28 Aug 2008, 9:13pm EST

PRAISE THE LORD !!!

We have good news !!!! We can go back home to Dandridge tomorrow! Kara does NOT need radiation, and her scan showed LESS glow, and where she did glow (pelvis and both thighs) the glow was not as bright.

MORE GOOD NEWS

They want her to continue the Accutane for 4 more cycles. One day a week, during each month, I will need to take Kara for a physical, and have bloodwork done. This will give them an assessment of how she is doing through each round of Accutane, and let them know if her dosage needs adjusted. We had a choice to continue this at Children's in Knoxville, or come back to SJ's. We opted to stay at home, and have the results faxed to SJ's. So, we shouldn't have to return for another 4 months. At that time, Dr. Furman wants everything repeated. This will include a bone marrow biopsy, scan, etc. It will be a very thorough check-up.

Kara's counts were good, too. Her Radiologist said it looks like her bone marrow is really starting to kick in now.

Here are her blood count results:

WBC: 4.6
Hemoglobin: 11.1
Platelets: 239,000
ANC: 3,300

We are so glad for this report. We know every good and perfect gift comes from HIM, and we know it's GOD that has brought Kara this far and given us this wonderful news today.

On a side note, we did get to walk last night. First thing, Kara stepped on an ant hill, and took off down the hill. Next thing we know she's crying, "Get 'em off of me...Get 'em off of me...." She had ants crawling on her leg, biting her. Tony dusted them off, and after a few seconds she calmed down again. I think she only had about 3 bites, but they it sure did upset her!

We won't be able to get Kara's Accutane until in the a.m., and after that we will be heading home....Kara is already due to start Round #3 on Monday....We are so glad God has allowed us a quick trip this time...He is so mindful of us all....never doubt it!

God bless you all, and thank you for every prayer said for Kara and our family....That reminds me...PLEASE keep praying for protection from infections in the next months ahead. She still has her central line, and we don't want any complications or any more staph infections getting into her bloodstream. That would be so serious if it happens again. Also, I'd appreciate the prayers for her appetite. Her Nurse Practitioner would've liked to have seen her weight up more than it was today, but we are playing it by ear, and if we feel like she needs some help, they can order an appetite stimulant...I think if they could bottle mine up in a container, I'd be glad to share and there wouldn't be any need for an ordered prescription....oh well, I can always wish, huh?!

Have a great night & God bless,
Megan :)

27 Aug 2008, 4:24pm EST
Kara had her scan, but we don't know the results yet. The big day is tomorrow. The last time she had this scan done, she wasn't sedated at all. It takes about 1 1/2 hours, and she had to lie real still during it. One of the nurses ended up reading a book to her. This time, they decided to sedate her during it. She picked Tony to go back with her during sedation. She said this a.m. on the way to the Hospital, that she likes "sleepy medicine", but Tony said you can tell that she still gets somewhat nervous/scared because her heartrate goes up before she goes to sleep. One of the nurses commented that she and Daddy have the same hair-do! It is dark, and it covers her head. Yesterday, we put a clip in her hair, but she didn't leave it in for long.

We ran by clinic while she was getting her scan, to get yesterday's bloodwork results, but they were in a morning meeting, so we'll find that out tomorrow, too.

Today turned into a "laundry day" here at the Grizzly House. We went for a walk, before Kara's appointment yesterday, but it was pretty hot, so we'll probably wait 'til later on to take one today. It is so peaceful and relaxing by the Mississippi River. The girls enjoy just being outside and walking/playing around.

Not a whole lot to report. We have been checking in at home, and things seem to be going good with Erica & Brent. We are hoping that this stay doesn't turn out to be real long, and that we can return home before long....

Please keep praying for all the children...I talked to a Grandma today in the Nuclear Medicine waiting room. Her granddaughter was scheduled just next month to have her 5-year check up, (She was previously treated for cancer when she was 5 years old), and they recently found out she has another type of cancer that had been growing. She had surgery a week ago, and is supposed to go home this weekend, before starting more chemo next week. Please remember her and her family. The girl is named Gabrielle/Gabriella. I think that she is concerned about her hair coming out. She's older now, and her hair is fairly long, curly, and thick. She's old enough that it's going to bother her. Please pray for her healing, and for the family, having to deal with this a 2nd time around. Please keep remembering Brooklyn, and her family, too, and Caleb, Camden, and there's others. The list could go on and on...too many children affected by this disease! It's not only children, I know. Please remember everyone out there affected by this disease!

