Post Surgery Update - 11/13/08

Surgery went well. They got started just a few minutes early and seemed to have finished early, somewhere around 3 hours. Kim did well, the Surgeon said that he saw no signs of cancer in the area he was in. Praise! They did say that they would send any tissue that they removed to the pathologist to make sure. Kim came home today and is doing remarkably well. She has two drains, that should be removed in the next 3-5 days and a "pain ball" that will last somewhere around 3 days. She had the pain ball last time as well. It is a ball about the size of the "Magic 8 Ball" that is full of pain medicine. Over time the ball pushes all of the pain medicine into a tiny tube that goes inside of the wound, kinda like a garden hose with the pin holes that waters the yard. She has not take any pain medicine other than the pain ball since sugery! Praise!

Recovery is supposed to be 2 weeks, so Thanksgiving should be exactly that!! Of course we give thanks everyday!

Thanks for all of the prayers and please give praise!

Continue to pray for healing, no signs of cancer in the removed tissue, continued trust and faith and just that we continue to be reminded how blessed we are!

Trusting in Him!

John

Pre Surgery Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that Kim has her reconstruction surgery Wed morning at 11:30 at RGH. We would appreciate your prayers. It has been 4 months since the last surgery and as we learned last week, just going back to the Hospital brings back alot of emotions. She hadn't seen her Medical Oncologist in 5 months so last weeks checkup was emotional. It is hard to believe it has been that long.

Pray for continued peace and trust and praise for 5 awesome months!!!!!!!

Trusting in Him,

John

No news is good news

Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I sent out an update. In this case no news is good news. There really hasn't been much to report. After Kims hysterectomy July 2nd things have moved along very well. Kim was almost back to her normal routine including mowing the lawn 7 days after surgery. Kim also finished up her radiation treatments July 29th.

Just about the same time Kim was done with her radiation treatments she started taking her Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) medication. She takes it once a day for the next 5 years. Because she had the hysterectomy she was able to switch to this medication in place of Tamoxifen which you may be more familiar with. The AI has been shown to work better than Tamoxifen and has fewer side effects. At first Kim was having some stomach and headache problems which concerned us, but they seem to have gone away for the most part. That is a huge blessing since 5 years of feeling like she was would have been miserable.

Currently we are back to our normal schedules. Kim has started choreographing for the middle school show "Suessical" and is running a smooth ship here again (although she never really stopped). We have experienced a few "hmmmm" moments where something seemed not quite right, for instance some new pain and swelling in a knuckle, but we are being cautiously optimistic. Everything that we discover that is not usual will be a source of concern.

Kim has already been able to share with others from her experience, including talking with 2 people referred to her that she has never met and another close friend of the family that was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer as well. Kim helped her walk through the process, meet Drs, answer questions, pray, and even sit in the hospital.

We are confident that there is a plan for this and for us and pray that it will be revealed to us. We have grown tremendously through this. I am not sure how we would have made it through this if we were anywhere else and not surrounded by such a great support system. Please pray that we deal with the "hmmm" things appropriately without over reacting, but in a sensible manner, that Kims Knuckle is just some Arthritis or something minor, continued good health, that her spirit and attitude continue to be amazing, and that we continue to have faith and trust!

Give praise that we are just a few weeks away from the 1 year anniversary of her diagnosis, Kims health, that Kim is tolerating the AI, that her hair is lookin' good, that we were able to spend our 10th wedding anniversary TOGETHER, and just for Gods peace he has given us.

John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Trusting in Him,
John

Surgery Update

Quick update while I sit here in the hospital with Kim. Surgery appears to have gone really well. We got to the hospital at 5:30 a.m., she went in at 7:30 a.m. and was out of surgery and into recovery by 9:00 a.m.. They kept her in recovery for 3 hours and then up to her room. She was pretty groggy until around 4, but since then she has been awake. She is actually acting more like she just woke up from a nap than major surgery. She has already been up and walking twice. She ate a dinner (I had to go and get her something, I got to eat the hospital dinner, I think it was chicken ;-) ) including a snickers! The amazing thing to me is that she isn't on any pain medicine and not even hooked up to anything. The plan is she will get discharged before her radiation treatment at 7:00 a.m. in the morning and then she goes home! Amazing!!

Thank you all for your prayers! Please give thanks and praise tonight!!!!!

Trusting in Him!

John

Surgery Moved Up

Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 3:09 PM
Subject: Surgery Date Change
Just wanted to let everyone know that Kims Hysterectomy sugery date has been moved up from July 11th to July 2nd. There was a cancellation and Kim's Dr is having a baby and has been having contractrations, so they decided to go for it next week. As far as I am concerned it is good news. It will allow Kim to start her 5 year treatment of the Aromatase Inhibitor a week earlier. Probably doesn't make that much of a difference but it makes me feel better. Kim is the first scheduled surgery of the day at 7:30, so it will be an early morning. They will be using a Robot for the surgery and the expected stay is only 23 hours, so she should be home Thursday if all goes well.

The skin where we thought there was an infection looks MUCH better. I think the fluid must have been there from the start because it has always been much darker than it is now.

Praise: An earlier surgery which will allow me to be home for 4 days after the surgery, starting the AI a week earlier. No infection.
Prayer Requests: Good day for the surgeon, the Robot, side effects from hysterectomy (menopause), peace with the decision, effectiveness, Trust, Faith!

Thank you all for your prayers!

Trusting in Him,
John

Mystery Solved

Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: It is a mystery
Kim made it through her 5 Dr appt day, and we think we have an answer about the "infection". It appears to be just a large pocket of fluid that has been trapped. They are going to drain it tomorrow and check out the fluid, but they expect that it is harmless. Assume, unless you hear different from me, that it was harmless. We counted and Kim had/has 12 Dr appts this week, and 1 vet appt (that one of course was for Maverick). More Drs that we care to see!

