Karen Update, Dec. 20

UPDATE: “Spectacular!”

That’s the word our doctor used today to describe Karen’s progress! All of her numbers (cells, neutrophils, platelets) are at great levels; her stamina is building daily; she’s going on walks, sleeping well, eating well (she gained back 4 pounds this week), and is increasingly able to taste her food. We went to church on Wednesday and Sunday. She even got to see our dog Cana for the the first time on Friday!

Her first post-transplant bone marrow biopsy is tomorrow (Tuesday). THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! They are making the difference!

We hope you will continue to pray – thanks to God for the countless prayers already answered, and intercession for Karen’s ongoing recovery. She currently goes into the SCCA clinic daily for a magnesium IV (which causes her hands and feet to burn), but may be able to discontinue that if she can transition to oral magnesium meds (she begins this today). And she’s always vulnerable to “graft-versus-host disease”, so we are constantly praying against that.

BLESSINGS on your CHRISTMASTIDE!

(By the way, our new address is: 525 Minor Ave N, Seattle WA 98109)

 

December 4

A Good News Saturday

This morning, Karen’s doctor’s were enthusiastic about her progress! Her neutrophils are up considerably. Her mouth is feeling WAY better. And she’s eating today for the first time in almost a week!

The best news, though, is that they see a window for being discharged from this hospital: Thursday or Friday. This would 3-4 days earlier than their typical expectation.

In short … Karen is ahead of schedule, with no apparent complications!

Please continue to pray, especially that Karen would be spared GVHD (“Graft Versus Host Disease”). She is grafting well, but we need to see Karen’s system welcome the grafting healthily.

Thanks, everyone!

 

November 30, 2021

A QUICK TUESDAY REPORT

Our news is good! Now, Karen is still feeling lousy … that’s to be expected, especially over the next 7-14 days.

The good news is that there are no complications today. She’s been dealing with headaches, some high temperatures and higher-than-normal blood pressure. But today these are all under control. They’ve also helped to reduce her pain levels.

Activity is key to the healing process, and Karen’s nurses continue to marvel at how active she is. As you can guess, she gets up and walks every time her body lets her! She’s doing great – and I’ve VERY proud of her.

We believe these good things are an answer to prayers. YOUR prayers. Please keep them coming!

Our love and thanks,

Bill & Karen