Thankful!

Dear Friends

I apologize - I just discovered that I never updated the blog after April 2012!

My recovery after the partial nephrectomy in March 2012 continued to go well, and my remaining 90% of only one kidney is serving me just fine! Thankful for Dr Uzzo's expertise, the insurance to pay for the care that I needed, for a great recovery, and relatively great health even after this second bout of kidney cancer. This time it was stage I, not a mets from the first cancer, and was considered highly curable. My kidneys just seem to want to make cancer. No one knows why. Chances are good for no further recurrences in that kidney. I needed no chemo afterward at all.

Recurrence from the first cancer in 2007 is still the higher risk, and so I continue with regular follow-up scans and checkups. Scans in July 2012 were all clear, which was sort of expected since it was so soon after the surgery. The five spots on my lungs remained, basically unchanged. A nagging slight worry in the back of my mind, but the more time that passes with those lung spots staying very small, the more I am able to set them aside in the "worrying won't help" category. Usually.

Since surgery I've kept quiet busy as usual, with my many kids, the business and LIFE. Biggest highlight was the birth and INCREDIBLE BLESSING of our first grandchild, Eliana Ruth Mitchell, born to our oldest daughter Kristen and her husband Timothy, on October 21st. They live right nearby and it has been a JOY to see her frequently and cuddle her sweetness often. Her smiles are so precious and I am so grateful for her. Gotta admit, having a grandbaby was on my "bucket list" and it is more wonderful than I imagined. THANKFUL. So thankful! My name is "Grammymom", or "Grammy" for short, and yes, it's a little bit different as grandma names go, but I picked it! Charles is Grandad. With ONE D. He picked that too. :-) We'll see if Eliana keeps those names for us when she starts talking or makes up her own variation. :-)

Ok, so now it's January 2103, another six months have passed and it's scan week again. I always dread it a bit. This time it was a little easier as I was flown to Denver, CO, the prior two weeks to be "Auntie Nanny" to my 2 1/2 year old niece Calliope for my sister Lauren and hubby Greg while they enjoyed a tropical vacation in Costa Rica. Calliope and I had a GREAT time and it was a wonderful adventure and change of pace for me. I got to see the sights in and around Denver, play a LOT of pretending games, and read a LOT of library books to my adorable genius niece.

I came home from Colorado to the scheduled labs and scans and oncology appts and the news is good once again! I am SO THANKFUL. Saw my oncologist at Penn today and she confirmed that the MRIs of abdomen and pelvis are both all clear. The CT scan of chest still shows those five lung spots and although they might be SLIGHTLY larger, she is not concerned. We are talking 4.4 MM at most for the largest one, and that is really, really small. As I have mentioned before, lung spots are not that unusual in the general population and these are not really growing "significantly", and are still well below the size that would even be rescanned in a person without a cancer history. So, in the words of my oncologist, "Forget about them Karen!" (Easier said than done!)

So, another six months till the next round of scans, and another grandbaby due in March, to our daughter Claudia. This time it's a BOY, who will be named Julius. Please pray for a safe remainder of Claudia's pregnancy as she has had some complications and is very uncomfortable. We look forward to cuddling this precious little boy and enjoying his smiles too!

Thank you to anyone who still looks at the blog for updates and for praying for me. It is truly God's gift that I am alive and well, and CANCER FREE going on SIX YEARS after stage IV cancer, and I am grateful for these years I have been alive and well, to continue to live out His purposes for my life. I know He has given me this time for a reason and I do not take these years for granted. The joy He has added in my grandchildren are an extra bonus! Life continues to be challenging in many ways but I am praising GOD, from whom ALL blessings flow.

Love and appreciate you all!
Karen

Colossians 1: 9-14

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.