Chemo Postponed

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

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. We hope you all have a happy Fourth of July long weekend with your friends and families.

Meeting with Doctor Lynch

Kara and Matt met with Doctor Lynch last night, and he outlined the next phase of treatment for her. She will continue with three weeks of chemotherapy followed by a week off, for several more cycles. She will also have Novalis performed on the spot on her adrenal gland. Doctor Lynch feels that the area on her lungs may be a tumor, but he thought it was to be expected because she had been off of chemotherapy for so long. He believes that the continuation of the chemotherapy will take care of the lung spot.

Prayer Requets:
- Please pray that Kara is able to get Novalis scheduled soon, and that the procedure goes smoothly.
- Please pray that the insurance company will come through and pay for Kara's Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.


Thank you.

Update

Kara received another chemo treatment on Friday, and it went smoothly. Tomorrow, she and Matt will meet with Doctor Lynch to go over the PET Scan results and what the next phase of her treatment will be.

Kara and Matt took the kids to Noah's Ark Pool on Saturday, where both kids went off the diving boards like crazy. Emma is now a strong enough swimmer to jump in and swim to the side herself -- she doesn't need anyone to catch her! Luke, just two, always wanting to do what Big Sis does, was jumping off the board as well to his dad. Both enjoyed running around the shallow pool with all the little slides and waterfalls. Emma remembered the pool from last year, and told her mom that she didn't want to go down the "big slide" that she had tried last year -- such a good memory!

Praises:
-Thank you God that Kara is strong enough to enjoy the summertime with her family.
- Thank you God for the good test results that continue to give us confidence that you hear our prayers.
- Thank you God for all the caring and skilled doctors and nurses that are helping Kara.
- Thank you God for all of Kara's friends and family who provide her so much love, support, and encouragement.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for continued strength and energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the insurance company will approve the drugs prescribed by Doctor Lynch.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

No New Tumors

Kara's PET Scan results are encouraging. There are no new tumors. Her brain and her liver are completely tumor-free. The spot that was on her lung is gone -- there is something showing up on the scan in a different place on one of her lungs, but Dad thinks it is most likely fluid from a persistent cough Kara has had, not a tumor. The spot on her adrenal gland is a bit larger, so they will most likely go after that with some radiation. All in all, a very encouraging report, and Kara is upbeat and pleased with the results. Considering she has been off chemotherapy for so long, this is very good news. We will know more after Kara and Matt meet with Dr. Lynch to go over the results.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the encouraging test results, and for the reassurance that you are hearing our prayers.
- Thank you God for the new treatments that have helped Kara.
- Thank you God for the love, encouragement, and support of Kara from so many friends.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that they are able to successfully treat the adrenal tumor with the Novalis.
- Please pray that Kara's insurance company will approve the Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

PET Scan Completed

Kara is on her way home from having the PET Scan. We will let you know the results when we do. Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara and Matt as they wait for the results.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good PET Scan results.
- Pleas pray for peace and comfort for Kara, Matt, and their family as they await the results.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. We really appreciate all of your prayers, concern, and words of support and encouragement, never moreso then at times like this.

PET Scan Tomorrow

Kara, Matt, and the children had a nice, quiet weekend in Houston together. Kara continues to feel strong despite having resumed chemotherapy, and we hope her energy will continue to hold.

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord;
Apart from you I have no good thing."
As for the saints who are in the land,
They are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
- Psalm 16:1-3

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the PET Scan results are encouraging.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

PET Scan on June 20th

Kara's PET Scan will be next week, on June 20th, not the following week. Please pray for good results.

Kara's chemotherapy went smoothly yesterday.

Praises:
- Thank you God that Kara has been able to return to her full chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for giving Kara the energy and strength to have been very active with her family the past couple of weeks.
- Thank you God for giving Kara, and all of those who love her, peace and hope.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the PET Scan results are encouraging.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Chemotherapy Resuming Today

Kara restarts her platinum-based chemotherapy today, now that her bloodcounts are back up to where they should be. She will be getting a PET-Scan on June 28th to check on things, so please begin praying for good results from that.

