Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Update
Kara was not able to join us at The Nutcracker last weekend, as she had come down with a stomach bug. That was very disappointing, since she had not been able to go last year, either, due to being sick, and had been looking forward to going this year. Luckily we are going to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show this weekend, and hopefully she'll be able to attend that and have fun dressing up and going downtown with Emma. We will be spending Christmas Eve in Houston, and head to the farm after we've seen Santa's goodies on Christmas morning!
Kara did recover from her bug in time to join Matt in playing Joseph and Mary in their church's live nativity scene earlier in the week. She and Matt have had some good news in that Matt will be teaching a course in physiology at the University of St. Thomas next semester, trying his hand at being "Professor." Matt also has helped start a website dedicated to providing advice and support to spouses of young cancer patients(www.youngcancerspouses.org).
Kara will have another round of tests after Christmas to see how the Avastin is working. Other than this latest bug, she had been feeling pretty good and energized the past few weeks, and we are very thankful for that.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good test results.
- Please pray that the insurance company pays for the Avastin.
- Plesae pray for energy for Kara, so that she can enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. Please have a very merry Christmas, and enjoy your holiday celebrations with your friends and family.
Kara did recover from her bug in time to join Matt in playing Joseph and Mary in their church's live nativity scene earlier in the week. She and Matt have had some good news in that Matt will be teaching a course in physiology at the University of St. Thomas next semester, trying his hand at being "Professor." Matt also has helped start a website dedicated to providing advice and support to spouses of young cancer patients(www.youngcancerspouses.org).
Kara will have another round of tests after Christmas to see how the Avastin is working. Other than this latest bug, she had been feeling pretty good and energized the past few weeks, and we are very thankful for that.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good test results.
- Please pray that the insurance company pays for the Avastin.
- Plesae pray for energy for Kara, so that she can enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. Please have a very merry Christmas, and enjoy your holiday celebrations with your friends and family.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Nutcracker
The girls will go see The Nutcracker this weekend in Houston, and Emma will also be singing with her choir on Sunday for her church's Christmas Pageant. Kara continues to feel more like herself, and keeps busy with holiday activities.
Kara will have another round of tests after Christmas to see how the Avastin is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good test results.
- Please pray that the insurance company pays for the Avastin.
- Plesae pray for energy for Kara, so that she can enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Kara will have another round of tests after Christmas to see how the Avastin is working.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good test results.
- Please pray that the insurance company pays for the Avastin.
- Plesae pray for energy for Kara, so that she can enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Update
Mom has been fighting a bad case of Staph infection, but is doing much better. Kara and the kids were tested for it, and the kids have come back as negative, and hopefully Kara will, too. Both Dad and Mom are on some anti-Staph drugs.
Kara, Matt, and the kids have decorated their house for Christmas, and are getting in the holiday spirit. Kara, Carrie, Emma, and I will be going to The Nutcracker in Houston weekend after next. Pictures with Santa will be coming up soon!
Kara continues to receive Avastin this week, and has been tolerating it well.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that for continued energy for Kara, so that she may enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that she continues to tolerate Avastin well.
- Please pray for that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Kara, Matt, and the kids have decorated their house for Christmas, and are getting in the holiday spirit. Kara, Carrie, Emma, and I will be going to The Nutcracker in Houston weekend after next. Pictures with Santa will be coming up soon!
Kara continues to receive Avastin this week, and has been tolerating it well.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that for continued energy for Kara, so that she may enjoy the holidays.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that she continues to tolerate Avastin well.
- Please pray for that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Happy Birthday, Kara!
Today is Kara's thirty-third birthday! I am blessed to have such a caring, thoughtful sister, who is a wonderful example to me of of the importance of faith and the power of hope. Kara has approached her treatment with such amazing fight and an admirable spirit, and throughout it all, has not let her illness be the focus of her life, remaining as concerned for others, especially her children, as she always has.
We had a family celebration for Kara's birthday over Thanksgiving when we were all together at the farm. Emma and Luke had a great time over the long weekend, feeding the cows, running around in the Gator, and playing in the playroom with all of our old toys. I will post some photos tonight.
Kara continues to feel more like herself, though she still struggles with low energy. She will keep on the Avastin for a few more weeks, and then they will run another set of scans.
Kara is looking forward to a busy holiday season with lots of activities with the kids. Please pray that her energy holds and she doesn't come down with any more bugs or infections so she can fully participate in and enjoy the upcoming festivities.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased energy and better health for Kara.
- Please pray for good spirits, peace, and a continued sense of hope for Kara.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
We had a family celebration for Kara's birthday over Thanksgiving when we were all together at the farm. Emma and Luke had a great time over the long weekend, feeding the cows, running around in the Gator, and playing in the playroom with all of our old toys. I will post some photos tonight.
Kara continues to feel more like herself, though she still struggles with low energy. She will keep on the Avastin for a few more weeks, and then they will run another set of scans.
Kara is looking forward to a busy holiday season with lots of activities with the kids. Please pray that her energy holds and she doesn't come down with any more bugs or infections so she can fully participate in and enjoy the upcoming festivities.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased energy and better health for Kara.
- Please pray for good spirits, peace, and a continued sense of hope for Kara.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kara has been feeling much better since receiving the "new" blood, and has been more like her old self. For the past month or so, she'd been feeling bad, fighting colds, and having a hard time doing all the things she wanted. Now she's feeling much better, able to think clearly, and has more energy. She's looking forward to a fun holiday weekend with the family. She has continued to tolerate the Avastin well.
