MRI results

This morning we met with Dr. Mahajan for the 2nd time, we absolutely love her! She is the radiation doctor. She shared the results of Karly's scans with us.

The is no considerable decrease in the size of the mass but there appears to be change on the inside of the mass. What that means is, it appears the tumor(cancer) cells are dying. Karly has not had anymore pain, which is another sign that the chemo is working. We were kinda expecting these results. We were told from the beginning that this is a slow growing tumor and that meant it would be slow to respond to treatment. We were very happy to learn that the mass had not grown and there were no other signs of tumors anywhere else. We have been here long enough to know that is VERY important!

We will see the surgeon, Dr. Lewis, tomorrow morning. Dr. Lewis, Dr. Mahajan & Dr. Herzog will all meet tomorrow afternoon and discuss the next step. We will meet with Dr. Herzog Thursday morning before Karly starts the 6th cycle of chemo. No matter when or if surgery is done Karly will have to go through 14 cycles of chemo.

Mom and Dad will be here this evening! We are going to celebrate Lexie's birthday and they will be here to help with the 5 days of chemo.

Thank you for all you continue to do for us!

Karly finished up with all her scans yesterday. We will know the results some time next week. She is scheduled for chemo cycle 6 on Thursday, July 16 and no matter what the results of the scans are she will go ahead with that cycle. Karly's blood is still giving her a little bit of trouble so we are taking things very easy. Her platelets had increased more yesterday, but still not where they should be and her hemoglobin level was low.

Please stay a prayer for our dear friend Keaton and his mom, Karen. Keaton has had a rough week this past week and is in the hospital.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/keatonlee

Yesterday, Karly received platelets because of a low platelet level, however her white blood cells count was on the rise so no more injections for a few days. Karly was having some pain yesterday, this pain is not the same as what she had before we came. This pain is related to the high level of white blood cells.

This morning we hit the floor running, literally, we were supposed to be in the clinic at 7:15am and that is when we woke up! oops Today, Karly had chest and pelvic xrays, a CT scan, a bone scan and blood work (almost an everyday thing). Good news from the blood work, her platelet level had tripled. Karly joked that she got Nic Latta's platelets. "Maybe I got Nic's and will be strong like him."

Nic had recently donated blood and platelets at a blood drive in Seminole. We know that some one benefited greatly from it. If you can, please donate.

The first part of last week we met Daniel and his mom, Laura. They are from Sudan and it was great talking with people from 'home'. Ok, so Sudan isn't Seminole but close enough, only 100 miles away. Daniel's sisters noticed Karly's State Band t-shirt and that it said Seminole. We got to send some time with them again today while Karly was waiting for her bone scan.

In between scans we went to see Donny Selman and were so excited to find his room empty. A nurse told us he had been discharged. I don't think we have ever been so happy to miss someone! :) Karly has already said she wants to take Donny to her favorite Mexican food place (Lupe's) to eat, so we all plan to go as soon as Donny feels up to it!

Karly is scheduled for an MRI and lab work tomorrow.

2 busy weeks ahead

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. We made it to Kemah, after 2 hours in traffic, to watch amazing fireworks. Karly has really enjoyed having Sam and Marcus here. She misses home, but having them here has made it easier for her.

These next 2 weeks are going to be busy for Karly. Today she had lab work done. We were not planning on going back until Thursday, but plans are always changing, and Karly will go back Wednesday at 11am. Her platelet level is low and if it is not up Wednesday morning she will receive platelets there in the pedi clinic. Thursday she is scheduled for chest xrays, a CT scan and a bone scan. Friday she will have another MRI, she HATES having MRIs. I completely understand why, that is the loudest thing!

Next week is full of clinic visits for blood work and doctor appointments. We will have follow up visits with Dr. Lewis, the orthopaedic surgeon, and Dr. Mahajan, the radiation doctor. On Thursday, July 16th (Lexie's 5th birthday), Karly will be admitted for cycle 6 of chemo.

After Karly's lab work this morning, we went and sat with Shaunie Selman and her family. Donny had brain surgery at MD Anderson today. The surgery went well and Donny was awake and talking when I left at 6:30 this evening. Please keep them in your prayers.

Thank you all for your continued support. We love you!

the security breaching brisket

For those of you that have spent any amount of time with Karly you know how picky of an eater she is! Well, one of her very FAVORITE things is brisket, but not just any brisket will do. She LOVES the brisket that the Seminole firemen cook. But, who doesn't?!? She had asked in May if there was any way they could mail her one. The guys recently cooked briskets and Karly received hers via UPS this morning.

However, the brisket did not make it here without causing some problems. The package was supposed to arrive by 9am and when it wasn't here by 10am my mom started having a fit. Amanda checked the status of the package online and it had been "delayed by government security official beyond UPS's control." Mom, Donna and Amanda all start calling around to any UPS office/supervisor they could get in touch with and none of them have ever seen this message before.

Makes you wonder?? Was it something used when marinating the brisket, that "secret sauce"? Or was it the two women that packed it up? Those 2 women would be my mom & Glenda Bass, so you never know! haha
Anyhow, we got the brisket, still frozen and we will enjoy it this 4th of July.

Karly had a good night. Her 2 best buddies, Samantha & Marcus, are here.