5 October

We went to see the oncologist today. While there Karen had the usual blood test and infusion number 23 of Herceptin. The mass in the breast remains about the same as the last measurement, maybe slightly smaller while her liver is larger than last measurement. Due to low red blood cell count of 9.7 (at 8 they start transfusions), she had 2 shots of Aranesp which left her arm very sore. Outside of that discomfort the visit went smoothly.

At this point, the plan is to continue to closely monitor the tumor maker and if it continues to increase the doctor will recommend a scan to determine the cancers growth and extent (where it is in the body) and will recommend she start chemotherapy again. We are asking in prayer for her tumor marker to drop, for the cancerous cells in her body be identified and destroyed by the immune system. We are extremely thankful for the overall good health and energy she has been enjoying. To change a popular saying a bit, “When momma don’t feel good, we don’t feel good”. So I should say all of us have been enjoying her feeling healthy.

In closing, I ask in addition to praying for Karen, please pray for a young lady by the name of Katie, she and her husband have been trying for some time to have children and learned she was pregnant about 12 weeks ago. Recently she's had concerns about changes in her body and went to have testing to see what was going on. That was just two weeks ago and with most of the testing complete the doctors are fairly certain she has pancreatic cancer that has spread to other areas of her body. The prognosis is extremely poor.

Two weeks, from elation and joy with the expectation of bringing a new life into their family to now being hospitalized struggling for health. Please pray for mercy, healing, wisdom and peace in the midst of this terrible storm that Katie and her family are going through.

Take time today, even as soon as finish reading this, to let people in your life know you care. Call your mother if you can or some other family member or friend that you’ve been meaning to call or visit, settle the long dispute over you can’t remember what with your sister, play a board game with your children, because life can and does change in an instant.

Until next week…