Karri's blog: Happy Holidays!

Chronology prior to June 2008

Karri was diagnosed with probable endometrial cancer on April 6, 2008. Here is a brief chronology of the progression of the diagnosis and treatment before we began this blog on June 12, 2008. Many thanks to Dave Adair for helping us to get this blog started, with a special nod to his beautiful mother, Pat (1932-2008), who blessed our lives even during her last months as she was suffering pancreatic cancer. We love you both!

December, 2007

Karri began bleeding heavily in the fall but assumed it was connected to the onset of menopause. As it steadily worsened, she discussed it with her regular doctor who sent her to a series of specialists for ultrasound and biopsy over the next few months. We assumed the problem would be related to fibroid tumors which run in the family.

April 6, 2008

Karri’s doctor called to tell her that the biopsy showed that she had cancer in the endometrial lining of her uterus and that she needed to meet with a surgeon who specialized in women’s cancer without delay. This was a complete and unexpected shock.

May 6, 2008

After turning her 3^rd grade class at Cambridge to a long term sub for the rest of the school year, Karri had surgery at the Concord campus of John Muir. Dr. Edraki, the surgeon anticipated that her scheduled hysterectomy might be performed vaginally if the cancer hadn’t spread too widely. After a surgery of more than six hours, he emerged to tell Jerry, Myrth, and Claude who were waiting that the cancer was very widespread and invasive but that he had removed everything he could see. Recovery would be longer and more complex than anticipated because her gastrointestinal tract was also involved. She would definitely need chemotherapy.

May 11, 2008

Karri’s fierce determination kicked in immediately and she worked very hard to be a cooperative patient. To the surprise of the medical team, she was able to come home on Mother’s Day. What a delight for the entire family. She came home to Myrth and Claude’s house so that they could continue caring for her during her recovery while Jerry and the kids held up their end of things with school and the house. Jerry has spent more than a few lunch hours shopping for groceries and many friends and family members have made dinners for the extended family to share together. At first Karri was able to tolerate small amounts of food and was on track for a speedy recovery.

May 23, 2008

Karri’s recovery was compromised by the onset of nausea and vomiting about 10 days into her recovery. Despite trying a range of anti-nausea drugs, she has continued to have these complications, which her medical team has struggled to explain and resolve. The incision also became slightly infected and was opened to drain off fluid that was building up under the skin. A ‘wound-vac’ machine was attached to speed drainage and recovery and Karri had home care nurses come every two days to change the dressings on the openings. She has endured all of this with courage and optimism and complete lucidity, but on this date her energy declined and she began to run a fever. On Dr. Edraki’s advice, she was admitted to the Walnut Creek campus of John Muir with infection. As it was Memorial Day weekend, it took all night to be admitted and nothing much happened in the hospital in the five days that she was there although she did get IV antibiotics. The hospital doctor was not very communicative although the nursing staff at both Walnut Creek and Concord campuses have been extremely helpful and responsive. In the intervening weeks her condition has not improved and she now has several openings attached to the wound vac to drain fluid from her surgical area, increasing the possibility of infection.

Happy Birthday Karri!! Final Chemo is 10/15 - hooray!!

The actual date of Karri's birthday is October 8th but we've been joyfully celebrating all week long. She's been able to go out to eat, see movies, watch Allie play volleyball, and attend church. We love watching her enjoy her favorite foods again. We are so grateful for all your support; it has been critical to help her to celebrate this birthday with gratitude for her return to good health. She continues to improve steadily each week. Pictured here: Allie (14), Brandon (24), Karri and Jerry, and Abby (6). Matthew and Jordan are away at school. Love from all of us to all of you.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy Holidays!

Hi there everyone! I know that it's been a long time since I've written, but no news is good news as they say! Several people have reminded me that I haven't put a posting on the blog in about 6 weeks so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I have been living at home now since October 26 and things have been going very well. I have been keeping busy with doctor's appointments, walking in the park, re-organizing my closets and cupboards and getting ready for the holidays. I had a very nice Thanksgiving weekend with my family and Matt was able to come home for a few days. We went to San Francisco to do some shopping and we went to Napa to get our Christmas tree. This weekend both Matt and Jordan will be coming home from college for the holidays so our house will be pretty busy. I have been feeling really good lately and have got my strength and energy back to the point that I am still planning to return to school in January. My back has been doing pretty well - I have my good moments and bad moments - but mostly it has been steadily improving over the past few months. I am still in physical therapy and am also seeing a chiropractor, so hopefully my back will also be ready for me to start school in January as well! Until then, I plan to enjoy my holiday season completely and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

3 comments:

joyce said...: Karri,
It was wonderful to see you at school today. Your sunny disposition really shines through! With all you have been through - you are still smiling and I could tell you are really ready to get your life back. Remember to take care of Karri first and listen to your body and heart.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. It will be pure joy to have everyone home for the celebrations.

With joy in my heart for you and yours,
Joyce; December 9, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Karri, I don't think I've spent more than one minute not thinking about you since I got your mom's news. What an ordeal you've been through. I read the whole blog with sympathy and fear but am sooo relieved that you are getting your old, lovely life back. I can only dimly imagine how good it must feel to clean out a closet or shop for a tree! Life is so precious and most of the time we rush around not even stopping ro realize it. You are obviously a resilient and strong woman. I truly and deeply wish you continued success and a wonderful celebratory Christmas. If anyone ever deserved it, it's you! Your second cousin, Gerri; December 22, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Karri:

I think of you often hoping and praying the best for you... I am so happy that you are doing so well and have such a positive outlook. I hope that 2009 is filled with continued improvement and satisfaction as you return to school.

Love,

Barton Rands; December 27, 2008 at 7:37 AM

Karri's blog

Feliz Natal e um Próspero Ano Novo! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!) Best wishes to all!!

Chronology prior to June 2008

Help Solicited from MDUSD teachers

Blog Archive

Happy Birthday Karri!! Final Chemo is 10/15 - hooray!!

Sept 13th: Happy Birthday Jerry!

June 22: Welcome Home from the hospital Karri! Good Luck w/Chemo

May 31st - Jordan's Senior Prom photo op

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy Holidays!

3 comments: