A Gliche in the System

Wanted to update and let you know that Kate did not have her MRI today as planned. When we arrived at the hospital the receptionist told us Kate was not on the schedule. We consulted with Kate's oncologist's secretary who handles all such logistical matters with perfection and much to her frustration Kate's appointment became one more scheduling glitch in a string of them due to a new scheduling system. The date they had us scheduled for is next Monday, April 2nd at 1:15, so that is when we will return for the MRI. Because the scan will be Monday afternoon, and tumor board meets Monday mornings, the scan will not get a full review until the following Monday. However, Kate's neuro-oncologist will let us know her review of the scan probably by Tuesday, April 3rd.
Thank you for all the prayers for today. The fact that neither Kate nor I became too frustrated by the wasted hour drive and hour of waiting to sort out the details speaks to the calmness and peace you asked for on our behalf:) When the best laid plans fall through, there's only one thing left to do....SHOP! We made good use of the afternoon after all!!:)

Lab work today showed that Kate's hemoglobin level had dropped today. Kate, however, has not acted symptomatic, as she usually does when she begins to drop. We will repeat labs early tomorrow morning locally and then see if we need to make a trip to Children's in Pittsburgh for a RBC transfusion.

TRACK MEET:
While they did not win their first track meet, Maggie enjoyed the experience and seems to be off to a good start. Maggie placed third in her 200 meter sprint behind two girls from the other school. She also placed third in the hurdles behind two girls on the opposing team. She reported that she made it through the first round of the high jump, but that she'd need to work some more on that:) We are looking forward to cheering her on in her meet next week.

Thank you once again for standing in the gap for us. Your prayers literally carry us through each day and around each bend in the road that we are journeying.

His grace is enough,
Elaine

NYC and MRI update

As many of you know computer technology is certainly not my gift so when the computer froze up so did my capability for updating the blog. I am thankful for our computer repair friend who so ably resolved the issue with the computer today so I'm back in blog writing business.

NYC: Many of you have called or emailed anxious to know if Kate was able to make her trip to NYC. Thank you for praying and asking for health and strength to be able to not only make the trip but to enjoy it to the fullest, which she did. She had a wonderful time and said it was so good to get to go with all her friends and just feel normal. We were delighted when blood work came back with good levels and that she did not have to take the IV fluids back pack with her. NYC sight seeing and shopping involved a tremendous amount of walking. Given that Kate spent five weeks of the last two months in the hospital, you can imagine that the walking gave her leg muscles a real work out. At one point as she climbed the steps to the bus, her weakened legs gave out on her and she fell up the steps of the bus. She got a good scrape on her shin, but didn't let that slow her down. Shopping in NYC was one of the high lights of the trip. The girls all went in pursuit of purses in China town. With Kate in the lead the girls followed one vendor to her special stash of purses. Kate put her Chinese language skills and bargaining expertise she learned on the streets of China to good use and negotiated good prices for her friends' purses. My heart was really touched when Kate shared with me how good everyone was to her on the trip. There was always a willing friend to walk a little slower, sit down for a rest or carry Kate's shopping bags and luggage. Kate has been blessed with such great friends!

MRI: Tomorrow, (Wednesday) Kate will have a full brain, full spine MRI. The scan takes two hours. Kate's oncologist is out of town, so we will not get immediate feed back on the scan like usual. She will take the scan to tumor board on Monday morning April 2nd for review and then we will have an appointment with her that afternoon to learn the results.
REQUESTS:
~Please ask that Kate will feel calm and relaxed as these long scans have become a bit trying to her.
~Please pray that God's handprint will be upon the MRI and that the scan will be clear.
~MRI scans always carry a bit of stress and anxiety with them. Please ask that God will fill our hearts with peace and that we will not be burdened by fears and worries.

