XOXO

 

 

     February is the month of LOVE! And with Valentines day just around the corner, I decided to put together a look that would be perfect for that day.
It's so fun to be able to wear such girly colors; pinks, purple, reds...and being able to wear them together? Who doesn't love that? I've added a few girly and dainty touches with my bracelet and wallet.
     When I saw this fun shirt/dress I immediately thought "Hello Valentine's Day!!" I got this shirt at Forever21 and it was under $25! Who doesn't love a good deal?
 XOXO

 

(Ok guys, I'm having a hard time putting the links to the items on here, but I'll figure it out so bare with me! sorry!)

Shirt: F21
leggings: online
boots: Nordstrom
wallet/bracelet: Kate Spade



Boho Chic

 

Hey friends!

 

     This weeks has been crazyyy busy and long! Thankfully it's Wednesday and we only have two more days until the weekend...WOOHOO! I had my usual bi-weekly ECP treatment for my Graft vs. Host disease today and yesterday.  The treatment used to take up to eight hours each day (yes you heard that right 8) each day, and I used to have to go every week. Thankfully I got a new high flow line in my chest in stead of the regular broviac which cuts the time down to only about 2/3 hours! Can you say Hallelujah?? When you're already there all the time, the last thing you want to do is spend MORE time at the hospital!

Kind of going along with that, I got a chest CT today to make sure I don't have pneumonia in my lungs. I've had a terrible cough and cold over the past month and especially the last week, and it's kinda just kept me down. When you have no immune system from transplant, something as simple as a cold can take ya to the floor and make you so sick. You have to be so cautious. My numbers are still low which is so disappointing, but the arenespt shot is keeping my hemoglobin at bay so that I don't need a red cell transfusion. My body has built up so much iron over the years and years of transfusions that I have iron overload and my organs are getting damaged. They're just trying all that they can to not transfuse me and give me this shot to boost my numbers so hopefully one day they can phlebotomize. My IGG numbers are also super low this week, which explains why I feel kinda crappy, so I'll get IVIG either Friday or Monday! ( yay iv Benadryl) haha I'm such a weirdo...sorry mom I had to add it! ;) You gotta have a little fun in all of this, right?

 

 

 

     Now...the fun stuff! After the hospital, my mom and I stopped by the Biltmore fashion center for a little lunch and for a little photo op. Anddd maybe a few stores or two. It was such a nice day.

On days I go to the hospital, which are most days, I like to dress comfy...but I also like to dress cute. Hey "when you dress good, ya feel good". It's the truth. There are so many days were I just force my self to get out of bed and put on clothes, otherwise I'd be laying around in my pj's all day.  (Which I sometimes do lol). I love to layer things up and bundle, and this cute dress was perfect. I threw a green jacket and scarf over it, a pair of tights, some boots and there you go! Also, you could wear this dress in summer as a cute swimsuit cover up or just as is. I love, love, love the cute bell sleeves. They give the dress it's own little flare.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

 

Dress: American Eagle

Jacket: similar at f21 

boots: Norstrom (lucky)

   

Black & Grey

 

     Fashion is something I've always loved. I love to be able to put different pieces together to create a new outfit every day. I love the feelings of different materials (I've always been a texture girl). I love prints. I love accessorizing and making it my own.

     This outfit I'm wearing is so easy and so fun. It's very neutral so you could pair it with anything you like. I tend to go for the more neutral colors...the blacks, greys, whites, nudes, etc. I have gold accents in my necklace and my bracelet. But you could change things up and do silver or any color because you're wearing such neutral colors.

     Ok guys, I'm just a tad obsessed with Kate Spade right now. They have the cutest stuff right now. Everything is simple and sophisticated with a bit of cute. I've discovered the outlet which was a very bad discovery, lol. The bag I have is a Kate Spade bag and I absolutely loveee it!

 



Shirt: Anthropologie
Pants: American Eagle
Shoes: Nordstrom (Lucky Brand)
Bag: Kate Spade
Jewelry: Kate Spade

2016!! Progress not Perfection

 

     I'm always so caught up in everything not being perfect. If someone asks how I'm doing I usually say "ok" because that's just the truth, I still don't feel good most days a week. I'm just tired all the time and don't feel like doing much. Just because I'm not admitted doesn't mean I'm not there all the time. I have new issues pop up all the time and constant pain I deal with and still never ending appointments. Life after a transplant doesn't just automatically get better. But this quote really struck me. Last year around this time...we didn't know if I was coming home. Even four months ago I was so weak I could barely walk and I had very little hair on my head. It's such a slow process. This past year has been the hardest but most rewarding year of my life and I have grown more than I know. I can't express how grateful I am to be here, getting stronger every day. I'm ready to put this year behind me and move on to 2016. This year WILL be better. Going in with a smile on my face and gratefulness in my heart. as Kate Spade said, "Live Colorfully". I intend to do that.

