Karri's blog: 1st Chemo down, 5 more to go!

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.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

1st Chemo down, 5 more to go!

This is Karri talking again, coming to you one day after my first chemo treatment. I have to say that it really wasn't that bad - I just made myself literally sick with worry the night before. It lasted about 4 hours of sitting in a big easy chair and having drugs pumped into me via an IV "port" that I have on my chest. It didn't hurt, and I passed the time by watching a movie on a portable DVD player (thanks to my niece Jenna) or by falling asleep. My darling husband Jerry stayed there with me the entire time to comfort me as he has so often done during this whole process. I did get a little bit nauseated during the chemo infusion and the nausea stayed with me all evening long. However, it is now the next day and I am feeling much better than before, so hopefully it will be a trend that I will continue to feel better and better all the time! One of the most immediate effects we've all noticed is the reduction of fluid in my legs, feet, and abdomen. We had been told this might happen and we are thrilled that it seems to have. We are crossing our fingers that it doesn't come back. One can only hope! One of the things about cancer is that you never know what you're going to get from one day to the next, so hope and prayers are about all we have.

10 comments:

The Ahumadas said...: Karri,
We're so glad that things went well yesterday. We're thinking and praying about you.

We love you,
Lauren, Ernie and the boys; June 25, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Karri,

We are glad to hear that the first treatment went well, and hope that each treatment gets easier. We continue to pray for you and your family daily. You are such an inspiration to us, your faith and strength is amazing. Know that we are thinking of you. We send our love- Stacey and Bruce; June 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Karri, I'm so glad that yesterday went better then expected. I too have thought of you and your family many times throughout your ordeal. You and your family have been in our prayers. Love, Kari Rojas; June 26, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Karen said...: Hi Karri,
We are so relieved that the 1st session is over and you are tolerating it all. Please know that many of us are praying for you and your family--even if you don't see us around. Much love,Karen; June 26, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Jeanne said...: Karri-

Each day one of the first things I do is check your blog, and find out the latest news. I am so happy that chemo went well Tuesday and that you are feeling well enough that you can personally respond in your blog. You and your family have truly been amazing through this entire process. I pray each day that you will continue to improve and the Lord will watch over you and your family. The ward is so anxious to do something to help, but Myrth continues to assure me that down the road that will be possible, but for now we can pray for you. I have placed your name on the temple prayer roll every 2 weeks, just so you know that is being taken care of. Please know that soon as you need our help, we are waiting in the wings anxious to do what we can. Have a great week!
Love Jeanne Lamb; June 26, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm so glad that you're finally feeling better! Love, Beth; June 26, 2008 at 1:04 PM
joyce said...: Karri,
You really sound like yourself again. The prayers, your family's support and your personal strength are working! Thanks for allowing us to stay connected to you through your blog.
Joyce; June 26, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Yeah Karri!

I'm so glad that you are on your way to getting on with your chemo! We all talk about you at work..everyone wonders, worries, and sends positive thoughts and prayers your way. You can't help but to get up and running with all of this love!

Con Carino
Marie; June 26, 2008 at 7:34 PM
ann said...: hi karri!!
just wanted to send some love from the fabs - including your little birthday buddy!!!
xoxo,
angela; June 26, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Karri,

I'm so glad you're feeling better and that you've started your road to recovery. Your strength and positive attitude is truly an inspiration to us all. Thank you for allowing us to be connected to you and for taking the time to stay connected with us. May God continue to bless you and keep you well. Talk to you soon!

Love,
KFLO; June 26, 2008 at 9:11 PM