Hi everyone!
It's a cool, rainy Monday here - a good day to curl up on the couch with a good book and a blanket. I just may do that in a bit!

We're so excited about Kelly, Ron and the kids coming on Friday. Hurrican Ernesto is in Cuba right now and listed as a tropical storm, but if it takes a turn towards the west coast of Florida and increases in speed, they won't be coming......We would sure hate for that to happen, so pray that it disappears over the ocean.

I went to the Dr. this a.m. - supposedly to get more fluid. But, since I haven't been getting rid of the fluid they've been giving me, they decided against more. Good choice. I'm swollen up like a balloon, so they gave me a shot of Lasix. Now, they're concerned about my kidneys.......I had horrible headaches for the past 3 days and still have it, so we're trying a new drug - topamax. So, Dr. Mercer said to take 2 of those and 2 Lortabs and just chill the rest of the day. Needless to say, I didn't go to work.....It seems like it's always something, but we'll just keep plugging away. Another month, and my chemo part will be over, so hopefully my body can heal a bit before the radiation starts......

That's about it for now - thank you all for your support and your prayers - we appreciate everything that is done for us.

Love,
Karen

How AWESOME is my brother!! I love you too!! I haven't seen him with that little amount of hair since grade school, which is a number of year ago!

It's been a tough week at our house, and things like this keep us going. I had another treatment - #4 - !!, so only 2 to go....Yeah!! I'm so dehydrated, I've gotten fluid 3x's this week and the Dr. has me scheduled for every day next week. Blood tests are all good, so that's one plus! He did make me cut way back on my work hours - 2 hours a day, max., but that's o.k. I just don't have the energy for more. I'll probably lose my job, but that's the way it is - they need someone dependable, and that's not me right now.......

Sam went back to work this a.m., bright and early. He's such a blessing - I don't know what I'd do without him. He's so worried about me all the time and when he comes home, still does all the laundry, cooking, mowing, etc. Whatta guy!

We do appreciate all of the support from everyone - it means so much to both of us!

Love,
Karen

This is for you !

This is for my sister - I Love You , Kurt (your brother in Mpls)

Hello Everyone,

It's the middle of August already - where did the summer go! We've had a busy week at our house - Krista, Ken and the kids were in and out this week. We had such a good time with them all, and loved having the kids around. They're constantly on the move - they wore me out just watching them!! Abbie and Drew like to cuddle, and we feel that we really got to bond with them. And Owen, well, he doesn't take much off of anyone! Talk about on the go!! What a cutie!

Evan was with papa in his truck all week, and they had a great time! Evan had work shirts just like papa's, he got to "thump the tires", "crank the dollies" and had his own pair of leather gloves to wear while doing all of this work. Papa marked in his road atlas all the places that they went and gave it to Evan, so Evan was pretty excited about that. Now he can share that with his other grandma & grandpa's. They had a great time. Krista & Ken headed for Eagle Ridge Saturday morning to spend the afternoon with grandma Roberts, then on home from there.

Saturday night, Sam and I drove out to a local camp ground and met up with some friends from Phoenix. We hadn't seen them for several years, so had a good visit. They're headed for North Carolina, then back to Phoenix - quite a trip.

As for me, I'm doing o.k. Very tired all the time, but that's to be expected, I guess. Just keep plugging away - some days are easier than others. Treatment #4 is Thursday, so we're on the downhill slide!! Each treatment gets a bit harder, so I'm glad they're aren't many more!! Everyone has been so good to me/us - we'll never be able to thank all of you, but we do appreciate everything that everyone has done. It means so much to both of us.

Love,
me

Happy Sunday!

Hello Everyone!
I'm baack! Last week was a tough week, but I'm feeling much better - still a little weak, but better. I eneded up getting 3 pints of blood and 3 1/2 liters of I.V. fluid. I guess that would explain why I didn't feel so hot last week-end. I thought it was the chemo treatment the previous Thursday, but I guess not. The Dr. said that this "shouldn't" happen again, so I hope that he's right. It scared us all!! I'll try work tomorrow, I think, and see how that goes.

Krista, Ken and the kids got here Friday evening, and I don't think that our house will ever be the same!! I had forgotten just how lively all those little ones can be. We are enjoying them so much - they're good medicine. The twins just jabber all the time and little Owen isn't far behind them wherever they go. This morning at 6:00 a.m. papa and Evan looked like the Bobsie twins when they left for work - both in their Wal-Mart uniforms. Even will spend the week with papa in the truck, so I'm sure that they'll both come back with lots of stories. Good medicine for papa too! Ken has a medical convention in Chicago this week, so he, Krista and the kids left this a.m. and Krista and the kids are staying up there until Wed. a.m. Then they'll come back here for more grandma time. I think their plans are to head back to MN. in the afternoon on Saturday. A busy week for everyone, but what a fun week!!

That's about all for now - just wanted to update everyone! Thanks again for all the support & prayers that you're sending our way!

Love,
Karen

All News Was GOOD NEWS

Weds. Update

Hello Everybody,
I thought that I would put another update on Mom here for her. She went in this AM and they checked her hemoglobin and it went from 7.7 to 11(15 is normal.) Even though she is still anemic it is much improved. She did get another unit of blood today and a liter of fluid. She will see the Dr. in the AM and hopefully he will be happy with the results she gets from the blood. She is feeling much better and doesn't have to rest when she walks.
I must apoligize for getting this on this late but I was putting up a ceiling fan in our kitchen so with the power off didn't see the note form Mom until now.
Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, emails, and continued support and I know there are many of you who check the blog and don't leave a note and we appreciate all of you!!
Love,
Krista

Tuesday Update From Krista

Hello,
I spoke with Dad about noon today and he said that Mom's anemia is bad enough today that she will have two blood transfusions and a liter of fluid. They wanted to give her three but the day is too short and she will get it tomorrow with another liter of fluid. The blood transfusions they give now are so safe, they have many tests before they are given. Mom will just need the patience to endure the sitting she has to do while the blood is transfused. They are hoping that this will bring up the hemoglobin, thus helping here fatigue and shortness of breath.
I will update if I hear any new news. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Krista