A couple of hours ago few family and friends were sitting in a waiting areas just around the corner from Karen's room when Karen came waltzing through the door. (Well, now that I think about it, it wasn't really a waltz it was more of a waddle.) Either way it was a truly beautiful sight to see.
She's improving consistently each day and the doctors are very happy to see her phenomenal progress. Right now we are both very encouraged. We'll meet with the head of neurooncology later today and he'll give us an overview of how things will work over the next week or so. I'll try to remember to update you all on that info later today.
As I was reading some of your recent posts I found tears welling up in my eyes. Your words are so profound and encouraging and I can't help but be moved by them. I noticed, however, that though I am sincerely moved by your words and hope to hear many more, it has been the words you have quoted from God's word that truly stir my soul. Though what you have written is so eloquent and beautiful, there is nothing like the voice of my Heavenly Father. His words are so perfectly bitter sweet. No sugar coated cliches will do for the Lord of Hosts. And like any child, I long to hear the truth from my father. The truth that sends my heart soaring with gut wrenching joy.
Praise God that he has revealed himself so clearly to us in his precious word. I will pray today that as you open your Bible tonight you will be struck more than you have ever been before by the words that confront you on each page. You won't find the words of a self help guru. You won't find chicken soup, or any other kind of poultry for that matter. You won't even find great advice and nuggets of truth. What you will find etched in every word of every page is THE Truth who became flesh. The Truth that sets us free. The Truth that is so often painful until we remember that it was the Truth who was wounded so that we would not be.
How glorious it will be after we have been refined in the fire to look back and see the master artisanship of God as he molded us and shaped us into the image of his very own son. I hope that you will find that kind of life in the words you read tonight and I will pray that God's words will change you as I can feel them changing me.
Dave
Monday, September 18, 2006
I want to thank you all again for your love and concern. I just want to let everyone who is interested in coming out to visit know that you may not be able to visit with her if you do. I want to make sure that she gets her sleep. That is really the best thing she can do to get better at this point.
If you want to come and show your support, pray with us and for Karen that is fine for now. We'll all have to play it by ear.
Keep in mind that you can respond to the blog and I will eventually get her the message.
You can also send emails to welovekaren@hotmail.com.
Thanks everyone.
If you want to come and show your support, pray with us and for Karen that is fine for now. We'll all have to play it by ear.
Keep in mind that you can respond to the blog and I will eventually get her the message.
You can also send emails to welovekaren@hotmail.com.
Thanks everyone.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
I think today begins the start of a new phase of this saga. Karen was moved down to the regular recovery rooms and is now out of the ICU. Her current status is truly amazing. Less than 24 hours after brain surgery the doctors have told us she can go home tomorrow if she feels up to it. That is certainly a far cry from our original fears that she would not even be able to talk.
She essentially has no negative results from the surgery itself. That in itself is an answer to prayer that we are happy to receive.
As we begin this new chapter I think we're moving from some of the more acute challenges to the longer term challenge. We'll be meeting shortly with the oncologist and will begin the longer process of fighting the cancer that is still in her.
As I try to comprehend what this means and what it will look like as we move forward, I am confronted with at least one huge reality ... I am not in control ... and neither is Karen. This is a really hard concept to grasp for both of us. The whole idea that we have to rely on other people for help is not easy for either of us to acknowledge.
Everyone hopes that if a tragedy like this one strikes they will have the kind of support that we have experienced the last four days. But it isn't until the offers of assistance begin pouring in that you realize how odd it is to actually be on the receiving side of compassion. People like us do not like to admit that we need help. If I'm being honest I'd have to say that it is much more comfortable to be on the other end. When you are the one that is giving you feel a sense of control over the situation. In our current situation we are being offered help because we truly couldn't do this on our own. It's downright humbling.
I can't help but draw a comparison in my mind between this situation and the Christian message. After all, fundamental to the message of Christianity is the reality that we are all dead in our sin. We are all separated from a loving relationship with our Creator because our sin creates that insurmountrable rift between us and a holy God. We all have a fundamental need to be reconciled to the God who created us and sustains each and every molecule of our being. In short, we desperately need help.