Thanks for all the emails, dinner tonight, and especially the prayers!! Please pray again tonight and give thanks and praise!!

Trusting in Him,
John

It is a mystery!

Well, more Dr appts today and, with the results of the pathology report, they are all still unsure of what is going on. The pathology report showed nothing, no infection, no virus, bacteria, nothing, just some scar tissue. They are going to do an ultrasound tomorrow, we will see what they find. Praise that nothing serious was found, but still not sure what to expect. Kim has a record 5 Dr appts tomorrow! Radiation, appt with the Radiologist, Pre-Op with the OB/GYN, Ultrasound and a first appt with her new Primary Care Physician. Kims Dr retired last fall, can you imagine the size of Kims file at her first visit?

I will keep you posted with any results from the Ultrasound. They are keeping her on the Cipro, just in case.

Trusting in Him,
John

Re: Plan for a Plan

Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 12:34 PM

Subject: Re: Plan for a plan

Hmmm, still no idea what is going on. First Dr doesn't think it's an infection so she took Kim off of Bacterium but left her on Cipro. She is wondering if it is some sort of circulation problem. Surgeon took a biopsy and isn't sure what is going on either. Kim had blood work done and we hope to have the pathology report back by 4:00 tomorrow. I will pass on the information as we get it!

The good news is there is no pain and no other symptoms!! Praise!

Trusting in Him,

John

Plan for a Plan

Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 12:23 PM

Subject: Plan for a plan

Update on the infection. This morning after 1/2 day on Cipro and Bacterium it looked like it was getting better. When we got home from church it looked worse. The plan is that Kim will see her Radiation Oncologist tomorrow and she is contacting her Surgical Oncologist and have him take a biopsy sometime tomorrow as well(hopefully). That is about all we know, I will keep you all posted, sorry for all the emails. If all of this is too much information, let me know and I can take you off the list. I put all of the emails on http://www.dancercancer.blogspot.com/ so you can always keep up to date that way.

Thanks again for the prayers!

Trusting in Him,

John

Infection

The infection is still getting worse. They added a second medication today. One of the meds is Cipro, which as I understand it one of the big hitters and it still doesn't seem to be helping. We will be checking in with the Dr again tomorrow and will make a plan of action. Prayers would be much appreciated!

Trusting in Him
John

Radiation started this week

Just a quick update.

The end of Kims last chemo was pretty rough, the pain was in her bones and even in her skull and eye sockets this time. I have never seen her in pain like that before, I didn't want her to be alone. It was the pacing, bobbing back and forth, wont go away pain. Big PRAISE that it is over and done with. Seems like they got worse and worse each time. Kim started physical therapy this week. She already has gained alot of motion in her left arm, but not sure if it was the rehab or throwing a soccer ball in the back yard. The range of motion in her left arm wasn't/ isn't really where they had hoped it would be. She also still has alot of numbness, but that was to be expected and may get better over time.

Radiation also started this week, it will be every weekday morning at 7:00 and last for 28 treatments. It only lasts about 15 minutes or so and has been gone pretty well so far. One hiccup this week has been an infection in her right breat that seems to have come out of no where. I guess it is from the expander that they inserted during the surgery in March. Seems kinda odd to me that it just popped up, but I guess if you have a foreign body inside of you it can happen. She discovered the infection Tuesday morning and was on antibiotics by Tuesday night. She had to go back in today to get a different antibiotic because the other one was not working and the infection had started to spread. She doesn't have a fever which is good, but this could turn ugly and cause them to have to do another surgery to remove the expander and also interrupt the radidation. Pray that this antibiotic will beat the infection.

July 11th she will actually have her radiation in the morning, then come home and try not to eat or drink anything, and go back for her hysterectomy at 1:00. I imagine I will have to drive her to her radiation treatments, at least in the beginning of the next week.

Everything is going pretty well. She did get a drug change, which I was hoping for after doing some research. Instead of Tamoxifen they will be giving Kim a Aromatase Inhibitor as the long term (5+ years) treatment. The rates are better with those drugs and the side effects are apparently better as well. They could switch the drug because she will be having the hysterectomy.

PRAISES: Chemo is done! Peach fuzz is just beginning. Spirit. Life. Jennas birthday tomorrow!
PRAYER Requests: Infection gets cleared up. Radiation does not get affected. Radiation is effective. Radiation is safe! Rest! Peace! Endurance! Faith! Trust!

Thank you all for your prayers!

Trusting in Him!
John

Jedi Andrew

As promised... A fathers proud moment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4yNNHz2sQc

Chemo complete, Next Radiation

Hey everyone,

I thought I would send out an update. Kim had chemo #7 on April 21. She had a lot of bone pain which lasted about 4 days but after that she was pretty much back to normal. We went to Florida for the week of May 3-10th and had a GREAT time. We made it to Magic Kingdom, MGM (Hollywood Studios) and Sea World. Kim had the energy to spend the whole day at a park with little rest. We were at Magic Kingdom from 9:30 -9:30! The highlights were Jenna seeing Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty as soon as we walked in and Andrew getting to fight Darth Vader (actually that might have been my highlight, I was so proud ;-) ) Hopefully I can post some pictures and maybe even the video of the battle. The kids had the best time swimming, we had to drag them out of the pool. The weather was great, it was sunny and around 90 all week.

Kim had her last chemo treatment this past Monday the 21st. The bone pain is just kicking in today and will probably last a few more days. I have to wake her a couple of times in the night to get her medicine so the pain doesn't get ahead of her. She was very excited that it was the last treatment. It may sound odd, but I always looked forward to chemo days because we got to hang out and do it together. Kims hair is also falling out, she actually shaved it again yesterday. I think I like the shaved look better than they way it was last week!

