This morning my older sister called me. My mother, who has been in poor health for some time, has just been hospitalized for a mild case of congestive heart failure. When I saw her a couple weeks ago, she didn't look good and was having trouble breathing. Please keep her in prayer - her name is Sharon Darnick.
The chemical burn that resulted from Karen's last chemotherapy treatment still hasn't resolved. She goes back in tomorrow. I took her to Methodist Hospital three times last week. The pain is terrible. We're also having issues with one of Karen's medications - imagine my shock when I expected to pay $10.00 because of a special program with the manufacturer, and they ask for $767.00! This was after my medical savings plan discount, where it would have been almost $1000.00.
I'm still in need of steady, reliable income. While much is happening with my real estate listings and I have many clients who appear promising, I can't count on that. Imagine trying to support your family based on the futures market, and you all know what's happening with housing. THIS IS A CRITICAL NEED! Karen will be able to focus on her health much better if she's not worried about income.
There are mountaintops and valleys, and today we're in a valley. Thank you for helping us through your prayers. They are badly needed now.
John J
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Stress and mistakes - a challenging week
I'll begin today's post by thanking all of you who have kept us in thought and prayer. Again, your encouragement means so much to us.
It has been a highly difficult few days. Karen had the treatment last Friday that injects the chemotherapy into the abdominal port. As soon as it was started, she told them she felt burning. It was started two more times and she continued to feel burning. She had to be taken up to radiology and had the longest possible needle to do the chemo. Then it was fine...but then on Saturday she began complaining of swelling and pain in the abdominal port area, then on Sunday I took her to see the on-call oncologist at Methodist Hospital, who didn't think there was an infection or any other problem. She was started on Augmentin - a powerful antibiotic that is, FYI, used on horses - and this made her sick.
The pain became worse and on Tuesday and today (Wednesday) we went back to Methodist to try to get to the bottom of this. It turns out Karen has a chemical burn from the Friday chemotherapy. She's in considerable pain from it and the swelling is significant. She doesn't want to take chemotherapy until the swelling is down and the pain stops. It was an unnecessary complication.
Last weekend Karen got all the hats and scarves we ordered from somewhere called Headcoverings.com. She's opting for these instead of the wigs. Her hair is nearly gone - tragic, but also short term.
So we go into Thanksgiving tomorrow with some concerns, but we know God can handle it. That sounds like a song, doesn't it? "God Can Handle It". Times like these bring out the worst in some people, sadly enough - but it brings out the best in most.
We're thankful for your prayers and the constant love and concern expressed by so many of you. Thank you.
It has been a highly difficult few days. Karen had the treatment last Friday that injects the chemotherapy into the abdominal port. As soon as it was started, she told them she felt burning. It was started two more times and she continued to feel burning. She had to be taken up to radiology and had the longest possible needle to do the chemo. Then it was fine...but then on Saturday she began complaining of swelling and pain in the abdominal port area, then on Sunday I took her to see the on-call oncologist at Methodist Hospital, who didn't think there was an infection or any other problem. She was started on Augmentin - a powerful antibiotic that is, FYI, used on horses - and this made her sick.
The pain became worse and on Tuesday and today (Wednesday) we went back to Methodist to try to get to the bottom of this. It turns out Karen has a chemical burn from the Friday chemotherapy. She's in considerable pain from it and the swelling is significant. She doesn't want to take chemotherapy until the swelling is down and the pain stops. It was an unnecessary complication.
Last weekend Karen got all the hats and scarves we ordered from somewhere called Headcoverings.com. She's opting for these instead of the wigs. Her hair is nearly gone - tragic, but also short term.
So we go into Thanksgiving tomorrow with some concerns, but we know God can handle it. That sounds like a song, doesn't it? "God Can Handle It". Times like these bring out the worst in some people, sadly enough - but it brings out the best in most.
We're thankful for your prayers and the constant love and concern expressed by so many of you. Thank you.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Prayer needed
The next round of chemotherapy begins tomorrow. Please keep Karen in prayer, especially now that hair is coming out - though slowly. Karen had long, beautiful blond hair and this has been the most traumatic part of the whole experience.
Please keep my work situation in prayer. I'm getting many more real estate possibilities - just as long as the buyers are serious and the listings sell. I've been taking to agents in the business over 20 years who say this is the worst market they've ever seen. I'm determined to ride it out but need to keep a steady income. I'm becoming a professional interviewer - too bad that doesn't pay.....
Please feel free to e-mail us or even call. The encouragement of so many others keeps us going.
