The kind of surgery you want to have

Last Thursday the 14th Karen was scheduled for surgery - to have the chest port removed that delivered chemotherapy. This means that she has made it to a point where the risk of recurrence is much lower. We remain humbled by the fact that ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate, as high as 90%, but after two years that drops dramatically. This is the best kind of surgery we could ask for!

August 2010 - still cancer free

About three weeks ago the latest round of tests came in and Karen remains cancer free! This is 2 1/2 years since chemotherapy ended. God is so good!

It was about three years ago now that Karen started seeing doctors about what appeared to be a very large tumor in her abdominal area. These were dark, painful days in our lives. The darkest day was August 28, when her surgery lasted over three hours and I sat in a conference room to have her surgeon come in and start with the words, "the news I have is not good". Then a round of phone calls to our daughters and other relatives and close friends, followed by seeing Karen come out of surgery, awaken and ask me, "so what's the prognosis?", and to tell her: "They found cancer", watching helplessly as the woman I love cried about how she would not see her daughters' weddings.

We endured this dark valley and have come to a more stable, secure place in life, but our security is grounded in God alone. There is no security besides Him.

Thank you for continued prayers....and check out our Facebook page.

2 years since chemotherapy - STILL CANCER FREE!

Karen went in for her most recent blood work. This is the first time she had done so since April 2009, close to 9 months ago. The CA125 test came in at only 4.3. It doesn't get better than this! She remains cancer free!

It has now been two years since Karen had her last chemotherapy treatment. We have been told that the first two years are the most critical in terms of a recurrence of ovarian cancer. It shows no signs of returning.

We are thankful! But we are mindful that this is against the odds. Ovarian cancer is a very tenacious disease. We have prayed for healing...but know many others have too, with different results. We can only rest in the goodness and will of God. He knows what He is doing, even when we don't.

Thank you for continued prayers...we are keeping this blog up as long as we need to, but you can also go to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1821552779

The good news continues

The latest blood work came back today. The CA-125 test was down to a 4. It doesn't get any lower than that, according to the OBGYN/oncologist.

As grateful and thankful as we are, we know this can always come back. Statistics aren't good. But you can't live by the statistics. That's not living; that's slavery.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer support and encouragement. And for rejoicing with us.

Prayer needed - tests tomorrow

Here's a photo of Karen with her mother last weekend. Her mom was so happy to see us!


We've all been so busy and caught up in life...yet I hear from many who read this blog regularly. Thank you for your messages here and e-mails to us. They mean a great deal to us.





Tomorrow Karen goes in for the next round of blood work. Though every test has come back at the lowest level possible, nothing is taken for granted. When we're caught up in carting children around to skating and dance lessons, going to church, hosting Easter dinner, seeing extended family, it's easy to forget that around the corner is cancer. The statistics aren't good. You would think after a year and a half of it being gone, we'd be thinking, good, it's over...but we're nowhere near that point. It seems with every few months that goes by, we're a little more nervous each time.





So please keep Karen in prayer. We never take for granted being able to come back with good news, as we have been able to so many times so far.



Thanks and God bless, praying for more good news...

Remembering Cathy Zander - one of our prayer warriors

We just learned today that Cathy Zander, one of many prayer warriors for us, passed away suddenly yesterday. No one is sure how, but we believe she had a stroke. She was 54 years young. Cathy was much loved by her children Laura and Matt, her husband Paul, many close friends. We met Cathy and her husband about a year ago and were moved by her energy, vivaciousness, and non-stop attitude toward life. Please keep her family in prayer during this painful time.

As for us, Karen continues in excellent health. We have also moved to a beautiful new and spacious home here in Burnsville. Please e-mail us at soulwise@msn.com if you want the new address.

Good news to start a new year

Hi all: We just got the latest quarterly test results back. The CA125, the benchmark for measuring cancer activity, came back at 5.3. This is even lower than the last time around. We are rejoicing!

We know you all rejoice with us and wanted to share this news as soon as we could. Thank you for your ongoing prayer support and kindnesses to us.

We don't pretend for a minute that the battle against cancer is over. It always lurks right around the corner. As these test results approached, I was in a veritable state of panic and fear, because the last three sets of results had all been good. Each time the rollercoaster seems to go a little higher.

Thank you again for your support and love

John & Karen

The road to stability

Hi all: I wanted to thank you for your prayers - I received a job offer from Kemper for a work-from-home claims position. The money is what our family needs and there are many other good benefits. God is so good! Of course I need to thank my sister Marilyn, who has worked for Kemper for several years and started this process by getting my resume into the right hands.

