Good News!


The results are in and Karen's liver has freckles. Essentially little bundles of blood vessels. Nothing abnormal and nothing to be concerned about. Needless to say we are very happy and very thankful.

We were also able to get Karen the needed Thyroid medication and so She is looking forward to beginning to feel energetic for the first time in a long time.

We will be placing this new news onto the ever growing heap of blessings we have experienced over the past year.

Thank you again for your ceaseless prayers on behalf of Karen.

I think we'll begin our Thanksgiving tonight :)

After the appointment with Dr. Massullo last week he ordered a panel of blood work to be drawn in large part to verify the status of Karen's endocrine system (pituitary, thyroid etc.). This is a concern primarily because Karen's pituitary gland was radiated during her treatment and that tiny little gland acts as the control system for the rest of the endocrine system.

Karen's OBGYN called this morning to tell her that some of the levels that had been way off in the past were now very close to the normal range. There was (as usual) a significant caveat. It appears that Karen's thyroid may have pooped out.

I chatted with Dr. Massullo's colleague and he said that this can be very easily treated with thyroid medication. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

We'll discuss this with Dr. Massullo tomorrow at the same time we get the results from Karen's Liver MRI.

I'm hoping the new year will mark the transition into normalcy. No more "interesting" changes. All Hum Drum on the health front is the news we're hoping for.

In the meantime thank you all for your faithful prayers.

Dave.

We just found out that the next MRI will be this coming Tuesday at 7:45AM. This one will be a 45 minute long concert with audience participation. Karen will get to hold her breath in harmony with the MRI machine as instructed by the director (AKA technician). It promises to be a marvelous marriage of man and machine. Something akin to a blend of "Stomp" and synchronized swimming ... but without the water ... or the throngs of smiling people ... or the applause.

As always we are thankful for your prayers as to the result of the MRI.

A new update will be forthcoming on Tuesday.

This morning a subtle feeling of anxious anticipation mixed in and out of the normal momentum of the day. As any parent can relate, there is enough activity in a home with small children to keep ones attention from settling too long on oneself. However, I did catch my heart jumping periodically throughout the day. Thoughts of the unknown darted into my mind every so often alighting momentarily on all of the “what if” scenarios that seem to crop up each time we are about to meet with Dr. Massullo.

In the end, though, Karen and I had a very pleasant appointment with Dr. Massullo this afternoon. As you may recall from the previous MRI the tumors appeared to have diminished entirely in Karen’s brain and though there was some residual tumor left in her spine these had diminished to a varying yet significant extent.

The results of the most recent MRI showed that trend continuing. At this point there is no noticeable tumor left anywhere in Karen’s brain or spine save for some irregularities in her mid spine. These spots could be dead tumor tissue or scar tissue, but the most important fact to note about the spots is that they have not grown at all. We are hoping that these are simply bits of scar tissue that are the result of the radiation.

There was one “twist,” however. The radiologist did note more spots on Karen’s liver than on the previous MRI. Because the MRI Karen just received was intended to focus on her spine, only a small portion of the liver was able to be seen on these images. So Dr. Massullo consulted with a radiologist and agreed that in order to rule out any potentially bad news he would order an MRI of the abdomen with special attention to Karen’s Liver.

Spots on one’s liver are not terribly uncommon and could be a number of uninteresting things such as what Dr. Massullo called “blood blisters”, or it could be groups of blood vessels, or scaring from the radiation etc. All of these things would be benign and not life threatening. On the other hand there is an extremely rare chance that the cancer could have spread outside the central nervous system. The chances of this are very rare but for our sake of mind he is trying to schedule the MRI for tomorrow.

If, as we suspect and hope, the MRI of Karen’s liver shows nothing to worry about then Dr. Massullo will have Karen’s next MRI scheduled for six months from now and we’ll just have a quick phone call in 3 months to update him as to how she is feeling.

We thank you all for your continued prayers on Karen’s behalf and continue to be ever thankful for the unimaginably longsuffering love you have all demonstrated toward Karen over the past year.

We’ll be sure to update you all when we get the results from the next MRI (hopefully tomorrow).

This is a stealth blog. Karen doesn't know that I am writing it. Maybe she'll never know ...

