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.

Good News

Kara's "special" biopsy from Arizona came back and the protein-type of her tumors is such that there are several very promising drugs that they haven't yet tried, that wouldn't have ordinarily been tried with neuroendocrine cancer. But because they know more specifically the make-up of her tumors, they can hopefully treat them more effectively with these other drugs.

Kara and the family are looking forward to coming together for John and Carrie's wedding this weekend. It will be a very small ceremony in La Grange, at a little bed and breakfast there. Emma and Luke will be in charge of spreading out flower petals, and will have to start practicing calling Carrie "Aunt Carrie."

Kara is still very weak and her bloodcounts were too low this week to continue with chemotherapy. They will adjust her drugs per the new biopsy results and restart chemo early next week.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the advancements in technology and treatment that will help the doctors treat Kara's cancer better.
- Thank you God for happy days like the one coming up that bring the family together.
- Thank you God for continuing to give us hope that Kara will be cured.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased strength for Kara, so that chemo can proceed as needed.
- Please pray that this new chemo regimen will be successful.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Chemo Postponed

Kara's chemo this week was postponed because her bloodcounts still weren't where they should be. She's very fatigued, and hopefully this little break from the drugs will help her recover some more energy.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara, and that chemo may resume next week.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Kara's blood transfusion went smoothly, and she is already feeling better. She should continue to have increased energy as the new blood kicks in.

It was a good Easter weekend, and the kids are now at the right age to enjoy looking forward to the Easter Bunny and hunting for Easter eggs. Luke thought he was hot stuff in his hat and suit and tie ("just like Daddy"), and Kara had found matching mother-daughter dresses for herself and Emma.

Kara has another "short" round of chemo on Thursday.

The photos are better organized on Flickr now, if you want to check them out.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the gift of your Son and for the time together as a family to celebrate it.
- Thank you God for the knowledge and technology that can help Kara feel better.
- Thank you God for continuing to provide Kara with such loving friends, family, and church family that give her such support, encouragement, hope, and love.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that Kara tolerates her chemotherapy.
- Please pray that the the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Easter Photos Up

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Originally uploaded by jeanjean78.

Photos of the family from Easter are online at Flickr. I left my computer cord in Houston, so I'm really low on battery power. I will post more tomorrow, but I wanted to get these to you today.

Everyone had a great time at Easter -- the Easter Bunny visited Emma and Luke, and the family went to a lovely Easter service at chuch.

Kara is very anemic and feeling it, but she should rebound quickly after getting her transfusion tomorrow. Please pray for more energy for Kara, and that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently. Thank you.

Chemo Today

Kara has her long day of chemotherapy today. Her bloodwork revealed that her bloodcounts are really low, so she will go in on Tuesday to have some transfusions to boost those levels. Hopefully that will also help Kara feel less fatigued -- she is pretty low-energy now from the past few rounds of chemo and her low bloodcounts. Kara's also on antibiotics because Emma has a case of walking pneumonia and is herself on antibiotics.

Hopefully everyone will be feeling better by Easter so we can enjoy the day together. Mom and Dad will be back from a packing trip in Joplin, and Matt's mom will be in Houston, too.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good health for Kara over the weekend while she waits for the blood transfusions.
- Please pray that Kara tolerates this round of chemotherapy well.
- Please pray that the cancer be permanently eradicated from Kara's body.

Thank you. We hope you all enjoy a wonderful, happy Easter with your friends and families.

Novalis Completed

Kara had her last round of Novalis yesterday, and it went smoothly. The oncological radiologist who performed her Novalis was very upbeat and encouraging in their last meeting. Kara will have more scans in about six-to-eight weeks to recheck her liver.

Kara continues with chemotherapy on Thursday. Thursday will be her "long day" of treatment, and then over the next two weeks she will return for more brief treatments.

Matt's mom is in Houston this week having fun spoiling Emma and Luke and will be able to spend Easter with the family.

Praises:
- Thank you God for a complication-free completion of the Novalis.
- Thank you God for the new technology and skilled physicians that have helped Kara fight the cancer.
- Thank you God, as we look to Easter, for the gift of your Son and the gift of hope.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara tolerates her chemotherapy well.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara, so she can enjoy the holiday with her family.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Kara's Novalis treatment continues this week. She had another treatment on Monday and one today, and both went smoothly. She has another treatment on Friday and again next Monday. Matt has been out of town at a cancer research conference all week and Kara and the kids are looking forward to his coming home.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the advances in technology that you continue to provide in fighting cancer. To think, this time last year, Novalis was only able to be performed on the brain!
- Thank you God for providing Kara with such a wonderful network of support, encouragement, and love.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara continues to tolerate her treatment well.
- Please pray for increased energy for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Novalis Starts Today

Kara will have her first of five Novalis treatments today. She will have further treatments M-W-F of next week and again the following Monday.

EDIT:
Kara has returned from her Novalis treatment, and it went smoothly.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that the Novalis treatments are completed as scheduled, without any complications.
- Please pray that the Novalis treatments are successful.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.