Karen's health remains good, by the grace of God. More blood work will follow just after Christmas. We'll keep you informed.

As Christmas draws near, let me share Isaiah 58:11 with you:

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Thank you again for your love and prayers. We will be in touch and this year, we may even do Christmas cards again.

In Christ

John Karen Kylie & Shelby

Family picture - we have survived

Here we are in a church family picture taken just a few weeks ago. Of course there is Karen in the front, and then (clockwise) Shelby, John, and Kylie. We're smiling, though it's been a very hard couple years. We're not out of the woods yet, but 1) cancer hasn't returned and 2) we're still in our home. Your prayers remain so important to us as we continue on this journey.

Please forgive that we don't update this more frequently. In the world of cancer, no news is good news, but I think with Christmas approaching in three and a half weeks and long gift lists emerging from our girls, it's time to keep the meaning of Christmas in perspective and I'll use this blog to put Advent postings. One of our pastors reminded us this morning that Advent is the beginning of the year for the church so shouted out "Happy New Year" to a crowd of rather disoriented Lutherans.

Whenever anyone asks me for prayer requests, of course the first one is praise that cancer has not returned. The next round of tests will be after Christmas. The next request is for stability. My work situation has been at best a roller coaster. I've had several interviews for a position with Kemper Insurance that I will ask you to keep in prayer. This would be a good situation for me and my family.

A lesson I'm still learning is how much fear controls our lives. There is much to be afraid of in life, no matter what we know. Even Jesus felt fear as He contemplated the cross before Him. I read a quote recently that is now on my bulletin board: Fear is the faith that it won't work out. Doesn't that say it all? God's safety net is monstrous compared to the little torn fishing nets I put out for myself. At age 46, I think I'm beginning to catch on.

We love hearing from any and all of you and feel free to e-mail at soulwise@msn.com or comment here.

God bless you all!

Prayer for our country

Hi everyone: With the election three weeks away, we are very concerned about the state of the US right now. The media is basically a big campaign commercial for one candidate...our choices are not that great...and we're witnessing the slow collapse and socialization of the American economy. Regardless of whom you are for, we are asking all of you to pray for this country right now during a very critical time. Tell everyone you know to pray for our country. And pray for whomever is elected president.

Update - MORE GOOD NEWS!

Karen's latest blood work has come back today. I was nosy and opened her mail, but was glad to be able to call Karen at work and tell her that the CA125 test, the benchmark test for determining if cancer has returned, was at 6.4. This is still way low!!! It's slightly up from where it was the last time, but not enough to be concerned. It's a matter of keeping it low.

Karen recently started part time work at a place in Edina that markets dietary supplements. She's getting quite an education there! It has been good for her to cut free from the house. Her hair is getting longer, darker, and wavy-er (sp?). She and I both miss the blond hair.

Your prayers have been appreciated throughout this episode of our lives. We need prayer over the course of the next few weeks for God's provision for staying in our current home. It's a complicated story I won't get into here, but God knows and He'll honor your prayers.

He is good!


John J

Somber anniversary

It was a year ago today that Karen had the surgery that led to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It is one of those days forever etched in my memory: seeing her off into surgery feeling confident that this tumor would be gone; an excruciating three and a half hour wait before my pager goes off. Up to a conference room where I met Dr. Argenta. The words that changed our lives forever started with "the news I have is not good". Then a few hours later, as Karen awakened, telling her what no husband ever wants to tell his wife: They found cancer. Watching her sob helplessly as she said she wouldn't live to see our daughters' weddings. Making the phone calls to family and friends, hearing their crying. Taking our daughters to see her that night.

Nobody should live through that.

A year later, Karen remains in remission. For this I am thankful. Everyone says life is a gift. I would add to that: it's a gift given to us daily. None of us is entitled to tomorrow. We go day by day in faith in Christ and love one another - not easy, but better than the alternatives.

Good things have come out of this: closer relationships with Karen's sister, with my sisters and brother, new closesness with many other relatives, a new depth in our faith, a deeper appreciation for each day, but also a sense of urgency about planning for the future - a hard thing to do when just staying fed and keeping gas in the car is made more difficult (e-mail me at soulwise@msn.com if you're curious as to whom I think is to blame for these problems in all of our lives).

You have prayed us through so much, and I've prayed for all of you who have asked me. A year later, we ask for your prayers in keeping a steady income coming in. This battle has cost us a great deal - add to this my career battles as a glittering real estate career took a nosedive - but we face each day and work to support our families. Please keep this in your prayers for us. And of course for Karen's ongoing healing. If Karen is less worried about income, she is less stressed. Cancer and stress go hand in hand.

