30 September 2007 1:44pm EST
I know it's been a couple days, but all is ok. I've just been at St Jude most of the time and there isn't email there, it's been late when I realized I didn't update. Sorry.
Kara is still running a fever, so she's still in the hospital. Her ANC was 100 yesterday, but this morning they were at zero again. They don't know the reason for the fever. Nothing is showing on her cultures. She's still on an antibiotic. She's not eating as well, a little irritable, and tired a lot, but this is normal when counts are at zero. She'll be in the hospital until her fever is gone and the counts get over 400. Please pray this happens soon. She's still in isolation and they won't take another culture until she off the antibiotic. She's a tough little girl, but we really want her to feel better and get out of that room. God Bless you and thank you for all your prayers, and thank God for St Jude Hospital and all who work there.

27 September 2007 8:21pm EST
Megan just called and they are at St Jude. Kara is getting IV fliuds and antibiotics for her fever. They don't know what is causing the fever, but when her ANC is zero, it's cause for immediate attention. Megan said she is in a good mood, she's still eating and playing with Lauren. She's been able to ward off the mouth sours, Thank our good Lord for this. Tony has decided to drive on home tonight after he gets them all settled in a room. Let's continue to lift them up in prayer. I'll update tomorrow. Thank you all!

27 September 2007 3:37pm EST
We just got Kara's blood count results. Her ANC is at zero, so this may stay down for a couple days, her hemoglobin and her platelet's are low, she may need blood tomorrow. Megan has a bag packed in case they need to go to the hospital tonight since Kara's temperature is going up. The doctor thinks she may need to be admitted tonight or tomorrow. Please pray that this doesn't happen!!!! The good news is they think her VRE may come back negative. They don't have all the results from it, but what they have so far looks negative. She'll need one more negative to be released from isolation. I'm so thankful they got to have a little play time and Tony was with them before her counts got too low. They even got a carriage ride in yesterday. Tony hasn't left Memphis yet so please pray for traveling mercies tonight. I'm not leaving until tomorrow, we're having computer problems at the office and I have to be there in the morning for just a short time. I hate to ask for prayer for me because prayer for Kara is so needful, but you know these women drivers, so a little prayer for me would be helpful. Thank you for all your prayers, God Bless!

26 September 2007 4:35pm EST
Kara is full of energy today. Must be from the new blood yesterday. They went to the Zoo and she loves it there. The weather is good and there aren't many people there at all. She's doing real well, they should know about her blood counts tomorrow. We're curious as to whether they are going up or down. Tony leaves to come back home tomorrow and I leave to go back to Memphis. These few days have gone so fast for us. Thank you for checking on Kara an praying for her. She's a brave little girl and she knows God is helping her and she thinks the angels are praying for her too. I don't know where she got that idea maybe because we've told her Angels are helping her. She knows prayer really helps. God Bless you.
Psalm 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways

For those that would like to follow little Cole's progress you can do so by going to carepages.com and entering his name ColeKaspar2007

25 September 2007 8:23pm EST
Today has been quiet and good. Kara had her transfusion this morning and all went well. She wanted to go back to Mud Island. They could ride the monorail for free, they really liked it. It went for about 5 blocks and took them over a part of the Mississippi river and ended in a museum. It does sound like fun. She took a long nap today and they're just laying around in their room right now. I don't think they have anything scheduled at the hospital until Thursday.
I have some cute pics from this weekend and will send them as soon as the picture part of this site gets repaired. It's something to do with memory, but they're working on it. Jeff is a special guy and he's doing a great job on this site. It sure helps us out a lot. God Bless you Jeff!!!
There is a 3 yr old boy, Cole Kasper, who has neuroblastoma and he started his first day of transplant today. He seems to be a tough little guy and he needs our prayers too.

24 September 2007 7:01pm EST
Today has been another good day. Kara's doctor appointment went well this morning. Her counts are still normal. Best news of all was she tested negative for VRE. Now, she just needs to have 2 more negatives to be released from isolation. Kara's not complaining, mainly because she can go out, just not be around any sick kids. Her hemoglobin was low, so they've scheduled her to go to St Jude tomorrow and have a transfusion. Today James, Susie & Nathanael came to visit them at the Grizzly house. The kids are having fun playing and they're going out to eat together tonight. Nathanael is a St Jude patient, and they are from our church, and he's in remission from a brain tumor. His tumor was found 3 yrs ago this Thanksgiving. He's doing great! God is so wonderful! Have a great night and God Bless.

