Update

The MRI of Kara's head showed no new tumors, a report that we are very thankful for. Kara will have Novalis performed on the tumors in her abdomen beginning on July 9th. She will have ten days of treatment in a row. By then, she will have completed her first round of the new chemotherapy drug. I believe that the doctors are still considering implanting radiation beads into the tumor in Kara's liver after the Novalis procedure is completed.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis goes smoothly and is successful.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

After jumping off the diving board.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78

Sleepover with Lottie.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78

MRI on Monday

Kara has been having occasional starbursts and headaches again, and will be going in for an MRI of her brain on Monday. Please pray that the scan reveals no new growth in her brain.

Kara should begin Novalis next week. She has had the body cast made, and will be ready to go once the doctors tell her what the schedule will be.

Kara has begun her new chemotherapy, and it is a pill that she can take at home, which is very convenient. I believe she is off of the Avastin that she usually gets once a week until after the Novalis has been completed.

Kara, Matt, and the kids have had a nice weekend at home. Aunt Jean got to take Emma and Luke to a movie, dinner, and have them spend the night at the apartment with her, while Matt and Kara went to their friends' anniversary party.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results with Kara's MRI.
- Please pray that Kara's new chemotherapy is successful, and Kara tolerates it well.
- Please pray that Kara's Novalis can begin soon, and goes smoothly and succesfully.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you!

Novalis

Dr. Lynch has decided to try Novalis on the tumors instead of the other alternatives. Kara went in today to be fitted for a body cast that will be used for her treatments. She is feeling a little "peppier" since receiving the blood transfusion, but still is very fatigued.

Kara, Matt, and the children had a good Father's Day weekend at the farm. The kids played around outside while Kara rested. It rained off and on on Sunday, so the temperature was pleasant, and we were able to all hang out on the porch and play games and relax. Emma was very excited about being able to buy her dad a Father's Day present out of money she had saved from her allowance.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis procedure goes smoothly and is successful.
- Please pray that Kara can resume chemotherapy soon.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Surgery Consult

Kara met with Dr. Fay, her surgeon, yesterday to discuss the surgical options. Dr. Fay proposed laparoscopically removing the lymph node by the spleen, where the new tumor is. Dr. Teh could implant radiation beads in the liver tumor at that time. To do this, Kara will have to be off of chemo for awhile -- specifically, off of Avastin for four weeks. Dr. Fay will coordinate with Dr. Lynch whether to move forward with preparing for surgery or to try a round of chemotherapy with the new drug Temodor first.

Kara has been feeling very fatigued this week. She will be getting a blood transfusion tomorrow, which will hopefully help her with her energy levels.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's medical team can devise a successful treatment plan.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray for peace of mind and comfort for Kara during this break from treatment.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradiacted from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Surgical Plan

Kara was able to see Dr. Teh last week, and he is recommending laparoscopic surgery to remove the tumors in her liver and the one in her lymph node near her adrenal gland. She should hear back in the next couple of days on when that will be scheduled. While she awaits this procedure, she cannot take Avastin, and she is uncertain if she will be put on her new chemo drug until after the procedure. So please pray that the procedure can be scheduled quickly, and for peace of mind for Kara as she awaits it. Hopefully the recovery time for the laparoscopic procedure will be relatively short, and Kara can return to chemotherapy and enjoying an active summer with the children. We are glad that this option is available, and Kara doesn't have to undergo a more invasive procedure.

Kara has been quite fatigued lately, and has to spend more time resting than she'd like. Despite that, she usually tries to join Emma and Luke at the park or the pool when she can -- she has a three-wheeled bicycle that she can easily balance on and get to where she wants to go more quickly.

On one last note, we are very happy to share that Emma and Luke will have a cousin on the Kelly side in January -- Uncle John and Aunt Carrie are expecting their first baby! He or she should arrive just before Luke's fourth birthday. We are all very excited to have this happy event to look forward to -- Kara especially. John has set up a webpage for baby news: http://www.johnandcarriekelly.com.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara can be scheduled for the procedure quickly.
- Please pray for peace of mind and comfort for Kara during this time she is off chemotherapy.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Dr. Lynch was very encouraging again, and will start Kara on a new drug that has been shown to be effective with neuroendocrine cancer. This drug crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it has an effect on tumor growth in the brain. It is a pill that Kara can take by mouth. Kara will also continue to receive Avastin by IV. Kara will meet with the radiotherapist, Dr. Tea, who will evaluate the scans and determine whether Novalis should be used on the spots on her liver and the spot on the lymph node near her spleen. There is no tumor activity in her brain or in her lung, which is very good news.

Emma and Luke have Vacation Bible School this week, and Kara goes with them and helps out with snacks. Emma and Luke love to see her there. They spend a lot of time at the pool -- Emma is quite a swimmer, and Luke is swimming farther and farther. Aunt Katie is there with them this week, and they are getting a kick out of spending time with her.

Kara, Matt, and the kids went to Seaworld over the Memorial Day weekend, and they had a great time. Uncle John and Aunt Carrie joined them, and they had a memorable weekend. The kids loved seeing all the animals at Seaworld, and Kara even tried out one of the roller coasters.

Praises:
- Thank you God for another encouraging meeting with Dr. Lynch.
- Thank you God for the promising new drug.
- Thank you God for the continued prayers and support for Kara from so many.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Dr. Tea has encouraging news for Kara.
- Please pray that this new treatment plan is successful.
- Please pray that Kara tolerates the new drug well.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Meeting with Dr. Lynch Tomorrow

Kara and Matt will meet with Dr. Lynch tomorrow to plan out the next phase of her treatment. Please continue to keep Kara in your prayers, and we will let you know the report from Dr. Lynch when we have it.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for another encouraging visit with Dr. Lynch.
- Please pray that Dr. Lynch can chart a successful treatment path for Kara.
- Please pray for hope and strength for Kara as she begins a new phase of treatment.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you very much.