Aunt Lois and Vaughn's wedding was lovely. Kara and Laura were bridesmaids, and they and Aunt Lois looked great in their dresses. Kara was feeling better than she had felt in a long time, and was able to easily walk down the aisle and stand without problems. Kara greatly enjoyed meeting Lois's many friends who have been keeping her in their prayers.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the PET Scan results are encouraging.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Kara's bloodcounts are up where they need to be, and she can proceed with chemotherapy on Wednesday. She'll have a PET Scan performed at the end of the month to see what, if any, tumors remain. She and Matt will meet with Doctor Lynch at the end of the month as well.

Kara and Diane, Matt's mom, have had a good week with the kids. Emma and Luke have had fun at Vacation Bible School, and have enjoyed having their mommy up there helping out!

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Praises:
- Thank you God that Kara's bloodcounts are such that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Thank you God for Kara's increased energy and strength.
- Thank you God for the reassurance that you are keeping Kara in your watchful care, and for the hope that you will cure her.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the PET Scan results are encouraging.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. The family will have a good weekend in Austin celebrating Aunt Lois's wedding -- I'm sure there will be lots of photos to share.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Blood Counts Up

Kara's white blood cell count is up high enough to resume chemotherapy on Wednesday. The break has afforded her a chance to get her energy back up, and she's now ready to continue with it.

Biopsy Results

Kara's bone marrow biopsy results are back and reveal that there is no cancer in her bone marrow. It appears that her white blood cells are slowly replenishing (the chemotherapy wiped them out), and there is nothing abnormal about her bone marrow. They just have to wait for her white blood cell count to get up to where it needs to be, and they can resume chemotherapy with the platinum drugs.

It has been a good week for Kara and her family. Kara has been able to help out with Emma and Luke's Vacation Bible School, and has been feeling stronger and able to do more than she has in awhile. She continues to tolerate the Herceptin well. This weekend we are all meeting in Austin for our Aunt Lois's wedding

Praises:
- Thank you God for reassuring bone marrow biopsy results, that show that there is no cancer there.
- Thank you God for Kara's increased energy, and for her being able to participating more in Emma and Luke's activities.
- Thank you God for giving Kara continued peace and comfort and trust in you and your cure for her.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results from the bone marrow biopsy.
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts for Kara, that she may resume her platinum chemo.
- Please pray for insurance approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Mom and Dad have packed up all of the old house in Joplin and this weekend Kara, Matt, the kids and the rest of us were all at the farm helping unpack the trucks. Mom and Dad will spend the week trying to get things in order there while Matt's mom Diane is in Houston, enjoying her time with the grandkids.

We are still waiting to hear back for the results of the bone marrow biopsy. It may take up to ten days.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results from the bone marrow biopsy.
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts for Kara, that she may resume her platinum chemo.
- Please pray for insurance approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Kara is having a bone marrow biopsy performed today to try to determine why her white blood counts are still so low. It is most likely due to all of the chemotherapy she has received over the past year. But there is a slight possibility the biopsy could reveal cancer in her bone marrow. Kara is very apprehensive at this time, as she has not been able to resume her platinum-based treatment for such a long time.

Kara will receive another round of Herceptin today as well.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results from the bone marrow biopsy.
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara, Matt and their family as they await these results -- it should take about ten days.
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts for Kara, that she may resume her platinum chemo.
- Please pray for insurance approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you very much. We are so thankful for the prayers and words of encouragement for Kara over the past year, and your steadfast concern for her helps us through the scarier times, knowing that there are so many praying for her cure.

Update

Kara's bloodwork shows that her platelets are back up to an okay level, but now her white blood cells are too low to restart her platinum chemo. She will continue with Herceptin today.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts for Kara, that she may resume her platinum chemo.
- Please pray for insurance approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Tenth Anniversary

Kara's Novalis was completed on Wednesday. There was one additional spot that showed up on the MRI that they treated, so two spots total were radiated. There was a bit of a scheduling problem, and Kara had to spend most of the day with the Novalis halo-apparatus screwed into her head while waiting for her turn to be treated, which was uncomfortable for her. But she's thankful she was able to be treated so quickly. Kara had another round of chemo with the Herceptin, and they are still waiting for insurance approval on that. Kara's bloodcounts are still too low to proceed with her platinum chemo, but we hope she can get back with that next week.