1st TRACK MEET: Maggie will be participating in her first track meet tomorrow. She will do the hurdles, the high jump and run the 200 meter sprint. She has been enjoying her track experience and is excited about the meet. Over the weekend we went shopping for new running shoes. Shoe shopping has never been so much fun. We ran into a teacher friend of mine at the shoe store. The shoe store was giving away a 2 minute shoe shopping spree. While Mags desperately wanted us to win, we were thrilled for my teacher friend when she won. Much to Maggie's delight my friend graciously smiled at Maggie and told her to show her what shoes she wanted. Maggie's new track shoes were the first ones she grabbed on her shopping spree:)

B-DAY: Thank you to many of you for your warm birthday wishes via email and cards. Actually with the computer problem, I was not able to check email until today, so it made my birthday last a little longer. I enjoyed a special day and we celebrated with dinner at Ichiban - a Japanese steak house. It was fun to use our gift certificates to celebrate. The table side Japanese cooking was a first experience for both Kate and Maggie. We all enjoyed great food and lots of fun. The girls made sure my birthday was observed the Ichiban way - with a flaming bottle, loud birthday music and complimentary ice-cream:) Yes, I ended my day at home with chocolate cake - which I'm sure comes as no surprise to those of you who know me well:)

Thank you for lifting up the MRI and continuing to intercede on behalf of Kate and our family. Each day we are living and experiencing the answers to requests you are lifting before the Father. God's mercies are truly new every morning!

Held by grace,
Elaine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELAINE !!!!!!

Kate's Audiogram Update

It's hard to describe today in just one word. My heart has felt disappointment, an incredible sense of relief and gratitude, fear and anxiety, and overwhelmed. Through out the day tears have been close to the surface, and there has been a pit in my stomach. Yet, this evening, the pit is gone and by the grace of God, I feel more peaceful and able to wait on God and trust Him with the next thing whatever that may be. Nothing has ever left me feeling more dependent on God, than Kate's illness. It is totally out of my control and in many respects out of the realm of the doctors' sphere of control. This is a situation so big, that only God can handle it. Was it a bad day? No. Was it what we had hoped for? No. Bitter sweet probably best summarizes the day.

Kate's check up with her neuro-oncologist gave us cause for praise for multiple reasons:
~Kate's counts were all good and her weight was up.
~Kate's urinalysis showed just traces of blood and a significant decrease in the RBC's to 4-6 down from last week's 40-60. That is a good indicator that the BK Virus (which was confirmed by tests last week) has just about run its course. Kate's doctor was very pleased with these results. It was the weight of what she said next that later in the day brought both Kate and me an overwhelming sense of relief and deep gratitude to God for his healing and protection of Kate in regards to the BK virus. I explained before that the BK virus attacks the lining of the bladder causing it to bleed and other UTI type symptoms. Again with a virus, we can only treat the symptoms as a virus must run it's course. Kate's oncologist told us today that the fact that the virus symptoms are about gone and that Kate is finally beginning to feel better is a true answer to prayer. She went on to say that we had "dodged a huge bullet" in that Kate was recovering from the virus without any huge and very far reaching side effects. She told us they have had kids lose their bladders and end up with a colostomy because of the BK virus. She told has Kate's viral counts had been very high - in the billions, indicating that this was not a mild attack of the virus. Kate and I both were truly impacted by what could have been and the grace of God which protected and healed and consider this a HUGE PRAISE. In further discussion with Kate's doctor she said regardless of the outcome of the audiogram, she would not consider the third dose of high dose chemo and stem cell rescue. In her opinion this would only once again compromise Kate's immune system and she would be highly suseptible to the BK virus again. Another round of the BK virus may not turn out so positively. The magnitude of information surrounding Kate's encounter with the BK virus was a lot for us to digest. Kate and I both agreed that without a doubt we had our miracle today in her healing and recovery from the BK virus without serious consequences.
~ I have observed over the past week or more that Kate's gait in walking is a bit off. Today it seemed particularly pronounced to me so I called it to the doctor's attention. She observed this as well as some other weakness in Kate's overall neuro exam. Her feeling is that this is just diffuse weakness - overall weakness from the wear and tear of the chemo and the virus on her body. Of course the other thought bringing fear into my heart is the chance that it could be tumor. Given the fact that Kate has just come through 2 courses of high dose chemo therapy and is not experiencing any pain, just weakness, we're going to believe that it is exactly what we are looking at - muscle weakness. We will however, schedule a follow-up MRI to see where were at sometime after she gets back from NYC.
REQUEST: Please ask that the MRI will remain clear and that the weakness have no other cause.