But I was praying this morning and recounting the faithfulness of God to me over the years, a fruitful and encouraging exercise for those who belong to the "I Am"; the loving God of history. I was remembering God's faithfulness to me given my original identity in the fallen man Adam and his grace in giving me a new identity in Christ. I then took a short walk through some of the key points in my life all the while amazed that God would choose to set his affection and blessing on a such a man.

It was when I came to the moment that I first met Karen, and realized how young I was when God introduced me to my future bride, that my gratitude toward my Heavenly Father welled up and I needed to share God's goodness publicly. He blessed me with my greatest blessing outside of Christ at such an early age! I didn't have to struggle with the loneliness that so often accompanies the years long search for a suitable companion. Not only did I not have to wait long, but the quality of her character astounds me each day I spend with her.

I am realizing more and more just how wonderfully puritanical Karen is. I say this because unlike most of modern Christianity which is no longer on "speaking terms" with these important fathers in the faith, I have come to see that one of their many laudable characteristics was their sincere desire to weed out sin in their lives. They wanted nothing hanging about within the closets of their heart that would interfere with their communion with Christ. They were more willing to recognize sin, repent of it, and bear with one another in their weakness than any other branch of our Christian family tree of whom I am aware.

Karen exhibits this Godly desire on a daily basis. I have never encountered another woman who so sincerely and thoughtfully desires to hone herself into a tool fit for Christ's use. She is continually working to love me and the children more, even as I seem to be getting more difficult and crotchety each day. She nevertheless sincerely desires to be a blessing to us and to our church family. I only wish that more men were blessed with this kind of a woman. The Christian home could then truly be a wonderfully peculiar thing at which the world could marvel.

Karen has always frowned at the name of this blog. It is, I admit, a bit odd when you are the object of the name. But, as for me, I really do love Karen.

The One Year Anniversary

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1

It was exactly one year ago today that I found Karen unconscious on the floor of our home. Since that moment our lives have become a public testimony to God’s faithfulness. Though God’s holy character alone is enough fodder to feed our praise for an eternity we are grateful that God chose to use our family this year as an object lesson in the marvelous way he cares for his people.

What a comforting thing to know that the events of the past year were no accident of blind history and that our future has been marvelously planned from long ago. As we stand on the precipice of an unknown future we have no fear for what he has planned for us because by the blood of Christ our future is found in the palm his pierced hand.

How forgetful and ungrateful we would be if after the many examples of God’s faithfulness to us this past year we forgot to rest in God’s promises to us. We ought not to forget that,

• He was faithful in placing Karen under the care of the best doctors in the nation
• He was faithful in surrounding us with loving family and friends in the darkest hour of our life
• He was faithful in increasing our faith rather than allowing us to become self-centered and bitter
• He was faithful in showering us with people willing to give of their time and resources.
• He was faithful in protecting the hearts of our children.
• He was faithful in turning a sentence of death into a life of hope.
• He was faithful in using Karen’s pain and suffering to bring life, hope and change to others.
• He was faithful in bringing Karen out of surgery able to talk, sing and wow the doctors with her mathematical prowess.
• He was faithful through seven weeks of terrible radiation.
• He was faithful to bring us wonderful news after every MRI.

This list is but a short summary of all that could be recounted of Christ’s faithfulness to our family. I look forward to the day when God will gather all his people together before his throne where we will be able to sing an inexhaustible list of his praises with abandon and without distraction. Until that day we are satisfied with the glimpses that God has given us into the wonderful way he loves us and we sing his praises, though feebily, with sincerity and thankfulness.

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Revelation 7:12

P.S. please be in prayer for Karen's next MRI in mid-November

I'd like to make this entry more lengthy and interesting, but my extra time this week has been limited. I just want to let you all know that my MRI and follow-up appt. with the radiation oncologist doctor on Tuesday and Wednesday went well. My head still looks clear, and the multiple spots on my spine are even more faded. My white blood cell count is back up to normal, and I have regained about 25% of the weight I have lost.

The doctor was delightful and full of hugs and smiles this time. I think he probably has to give bad news to his patients far more often than such good news he has given me. My appointment in the radiation office was a delight, as it has been for the last 6 months. He wanted me to come again for MRI and follow-up in 3 months, but I talked him into 4. I don't have to go back until November!Although our current schedule seems busier than it was a year ago, it is nice to mostly be back to normal living.

