Kara's bloodwork showed her blood counts were low, and she'll be getting an infusion of fresh blood Friday. This should help her regain some energy and stamina to prepare her for her surgeries.
Next week she has another round of tests, which will determine the next step of her treatment. We hope that the tests indicate she is a good candidate for surgery, and that the doctors will go ahead and remove what is left of the tumor in her liver. We also hope that the test results show that the cancer has remained inactive.
Praises:
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through her treatment thus far with no significant problems.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for the help and support of so many people -- Kara and Matt's parents, Aunt Lois, the rest of their families, their church family, their friends, and other kind well-wishers. They have been a true blessing.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for positive test results.
- Please pray for peace for Kara over this weekend, that she may enjoy her time with her family without anxiety about the tests and their results.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement and love to Kara. Please keep Kara in your prayers, and enjoy your holiday weekend with your friends and family. Next week there should be photos to share with you here on the blog.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Feeling Better
Kara continued feeling better as the week progressed. Receiving the IV fluids keeps her hydrated, and she sips on Ensure throughout the day for calories. She doesn't have much energy at all, but thankfully doesn't have the debilitating nausea she has had previously. She enjoys watching Emma and Luke play in the pool at Mom and Dad's apartment, and being as much a part of their day as possible.
Kara and her family will spend Fourth of July at the farm before she undergoes another round of tests. These tests will be very important in determining the next course of treatment.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through her treatment thus far with no significant problems.
- Thank you God for the help and support of so many people -- Kara and Matt's parents, Aunt Lois, the rest of their families, their church family, their friends, and other kind well-wishers. They have been a true blessing.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy, and that she can enjoy some "good" time with her family before beginning the surgery round of her treatment.
- Please pray for positive test results.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for giving your support, love, and prayers to Kara.
Kara and her family will spend Fourth of July at the farm before she undergoes another round of tests. These tests will be very important in determining the next course of treatment.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through her treatment thus far with no significant problems.
- Thank you God for the help and support of so many people -- Kara and Matt's parents, Aunt Lois, the rest of their families, their church family, their friends, and other kind well-wishers. They have been a true blessing.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy, and that she can enjoy some "good" time with her family before beginning the surgery round of her treatment.
- Please pray for positive test results.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for giving your support, love, and prayers to Kara.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Update
Kara spent a quiet weekend at home with Matt, resting up after her last round of chemotherapy. Home health visited and set her up with an IV so she could remain hydrated without having to upset her stomach by drinking a lot of fluids.
Emma and Luke went to the farm with Mimi and Doc, and enjoyed being able to run around and feed the cows. Luke especially is enthralled with the cows, and pets them and lets them eat right out of his hand. Emma caught a showing of "Riverdance" in Austin, and was entranced by the dancing.
Kara feels better at this point after chemo than she has previously, and is encouraged by that, and by the fact that she doesn't have to go back in for another round in the near future. She isn't eating much, but isn't terribly nauseated.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through her treatment thus far with no significant problems.
- Thank you God for the help and support of so many people -- Kara and Matt's parents, Aunt Lois, the rest of their families, their church family, their friends, and other kind well-wishers. They have been a true blessing.
- Thank you God for Emma's patience, helpfulness, and kindness to Kara throughout this difficult and hard-to-understand time for her. She continues to be sweet and loving to her mother, even though right now Kara cannot do all that she used to with and for Emma. We hope that Luke can bond more with Kara as she regains her strength after chemotherapy, and recovers from her surgeries.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy, and that she can enjoy some "good" time with her family before beginning the surgery round of her treatment.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and love for Kara.
Emma and Luke went to the farm with Mimi and Doc, and enjoyed being able to run around and feed the cows. Luke especially is enthralled with the cows, and pets them and lets them eat right out of his hand. Emma caught a showing of "Riverdance" in Austin, and was entranced by the dancing.
Kara feels better at this point after chemo than she has previously, and is encouraged by that, and by the fact that she doesn't have to go back in for another round in the near future. She isn't eating much, but isn't terribly nauseated.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through her treatment thus far with no significant problems.
- Thank you God for the help and support of so many people -- Kara and Matt's parents, Aunt Lois, the rest of their families, their church family, their friends, and other kind well-wishers. They have been a true blessing.
- Thank you God for Emma's patience, helpfulness, and kindness to Kara throughout this difficult and hard-to-understand time for her. She continues to be sweet and loving to her mother, even though right now Kara cannot do all that she used to with and for Emma. We hope that Luke can bond more with Kara as she regains her strength after chemotherapy, and recovers from her surgeries.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy, and that she can enjoy some "good" time with her family before beginning the surgery round of her treatment.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and love for Kara.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Back Home
Kara returned home last night, and will spend the weekend resting and trying to sleep through the next few days of feeling yucky. Home health will come every other day to help her get IV fluids, to stave off dehydration and avoid over-diluting her electrolytes like last time.