The audiogram brought disappointment and affirmation at the same time.
~We were disappointed but not surprised that the audiogram revealed further high frequency hearing loss in both ears. Over the past two weeks both Kate and I had observed that her hearing seemed to be impacted. The audiologist did not recommend any intervention at this time, but would like to evaluate Kate in another month to see where the hearing levels out to be. She said we could see a little more loss or a little improvement.
~While disappointed we also see this as an affirmation to support not doing the third high dose chemo and stem cell rescue. I had prayed that God would make it very clear what we should do and I believe the audiogram results were indeed that answer in that they only reinforced the conclusion of not doing another treatment that the BK virus led us to. One friend shared with me a couple days ago that hearing loss may be God showing us that a third treatment is not necessary and there is no need to go through another round of intensive, grueling treatment. Kate has expressed a feeling of relief in not having to face another treatment. While both the first and second treatment were tough, the second seemed particularly rough to her.
REQUESTS: Please pray that the hearing loss will stabilize in a positive direction.
~Please also ask that the three doctors involved in Kate's treatment will all reach the same conclusions about what direction to go from this point.

With the improvement of the BK virus symptoms we reduced Kate to 12 hours/day IV hydration rather than 24. We will do counts and another urinalysis on Wednesday. That way if anything needs tweaking we can take care of that on Thursday, as Kate is scheduled to leave on Friday morning for NYC. We are hoping that with continued improvement she will be able to go to NYC without dragging her IV back pack along.
REQUEST: Please ask that Kate will have health and strength to enjoy her trip to NYC to the fullest.

As I said the day was one of mixed emotions. I know I will wrestle with many thoughts and emotions in the coming days. I know, however, in the midst of the wrestling will come times of perfect peace. I cannot begin to understand the whys and why nots of what happens and does not happen as we battle this illness. I do know however that we have seen God's hand at work daily and that this journey has been filled with many miracles along the way. And so we choose to trust and believe as a friend put it so well today "that God will orchestrate everything according to His pleasure and purpose".

Only by grace,
Elaine

Because you asked

Many of our local friends who are regular blood donors have approached me and asked if there is a need to give blood or platelets for Kate because of her frequent need for blood product transfusions. I am grateful for your concern and desire to be supportive in this way.

There is no "need" on our part to replenish the blood products that Kate has used. However, to ensure that blood is available for Kate and other patients who need it, the blood bank always welcomes replenishment donations.
I contacted the Central Blood Bank in Pittsburgh and they indicated that anyone desiring to give blood or platelets for replenishment is welcome to do so. In answer to your question, yes, this can be done in Kate's name. When giving just indicate you desire to make your donation for replenishment in the name of Kathryn E. Dillon - a patient of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Given different blood types and platelet compatibility this will not necessarily be a direct donation to Kate, but it does help replenish the supply available for all those in need.

Unfolding the special request

Since posting the special prayer request regarding Kate's hearing loss and upcoming audiogram which will be this coming Monday, March 19th, I think it would be helpful for me to unfold the special prayer request so that you have a clearer understanding of what you are praying for. By the number of people who have recently asked me if a decision had been reached as to whether Kate will have the third stem cell procedure, I've come to realize that perhaps I have not articulated clearly the importance of this upcoming audiogram. The results of the audiogram will influence the direction that Kate's treatment plan will take.

If the hearing loss increases, Kate's oncologist feels that she will need to consider very carefully whether or not to do the third round of high dose chemo treatment and stem cell support. You may recall that the carboplatin chemo agent can be toxic to the hearing. Another such treatment also poses the risk of another blood infection, which may necessitate again having to treat with the antibiotic that may cause hearing loss. Kate's doctor said that there is no firm data to support that it must be three treatments versus two to be effective.

Further complicating treatment direction is the plan of the radiation oncologist to follow the chemo/stem cell phase of treatment with a series of brain and spine radiation treatments which have their own level of toxicity to the hearing. Kate's oncologist explained that Kate's type of cancer is more responsive to radiation than chemo. So if a choice must be made in treatment radiation would probably be more strategic.

Kate's treatment is multi-faceted and involves her neuro-oncologist, the radiation oncologist, and the stem cell doctor. This is a fabulous team of physicians. They work as team to treat Kate but understandably are influenced by their individual medical specialty perspectives. I imagine that the stem cell doctor will still advocate for the third stem cell procedure.