The continuous prayers, support, and encouragement bring tremendous amounts of joy and thankfulness to the Lord.

I am full of joy to declare that after consistant long-term improvements and plenty for which to be thankful, today is the 6 month mark of time passed since my last day of radiation treament on December 28, 2006. Perhaps it is my imagination, but it feels like things are getting more and more back to normal. My weight is coming back to a less bony point, I haven't been quite as constantly thirsty, my ears are slightly more clear, my hair is growing enough for people who only see me weekly to make lots of comments (although I still have some bald spots!), and many more tiny bodily functional problems that seem to be gradually fading away. It is a relief to think of that difficult treatment being that far behind me. I am working hard again as a pianist and vocalist (and regular jogger!), trying to build up important habits and skills in this earthly existance. Far from least importance, I am constantly reminded of my need to improve in training and educating my 3 precious kiddos.

Today I will be getting yet another blood test, followed by an MRI on July 6th, followed by a follow-up appt. with my radiation doctor. I am anxious and interested to hear his input on my progress!

July will be a challenge because my husband will be out of town for most of the next 3 weeks. The children have plenty of activities as well that will keep things busy, and I need to set a joyful example for them in the midst of that. Please pray for my dear hubby's safety and for my own wisdom while we await his return.

Continuously, I thank the Lord for His tremendous blessings on and gifts to us!

It has been about 6 weeks since our last posting, and the things to report have been much less significant. I am thankful to be back in nearly full gear with the busy schedule we have had (and will continue to have!). I still struggle with my energy on some days, but that can't slow me down too much. Since the last update, I have experienced a few interesting medical things:

• Nutrition specialist to gain back some weight - I haven't been back to the same doctor scale yet, but I do think I've gained back about 25% of the pounds lost, and I've been working hard at building more nutritional intake.


• Rehab Psychologist and speech therapist - Those were fun, but unnecessary and very expensive! Thankfully, my thinking process has been very little impacted, except for a bit of a struggle with names and word memory. They gave me exercises to help kick my brain back into gear.


• Gynocologist - My last blood test in April showed that there are some extremely low counts in certain areas. This reminded me that it had been almost 3 years (since Sophie was born) since I visited the OB/Gyn, so we took care of that too. Most of the girly tests came out normal, but following the appt. I was sent for a bone density test. Of the six risky factors toward Osteoporosis, I qualify for five of them. There is one part of my spine that has slightly deteriorated, and I was determined to be at the bottom of the scale at risk for future Osteo conditions. Their advice was to take Calcium and exercise every day, which thankfully I'm already doing.

I'll be having another MRI in about a month, followed up by the usual appt. with the Radiation Oncologist.

Our family schedule seems to have gotten busier and crazier than ever lately, but it is full of many blessings. The Lord teaches me things in the midst of my anxiety and experience every week, and I am constantly shown my own areas of weakness and sin on which I need to repent and improve.

I was pulling some weeds in the garden yesterday and enjoyed viewing all of the new growth on plants that were sent following my surgery last September. I can't tell you how frequently I am reminded of the joys and graciousness you all have provided in the months since then. The incredible amounts of prayers are a humbling delight.

Thank You Lord, for Your continuous love and provisions through our dear ones!

Love,

Karen (KP)

I was supposed to be on a business trip today and so this was going to be Karen’s solo trip to the oncologist to review last Friday’s MRI results. My brother Steve, however, is always the dutiful and doting brother, and was kind enough to accompany Karen to the appointment. This appointment turned out to be one of the most encouraging to date.

Karen’s radiation oncologist normally sees people who are dying and and so the news he often has to deliver is done so in somber tones. Today, however, her appointment ended with him hugging her . . . and not letting her go for quite some time. If all the chipper hugging wasn’t enough to clearly communicate good news,what he actually told Karen did the trick.

Here’s the synopsis:

• There continues to be no sign of Cancer in Karen’s brain
• The upper spine has not shown any signs of growth
• The tumors on her lower spine continue to shrink
• We may continue to see shrinkage as her body flushes the dead cells out of her system
  

Interestingly the radiation oncologist said that he would have expected the cancer to start showing signs of growth by now if it was going to start at all. I would like the nuero-oncologist to confirm this assessment but we are nevertheless very thankful for the wonderfully encouraging meeting today.

