Tonight we get the second round of chemo.  Not looking forward to it, but everything has gone well so far.  I am hoping for a good nite.  I am pretty tired from the day so surely I will sleep through most of it.  Wish me luck… One thing for sure, if the chemo keeps me awake, I start praying pretty hard.  That’s the good thing.  Love you all.  Karen

Hi everyone,

We took Leila’s advice and asked for a day pass to leave the hospital for the day.  It was wonderful.  Don had some work to do (computer stuff) so he had to meet up with us later.  Mom and Dad and I went to a western boot store, and then met Don at the Oaks Mall.  We got a bite to eat and enjoyed some walking around.  I’m exhausted but it was great to leave the hospital.  I have been feeling pretty good.  I have not been nauseous, just a little tired.  I’m having some discomfort in my upper lung area on the right just under my central line but all here are aware.  It’s probably just muscular since Don and I shared this twin sized futon last night. 

I really enjoy going over to the clinic side in the mornings down on the 7th floor.  I have met some really great people and we sit and visit on the couches and chairs while they wait on their blood work or tests or whatever.  Its a great time to share and motivate each other to keep up the good fight.  Alot of them have already been through the bone marrow transplant and are outpatient.  It’s rewarding to see the people that are doing so good.  Don and I also go and visit the 7th floor  patients there too.  My friend Natalie is doing really good now, but she had a ruff go for a while there.  I’ve spent alot of time praying for them as I know they do for me. 

love you guys,karen

Hi everyone,  We are in room 8218, on the eighth floor.  We will only be in the hospital for 6 days this time.   I’m pretty sure the preliminary results of my Monday Bone marrow biopsy, shows clean marrow.  only 1-2 % blasts which is considered normal.  This is what we have been told, but need to hear it confirmed from the Doc.  I am so glad this time should be shorter and easier to get through.  We shall see…

I had such a wonderful time in panama city this past week.  The time I spent there, totally restored my hope.  I was able to regain my strength.  I spent so much time with my boys.  We worked out in the sunshine at my barn on Saturday, picking up pine cones and playing catch up.  We also attended a very nice church service with Mom and Dad and Laura on Sunday morning.  I am looking forward to my children coming to see me over the thanksgiving break.    Also Lisa and Chris and Lori and Buffy!!  I would love a visit! 

I want to thank everyone for the gifts, cards, prayers, comments,  phone calls and emails.  All my work friends, horsey friends, friend friends, and Dons’ friends.  Also all my family!  You all give me so much hope!  I am finally starting to just sit back and go with the flow instead of worrying about everything.  It is very hard to just let go and let God do his work.  I feel I have no real control over my life.  I guess none of us really do…but I literally, cannot plan anything.  My future is on hold for now…  I was telling Don today, it’s funny because  I was always the big talker out of the two of us, and now he talks more than I do.  It’s very different to not work, not have any hobbies, and nothing really new going on.  Each day starts running into the next.  That’s why this blog is so important to me.  Knowing you are out there helps me to know I am still here…crazy huh?  I love you guys.  thanks for all the support.

Hi everyone,  as Don said, we are going back to Gainsville.  Monday morning I will have another Bone Marrow biopsy.  Results take a few days.  This will prove that I am really in remission!  Either way, I must start another round of chemo on Wednesday.  This stage is called consolidation.  Induction phase is first, which we just completed.  Then you have Consolidation.  You don’t have to get quite as much chemo, only 12 hours worth, every other day, times 3 doses (5 days).  They let you out of the hospital on day 6 if all goes well.    Sometimes you have as many as 4 separate Consolidations before you get your bone marrow transplant.  We hope we will have a transplant “match” soon, so we may only have to get 1 or 2 Consolidations.  We hope this will get us done quicker.  Sometimes you have to sacrifice big now (missed birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas), in order to gain later.  We will do whatever it takes.  I am picturing me and my family hanging out at the pools at Shipwreck Island this summer.  OH, that would be sooooo great.

We will have to stay in Gainsville during Thanksgiving because I have to be there for the research meds, and special tests on day 8 and 10.  Thanksgiving is right in the middle on day 9.  I hate to leave right now because I am just starting to feel better, and I don’t want to leave my kids again so soon.  The Doctors seem to think it is important not to waste anytime between treatments.  They tell us that the consolidation will be alot easier than what I’ve had so far.  They say my blood counts will recover quicker and that I shouldn’t feel as bad for as long.  It is all very scary for me but I am trying to have faith.  We will be staying in Mom and Dad’s Camper trailer until we feel it is safe to come home.  I may need more blood transfusions or platelets or IV antibiotics, etc.   It is an uncharted course.  My precious older children, Heather and Randy, will be home for Thanksgiving so I have to figure out how to get to see them.  Randy has been gone at Harding University since August.  Heather is in Tallahassee at FAMU, so it is easier for her to get home.  I miss them both. 

Keep praying, I am so thankful for all you, love Karen

Hi everyone

 I got to go to my son’s flag raising ceremony at his school today.  I wore my wig and mask (felt like Micheal Jackson he he).  Even though I am pretty much okay, right now, I just don’t want to take any chances in public places.  Dylan seemed proud to have me there.  He got to meet with a state, federal, and school board representative, and also got to ask them some questions  at a special forum.  There were only 6 children, all 5th graders, selected to do this so it was very special for him.  I am very proud.  Dylan’s dad, picked us up, and made sure we got there on time and everything.  Thanks Dennis

We have had such a great time.  Dylan and I have been putting together puzzles of dinosaurs, and Mom and Dad have been coming to visit daily.  Laura and Kody came over and we all sang karaoke again.  Laura can really sing so that makes it nice.  Dylan is good too, and they both know a lot of songs.  Eventually, kody who needed a nap, was trying to shoot his mother with a nerf air gun…this made for some interesting recordings..lol.  I also am very proud of myself because I actually made a nice dinner for my family.  See these are the things we take for granted.  I did not (for a change) feel like the kitchen slave, but a mom…tears again…. I loved it.  They all ate well and no one complained. 