Please keep my work situation in prayer. I'm getting many more real estate possibilities - just as long as the buyers are serious and the listings sell. I've been taking to agents in the business over 20 years who say this is the worst market they've ever seen. I'm determined to ride it out but need to keep a steady income. I'm becoming a professional interviewer - too bad that doesn't pay.....
Please feel free to e-mail us or even call. The encouragement of so many others keeps us going.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Fundraiser event January 27, giving thanks
Greetings to family and friends: Our friend Nicole Sanders is planning a fundraiser to help with Karen's expenses as we wage this fight against ovarian cancer. It will be January 27 at 5:00 pm and there will be a silent auction and cash bar and hors'dourves (I'm sure I spelled that wrong). Tickets are $40.00 per person and I have some available as does Nicole. E-mail me at soulwise@msn.com or Nicole at nsanders@mailnparcelplus.com.
The next round of chemotherapy begins on Thursday the 15th. It is a Thurs/Fri/Thurs cycle each time around. She is scheduled to have chemotherapy the day after Thanksgiving. In the last couple of days, hair has begun to fall out. Though many mean well in trying to encourage Karen during this time, this is the hardest part for her. Please keep her in prayer. Her spirit is strong and she's very encouraged to keep fighting. We spent this last weekend in southern Wisconsin at my mother's home and were so happy to spend time with my sisters Laura and Marilyn (from Illinois and Florida respectively) and my Uncle Mark who lives with my mother and helps take care of her. My mother is in very poor health, on oxygen 24/7 and in need of your prayers too.
As Karen progresses into the next treatment, please keep us in prayer. We're so blessed by the generosity and the expressions of love we have from so many of you. We have set up a fund through UBS for contributions for medical expenses - e-mail us for more information. I'll close with Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
John J
Karen and the girls (Kylie and Shelby)
The next round of chemotherapy begins on Thursday the 15th. It is a Thurs/Fri/Thurs cycle each time around. She is scheduled to have chemotherapy the day after Thanksgiving. In the last couple of days, hair has begun to fall out. Though many mean well in trying to encourage Karen during this time, this is the hardest part for her. Please keep her in prayer. Her spirit is strong and she's very encouraged to keep fighting. We spent this last weekend in southern Wisconsin at my mother's home and were so happy to spend time with my sisters Laura and Marilyn (from Illinois and Florida respectively) and my Uncle Mark who lives with my mother and helps take care of her. My mother is in very poor health, on oxygen 24/7 and in need of your prayers too.
As Karen progresses into the next treatment, please keep us in prayer. We're so blessed by the generosity and the expressions of love we have from so many of you. We have set up a fund through UBS for contributions for medical expenses - e-mail us for more information. I'll close with Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
John J
Karen and the girls (Kylie and Shelby)
Friday, November 2, 2007
The first treatment done, finding new strength
Yesterday (Nov 1) Karen went thru the third phase of chemotherapy. Each round of chemotherapy is a Thursday/Friday/Thursday cycle, every three weeks and she has been prescribed six rounds. She came home yesterday extremely weak and tired. She complained of a lack of sleep to one of the doctors. Last night, Karen slept well. When she greeted me this morning, she said "I feel back to normal". A full night sleep did her more good than anything. With chemotherapy, there is much pain and discomfort and it's difficult to stay in one position. But she slept well. Last night Karen prayed she would sleep well, and she did.
On my job situation: I had a very lengthy interview with a reinsurance company. This all happened very suddenly, which makes me believe this is of the Lord. I'm supposed to hear next week. Please keep this in prayer - it would be a great boost for Karen's spirits right now. Ideally I'd like for her not to have to work during chemotherapy and this job would allow that. Of course, real estate just won't move these days. Everyone is struggling in the real estate business right now.
Karen and I feel surrounded by your prayers. More than anything this is giving Karen the strength to fight cancer. Please keep your prayers going. And please stay in touch with us. We are so encouraged by posts to this blog, e-mails and phone calls. THANK YOU!
John and Karen
On my job situation: I had a very lengthy interview with a reinsurance company. This all happened very suddenly, which makes me believe this is of the Lord. I'm supposed to hear next week. Please keep this in prayer - it would be a great boost for Karen's spirits right now. Ideally I'd like for her not to have to work during chemotherapy and this job would allow that. Of course, real estate just won't move these days. Everyone is struggling in the real estate business right now.
Karen and I feel surrounded by your prayers. More than anything this is giving Karen the strength to fight cancer. Please keep your prayers going. And please stay in touch with us. We are so encouraged by posts to this blog, e-mails and phone calls. THANK YOU!
John and Karen
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