White Counts Still Down

Kara's white counts are still too far down to receive chemotherapy at this time. Please pray that her counts rise, and she can have her chemotherapy at the end of the week and, as always, for the permanent eradication of the cancer from Kara's body. Thank you.

White Counts Down

Kara's white blood cell counts are down, and she cannot have her chemotherapy this week. Please pray that her bloodcounts rise, so she can continue with her treatment quickly.

Thank you.

Kara, Luke, and Emma

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Luke took the car off the top of his cake... and discovered it had icing on it!

Happy Birthday, Luke!

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Kara and Matt and the Kids

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Emma and Kara are looking at the camera... while the boys are looking at their toys!

Kara, Luke, and Cake

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Kara and Luke and his "Cars" cake (Kara was wearing Emma's play "dress-up" fur to keep warm).

Update

Luke had his third birthday party at the farm last weekend, and had a great turnout of friends from Houston and Austin. He and Emma and their friends had a fun time running around the farm. Kara had planned a great party, and she, Mom, and Matt's Mom pulled it all together so that Luke had a very memorable time. I was under the weather and didn't get many photos, but I'll see what I have (hopefully some good ones!), and post them tonight.

Kara continues to have more energy, and hasn't picked up any bugs so she is feeling pretty good. She will continue with her chemotherapy this week, and seems to be tolerating that well. I am not sure when her next scans are, but I will let you know as I do.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate the chemotherapy well.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Luke's Birthday

Kara, Matt and the kids will be coming to the farm this weekend to celebrate Luke's third birthday. The weather here in Texas has been uncharacteristically wintery, but we're hoping for a thaw so we can enjoy running around outside.

Kara received her chemotherapy this week, and seems to have tolerated it well so far. Matt's mom is in town, and they have been busy doing little projects around the house.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate the chemotherapy well.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Meeting with Dr. Lynch

Kara and Matt had their appointment with Dr. Lynch today to go over the scan results and the course of Kara's treatment. She will continue to receive the Avastin once a week, and will also be given a low dose of a new drug in the Tamoxifin family once a week. Kara has not had this drug before, and it could cause some mild side effects like nausea and hair loss. Kara will see Dr. Lynch again in four weeks.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara tolerates this new chemotherapy well, and has minimal side effects.
- Please pray for energy for Kara, and that she avoids picking up colds and bugs.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Scan Results

Kara's PET Scan revealed that the tumors she had previously were either the same size or reduced in size. She has two new, small tumors on her liver. The Avastin can take a couple of months to be fully effective, so these results aren't unexpected, and we're glad to know that the existing tumors have been kept at bay by the Avastin. Kara will meet with Dr. Lynch next week to go over the results fully and find out the new plan.

Praises:
- Thank you God that Kara's older tumors seem to be responding to the Avastin.
- Thank you God for the skilled health care providers that have been tailoring her treatment.
- Thank you God that Kara's been feeling better and has had more energy recently, and she's been able to participate in her children's activities.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for an encouraging plan from Dr. Lynch.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Happy New Year!

Kara and the family enjoyed a very merry Christmas together. Emma received a children's digital camera, and took about 500 photos on Christmas Day! Luke got a lot of "Cars"-related toys that he lvoed. They spent a couple of days at the farm, and enjoyed it as usual -- Emma enjoys exploring the property, and Luke loves to run around in the Gator and play with his cars.

Kara has another series of scans on Wednesday, January 3rd. Please keep her in your prayers for good results, that the tumors have shrunk, and no new ones have formed.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good test results.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you for another year of prayers and support, and we hope that 2007 will be a very good year for our family and all of our friends.