My children prefer me in a wig or hat as opposed to “ala natural”, which I think is funny.  I can just show Jacob the edge of my bald head and have him cringing.  What’s the big deal, there Daddy has been balding for years.  Sure he has more hair than I do but still… 🙂  Dylan actually enjoys rubbing my head, but then he wants the hat back on.

We’ve had plenty of catching up to do.  We spent hours searching for a lost telephone. Jacob finally found it in the couch.  Now Jacob’s cell is lost, so the search continues.  Poor Don has had massive loads of laundry and cleaning to do while also going to work daily.  I tried to get most of the unpacking done, but wow what a chore.  It could take a while to dig out from under all the paperwork necessary to complete this process.

Mom and Dad are taking me to Gainesville this afternoon at 4 pm.  I have a 9 am apmnt for a blood draw and visit with the Doctor.  Then back home.  We will soon have the plan for the next go.  I really hope they give me a little more time to get my strength back.  I am not ready to leave again for anything long term.  Pray for my strength to proceed.

I love you all,  and you and your comments are making a huge impact in my life.  I never knew I had so many friends and people who care… it feels good.  Thanks to everyone for all your help in this, love karen

Guys, you are all so great!  I am so happy!!!!   For some reason all I can do I cry.  I have my beautiful boys at my sides, and my parents have stayed with me during the day.  Don was able to go to work today, and mom and dad carted me all over town taking care of loose ends.  I wish I could see all of you, and you have all lifted my spirits so much.  Please keep up the contact!  Please know how happy I am to have my babies with me.  wow!   Talk about priorities.   I don’t want to be anywhere but where they are!!!!!!!!!  We have made some wonderful karaoke songs on free Internet, including a duet of Dylan and I we put on facebook.  I think it is on Don’s page, but all his friends can see it, so if you are interested and can’t find it, ask him.  I’m pretty much a computer dummy.  If it’s broken I have to wait for him.  uh oh, I’m missing Wii Beatles rock band.  I’m one of the lead guitarists, and sometimes, one of the worst singers possible.  I love this.  Praise God for time off from Chemo and Bone marrow biopsies!!  I love you all!  Thanks for all the happiness, prayers, and encouragement.  keep it up.  pray for my strength. no more tears, love Karen

My white cell counts are improving everyday.  I have slight moments where I actually feel like myself.  Mostly though I still have that hot cold thing going.  I will of course still need a mask but I may be 100 % by Thursday when they check my blood again.  (Well they check it every day in here, I’m talking when we come back)

I actually left the floor today(7th floor of this building).  I have been too scared before, but I was feeling pretty good so Don took me for a walk  off the floor.  We went to the 3rd floor and walked through the cafe.  We went outside which was the very first time for me since coming in here.  I felt the breeze and the sunshine.  I took off both my sweaters and my hat and we sat on that bench.  I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the things I used to take  for granted.  It was wonderful for me.  This bench overlooks a pretty Pond they call “Garden of Hope”.  It is really pretty.  We then went down to the first floor and explored that area.  I even managed one flight of stairs coming up before getting on  the elevator to come back to the room.  We are still doing our laps up here on the floor but nothing beats that fresh air and sunshine.

I love you all,  please keep in touch, love Karen

Hi Everyone,  I love hearing from all of you.   It lets me know I am not alone in this.  Well, I know I’m not alone, but the communication is very helpful.  Dennis, I love the Dylan poems.  He is such an amazing child.  I can’t wait to see him and Jacob when we come home for a few days.  I really hope they let me go tomorrow but chances are better for Monday.  We shall see.  Don will come home on Sunday most likely for work purposes and Mom and Dad will bring me home Monday if I don’t get released Sunday.  We are all hoping for the best.  I miss my home so much…my kids, my pets, my home.  My nice hot bathtub.   I need a few days at home.  We have to be back here for blood work on Thursday.  Then maybe back home again.  They have the plan, and its all based on test results, which makes it very difficult to plan anything.  So there is no plan.  whatever they say, we will do.  Don’t forget to praise our Heavenly Father.  I love you all, Karen

I cried alot today. Don has been very busy today on the computer, so I had to entertain myself without a computer or him.  Mom and Dad were out running errands so they did not get by until 2 pm.  I think I am just really sick of being sick.  Even though I have so much to be happy for…It still gets hard. 

On the bright side, the music people showed up again today and we had a nice little sing along.  We sang Don’s favorite “Rainbow Connection” from the Kermit the frog Movie, “Amazing Grace”, “Hallelujah” from the Shrek movie, “Somewhere out there” from an American tale, and some other more folky type songs.

Don has been tremendous through all of this.  He is so attentive and hardly leaves my side.  I am so thankful and blessed to have him.  I would like to thank  the folks at Don’s work who have allowed him to stay here with me.  I am so much stronger knowing he is with me, and don’t think I could do it with out him.  I know that God would make a way, but I need my Don.  We have become so much stronger as a couple through this. I love all you guys, and am so thankful for the prayers and comments.  Keep it coming… Praise and thanks to God.