Dear Friends,

It has been a busy week and a half. I finished nearly 250 music reports and organized schedules for the Winter Program in December. I am glad to have this Thanksgiving break. Emily and Dan will be home and we will have a small gathering tomorrow with my mom, aunt and mother-in -law.

I am a little more tired these days, but I have only one more round of chemo on the 30th. I'm so ready to be done with that. I was fitted for a glove to keep the lymphodema in check. I still need to go for therapy to reduce the swelling. The long list of appointments continues.

I met with the surgeon and unfortunately the wound cavity is not healing. The tissue is healthy but the chemo takes away my ability to heal. We have two options. See how it goes once I stop chemo or have surgery to move healthy tissue into the wound. I think they call this a flap. Because I still need radiation, they are not sure at this point of the best way to go. I will see the Dr. again on Dec. 18th. The thought of radiation is scary right now. I have to keep remembering to take one day at a time!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the blessing you have been to me with your concern and support. Although we don't always understand God's plan for us, he gives us the strength to get through. We have much to be grateful for!

I wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love,

Karen

Hello again!

Time for a weekly update. I had my herceptin on Monday. Luckily that only takes about 40 minutes. Add in the wait time and it's about a 2 hour visit. Tomorrow is another chemo day so I'll be at Loyola for another long visit. However, after that I only have one more chemo treatment left! I can't wait. Looking ahead to radiation is a bit scary, but I will have time before that starts to hopefully energize.

My infection wound is still being packed 2-3x a day. The tunnel is now down to 9cm. from 10cm. deep. Yes, it will take a long time to heal! Tim is being a trooper with the packing.

The big change this week is that I started therapy for lymphodema. It was way more than I expected! I have several layers of gauze and foam wrapped from my fingers to my armpit. It's quite a sight. Most of the kids at school think it looks cool! Thanks goodness I teach the young ones! At first I panicked because I am typing about 250 report cards and I have to play the piano as we prepare for the Winter Program! I told the therapist this and they wrapped accordingly so that I can somewhat do both. I will be going to the rehab facility 3x a week. The only positive is that therapy includes a massage of the lymph nodes which is nice and relaxing. The goal is for the swelling to go down and then I will be measured for a sleeve and glove. I will need to wear that daily as long as there is any swelling. The condition is chronic and I will always need to be aware of it. I am praying that I won't have to wear the sleeve permanently.

I would love to have less to tell you because that would mean I have less issues. Hopefully that will happen when I have radiation. I'm dreaming of minimal side effects!

Have a great week!

Karen

Hi All!

What a beautiful day it was today. Finally some warmer, dry weather.

It's time for that weekly update. Monday I saw the infectious disease Dr. who is in charge of my antibiotics. He was pleased with the healing of the wound and prescribed one more week of antibiotics. The only concern is that when you are on chemo, an infection can occur with minimal warning. We'll pray that doesn't happen!

Next on to the cancer center and a blood draw. My visit with the oncologist went well. Good counts again. I checked into the chemo lab at 3:30 and checked with them several times because my treatment lasts for 4 hrs. At 5:30 the head nurse came out and said they wouldn't have time to treat me. Big disappointment!! I went back on Tuesday and had the chemo and herceptin. My Dr. made a special point of coming to see me and letting me know that will never happen again. My patience level is definitely being tested!!

After Loyola, I went to the Rehabilitation Center for the lymphodema that has developed in my left arm and hand. I will have to go to therapy 3x a week until they get it under control. More

appointments. Oh, joy!

I was back at Loyola on Wednesday to get my shot. Still more tired than usual, but much better than when the infection was brewing. I'm grateful for that!

Thanks for checking in!

Karen

Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to update you on the past week. My counts were good when I saw the oncologist on Monday. My wound is slowly healing but because it is so deep, the surgeon still wants it packed 3 times a day. I will only need a nurse twice a week instead of daily. Tim will do the other packing. I'm now on an oral antibiotic which is much easier than the infusion 3 times a day.

The best part is that I am feeling so much better. I have more energy and interest in doing things again! The surgeon thinks that infection was brewing for awhile and so when I felt so awful it wasn't only the chemo affecting me. I still need a nap, but that's not so bad. I will have chemo again on Monday and another marathon day at Loyola. I'm praying that this dose will be as easy as the last!

I continue to be grateful for all the wonderful ways that you have helped and supported me through all this. It's not over, but only 3 treatments left. We'll deal with radiation later!

The sun has started to shine and the trick or treaters should be here soon!

Take Care,

Karen

Hello again!

Yes, it was a long Loyola visit on Monday. I was there from 10:30am until 8:15pm. I saw the infectious disease Dr. who is in charge of my antibiotics. He said I had a very serious infection. He was pleased with the look of the wound. He said it was clean but deep. It will take a long time to heal. I am nearing the end of taking the antibiotics, however. The hope is that there are no unseen pockets left which could develop into another infection.

Next oncology. Dr. Albain was happy that I would be starting chemo again. She said we are just skipping the dose I missed and it is not a problem. That means only 3 treatments of taxol left!! I had my neulasta shot today and I'm praying that it won't affect my knees as badly as last time. I can handle a little pain but I need to be able to walk!!

That's all for now!

Karen

Happy Friday!

I saw the surgeon today and he is pleased with the healing at the sites of the infection. He said that I can start chemo again next week. I feel so good right now that it is hard to face having more chemo. I know that I need to start back and the sooner the better. I pray the side effects of the taxol won't be too bad.

I have also developed lymphodema. It is a build up of fluid in my left arm and hand due to the infection. I will have to wear a glove and sleeve, but first physical therapy! One more Dr. visit to fit in my schedule.

On Monday I will see the infectious disease Dr. who is in charge of my antibiotics. Then I will see Dr. Albain and probably receive herceptin and taxol. The infusion of the drugs takes 4 hours so I will be at the hospital all day once again!

I'm still sleeping well, I have a good appetite and I'm in minimal discomfort. I'm grateful for that! I'll let you know how it goes on Monday!

Thanks for checking in!

Karen

I think it's official. Loyola has become our home away from home. I was there for 6 hours on Monday. I met with my oncologist and I can't get chemotherapy until my infection is better. I was able to get my herceptin which is a good thing.

On Tuesday I met with the surgeon. He was hoping that the infection site would look better. He cleaned up some of the dead tissue and packed it with medicated gauze. I go back today for a new dressing and again on Friday to see how things are going. I am grateful that I can sleep soundly and I have very little discomfort.

I'm very anxious to get back to school. Not sure when that will be, however. Thanks for all the fun surprises, visits, cards and well wishes. It really means alot!!

Take Care,

Karen