"Counting Our Blessings"-Your Love & Prayers!

Karen enjoyed our trip to Beavercreek on Saturday stopping at several stores and eating out, of course.  She attended church yesterday morning as is our custom.  Today she was able to shop on her own at the local Walmart while I was getting my eye exam there.  We have almost everything we need now for our Thanksgiving meal!  I picked out a 19 pound ham at ALDI.  If you are eating alone for Thanksgiving, come on over......there will be plenty!!!!!

We received confirmation of Medicaid coverage today.  That was a great encouragement to Karen.  They had cancelled her coverage last June because she was thought to be cancer-free.  It will be retroactive to that time.

God continues to answer your prayers.  Pray for the chemo pill side-effects to be minimal.  Also, no infections to complicate her condition. We want to avoid hospitalization as it would mean driving to Cincinnati unless it is an emergency situation that would require us to stay locally.   We have an appointment with the radiology-oncologist Wed. afternoon in Wilmington.  Hopefully it will just be a routine office visit. 

We have received mail and phone calls from all over the country....actually world. We can't say "Thank You" often enough for the outpouring of love and prayers for our family.  The other day our mail delivery lady, whom we know personally, asked if it was Karen's birthday (so many packages & cards).  I shared the news of Karen's cancer with her.  She offered her prayers and that of the church she attends, as well.  That is so typical of what we are told when people find out about Karen's condition.  What a blessing to have so many people praying for us!  We thank God for each of you.

With grateful hearts,
Jack, Karen & family   

Have a Great Week-end!

Karen made a couple of Christmas cards and the pumpkin bars today.  Alyson & Angela came home from volleyball tournaments and our outing tonight was to Wendys!  Tomorrow, we are meeting Megan for lunch in Dayton.  Seems like all we do is eat!  The radiation and chemo pills might affect Karen's tastes & appetite so I am glad for these "outings" now! :)  

I will not blog again until Monday.  Have a great week-end! 

Blessed By Your Thoughtfulness

Karen had a fairly good day.  She talked about making some cards for Christmas so we looked through some stamps.  She wants to make pumpkin bars sometime so we made sure we have all the necessary ingredients for those.  She wanted her "daily outing" to be our evening meal at a local restaurant so we went there tonight.

Besides the hair loss and fatigue, she has sores in her mouth and the skin between her fingers is sensitive. Time will tell what other side affects she might have from the chemo pill.  Even though treatments were completed, the radiation is still active for a couple more weeks as well.  

We have been so blessed by the thoughtfulness of family and friends. Today was no exception. Our sincere thanks to all of you.  Jack, Karen & family

A Brief Note

Just a brief note.  First day of chemo pills went well.  Side affects are not immediate so Karen should have a few good days.  Maybe more if God wills it.  :)  Karen went to church tonight and was able to make the short walk home with Alyson by her side. 

"Hopeful For A Time!"

Ok......lots of things to report from our visit with Dr. Budde this morning.

First, she asked Karen how she is doing in regard to the symptoms she had before treatment.  Karen responded that she is doing better.  Dr. Budde also told BOTH of us that should we need medication for depression or anxiety it is available.  Karen looked at me and said, "He cries more!"  Undeniably true, but along with trusting God, my tears are good medicine for me. Hugs help, too!  Karen also declined medication at this time.

There are several tumors in her brain and lungs, however we were told that size and number do not matter.  The cancer metastasized from Karen's breast and there are several options for treating her type of cancer.  As you know, Karen completed the whole brain radiation last week.  On Nov., 17th, she will have another brain scan to see how it compares to the original scan.  In the meantime, she is starting the chemo pill, Xeloda, tomorrow.  If she tolerates the treatment, it will continue for 14 days.  Then after a week off, begin again.  If she does not tolerate it, meaning side effects are unmanageable, they will scan her lungs on the 17th also and switch medication. Though a terminal condition, the outlook for Karen is hopeful for a time if she responds well to treatment and experiences no other complications. 

As always, we appreciate your prayers for Karen and our family. Your many caring gestures touch our hearts deeply. 
Love to all!  Jack, Karen & kids

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.  I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me."
Psalm 57:1-2

"One Day At A Time" With Thanksgiving

Saturday, Karen wanted to go to the Amish store not far from us that sells apple fritters.  We picked up a few other items, including a pumpkin that is on the front deck waiting for someone to carve him! 
Sunday, Karen was able to go with us to church for the morning service.  She has lost most of her hair so the all too familiar wigs have become part of her fall wardrobe.

Today, the local paper published the picture of the Fayette Christian School staff & students in their pink ribbon formation.  It was front page news!  :)  We appreciate the support of our "school family".

Tomorrow, we have a morning appointment in Lebanon with her oncologist.  Karen is also to begin taking the chemo pill and cutting back yet again on the steroid medication.

Continue to pray for Karen to sleep better.  Also for side-effects of the chemo pill to be tolerable.

We are encouraged daily by your prayers, cards, messages, phone calls and visits.  As you can tell by the format of today's blog, we are taking things "One Day At A Time" giving thanks for each day that we have.

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Special Gift

Karen receives cards every day from family and friends.  They are kept in a basket nearby and are available when words of encouragement are needed. 