23 September 2007 8:40pm EST
We had a great day yesterday, I'm sorry to be late on the update. After Kara was dismissed on Saturday we loaded up in the car and went to the Children's Museum. Her favorite part was the Kroger room. It was set up as a grocery store and everything was child size! You shopped and then scanned your items and used a real cash register. She spent probably an hour in there. Then we went to Chuck E Cheese. If you've ever been to Chuck E Cheese you know what fun that can be. She got her picture with Chuck E and she said that he was loving on her. The next stop was to the mall were she rode the Carousel.....I really don't know how many times! Then we ate sugar cookies with sprinkles on them, her favorite. It was late by then and we were pretty tired, so we all went to our rooms and called it a night. She had a happy day. Thank God for this. Today she started her G shots again, she seemed more tired today, but they did go out to eat and went to Mud Island. This is close to Memphis and a nice safe place to walk and enjoy the weather and the pretty houses. Tomorrow she has an appointment at 7:30am at St Jude to check her blood and see the doctor. Pray that her counts don't stay down too long and that she doesn't run a fever this week. It'd be great if she could stay out of the hospital before her 6th and last round of chemo. The only time she didn't run a fever was after her 4th round, and God can protect her from the fever this time too. He has been so good to Kara and family. Tony is staying this week and I came back home, we brought Erica & Brent back home too. They must be getting use to the arrangement, they didn't cry this time when we left. This makes it easier for all of us. God Bless.

21 September 2007 6:58pm EST
Everything is going good today. Tony, Papaw, Erica & Brent got here around 3:30pm. They brought presents for the kids and they are really enjoying them!!! Erica is at St Jude with Kara and her Mom & Dad, and Lauren & Brent are with Mike & I playing ball & games at the Grizley house. Kara will be dismissed in the morning, the weather is suppose to be beautiful, so maybe we can go and do something fun before her counts start to drop, which will probabaly be on Monday. It's been a good round for Kara this time, God is keeping the mouth sours away and she hasn't thrown up once, and her temp has been normal the whole time. We have so much to thank God for this time. If she can keep healthy this week, we are hoping that she can come home for a few days before the 6th and final round of chemo. This would be wonderful. Thanks for your prayers and God bless you all.

20 September 2007 6:13pm EST
Kara is doing fine. She's gained 2 lbs, and eating Pizza Hut cheese pizza like it's the last one they're going to make. Today the lady at Pizza Hut asked if Kara was a St Jude patient, then she gave Megan coupons for 6 free personal pan pizzas. This will keep Kara happy for a few days. Today she has been doing some fun crafts and decorating her room, she's made felt switch plate covers, and outlet covers, and painted pictures for the walls, and made sunshines out of felt. It really makes the room a happier place. She's not been sick, but is complaining about her mouth hurting. They're swabbing her mouth with med's and it's helping. What looked red yesterday isn't red today. She's really doing quite well this round. Praise God for His wonderful protection over her. We've so much to Praise Him for. Have a good night and God Bless.

19 September 2007 2:46pm EST
Not much happening today, just waiting out this chemo treatment. Kara is doing real well. No side effects showing up, just a headache before bed time last night. She slept real well and woke this morning in a real sweet mood. She's a little more tired today, but she has made a puppet out of a paper sack and felt. Lauren went to child services and played on some drums and they did some Yoga, but Lauren wasn't interested in Yoga. She liked the drum part though. Kara is eating well today, she tried their chocolate pancakes yesturday,but didn't like them, so we bought some stuff to make our own, she likes them made with Hershey candy bars. Well, God bless you all and keep Kara in your prayers. Thank you for checking on her today.

17 September 2007 4:09pm EST
Sorry I didn't get an update out yesterday. We had a busy day. We went to the clinic at 8:30am. Kara's counts were good. They had a room ready so we went on up to 2nd floor. Her chemo didn't get started until the evening, waiting on the IV meds and the chemo mixture held things up a bit. She ate like a little pig though. She didn't get sick and she slept good last night. Today not much has happened. She's still eating good, she's craving strawberry milk and pizza. Megan left and went to the store and to freshen up. We think we'll be at the Grizzly for 3 weeks. We're in room 1004. The address is below. Kara's confined to her room because of being in sedation, but she's doing fine. Today child care brought in an umbrella and markers, so she wrote and drew on it. Lauren went to the class that they had and decorated her umbrella there, so she helped Kara when it was her turn. They look real cute and they've been playing and acting silly together. I better go back to St Jude, it was my turn for a break. It's beautiful outside here today. I wish Kara could be out to enjoy it, but it won't be long. Pray for the Lord to help these medicines to do a miraculous job for Kara. God Bless you!
Hospital Address
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Attn Kara Lee / Room 1004
332 N. Lauderdale
Memphis, TN 38105