REQUEST: Please ask for wisdom and discernment for all three doctors involved in Kate's treatment plan. Ask that it will be very clear to all and that they come easily to an agreement about what direction to go. I have the utmost respect and confidence in this team of doctors. Kate and I also have a voice in choice of treatment. Obviously with our limited medical knowledge we rely heavily on the medical expertise of the doctors. Please ask that God will make it very clear to them and in turn us what direction to go.

Thus, the importance of the audiogram. Thank you for laying this request before the throne of grace in confidence, knowing that God hears and answers prayers!

Dependent on grace,

Elaine

2 week home update and SPECIAL REQUEST

As we walk through week two at home we are thankful for some progress and improvement in some of the issues we were dealing with in week one. Week one was a bit wearisome and tedious as we made multiple trips to Children's in Pittsburgh for platelet transfusions, adjusted and changed medications and IV fluids, in an attempt to address some of the issues Kate was dealing with.

You may recall she was experiencing pain in her throat and mouth, and UTI (urinary track infection) like symptoms. Kate's Tuesday transfusion of platelets did not hold long as Thursday's home health labs showed the platelets had dropped to 20. By Friday morning when we got to the clinic for another transfusion they were 11. Friday both Kate's oncologist and the bone marrow transplant doctor were putting their heads together to determine the cause and treatment of these issues. Because cultures of both the throat and urine were negative, there was no bacterial cause for these symptoms. However, UTI symptoms had intensified and this was a concern to the doctors. On Tuesday there was a trace of RBC's in the urine, by Friday the RBC's were too numerous to count. With this extreme change the doctors are suspicious that we may be dealing with the BK virus. This virus irritates the lining of the bladder causing it to bleed. This in turn causes the platetelets to be used up quickly as they work to clot the bleeding of the bladder wall. A viral test was ordered and we are still waiting for a report. Of course with viruses we can only treat the symptoms. Thus, Kate is on 24 hour IV hydration to keep flushing out the bladder, platelet transfusions to keep the platelet count up and a new medication to relieve the discomfort. When we went on Sunday morning for another platelet transfusion, we were encouraged that they were 28 and seemed to be on their way up.

Despite the long, tedious week, Kate was able to host a surprise birthday party for her friend Ashley on Friday evening. Kate got this idea and orchestrated the plans for the party from the hospital. Kate could not have done this without the help of her friend Sam, who managed the logistics and necessary leg work that Kate couldn't do from the hospital. It was fun to have 20 noisy teenagers fill our home with laughter and fun. Kate was delighted with the results and Ashley was surprised:)

Tuesday, March 13th it was back to the clinic for another check up:
PRAISE: Counts were good and Kate did not need any transfusions!! Throat and mouth pain seem to be about gone.
We are thankful that Kate has had some improvement in the UTI-like symptoms. Labs revealed that there is still a large spill of RBC's in the urine, but at least this time it was in the countable range.
REQUEST: Please ask that Kate would soon be free of this virus and it's associated symptoms.
We were thrilled that this was a short clinic visit and Kate was up to a little shopping on the way home.

Fatigue is a huge part of this journey. Today Kate has slept most of the morning sleeping. This is to be expected and the extra rest is good for allowing her body to recover and gain strength.
REQUEST: Please ask that during the course of this week and next that Kate's energy level would increase significantly.
She leaves March 23rd for her weekend in NYC and we so much want for her to be able to enjoy the trip to its fullest.

Tomorrow, Thursday, home health will draw labs again. We are hoping that all of Kate's counts will be stable and we will not have to make another trip to Pittsburgh this week.

Monday, March 19th at 8:30 am is Kate's next scheduled appointment at the clinic. They called me this morning and have added on an audiogram following Kate's check up.
SPECIAL REQUEST: "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
PLEASE ASK FOR GOD'S HANDPRINT TO BE SEEN ON THE AUDIOGRAM. PLEASE ASK THAT THE AUDIOGRAM WILL REVEAL NO FURTHER LOSS OR MIRACULOUSLY THE HEARING LOSS WILL HAVE SHOWN IMPROVEMENT.

