Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Quick Update

It's been quite some time since Katie felt like getting to the computer so I thought I would provide a quick update on her condition.  Katie continues to be hooked up to the Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) IV (Wikipedia has a somewhat decent entry on TPN) and is currently receiving about 1500 calories a day.  She has been able to eat a couple of things lately without getting sick and we are hoping the trend continues and improves.  We have also had a change in her chemo regiment as a result of the TPN being hooked to her port 24/7, rather than going home with the portable infusion pump for her 5-FU, she has been receiving Xeloda a pill form of chemo that she takes morning and night for seven days (today being the last day).  So far her nausea has been quite a bit better; a very welcome improvement over past treatments.  Her red blood cell counts continue to be very low which resulted in her having to get another two units of blood.

As for the future?  I think we will be staying on the Xeloda for at least the next round of chemo and Katie has another brain MRI scheduled for Friday; I'm hopeful they will continue to find there is nothing going on in her head.  She will also be continuing the TPN until she is able to eat normally, although we are dropping down to 18 hours a day starting tomorrow.

Not all is bleak though, Katie was able to get up and make it to the Twins school picnic yesterday!  The boys had fun eating lunch with Mom and Dad and then having us go out on the playground with them.  It was great to see her out of the house for something other than a doctor visit.


Thank you all for your comments and emails, Katie gains great strength from your positive thoughts and prayers.

52 comments:

Cassie said...

Thank you for that. . .always thinking of you all, always praying for you all. Love to you, Katie. So glad you were able to be at the twins' picnic :)

Carla said...

Thanks for the update!! Continued prayers for you all!

Margie Higuchi said...

Kevin, thanks for the update on Katie!! HUGS to you for doing all that you are doing for her :)

LOVE YOU KATIE!!! xo

Whimcees said...

Hello!

I am so glad that I came back to check once more this morning! Thank you for your post - I had been wishing that you would post an update for Katie soon if she didn't feel well enough to.

What happy news that you both were able to attend the twin's picnic -I am sure that it was wonderful for all of you!

I send good wishes and love to Katie and I keep you all in my prayers every day. A card is on the way.

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Beckie said...

Thanks for the update. I am a new follower, but I'm praying for her. May God move in her life.

Be Blessed, Beckie

anna1 said...

Thanks for the update will continue to pray God Bless you all Anna

Theresa Momber said...

Thanks for the update! Katie, so glad you were able to get out for the boys' picnic and I'm very pleased to hear the nausea is improving. Keep on fighting!!! Much love and strength headed your way!

Candy F. said...

Thanks for posting Kevin!

Shazza said...

thanks for the update, so glad Katie managed to get to the picnic
x

Gloria Dojlido said...

Keeping your whole family in my thoughts and prayers! Thanks for the update!
Hugs
Gloria

Bobbi-Lynn said...

Thank you for the update, I have been thinking about Katie daily. Prayers continue to be said in my home and my prayer circle up here in Canada!

Novice Naturalist said...

I love knowing that Katie made it to the picnic. Thanks for the update. You are all in my heart.

donna calamari said...

Katie, you are in my thoughts everyday. I am glad that you were able to get out and enjoy your family. I am here buty heart and prayers are with you.

Gina said...

Thank you for taking the time to chat with strangers. We do care how you and Katie are doing. I know it will have been extremely tiring for her to attend the picnic, but spending a "normal" day with the boys will be a powerful tonic for the soul. Much love to you all :D XXX

Jak Heath said...

I'm so pleased that you you had a good day at the twins picnic, thanks for the update, sending love to you all across the miles xxx

cgashley said...

Thank you for the update! I don't mind praying when I don't know what is going on, because I realize that God does see. Still, it's good to be able to pray more specifically and that is what I will be able to do now. Your family is such an inspiration to all of us--this is a difficult mountain and it is heartening to see you helping each other over the roughest patches. Best regards to all of you; I will continue to lift you up in prayer.

Pam~ said...

Thank you so much for the update. I have been thinking and praying for you and your family, Katie. I'm tickled pink that you got to go on picnic with your sweet kiddos and hubby! Hugs to you!

Linda said...

Thank you so much for letting us know how she is and how everything is going. I am so glad to hear about the picnic!
Love and prayers for all every day!
Give Katie a (gentle) hug!

Donna said...

Thank you so much for the update, I check everyday to see how Katie is doing. Give her a big hug and tell her we are thinking of her always, take good care of yourselves. hugs Donna x

Anonymous said...

thanks for updating Kevin!
Em

Joan B said...

thanks so much for taking time from your busy life to update us. it means a lot.

please let Katie know how much we care and are thinking of all of you. hugs

Lori Craig said...

Thinking about you and appreciate the update. Stay strong, Katie!

