Emma and Luke had their first day of school yesterday at Bellaire United Methodist's School for Little Children , and both seemed to enjoy their classes. We'll try to post pictures as soon as we can get them uploaded (probably after this weekend).
Kara continues to improve after her sugery. She is really struggling with the nerve damage in her hands and feet, which makes walking very difficult (she is very unsteady on her feet), and makes it hard for her to use her hands to dial the phone, type, write, even use silverware. The neuropathy is a side effect of the chemotherapy, and most of it will hopefully go away after she's done with the chemo.
Kara meets with her oncologist next week for a check-up and to schedule more rounds of chemo. I'm not sure if she'll be having more tests around that time or not.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's neuropathy improves.
- Please pray that she gets a good report from her oncologist.
- Please pray that the cancer be permanently eradicated from her body.
Thank you for your prayers and words of love and encouragement for Kara. She feels comforted by knowing so many include her in their prayers, and she looks forward to getting the mail and seeing what notes and cards people have sent.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Update
Kara is getting better day by day, and is busy getting the kids ready for school, which starts next week. Emma will be in the Bunny class, and Luke will be a Pony. Kara has met with their teachers and thinks it will be a good year for both of them. Kara is taking Emma and Luke to get back-to-school haircuts this morning.
Sunday evening, the family had a birthday party for Matt. If there are pictures from that, I'll try to get them sent to me and posted!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's recovery continues to go well.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.
"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer."
- Psalm 17:6
Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement for Kara throughout these past months -- they are so greatly appreciated.
Sunday evening, the family had a birthday party for Matt. If there are pictures from that, I'll try to get them sent to me and posted!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's recovery continues to go well.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.
"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer."
- Psalm 17:6
Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement for Kara throughout these past months -- they are so greatly appreciated.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Doctor's Check-Up
Kara's check-up with Dr. Kaplan went very well. The biopsies on all the tissue removed showed the cancer was not anywhere other than the primary site, which is very encouraging news. She will probably begin her next rounds of chemotherapy mid-September.
Kara continues to recuperate, and tries to walk a bit when she can, in order to get stronger faster. She's working ahead on plans for Halloween and Emma's birthday party, and in general, is much more comfortable than after her last few rounds of chemo.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for a swift and complication-free recovery from surgery for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Kara continues to recuperate, and tries to walk a bit when she can, in order to get stronger faster. She's working ahead on plans for Halloween and Emma's birthday party, and in general, is much more comfortable than after her last few rounds of chemo.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for a swift and complication-free recovery from surgery for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Recovering Well
Kara's been continuing to do well at home after her surgery. Her pain medications keep her pretty comfortable, and she's even been able to get up and go for short walks. When she came home on Sunday afternoon, she and Emma played some games (Emma spun the spinner for Kara and moved her playing piece) and she and Luke looked over his flash cards (he's about to speak -- we just know he is!). With Matt, Mom, Dad, Aunt Lois, John, and Dr. Emma, Kara is being looked after very well.
Kara will go in to see Dr. Kaplan later in the week, and will see Dr. Lynch (her main oncologist) early in September. After she's recovered from the surgery, Kara will have another two or three rounds of the same chemo she had before to hopefully destroy any other cancer cells in her body.
"And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick,
and the Lord will make them well.
And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. "
- James 5:15-16.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for a swift, complication-free recovery from the surgery for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your unwavering concern for Kara and your unceasing prayers -- they provide immeasurable comfort to her and her family.
Kara will go in to see Dr. Kaplan later in the week, and will see Dr. Lynch (her main oncologist) early in September. After she's recovered from the surgery, Kara will have another two or three rounds of the same chemo she had before to hopefully destroy any other cancer cells in her body.
"And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick,
and the Lord will make them well.
