It has been over two years since I have written on this blog. So much has happened in these past years. As of June 2010 when I had my last scan, some of the tumors have not changed in two years which means that they concider them benign and the other tumors have shrunk by 50%. What an awesome God we server. I will be having another scan sometime before the end of the year. Because I feel so good I can't amagine there will be any surprizes.
I want to change this blog into my craft blog. I have been working on scrapbooking, card making, iris folding, teaching classes and designing at Lila's Scrapbooking & More located in South Everett. I would like to start posting my work so that others can see. I want to start designing SCAL files to share with others also.
It may take me a little bit to get this up and running but keep checking back and hopefully you will see what I am working on.
Love you all,
Karen
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Praise the Lord! Treatment is working!
I had my first treatment on July 7th. I had a severe reaction in the form of allergies for 4-weeks. So when I went in for my second treatment on July 29th I was not able to get it because Dr. Thompson was afraid I would go into Anaphylactic shock. At that time the tumors were getting smaller so we knew the treatment was doing what it was supposed to do. Then after the allergies started clearing up my arthritis flared up. I had my CMC joints repaired many years ago and it was very successful, without any pain in both my thumbs. Well, that is where the arthritis flare-up hit most. My shoulders and elbows are giving me some problems put not as bad as my thumbs. I have increased my Fish Oil, Celebrex and Glucosamine Sulfate. I have braces on my hands to also relieve some pain. This is helping a lot. The doctor felt it was okay to skip this treatment because the tumors were getting smaller and I have had no new ones since that first treatment. We don’t repeat any treatments once they have been skipped. The doctor also said that some people only need one treatment to get results. This treatment boosts the immune system so that my own body fights off the tumors. It is not like chemo where it kills the good and bad cells.
I went to have my third treatment this last Tuesday, August 19th and again was not able to get it. This time it was because of having shortness of breath and total exhaustion when exerting myself. Again, the tumors are disappearing and I have no new ones. I have an appointment for a Pulmonary Function Test scheduled for August 28th and if that is okay I will be scheduled for a stress test. My next treatment is scheduled for September 9th. All I can say is Praise the Lord! He is so good. What a blessing this treatment has been. It is sure easier to put up with the side affects knowing that the treatment is doing what it is supposed to do. To see the tumors disappearing is an awesome sight.
I have done a lot of reading during these last six weeks. I have been reading Joel Rosenberg’s fiction series. The fifth book isn’t out in paperback yet so I will wait to finish that series. I just started ready a fiction by William Young called “The Shack”. It came highly recommended. It is an easy read put very thought provoking. I usually don’t like fiction but I these have been very enjoyable reads.
I had a nice surprise in the mail today. There was a nice “Big” bag of M&M’s. Thank you, Karina, for keeping my diet colorful. I had a good laugh while opening the package. Ken kept the secret. You guys like to keep secrets from me but they have all been good secrets.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. What a blessing you all are to me. I will keep you posted as to what happens next.
Love you all,
Karen
I went to have my third treatment this last Tuesday, August 19th and again was not able to get it. This time it was because of having shortness of breath and total exhaustion when exerting myself. Again, the tumors are disappearing and I have no new ones. I have an appointment for a Pulmonary Function Test scheduled for August 28th and if that is okay I will be scheduled for a stress test. My next treatment is scheduled for September 9th. All I can say is Praise the Lord! He is so good. What a blessing this treatment has been. It is sure easier to put up with the side affects knowing that the treatment is doing what it is supposed to do. To see the tumors disappearing is an awesome sight.
I have done a lot of reading during these last six weeks. I have been reading Joel Rosenberg’s fiction series. The fifth book isn’t out in paperback yet so I will wait to finish that series. I just started ready a fiction by William Young called “The Shack”. It came highly recommended. It is an easy read put very thought provoking. I usually don’t like fiction but I these have been very enjoyable reads.
I had a nice surprise in the mail today. There was a nice “Big” bag of M&M’s. Thank you, Karina, for keeping my diet colorful. I had a good laugh while opening the package. Ken kept the secret. You guys like to keep secrets from me but they have all been good secrets.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. What a blessing you all are to me. I will keep you posted as to what happens next.
Love you all,
Karen
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A Little Humor!
Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical.
My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot. My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated and it would solve my physical problems. He said just think in colors...fill your plate with bright colors... greens, yellows, reds, etc.
My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot. My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated and it would solve my physical problems. He said just think in colors...fill your plate with bright colors... greens, yellows, reds, etc.
I went right home and ate an entire bowl of:
And sure enough, I felt better immediately. I never knew eating right could be so easy.
I am addicted to chocolate and if it comes in the form of M&M's I'm in heaven.