And like our situation with Karen's cancer, the answer is not in trying to conjure up the strength you need by looking into the recesses of your own heart. But by God's grace we get to a point where we realize that we need to rest in someone else's efforts. We need to rely on the strength that comes from God's heart as that was historically expressed in him sending his only Son to die on the cross for the sins of his people.
What a humbling thing to realize how truly weak that we are. And then to remember what our Heavenly father tells us,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
I thank Him for showing me my weakness. I thank him that I now have no choice but to trust in his strength and to remember that his hands are much much bigger than mine.
She essentially has no negative results from the surgery itself. That in itself is an answer to prayer that we are happy to receive.
As we begin this new chapter I think we're moving from some of the more acute challenges to the longer term challenge. We'll be meeting shortly with the oncologist and will begin the longer process of fighting the cancer that is still in her.
As I try to comprehend what this means and what it will look like as we move forward, I am confronted with at least one huge reality ... I am not in control ... and neither is Karen. This is a really hard concept to grasp for both of us. The whole idea that we have to rely on other people for help is not easy for either of us to acknowledge.
Everyone hopes that if a tragedy like this one strikes they will have the kind of support that we have experienced the last four days. But it isn't until the offers of assistance begin pouring in that you realize how odd it is to actually be on the receiving side of compassion. People like us do not like to admit that we need help. If I'm being honest I'd have to say that it is much more comfortable to be on the other end. When you are the one that is giving you feel a sense of control over the situation. In our current situation we are being offered help because we truly couldn't do this on our own. It's downright humbling.
I can't help but draw a comparison in my mind between this situation and the Christian message. After all, fundamental to the message of Christianity is the reality that we are all dead in our sin. We are all separated from a loving relationship with our Creator because our sin creates that insurmountrable rift between us and a holy God. We all have a fundamental need to be reconciled to the God who created us and sustains each and every molecule of our being. In short, we desperately need help.
And like our situation with Karen's cancer, the answer is not in trying to conjure up the strength you need by looking into the recesses of your own heart. But by God's grace we get to a point where we realize that we need to rest in someone else's efforts. We need to rely on the strength that comes from God's heart as that was historically expressed in him sending his only Son to die on the cross for the sins of his people.
What a humbling thing to realize how truly weak that we are. And then to remember what our Heavenly father tells us,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
I thank Him for showing me my weakness. I thank him that I now have no choice but to trust in his strength and to remember that his hands are much much bigger than mine.
I do hope you'll forgive me for not updating this sooner. Today was a good day but a busy one.
Karen is continuing to do well. She's really really happy to see each one of you who has had a chance to visit. For those of you who can't come and say "Hi" in person please know that many of your blog responses have been read to her. I will also be making sure that when she is able she has a chance to read each and every one of the responses you have all left. I look eagerly throughout the day for each of your posts and have found them all very uplifting.
Dave
Karen is continuing to do well. She's really really happy to see each one of you who has had a chance to visit. For those of you who can't come and say "Hi" in person please know that many of your blog responses have been read to her. I will also be making sure that when she is able she has a chance to read each and every one of the responses you have all left. I look eagerly throughout the day for each of your posts and have found them all very uplifting.
Dave
Karen is doing well.
She should be moved out of the ICU and down to a regular floor this afternoon. The doctor said that she could go home tomorrow if she is up to it but it may be Tuesday. We'll see.
As for talking to her and the kids, that has gone well. I'll fill you in on how that happened later. Karen now knows that she has cancer and that the doctor had to leave some of the tumor in. She's teary but I am glad she's not trying to "be strong".
We'll be talking to the oncologist sometime in the next few days about what kind of radiation and Chemo regimin she'll need to undergo.
We will be able to do the treatment near our home. As the doctor says, they call the game plan from UCSF and it doesn't matter who the quarterback is.
Thank you all again for your prayers. Please continue to pray. The road ahead will be long and hard.
Dave
She should be moved out of the ICU and down to a regular floor this afternoon. The doctor said that she could go home tomorrow if she is up to it but it may be Tuesday. We'll see.
As for talking to her and the kids, that has gone well. I'll fill you in on how that happened later. Karen now knows that she has cancer and that the doctor had to leave some of the tumor in. She's teary but I am glad she's not trying to "be strong".
