Unsuccessful

The procedure today was unsuccessful. Another procedure is scheduled for tomorrow. It is much more invasive and requires a longer hospital stay. Please pray for strength for us all. It was a really long day.
Will update later...
Katie

New year, new treatments.

It is a new year with new adventures ahead!
The last few weeks, mom has been in a lot of back pain and really tired. She went to Denver last Friday to run some preliminary tests before beginning the new chemo treatments. One of the scans done showed that she has a blocked bile duct in her liver. You may remember that this was the problem over a year ago when she first found out about the cancer. She will be having the same procedure done again she had before. Basically, they put a stint in the duct to clear it out and allow it to flow. Her surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Hopefully the week after that, the rest of the tests can be run in Denver and treatments can begin soon after that.

Please be praying that the stint placement would be simple and she would handle the surgery and anesthesia well. Also, that this would relieve some of the pain she has been experiencing.
I will update when I know more.
Thanks,
Katie

A good month

Well, I haven't posted in a while because there hasn't really been anything new to post about. I think overall it was a good month. We had a nice Thanksgiving and a wonderful Christmas. Mom was able to be at all the family functions and even enjoyed a little Christmas shopping. :)
She has been very very tired, and is still having digestion issues. She is also experiencing some intense pain in her lower back. We are still waiting to see what might be causing that pain.

Throughout these last few crazy months, she managed to make my sister and I two amazing lap quilts. These are gifts we will forever cherish. It was a wonderful surprise and tears were shed by all!
Next week the preliminary tests will begin for the clinical trial in Denver. Please be praying for these new treatments to be helpful, and that the side affects wouldn't be too intense.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Katie

The next step

After about two months of chemo, we found out today that there are new cancer spots in her body and the old ones are still there. She now has a spot on her liver, and three in the area her pancreas used to be. There is also a spot on her lungs, but they don't know for sure if it is cancerous or not. Mom's oncologist recommended she quit her current chemo treatments and strive for the best quality of life. There are a few options left, including Cyberknife, and some clinical trials at the University of Colorado. We will be looking into those in the weeks to come. For now though, we are hoping to have a nice Thanksgiving without any of the nasty side effects she has been experiencing from her chemo treatments. This is not the news we were ready for, we had really hoped that the chemo would have shrunk or stabilized the cancer.
We do know, that God is in control, and He already has His plans laid out for us. He is good, so good.
I am thankful this year for my mom and her amazing strength. We are all tired and overwhelmed, but her faith is unwavering. I could not ask for more from her.
Please be praying for my family as we soak in this new information and make the decisions we will soon be facing. Pray for strength, and wisdom.
Thank you all for all of you prayers and support. It means so much.
Katie

Weekend Away

We spent this last weekend in a beautiful condo in Breckenridge. My sister's in laws gave us all a weekend away. It was a good time of relaxing and enjoying each other. It was nice to leave all of the distractions of our lives behind for a few days. We shopped a little and saw the amazing sites around us. For the most part though we just played games and relaxed. It was really nice.
Mom did pretty well, although she hasn't been feeling great. Please continue to pray for her as she endures the chemo treatments and its side affects.

Katie

Trusting

It has been a tough week.
I struggle with what to say exactly on this blog. It doesn't seem like something for a blog, but it is the fastest way to reach the most people. However, it is hard to make my fingers type. My heart hurts.

We found out last week that Mom's cancer has returned. It is in the area her pancreas used to be, and they are watching a spot in her lung. It is inoperable. She will begin Chemo treatments next Monday. We are praying she can tolerate the treatments, and that they shrink or stabilize the cancer. Pancreatic cancer is fast moving, and typically very aggressive. We were all shocked, and devastated. It is a very hard thing to hear.
Life is precious, and so very fragile.

However,we rejoice in the fact that this is not it for those who trust in Jesus as their Savior. The best is yet to come. Our Heavenly Father has prepared a much better place for us! God is so good.

Please be praying for her, and for Dad. Pray for peace, for relief from the pain, and that these chemo treatments would help. Pray for rest, comfort, and enjoying our times together.

Thank you for your prayers and support. She will be checking this blog, so if you want to leave a comment for her please do.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Thank you Lord for such amazing parents!

I will be posting more frequenly now with updates on her progress.

Katie

Happy Anniversary

The last month was a little rough. Mom has battled infection and fever and even been in and out of the ER a few times. It seems things are looking up, and the medication she is on is working. She is a trooper and I am so glad to see she her finally feeling better.
Tomorrow morning they leave bright and really really early for their 30th Anniversary celebration with an Alaskan Cruise. I can't think of two more deserving people to have such a wonderful trip! They are very excited! Please be praying for moms health during the trip. They will be gone for about one week on the cruise,and then visiting family in Alaska for another week. We are praying for some R&R and that she is feeling well enough to enjoy this once in a lifetime trip!


Katie