On the hair-front it turns out that Karen’s “reverse Mohawk” is perfectly explainable, and though the nurses today assured her that her hair will not be like it was before radiation, the stripe itself should go away.

The next MRI will be in about 2.5 months. Until the next post we thank you for continuing to present Karen before our Heavenly Father in prayer.

Thanks again to all who continue to ask for updates and bring on blessings with your prayers! There isn't a whole lot new to report, but the MRI on Friday went well. It was even shorter than 3 hours this time, and I managed to sleep through a good portion of it. I'll be meeting this week again with my Radiation Oncologist to get a report and check in with him about my physical changes. I'll be getting weighed again too and seeing if my new diet additions are helping me to physically stabilize. On this coming Friday, I have a scheduled visit to a neuro-psychologist to investigate the surgery and radiation affects on my brain. For some reason I'm a little more stressed about that than I am about possibly finding more spinal spots. I'm pretty sure this week will go fine and smoothly though, and I continually thank the Lord for his work in me.

Yesterday was our initial meeting with a nutrition specialist. I honestly didn't go to it with a very high hope and tried to keep an open mind one way or the other. Our meeting with Tinrin (her name) was at her home in a lovely Lafayette neighborhood rather than in her far away office in Berkeley, and she was recommended to us by our dear radiation oncologist. We discovered within minutes seeing the books on her shelves that she is a strong Christian, and she spent a wonderful 2 hours with us, half of the time talking about the Lord in our lives.

To make it even better, she didn't just throw generic diet info at me. She mentioned many familiar things, but she was looking at my most recent medical info, blood and MRI results, and she asked a lot about my daily life and eating habits. All of her recommendations were applied to what I'm already doing. She took into consideration the fact that I have my hands full with company work and full, busy days with the children as well as the type of eating I'm used to. She was clear about the levels of nutrition and vitamin intake I need according to my body's current state so that I can recover most efficiently from the intense radiation treatments I experienced. The next 3-6 months is most important to my full recovery of health and strength and it's great that she gave us mostly easy things to implement in our daily lives.

I did most of my new foods shopping at Trader Joe's today (there is a brand new one about a mile from our house!) and it's proximity makes for a great start to implementing things right away. I'll let you know soon how I feel.

I have another MRI test on Friday the 20th, another radiation doctor meeting the following week, followed by an appt. with a rehabilitative neuro-psychologist shortly after that to determine a baseline for my current memory and speech recall. Once we get through these next few adventures we may change our blog's name to something more family oriented and by God's grace give you only family updates.

Also, please pray for our dear friend John who has major Pancreas problem, possibly cancerous. He was rushed to emergency this morning, and he is scheduled for surgery and a long recovery next week.

From Karen:

Just a quick update--my dear hubby scheduled an appt. with a nutrition specialist (referred by our radiation oncologist) this Tuesday morning so we can try to correct my continuous problem of losing weight. (I never in my life thought I would have this problem!) In the meantime, I keep trying to follow various advice I receive from many concerned. It's easy to not do well in that area when I'm scrambling around just to make sure my family's meals are provided for them. I need to work harder at planning more wisely on my intakes.

The Lord humbles me with things like taking my high singing notes away for a few days. (By the way--I never said "ME ME MEEE" in the shower!! It was more like eeee's oooo's and aaaah's. David wrote that paragraph.. :-P ) Today in the worship service, some of the melody notes just wouldn't come out. I must be careful to praise Him with my singing and to be patient with His changes in my body right now.

It's been about a month since my head fuzz started growing again, and it is VERY slowly improved. I still have a pretty thin area down the middle of my head that looks like a skunk stripe (hopefully I don't smell like one). Now that the weather is getting warmer, I'm trying to be patient for it to start looking a bit more normal again so I don't always need a hat or wig.

Despite all of these continuous small difficulties upon which I hope for improvement, we continue to hear of other beloved ones who are encountering major difficulties, illnesses, and challenges. It reminds us of our need to pray for many and to care for those around us who are deeply in need. We MUST remember how the Lord works through us in our struggles for His own will and glory.