Thank you again for prayers, support, love, and encouragement. All our love to you.

John Jacobsen
(with Karen and the girls)

Been a while

It has been since later in June that I've updated the blog. In the world of cancer, no news is good news. We do have some prayer needs and concerns we'd like to share with you in the time being.

Karen is looking for gainful part time employment. Our daughters Kylie and Shelby are both in dance and ice skating respectively. Dance lessons, ice time, etc can run $500.00 a month. Please pray for God's provision of a part time job to cover these expenses. Additionally, I'm keeping my eyes open for other work opportunities. The project I was on at Allianz stretched out seven months. They may need me back for another - but not sure when that will be. Please pray for God's continued steady and providing Hand to guide us. He always has in the past, even when the road has become rocky. And He provided through many of you. We will always be grateful.

Karen has been having some pain lately. It appears to be related to a post-surgical hernia she developed. Pray for relief from the pain. Nothing is worse for me than seeing my wife in pain and wanting to do something about it. She goes back to the OBGYN/oncologist for more tests in October.

A verse deep in my memory came to the surface yesterday - Romans 10:11, "...whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed" (NASV). Even if our circumstances in life disappoint or are downright upsetting, God never is. Wrap yourself in His love.

And read my sister Marilyn's blog - it's awesome! http://meowylyn.blogspot.com

John J

GOOD NEWS!!!!

Today we received test results back from Karen's first non-chemotherapy influenced blood work. The most important test, the CA-125, came back at 4.8.

Yes, 4.8!

What does this mean? CA-125 is the protein that develops in response to cancer activity. The "normal" range for this test is up to 30. The last two times this test was done, it was at a 5 - and Karen's doctor told her it is unusual for it to never get that low. This time, it went even lower.

This is a victory, but it's the first of many times we will sweat it waiting for these results. Ovarian cancer has a very high recurrence and is quite insidious. A battle has been won, but we're still engaged in war.

And we have the best prayer warriors out there.

THANK YOU!

Dealing with the ever-present fear - and prayer requests

Hi friends and family: Our family continues to feel the constant prayers and concerns you have surrounded us with. We remain thankful.

Yesterday Karen went for blood work in anticipation of her June 30 doctor appointment. These appointments are quarterly. This one we're particularly concerned about because it will be her first appointment without the influence or benefit of chemotherapy. The CA125 test is the most critical one, as it measures the protein that responds to cancer activity. We're aware it could go up and that this doesn't necessarily mean the beast has returned. But we are worried. Please keep us in prayer.

WE WANT THIS GONE! Cancer is something that always lurks in the background. Yes, you go on with the demands of everyday life because you have to. We could go on and on about how we're too young, too busy, too this, too that to be dealing with this, but that would be whiny. God has put this in our lives. We can't even say it's not fair, because God is always fair. We just don't see or understand this.

But we still want this gone!!!

Please keep us in prayer. Please continue to keep our home refi situation in prayer as well.

God is good, and we see evidence of this every day. He is faithful and will bring everything to pass.

A long awaited update - and a prayer request

We send greetings to our family and friends. Please forgive the infrequent updates to this blog. In the world of cancer, this is often a good thing. It means we don't have any bad news. We're deeply aware of the insidiousness of this disease and that it could recur at any time. Your prayers remain pivotal in this constant battle. Cancer is a chronic disease and ovarian cancer has a very high recurrence rate. Though the odds are unfavorable, God is bigger than the odds. We remind ourselves of this daily.

Karen has been busy, busy, busy and gains more energy by the day. She has been busy with a renovation project updating a bathroom and adding an office to our lower level and going with Kylie to dance recital rehearsals this week. Her hair is a short blondish bob, slightly shorter than my hair. She says she still feels bald because her hair was once so long (scroll down to the photo and you'll see how long and beautiful it was). With all we've been through, the biggest tragedy has been the loss of her hair. Yes it'll grow back...but until you've been there, you can't imagine. Wigs don't cut it. They itch and look unnatural.

I continue to work two positions right now - not easy, but I enjoy the work at both and that is a motivator that makes me forget how tired I feel sometimes. Our financial situation has improved considerably, but still need your prayers - we have five more weeks to find new financing for our home of 14 years. God has been very gracious about this and many prayers have already been answered. Please storm the gates of heaven on our behalf in this situation, which while it causes distress, we also have a peace about it.

Sometime in June Karen goes in for the first blood work that has not been influenced by chemotherapy. Last night we talked and got teary eyed thinking "what if the CA-125 rises?" I would give up everything I have for this to never, ever come back. Nobody, though, has that kind of control. Of everything that has come my way in life, this has been the one thing I can't control. Still, in the midst of this, you find Christ and His comfort. His peace becomes more and more real in our darkest struggles.