And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. "
- James 5:15-16.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for a swift, complication-free recovery from the surgery for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you for your unwavering concern for Kara and your unceasing prayers -- they provide immeasurable comfort to her and her family.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Kara is on the way home
Kara is being discharged from the hospital and should be home soon. She no longer has an epidural, so she is experiencing more discomfort from her surgery.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Kara is recovering
Emma and I visited Kara at the hospital twice today. Emma drew some pictures for Kara and left her prized souvenir horse from the circus with Kara to help her feel better. Kara was tired but in good spirits. She had been up and walking several times througout the day. She still has an epidural and is experiencing expected abdominal pain and some nausea. She said that her recovery from the sugery is much less taxing than the chemotherapy. And that was apparent upon visiting her. At this pace she hopes to be home by Sunday, though that may be a bit ambitious.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Doing Well
Kara's surgery went very well, and she was out of surgery by mid-morning. The doctors didn't find any other cancer other than what was known on the cervix, which is encouraging. Dr. Haufrect, the doctor who delivered Emma and Luke, and who was a classmate of Dad's, scrubbed in on the surgery with Dr. Kaplan, the specialist performing the hysterectomy.
Kara is in her room now and resting, and very comfortable thanks to the medication they have her on. John is going to take Emma to the hospital tomorrow to see her.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the complication-free completion of Kara's surgery.
- Thank you God for the good news that there were no other signs of cancer in that area of Kara's body.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for Kara's recovery from her surgery, that it be as quick as possible and free of complications.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Kara is in her room now and resting, and very comfortable thanks to the medication they have her on. John is going to take Emma to the hospital tomorrow to see her.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the complication-free completion of Kara's surgery.
- Thank you God for the good news that there were no other signs of cancer in that area of Kara's body.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for Kara's recovery from her surgery, that it be as quick as possible and free of complications.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
From Kara
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction,
and knew the anguish of my soul.”
- Psalm 31:7
Dear God,
It’s me again. First, I just want to say thank you so much for the good PET Scan results that showed no new tumors and that the tumor in my liver is still inactive. You have been so faithful to me, and I am truly thankful. You are awesome.
I have been blessed by the many prayers from my family, church family, friends, and people who don’t even know me. Your children are amazing, and they have been so good to me. I know that their prayers have lifted me up through times when I couldn’t even pray for myself. You send little blessings to me throughout the day by the phone calls, the cards in the mail, the messages on the blog, the visits from my friends, and the delicious meals being delivered. Thank you, God. You are awesome.
Thank you for my precious husband who holds my hand through it all, and takes care of all the details for me, spending countless hours researching treatments and drugs to help me get better and feel better. Thank you for giving me two beautiful children who give me joy and motivation to get well.
Thank you for my devoted parents who struggle with my cancer as much as I do, and for their unrelenting support. Thank you for blessing me with a wonderful, supportive family – I don’t know what I’d do without them. You are awesome.
Please forgive me, Father, for my tendency to worry and feel scared. I don’t mean to show a lack of faith in you; the thought of not seeing my children grow up or being able to raise them makes it hard for me to breathe. They need me, and I want to raise them to know you and love you as I do.
I truly believe, Lord, that I still have a lot of work I can do for you here on Earth. Let me serve you, Lord, and be a witness to others. Let me share your amazing faithfulness and enduring love. Please use me according to your purpose, and I hope and pray that your purpose for me is here on Earth, and for many, many years.
Dear Lord, please heal me. Please eradicate the cancer from my body, permanently. You have said you have a plan for me, that it is for good and not disaster, for hope and a future, that you will listen to my prayers, that I will find you if I look for you in earnest (Jeremiah 29:11-14). I am looking for you.
Thank you God for your reassuring Word, and above all else, thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of salvation. You are awesome.
I love you. Amen.
for you saw my affliction,
and knew the anguish of my soul.”
- Psalm 31:7
Dear God,
It’s me again. First, I just want to say thank you so much for the good PET Scan results that showed no new tumors and that the tumor in my liver is still inactive. You have been so faithful to me, and I am truly thankful. You are awesome.