Love Karen
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From Dave:

I’ve been busy now that I am 100% back to work so I’ve had ideas for things to write on the blog but with no time to write them down they’ve remained ideas and eventually left my mind completely. Today, however, seeing as it is Easter and that we had the opportunity to simply chill at home after church today I got it in my craw to write a little something. That is one of the many blessings of resting from your daily work on the Sabbath, it gives you a chance to do what you would like to do everyday but simply don’t have time for. I love the Sabbath!

The familiar verse of scripture “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” found in Mark 8:36 has been coming to my mind a lot recently but in the context not of riches but of our health. When you are faced with physical challenges it is easy to fall into the trap of making your physical health the most central part of your life and thoughts. But for the Christian our physical comforts or even our physical well being and health are not the penultimate goal for each of us to pursue.

God's word is clear that though the world he created originally was “VERY good”, that due to our sin the world we see around us today (including our own bodies) are only a dim reflection of the garden world that he originally created. There are still many good things to enjoy around us, but the Christian knows that the ultimate and unnatural end for each of us is the grave. No matter how organic, or genetically modified, or raw, or cooked, or balanced, or Atkins our diet may be, the results of our sin will lead us to the grave.

This is just as true when I consider the wonderful answered prayers regarding Karen’s own healing. God has been faithful, has heard our cries and yours and has seen fit thus far to bring health and vitality progressively back to Karen’s body. In the ultimate analysis, however, what would it profit Karen to gain all of this health now (the whole world) and yet in the end to stand before her creator and to hear “depart from me for I never knew you” (to lose her soul).

For the Christian our hope is not in temporary and partial healing that God brings today through medicine, doctors, healthy diets etc. Our hope is in the total healing that Jesus Christ purchased for his people once and for all in history when he conquered sin and death in his resurrection. Those who God has been gracious to call to himself have not only been granted a reconciled relationship to God and have not simply had their sins washed away, we also have the promise of the resurrection. This is an oft overlooked and undervalued reality to our salvation. One day the work Christ began on the cross will be completed when our bodies are fully restored and every mark and stain of sin in the creation is totally washed away.

I doubt Karen or I will still be alive for Christ’s 2nd coming and so I expect we will die and our bodies will return to the dust. But this reality holds no fear for us because we know that this life is not the end, and heaven is not the end either. We have the hope of the resurrection and the contented expectation of a world renewed and in which we can worship our Heavenly Father “walking with him in the cool of the day” for all eternity. (Genesis 3:8)

Happy Easter, Happy Resurrection Day.

Sorry that it has been so long since we updated everyone. Our last few weeks have been so busy, and with my energy slightly improving each week, it's been easy to forget to keep our beloved friends and dear ones updated. You continue to be amazingly kind and generous to us with your love, prayers and generosity, and we can't be thankful enough!

Just a quick update on my progress: Due to the shock my body has taken from both the surgery and especially the radiation I have continued to lose weight these last few months, even though the rest of me seems to improve, especially my energy levels. I am starting to look pretty boney and my tiniest clothes are falling off. We don't have a scale at home (I've never liked weighing myself), so I used one while we were at my brother's house yesterday. I've lost another 5 lbs since my Feb. appt., and my total weight lost since November is about 15% of where I was in September. I certainly didn't mind losing some of my flab, but it's starting to get concerning. (People are noticing more b/c my Spring clothes are only 2 layers, in contrast to my 4 or 5 layers of bulky Winter clothing to stay warm!)

I'll be keeping better track of my food intake (which I thought had been sufficient up to this point) and meeting with the radiation doctor again at the end of this month. I'll have another (lengthy) full MRI appt. on April 20th and will touch base again around that time.

Thank you as always for your support and prayers. So very much appreciated!

A last minute addition to this entry before I send it off to the printers ... I seem to have gotten my full vocal range back. I surprised myself in the shower this morning with a chorus of loud "La La Las" and "Me Me Mees." This is an answer to prayer over the past few months and something I am really excited about.

As you may recall, just before I started radiation I had a CT scan of my abdomen to make sure that there wasn’t cancer that had spread outside my brain and spine. The only thing that turned up that the doctor commented on was a tiny spec on my lung. This is common and was unconcerning, but just to be careful we did another CT scan today to take a look and make sure that nothing had changed. It turned out that the experience was very uneventful. The injections of “contrast” into my blood stream did cause a hive to break out on my eyelid which was weird but also not uncommon. It went away after a few minutes and the rest of the experience doesn’t deserve much comment.

