Thursday, June 8th

There were no doctor appointments this week, although we did receive the results of the tumor marker tests. The bad news is they have continued to rise. The levels increased from 275 to 292. The good news is the rise in levels isn’t as much as with the last test. Generally speaking, in Karen’s case when the marker rises cancer is actively growing.

At this time Karen is taking Tamoxifen in an attempt to stop the cancers growth. About three weeks after starting this drug she began experiencing a rash. She stopped taking the medication and the rash cleared up for the most part. She began taking Tamoxifen a week ago to make sure it was the drug causing the reaction. As of this update she has some spots of the rash again but they are small and not as irritating as last time so she plans to continue with the Tamoxifen to see if it is indeed causing the rash.

Please pray for wisdom and peace. If the Tamoxifen doesn’t work, her doctor will most likely recommend chemotherapy again. We would like to avoid this as it’s very devastating to Karen’s overall health. True, it is effective in destroying the cancer but it takes many healthy body systems down with it. It’s a difficult decision to make especially when you feel good. Please continue to pray with us for complete healing and a long life here on earth for Karen. My specific prayer in addition to that is for our children to have the influence of their mother as they grow up.

It’s overwhelming to think too far into the future and really we shouldn’t anyway because things don’t always work out like we think they will. One of the many thoughts that keep me going through the more challenging subjects of this life is that even though I don’t know what the future holds for my family, I know Who holds the future. It is my family’s prayer that you share in that same comfort.

Because of ...

One my families favorite movies is “It’s a wonderful life”. If you’ve seen the movie you know Jimmy Stewart’s character becomes increasingly dismayed because his life isn’t turning out like he planned. The movie ends with the character realizing he does have a wonderful life.

The life each on of us has been given is a gift. This week my family had the pleasure of having members of our extended family from Delta, our church and community come celebrate life with us. You can see some of the pictures taken in the update posted before this one (07June). Thank you Misty!

The “Celebration of Life” gathering as we called it was more than a time to reflect on Karen’s health. It was to celebrate all life. Life can be hard. Illness, accidents, maliciousness of others, even just living long enough can make life difficult in that we find our bodies don’t quite work the way the used to when we were younger. The list of challenges, struggles and sorrows goes on and on.

Even still life should be celebrated, at every stage, at every age, in every shape, in every color, in every land, life is a gift. Sometimes like the character in the movie (It’s a wonderful life) we just need to be reminded of all the good that is in our lives that can be clouded out by the difficulties we all face. Because of cancer, my family is continually reminded to give at least equal time to all the goodness that occurs in our lives.

We hope you take time to reflect on your life today.

Until next week …