Today, 01 December, was a day of much change in Karen’s medical treatment plan. In light of Karen’s improvement and issues with Chemo, her doctor has suspended chemotherapy. It is hoped that the cancer will stabilize or go on shrinking as she will continue receiving Herceptin. The doctor will continue to monitor her tumor makers, liver function and remaining tumors for changes. If the cancer show signs of growth Karen will restart the Xeloda.

The Lovenox shots she gave herself daily have been replaced with Coumadin effective immediately. Lovenox works well with the chemo Karen was on and didn’t require all the testing and dosage changes that Coumadin would have made necessary. But Lovenox requires a shot and Coumadin comes in a pill. Karen is really, really tired of giving herself a shot everyday so the Coumadin is a very welcome change. Also, since she is being placed on a low dose of Coumadin (2 milligrams daily) as a preventive measure, it will not require the usual series of blood test to monitor dosing.

The plan now is for regular monitoring of blood and other tests for cancer growth. Herceptin will be given by infusion every three weeks and Zometa by infusion every four weeks. She will take Coumadin daily along with diuretics, potassium, iron, Protonix and Coregard.

Karen is far from cancer free, and barring a miracle will never be cancer free here on earth. The basic hope of her doctor is that the regimen she is beginning will maintain the progress that has been made over the past six months. Now that the medication has been reduced to a “maintenance” level there is an even greater opportunity for God to show His ability to heal. Please continue to pray for complete healing. According to some doctor’s Karen isn’t supposed to be here right now. God has brought her so far beyond man’s ability to understand! Nothing is impossible with God!