Gill said...

Thank you so much for keeping us informed. You remain in my prayers & thoughts.

Christine said...

Thank you for the update, Katie and her family are in my thoughts and prayers everday. I am so glad that she was able to make it to her sons picnic.

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Thanks for the update. Stay strong, Katie! Hugs and loves, loves, loves!

Ashley Newell said...

Thanks for the update! I'm praying for Katie everyday.

Keri Lee Sereika said...

thanks for the update. I have been thinking about and praying for you all.. much love from a total stranger...

Kristen said...

Thanks for the update - keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

judy said...

I check regularly to see how you are
Katie so I appreciate the update from
Kevin! Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and so happy to know that this chemo is easier to tolerate.

Jenn Zeeb said...

Thanks for the update, I was worried. Hope things are now going to be looking up. Let her know she is in our prayers.

Hugs
Jenn

Ted said...

I was glad to see an update in my Google reader today. Thanks for that, Kevin.

Katie, you remain in my prayers.

Barbara H said...

Thanks for the update. I check every day for an update, always in my thoughts and prayers. There is a little girl fighting a battle in my area, she has group named NEGU. Stands for Never Ever Give Up. They have a website. I think NEGU is a wonderful motto for us all, and continue to keep your family in my thoughts.

Susan said...

Thank you for Katie's update. So happy that you could attend the twins' picnic together. As always, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Sarah said...

Thank you for the update and tell Katie she is still in our prayers and can't wait until she is feeling better. So glad she was able to go to the outing with the twins. Keep in touch.

Mrs. Nancy G said...

Thank you for the update Kevin. It means a lot to know some of the details.

I love you all and am praying for your family.

~nance

Anonymous said...

Thank you for an update!! I think of katie daily and send prayers her way!!

Eden said...

I love you and your boys so much! It is so great you were there for the boys at the picnic. I adore you, sis, and I am constantly reminded about how lucky I am to have you for a sister.

Cheryl Arbo said...

Thank you for the needed update. My heart has been heavy with worry. Whenever I see one of Katie's post it just makes my day. We all love her and are praying for comfort and strength, not only for Katie, but you and they boys as well.

marilynprestonn said...

I think of you often Katie, you are sooo sweet. Thank you to your husband for the update, I will be keeping you in my heart you know.

Peggy a cardmaker friendxo

IamDerby said...

Sending you love Katie! You are never far from my thoughts.

Barb Gmitro-Best said...

Good to hear from you Katie! I continue to keep you in my daily prayers! Stay strong!!

Anonymous said...

Katie, I'm so glad that you were able to make it to your twins picnic yesterday. I check for an update from you everyday, so I am so glad that Kevin gave us an update.

I'll hold you tight in my heart and prayers.

Deborah F

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update. I'm so happy Katie could go to the school picnic. Thinking of you everyday!!! Marylynn

Becky Jo said...

Thanks so much for the update. I have been thinking about Katie and praying that all was ok. So glad to hear that she went to the boys school picnic! I was going to email her, but figured if she didn't post she probably didn't feel like being on the computer. Katie, you are an inspiration to me and I'm sure lots of other people. I think of you always. Big Hugs, Prayers and Blessings to you and your family.

smhoffmann said...

Thank you so much for the update Kevin. I stumbled across Katie's website some time ago and have been following it daily.

Kevin says we provide you with strength but I think it is the other way around. Katie what you provide us with your strength and ability to share your battle is so much more than we could ever provide you.

Keep fighting girl and know that so many people love you and pray for you and your family. There is something to the power of prayer and you have lots of them.

So happy you made the picnic. Love and prayers to you and your family.

Tameko said...

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that Katie got out of the house for a little family time. Continued prayers for Katie and family.

AJ said...

Such great news to hear. I am SO glad she got to go to the picnic!! Keep ON STAYING STRONG KATIE!!! You are an inspiration to SO MANY!!

Kelly S. said...

Lots of prayers and warm thoughts coming your way, Katie, Kevin, and the boys! It made me smile thinking of you all at the school picnic...thanks so much for the update.

Maria said...

Thank you so much for the update. Glad to hear Katie was able to enjoy a special day with the children.

Suzi said...

I was worried that when Katie was too ill to post, no one would be covering for her. Thanks so much for letting us all know how she is doing. I think with cancer, sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. This chemo stuff is the pits! Praying for you, Katie. Hugz!

Kathy Mc said...

Oh, I've been so worried about Katie so appreciate the update. No doubt your twins were so proud to have their mom and dad at the picnic with them. Hoping and praying Katie has more good days than not-so good!

America said...

Oh Katie. Im so glad to see that you were able to get out to enjoy the picnic with the boys and Kevin. :) May God continue to bless you and keep you strong.

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