More Good News!!

Hello Everyone!

Well, we have more good news! I had a mammogram last Friday, and everything was clear! Yeah! Then, I had a full body CT scan on Monday, and that was also all clear! Yeah!! I had 2 appointments yesterday (Wednesday). One with Dr. Mercer, the Oncologist. He's a bit concerned because I continue to be anemic, so he gave me a shot of Araesp for my red blood cells, hoping to avoid another blood transfusion. He's a little worried with me starting radiation and being anemic, but they'll keep a close eye on me. Then, I met with Dr. Stoeffel, the Radiation Oncologist. He did his "high-class work" with his Sharpie Marker on my chest and they did a scan and more measurements. I'll have x-rays next Wednesday, and then start radiation on Thursday, the 2nd. 35 treatments - in and out in 15 minutes. It's so wonderful to see a light at the end of this very long tunnel, although I've been much luckier than others. Other than being quite tired all the time, I do feel pretty good.

And, more good news - I have peach fuzz on my head!! Can't see it, but I can feel it!! I wonder if I can't see it because it's all gray! So, Sam has quit shaving his head and so has my brother, Kurt and our friend, Roger. Thanks guys, for your support!!

Just wanted to share some good news with everyone. Keep the prayers coming - we're not out of the woods yet, but we can see the light!

Love,
Karen

What a surprise!!

Hi Everyone!
What a surprise to have a slide show on my blog - thank you Krista!! We had so much fun on Saturday - the pictures are great!!

Met with the Radiation Oncologist today and won't be starting the treatments for another week. He wants me to have another week to heal from the Chemo, since I haven't been feeling well. I go back next week for a "simulation" and will get measured & marked, and hopefully start them on the 30th. 35 treatments - every day, Mon.-Friday. Then I'll be free!!! If I would choose NOT to have radiation there's a 40% chance that the cancer will come back. With the radiation, it's down to a 5% chance. Pretty much a "no-brainer".....It will be closer to Christmas now when I finish, but that's o.k. - as long as I get it done. The side affects aren't bad - pretty much fatigue, which I already have. But, I'm that much closer to being done, so that's what we have to look at!!!

It's cold & rainy here, so everyone stay warm & dry. Have a good week!!

Love,
Karen

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

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It feels like winter!

Hi Everyone,
It feels like winter is fast approaching!! It's in the 40's today, raining & windy - a good day to stay home!

We had such a nice week-end last week-end. Krista and her kids and Stacy came down late Friday night. We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday and had a ball, but it was so cold......The kids each had a pony ride, rode on a little train, jumped in a HUGE pumpkin, fed the goats, saw baby pigs and picked out pumpkins to paint at our house. Have you ever seen a pink pumpkin with gold glitter and a crown? That what Abbie's looks like! They're all so cute and they're sitting on our front steps. We had a great time with all of them.

I'm doing o.k. I have an appointment with the Radiation Oncologist tomorrow (Wed) and a mammogram on Friday, so will probably start radiation real soon. We'll be so glad to have it all over with so the healing can begin.

Take care and have a good week.

Love,
us

HAPPY FALL!!

Hi Everyone!
We hope that you all had a good week-end. It's definately fall - the air is changing and smells so good, but we're supposed to get a freeze the middle of this week, and possible snow flurries. But, but the week-end, it should be in the mid 50's, which is typical and we certainly can't complain.

We had a good week-end. We went to Cedar Rapids on Friday, and saw our beautiful twin GREAT nieces. They are just precious - Kinzie & Kylie. Mom and dad are so proud, and we're so happy for them. They thought that they may get to go home today, which would be wonderful - it all depends on how the babies are nursing.

On Saturday, Jimmie & Judy, some friends that Sam works with came over and Jimmie worked on our computer. I made a pot of chili and we had that with corn bread for lunch....mmm good.

Today, I didn't go to work - hadn't felt quite up to snuff, so I knew that something wasn't right. Called the Dr., and he wanted me to come in for labs. I was retaining fluids, but yet was low. They did lab work, yep, I was anemic - again. So, I got 2 units of blood and lots of lasix, so you'll know where I'll be spending the evening!!!!! TMI!

Stacy, Krista and the kids are coming down this week-end, and we hope the weather is nice enough to take them to a pumpkin patch for a straw bale maze, maybe a hayrack ride, etc. We're anxious to see them, and always glad to have them here.

All for now - take care, and have a good week....

Love,
Karen