Today Karen received a special gift! The faculty, staff and students of Fayette Christian School, WEARING PINK, stood in the form of a ribbon for a photo. It is titled "Karen's Hope".  On the back is an explanation that says in part, "In a recent note Karen wrote to the students she made the remark that 'you (the students) are my Hope.' While the students may be Karen's earthly Hope, Karen has a far greater Hope and that Hope is in the Lord."


Psalm 31:24 "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."

Hair Cut Today!

Karen got her hair cut short today as the hair loss side-effect came on with full force.  She still looks good!  And of course we all know that "bald is beautiful" so that won't change her appearance either.  She had enough energy to make chicken noodle soup this morning and work some in the kitchen plus play a game of Phase 10 after supper!  Karen has not been sleeping well at night.  Your prayers for that to improve are appreciated. Thank you!  P.S. According to our scale, the plan is working; my weight is up! :)   Jack

We Appreciate Your Kindness!

Karen enjoyed a visit from a friend this morning and we all enjoyed the cinnamon rolls she brought!  The daily trips to Wilmington have ended.  It was nice having that time with Karen often getting lunch before heading home. (I think this is really just a plot to fatten me up!) Karen wants to get out while she feels like it.  Tonight she went to church with us.  I think she is planning a trip to Chillicothe on Friday with Megan.  She said something about Christmas shopping. She has always been good at that and enjoyed it a lot.  Karen's hair is thinning so you may see her sporting one of her wigs the next time you see her. They look so natural that she had many compliments on her hair when wearing them before!
Karen is weak and tired so most of the time her recliner is a comfortable haven for her.  If you are near 1297 Dayton Ave. feel free to stop by and say "Hi!".   P.S. Just had fresh apple-walnut cake brought to our door so I know there is a conspiracy going on! :) As always, we are appreciative of your kindness to us expressed in so many ways.   Jack, Karen and family

Final Radiation!

Last of the radiation today.  Karen got to keep the face mask used during treatment. If she were a 'trick or treater it would work for a scary costume!  The chemo pills were delivered to the house today.  She will have an appointment with Dr. Budde next Tuesday before beginning that regimen.  We were blessed with a meal from friends tonight that included chocolate cake and also an apple pie from another friend.  Karen and the girls think I need to gain weight so they appreciate your help with that! :) Also, your prayers, cards, messages, visits, in person inquiries, etc. are all very encouraging.  Thank you for every expression of love and care for our family.  Jack for all

One More Radiation Treatment!

Today we saw Dr. Levick, radiology oncologist.  She confirmed that Karen is responding to treatment as her symptoms have improved.  She will taper off the steroid each week until she no longer needs it unless symptoms reappear and then she will go on the last dosage that was effective for her.  Results of the MRI did not reveal any surprises.  All the cancer in her brain was visible on the CT scan.  Karen and I had discussed trying to go see Adam, Bonnie & Carter in Chicago sometime between Karen's last radiation treatment tomorrow and beginning the chemo pill next Tuesday but Dr. Levick didn't think she would be strong enough to go that far so we are heeding her advice and staying in Ohio.                 Jack

Weekend Off

Taking time off from the blog unless we have something to report.  Thanks again for your love and support.  In combination with our faith in God it is what sustains us from day to day.
  Jack, Karen & family

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS"

Made the usual trip to Wilmington for radiation and then over to Lebanon to sign some paperwork.  While there we stopped at a quaint old ice cream parlor for lunch. A nice change from "fast food"!  Received a phone call today from a former pastor who lives in Wisconsin.  It is good to hear from those of you who call, visit, text, send cards or comments, etc. (Some of you have had trouble leaving comments on the blog.  I just choose "anonymous" and it posts.)  Karen is weak and showing the signs of fatigue that come with her treatment. She is not in any pain and writes and walks better now.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.   Jack

THANKFUL FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT!

Karen had the regular radiation today followed by an MRI. The MRI was a new experience for Karen but she said it went well. The MRI provides a more detailed picture than a scan.  Again this is for future reference in her treatment.  The steroid medication Karen has been on since last Tuesday will be tapered off starting tomorrow.  Four more radiation treatments Thur.-Fri. and next Mon.-Tues.  Karen received several cards today and some phone calls. A family who have children in our Christian school brought a wonderful meal for us tonight.  We continue to be encouraged by your hugs, well-wishes and prayers. In a few minutes we will be leaving for church and Karen plans to go with us. One of  Karen's calls today was from a friend of our family who also has cancer.  She shared this quote with Karen  "Live your life, not your diagnosis.".  Good advice!

"NO MORE TUESDAYS!"