15 September 2007 6:44pm EST
Kara woke up before anyone this morning and went to Daddy, she rubbed his cheek till he woke up. She was smiling and said she was ready to go to Mamaw Lee's house. Papaw Lee had the batteries charged up and they rode the truck till the batteries ran down again, then he hooked it up to his riding lawn mower and pulled them around the subdivision. Aunt Karen & Uncle Jim from KY, and Bro & Sis Ingram came to visit too. It was nice outside, Kara needed a jacket with a hood most of the day. I think her favorite thing is to swing, she loves to go as high as you can push her. Megan, Kara, Lauren & I will be leaving tomorrow to go back to Memphis. We should be in the Grizzly House, but we don't know for how long. If you mail anything to the McDonald House, they'll find her and forward the mail to her. They're pretty good about that. Then she'll be admitted Monday am for 5 days of Chemo. This is her 5th round, only one more to go before transplant. I probably won't be sending an update tomorrow, since we'll be on the road and unpacking most of the day. I'll update Monday evening for all of you. Thank you for praying for the kids at St Jude. Carson, Sam, & Madelyn were all at home this weekend too. God is watching and helping his little children!!! Praise God, He is sooo wonderful!!! God bless you all.
I posted new pics under September Pics on the Pictures page

14 September 2007 8:37pm EST
It's been another good day. Great Grandma Gert & Great Aunt Bonnie came to see Kara and we had a good visit with them. Papaw Lee charged the battery for their silver truck, so after the rain stopped they had a lot of fun riding around the yard in it. Papaw better charge it again because she wants to ride it again tomorrow. It's suppose to be a beautiful day. We're so thankful that she hasn't shown any signs of being sick, just tired, and she didn't need any medicine again today!!! Thank God for this! God bless everyone tonight.

13 September 2007 9:25pm EST
It's been another good day! Today Kara had a welcomed break, she didn't have to take any medicine at all! Praise God! She is enjoying playing, being outside and all the extra attention from everyone. Papaw Lee took her for a ride on the quad tonight, she wants him to go fast. We're thankful for all the beautiful weather we've had this week. She's more playful in the mornings, then she gets a little withdrawn and quiet. If she gets a nap she perks right up again. She's eating good, we're hoping she puts on a few pounds while at home. Tony is off work the rest of the week, and Aunt Bonnie is bringing Great Grandma Gert (90 yrs old) tomorrow to see Kara. They live in Montecello, KY. I hope the trip won't be too much for her. Thank you for reading her updates and all your prayers for Kara. God Bless!

12 September 2007 5:23pm EST
All is good! Kara is laughing and playing and making jokes. We are all so happy to see her having good days. She is feeling great! The weather has been beautiful today, so she was outside for a little while. She was swinging and playing, it was a joy to watch her! She's been playing office secretary, baby dolls, legos, puzzles, singing, drawing, and playing shopping, and pretending, she loves to do that with Lauren. She even helped me make gravy, and cook biscuits, she ate them pretty good too. She doesn't have the energy she use to have, but God is healing her a little at a time. These few days at home are really helping her. We are sooo glad for them to be all together. We want to make every minute special. We had a little welcome home party last night for Megan & Kara. Just cake and ice cream, but it was so nice for the TN families to be all together. I have been thinking of how much we have to be thankful for this year. Her transplant will probably be around Thanksgiving time this year.....how appropriate is that? Thank you all for your prayers, kind works and checking of Kara's web page. God Bless you all!

11 September 2007 6:15pm EST
GREAT NEWS FROM DANDRIDGE...Megan and Kara have been blessed to be allowed to come home for a few days. PRAISE GOD!!! The doctor thinks it might be beneficial for Kara to be at home and around family. Sometimes this is what they need for faster healing. They're limiting visits to family due to Kara's condition. Her counts are going up now, she still has 1 more day of the G shot. She still has VRE, but she's not at any risk to healthy children. She's happy to be home, but tires easily. She complained of a head ache this afternoon, but then she took a nap. Maybe they can have a little normalcy for a few days. Please pray that God will protect Kara while she's here. The doctor asked that we have the carpets and furniture cleaned, so thank God this was done in time. We cleaned and disinfected as much of the house that we could. We also had to bag up the old stuffed animals, but she has been blessed with some new ones from some of you wonderful people. :) Thank you all for your continued prayers...you're a big part of the reason Kara gets to be home right now! God Bless You!!!

10 September 2007 2:41pm EST The doctor tends to think Kara is still recovering from her surgery, but the good news is that her counts are coming up. They are still treating her for VRE and she's still in isolation. Pray that the good Lord will continue to have mercy on Kara and that she will continue to grow stronger, please pray for Megan too, that the Lord will replenish her strength. We'll continue to keep you updated.

8 September 2007 6:19 EST
Well, we all had our hopes up................... Megan got a call from a nurse at St Jude and there is an organism that's growing on one of Kara's cultures that they took while she was in hospital. It's called VRE (Vankamiacine Resistance), I'm not sure I spelled it right. It's very contagious and she'll have to be in isolation. Carson Higgins had it recently and he was in isolation for 3 weeks. So Megan has to move to the Grizzly House. They don't have any isolation rooms at McDonald House. She was cleaning and packing some things up today in hopes of getting to come home, so at least she has a start on the move to Grizzly. They're eating some pizza right now and then she'll start to move. I wish I was there, she says she doesn't need me, but I may drive on up early tomorrow. No use going tonight, it'd take at least 6 hrs to get there. Well, just keep us in your prayers, at least this isn't life threatening or anything like that, just disappointing and an inconvenience for a little while. Thank you all for being here for us! God Bless!

8 September 2007 3:08pm EST Megan & Kara are in Memphis alone this weekend and doing fine, she has the car if she has to go anywhere. Kara has had diarrhea a few times yesterday and today. She checked with the hospital and they said to keep her away from other children and make sure she drinks plenty of liquids. She's eating and drinking good, and isn't running any fever. Her counts should start going up tomorrow if she follows her previous pattern after chemo. She sees the doctor Monday morning and they'll check her blood. Megan thinks that if all is ok, they'll let her come home for a few days. This would be so good for both of them. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. The family wants to thank you for the prayers, cards, gifts for the kids, and the money that has been sent. There's no way of telling you how much it is appreciated and how much of a blessing it's been. I can't imagine anyone going through something like this alone. It would be unbearable. Even though they're 6-7 hrs away, they feel close to everyone. Words just can't say how wonderful you all are. God Bless.

7 September 2007 6:49pm EST Added August pics (see link on the sidebar)

6 September 2007 7:12pm EST I talked to Megan this morning and she said Kara has been sick a couple times and it was just before she was to take her nausea medicine. Kara has been eating & drinking good today, which is a blessing. Megan just called again and Kara just received platelets and they are headed back to McDonald House now. Her counts are at 300 today, so the doctor said she can't take a chance coming home until they start back up again. We are hoping she'll get to come home a few days before the next round of chemo, which should be next Friday the 14th. Tony and Lauren are coming home tomorrow. He's renting a car and leaving their car for Megan. Megan says to pray Kara doesn't get a fever. Tomorrow her counts will probably be zero, and this is when she has always run a fever before. It would be great if this time it was different, and she could stay out of St Jude for at least a week. Pray for traveling mercies also. Let's all thank God for helping Kara and all her family. Only two more rounds of chemo left and then the transplant and God and His angels will be at her side for this too. God Bless you all.

5 September 2007 10:00pmEST Megan called several times today and Kara was continuing to do better with each call. You are definitely excellent prayer warriors because she's is out of isolation & St Jude, and back @ the McDonald house. She was given some blood today and she's to see the Dr tomorrow around 3pm and they'll give her some platelets then. Her counts are around 1300, so they're still dropping. This weekend she'll have to be very careful of germs. She doesn't have an IV hooked up because she's eating and drinking and holding it all down............isn't this wonderful?!!! Praise God for all He's doing. Let's keep praying and thanking the good Lord! God Bless you.

4 September 2007 10:00pmEST More good news!! Kara wants some Fruity Pebble cereal & cottage cheese, so Tony & Lauren are on their way to Kroger to get it for her. She's been watching some old home videos that Mamaw Lee brought and is laughing and having a good time. It sounds like a better day today!!! Thank the good Lord!!! Keep praying!!!