Kara and Matt are going to San Antonio to celebrate their ten-year wedding anniversary this weekend. Matt got Kara the hotel's "spa package," which she is really looking forward to using. Luke will spend the weekend at the farm with Mimi and Doc, and Emma will be in Austin with Uncle John, Aunt Carrie, and me. Should be a nice weekend for all.

Praises:
- Thank you God for Kara and Matt's ten happy years together, and their wonderful, cherished children that bring so much joy and meaning to their lives. Thank you that Kara is feeling well enough for her trip and anniversary celebrations.
- Thank you God for the technological advancements that promise a cure for Kara, and for all of the amazing doctors and nurses who have worked so hard to help Kara.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts for Kara, that she may resume her platinum chemo.
- Please pray for insurance approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis Tomorrow

Kara is getting a head MRI today to help the doctors with the Novalis procedure that has been scheduled for tomorrow. Her team of doctors met yesterday and decided that one of the spots thought to be a tumor was more likely scarring from a previous tumor, and the other one probably was a small metastatic growth. So they will only be using Novalis on that spot.

Kara received her first round of Herceptin, the chemo drug that was suggested by the Arizona tests, on Friday. They went ahead and paid for it privately rather than wait around for insurance approval, which hopefully will be forthcoming.

Kara had some bloodwork done yesterday, but we don't know yet where her numbers are and whether she can commence full chemo again yet.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts so Kara may resume chemotherapy, and that the insurance company will pay for the treatment that has been recommended.
- Please pray that the Novalis procedure goes smoothly and is effective.
- Please pray for Kara to remain hopeful and positive.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Test Results

Kara had an MRI performed on her brain, and it showed two tiny tumors. They will most likely treat them with Novalis. Kara remains positive, and is trusting in God for total healing in his time.

Kara's bloodcounts are still tpo low to proceed with chemo. There is nothing they can do to boost her bloodcounts, other than wait. Hopefully they can get going on the Novalis in the interim.

Kara's insurance declined paying for one of the drugs recommended by the Arizona lab, and Matt and Kara are trying to get that decision reconsidered. If not, they will look into other options for paying for the drug.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased bloodcounts so Kara may resume chemotherapy, and that the insurance company will pay for the treatment that has been recommended.
- Please pray for Kara to remain hopeful and positive.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Luke and the Ladies

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

John and Carrie's Wedding

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

John and Carrie's wedding was held last Saturday at a bed and breakfast called the Halstedt House in La Grange. Emma was the flower girl and Luke the ringbearer, though Luke was unhappy about having to give the ring to John -- he thought it was his. Mom and Carrie had planned a very lovely wedding and luncheon, and the weather was beautiful.

I'm having problems with the photos I took -- about half aren't working right. So I apologize that it's taken me so long to get these up. I'm working on trying to get more posted as I fix them, and others at the wedding have been sending me theirs.

Kara continues to rest this week in hopes that she will be strong enough and her bloodcounts will be where they need to be to restart chemo next week. They should have a quiet weekend at home to help her regain her strength.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts rebound and she may restart treatment.
- Please pray that the new drugs Kara's doctor wants to try will be approved by her insurance.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Chemo Postponed Again

Kara's bloodcounts are still too low to proceed with chemotherapy. She is discouraged that she cannot continue with her treatment, as the treatment makes her feel like she is "fighting" the cancer and keeping it at bay. Matt is trying to coordinate with her doctor what, if anything, can be done until her bloodcounts get where they need to be. They do not want to do another transfusion, as there is some risk involved in that as well.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts rebound and she may restart treatment.
- Please pray that the new drugs Kara's doctor wants to try will be approved by her insurance.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. John and Carrie's wedding was lovely, and I will post more about that, including photos, tonight or tomorrow.