Enjoy!
~~Karen
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hi All,
I have made it through the first week of treatment. Monday Ken took me in for my first infusion at SCCA. We had to be there early because they had forgotten to do a pregnancy test on my urine sample on Wednesday. They just wouldn’t take my word for it. They had to have it in writing. Wouldn’t I have been surprised?
I got to the infusion floor early so Ken & I played some cards (Black Queen) and he beat the socks off me. They finally called my name and room number so off we went. It is not a big room with a lot of chairs; I had my own room with a curtain across the entrance. There were also rooms with sliding glass doors. Everyone gets their own room. It took about 90-minutes for the infusion. Because I was there during lunchtime I got a (hopefully) free lunch. It just might show up on a bill. The only side affect I had was a headache. We headed home in rush hour traffic but got to use the carpool lane.
The next morning I woke up with my eyes watering and itchy. I don’t know if that was a side affect of the treatment or allergies. I have been tired and have had the backdoor trots but really am feeling much better then I thought I would. Praise the Lord!
My next appointment will be July 29th. I will have blood drawn and see the doctor before the infusion.
I have made it through the first week of treatment. Monday Ken took me in for my first infusion at SCCA. We had to be there early because they had forgotten to do a pregnancy test on my urine sample on Wednesday. They just wouldn’t take my word for it. They had to have it in writing. Wouldn’t I have been surprised?
I got to the infusion floor early so Ken & I played some cards (Black Queen) and he beat the socks off me. They finally called my name and room number so off we went. It is not a big room with a lot of chairs; I had my own room with a curtain across the entrance. There were also rooms with sliding glass doors. Everyone gets their own room. It took about 90-minutes for the infusion. Because I was there during lunchtime I got a (hopefully) free lunch. It just might show up on a bill. The only side affect I had was a headache. We headed home in rush hour traffic but got to use the carpool lane.
The next morning I woke up with my eyes watering and itchy. I don’t know if that was a side affect of the treatment or allergies. I have been tired and have had the backdoor trots but really am feeling much better then I thought I would. Praise the Lord!
My next appointment will be July 29th. I will have blood drawn and see the doctor before the infusion.
I want to share this You Tube clip with you. Kaydee sent it to me this morning. I just love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA .
You may have to cut and past it in your internet server but I am hoping that all you have to do is hold down the “Ctrl” key and click on this link. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I will continue to keep you all posted on my treatment and progress.
Thank you for your prayers.
Love you all,
Karen
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Date for Treatment to Begin
Hi All,
I was at SCCA all day on Monday having tests done. It was a very long day. I sure wasn’t feeling well after all the stuff I had to drink and the stuff they put in me through an IV. I slept until noon the next day. I’m feeling better now.
I got a call from Dr. Thompson’s office yesterday and I will start the new treatment on Wednesday, July 2nd. I will start the day at 8:30 AM with a blood draw. At 9:30 I will see Dr. Thompson and at 11:00 I will start the infusion. I will receive one 90-minute infusion every 3-weeks for 24-weeks. If I respond well to the treatment I will then go into a Maintenance Phase where I will see my doctor ever 6-weeks for 24-weeks. At 24-weeks I will receive one 90-minute infusion and then every 12-weeks after that.
At any time the treatment can be stopped if there is no sign of the tumors shrinking or I am still getting more tumors. This means the treatment is not helping and there is no reason to continue it.
Please pray for wisdom of the doctor and that the treatment will do what it is supposed to do.
God’s timing is perfect timing. I know that I am in His hands and that His “grace is sufficient for me, for power is perfected in weakness”.
Love you all,
Karen
I was at SCCA all day on Monday having tests done. It was a very long day. I sure wasn’t feeling well after all the stuff I had to drink and the stuff they put in me through an IV. I slept until noon the next day. I’m feeling better now.
I got a call from Dr. Thompson’s office yesterday and I will start the new treatment on Wednesday, July 2nd. I will start the day at 8:30 AM with a blood draw. At 9:30 I will see Dr. Thompson and at 11:00 I will start the infusion. I will receive one 90-minute infusion every 3-weeks for 24-weeks. If I respond well to the treatment I will then go into a Maintenance Phase where I will see my doctor ever 6-weeks for 24-weeks. At 24-weeks I will receive one 90-minute infusion and then every 12-weeks after that.
At any time the treatment can be stopped if there is no sign of the tumors shrinking or I am still getting more tumors. This means the treatment is not helping and there is no reason to continue it.
Please pray for wisdom of the doctor and that the treatment will do what it is supposed to do.
God’s timing is perfect timing. I know that I am in His hands and that His “grace is sufficient for me, for power is perfected in weakness”.
Love you all,
Karen
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