Wed., Aug. 25th

Went to see Dr. B. Bloodwork okay except anemic and low, low white blood count.
So, got a bag of iron by IV and need prayer to not get a fever or I'll have
to go into the hospital. I was a little disappointed because I wanted so much
to go to prayer meeting tonight but I guess I shouldn't take a chance.

Also lost 5 more pounds but Dr. B says she isn't concerned about it so
I guess I won't be either.

Next chemo set for next Wed.

Thanks for the prayers - I and doctors am amazed my body is taking chemo
as well as it is. Please don't forget to pray for Roberta Scarberry that she will heal
soon and can get back on chemo.

Love to all, Karen

This Week at a Glance

Went to Wound Clinic. Last wound is healing. Go back in two weeks.

I can take a shower!!!!! Yeah!!!!

See Dr. Budde tomorrow and Dr Schirmer Friday.

Doing pretty well except for fatigue.

Thanks for your support.

Happy Anniversary to my sister Deb and her husband Dave on August 26th and to Jack's brother Paul and his wife Charleen on the 27th!

August 21

Good news- swelling in feet and legs has almost completely disappeared!! Day four of chemo and feeling pretty good. In fact, appetite has increased! Hopefully that's a good sign. Still in need of prayers; thanks to all who have been praying. Girls leave Tuesday. Wound Clinic Tuesday, Dr. B. Wednesday, and Dr. S. Friday. Have a good weekend.
Love,
Karen

August 18

Well, today was probably the best chemo day I could ever have.
I got to meet Dr. Skinner - just as wonderful as Dr. B. so I had different
nurses. They had been having trouble accessing my port
for blood but got that fixed with some cleaner (yeah!).

I did lose 5 more pounds - never thought it would disappoint
me to see that scale go down but I am eating as much as
I can. But they never say too much - good thing I have
as much to lose as I do - God knows what He is doing!

They just started the chemo and this wonderful lady
came over and told us she was a volunteer -she
comes from time to time to practice reflexology(of the feet)
on patients who want it. Of course I said yes and got
an awesome foot massage!

Alyson and Angela came along and we played UNO to
make the time go faster - that was fun, too.

I came home and took a 2 hour nap despite the hours
worth of iron dripped into me!

Tomorrow we go back for the shot to boost cells
to help prevent infection but that will only take
about an hour instead of 3-4.

Half done with what I call the worst or bad
chemo treatments! Yeah! Thanks for all
the prayers - I am sure that is why I got
the foot rub!

I'll share a specific request. I really want to be well
enough to go to church sometime and not get
any germs at the same time. I miss my church
family and being in God's house. So pray
for wisdom and health. Thanks!
Love and a hug to all - far and near. Karen

Wound Clinic

We're down to one! The wound that was tunneled is all that remains to heal on the stomach incision! We don't have to flush and pack it anymore. A silver patch and bandage, changed daily, are the only things required until the appt. next Tuesday.

Tomorrow the chemo resumes. Your prayers for that to go well are appreciated.

JDH

Week-end Update

Friday's appt. went as expected. The drain tube and staples were removed.

Karen did very well at the wedding and reception on Saturday. We are thankful that she was able to be a part of Megan & Frank's special day.


Appts. this week:
Tues.- Wound Clinic (pm)
Wed.- Cancer Center (am)
Thurs.- Cancer Center (am)

Karen will resume chemo this week on Wednesday. We appreciate your prayers.

JDH

A Busy Week!

Hi! Jack here. We went to the Wound Clinic yesterday. Three of the wounds have healed, one is almost there and the last one is being stubborn! Along with taking more time to heal, it is also requiring an antibiotic. Overall, everyone was pleased with the progress!

Today Karen introduced Alyson and Angela to the Boyd Cancer Center. Her weekly visit did not require any IV's or additional meds.

Next Wednesday she will resume the same plan for chemo that she began before the stomach surgery. They will also be giving her iron for her anemia. On Thursday, she will receive the shot that will boost her white blood cell count.

This Friday Dr. Schirmer will have the remaining drain tube and the staples removed in his office.

On Saturday Karen will don her new wig and dress for Megan and Frank's wedding. Pray for her to be able to tolerate the heat for a few pictures and the wedding itself as it will be outside at Polen Farms in Kettering, Ohio. Also for physical strength for the next few days.

As always, we appreciate your faithfulness in reading the blog and praying for Karen and our family.

August 6, 2010

Dr. S visit went well. He only took out one drainage tube but one less tube is one less tube!
The trips are getting easier - I have learned to take nausea pills ahead of time and that helps a lot!

Also, Dr. S said staples will come out next Friday and probably the other drain tube also - said everything looks fine and he was also pleased about the lymph nodes and will turn me back over
to Dr. B for the rest of the cancer treatment.

I also, on the way home - went into a store and bought something!- Now I must be getting back to
normal if there is such a thing!

Feet and legs are still swollen but I am able to sleep more and more in the bed so am hoping that works itself out. Appetite still has problems but am doing much better.

No more doctors until Tues, WEd. and Fri next week! so won't update unless something
is newsworthy. Thanks again to all of you! Give God the glory!

Aug. 4, 2010

You will be able to tell right away that this is Karen not Jack.

I am not as poetic as he!

Well, I think we had relatively good news. The path report was back - The tumor

was about 3.5 cm at the greatest extent (a little smaller than we all had thought).

Dr. Budde said it was hard to say if the chemo had shrunk it already or not.

Then out of 13 lymph nodes only one showed any evidence of cancer.

Dr Budde was extremely happy with that.

Overall, she said the cancer would be classified as Stage IIB and I already thought

we were at 3!

Chemo will probably resume week of Aug. 16th. She is giving me a break for

Megans wedding!



Words will never even begin to be able to thank you ALL for the many, many kindnesses you have shown us from prayers to food to visits to flowers to momentos to encouragement to cards to phone calls to decks to putting in a high rise toilet to extra money for gas, wigs, sunscreeen to helping out with Megan's wedding - there just isn't a hug big enough or a thank you great enough - but you know God sees it all and I can see jewels in crowns and many rewards.
The fight isn't over yet - we are gathering energy for the next battle!
Thanks to all - I feel those prayers and that love coming through!
Will update with Dr. S. visit Friday!

Appt.'s This Week

Appt.'s this week: Wed.-Cancer Center; Fri.- Surgeon
Karen is hoping the drainage tubes will be removed on Friday.
She's not sure about the staples. (There's a ton!)

Watch for updates on Wed. & Fri.!

JDH