Update

Kara is continuing with her Novalis, and it should be complete this week. Kara will get Herceptin this week, and next week they'll start back on her other chemo drugs (carboplatinum) if her counts are up. She is feeling better, and it seems like the pleurisy is going away. After her last Novalis treatment on Friday, she and the kids and John and Carrie will be going to Port Aransas for the weekend. I'll be going down to meet them, too. We're looking forward to having a very fun weekend on the beach and in the pool.

Matt's parents have been in town this week helping while Kara's having her treatments. I'm sure Emma and Luke have been having fun showing off their swimming skills for them!

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis is successful.
- Please pray that Kara is able to resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. I'm sure we'll have lots of photos from the beach to share, and I'll try to get them up on Monday!

Pleurisy

Kara has had a cough for quite some time now, and with pain in her chest. She went to the doctor yesterday, and he determined she had pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the lungs. It should go away in time. She is also on medication for bronchitis, in case she has a little of that working on her, too. Despite the discomfort, Kara isn't letting it get her down.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis continues on schedule and goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the pleurisy resolves quickly.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis Started This Morning

Kara had her first Novalis treatment this morning, and they were able to zap both the adrenal gland tumor and the lung tumors at the same time. It only took about 45 minutes, total. Kara will repeat the treatment on Thursday of this week, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week. Kara is very glad to be done by Friday, because she, Matt, and the kids are going to be taking a long weekend to the beach at Port Aransas with John, Carrie, and me. To position the Novalis machine, they have to draw target marks on Kara's body, and she's not supposed to wash them off, which could be a problem if she's in the pool or ocean a lot! So she will be done with the treatment in time to enjoy the beach and go swimming.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis continues on schedule and goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the insurance company will cover the drugs Kara's doctor prescribes.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Waiting for Treatment Schedule

Kara is waiting to hear from her doctors about when Novalis will begin and what her treatment schedule will be over the next couple of weeks. I believe that the bodycast they put her in to help target the radiation has already been made, so that they can start whenever the schedule is free. Her doctor has done several Novalis treatments on other adrenal gland tumors, which is pretty amazing consdering a year ago Novalis was used mostly just for the brain.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the advances in technology and the knowledgeable and skilled healthcare providers working on healing Kara.
- Thank you God that Kara has had the strength and energy to be active with her children this summer -- going to the pool with them, helping out with VBS, and other fun outings.
- Thank you God for hearing our prayers, and for giving Kara, Matt, and their family comfort and peace in knowing you are keeping Kara in your care.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis can begin this week, and that it goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the insurance company will cover the drugs Kara's doctor prescribes.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Kara met with Dr. Teh, the doctor who performs the Novalis procedure, today. He feels that they can zap both the adrenal gland spot and the tumor on her lung with the Novalis, since they already have the body cast made. One day Kara will have the adrenal gland tumor radiated, and the next her lung tumor. She will probably have four rounds on each spot.

Kara and her family enjoyed the past weekend. Emma had a swimming lesson Saturday morning, and then we met with Uncle John and Aunt Carrie for a quick bite before Kara and I ran to the movies for a triple-header -- very fun. Then we all met up for dinner at Benihana's, which Emma got a big kick out of. Luke was a big boy and went to stay with Mimi and Doc at the farm all by himself. He had a fun time having Doc at his beck and call, running around to see the cows, being pushed on the swing, playing in "his" house (the playhouse).

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Chemo Postponed Again

Kara cannot receive chemotherapy this week because her bloodcounts are still too low. She will be able to have the Herceptin.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts raise and stay where they need to be for her to continue her chemotherapy uninterrupted.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Herceptin.
- Please pray that the Novalis procedure goes smoothly.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.