Karen went to see her oncologist yesterday, 7 July. There she received her monthly dose of a drug given to counteract damage done by the cancer in her bones. It is given by infusion and Karen's newly placed port was used to deliver the medication. The placement of the port (5 July) went smoothly and aside from a longer recovery from the medication given to make her comfortable during the surgery Karen has experienced no ill side affects. Due to the condition of her liver any drug she is given will stay in her body longer than in a person of her size with a healthy liver.

As for her chemotherapy, it has been stopped until her mouth heals. Her mouth has been extremely sore and tender making it difficult to eat, brush her teeth, etc. Also food has no taste which makes eating a bore and the pain makes it a chore. Please pray for quick healing of her mouth. Research has shown that 40% of all deaths in cancer patients was actually due to malnutrition first, not the cancer. Once her mouth has made a recovery, hopefully in the next week or two, she will begin a reduced dose of the chemotherapy drug Xeloda. This is the same drug she has been taking for the past few weeks. They are simply reducing the dose in hopes it will have less impact on her mouth, hands and feet.

Our journey and battle with this disease continues. We'd like everyone to know how much your prayers, meals, care for our children, cards, calls, financial gifts and other offers to help have blessed us. With God none of us are alone; however it's nice to look from the fog of war with Karen's illness and see all of you standing there too.

We have three more appointments scheduled for next Wednesday, 13July. I will attempt another update on Monday, 11July. Between now and then please continue with us in prayer asking for healing, mercy, patience and grace.