Monday, November 1, 2010
2nd grade Jungle News: Weekly Update!!
2nd grade Jungle News: Weekly Update!!: "Here are this week's spelling words if your child would like to post their homework. Have a great weekend!!splash squish twist split sque..."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
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
Thursday, October 2, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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
Saturday, June 28, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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
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
Monday, June 23, 2008
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
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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
Saturday, June 21, 2008
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
Trusting in Him
John
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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
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
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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
Monday, March 31, 2008
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
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
Saturday, March 29, 2008
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
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
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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
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
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