We're spending Thanksgiving at the farm, and Kara and the kids went up a day early to check things out -- Mom and Dad's new house has been completed, and they are (mostly!) moved in. Emma and Luke are excited to be back at the farm, feeding "their" cows and running around like crazy.
We are thankful that Kara's feeling much improved, and thankful that she is at a phase in her treatment where she can get out of the city and enjoy time with the family. Kara's thirty-third birthday is coming up on November 29th, and we'll be having a birthday party for her this weekend.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to have energy and feel like herself.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. We are so very thankful for your continued presence in Kara's life and treatment, and your prayers, words of encouragement, love, and support are truly a blessing and a gift. We hope you travel safely, and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families.
We're spending Thanksgiving at the farm, and Kara and the kids went up a day early to check things out -- Mom and Dad's new house has been completed, and they are (mostly!) moved in. Emma and Luke are excited to be back at the farm, feeding "their" cows and running around like crazy.
We are thankful that Kara's feeling much improved, and thankful that she is at a phase in her treatment where she can get out of the city and enjoy time with the family. Kara's thirty-third birthday is coming up on November 29th, and we'll be having a birthday party for her this weekend.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to have energy and feel like herself.
- Please pray for insurance approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. We are so very thankful for your continued presence in Kara's life and treatment, and your prayers, words of encouragement, love, and support are truly a blessing and a gift. We hope you travel safely, and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Update
Kara is going into the hospital today to receive some blood to boost her energy level. She hasn't felt very good since getting her flu shot last month, and hopefully this will do the trick. She has blood drawn every week for tests, and Dad is going to see if they can take less blood, which may lessen her fatigue.
Kara had her first round of Avastin on Friday. The insurance company has denied coverage for this drug, but Matt is optimistic that it can get sorted out relatively quickly, without having to go through the extensive fight that they had to do to get Kara's Herceptin treatments paid for. Kara will have another round of Avastin this Friday, and every Friday for five more weeks.
Matt's sister Jenny and her family were in Houston earlier in the month, as were Matt's parents, and the cousins had a fun time playing with each other -- Emma and Samantha are about the same age, and Luke is a little bit older than Heath.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that tbe blood transfusion goes smoothly.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Kara had her first round of Avastin on Friday. The insurance company has denied coverage for this drug, but Matt is optimistic that it can get sorted out relatively quickly, without having to go through the extensive fight that they had to do to get Kara's Herceptin treatments paid for. Kara will have another round of Avastin this Friday, and every Friday for five more weeks.
Matt's sister Jenny and her family were in Houston earlier in the month, as were Matt's parents, and the cousins had a fun time playing with each other -- Emma and Samantha are about the same age, and Luke is a little bit older than Heath.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that tbe blood transfusion goes smoothly.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of the Avastin.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Treatment Plan
Dr. Lynch remains upbeat and positive with Kara. The PET Scan showed some very small tumors in her abdominal cavity. The MRI of Kara's head looks good. The plan is to resume chemotherapy, using Avastin. She will receive the Avastin once a week for six weeks and then re-check. Avastin should not deplete bone marrow, so her blood counts shouldn't be affected and she should be able to continue with her treatment plan. Kara won't have Novalis yet because Avastin kills new blood vessels, so wounds won't heal properly.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the continued encouragement and hope that Kara will be cured.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with knowledgeable and skilled health care providers.
- Thank you God for the progress and advancement in therapies and treatments.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara can begin the Avastin soon.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of this new treatment.
- Please pray that Kara is less fatigued and able to enjoy the upcoming holidays with her family.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body permanently.
Thank you. Your prayers, support, and encouragement are invaluable to Kara, and greatly appreciated.
Praises:
- Thank you God for the continued encouragement and hope that Kara will be cured.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with knowledgeable and skilled health care providers.
- Thank you God for the progress and advancement in therapies and treatments.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara can begin the Avastin soon.
- Please pray for insurance company approval of this new treatment.
- Please pray that Kara is less fatigued and able to enjoy the upcoming holidays with her family.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body permanently.
Thank you. Your prayers, support, and encouragement are invaluable to Kara, and greatly appreciated.
Meeting with Dr. Lynch Today
Kara and Matt will meet with Dr. Lynch to go over the PET Scan results. It appears from the radiology report that the cancer has spread. We are hopeful that Dr. Lynch can offer an encouraging new treatment plan and prognosis. She has been off of chemotherapy due to her low bloodcounts for several months. Hopefully she can get back on a heavy chemo routine and fight the cancer effectively.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara, Matt, and the family as they wait to hear what Dr. Lynch as to say.
- Please pray that Dr. Lynch gives a encouraging new treatment plan.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. We will let you know what Dr. Lynch says as soon as we do.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara, Matt, and the family as they wait to hear what Dr. Lynch as to say.
- Please pray that Dr. Lynch gives a encouraging new treatment plan.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.
Thank you. We will let you know what Dr. Lynch says as soon as we do.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
PET Scan Today
Kara had a PET Scan today, and they are waiting for the doctors to interpret the results for them.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the doctors give her encouraging news and a good prognosis.
- Please pray for peace and hope for Kara as she waits for her doctor's appointment next week.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the doctors give her encouraging news and a good prognosis.
- Please pray for peace and hope for Kara as she waits for her doctor's appointment next week.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from her body, permanently.
Thank you.
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