Kim has had several appts the past few weeks. Today she met with the Radiologist. She will begin radiation sometime very soon after June 3rd, every week day for 25-28 treatments. It sounds like the radiation is pretty uneventful. They will have to give her tatoos to get her aligned correctly so that the radiation will miss her heart and lungs. The radiation is to make sure that any breast tissue that was left behind is clean and that the lympnodes that were not removed, up hear the collar bone are clear. There is not any cancer that they are specifically targeting. Kim has also scheduled her hysterectomy for July 11th. Being BRAC2 positive having the survery is a good idea. It also will put her into menopause which will be good since her cancer is estrogen sensitive. She will begin her 5 year treatment of Tamoxifen the same time she begins radiation.

Praises- Kims energy and attitude, faith, trust, hair lasting through Florida, FLORIDA and DISNEY!, SPRING, pain medicine, Drs, support of friends and family and a plan and an end in sight.

Prayer requests - Accuracy of the tatoos when aligning Kim for radiation, effectiveness of the radiation or better yet, that there is nothing to need killing! Hair regrowth, energy, pain control, effectiveness of Tamoxifen, knowledge of Doctors, dealing with menopause symptoms, healing, trust, growing faith and peace!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Trusting in Him!
John

Medical Oncologist Visit

Well, our actuall appt with the Medical Oncologist was not until April 23 which was waaaayyy to long for us to be left hanging with next steps. Kim called yesterday and got an appt for today, so here is the latest.

I think the Oncologist was a little disapointed with the impact of the chemo, but not completely surprised. She did say that as they say in the medical world, Kim was NEOD, No Evidence Of Disease (PRAISE!). When I pushed her for a prognosis, she gave us the odds of 30-40% that the cancer would return elsewhere within 10 years, ie it got out of the breast and lympnodes before it was removed and chemo started. The one disturbing thing she also said was that once it gets out, you never really get rid of it! Lets just PRAY that it didn't get out and that Kim will be in the 60-70%!!!!!!

The Dr also was not going to recommend Chemo. After talking with us for a bit about it, we all decided that Kim would finish the two treatments that they stopped before the surgery. The Dr was not opptimistic that it would make a huge difference (~1% improvement in odds), but we were willing to take it. The time to beat this thing is now, not if it comes back. We were able to schedule the last two chemos around our Disney trip. The first chemo will be April 21st which will give Kim time to get some energy back before the trip and then the next will be a few days after we get back, May 12th. Of course with this chemo will come the loss of the hair that Kim has regrown, kind of a bummer, but we know it will come back! This was also the chemo with the bone pain but without the nausea. About 3 weeks after the chemo is done she will begin her 5 year regiment of Tamoxifen and 5 weeks of 5 days per week radiation.

Please pray that Kim will be in the 60-70% and that this cancer will not comeback elsewhere. Praise God for the blessings that we have received through this experience. This experience has changed our lives and I think some lives of people around us. We have truly been blessed! I am not gonna lie and say I am happy about it but I hope we are better people for this, and I would be very greatful if has a happy ending!!! This has really put things into perspective. One of the kids standing in front of the TV doesn't really upset me that much anymore ;-) I have heard "Don't sweat the small stuff" before, but I hope now I am living it! Please continue to LOVE Kim the way you have already, we have been blessed by all of you!! We thank God for you constantly, he has used you to give us the strength that we have!

I will likely send out further updates, but I think this really is the news that we all have been waiting for. I don't expect any more real news. If I don't send an update and you don't want to call, feel free to email me and I will give you you the latest.

Trusting in Him more than ever!!!!

John

Surgical Oncologist/ Pathology Report

We met with the Surgical Oncologist today. Healing is going good, as to be expected. The thing that we(I) were most interested in was the Pathology report. It wasn't as good as I had hoped for but I guess it wasn't really horrible either. They got good margins between the cancer and good tissue on all of incisions, but here still was a tumor in the breast. It had decreased in size from somewhere around 2cm x 2cm+ down to 1.3 cm. It is encouraging that it shrunk but I was hoping that it would be much smaller or gone altogether. It did respond to the chemo which is important. The surgeon didn't really give us a feel for how good a response that is, that will probably come from the Medical Oncologist. We also knew that there was at least one lymphnode involved. It turns out that there were 5 out of the 14 that they removed that were involved. I don't really know to what extent. I am just thinking now that there is no mention of the other 3 tumors, but the report says the largest tumor is 1.3cm. Not sure if that means the other are gone or just smaller. Because of the number of lymphnnodes involved the surgeon expected more chemo and then radiation but we will find that out on April 15th when we meet with the Medical Oncologist.

16 days seems like a lifetime to wait to hear what will be next. It feels like we took a detour in the upward path we felt we were on.

Pray that all of the cancer was removed with the surgery and prepare us for the next steps!

Trusting in Him more than ever!
John

Recovery: Day 12

I guess I am a bit overdue for a recovery update. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but things seem to have turned the corner yesterday. This past Tuesday Kim had an appt with one of the surgeons. We have been tracking the fluid in her drains and two of them were below the threshold to have them removed. It made sense since they were on the side opposite of the cancer and the removed lympnodes. Kim went to the appt Tuesday expecting to get them removed only to be told that they were not filling because the blood was pooling inside her! That was a real let down since, believe it or not the drains seem at times be the most painful. It was also frustrating because we have had a nurse here twice to check her out and neither one of them said anything. Actually when Kim talked to them later one of them said, "I thought something was going on". With pain comes pain medicine and with that comes sleep. Kims concept of time over the last weeks is way off, and she tried to let Maverick out the other day when he wasn't even here. The meds make her "loopy", but we are thankful for them (PRAISE!)

