Weekend Update

Thank you everyone for continuing to "check-in" with me via the blog. Each comment is such an encouragement to me! I know that many people are checking in and not leaving comments too. Sorry we haven't updated in a few days. Life is busy here and I am taking up a lot of everyone's time!

I continue to get stronger each day. Wednesday I could only get to the bathroom and needed a rest again. Thursday Charles helped me walk outside about 20 ft to see my flower beds and then I was back inside for a rest. Friday my walk took me all the way to the back patio for a 15 min rest and then back to my "chair", and on Saturday I was strong enough to walk down to the pool and sit for a whole HOUR at least before coming back into the house. I still tire easily and need about a 2 hour nap each day. This is all a big change for me - I am not used to sitting still and letting others do everything but I am trying very hard to allow God to heal me in His time and be at peace with this phase of my recovery.

The kids are happy to have me home. My sister Lauren returned to Colorado yesterday. She was a HUGE help this week with the children - keeping them happy and busy. Her being here allowed Charles the freedom to come to the hospital when he could, instead of only when someone could watch the children, and to stay later at night with me there, as well as to start getting back into his work which has had to be somewhat neglected the last 2 weeks.

Some of our normal routines provide security for the kids and we are hopeful to get back to normal bedtimes and some of the structure that they are used to. Saturday was a normal "cut the grass, vacuum, clean the bathrooms" day and the kids were happy to help catch up on such chores that they are used to doing. We left lots of time for them to relax afterwards, don't worry!

My mom and dad have been a huge help too, my dad finding chores to do around our house while my mom waits on me hand and foot. I hope soon I will be able to be "left alone" once in a while although the pampering has been much appreciated.

Wanted to clarify the surgery a bit - some folks have asked. The kidney tumor, although very large, was totally encapsulated inside the kidney. My adrenal gland was removed because it is attached to the kidney but it was unaffected. The tumor was pressing on my liver but the liver was clean. And my gall bladder was a bonus! No cancer there either but I had a stone in it and the surgeons decided it was best to take it out rather than deal with gall bladder problems later on. All lymph nodes in the kidney area were negative.

I had my 9th rib removed for the lung surgery but it was not affected by the cancer. It has been the SORE though! Either all or a portion of the right lower lobe of my lung was removed (not quite clear on that). The metastatic tumor was embedded in this section and all margins removed were clear. Lymph nodes in the area of this small lung tumor were clear also but of course this was renal cell carcinoma so it was a spread from the kidney, likely via the bloodstream.

So, the surgery went as well as it possibly could have, and they "probably" got all the cancer out of me, BUT there is of course a nagging worry that perhaps something microscopic remains, So, our prayer is for ALL the cells to be GONE, every trace. I will meet with various doctors in 2-3 weeks and get more of a handle on further treatment options.

Meanwhile, please continue to pray for my surgery recouperation, for my children and their emotional well-being (Evan has asked some tough questions about whether the cancer could kill me - he is the deep one of the bunch - a few of the others "stuff" their worries which of course is not so good either). Please pray for Charles who has so much on his plate, plus has to continue to provide for us - it's "flag" season and our store is busy yet he has had to let a lot go the last 2 weeks. Our employees have been wonderful through this. We are so grateful for their loyalty. Even Charles' sister came back to us to fill in a bit after working for us a few years ago, which was a huge help. We also have this nagging lawsuit insurance problem from Charles' truck accident two years ago which still is hanging over us - some of you know about this - please continue to pray for a resolution for that too!

Thank you ALL so much for your continued prayer and help. We need it!

Love,
Karen