Neuro-ophthalmologist assessment

The neuro-ophthalmologist did not find anything anything wrong with Kara. He reviewed her MRIs and thinks that the starbursts may be the result of swelling around the former tumor sites in her brain as they slowly go away. Kara's energy is starting to come back. She has been riding a three-wheeled bicycle around the neighborhood.

Neuro-ophthalmologist on Friday

Kara has an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist on Friday. She is still experiencing occasional starbursts in her field of vision. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to determine what is causing the starbursts and recommend a treatment. The appointment will last about three hours. The nausea Kara was experiencing last week has fortunately subsided, but it has left her pretty weak.

Prayer requests:
- Pray that the doctor is able make a diagnosis and prescribe a successful treatment.
- Pray that the issue with her vision is something minor and easily treatable.
- Pray to give Kara the strength she needs for her appointment.

Novalis complete, nausea returns.

Kara received the last of her Novalis treatments on Friday. She has been having difficulty tolerating her chemotherapy this week and has been suffering from nausea, which has left her pretty wiped-out. Kara had planned to go with the kids to the Barnum & Bailey circus today, but was not able to do so because of the recent nausea. Aunt Jean is in Houston this weekend and is able to help out.

Prayer requests:

- Please pray that the Novalis is successful in eradicating the cancer near Kara's spleen.
- Please pray that Kara is able to better tolerate her chemotherapy and the nausea ends.
- Please pray to give Kara the physical and emotional strength to help her through this trying time.

Novalis and Temodor

Kara met with Dr. Lynch yesterday. He was pleased with how things are going and will have Kara take the oral chemotherapy drug, Temodor, for the next five days. Also, she began Novalis to treat on the spot near her spleen. She began the Novalis on Monday and will have 10 treatments each weekday over the next two weeks.

Kara (and the rest of us) have enjoyed the visit from some of our relatives from Pennsylvania. Mom and Lois' cousin, Janice, and her family have been down in Texas for the past week. We all spent the Fourth of July in La Grange. Then we all gathered in Austin on Saturday for a picnic lunch near the falls at Bull Creek. Emma got to come up a day early and spend the night with Uncle John and Aunt Carrie. Kara had a busy weekend and had the energy to enjoy it.

We do have some sad news, however. Jean's loyal pet and companion, Lottie, suffered what appeared to be a seizure on Saturday. By the time Lottie arrived at the emergency vet, she had already passed on. There was nothing that could be done. Jean is devastated by the loss. We all will miss the joy that Lottie brought into our lives.

Prayer requests:

- Pray that the new chemotherapy drug is an effective treatment for Kara.
- Pray that the Novalis is able to successfully treat the spot near Kara's spleen.
- Pray to give Kara the physical and emotional strength she needs as she continues her treatment.
- Pray for Jean as she copes with the loss of her beloved pet.