We'll be talking to the oncologist sometime in the next few days about what kind of radiation and Chemo regimin she'll need to undergo.
We will be able to do the treatment near our home. As the doctor says, they call the game plan from UCSF and it doesn't matter who the quarterback is.
Thank you all again for your prayers. Please continue to pray. The road ahead will be long and hard.
Dave
Karen made up a song years ago for the kid's that we sing on the Lord's Day. That isn't unusual for her, it seems that every activity in our family has some little song to go with it. Funny now that I think about it that though she was a musician she never thought herself much of a song writer and yet her little ditties are attached to almost every item in our house and activity we do together.
You can't hear the tune right now but the word's are short and sweet ...
"Happy Lord's Day, Let's prepare our hearts to go to church and worship the almighty God."
I hope that you all have a sense of awe and thankfulness this morning as you enter corporately into the throne room of God and meet him in worship this morning.
She asked again in her stupor that I make sure you all go to church this morning. It's always been very important to her that His people not neglect the worship of their God. After all, those who share the bonds of Christ share the same gracious bonds that she wears. When you worship this morning you are worshipping with her. Sing loudly.
Please pray that I know what to say to her when the time comes and that I know what to say to the children.
I love you all.
You can't hear the tune right now but the word's are short and sweet ...
"Happy Lord's Day, Let's prepare our hearts to go to church and worship the almighty God."
I hope that you all have a sense of awe and thankfulness this morning as you enter corporately into the throne room of God and meet him in worship this morning.
She asked again in her stupor that I make sure you all go to church this morning. It's always been very important to her that His people not neglect the worship of their God. After all, those who share the bonds of Christ share the same gracious bonds that she wears. When you worship this morning you are worshipping with her. Sing loudly.
Please pray that I know what to say to her when the time comes and that I know what to say to the children.
I love you all.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Well...I have been able to see Karen tonight and considering all that she is going through she is doing extremely well. She is recognizing faces and is obviously happy to see her friends and family who have come to visit. She is also able to verbalize, though with some difficulty due to her anesthetic stupor and swelling induced aphasia. For those of you who don't know, aphasia is the inability to come up with the words you are looking for to express a thought. I think this is related to a phenomenon that most mother's experience after chasing their small children around the house all day.
I am encouraged, but for now I am trying to learn to take things one day at a time. I may need to make the increments of time even smaller as we move forward, but for now a day at a time seem reasonable. As for tonight, I can go to bed truly content. I have seen my bride and she's as beautiful as ever. In fact, some things have not changed all that much. I mean, she's sleeping with her mouth open right now, but as those who know her well can attest, that is not much different than a normal night.
I can also go to bed knowing that I have an essentially endless line of loved ones who really want to help. That's certainly a bit of knowledge that many people will never be blessed to experience. And most importantly, I know that God's promises are as true right now as they were on Wednesday.
Good night for now,
Dave
I am encouraged, but for now I am trying to learn to take things one day at a time. I may need to make the increments of time even smaller as we move forward, but for now a day at a time seem reasonable. As for tonight, I can go to bed truly content. I have seen my bride and she's as beautiful as ever. In fact, some things have not changed all that much. I mean, she's sleeping with her mouth open right now, but as those who know her well can attest, that is not much different than a normal night.
I can also go to bed knowing that I have an essentially endless line of loved ones who really want to help. That's certainly a bit of knowledge that many people will never be blessed to experience. And most importantly, I know that God's promises are as true right now as they were on Wednesday.
Good night for now,
Dave
Karen is on her way out of the operating room. The surgeon was able to tell us that the tumor was malignant and he was unable to remove all of it because of where it was placed. The next 24 to 48 hours are critical in terms of potential acute problems. The prognosis in these circumstances is typically not good. We do find some hope in that we are in the right place in terms of the most cutting edge treatments, some of which have been very effective.
Please continue to pray. The battle is just beginning.
Please do not spread this information to anyone at this point. I want to keep you all updated but also want the information to be accurate. Send them to this site if they are interested in an update. Accurate information will be useful to you so that you know what to pray for, but we all need to be careful. Acciidentaly spreading false information could be damaging.