Yesterday was a sunny day in PA and temperatures soared to the 60's. It was good to get outside and let Grace take me for a walk:) and do a little yard work. Thank you for praying for my weary spirit. I have felt renewed and like some of the weight has been taken off my shoulders.

Please know that not a day goes by that we are not touched by the prayers you are lifting on our behalf.

Grateful for grace,
Elaine

Update from HOME !

It's good to be home! There's just no place like home for feeling better for the body, mind and soul. The only real damper in Kate's homecoming is the fact that her mouth and throat pain have made eating painful and she has not been able to enjoy more than a few bites at each meal.

On Monday morning home health came and drew labs. Kate's platelets had dropped from 51on Sunday to 19 by Monday morning. We weren't surprised when we were "invited" to the clinic for a transfusion of platelets on Tuesday.

Tuesday morning when we did labs at the clinic prior to the transfusion, the platelets had taken a nose dive to 7. We will keep a check on the platelets as they are the last part of the blood to recover. Home health will come again Thursday morning for labs, so we will know if we need another transfusion before the weekend. We hoped our visit to the clinic would be a short one since platelets only take an hour to transfuse. However, we should know better - it ended up being an all day appointment:

PRAISE: The good news of our visit was the tremendous rebound in Kate's WBC and ANC count. The white blood cells which were .9 at discharge had sky rocketed to 9.1!!!! The ANC (infection fighting WBC's) also made a phenomenal climb to 8,126. Kate is now well above the 500 mark and out of severe risk of infection. These levels will settle out and come down as Kate will not longer be in need of the IV nupogen

We then addressed the sores in Kate's mouth and throat. These just appeared on Saturday night, prior to Kate's coming home on Sunday. Because of the high WBC count, the doctor does not feel this can be chemo related mucositis. She thinks it may be viral. Cultures were done and we will wait and see. Kate received some IV pain medication twice during our day at the clinic to alleviate the pain. Another culture was done to check and see if Kate may have developed a UTI.
Kate had also noticed pain in the calf of her left leg. Upon examination the doctor notice a know in Kate's calf muscle. While she said it was highly unlikely, given that Kate's platelets were so low, that it could be a clot in her leg, she wanted to rule that out with an ultra sound. Thankfully, there was no clot on the sonogram, so we chalk this up as a knot in the muscle with instructions for mom to practice the massage techniques I learned in the hospital:) Finally, Kate's hemoglobin was on its way down, so she also received two units of RBC's.

We were both pleased when Kate's doctor gave her OK to Kate's trip to NYC later this month with the Drama Club from school. As I've shared before Kate's oncologist is all about her patients living as normal of a life as possible.

Kate woke up this morning (Wednesday) and asked me to contact her teachers to see if she could get some home bound work started today. I am encouraged and thankful to see her motivated and energetic enough to get back into her normal routine.

Maggie started track on Monday. She's excited that as a 7th grader she can go out for the junior high team. We woke up to more snow today and a 2 hour delay to school. That won't deter practice which has been running in the hallways of the high school:) She is loving her ballet and getting excited about the June recital as her teachers have been selecting the costumes for her dances.

REQUEST: Please continue to storm the gates of heaven with your requests for Kate's hearing. She and I both admitted to each other today that we are noticing a difference in her hearing. This is one of those times when we just have to cling to God and continue to make our requests known to Him for no further hearing loss or a miraculous improvement. The next audiogram will probably be in about two weeks. Thank you for your persistence in praying for Kate's hearing.

Covered by grace,
Elaine

Update from Elaine

It's Sunday morning as I write this update and we have been given the green light to go home this afternoon. I was hesitant to write last night as some little issues surfaced that raised concern that they might opt to keep us still another day. Over the last three days Kate as had an allergic type of reaction to dairy products. Her throat became itchy twice when she ate yogurt and once with milk. This was very odd as she's always eaten these things. A small dose of benedryl with each episode helped the itch and no other symptoms appeared. She also developed a few tender spots in her mouth - which raised concern about mucositis. We're keeping an eye on that. Vomiting and diarrhea were still present but somewhat improved. It's the accumulation of all these little tedious issues that takes its toll on us in the form of weariness and discouragement.
REQUEST: Please pray against discouragement for both us in these tedious issues.
PRAISE: We are thankful that we are indeed going home. Getting to go home and being back with Maggie and Grace will be a sure lift to our spirits.

