Chemotherapy Resumed

Kara was able to resume chemotherapy yesterday. Her white blood cell count is still a little low, but not enough to stop her from having the treatment.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara can continue her chemotherapy uninterrupted.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of her Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Port Aransas

We all had a great time at Port Aransas this past weekend. Kara had gotten Emma and Luke toys to play in the sand with -- shovels, buckets, etc. -- and they had a great time making sand castles and burying each other in the sand. Emma especially liked looking for seashells and digging for little clams. We took both of the kids out to "the deep end," out past where the waves broke, so they could float and loll around with the waves without the waves crashing on them. Kara came out and enjoyed floating around with the waves, too. The pool at the hotel was also a big hit.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

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We went to dinner at the Crazy Cajun one night, where dinner was a bucket of stuff that Kara and I couldn't stand to look at! Thankfully John and Matt de-headed the shrimps and cracked the crab legs for us. Emma and Luke had fun beating things with the crab hammers.

It was a very good trip, and Kara had the energy to enjoy it.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the opportunity to for a fun family outing, and that Kara was well enough to enjoy it.
- Thank you God for the complication-free completion of the Novalis procedure.
- Thank you God for all of Kara's healthcare team that has been working so diligently in treating her.
- Thank you God for the love, support, and prayers of Kara's friends, family, church, and all of those who keep track of her progress on this blog.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara is able to resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray for good test results when Kara has her next scans.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. There were three different cameras being used over the weekend, so hopefully John and Kara and Matt got some more photos we can share. I know Kara was clicking a lot!

Update

Kara is continuing with her Novalis, and it should be complete this week. Kara will get Herceptin this week, and next week they'll start back on her other chemo drugs (carboplatinum) if her counts are up. She is feeling better, and it seems like the pleurisy is going away. After her last Novalis treatment on Friday, she and the kids and John and Carrie will be going to Port Aransas for the weekend. I'll be going down to meet them, too. We're looking forward to having a very fun weekend on the beach and in the pool.

Matt's parents have been in town this week helping while Kara's having her treatments. I'm sure Emma and Luke have been having fun showing off their swimming skills for them!

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis is successful.
- Please pray that Kara is able to resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Herceptin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. I'm sure we'll have lots of photos from the beach to share, and I'll try to get them up on Monday!

Pleurisy

Kara has had a cough for quite some time now, and with pain in her chest. She went to the doctor yesterday, and he determined she had pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the lungs. It should go away in time. She is also on medication for bronchitis, in case she has a little of that working on her, too. Despite the discomfort, Kara isn't letting it get her down.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis continues on schedule and goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the pleurisy resolves quickly.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis Started This Morning

Kara had her first Novalis treatment this morning, and they were able to zap both the adrenal gland tumor and the lung tumors at the same time. It only took about 45 minutes, total. Kara will repeat the treatment on Thursday of this week, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week. Kara is very glad to be done by Friday, because she, Matt, and the kids are going to be taking a long weekend to the beach at Port Aransas with John, Carrie, and me. To position the Novalis machine, they have to draw target marks on Kara's body, and she's not supposed to wash them off, which could be a problem if she's in the pool or ocean a lot! So she will be done with the treatment in time to enjoy the beach and go swimming.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis continues on schedule and goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the insurance company will cover the drugs Kara's doctor prescribes.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Waiting for Treatment Schedule

Kara is waiting to hear from her doctors about when Novalis will begin and what her treatment schedule will be over the next couple of weeks. I believe that the bodycast they put her in to help target the radiation has already been made, so that they can start whenever the schedule is free. Her doctor has done several Novalis treatments on other adrenal gland tumors, which is pretty amazing consdering a year ago Novalis was used mostly just for the brain.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the advances in technology and the knowledgeable and skilled healthcare providers working on healing Kara.
- Thank you God that Kara has had the strength and energy to be active with her children this summer -- going to the pool with them, helping out with VBS, and other fun outings.
- Thank you God for hearing our prayers, and for giving Kara, Matt, and their family comfort and peace in knowing you are keeping Kara in your care.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis can begin this week, and that it goes smoothly.
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts stay where they should be so that she can resume chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the insurance company will cover the drugs Kara's doctor prescribes.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Kara met with Dr. Teh, the doctor who performs the Novalis procedure, today. He feels that they can zap both the adrenal gland spot and the tumor on her lung with the Novalis, since they already have the body cast made. One day Kara will have the adrenal gland tumor radiated, and the next her lung tumor. She will probably have four rounds on each spot.

Kara and her family enjoyed the past weekend. Emma had a swimming lesson Saturday morning, and then we met with Uncle John and Aunt Carrie for a quick bite before Kara and I ran to the movies for a triple-header -- very fun. Then we all met up for dinner at Benihana's, which Emma got a big kick out of. Luke was a big boy and went to stay with Mimi and Doc at the farm all by himself. He had a fun time having Doc at his beck and call, running around to see the cows, being pushed on the swing, playing in "his" house (the playhouse).

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Chemo Postponed Again

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

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.

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.