Have a good night, and God bless,
Megan :)

26 Aug 2008, 9:12pm EST
Hello! After a busy and fun-filled weekend, we made it into a drenched Memphis yesterday evening about 7 p.m. The trip was rainy most of the way, but we had a few laughs to go with it, though. We stopped for a bathroom break, and some food. Tony ordered a cookies-n-cream milkshake, and we didn't have a spoon to go along with it, so Tony ran in to get one for me. In the meantime, I was cooling off the girls' chicken nuggets in front of the car's air conditioning, and set the milkshake in Tony's seat (our cupholders were occupied). Tony came back, and before I realized what he was going to do, it had already happened...he plopped down on my milkshake! It's one of those things that isn't funny at the time, but later on down the road we were really getting a good laugh out of it! Then, we pulled over at another exit to get a drink for Kara in a drive-thru to take her medicine with, (keep in mind it's still raining), and we pull around to pay, and the guy jumps back a little a says something like, "whoah!" We realized our windshield wipers were still going and they were throwing water on his shirt! Oops...

Today has went a whole lot smoother...First thing this a.m., we got a call from Kara's clinic, saying that Kara could come out of isolation. Yay! We figured it would happen soon, but that was quick. She had blood drawn for her lab check, and her weight taken. She has gained weight since we weighed her at home last week, (her appetite has been great! Thank the Lord for this!) But, I know it will look like to her Dr. that she has lost weight because she weighs less from her last weigh-in at St. Jude before we went home in July. She isn't taking the accutane now, and I can tell a difference in the way she's eating, and it's so good to see! Tomorrow we will pick up her bloodwork results.

We saw quite a few familiar faces today, and we even ran into her Dr. in the hallway while we were leaving the cafeteria. He told us she looks good. That was good to hear it from him. She also had the nuclear medicine injection into her central line today. That is what causes any Neuroblastoma cells to "glow." We probably won't hear the results of her scan until Thursday during her clinic visit. They were able to move her scan up tomorrow since she was taken out of isolation status. She needs to be at the Hospital at 8:30 for sedation, and her scan should begin around 9 a.m. Please pray for smooth sailing tomorrow. We are still looking for awesome results.

We ran to the store this evening to get a few things, and the girls picked out matching baby doll sets. They have been playing with them since we came back. It is keeping them so occupied. They have battery-operated hair-dryers and brushes, clips, clothes, etc. On the way home from the store this evening, Kara started singing a song our choir sings, "Lord you've been blessing me", and then another song that the Children's choir sings, "Glory, Halelujah." She had me tickled though, she was singing words that weren't exactly right...it was cute. Well, I better go. We have an early day tomorrow, but it should be done sometime around noon or 1 p.m. Please keep praying for all the little children. I just found out this evening that there's another child who's scan had been showing clear, and now there's a spot that has shown up on this week's scan. Please keep remembering these precious kids, too: Brooklyn, Camden, and Caleb. We love you all, and appreciate every message you send and every prayer said for Kara, too!

God Bless,
Megan :)

21 Aug 2008, 12:54pm EST
Hello! We are getting somewhat into a routine now....not sure when we'll get an exact bedtime downpat, though! There was one day this week that the kids were all in bed by 9, and that was the earliest since school has started (almost 2 weeks ago!)

We have enjoyed seeing my Aunt & Uncle this week. They came in from Indiana, and we were able to visit with them over at my Dad & Mom's house 2-nite, have supper with them, and enjoyed their company. I think Aunt Joy caught the twin's off-guard when she offered to squirt the whipped cream straight from the can into all of the kid's wide open mouths! Brent was the only one who wouldn't go along, and that was because he doesn't like the stuff! Hey, who says you have to have pumpkin pie to enjoy whipped cream?! Maybe that's the trick to get Kara's weight to jump-start...I'd love to see Kara's weight really take off climbing. She stepped on the scales this a.m., and it showed even more of a weight loss. She is down to 35 lbs. I've been telling myself, "when she gets off of the Accutane..." But, today she did eat pretty good...hopefully tomorrow it'll be back up.

She has been off of the Accutane since Monday, and she still has the red scaly patches, and her lips are still dry. I'm glad that her scalp never did flake really bad this round, and it's time now that her skin should start clearing up, and getting smooth again.

I called St. Jude today and made our reservations for housing at the Grizzly House. They still have Kara as isolation status - she was considered isolation when we left in July, so we will check in on this this week. I don't think she'll have to be in isolation much longer - she's no longer symptomatic for the type of virus she had, and I need to check on the isolation rules.

This is our last weekend here, before heading out on Monday, 25th, and it's turning out to be a busy one all-around! Mamaw Lee has been talking to Kara for a while now about visiting The Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, the horses, etc. so that is what's up for tomorrow p.m., then the kid's are having an over-nighter at her house afterwards.....
Saturday is the Company picnic where Tony & Uncle Duane work, and also a family reunion in KY....which happens to fall on our wedding anniversary weekend, too ...
So, I believe my parents will be at the reunion, unless something comes up, and our kids are wanting to go to the picnic with Aunt Dina. Dina's wanting to keep the kid's overnight at her house on Saturday. Then, on Sunday we will be getting to visit with Morgan (my brother), and Mandy, that we haven't seen for a while now! I know we're past due in getting together with them.....

We have had a blessed Summer this year, and we are hoping and looking forward that this trip to Memphis ends up being a shorter visit this time. I've prayed that on this upcoming scan that the results show that there's no other way to explain it, but that it's God that's moved, and that they see Him written all over her....what a testimony that would be! Well, I must go for now....I hope this finds everyone doing well. Please keep praying for all the children....

Here's some names of little ones that could use some extra prayers : Brooklyn, Caleb, Camden....

God Bless,
Megan

17 Aug 2008, 4:55pm EST
I know it's been a little while between updates...let me start off telling you that Kara continues to do pretty good! She has one more day left of the Accutane, and the next step is bloodwork/ an MIBG scan, and meetings with both her Oncologist, and her Radiologist. We will leave out for Memphis on Monday, August 25th, and then there's appointments beginning on Tuesday, August 26th. Please remember Kara in your prayers, but we are believing and trusting the Lord in this, and looking for the best results on her scan when we return to Memphis! During our last meeting with her Oncologist, we were told to plan on staying another 3 weeks in Memphis (for more radiation), but that all depends on the scan results, too, we were told.

I am looking forward to Kara being off of the Accutane. It is really making the skin on her fingers peel, but it really hasn't bothered her scalp like it did during the first round. Her lips continue to peel, but we keep using moisturizers on her. We were given an Aveeno Oatmeal bath kit after her transplant, and we've been using these. She does seem to like these baths.

This week of Campmeeting was a blessing, and food for our souls! We were able to see a few of my Cousins and a couple Aunts, and an Uncle I hadn't seen in a little while. I've been told that possibly some more of our family will be in this week. This has definitely been a summer of reunions! I was also able to meet, a couple weeks ago, a family that has been praying for Kara. I know prayer and fasting is the key to attaining the power of God. That was one of the messages that was preached during Campmeeting. What a message! Fasting and prayer will bring in our lost loved ones, heal the sick, and the list goes on and on.....

Another message that was preached that I really enjoyed was about either Elisha or Elijah (I'm not sure right now which one it was..sorry!) But how the Angel of the Lord visited him, and said to "Arise, and eat (or eat and drink). That the journey (or journey ahead) was too great for him." How true that is....there are things in this life that would be too great for us to deal with and bare on our own...but through Jesus, and His all sufficient grace, we can go through the trial, and by His strength that He provides, we can make it through that trial. We have experienced that in our own lives. God has given us the grace to deal with Kara's diagnosis, and everything that went along with it over the past 14 months. God has made it bearable....took our burden upon Himself....fought when we didn't have the fight in ourselves....given us peace in the midst of the storm, and given us joy in the Holy Ghost....I give God the glory and praise for all He has done for us, and for every blessing...Yes, there were many blessings, too, for the past 14 months!

Another message we heard struck a chord with me...the Preacher's daughter at the age of 20 something was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the cancer was removed, but she was told her vocal chords would be paralyzed (she grew up singing with her family in church), his other daughter was told while she was carrying her unborn son, that there was a possibility that the baby was mongoloid, and only part of his heart was working...each Dr. visit his daughter went to bore bad news...but they prayed, and the baby was delivered early, but his only problem when he was born they found out was that he was a little bit skinny...He said "What a problem to have!" :) Anyway, his point was that if there's never an impossibility, how can we have the possibility...if there's never a disease how can their be a healing or a miracle (for God's glory)...and the list could go on...I may not be quoting him exactly, but it was encouraging to know that as a child of God, "And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We may not have all the answers to why we go through things, but we can be certain that He knows it before it comes upon us, and by His grace He will give us strength to go through it..because He is a faithful Father, who loves and cares for us. I remember last summer, we were driving from Mississippi back to Memphis, our family was together in the car, and listening to a preaching CD from last year's campmeeting service. The message was titled along the lines of "Don't ask "why?!" just praise Him." It was a message telling of tragedies in life that people have faced, that we don't have the answers to the "Why me..why has this happened...why, why, why," But you know, we needed to hear just that message at that time, and you know God's blessing and strength, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost came over me while I was driving the car, and the tears were flowing....God was giving me His strength, His love, His grace...I was experiencing it, feeling it, and loving it. He was as He always does, as a faithful Father providing what we needed, when we needed it. We may not ever know the answers to the 'Why's' in life, but God knows all about it, and He'll help us to get through it.

I hope you find this a blessing today. I know the past few days I've been thinking about some things I wanted to share, so I hope you find it encouraging today for what you're facing. I know everyone has troubles...take them to Jesus....

Love you all,
God bless,
Megan :)

11 Aug 2008, 8:26pm EST
Kara has one more week left for taking the Accutane. Her lips and face and ears are peeling, and I've noticed she's scratching her head and arms. Her arms are starting to get red. Her appetite continues to be decent. She even tried fried green tomatoes, a ripe red tomato, and fried cornbread at Mamaw's house.

This is the last day for all 4 kids to be together before school begins again. They've been digging in the dirt mound, and Brent, Lauren, & Kara have been playing on the swingset this evening. Brent took the swing seat loose, and left 2 chains hanging down. Kara was swinging like Tarzan! I started singing, "George, George, George of the Jungle...." Thankfully, there aren't any trees real close. The Lee's are known for being accident-prone. Erica's been writing out her wardrobe for all this week's campmeeting services. Do you think she's excited?!

Well, I better run, the kids' have been used to getting in bed late this summer, and I think I better try getting them in bed earlier since school begins in the morning. I hope everyone has a wonderful week - count your blessings, and please keep remembering Brooklyn in your prayers!

God Bless,
Megan

10 Aug 2008, 9:55pm EST
I don't have a whole lot of new info. to post about Kara. She is still doing good. We had prayer for her tonight at Church, and also for Brooklyn Durham, and her family. (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brooklyndurham). I wanted to ask all the prayer warriors out there, to please lift Brooklyn and her family up to the Lord tonite. I know they appreciate it, as do we. They are needing a miracle!

God bless,
Megan

08 Aug 2008, 9:44pm EST
Another quick update to check in with everyone & let you all know that when Kara stepped on the scales this a.m. it showed a gain in weight - I hope it's all a true gain, and not just fluid! Her appetite has improved this past week, which I am thankful for! Her skin is already starting to peel on her face, but we're still using the Vitamin E cream on her.

The kids have just a few more days together before school begins, and it'll be just Lauren & Kara here during the day. The summer has flew by for me this year. Erica will be in 5th grade, and Brent will be in 3rd. With the twins' late birthdays, they aren't due to start K-Garten until next August.

Please keep remembering all the little ones in your prayers. Have a good night, and God bless!

Megan

07 Aug 2008, 10:04am EST
Thought I'd let you all know that I have the upcoming schedule for when we are supposed to be back at St. Jude. This is what we are planning for, if anything changes, I'll let you know!

Tuesday, August 26th:

Assessment & Triage (Labs drawn, blood pressure taken, & weight/height checked)
Injection of Nuclear "Glow Medicine" into Kara's central line for MIBG scan

Wednesday, August 27th:

1:30 Sedation
2:00 MIGB scan (Should be finished by 5 p.m.)

Thursday, August 28th:

1:00 Appointment with Dr. Furman (Oncologist)
2:00 Appointment with Dr. Pai (Radiologist)

Have a great day!
Megan

05 Aug 2008, 10:52am EST
Just wanted to quickly update that I just talked to Kara's Nurse Practitioner, and the labs she had done at Children's all came back fine and she is taking her pills like a Champ!
Megan

05 Aug 2008, 9:22am EST
Kara continues to do well here at home! We are so glad for these good days that we're having.

Kara's bloodcounts that she had checked last week were good, but we have to go back to Children's on Monday to have her triglycerides, & chemistry checked, and they also would like a urinalysis. There's a little over 6 lbs. difference between Kara & Lauren, and a noticeable difference in their height. I'd love to see Kara pick back up on her weight, or Lauren drop a little, either way, to close in the gap. One thing we have noticed is that while she is taking Accutane, her appetite decreases. This can be a side-effect, too. I'd love to see her eat like a little pig through Rd. #2!

I finally got the sorting/organizing of the house completed. I'm down to having the kid's keepsakes that I'd like organize now. That may be a good project to do when school begins. Speaking of school, Erica & Brent's registration is (I think) this Wednesday, and school starts the following week, which falls on our annual Campmeeting at Church, too! We are looking forward to Campmeeting - I know you've all heard me mention it before, but it's such a blessing! We usually have some family from Indiana and Kentucky come in for it, and some friends from our old Church in Indiana come, also. It's just a real good time of Church & fellowship!

Kara begins Rd. #2 of Accutane this coming Monday, Aug. 4th. This will last 2 weeks, then she will have 2-weeks off. That will finish Rd. #2, and a scan will follow at St. Jude. We don't have the exact date of it yet - probably early Sept. I will post the date when we know for sure. We are expecting a great report when we return. Kara is enjoying life here at home. God is good! He has truly blessed us! We hope this update finds everyone well, and enjoying life - and staying cool these days! We'd love to hear from you, if you want, drop us a line in the guestbook, and let us know how you're doing!

We'd like everyone to really sincerely pray for Brooklyn Durham, and her whole family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brooklyndurham .

I don't know if it's a Southern thing, or just Memphis talk, but I'll close with a saying people would leave with us in Memphis, "You have a blessed day",
Megan