Update from Elaine Jan. 8 , 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

What a good day it's been! We can feel your prayers carrying us and God's out pouring of grace and mercy.

Praise: Kate's surgery went very well. In fact they were pleased they didn't even need to intubate her - just some gas via a mask for the procedure. She arrived back in recovery already waking up with no nausea or anesthesia side effects. We came up to Kate's room on the onoclogy floor and as the afternoon has progressed she has continued to feel better. Thank you for praying about the pain and discomfort. She has only had one very small dose of morphine for pain at the site of her broviac placement. The surgeon was pleased that he was able to place this central line exactly where he hoped to and Kate was pleased to have a surgeon sensitive to placing the line in an inconspicuous location for a fashion conscious teen:)

After getting settled into our room, we learned that we would not have a chemo treatment today. This was a welcome reprieve and blessing. Tuesday and Wednesday will allow us time to complete Kate's chemo regiment and have the required 48 hour rest time between finishing chemo and beginning the stem cell rescue on Friday. So it has been truly wonderful to relax and enjoy a peaceful afternoon with books and have hospital friends stop by and visit. The transplant room is quiet so we are looking forward to a good night's rest after starting our day at 4:00 am today.

HUGE Praise: Kate's oncologist made a special trip to our room to share the good news that Kate's MRI scan on Saturday was good!! We prayed that the brain remain protected from involvement and that the bit of tumor still evidenced at the T-11 area of the spine be gone. Both the brain and the spine were clear!!! Thank you God for your hand print on Kate's MRI!

Our requests remain as listed in yesterday's update... please especially ask for minimal side effects from the chemo and special protection against discouragement and fear. Tuesday and Wednesday sound like they will be pretty long and tedious days. As I shared yesterday the one chemo's toxicities will be excreted through the skin and require special baths to remove that from the skin to prevent irritation. We learned today that will mean 3-4 of these special baths per day. The food safety practices have been stressed as well today. Any food or drink not consumed within 2 hours after being opened must be thrown away.

Again, I must say that I am truly amazed by Kate's grace and courage in handling all this with such a pleasant and gracious spirit.

Request: Please remember Maggie. She had to miss school today because of a severe sore throat. The doctor thought she had strep but the rapid culture at the office was negative. They will have results of the hospital culture tomorrow.

Special thanks to my Dad/Pappy for chauffering us and being here to support us through this first day.

Thank you for walking beside us - we have truly experienced the answers to prayer today.
He holds tomorrow in His hands!

With peaceful hearts,
Elaine, Kate and Maggie