We are at the tail end of the two weeks that Kim had planned out before she went for the surgery, so it is good that is will not be as "loopy". Maverick has been at Kim's moms house for a week and then at Camp Lori for the next week. I was excited to see him at the door greeting me again yesterday, but it was very nice not having to worry about him the last two weeks. Kim also had a friend (Julie Neal) here for a few days, up from Virginia to take care of her while I was at work and then another friend (Lori Reed) here several days this week to take care of her. The kids have also been take care of most of the week, either at Grandmas or with Aunt Paula. I can't help but remember that some people have to worry about how they will get home from surgery, when we have such a great support team! (PRAISE!!!)

Yesterday Kim had another appt and the did take out two of the drains, one from each side (PRAISE!). That really gave us both a lift emotionally. It feels like we are atleast moving in the right direction. We knew this would be a hard few weeks, but when you are in the middle it is hard to see the end. I also think it was hard since we had those few weeks in between Chemo and surgery where Kim was feeling so good (we were greatful for the break, and it came at a good time for Kims show). Kim says that removing those two drains has really reduced the pain as well which means less pain medicine.(PRAISE!) Today has been a very good day so far. I think the sunshine also helps (PRAISE!). She was also able to take her first shower in two weeks last night (PRAISE!).

Kim has two appts next week, one Monday with the Surgical Oncologist. We haven't heard anything about the pathology results from the removed tissue, so we hope to get them Monday. I really don't know what to expect. I suppose that the results may have some impact on the next steps, radiation, more chemo, or healing and starting the 5 year treament with the hormone suppressant. I don't think that Monday will give those answers, the Medical Oncologist is the one who will make those decisions, but we should get some informtion Monday. Hopefully Kim will get the other two drains out Tuesday.

That is about it, we are really appreciate all of the support from everyone. We have turned the dining room into a greenhouse for all of your flowers and I will have to restart my diet again after all of the good food we have had these past two weeks! I am also thankful for dishwashers and washing machines!!!! Thank you for all the other things that you have done as well, cards, money, meals, general encouragement and most of all prayers!

Specific prayer requests: That the drains are ready to be removed Tuesday and that they are. Continued healing. Pathology results! Decisions Drs will make based on those pathology results and just the general encougement that we have felt, especially in the past two days!(PRAISE!!) We are also getting excited about the celebration trip to DISNEY!

I know this update is kinda all over the place, but that is how this past two weeks have been! I will keep you posted with results from Monday and Tuesday.

As always, Trusting in Him,
John

Recovery: Day 2

We are HOME!!!!! She still has 4 drains that we need to track and lots of meds, but we are home. Thank you everyone! Does anyone have a little waiter bell for her :-)

Trusting in Him,

John

Recovery: Day 1

Day 1 of recovery is going well. There were a couple of things this morning that have since gotten better. Overnight they forgot to put on her leg massage thingys so this morning her right leg was numb and they couldn't find a pulse it in. They brought in the doppler machine and they found a pulse and since then she has regained feeling. She also had some fluid in her lungs this morning but that has apparently gotten better throughout the day as well.

Kim has been up walking a few times today and has been eating pretty normal. Each walk has been getting a little longer. She has all tubes/etc removed except for a ball that delivers medication internally to her wounds. Still lots of sleeping, but much better than yesterday at this time. She got to talk to the kids today which was nice, they both told her they loved her, which really lifted her spirits.

I guess there is still some question as to what the next steps will be for treating the cancer. Our next appointment with the Medical Oncologist will give us more answers, more chemo, radiation, etc. I am not sure when that appointment is but when we get news, I will share. We have not gotten a definative answer on when she will be going home, but it seems like it may be tomorrow. They also will be sending a nurse to check in on Thursday.

I will be leaving soon to go home and get the kids from Grandma. Bath night! (for the kids ;-) ) I may need some prayers for that! Thanks again for the prayers, they are working!

Trusting in Him!
John

Goodbye Cancer!

There really isn't alot to report, which I think in this case is a good thing. We got here at 6:30 this morning, after going to bed in a house that was WAY to quiet. The kids and Maverick are both at Grandmas, so no "night-time" music or snoring dogs. They took Kim in around 9:30 after visits from a few of her Dr/ friends that work in the hospital, David (our Pastor), and Kims brother Scott. Downstairs was the Barnard/ Sklenar support team (including several visits from Sue Romansky!) taking up most of the corner of the main lobby. I think we may have been thought of as "The entertainment". The Oncologist finished around 1:00 and the Plastic Surgeon finished around 2:30. Kim woke up in a bit of pain and nausea so they gave her some medications. At 6:00 she moved her head side to side enough to acknowledge that I was here, but that is about all I am getting. She seems pretty comfortable and exhausted.

Like I said there wasn't any real news. The Drs said everything went about as well as it could. The Oncologist said that the pathology report should be back around Thursday. I will send out another email if there is anything to tell, or if I get bored sitting here in the quiet;-) Both Drs have been in for followup so I think that is probably it for tonight.

I hope the Subject of this email is the truth, as far as we KNOW it is, there are no other signs that there is more anywhere PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all so much for all that you have and are doing for us, especially the prayers!

Trusting in Him!
John

Ride Home

Hi all,

Just a quick note, we are off to bed to be ready to be at the hospital at 6:30. I just wanted to tell you that when I was going through Kims papers for the surgery that I came across something I needed to tell you. One of her documents say that she cannot driver herself home from the hospital. Reading that made me realize that there are probably some people who have to consider how to get home. That made me very sad so I just wanted to tell you all that I am very thankful for all of you, and all of the support that all of you have given us. Thank you!!!!!