I have been blessed by the many prayers from my family, church family, friends, and people who don’t even know me. Your children are amazing, and they have been so good to me. I know that their prayers have lifted me up through times when I couldn’t even pray for myself. You send little blessings to me throughout the day by the phone calls, the cards in the mail, the messages on the blog, the visits from my friends, and the delicious meals being delivered. Thank you, God. You are awesome.
Thank you for my precious husband who holds my hand through it all, and takes care of all the details for me, spending countless hours researching treatments and drugs to help me get better and feel better. Thank you for giving me two beautiful children who give me joy and motivation to get well.
Thank you for my devoted parents who struggle with my cancer as much as I do, and for their unrelenting support. Thank you for blessing me with a wonderful, supportive family – I don’t know what I’d do without them. You are awesome.
Please forgive me, Father, for my tendency to worry and feel scared. I don’t mean to show a lack of faith in you; the thought of not seeing my children grow up or being able to raise them makes it hard for me to breathe. They need me, and I want to raise them to know you and love you as I do.
I truly believe, Lord, that I still have a lot of work I can do for you here on Earth. Let me serve you, Lord, and be a witness to others. Let me share your amazing faithfulness and enduring love. Please use me according to your purpose, and I hope and pray that your purpose for me is here on Earth, and for many, many years.
Dear Lord, please heal me. Please eradicate the cancer from my body, permanently. You have said you have a plan for me, that it is for good and not disaster, for hope and a future, that you will listen to my prayers, that I will find you if I look for you in earnest (Jeremiah 29:11-14). I am looking for you.
Thank you God for your reassuring Word, and above all else, thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of salvation. You are awesome.
I love you. Amen.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Surgery on Thursday
Kara's hysterectomy is scheduled for Thursday morning at 7:30 am. She has a round of pre-surgical screening and tests today.
Kara, Matt, and the kids had a wonderful weekend together. They went to Noah's Ark Pool, a recreation center attached to the First United Methodist Church of Houston, on Saturday. There is a really fun wading pool with slides and waterfalls for the toddlers. And then there's the big pool, in which Emma proved herself to be a very strong swimmer and quite brave -- she went down the "big kids'" slide and off the diving board. She must have gone off the diving board about thirty times that morning, and by the end, she was actually getting the hang of diving in rather than jumping feet-first. Luke also went down the big kids' slide, twice, and enjoyed both the wading pool and kicking around in the big one -- have to watch out for him, because he's pretty fearless about stepping off the edge into the pool!
Family at Noah's Ark Pool (click on any of the photos to see more)
Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.
On Sunday, Kara and Matt enjoyed going to church and seeing all of their friends there. After lunch, Matt took Luke on a bike ride, and Kara and Matt played games with Emma, who is getting the hang of how to follow the rules (not an easy thing for a three-year old). She wasn't liking Chutes and Ladders (she kept landing on the chutes!), but then she landed on the ladder that took her all the way to the win. I'm sure there's a life lesson there!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's operation be successful and without complications.
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara during this difficult time.
- Please pray that the cancer be permanently eradicated from Kara's body.
"And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28
Thank you for your continued presence in Kara's life -- we are all touched to hear from people who have been reading about Kara and praying for her without having even met her, and we appreciate that so much. We appreciate everyone's prayers and encouraging words.
Kara, Matt, and the kids had a wonderful weekend together. They went to Noah's Ark Pool, a recreation center attached to the First United Methodist Church of Houston, on Saturday. There is a really fun wading pool with slides and waterfalls for the toddlers. And then there's the big pool, in which Emma proved herself to be a very strong swimmer and quite brave -- she went down the "big kids'" slide and off the diving board. She must have gone off the diving board about thirty times that morning, and by the end, she was actually getting the hang of diving in rather than jumping feet-first. Luke also went down the big kids' slide, twice, and enjoyed both the wading pool and kicking around in the big one -- have to watch out for him, because he's pretty fearless about stepping off the edge into the pool!
