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
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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!
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!
Monday, February 12, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, February 02, 2007
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
