Scan Results

Kara had scans yesterday and received her scan results today. We are thankful that there are no new tumors in her brain or lungs. The tumor near her adrenal gland is is no longer active and is going away. There does appear to be new growth in her liver and spleen, however. Kara will meet with Dr. Lynch on Tuesday to discuss her treatment regimen in view of the latest scan results.

Prayer requests:

- Pray that Dr. Lynch is able to chart a successful treatment path for Kara.
- Pray that the cancer be completely eradicated from Kara's body.
- Pray to give Kara the hope and strength she needs as she continues her treatment.

Scans Next Week

Kara will have another set of scans performed next Tuesday. Rather than getting the results the same day or next, we won't know the results until Thursday at the earliest. Please pray for good results -- no new tumors and shrinking of the existing tumors.

The kids have finished up the school year, and Kara has been enjoying having them home with her during the day. They enjoy playing "school," with Emma and Luke taking turns playing the teacher. They have also made several trips to the zoo -- Kara has found that with renting an electric chair, she can get around the zoo without getting too worn out. Emma and Luke have also been spending a lot of time in the pool.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results from the scans next week.
- Please pray for peace and comfort for Kara as she awaits the scan results.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. Your thoughtful and encouraging words, on the blog and in the mail, are so uplifiting to Kara.

Transfusion Today

Kara received a blood transfusion today to help with her low bloodcounts. This week she will just receive the Avastin, and hopefully she will be able to receive both drugs next week as scheduled.

We all had a fun time at the farm for Mother's Day -- it was great porch weather! Kara and the kids camped out in a tent on the yard on Saturday night, and both of the "city" kids were amazed by all the sounds. Emma even said she could hear the lightning bugs turning their lights on and off! Luke wore his camouflage pajamas so that the bears couldn't see him. Emma and Luke had made Kara some sweet Mother's Day presents at school.

Kara has another set of scans coming up at the end of the month. Please keep her in your prayers for good results.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good results for Kara's scans.
- Please pray that Kara can receive her full chemotherapy next week.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Chemo Today

Kara will be getting her full chemotherapy today -- both drugs. She will need a blood transfusion next week, though.

Kara, Matt, and the kids will come to the farm tomorrow after Emma's soccer game, and we will enjoy a nice Mother's Day together.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's blood transfusion next week goes smoothly.
- Please pray for energy and strength for Kara so that she can enjoy Mother's Day with her children.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from her body, permanently.

Thank you.

Meeting with Dr. Lynch

Kara and Matt met with Dr. Lynch yesterday. He continues to be pleased with Kara's progress. She will stay on her current treatment plan (chemo one week with just Avastin, the next week with Avastin and another drug), and they will repeat the scans at the end of the month.

Emma and Luke came to the farm this weekend as a birthday surprise for Mimi. We had a good time playing around the farm as usual, and went to a festival at a church in a small Czech community near La Grange, where the kids had fun listening to the polka band and playing games.

Kara kept Emma home from school on Monday for some special time while Luke stayed on at the farm. They went through all of Emma's trip photos and made some scrapbooks for Emma to remember it by.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good scan results this month.
- Please pray that Kara can continue on her chemo regimen as planned.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Luke to the recscue

Here is Luke driving Emma back to the farmhouse after a minor 'injury' (a grass cut on her finger obtained while feeding the cows).

Good Results!

The scan of Kara's brain showed that there were no new growths, and that the tumors that had been there previously are stable or dissolving. Kara has not had any of the flashes of light in a few days, so that may have just been a random anomaly. Fortunately the origin of the flashes does not appear to be cancer-related.

Praises:
- Thank you God for the encouraging scan results that reassure Kara that her treatment is working.
- Thank you God for the advances in diagnostic tools, radiation, and other treatment options that are helping Kara. Thank you also for her skilled and caring health care providers.
- Thank you God that Kara has tolerated her current treatment plan so well.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts remain high.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you. Your continued support and encouragement for Kara throughout these past two years has been invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Scans Tuesday

Kara has been having some flashes of light in one of her eyes, and she has been scheduled to have scans performed on Tuesday. The cause may not be cancer-related, but they are going to rule that out first.

Thankfully, Kara was able to get her full chemotherapy this week -- both drugs.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for good scan results.
- Please pray that Kara's vision problem is easily fixed.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Update

Kara will have some more bloodwork done tomorrow; please pray that her counts are up so that she can receive her full chemotherapy this week.

Emma and I had a great time at Disney World -- she enjoyed all the traditional rides (Dumbo, Teacups), tried a couple rollercoasters, and got a big kick out of having dinner in EPCOT. She was very excited to see her mommy, daddy, and especially Luke when we returned. Luke spent most of last week at the farm, and he felt like a very big boy -- feeding the cows, riding all over the property, and having a bonfire.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's bloodcounts are high enough for her to receive her full chemotherapy.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

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Emma and her Morrocan dinner. Ha!

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In Adventureland, after riding Splash Mountain!

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No Chemo Today

Kara's blood counts were too low for her to receive chemotherapy today. She was still able to receive the Avastin treatment. Emma and Aunt Jean are having a good time at Disneyworld. Emma called Luke after visiting the Animal Kingdom to share the experience with him. Luke has been at the farm with Mimi and Doc and has the place all to himself. He'll come home for the weekend to enjoy Mommy & Daddy's undivided attention. Emma and Aunt Jean will return Sunday.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara's blood counts improve.
- Please pray that Kara will be able to resume chemotherapy next week.
- Please pray that the cancer be eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

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Lunch in Africa of Animal Kingdom. Mickey plate! Next stop: safari!

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A hug from Cinderella

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Dinner with Cinderella in her castle!

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Update

Kara has been doing well this week, and hopes to get her full chemo on Friday. Last week she was able to proceed with her chemotherapy as planned (last week was one of the weeks when she only gets the one drug that does not deplete her white blood cells).

Emma and I leave for Walt Disney World tomorrow, and we are both very excited (please pray for safe travel for us)! Luke will get to spend some "big boy" time at the farm with Mimi and Doc, and he is thrilled about that. Kara and Matt will be able to enjoy some "couple time" to themselves.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that Kara is able to get her full chemotherapy this week.
- Please pray for increased energy and strength for Kara.
- Please pray that the cancer is eradicated from Kara's body, permanently.

Thank you.

Meeting with Dr. Lynch

Kara and Matt met with Dr. Lynch today, and Dr. Lynch was very encouraging. Kara will have four more weeks of the current chemo regimen, and then she will meet with Dr. Lynch again.

Praises:
- Thank you God for another encouraging appointment with Dr. Lynch.
- Thank you God for providing Kara with talented and caring health care providers.
- Thank you God for the advances in treatment that have benefitted Kara and others with cancer.

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

Thank you.

Cowboy Luke