A Saturday discharge was nixed by Kate's doctor when Kate's ANC count (infection fighting WBC's) was still at 0. This morning's counts showed the WBC's had more than doubled moving from .4 yesterday to .9 today! Today ANC is now officially on the boards registering a count of 126. ANC under 500 is still at a high risk of infection. Ideal ANC is over 1000. So we have a ways to go with the ANC count.
REQUEST: Please continue to pray for Kate's counts to make a strong recovery this week and for protection from infection.

This afternoon after Kate receives today's dose of nupogen (WBC stimulator) we're heading home. Her dinner request of Grammie is pancakes or waffles with homemade blueberry syrup:) We hope that this will really tempt Kate to eat. Eating and drinking are both still a real effort for Kate.
REQUEST: Please ask that Kate's appetite will increase.

We will go home again with IV fluids until the vomiting and diarrhea are gone. I will also learn how to give the nupogen IV, so that Kate doesn't have to endure the painful injection form. We will have home health draw blood Monday morning and determine when this week we'll need to make a trip to the oncology clinic for any necessary transfusions.

Again, once at home my time will be focused on Kate's care, getting some good one on one time with Maggie and spending time together as a family. My blog updates will probably not be daily. Please don't worry, but know that "no news is good news" and that we are just enjoying being reunited with Maggie and Grace and catching up on our rest.

Please know how much your blog messages, visits, cards, calls and notes have meant especially in this last week. Again, I will catch up with email once at home, because I haven't figured out how to access that email from the hospital:)

We continue to lean on your arms of prayer support through these days of recovery.

Trusting His grace,
Elaine

Update from Elaine

Friday started off with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. After three days straight of this, Kate and I were both discouraged and teary. She had to once again resort to the anti-nausea medication that knocks her out. As I've shared before, the majority of days Kate is positive and very intentional about focussing on living each day to the fullest and forces cancer to take a back seat to living life. I reminded Kate that she's more than entitled to having down days where she lets her guard down and releases the emotions of sadness, frustration and even anger. In her weariness she shared that on tough days like this, she wonders what she has gotten herself into and is it all worth it. It breaks my heart to watch her go through all that goes with the treatment of cancer. We sat together on the bed and prayed as she drifted off to that heavy medication induced sleep.

Psalm 10:17 says: "You hear, O Lord , the desire of the afflicted and you encourage them and you listen to their cry."
God did indeed hear our cry and in His infinite mercy about a hour and a half later encouraged us when the stem cell doctor made his rounds. I asked him what we could do about the nausea. He was very proactive and determined a game plan that we all think should make a difference. He then shared the great news that Kate's WBC count had turned around.
~Praise - once again, for still another answer to a very specific request you have lifted up.
Yesterday's count was .1 today was .3!! With the turn in counts he stopped the two antibiotics which should decrease the stomach distress and improve the diarrhea. When he asked if there was anything else we thought would help, Kate replied "going home". He responded with the best news, that they had been discussing this and that they were considering a weekend discharge. They will monitor various blood levels through the night, to determine if she needs to go home again on IV fluids, and given that Kate remains fever free we are hoping to get home Saturday or Sunday.
Request: Please ask that in our anxiousness to go home, that we will trust and wait on God's perfect timing. We don't want to get home and have to come back via the ER and be admitted again.

God also encouraged us once more by the special people he surrounds us with. The afternoon brought a visit with Pastor John which always brings good conversation, laughter and encouragement. Tonight Kate's friend Brandon's parents and sisters visited. Brandon's parents determined I needed to get out for dinner and his sisters stayed and kept Kate company.

While our day started walking in a valley of weariness and discouragement it has ended on the mountain top of HOPE!

We are living the difference that your prayers make - thank you!

Covered by grace,
Elaine

Update from Elaine

Kate has described Thursday as "a little better than Wednesday". Considering the fact that Kate's day started and ended with nausea and vomiting, I think you'll understand when I say my daughter's spirit and attitude amaze me and all the medical staff who care for her. I'm so proud of her, and wonder if I would be able to walk the road she is walking with even half the grace she does.

