari, I am praying for healing, we know He has the power. We depend on Him, He is the source of our strength and the Giver of life and breath.
One of my friends that is a breast cancer survivor found out last Tuesday she has stage 2 pancreatic cancer. I have more friends with cancer on my prayer list than ever before.
I love you and know you remain in my prayers and in my heart.
Hugs and lots of love,
Pam
Hi Kari! So great to hear from you! Your kitchen looks fabulous. Best wishes on the radiation. You continue to be in my prayers. I’ll be praying for the Captain too.
God bless you~
So glad you are feeling stronger and sending prayers for strength for your radiation treatments 💕Your kitchen looks great & I hope you will very soon feel like enjoying using it 😊
Dear Kari, Awesome to hear from you! Love your new kitchen, so much more efficient and roomy! Glad to hear you’re
feeling well enough to give it a trial run! You are so blessed to have the Captain by your side through this journey!
I’ll keep the prayers coming to you and the Captain for strength, courage and healing. Love Ya, Lu
Kari, the kitchen is a dream! and your hubby is fabulous. Will be thinking of you during radiation.
Dear, Kari, you’re redone kitchen looks great & that comes from a professional kitchen designer, you know? 😘 You’ve been on our prayer list at my Sunday School from the beginning. We’ll continue to lift up you & the captain for strength & comfort. Please let me know if I can help in any way. I’ll be rooting for KC in the Superbowl.
Blessings,
Donna
Thank you Donna….I appreciate your prayers and support…and your view on the kitchen. The pulls are not on yet and I have another idea about using a garage cabinet where my desk used to be. When we bought the house there was a “garage” in the corner and I didn’t care for it. (The door was missing too)
God Bless You
Kari
Kari: Thank you again for the updates. I think and pray for you often. What a beautiful job on the kitchen remodel. So much brighter and cheerier than 10 years ago. God bless you and your wonderful captain. You are so lucky to have each other to lean and depend on each other. You’ll be in my prayers all next week.
Dear kari,what a beautiful kitchen you have. I am praying for you daily my sweet friend. May GOD watch over you turning your radiation and everyday. You are a sweet person and GOD is watching over you every second of everyday. GOD BLESS
OOOOOOOOOOO Kari, your new kitchen is something else. It’s beautiful. You’re one lucky lady to have your Captain. May the Lord be with you next week during your radiation treatments.
You do make me smile Kari. I love your kitchen and I love you could make food in it after all you’ve been through. You are brave. So glad you’re faith and the Captain’s love is carrying you, plus no doubt lots of other lovely people. We are all suffering at times in one way or another so know you are not alone. We have to carry each other. Prayers are veing said on the Emerald Isle
Dear Kari, Your Captain and helpers have done an excellent job on your updated kitchen. Dear, I’m so glad you saved your strength by not having that last chemo. Your radiation treatments will be exhausting. An hour and a half for five days is a lot. I’m praying for you.
Love you,
Sandy