Latest Update

Hi to all who have been checking my blog and have found nothing new for a long time.

Well, I have a few minutes to write before Kaydee comes over and we do some running around together.

Here is the latest news:

Tumors started appearing after the first of this year. The treatment that I had in Houston lasted for a couple of months but like I said the tumors are back. I have had quite a few removed in the past several months. I have about eight new tumors right now.

The good news is that there is a new treatment that has been offered to me by Dr. Thompson at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). It has not been approved by the FDA yet but SCCA was able to get a Compassionate Usage Protocol. That means that those with Stage III or IV Melanoma and have not responded to other treatment can be given this drug before it is approved by the FDA. Also, it is paid for I guess by the Drug Company. That is such a praise! We were not sure if the insurance company would pay for it since it is not approved by the FDA yet. Ken was willing to take out money from his retirement fund if need be to pay for it. But GOD had the perfect plan, it is paid for. What an awesome GOD we have. We can plan all we want but his plan is perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’

I am now waiting for a phone call from SCCA to start setting up appointments to get ready for this treatment and then to get started on the treatment. From what I was told last time I talked with Dr. Thompson is that it is a course of four treatments three weeks apart. It is given intravenously so I will probably need to get a port so they don’t have to poke me each time. I had one of those when I was going through the interferon treatment and it was no big deal. I can handle it. So that is what has been going on lately and my summer will be taken up with treatment.

Also, I have been getting ready for American Cancer Society Rely for Life. I have 28-members on my team. My team name is Karen’s Cancer Crushers. This event is going to be held on May 31-June 1 at Cascade High School in Everett. I have been getting donations for this event. My team has made thirteen gift baskets to auction off on the day of the event. I have been going around to restaurants getting gift cards and coupons to add to the baskets to make them more enticing. Come out if you can. Each team will have their own tent with activities, music will be playing, there is a food tent, and all kinds of things going on. You could even walk around the track with us. There is a survivor lap after the Opening Ceremony at 12:00 Noon on May 31st. All survivors can walk this lap. I will be there walking.

You can go to my web page for this relay at www.everettrelay.com and go to TEAMS and find Karen’s Cancer Crushers to make a donation.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you all.

Karen