From Kara

I am still not giving up on a miracle, but I don't know what God's will is. I want to give you many thanks for all of your prayers for me, and all the cards you have sent and comments on the blog that you have left. I trust in God's will for my life, and it may not be what I was hoping it would be. Please continue to pray for me and my family.

Love,

Kara

Update

Kara is on some antibiotics and no longer has a fever. She has an appointment with Dr. Lynch on Wednesday.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara in this difficult time.
- Please pray that the treatment she had this month have been successful.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Fever

Kara is running a fever this morning. Please pray that the fever will drop, and that if she does have an infection, it can be easily treated. Thank you.

Blood Transfusion

Kara had a busy weekend. She was able to go to church and spend a lot of good time visiting with friends and family. She has been fatigued so far this week, though. She will receive a blood transfusion tomorrow that will hopefully help with her energy. When she is rested, her vision, speech, dizziness, and dexterity are much improved. When she gets tired, however, she continues to struggle in those areas.

Please continue to pray for Kara's miracle.

"For we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love Him,
Who are called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's blood transfusion goes smoothly and increases her energy.
- Please pray for peace, hope, and faith for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Improving

Kara has been feeling better and stronger as the week has progressed. She was able to go to church and Sunday lunch with the family, as the pain in her abdomen has been subsiding. She's working on walking and doing her Sit and Fit exercises again.

Kara will have another round of scans at the end of the month. I will let you know the exact dates when I know. Please pray that Kara continues to improve, and that her miracle is happening!

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to grow stronger.
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara, that doubts and fear do not crowd her thoughts.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you. We continue to have faith that nothing is impossible with God, and we are so thankful for His steadfast presence with Kara.

Back Home

Kara came back home last night. The doctor at the ER said there was no internal bleeding, just some bruising, pulled muscles, and sore ribs. So she is taking medicine for the pain and resting today. Please see below for Kara's prayer needs. Thank you.

ER

Kara is at the ER because of her abdominal pain. Please pray that whatever is causing the pain can be treated and will resolve quickly. Thank you.

Update

Kara has been experiencing abdominal pain since yesterday. Yesterday morning, she was sitting on the living room floor with Luke, and she fell over and hurt herself somehow. Her abdomen is very tender, and she is having trouble keeping food down and managing the pain. Dad thinks that she may have bent some cartilage near her breastbone, and that it may be pressing on her liver, which is itself enlarged because of the presence of tumors.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the pain subsides, and that Kara can resume getting stronger and back into a more "normal" routine.
- Please pray that Kara feels God's protective and loving presence with her.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Drinking out of a Watermelon

There was a nice gathering of friends and family at Kara's house over Labor Day weekend. The kids were all excited about "drinking out of a watermelon". I wasn't sure what that meant, until a member of Kara's church showed up. Kara was able to sit outside with everyone and enjoy the afternoon. She even tasted some of the watermelon concoction herself.

Update

Kara has been getting stronger and her speech is improving. She met with Dr. Lynch last week, who was pleased with her progress since her hospitalization. She was able to go to Community Bible Study on Thursday, and to church on Sunday. She was reinvigorated by all of the love and encouragement from her church family.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78

Luke started his new pre-school class last week, and can't stop talking about. Emma continues to enjoy kindergarten. Kara hopes to be able to pick Emma up from school some day this week and meet Emma's teacher.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray for comfort and peace for Kara to keep doubt and fear away.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you all for continuing to pray for Kara's miracle.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78

Novalis Completed

Kara had her last Novalis treatment today. Getting those treatments really tires her, so she is glad to have them completed. She hopes to regain more energy and strength, and be able to communicate and use her right side better. Her mind is sharp, and it is very frustrating and embarrassing for her to not be able to speak clearly.

She seems to be tolerating her chemotherapy very well, and is able to eat more, without nausea issues. She also believes that the dizziness is dissipating.

Emma continues to enjoy kindergarten, and Luke returned to pre-school today. They never fail to bring a smile to Kara's face, as both like to curl up and cuddle with Kara. Luke, after visiting NASA, is all about rockets and spaceships now, and he will climb on the couch with Kara and take her for an imaginary ride on his rockets. He misses Emma on the days she is at school and he isn't, and the highlight of his day is going to pick Emma up from school. Emma is getting used to the idea that her new cousin is going to be a boy, and not a girl. When asked why the cousin isn't here yet, she answers sweetly, "Because God isn't finished wrapping him."

Kara and the family had many visitors over the weekend, and their company and prayers were very uplifting. Kara continues to get many cards and expressions of encouragement, which mean the world to her.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued peace and confidence for Kara, that she can keep doubt and fear away.
- Please pray for Kara's recovery from the effects of her treatment and stroke.
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permenantly.

Thank you so much.