Our prayer is that the blessings are returned to you tenfold!

Trusting in Him!
John

4 Days and Counting (and peach fuzz!!)

Hello everyone, it has been almost a month since the last update. It has been pretty uneventful, even with a few Dr. appts. There still is no trace of the tumor, at least the Dr cannot feel it(PRAISE). Kim had her preop Monday and we haven't heard anything since, so we assume everything is still a go(PRAISE). The surgery is Monday the 17th at 9:00 but we have to be at Rochester General Hospital at 7. They have said that the surgery should be in the ballpark of 4 hours, so I guess that would make it around 1:00 by the time they are done. There will be two surgeons, the Oncologist and the Plastic Surgeon. Once the Oncologist is done with one side he will switch and the Plastic Surgeon will take over.

I guess for those that are on this email list for the first time, I should mention that Kim is having a Total Masectomy on her right side and a Modified Radical Masectomy on the left side (includes the lympnodes). If you want to catch up on any of the emails that you have missed you can go to http://www.dancercancer.blogspot.com/

Kim already has the full two weeks after surgery planned so that they kids are taken car of while I am at work. She will have plenty of time to just relax and heal so we just increased our Netflix membership. These next two weeks may be the hardest so far for Kim since just relaxing and doing nothing is one of the hardest things for Kim to do. I plan on being home Mon - Wed. We are not sure exactly when Kim will be home, but probably around 3 days in the hospital. Kim has a friend coming up from Virgina to stay with her Thur and Fri to take care of her while I am at work.

The past month has been pretty much normal. I have tried to start burning off all of that GOOD FOOD that everyone brought us while Kim was doing chemo. Kim has been going full blast. I don't know if she was home for a full day all week. Tonight is her opening night for Irondequoit High Schools "Once Upon A Mattress". We did have a bit of a downer when Kim lost most of her eyelashes and eyebrows. We thought she had made it through the chemo without losing them, but a week or two after she was done, they came out. She has already started to regrow them both and the hair on her head has also started coming in. It took a long time for the hair to start to regrow. I think our expectations were a little high, but we are excited now that she has some blonde peach fuzz! We also purchased our Celebration trip tickets to Florida for the first week in May!! The kids are very excited for that!

Thank you all for the cards and well wishes this past week. We appreciate you keeping us in your prayers.

Prayer Requests: Peace and trust going into the surgery. Skill for the Dr.'s. Clean margins for the tumor removal. Success with the Anethesiologist using Kims mediport (PRAISE THAT THEY CAN USE THIS!!!) instead of an IV. Tolerance of the anesthesia. Care for the kids while we are the hosptial and for their comfort and understanding while Mommy is hurting (Kim won't be able to lift them for a while). Strength for Kim and I while with the kids. Peace and trust coming out of the surgery with the realization of what just happened. SUCCESS, that she will now be cancer FREE!!!

We are VERY optimistic and thank all of you for everything you have done for us, physically and spiritually! Please continue to pray for Kim to have the AMAZING trust and strength that she has already shown us all! I will try to get an email out as soon as I can after surgery. Feel free to send me emails, I will print them all and make sure that Kim gets them while she is in the hospital.


Trusting in Him!
John

Post Chemo Update - Feb 14th

On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM:

Hi everybody. Kim had an ultrasound this week on her ovaries and everything looked good. PRAISE!!. The reason they were concerned with the ovaries is that since she tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation (likely the reason she got breast cancer in the first place at such a young age) there is also an increased risk of ovarian cancer (among others). We were hoping to get a new date for surgery but one of the surgeons is out of town for two weeks, so the date remains March 17th. The fact that it is so late worries me a little bit but the Drs are not worried at all and have affirmed to me that Kim is safe.

Kim has been able to resume most activities and she is feeling pretty good. Her energy level seems to be much better and I think her overall endurance is improving.

I have at attached a picture of Kim and the kids from December.

Thanks for the prayers. Prayer request is that there would be that no regrowth between now and surgery!

Trusting in Him,

John

Video

Here is a video that we did as part of a sermon at our church.

No Chemo for you!

Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 8:19 PM

Subject: Done with Chemo!!!

PRAISE!! Thats right, Kim didn't get chemo today and wont get it in two weeks either!! You are probably as suprised as we were. The Dr came in and asked Kim how she was feeling. Kim said she was having alot of pain in her feet and it was keeping her from sleeping. The Dr said, OK lets check the lumps and see if we should stop chemo treatments. Apparently she was recently at a conference (December) where there was discussion and statistical analysis of whether Taxol is really needed or effective along with these other drugs, the first two chemo drugs and the Tamoxifen. After the physical exam, (where she couldn't feel the lump at all!! PRAISE), she said that we would not have chemo today and as of right now we are done. She was going to consult the surgeon but expected that he would be of the same opinion based on the latest research. I think the decision was based on three items:

1. the pain that Kim was feeling, which she didn't want to get worse and which in some cases doesn't go away

2. the research that questions the effectiveness of Taxol with this drug suite

3. the effectiveness of the first 6 treatments (ie she can't feel the tumor at all).

Kim is almost in tears she is so happy! I am not sure how I feel. I am excited that she doesn't need to go through anything more, but on the other hand I want to throw everything possible at this cancer and give it NO chance of surviving. Now that we are done, I kinda feel like my gun is out of ammo.

There will probably be more news this week. We expect to hear from the one of the Drs to see what new tests we need. Kim will likely have another mamogram and/or ultrasound to see what really has happened to the tumors and then based on that there may be other actions/decisions. They expect to move the surgery date up from March 17th, but that may be tricky since there are two surgeons involved. I was concerned that now that chemo is done, if we don't get surgery done quickly that there might be more risk of the tumor spreading, but they don't seem to be concerned about that at all. I guess they expect that the tumor is gone?