We really do covet your prayers and need them now more than ever.
To God be the glory,
Dave
Please continue to pray. The battle is just beginning.
Please do not spread this information to anyone at this point. I want to keep you all updated but also want the information to be accurate. Send them to this site if they are interested in an update. Accurate information will be useful to you so that you know what to pray for, but we all need to be careful. Acciidentaly spreading false information could be damaging.
We really do covet your prayers and need them now more than ever.
To God be the glory,
Dave
Go to church tomorrow ... She's not giving you a choice
I almost forgot to tell you all; before Karen went to surgery she told me that she wanted you all to go to church tomorrow. It is his day after all :)
For those of you who belong to a Bible believing church it will be a great time to worship our God who Karen loves and who is lovingly guiding the surgeons' hands even as I write this.
For those of you who do not belong to a Bible believing church this is the perfect time to go to church, crack open your Bible, and hear the good news about the God who condescended, became man, suffered the death on the cross, bore the penalty of the sins of his people, rose to new life three days later, and who, though he reigns over all of creation, still has concern for each hair on Karen's head.
Love,
Dave
For those of you who belong to a Bible believing church it will be a great time to worship our God who Karen loves and who is lovingly guiding the surgeons' hands even as I write this.
For those of you who do not belong to a Bible believing church this is the perfect time to go to church, crack open your Bible, and hear the good news about the God who condescended, became man, suffered the death on the cross, bore the penalty of the sins of his people, rose to new life three days later, and who, though he reigns over all of creation, still has concern for each hair on Karen's head.
Love,
Dave
Update as of 12:00PM
I accompanied Karen to the Operating Room at 12:00PM where we were able to meet with the two surgeons. Everyone so far has been really great (Nurses are the best!).
The good news righy now is that the head surgeon says that he expects her to be no worse than she is right now in the long run. This is actually really good because she is doing really well. You wouldn't know she had a 5 centimeter mass in her cute little head if it weren't for the pictures.
The back side of the tumor is located near the speach center of the brain so this is where they are going to spend most of their time. The rest of the tumor is located in a part of the brain that is much easier to work in so they expect that part of the surgery should go faster.
The surgery should take about 6 hours. I'll let you all know how things are going as we find out. Thank you all for your prayers.
We love you all.
The good news righy now is that the head surgeon says that he expects her to be no worse than she is right now in the long run. This is actually really good because she is doing really well. You wouldn't know she had a 5 centimeter mass in her cute little head if it weren't for the pictures.
The back side of the tumor is located near the speach center of the brain so this is where they are going to spend most of their time. The rest of the tumor is located in a part of the brain that is much easier to work in so they expect that part of the surgery should go faster.
The surgery should take about 6 hours. I'll let you all know how things are going as we find out. Thank you all for your prayers.
We love you all.
Update as of 9-16-06 9:30am
David called me and asked me to give a preliminary update.
Karen is scheduled to go into surgery in the late morning or early afternoon. The doctor is currently working on another person, and they are waiting for him to finish.
The doctors won’t know much until they begin and are able to make an assessment. The affected portion of Karen's brain controls speech and comprehension.
At this stage there is nothing we can do but pray. And that is no small thing. Rather than a last resort, prayer is our first and most powerful recourse. Rather than mere individual emotional catharsis, it is our gate into the audience chamber of the Most High God, who lovingly and sovereignty ordains whatsoever comes to pass and upholds all things by the power of his Word. David asks all of our friends and family to labor in prayer for Karen because he understands its importance and power. What a blessing and privilege He extends to us, that we can cry into the ear of our Heavenly Father, who through the mediatorial work or our Lord and Savior, hears us as beloved friends and children. What amazing grace He extends to us that we can exchange our burdens for His Peace. If we ask our Father for a loaf of bread, will he give us a stone? Surely, He who has Karen's name engraved on the palms of his hands will not suffer her to loose one hair from her precious head apart from His most loving will. Let us remember His promise that our prayers avail much, while echoing the words of our Savior, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done." Amen
David wanted me to list some specific items to remember in your prayers:
Pray that Karen would have peace, be encouraged and comforted.