Family at Noah's Ark Pool (click on any of the photos to see more)
Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.
On Sunday, Kara and Matt enjoyed going to church and seeing all of their friends there. After lunch, Matt took Luke on a bike ride, and Kara and Matt played games with Emma, who is getting the hang of how to follow the rules (not an easy thing for a three-year old). She wasn't liking Chutes and Ladders (she kept landing on the chutes!), but then she landed on the ladder that took her all the way to the win. I'm sure there's a life lesson there!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's operation be successful and without complications.
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara during this difficult time.
- Please pray that the cancer be permanently eradicated from Kara's body.
"And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28
Thank you for your continued presence in Kara's life -- we are all touched to hear from people who have been reading about Kara and praying for her without having even met her, and we appreciate that so much. We appreciate everyone's prayers and encouraging words.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
PET Results
Kara got good news from her PET scan -- there are no signs of cancer activity outside the primary site. Dad was going to call Dr. Kaplan, her gynecological oncologist, tonight to see how quickly they can get Kara's hysterectomy scheduled. Since the cervix is the only area that shows active cancer at this time, everyone is eager to get that removed. Kara meets with Dr. Lynch, her main oncologist, Tuesday night to determine whether she will have follow-up chemo after she has recovered from her hysterectomy.
Kara will probably be in the hospital for 3-5 days recovering from the hysterectomy, and her further recovery time at home will be 4-6 weeks.
Praises:
- Thank you God for more good news from Kara's tests.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with encouraging and knowledgeable doctors.
- Thank you God for surrounding Kara with loving family, friends, and church family.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to keep Kara in your thoughts and prayers, and for sending her your words of love and encouragement.
Kara will probably be in the hospital for 3-5 days recovering from the hysterectomy, and her further recovery time at home will be 4-6 weeks.
Praises:
- Thank you God for more good news from Kara's tests.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with encouraging and knowledgeable doctors.
- Thank you God for surrounding Kara with loving family, friends, and church family.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to keep Kara in your thoughts and prayers, and for sending her your words of love and encouragement.
PET Scan Today
Kara is having another PET Scan done this morning to check on the status of the tumors. We hope to have the results tonight, and will share them with you as soon as we can.
O God, you wil keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are fixed on you;
for in returning and rest we shall be saved;
in quietness and trust shall be our strength.
- Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for encouraging test results.
- Please pray for comfort and peace for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
O God, you wil keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are fixed on you;
for in returning and rest we shall be saved;
in quietness and trust shall be our strength.
- Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for encouraging test results.
- Please pray for comfort and peace for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Emma's Bubble Bath
Emma gets a bubble bath by candlelight during a sleepover at Uncle John's house. She just finished having ice cream and swimming with John & Carrie.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Biopsy Results
Kara got the biopsy results from the samples the oncologist took last week. The cancer is still active at the primary site, the cervix, so they will try to get going on the hysterectomy next week.
Thursday morning she will have another PET Scan to determine if there's been any more new growth since the chemotherapy has ended.
Now that the chemotherapy is over, Kara is finding herself having to struggle with the fear of recurrence. She is having a difficult time finding comfort and peace, and the concerns of new growth are weighing on her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers, and pray for peace for Kara and her family.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for encouraging test results.
- Please pray for comfort and peace for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to lift Kara up in prayer and send her your words of love and encouragement.
Thursday morning she will have another PET Scan to determine if there's been any more new growth since the chemotherapy has ended.
Now that the chemotherapy is over, Kara is finding herself having to struggle with the fear of recurrence. She is having a difficult time finding comfort and peace, and the concerns of new growth are weighing on her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers, and pray for peace for Kara and her family.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for encouraging test results.
- Please pray for comfort and peace for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you for continuing to lift Kara up in prayer and send her your words of love and encouragement.
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