There is a decent possibility that Kim will have radiation after the surgery. The pathology report (breast tissue and finding out how many lymphnodes were involved) will help the Drs make that decision.

What no more chemo means....Resuming a "normal" schedule, attending church, less worry about getting sick, HAIR regrowth, less pain, fewer headaches, better sleep, fewer drugs! PRAISE!!

It is amazing how fast the medical field and especially the cancer treatments are changing. PRAISE that we are in the country we are and in the city we are that we can get the best and latest care!

Again, I need to thank all of you for your prayers! This is definately an answer to our prayers! God has been very good to us!

Prayer requests: That the "New Plan" is made clear to us soon (You know how Kim like to have a plan and control!), that the pain Kim has does get better, that the new tests all show good progress, and that ultimately Kim is healed!

Again, thank you and stay posted!

Trusting in Him,

John

Surgery Date

Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 3:00 PM

Subject: Surgery Date

We had a change of plans, they moved the surgery date up to March 17th, 6:00 arrival, 7:30am surgery. Not sure why the moved it up, but they did know we wanted to do it as soon as possible, so another PRAISE! It seems like a good idea to me to get that cancer out as soon as possible anyway.

Trusting in Him!

John

75% Complete - January 23, 2008

Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:25 PM

Subject: 75% Complete

Hey everyone! 75% complete, wahoo!! We met with a PA and NP today no real news about the tumor, but we did get some other news. We got Kims genetic testing back today and she was positive for the BRCA2 sequencing test. I don't have alot of information about it but here are some of the statistics:

The risk of Ovarian cancer for Kim (since she has already had breast cancer) is 15% (I guess that means right now), getting breast cancer within 5 years is 27% compared to 3.5% for the general population, and the chances of her getting breast cancer before age 70 is 64% compared to 11%. Also I am not as clear about this but there is concern that by age 70 she has a risk of upto 44% of getting ovarian cancer compared to <2%.>

Kims blood counts were again high enough that she can reduce her number of shots this time by 1.

The other news is that we think we have a surgery date for the Mastectomies and reconstruction, and that is March 26th. We are still waiting for confirmation but it has been penciled into the two surgeons schedules.

So this weeks PRAISES are that we have a tentative surgery date, that we are 75% complete, Kims blood counts, still having eyebrows, and that there is a test that will allow us to act to reduce the risk of cancer for Kim and the rest of the family! Also Kim had a great day yesterday, she had alot of energy and just felt good overall which is a good sign that when this is over she will bounce back quickly!

Prayer REQUESTS are for Kims bone pain to be managable this week, a confirmed surgery date, figuring out what the positive results means to the rest of the family, and continued success killing off this cancer. One of the reasons that we are hoping to confirm this surgery date is because we are focusing on our celebration trip to Disney the first week in May. The kids (and Kim) are really looking forward to the trip. It seems that this date would allow us to make that trip.

Thank you all for your support these past two weeks and especially the prayers. Know that you are helping us get through this!

Trusting in Him!

John

62.5% Complete - January 8, 2008

Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:26 PM

Subject: 62.5% Complete

Praise: Well, another one complete! Today, as I mentioned before, we started a new drug. Praise: For this one they didn't even give her any nausea medication, that should not be an issue anymore. They did tell her that even the stubble she has on her head probably will come out along with....the eyebrows and eyelashes! The Dr also said that the medicine could cause flu like symptoms including "Wicked" bone and muscle pain. We have some pain medication ready for that if it comes, she said the pain would last for about 48 hours.

We did have a bit of a surprise today, this treatment takes much longer than the past two drugs. It take about 3.5 hours to get this one and you have to get 3 premedications first to treat for a possible allergic reaction to the preservative in the Taxol. It takes about 20 minutes to get each of the premeds, I think they were Benedryl a steriod and some other antihistimine. By the time you have your blood drawn and they get your blood counts and then see the Dr you have already spent ~1.5 hours so I think we were there from 9-3:30 or so today. Kim seemed much more tired during this treatment, probably the Benadryl, so she slept through some of it, I watched daytime television. I need to remember when I am at work that I am not missing anything good on TV!

Praise: Kims blood counts were also "off the charts" so she is able to slowly cut back on her shots that she takes between treatments. If you didn't know Kim is deathly afraid of needles. At the beginning she was feeling sick just about getting stuck, now she is giving herself her own shots!!!!

Praise!!!!!: The Dr was also unable to feel the lump(s) anylonger. I didn't know what I was looking for before and I could feel the large one and now she can't find it at all!!

As you can see, there are lots of things that we are thankful for this visit! If you can keep a couple of things in mind when you pray for Kim please pray for the "Wicked" aches not to be too bad/that the medicine will manage the pain and for peace for Kim as she loses the last bit of hair she has. One funny thing to mention is that Kim is getting comments on what a perfect skull she has. I have been telling her since she lost her hair that I think it is a "Text Book" head! One of the nurses that was working in the Lipson Center (chemo room) stopped by to tell her how perfect her head was. Maybe she can get a new career as a Cranium Model!!

I am sending a link to a blog from another woman with almost the exact situation that Kim is facing. Almost same age, 2 kids, same cancer, same treatment etc. I have been in touch with her, she is here in Rochester and used to work with my sister Paula at Kodak. If anyone is interested she kept a pretty good record so it may help fill in some of the details. Her Drs are from Strong so it is comforting to see that Kims treatment would likely have been agreed upon by those Drs as well. http://www.likepeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your prayers today and please continue to praise as much as you ask! As you can see, they are working and your support is making this very bearable for us!

Trusting in Him,

John

50% Complete - December 26, 2007

Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:06 PM

Subject: 50% Complete!