4 September 2007 8:45pmEST Today has been a better day. She only got sick once last night, and I don't think she's been sick today. Her counts are still dropping, they're at 1900. They all 4 slept at the hospital last night. We're hoping Kara gets out soon, they all need to go back to McDonald house, or better yet, to Dandridge, and get a good night sleep. Kara & Lauren have been busy coloring and painting in her room today. Megan said there isn't much going on....Cinderella came to visit, but with Kara in isolation...she wasn't allowed to go see her. There's not much to tell you, and this can be a really good thing. Thank God for this! Remember Kara, Mackenzie, and a young girl, maybe 14 or so, named Samantha Weber, she's been a neighbor at McDonald House, and she's wanting to stop her radiation and go home. She's sooo sweet and has the best personality. Her bone cancer has gone to the spine and one of her lungs now. She said if God is going to heal her he can do it at home as well as at St Jude....she's been fighting this for several yrs and is so tired. I talked to her Mom and you can feel her heart break. Please pray that we can witness better and be of some comfort to these people. Sometimes I just don't have the words to say. We always mention of how the Lord loves them and wants to help them, and tell them to keep praying. A 10 yr old boy named Steven, his brain tumor came back after a yr of remission, he's scared, but so full of personality and he doesn't know a stranger. Then there is a little girl named Skylar, her Daddy thinks she is going to leave them soon.....the stories just don't end. It's not all sad though....all these kids have a pretty smile and they seem to have a look of peace about them. God is helping them at St Jude!!!!!! I don't doubt this one bit. Please pray for them all. God is sooo able!!! God Bless!

3 September 2007 11:45pmEST Tony and Grandma Lee arrived @ St Jude and Grandma Lee and I are back home safely tonight. Poor Grandma Lee, she's been in a car for more than 12 hrs today, but she wanted to see her Grandbabies pretty bad. I stayed with Kara last night (she was sooo sweet), and Megan went with Lauren to McDonald house. Last night Kara drank 2 oz of apple juice and threw it up around 10:45pm, she slept well the rest of the night, but vomitted around 10:00 am this morning about 15 minutes after taking some oral meds. She was pretty moody this afternoon, (they've started her on steroids again), and then they got the results of her stool sample....she's got C-Deph again. This is that bacterial infection that causes so much stomach pain and some diarhia. So, she's been put into isolation again. They've started her on antibiotics, and she's also on her nausia meds, (but just as needed.) and she's still getting her nutrients and fluids from an IV. Her counts are still good, but they are dropping, just as they should, and NO Fever!!! She'll have to stay in isolation until there is no more diarhia and they also get a negative stool sample. Hopefully this will be soon. She is getting very tired of being in the hospital, and cried to come to Dandridge today. I think Mamaw & Papaw Lee are taking Erica & Brent to see her this weekend. She begged Megan to let Erica & Brent come to see her. She's not had too many happy days lately, but she's such a good patient and adorable, she has some of the nurses arguing over who is going to take care of her. They are so good to her and do all they can to make her smile. She has definately touched many hearts @ St Jude. We're looking forward to the day she's completely healed and can laugh, play and run over to my house again to get popsicles out of the freezer in the garage. They're always there for the kids, winter or summer. God will give us the desires of our hearts, and we're holding onto this promise. God Bless you all. Sis, Mary

2 September 2007 9:30pmEST Kara's had a good day, giving her the meds by IV is really doing the trick. This way it's not upsetting her stomach, and they're going directly into her blood. She's complaining of stomach pain though. It's pretty bad pain, sometimes she'll roll her eyes up and cry out. It doesn't seem to last long, and the occurances are getting fewer. Thank God for this. She's had a morning and afternoon nap and still isn't eating much but she's getting her nutrients by IV. She even went down to the play room with Lauren today for about 1/2 hour, and rode the little tractor down the hall. Remember Mackenzie McMahan in your prayers. She's the little baby I've asked prayer for who was in children's hospital in Knoxville with an incurrable cancer. They've transfered her to Vanderbuilt hospital and she's on radiation and chemo now. Megan (her mama), and our Megan have been corresponding and they need our support and prayers also. She has a web site set up it's, www.littlemakenzie.com, also she is on www.carepages.com, on carepages you need to use her name mackenziemcmahan to get onto her page. I was told by someone that we are in a war right here @ St Jude. With all the prayers and God's healing hands WE WILL WIN this war!!! Praise be to GOD!!! God bless, Sis Mary

2 September 2007 1:30pmEST Kara made it thru the night without vomitting anymore. Praise the Lord! They had to wake her up this morning so they could give her her shot. Of course she was not very happy about this, and I think she blamed Mama Mary for this (Mama sometimes get the bad end of the deal!). They are planning on keeping her in the hospital for a few more days. The Dr. said this could be normal proceedure when she has this particular chemo treatment, because it has a delayed reaction on her. This chemo really brings her low, and she is really weak. Mary said they would probably try to get her to eat some today. Pray her appetite gets better as this nausea goes away. Her counts are still good, they are just trying to get her over the nausea this chemo causes. Mary said she would be better tomorrow, if for the simple fact daddy would be coming back tomorrow!! There is power in prayer! I still believe the effectual fervant prayer of the righteous availeth MUCH!