Pray that God will guide the hands of the Doctors and give them wisdom.
Pray for friends and family members, that they would also have peace and wisdom to know how to best assist.
Pray for the recovery. Even after a successful operation, she will still have to endure the fatigue and hardship of recovering from brain surgery.
Pray for successful rehabilitation.
Pray for yourself, that the testing of your faith might develop perseverance.
We will keep you posted as events unfold. Thank you for your prayers
-Mike Gregg
Karen is scheduled to go into surgery in the late morning or early afternoon. The doctor is currently working on another person, and they are waiting for him to finish.
The doctors won’t know much until they begin and are able to make an assessment. The affected portion of Karen's brain controls speech and comprehension.
At this stage there is nothing we can do but pray. And that is no small thing. Rather than a last resort, prayer is our first and most powerful recourse. Rather than mere individual emotional catharsis, it is our gate into the audience chamber of the Most High God, who lovingly and sovereignty ordains whatsoever comes to pass and upholds all things by the power of his Word. David asks all of our friends and family to labor in prayer for Karen because he understands its importance and power. What a blessing and privilege He extends to us, that we can cry into the ear of our Heavenly Father, who through the mediatorial work or our Lord and Savior, hears us as beloved friends and children. What amazing grace He extends to us that we can exchange our burdens for His Peace. If we ask our Father for a loaf of bread, will he give us a stone? Surely, He who has Karen's name engraved on the palms of his hands will not suffer her to loose one hair from her precious head apart from His most loving will. Let us remember His promise that our prayers avail much, while echoing the words of our Savior, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done." Amen
David wanted me to list some specific items to remember in your prayers:
Pray that Karen would have peace, be encouraged and comforted.
Pray that God will guide the hands of the Doctors and give them wisdom.
Pray for friends and family members, that they would also have peace and wisdom to know how to best assist.
Pray for the recovery. Even after a successful operation, she will still have to endure the fatigue and hardship of recovering from brain surgery.
Pray for successful rehabilitation.
Pray for yourself, that the testing of your faith might develop perseverance.
We will keep you posted as events unfold. Thank you for your prayers
-Mike Gregg
Just in case...
David had hoped to log in and post an update, but the poor guy had been up at least close to 36 hours when I talked to him. I hope he's getting some sleep right now.
I will write what little I can until he has the chance to provide better information.
Last I heard, Karen is scheduled for surgery Saturday at noon. Her MRI had at that time not been reported to have shown any real news for better or worse.
I know that's not much but I am fearful of posting anything inaccurate.
Pray, pray, pray,
Steve
I will write what little I can until he has the chance to provide better information.
Last I heard, Karen is scheduled for surgery Saturday at noon. Her MRI had at that time not been reported to have shown any real news for better or worse.
I know that's not much but I am fearful of posting anything inaccurate.
Pray, pray, pray,
Steve
Friday, September 15, 2006
Why this blog is here.
This blog is for the friends and family of Karen and for David to keep their loved ones updated on her progress and condition.
In order to make this blog easy to access it is public, so I ask that you please not post ANY personally identifiable information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers or similar information.
I'm sure any and all prayers and comments will be greatly appreciated. Karen is blessed to have so many godly and loving people in her life. I hope that this site will be a blessing to you and David and Karen's family.
Please pray that the doctors will have wisdom as they diagnose Karen's condition, that David, Karen and their little ones will be at peace, resting in our Lord and Saviors grace. Please pray that Karen will be spared pain and that God would grant her healing mercies and full restoration to her role as a loving wife and mother soon.
Steve (Brother-in-law)
In order to make this blog easy to access it is public, so I ask that you please not post ANY personally identifiable information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers or similar information.
I'm sure any and all prayers and comments will be greatly appreciated. Karen is blessed to have so many godly and loving people in her life. I hope that this site will be a blessing to you and David and Karen's family.
Please pray that the doctors will have wisdom as they diagnose Karen's condition, that David, Karen and their little ones will be at peace, resting in our Lord and Saviors grace. Please pray that Karen will be spared pain and that God would grant her healing mercies and full restoration to her role as a loving wife and mother soon.
Steve (Brother-in-law)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
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