If you did not have a chance to check the progress page last week please see the update that immediately follows this one. It's dated Wednesday, 05 October. There you can read about the 3-Day walk benefiting the Susan G Komen foundation and see a picture of Karen (left) and Misty (right). Your prayers and generosity are making a difference in the lives of many people!

Today, 13 October, Karen began her one week off from Xeloda (chemotherapy). She also had her 7th infusion of Herceptin . The infusion went smoothly. The most dangerous known side effect of Herceptin is development of certain heart problems, including congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram's are used to examine the heart. Karen had an "echo" last week and we learned today that the test indicated her heart was doing fine.

The improvement in Karen's tumor markers continues! She has dropped from 146 to 106 in two weeks! From 2,999 on 06 June to 106!! I know I repeat the original numbers in every update but given Karen's prognosis these number are miraculous. I can't help myself. Even as I write the numbers down at the doctors office I am overcome with what God is doing in our lives. God has no boundaries!

The blood work that is taken with each visit to the doctor revealed Karen's ammonia levels are back up and her platelets are down. This is the opposite of what is needed. She is scheduled for another blood draw and associated testing next week. Please pray this week will see her ammonia levels drop and platelet counts improve significantly. Also pray for improved energy to enjoy this week off from chemo.

We have been cautioned that while Karen's improvement is "remarkable" (doctors own words), the stage at which her cancer was found gives her about a 16 percent chance of being labeled a survivor. Generally, to be called a survivor a cancer patient must be cancer free 5 years or more. Karen has a quick reply to that thought, "If I'm not surviving cancer at this very moment (less than 5 months after diagnosis) what do you call it?" Our hope is not in man! God, not cancer, decides when Karen's time on earth is finished! Clearly, He hasn't finished the work He began in her.

That's all the update for this week. Thank you for checking on Karen's progress.