Tuesdays have become our least favorite day of the week, right Megan! :) One week ago today we were given the news of Karen's brain tumors.  Today, we were told there is cancer in her chest and lungs.  Suggested treatment is a chemo pill.  We have another appointment with Dr. Budde two weeks from today to confirm that. Until then, the "whole brain" radiation will continue.  The last radiation treatment will be one week from today.  I asked a question of Mike at Karen's radiation appt. today and he gave us a very good explanation of how the radiation is working against the cancer cells in her brain.  He also brought me back where the treatment is administered and explained the process.  He and I then left the treatment room to view computer screens showing Karen receiving the actual treatment.  The whole amazing process takes just a few minutes.  As the radiation continues to work weeks after treatment, the side effects do too.  In time, she will lose her hair, experience burning of  her skin and be very tired. Karen is handling all of this very well.  She believes in the power of prayer and we literally have an "army" of people praying for her!  A friend from our church organized a "24" hour prayer vigil for Karen.  If you want to participate, contact the church at (740) 335-7495, email jackdharris@fayettebible.org , send me a facebook message or ask about it when you comment on the blog and we'll sign you up with your own special time for prayer!  Tomorrow Karen will have her regular radiation followed by an MRI.  They have requested that for a base-line if further treatment is given down the road. Well, I think we are all in agreement that there be "NO MORE TUESDAYS!" At least not like these :) "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24    With love, Jack & Karen

HOW TO PRAY?

Two scans today. Results tomorrow.  We will be in Lebanon, OH, for an appointment with Dr. Budde at 10:45am.  We have only talked with her on the phone since last Tuesday's diagnosis and are looking forward to this office visit.  We will post today's scan results and report any other information that might be helpful to you as you pray for Karen. It has been difficult for me to know how to pray or to suggest to others how to pray.  Of course, we want God's will most of all.  But we don't really know what that is.  We learned today that although the cancer is only expected to shrink at best, it could "sleep" or be in remission for a time.  That would be good.  Sometimes God completely heals a person from physical illness.  That would be great!  At other times the disease results in death.  Some people think death is bad.  For Karen, that would not be true.  As a college student, she realized her condition as a sinner before a holy God.  She personalized John 3:16 by putting her name in the verse like this...."For God so loved (Karen), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  The Bible clearly says you can know that you have eternal life.  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."  I John 5:13  My conclusion?  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Day Four

A good day that included a visit from a friend who brought roses, Pastor bringing handwritten letters from the 7th-12th graders at Fayette Christian School with messages of prayer support, scripture verses and thoughful words, a special card from the 11th and 12th grade, a visit from Karen's prayer partner, Megan coming over from Dayton, attending an FCS volleyball game, encouraging words from friends and family, and a rousing game of Phase 10! Memories of days like this will be precious to us. Karen got a call from the person responsible for Medicaid enrollments. She let Karen know that she will be reinstated retroactive to her tumor diagnosis. A huge blessing! We will probably take the weekend off from the blog unless something significant happens. We would appreciate your prayers for the results of the scans on Monday. Prayer changes things!

Love to all from Jack, Karen and family.

DAY THREE

Appointments were made this morning for more scans in Wilmington and an office visit in Lebanon with Dr. Budde. The scans on Monday morning will show if the cancer has spread anywhere else. On Tuesday morning we will be able to talk "face to face" with Dr. Budde. She was very helpful over the phone on Tuesday and Wednesday. We found out yesterday that Dr. Budde called the radiologist and social worker at the Boyd Cancer Center Tuesday evening when she found out about Karen's tumors. Needless to say, they were expecting us to be there on Wednesday! We are so thankful for the love and care of so many. I can't tell you the number of people who have let us know they are praying. We know that Karen is being put on "prayer lists" all over the world. Your prayers are a tremendous encouragement!

On a personal note, this morning after spending some time in the bathroom crying, I ended up sitting in the living room with Karen. She said, "Why are we crying!" :) Sometimes our tears are difficult to explain, but we know the one who always understands our sorrows. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

Jack

Day Two

Wow, it hasn't even been 24 hours since we were told about the tumors. Living a "normal" life can change so quickly! We were able to talk with Dr. Budde again this morning. She answered our questions and again STRONGLY encouraged us to see the radiologist TODAY! We listened and were at the cancer center in Wilmington by 11am. We took the disc with the pictures of Karen's brain scan with us. Neither of us wanted to look yesterday, but we were able to view it today. There are several tumors, which makes surgery impossible. The tumor of greatest concern is on the cerebellum which is why she is having trouble with her balance. Swelling caused by the tumors is an issue in other areas of her brain as well. Along with the steroids, the Whole Brain Radiation should shrink the tumors however they will never completely go away. The goal is to relieve the symptoms and give Karen some quality of life. As is true for all of us, only God knows how long that life will be. These tumors are a result of the breast cancer so she will need to have additional scans done to see if there is cancer anywhere else in her body. Karen had her first of 10 treatments today. Radiation appointments are at 1:15pm daily M-F. We do appreciate your prayers for Karen.

Karen's Cancer Crusade Continues!

Karen has been experiencing some unusual symptoms for a little over a week; difficulty writing, getting words out, dizziness and nausea. She had a CT scan today that revealed two cancerous tumors in her brain. We think they told us there are several smaller ones, too. When you receive news like this it is hard to remember everything. She is on medication already and will start full brain radiation this week at the cancer center in Wilmington. This was a very unexpected turn of events! Karen handled the news with less emotion than I did. No surprise there, huh!?! :) She is a very strong person with an unwavering trust & faith in God. Please join us in praying for what God knows is best for Karen.

Jack