Hi everyone,

Not alot of news today. Kim had her 4th treatment today, the last of the first two drugs. The next 4 treatments will be with a different drug which should have some milder side effects including less nausea, metal taste, etc. I stayed home with the kids today and Kims friend Tory went with her. Kim met with the Nurse Practitioner instead of the Dr.

Please pray for Kim over the next few days, it seems that days 2 through 5 after the treatment last time were the worst including some nausea and extreme fatigue. The effects of the last treatment were worse than the previous treatment so we are expecting this Fri-Mon to be the toughest so far. In addition both kids have the worst colds of the year so far! Considering what these treatments are doing we praise God that they are as tolerable as they are (easy for me to say, right?). If you think of it, throw a quick prayer in there for me as well as I will probably be taking care of the kids for the next few days ;-) My friend Marty is in town til Friday so Andrew will be occupied but I may be playing alot of Barbie!

The next treatment is January 8th at 9:15. That is about it for todays report. I will send out another if there is any news before the next treatment.

Again, thank you all for helping us out by either praying for us, getting our Christmas tree, raking our yard, bringing us dinner, sending an encouraging word, or redoing our bathroom ;-) Having you all in our lives with all of your support has been a great blessing that I am sure God had planned for us. Please continue to pray for Kim!

Trusting in Him,

John

37.5% Complete - December 11, 2007

Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:30 PM

Subject: 37.5% Complete

Thank you everyone that prayed today. Everything went very well. The nurse was able to get the needle into Kims medaport with no problem, a definate blessing after last time! We met with our new Dr. today, Dr. Julia Smith, Dr. Armstrong moved out of town. We knew she was leaving town but they wanted to get Kim in asap and she was the one with available appointments so we took it. Pray for good transfer of knowledge and treatment. They both seem to be on the same page so we continuing as planned.

One huge praise is that the Dr. had a hard time finding the tumors, she wasn't sure she felt it at all! That is good because if the treatment is killing the tumor then if any other cells are somewhere else in her body, hopefully the chemo will be killing them as well. The Dr actually called the surgeon to discuss if we should go and have markers put in so that they can tell where the tumors were in case we wanted to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. The Dr. was also surprised that Kim even had hair left. For those of you who haven't seen Kim her hair has been shaven about as short as you can get. There are also some bald spots that are growing as time goes on. I wonder if she had left it long if it would be all gone by now. I know that it is easy to pluck out.

Next treatment is the day after Christmas, which will be the last treatment of the first two drugs. Kim has been going non stop since the treatment, she even went to Target, twice! I am exhausted but I am trying to hang on, I can't let her outlast me, all I did all day was follow her around!

Again, thank you for all of your prayers. God definately seems to be at work physically, mentally and spiritually for both of us.

Trusting in Him,

John

Off to #3, December 11, 2007

Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:36 AM

Subject: Chemo #3

Just a quick note to let you know that we are off to chemo treatment #3 right now. If you have a moment this morning, please keep Kim in your prayers. This is the time where there is no pretending that life is normal. I will give a more detailed update later.

Trusting in Him,

John

Hair today, gone tomorrow - December 1, 2007

Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:12 AM
Subject: 25% Complete Update

Hair was shaved today. Please pray for peace.

Trusting in Him,

John

25% Complete

Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:19 PM

Subject: 25% Complete

Today was Kims second chemo treatment. All went pretty well. I think the anti nausea medication has the most immediate affect on her, making her a little loopy! One thing that amazes me is that when the nurse gives her the first treatment she wears plastic gloves and a throwaway coverall so she doesn't get a drop on her. I guess if you get it on your skin it will burn it rather quickly.

For those who are praying, four praises and answers to prayer 1. Kims cold did not prevent her from getting treatment, 2. her white blood cell count was back to normal today after being almost dangerously low last Wed. 3. A test we were waiting on came back negative so she can continue with the treatment she is getting. The test was for another aspect of how aggressive the cancer is, and 4. I am thankful for our medical insurance. I have complained alot about it in the past but I just picked up some shots today that are ~$250 a peice and Kim needs 7 between each treatment, not to mention that actual chemo treatments!

Thank you all for all of your support, I know it means alot to Kim and especially to me. Thank you all for Loving Kim!!! I know as time moves on and the shock of all of this passes it is easy to go back to "normal" life. Please continue to support Kim and pray for her/us to get through all of this. I don't mind the challenge but I do want a positive outcome and I dont' know that I could do this alone!

Still trusting in Him,

John

It Begins - November 14, 2007

Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:55 PM

Subject: Re: It begins...

We are back. 1 down 7 to go!! It went pretty well, Kim has a sense of humor and was in a pretty good mood through the whole thing. Wow, talk about overload. They are throwing information at you in buckets. Kim was rather tired and actually is sleeping right now. I dont know if it was the chemo today, the emotional aspect or if the full day of no food or water yesterday just wiped her out. I think it may be the later. I think Friday and Saturday are expected to be the bad days.

Thanks for the prayers!! Keep em comin!! Also please give praise for the things that have gone so well and the comfort God has given us, and especially for all of the wonderful friends he has provided us, to take care of us when we need them!!!

Trusting in Him,

John

Mediport is in - November 13, 2007

Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:51 PM

Subject: Update

MediPort is in, everthing went great, except for the timing. We got there at 2:49 and we just got home!!! Chemo starts tomorrow, 1:30.