Kara has been blessed with so many kind and caring people helping her through this time, from the nursing staff at the hospital, to her and Matt's family (Mom and Dad, Jim and Diane Herynk, and our Aunt Lois are all thankfully retired, and have been able to help Kara and Matt as needed), their church family, friends, and those who have come to know her only through this website. Joplin-area business Leggett & Platt named its corporate team in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/GI/gi_1.asp) "Operation Hope" and dedicated it to Kara. Many friends in the Joplin and Carthage, MO area supported the Operation Hope team at this wonderful fund-raising event. Houston friends have provided meals for Kara and her family. Countless people have remembered her with cards, comments on this site, and visits when she is feeling up to it. Those reminders that she is being prayed for constantly, throughout this long process, bring her great comfort and encouragement.
With the chemotherapy phase of Kara's treatment over, it will soon be time for the surgeons to remove what remnants of the cancer are left. In July, a portion of her liver will be resected. And after she has recovered from that, she will have a hysterectomy, as the primary site of her cancer was the cervix (a rare primary site for neuroendocrine tumors). Recovering from two abdominal surgeries in two months will be difficult for Kara, but she has, with determination, faith, and hope, made it through the previous four months of treatment, and we are confident she will approach this next phase similarly.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through this last round of chemotherapy with no significant problems.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement to Kara since the beginning. We appreciate your steadfast presence in her recovery and her life.
Kara has been blessed with so many kind and caring people helping her through this time, from the nursing staff at the hospital, to her and Matt's family (Mom and Dad, Jim and Diane Herynk, and our Aunt Lois are all thankfully retired, and have been able to help Kara and Matt as needed), their church family, friends, and those who have come to know her only through this website. Joplin-area business Leggett & Platt named its corporate team in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/GI/gi_1.asp) "Operation Hope" and dedicated it to Kara. Many friends in the Joplin and Carthage, MO area supported the Operation Hope team at this wonderful fund-raising event. Houston friends have provided meals for Kara and her family. Countless people have remembered her with cards, comments on this site, and visits when she is feeling up to it. Those reminders that she is being prayed for constantly, throughout this long process, bring her great comfort and encouragement.
With the chemotherapy phase of Kara's treatment over, it will soon be time for the surgeons to remove what remnants of the cancer are left. In July, a portion of her liver will be resected. And after she has recovered from that, she will have a hysterectomy, as the primary site of her cancer was the cervix (a rare primary site for neuroendocrine tumors). Recovering from two abdominal surgeries in two months will be difficult for Kara, but she has, with determination, faith, and hope, made it through the previous four months of treatment, and we are confident she will approach this next phase similarly.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through this last round of chemotherapy with no significant problems.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round of chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement to Kara since the beginning. We appreciate your steadfast presence in her recovery and her life.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Home Tonight
Kara should be coming home later tonight. Her IV will be removed around 8:30, and then she should be able to come home.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through this last round of chemotherapy with no significant problems.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Praises:
- Thank you God for providing Kara with excellent, attentive, and caring health care providers who have helped her through this difficult experience.
- Thank you God for seeing Kara through this last round of chemotherapy with no significant problems.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
New Room
Kara has been moved to another room (hopefully her last!) and has started on the second of the three chemotherapy drugs she will receive. So far she is feeling pretty good, and is very glad that this phase of her treatment is almost over!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara through this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara through this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Update
Kara's oncologist met with her last night, and he is very pleased with Kara's response to the chemotherapy and how well she has tolerated the most aggressive type of chemotherapy. It seems odd to us, seeing how sick she has been, to hear she's tolerating it well, but she has been fortunate that she's been able to stay on schedule with her treatments and hasn't had any significant problems.
This round of chemo is not going as smoothly as the others, logistically. She still doesn't have a room yet, and the drugs sent over were not the right kind. So she has not yet begun the chemotherapy, and is in the process of changing rooms. This probably means she will not be home until Thursday.
The plan for the rest of the summer is more tests the week after July 4th, and then at the end of that week, the liver surgery. Kara will be able to enjoy the long weekend and hopefully attend the Bellaire Parade as they've done the past few years, before beginning the next phase of treatment.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara through this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
This round of chemo is not going as smoothly as the others, logistically. She still doesn't have a room yet, and the drugs sent over were not the right kind. So she has not yet begun the chemotherapy, and is in the process of changing rooms. This probably means she will not be home until Thursday.
The plan for the rest of the summer is more tests the week after July 4th, and then at the end of that week, the liver surgery. Kara will be able to enjoy the long weekend and hopefully attend the Bellaire Parade as they've done the past few years, before beginning the next phase of treatment.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara through this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Sixth Round of Chemotherapy Begins
Kara's sixth round of chemotherapy begins today. This round will complete this phase of her treatment. Next she will have another round of tests, and then decisions on surgeries will be made.
Being unable to eat anything substantial for the past couple of months is taking its toll on her, and she starts this round feeling pretty fatigued and "yucky." We are all glad to see this stage of treatment nearly over.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara though this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for sharing your time, energy, thoughts, and prayers with Kara. Your prayers have been invaluable to Kara, and God is answering them! Our prayer is that he continues to do so.