A radiologist compared today’s scan to the one done in November, and the comparison shows no concerns about the little spots on my lungs. Our nuero radiologist called them “scars” and said that they could have been caused by pneumonia, bronchitis, or an allergic reaction sometime in my past. Either way it is nothing related to my cancer and not a concern at all. I also found out that I have a freckle on my kidney, which it turns out is not abnormal in women.

As usual, we are so thankful for the support from you all, and primarily, we continually praise the Lord for His goodness and all that is teaching us through this time.

Other than these now infrequent scans and office visits, things are about the same around here. Just working at getting my energy back, hoping to have some hair before Spring arrives and it’s too warm to wear all these Winter hats anymore, =) and anxious for my 6 month date (March 14) so my driving and scheduling can get more back to normal. We'll have another MRI toward the end of Apil and will be sure to keep you updated between now and then.

Continuously appreciate your love and prayers.....kp

Would have loved to have an update for you, but someone accidentally cancelled my CT Scan appt., which we discovered when we arrived there in Walnut Creek. Grrr.... We'll have to drive out there again next Thursday morning. =P

All three kids got a bad cough this week, and today Hannah has a fever too. I'm praying I can avoid this one--that last cough I had was just miserable, and I'd love to steer clear of it!

I found a good scripture and short devotion this morning that was a great reminder to me:

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain ... having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better.
PHILIPPIANS 1:21,23

IF I were annihilated this moment, I should bless God for having been allowed to live. Far more, if I were to have to toil and suffer in this sorrowful but glorious earth-life through unnumbered ages, and the sorrow and suffering continued to bring the living life with it that it has brought, I would gladly accept sorrow and suffering here on earth. How much more, then, when I expect, and am sure, that a very few years more will place me with these precious life-powers in a world fitted for highest life, with life intensified, and all the pure great life of ages gathered there, besides those whom I have dearly loved. EDWARD THRING

This week has been filled with more blessings, at least in terms of slightly improved energy for me. I had to experience a couple long days alone with kids because of David's busy days away at work, and I managed to make it through the challenge okay.

I called the DMV and found out that there is nothing special on my record, which is also good news! I'll still be a good and obedient girl and not drive before March 14, the 6 month anniversary of my original ER visit. I can hardly wait! Last night was the last time I had to take my anti-seizure medicine, which I was slowly weaning off of (by doctor's orders) over the last couple of weeks. This means that as of today I am drug free!

This Thursday, March 1, I'll be heading in for another CT Scan to check out the little spot on my lung they found last October (which probably is nothing).

Hard to believe the first two months of 2007 are almost completed, and we can do nothing but continue to thank and praise the Lord for His tremendous blessings and providing for our family.

Love, Karen

Not a whole lot changed the following day (Wed. Feb 14) at our second doctor visit (which was another really wonderful one), except he felt it would be important to do another MRI in 2 months rather than 3 months, just to keep a closer eye on the spinal chord spots that are still there. I had a blood test the same day to check on some of my other slowly recovering symptoms (thyroid etc.) resulting from the radiation treatment, and we had no response back from that (which is a good thing!) Even though my energy still takes dives on some days, we're able to function pretty normally as a family each day. (I sure am anxious to drive again soon, though!)

On an interesting note, we got our new Blue Shield quarterly premium bill last week, and the amount had increased by 50%! We're perfectly willing and ready to pay it, especially to make sure our coverage continues, but for the interest of it I called the insurance broker who originally helped us sign up for it. Turns out the increase is because David turned 30 last month!!! Well, at least it's not my fault. (hee)

Thanks as always for your blessed prayers and support. We continue to be so very thankful.

Hello Everyone!

We have good news. Actually, to be precise our Nuero-oncologist said that the MRI results are "REALLY Good."

When the doctor reviewed the scan of Karen's brain he said that the radiation had done such a good job that he couldn't see any tumor in the scan. That is not to say that the cancer is totally gone, but the fact that he couldn't locate any is certainly something to thank God for!

In addition, most of the tumor that was in her spine has either reduced so that it is also unable to be seen or there is only residual left where there were pronounced nodules previously. There is only one nodule of any significance left and we are hoping that this will continue to reduce over the next few months.