Trusting in Him,

John

Clean Chest XRay and Blood Tests - November 9, 2007

Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 2:39 PM

Subject: Update

Well we got some good news for a change, PRAISE GOD. Kims chest xray and blood results were all good. Liver and Kidney function were good (also her sugar was good :-) but that seems minor now!). I am not exactly sure what else the blood test was for but it all was normal!!! Dr recommended genetic testing to see if Jenna is at risk. Pathology says this is an agressive cell, responsive to progesterone and estrogen so after chemo Kim will be on hormone therapy for 5 years. There is still one test outstanding. It is another test for agressiveness which came back indeterminate. If this retest comes back postive they will have to modify treatment and it will likely change the prognosis some, lowering the odds of survival. But without that test they felt she had a great prognosis, 90%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (thats at 5 years) The need for radiation will be determined after the surgery, dependant on the ability of the surgeon to get a clean removal of the tumors (1 large and 3 small). The Dr doesn't know if there are more than 1 lympnodes involved, but if there were it wouldnt change the approach. She did say that she could only feel 1 inflamed node (that is encouraging).

The treatments will start asap, as soon as Kim can get a port put in. We expect this will be next week. The treatments will be a ~3 hour treatment once every two weeks for a total of 8 treatments. We got a bunch of scripts today to get filled for nausea etc. It was all very overwhelming and I am probably forgetting something. I think Kim will send out another note later tonight, she is resting now, but I wanted to get out a note to all of you asap. Thank you for your prayers, I think that they are playing a HUGE part in this. It was a definate turn upward today (although I do expect some down turns as well). Words cannot express how thankful I am for you all. God has put you all in our lives for a reason. God is AWESOME! Love you guys, please Keep praying!!

Trusting in Him!!,

John

Cancertutor.com - November 8, 2007

Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 10:07 PM

Subject: update

If anyone wants to take a look at cancertutor.com that would be helpful for us. I am not exactly sure what I think of the site, not sure all of the information is correct but if there is something that can easily be done either along side chemo or immediately after chemo I would be intersted in taking a look and talking it over with Kim. I dont want to do anything that would interfere with the chemo. If you can find me something specific that we could do and send me the information and the link I will take a look. This site is just so big I cant get through it all, plus its just depressing. Let me know what you think about the site and if you find any information that might be useful. I dont know if we have enough information yet to really select a treatment though. We think its stage II but it could still be much worse since we dont know if it has moved past the lympnodes.

We were hoping for a call tonight with results from the chest xray but noone called. We did get a call from the breast MRI and they said there were three other smaller tumors in the same breast. The right breast was clean! I am still unclear about the number and degree of lymphnodes. There is at least one with cancer but I am not sure if it is the Sentinal node or an auxilary node or if there are more involved.

I will be in touch after our 11:00 appt tomorrow.

Thanks.

Trusting in Him.

John

MRI Results - November 8, 2007

Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 10:01 PM

Subject: Update

No call from the Dr tonight about the chest scan. I was on my knees again begging for good news and we got no news. I guess no news is good news?? Not sure it works that way in this case. Anyway we did get a call earlier with the results from the breast MRI. There were three other tumors in the same breast. I am a little foggy on the news of the lymphnode, at this point I am still only aware of 1 lympnode having cancer cells, but I am not sure if the MRI would have showed that or not. The right breast was all clear(hey there is some good news!). Please pray for her lungs to be clear and the cells didn't make it past the lymphnodes! The person who called with the MRI recommended a masectomy. We have a 10:00 appt for more blood work tomorrow and then the 11:00 appt with the Medical Oncologist. I think we should have alot more information after that. We will send out an email when we get back.

Kim is absolutely amazing me! What an incredible woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trusting in Him,

John

Things start moving - November 7, 2007

Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:12 AM

Subject: Re: Update

Just a quick update. One of the things we were hoping for is to get this going ASAP. We did get an appt Friday with the Medical Oncologist. Kim is spending today getting some testing done.

Trusting in Him,

John

Meeting with Surgeon - Chemo First November 6, 2007

Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:12 PM

Subject: Update

Hi Everyone!

As you see, there are alot of friends and family I would love to talk to personally, but that would take me forever!

We just got back from our appt with the Surgical Oncologist. He says that the cancer is classified as aggressive (may be Stage III) so he is recommending we don't have surgery, at least for now. He says that the chemo can't wait so he can't risk time for recovery for the surgery. We are scheduled for a chest xray/ mri/ and blood test tomorrow. We are trying to get into see the Medical Oncologist asap, hopefully we will have an appt scheduled by next Monday. The plan could change but it LOOKS like chemo will be first starting fairly soon.

I will keep you all updated after my appointments.

Thank you so much for your prayers, calls, meals, etc. This is all new to us, so right now - talking about it is hard for me, especially not having a plan yet (and you all know how I like my plans!). Im going to do what they tell me to do, when they tell me to do it.

John asked me just now how I was feeling and the word "nothing" came to mind. I just want to get started! The more we know, the more I will be able to ask for help - Im so blessed to have you all in my life willing and able to help us.

Love you all

Kim

Positive Biopsy Results - November 2, 2007

Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 5:43 PM

Subject: Re: Prayer Request

Not good news. Come on guys! Kick it up a bit! I am sure a note will follow from Kim with details but we really need some prayers. Of course I desire Gods will, or at least the ability to accept it. See you all soon.

Love,

John

Day of Discovery

Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:13 PM

Subject: Prayer Request

Family and Friends

I haven't quite put my mind around this, but wanted to let you all know - I just got back from having a diagnostic mammogram and the doctor found a lump in my breast. She is pretty sure that it is a malignant tumor. I had a biopsy done and the results will be to me tomorrow late afternoon. Either way, she would like it removed because she "doesn't trust the looks of it."

I have called to make an appointment for my surgery - which I don't have a date for yet.

I haven't shared this with anyone else but you guys - (Scott - yes, I told mom - we know how that would have gone if I waited :)). I have seen the power of prayer and with you guys on my side - we are ALL good!

Love you all and will keep you all updated.

God Bless

Kim