As always there is still cause for praise. The middle of Kate's day was good as she was once again able to focus on school work and complete her letter of intent for her senior project. We enjoyed relaxing and watching a movie through the supper hour. It was early evening when the nausea and vomiting hit her again.

As she sleeps now she is receiving another transfusion of platelets. Last night's transfusion carried her through the day, but she dropped again by supper time as evidenced in another nose bleed.

~Please pray for the nausea and vomiting to end. As with the last stem cell procedure, Kate's nausea and vomiting started further out like this, rather than in closer proximity to when she received chemo. From the beginning of this journey in 2004, the doctors have said, Kate seldom does anything according to text book. In some cases that's been good, but she sure keeps the doctors on their toes:)
~The diarrhea continues and that's wearisome. We are told we probably won't see an improvement in the diarrhea until counts begin to turn around. Today WBC's were .1 - you can't get much lower than that, so we hope to see counts begin to move upwards in the next couple of days. Pray that the upward trend in counts will begin sooner rather than later.
~Please ask for a good night's rest for both of us. Last night nausea and vomiting woke Kate at 4:00 am.
~Please ask that God will continue to pour His strength into me, so that I can be strong emotionally, physically and spiritually for Kate and Maggie. The journey at times is wearisome. It's hard to be away from Maggie and not be a daily part of her life. It's hard to watch Kate endure all that goes with cancer. While there are many days when peace fills my heart and it is easy to walk in faith and God's strength, there are other days when tears and discouragement get the upper hand. It's on those days that I know God carries me and reaches out often through family and friends, to dry my tears and set me on my feet again.
I cling to the words of Isaiah 40:28-31
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

How grateful we are to be surrounded by your steadfast love and faithful prayers.

Carried by His grace,
Elaine

Update from Elaine

Kate describes today as an "OK" day. Those little inevitable nuisances that go with the territory and are just part of Kate's day at times cause her to understandably grow weary....Nausea seemed to be a little stronger today, but Kate didn't want to take the extra anti-nausea medication, because she dislikes feeling so wiped out by it. Diarrhea continues. Platelets dropped and Kate has had a continuous bloody nose since late afternoon - as I write she's receiving a transfusion of platelets because that count is low, so that should combat the bloody nose problem.

Despite those inevitable nuisances, God in His grace has highlighted the day with good things that keep our spirits encouraged and that cause the nuisances to pale in comparison.
~ A HUGE praise is that Kate has remained fever free and the blood and stool cultures continue to come back negative. The doctors are extremely pleased with how quickly Kate has turned around. Since there is no sign of bacteria indicating infection on the cultures, they explained that the fever may may just be a "nutropenic fever" - in other words a fever as a result of low ANC's (infection fighting WBC's). The diarrhea is probably a result of the high dose chemo and all the dead cells being released into Kate's system. If she remains fever free, they will stop the antibiotics.
***I hope you too are encouraged and your faith is strengthened as you realize that God in His amazing grace is hearing the cries of our hearts for Kate and answering in such specific and incredible ways!!

The doctors did explain that sometimes with the second stem cell rescue, it takes longer for the counts to rebound. We will have to wait and see. This is day five out of transplant. Our hope is to see Kate's counts began to rebound after another four days, but again, it might take a few more days this round.

~Praise that Kate had the energy and determination to knock out another paper for her "History through the Eye of the Lens" class.
~Special pampering in the midst the nuisances of the day was a massage. Kate enjoyed this and relaxed those neck and back muscles that get so tight from inactivity and lying on the not so comfortable hospital bed. I was even spoiled when, at Kate's request, the massage therapist spent a few minutes working on my shoulders:) When she began to work on my tight shoulders, she smiled and in her sweet Asian spirit, expressed her concern that I am understandably under much stress, and should see a massage therapist often. I laughed and told her wouldn't we all love massages on a regular basis:) She gave Kate and I some pointers and instruction so we can give each other a massage.

Requests:
~Please continue to storm the gates of heaven that Kate might realize a miracle in her hearing loss.
~Please pray for wisdom and discernment for Kate's doctors that they will know clearly and come to a strong consensus as to which direction to proceed with her treatment from here.

We give praise to the Lord, our HOPE and strong deliverer. Thank you God for your mercy in not allowing bacterial infection in Kate's body!!

Delivered by grace,
Elaine