Needless to say we are very happy and thankful. We are thankful to the doctors who have done such an excellent job, to all of you who have so consistently endured along with us, and to our God who has chosen to answer our petitions by continuing to heal and strengthen Karen. She continues to remain in his fatherly care, and he can use her as he sees fit, but at this moment we are all smiles.

In three months we'll go back in for another MRI to see how things are looking then. If the progress continues to be good then we'll probably only need to do MRIs every 6 months. This is a lot better than the 8 week interval we originally expected for the first year.

More good news is that the Doctor gave Karen the OK to start tapering off of her anti-seizure meds which means at the end of next week she won't be taking any medicine.

It also looks like we only have a few more tests to run as baselines to refer back to in the future and Karen hopefully won't even need to have blood drawn for a long time after that.

There's some other little stuff, but suffice it to say we are thrilled and thankful for Karen's current prognosis. Thank you all again for your faithful love and friendship!

Just a quick update about the latest. I did get my cysts removed last week! It was so easy in comparison to the last 5 months of events that David and I chuckled quite a bit throughout the quick process. I'll be getting the stitches out this Wednesday afternoon.

The MRI on Friday evening was a breeze, even though it lasted about 3 hours. It's not the most fun thing in the world, but it's rather relaxing compared to the head/face smashing that was my daily radiation for 7 weeks. David and I are anxious to see our doctor at UCSF tomorrow to show us the results.

We'll be sure to let everyone know right away what the update is tomorrow night. Thank you so much for your loving support and prayers, as always.

Sorry it has been so long since we updated you all. This past month has gotten busy with plenty of work stuff going on for both of us. There haven't been too many interesting updates about me, except perhaps that our whole family got really ill a couple of weeks ago and it hit me pretty hard. I am very slowly recovering from the 7 weeks of radiation treatment. I am completely bald (with minimal hair yet growing in), my voice (which was only whisper for a couple of weeks) comes back in a tiny bit more each day, my weakness still slows me down but gradual improvements are noticable week by week, and I'm still pretty dehydrated and drink water like crazy.

However, I do have so much to be thankful for. I have prayed often that the Lord will restore my singing voice and asked for humility in my ability to worship and praise His name again, and although it's very slow, He gradually restores it. My ability to think through things has improved quite a bit since September. I am able to function pretty normally with our 3 children again on a day-to-day basis. HUGELY, I have been overwhelmed by the immense graciousness, dedication, and generosity of our family and dear friends who have continued to help provide for us. I generally am a huge thankyou note writer :-) but have failed this year to directly thank the many loved ones for the precious gifts and incredible help. We thank the Lord often for you all - so tremendously grateful!

There is more interesting stuff coming up in the next two weeks. I have two large lumpy cysts on my head which are completely unrelated to the cancer, but being bald is a good time to have them removed. (Feb 7).

Feb 9th 6:30 - 10 p.m. : Follow-up MRI (of several more I'll be taking throughout the year)
Feb 13th : Appt. at UCSF with neuro-oncologist to see results
Feb 14th : Appt. in Walnut Creek with radiation oncologist to further discuss results.

Both oncologists are quite interested in seeing the results of the MRI (as are we!). They are both experts in the field, and have decades of experience between the two of them. I'm certain the meetings will be worthwhile.

We do hope for your prayers for the results, that the cancer in my head and spine will have reduced to nothing or next to it. Even if it doesn't, we trust in the Lord's will and His complete grace in loving and providing for us. We have been truly blessed and rely on Him completely for our next direction.

Love, Karen

Here's a quick update from Karen ...

Well, I've been struggling a lot this week with my cough, nose, difficult sleeping, and my back being more in pain each day from the coughing. Finally went to the doctor yesterday and had an emergency Xray squeezed in at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon! It was a possible cracked rib, lung problem, walking pneumonia, who knew. The great news is that I am normal inside, and I got some antibiotic for brochitis. They're not positive that's what I have, but I've been coughing nonstop for over a month, so it should help that. Got some other good coughing and nose medications too. I didn't feel any better last night, but I sure was happy! I slept a lot better, but my back and now my sides are still killing me. Hopefully I can loosen those up by moving around a bit today.

More good news--my voice is coming back! Just a tad bit more each day, but at least I can talk a bit now. I'm anxious to be able to sing again. Thank you all so much for your love and support.

Love, Karen