Being unable to eat anything substantial for the past couple of months is taking its toll on her, and she starts this round feeling pretty fatigued and "yucky." We are all glad to see this stage of treatment nearly over.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for health for Kara though this round of chemo -- that her veins hold up, that her bloodwork stays where it needs to be, and that she remains infection-free.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the side effects will be minimal following this round.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for sharing your time, energy, thoughts, and prayers with Kara. Your prayers have been invaluable to Kara, and God is answering them! Our prayer is that he continues to do so.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
This Weekend
Kara has enjoyed this past week, as she has been able to be more active than she has been in quite some time. The blood transfusion fixed her anemia, and she felt less fatigued. She went to Emma's first ballet class on Wednesday, and played with her in the pool today. She'll spend this weekend enjoying time with her family and resting up for her last round of chemotherapy.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the improvement in Kara's side effects, and that she has enjoyed her "good week" before her next round of chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for good tests results that show the treatment is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued increased strength and good health for Kara over the weekend.
- Please pray that the last round of chemotherapy goes smoothly for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for keeping Kara in your prayers. We are so thankful that the chemotherapy phase of her treatment is almost over, and that your encouraging presence has remained throughout it. The next phase will most likely be abdominal surgery to remove part of her liver, and she will need your prayers and encouragement through that as well.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the improvement in Kara's side effects, and that she has enjoyed her "good week" before her next round of chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for good tests results that show the treatment is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued increased strength and good health for Kara over the weekend.
- Please pray that the last round of chemotherapy goes smoothly for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for keeping Kara in your prayers. We are so thankful that the chemotherapy phase of her treatment is almost over, and that your encouraging presence has remained throughout it. The next phase will most likely be abdominal surgery to remove part of her liver, and she will need your prayers and encouragement through that as well.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Feeling Stronger
We are pleased that Kara has rebounded more quickly after the latest round of chemotherapy than she had after the previous one. By using her wheelchair, she is able to do more than if she had to stand for long periods or walk long distances on her own -- she was able to make a run to Target Saturday morning (always a fun outing!), and on Sunday go to church, and attend a church party in the evening, and see so many members of her supportive church family. She still tires easily, but is not constantly fatigued as she has been previously. Fortunately her nausea also seems to be under control, and she has a few foods that "sound good" to her and she eats small amounts of them when she can.
Kara had some bloodwork done today, and she's running anemic. She'll get two units of blood tomorrow to get her back into shape before her next round of chemotherapy starts. This will probably take about four hours.
Emma began Vacation Bible School this week, and will start dance classes on Wednesday. Luke continues with his swim lessons.
Balleremma (click on the photo to see more photos of our little ballerina)
Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the improvement in Kara's side effects, and that she can enjoy her "good week" before her next round of chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for good tests results that show the treatment is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued increased strength and good health for Kara this week.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to pray for Kara and to share with her your love, concern, and encouragement.
Kara had some bloodwork done today, and she's running anemic. She'll get two units of blood tomorrow to get her back into shape before her next round of chemotherapy starts. This will probably take about four hours.
Emma began Vacation Bible School this week, and will start dance classes on Wednesday. Luke continues with his swim lessons.
Balleremma (click on the photo to see more photos of our little ballerina)
Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the improvement in Kara's side effects, and that she can enjoy her "good week" before her next round of chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for good tests results that show the treatment is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued increased strength and good health for Kara this week.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to pray for Kara and to share with her your love, concern, and encouragement.
Friday, June 03, 2005
This Weekend
Kara's nausea seems to be under control -- she has an upset stomach-feeling, but can keep food and liquids down. She is just very, very weak and almost constantly fatigued. She went to watch Luke's swim lesson on Wednesday, and that wiped her out the rest of the day. Having to go in to get bloodwork done, as she did this morning, is similarly exhausting. But she is feeling better than she did at this point in time after her fourth round of chemo, for which we are very thankful.
Fortunately this phase of treatment is nearing completion, and she only has one more round of chemotherapy to go before her body can begin to heal and replenish itself from the effects of the chemo. She is also very fortunate to have had such a great response to the chemotherapy, making the side effects well worth it!
This weekend Kara will continue to rest and build up her strength so she can enjoy next week, her "good week" before beginning her sixth and final round of chemotherapy.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased strength and energy for Kara.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your remaining committed to helping Kara through this difficult time, and for your prayers and kind and heartening words that encourage her daily.
Fortunately this phase of treatment is nearing completion, and she only has one more round of chemotherapy to go before her body can begin to heal and replenish itself from the effects of the chemo. She is also very fortunate to have had such a great response to the chemotherapy, making the side effects well worth it!
This weekend Kara will continue to rest and build up her strength so she can enjoy next week, her "good week" before beginning her sixth and final round of chemotherapy.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased strength and energy for Kara.
- Please pray for physical and spiritual comfort for Kara during this trying time.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your remaining committed to helping Kara through this difficult time, and for your prayers and kind and heartening words that encourage her daily.
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