     This blog is something that I've kind of put on the back burner. On Instagram I see so many bloggers that I admire and love and wish I could be like. I've had intentions of doing this blog so many times, but I've gotten caught in this crazy thing called life so many times. My goal this year is to try to post more on here. I want to keep everyone updated about what's going on in my life whether it be the good or bad, through my eyes, and not just through Instagram. I want to be able to express my thoughts and feelings. I want you guys to see my love for fashion and photography. This blog could be so fun! Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers on my behalf. It has all been felt.

A Year

August 23, 2014, was the day I received a bag of precious bone marrow that would potentially save my life. The day was quiet. I had already finished my high doses of chemo to completely wipe out my cells and immune system, so that the new marrow could take its place and start doing its job. It was an emotional day. My family was there, my granny, my best friend and her family... it was peaceful. We watched literal life being infused into me drop by drop, from a generous donor who we do not know. I remember watching my sweet nurse, Aida count every single drop of marrow that entered my body. It was a surreal moment; life was flowing into me.

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Here I am exactly a year later on August 23, 2015 thanking the lord that I am here. Bone Marrow Transplant brought on so many tough and unbearable challenges that some days I just didn't know how I would get through. The hair loss, mouth sores, extreme nausea, extreme pain, headaches, infection after infection...the list goes on. The past year has been the hardest, scariest, most challenging thing I have ever been through. The infections seemed to be never ending and the pain was constant, and there have been more days of not feeling well than feeling well. I've been on many hospital visits, scary ICU stays, sepsis...and the list goes on. It's safe to say I went through hell and back many times, and to be honest...I didn't know if I would return home at some points. I would plead to the lord for strength, for comfort, and for healing, And I know without a doubt he is there and he hears us each and every day.
     The support I got through this past year has been incredible!! It's blown me away! Not only from right around the community, but around the world. "Kin Can Kick It" has gone crazy and I LOVE IT!! It's been amazing!! Keep spreading it guys!!

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The time I spent in the hospital was not fun to say the least. Many tears were shed. I went through some of the most unbearable things, and unfortunately I'm still dealing with some of the nasty side effects of the BMT now. Thankfully I have my sweet momma & daddy and siblings who have never left my side. I'm still dealing with GVHD (graft vs. host disease). It's been affecting my skin and gut and I go in every other week for a process called ECP. My marrow is still not where we'd like it to be a year out of transplant and I'm still going to the clinic many days a week. Getting blood transfusions, platelet transfusion's, IVIG, etc. My hearing has declined, and my organs aren't doing great. This isn't where I wanted to be at this point in my transplant journey and it's hard not to compare yourself to someone who is doing so well. BUT...I AM ALIVE. I made it. Even though I'm not where I want to be, I'll get there. I can promise you that. It may take another year...or 5 years...But I will get there!

In this moment...I'm here, & I'm living. And that's an accomplishment!

Happy 1 year transplant Birthday to me!!!!

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Here's to many more birthdays!





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Hope you all have a blessed year! XoXo, Kin

#KinCanKickIt

ps. go check out my Instagram @Mckindree to keep up with what's going on in my daily life! :)

Feeling Glittery

This week has been quite Glittery!

To start off, I celebrated my post transplant birthday on Monday. So fun! This week has been great, a few bumps on days and long clinic visits. My stomach has flare ups, because of the GVHD, and so does my skin...and it becomes quite painful. I had mentioned earlier about starting a new procedure called, ECP. It's really hard to explain (so i'll leave that up to my mom, lol). But basically the whole purpose is to try and get me slowly off the dreaded sterroids and recovering. I'm currently here doing my first round. The crappy side, is that a new high volume port will have to be placed in my chest; they're hoping to get that scheduled within the week, because the broviac isn't necessarily compatible with the high volumes going into me.

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Highlights from this GLITTERY week:

 

>>> Craft night with my aunt Kara...It's a secret so i'm keepin this one on the down low

 

 

 

>>> Trying lobster for the first time AMAZING!! I used to hate seafood, but those donar cells may be changing things

 

>>> Being able to take pics of my cute best friend for Winter Formal. She looked stunning.

>>> Starting off ECP with my cute momma

 

 

 

>>> As a lot of you know, I'm obsessed with fashion, designing, crafting, SHOPPING, photography...dah dah dah dah. I feel like it just makes you want to get up and have a fun day. I love bloggers, and this week one of my faves  @Whippycakes, sent me the cutest package full of amazing pieces of clothing, jewelry, everything you could imagine. @Flybirdaparell has also been so kind with their amazing, comfy, inspiring t-shirts. Thank you ladies for putting a little sparkle in my week.

 

 

>>> Photoshoots. I've done a fun few photoshoots with my madi & my cute sis hattie just for the fun of it. It's been hard for me to come out of my shell with the face changes and all that...but it's been sort of relaxing to get dressed up and have a little fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO, Kin