Thank you again for prayer support and all the love you have shown us. Rejoice in our God's goodness and provision!

Rainy April days in Minnesota

First of all, please forgive me for not updating this blog very much lately. My family and I have been preoccupied with the memorial blog for my mother, which you can find at http://rememberingsharon.blogspot.com. Your kind words and cards have meant so much to me in the last month since my mother died.

Karen is a little stronger every day and looking better. We've been told it takes about a year for one's body to get completely back to normal. Chemotherapy kills so many cells. We're trying to replenish them by drinking mangosteen juice, which has 500 x the antioxidants that the same serving of orange juice contains (e-mail me if you want more information about this at soulwise@msn.com). Her fingertips are numb and Karen has to call on me or the girls to open jars, for example. Some hair is returning...it's almost as long as my hair was at its shortest. Karen will go to the doctor every three months and see what the CA-125 is doing. She maintains the no-sugar diet.

In the meantime, we are meeting many others whose lives are being affected by cancer. While we were out to dinner about a month ago, a lady approached Karen and asked her if she were battling cancer. It turns out she had just been diagnosed a couple months before with bone cancer. While the girls went out to the van to wait on us, Karen and I spent about 1/2 hr with her and her husband. In addition, a colleague of mine at Allianz was just diagnosed and I've been able to share our experiences with her. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, God comforts us in our afflictions that we may comfort others.

Please keep our family in prayer as we face financial hurdles right now. I know in God all things are possible, so it's hard to get discouraged...that's why it's not wise to ever listen to the news. Gas and food prices are skyrocketing and making it hard for all of us to live. God has been good to us in so many ways and we're thankful. There is so much worldly noise to shut out.

God bless and thank you for being there for us.

Latest developments in the fight against cancer - and thank you

To those who have sent cards, e-mails, phone calls, and prayers for me and my family over Mom's death - thank you. Not a day goes by without tears. The wake was last Wednesday night the 26th and the funeral mass the following morning the 27th. A few hours after the burial, my sisters, brother and I selected a simple stone to mark her burial in Green Lake, Wisconsin. It will read "Sharon Jacobsen Darnick 1937 - 2008 Love you forever"

Another blog has been created in Mom's memory at http://rememberingsharon.blogspot.com.

This morning I arose very early to take Karen in for surgery - to remove the abdominal port, the one that you may recall was causing many of the problems last November. We were home by 10:00 am. Karen saw Dr. Argenta yesterday who was optimistic at the news of the CA125 going from a 6 to a 5. He informed her that most women never see the CA125 go down at all and for hers to have gone down to 5 is excellent progress. He also told her it will in all likelihood never go below that. I prayed all morning that the Lord would give Karen some good news - usually these doctor visits are very sobering. It was great to see Karen leave feeling encouraged.

Karen's strength is back. Her hair is beginning to come back, but those of you who remember how long it was (scroll down to the photo below) know that it will take a long time. We ask for prayer for discipline and strength to maintain the no-sugar diet. You would all be amazed at how easy it is to give up. I drank a Coke last week and felt sick afterwards - I learned later that my body had gotten used to not processing such huge amounts of sugar.

Thank you for prayers during this difficult and dark season of life. We're certainly ready for the sun to shine again. Faith, however, gets us through. To see the goodness of God in the midst of this storm is what faith is all about.

SHARON JACOBSEN DARNICK 1937 - 2008

About an hour ago on this Easter Sunday 2008, my mother Sharon Jacobsen Darnick has gone to be with our Lord. She was welcomed there by Jesus, by the host of the heavenly angels, her parents, and many others. Her years of pain are over. She is at peace.

On this Easter Day, remember Who conquered death for us. Remember the One who made it possible for my mother, as well as each one of us, to live eternally.

Updates - and Easter greetings

Thank you for prayers for my mother. Though she was very close to death last Wednesday, with a doctor telling us to get into town because it looked like the end, she made it through the night and began to improve. After a few days in the hospital, she returned home. She has home health care nurses each day spending a few hours with her as well as hospice checking in on her each day. Because of the condition of her lungs it could be any time, but the imminent danger appears to be past.

Karen continues to gain more energy and is even looking at job opportunities again. Ovarian cancer is a chronic disease and it's a matter of keeping it away. In all likelihood, it will recur. We have faith. That - and changes we make in our lifestyles - is all any of us has control over.

We're spending Easter here with our dear friends the Sanders. Have a happy, safe, and enjoyable Easter.