| Carrie Sailer's Blog . . . |
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Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." -
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -
Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. -
II Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -
Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." -
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -
Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. -
II Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -
Isaiah 54:17a
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
WELCOME:
The purpose of this blog is to keep Carrie's friends and family aware of what's going on in her life. Carrie has been diagnosed with Adrenal Coricol Carcinoma. An aggressive cancer.
The purpose of this blog is to keep Carrie's friends and family aware of what's going on in her life. Carrie has been diagnosed with Adrenal Coricol Carcinoma. An aggressive cancer.
Exodus 17 tells us the story of Moses and the battle of Amalek. As long as Moses' arms were raised--they were winning the battle. When Moses became weary and could no longer hold up his arms, God sent his brother Aaron to Hold up his arms--The battle was won! Aaron was a direct source of strength to Moses--when he needed it most!
We can be Carrie's Aaron in this battle. First and foremost through prayer! Then, If you feel led to donate to help with her expenses, please feel free to use the button below.
| PAST ENTRIES. . . |
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2012-02-12 - Upcoming Events---March 18th
We have some pretty exciting events coming up......
On Sunday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, there will be a prayer service held for Carrie at Grace Church in Gladstone. While we are hoping that many people in the area come to pray over Carrie and worship our Savior, we are also asking for your support through prayer wherever you may be living. We are hoping that HUNDREDS, maybe THOUSANDS, of people are praying for a miracle healing for Carrie ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!! We pray that it is God's will that she will be COMPLETELY and MIRACULOUSLY healed from this devastating disease. Check out "Carrie's Cause" on Facebook for more information :). Please pass the word out for this special prayer request to all your friends, acquaintances, and family.
On the same day, but from 1:00 until 5:00, we will be having a benefit fundraiser to help Carrie with her medical bills. There will be a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, and bake sale. "Carrie's Cause" site will have updates.
And speaking of Carrie......in case you haven't heard, at her last appointment at the University of Michigan about 2 1/2 weeks ago, she was told that the lung nodules have decreased in size AT LEAST 30%!!!! This is AMAZING! And a TRUE answer to PRAYER. Carrie is having her chemo every 28 days, and usually feels quite well for 1-2 weeks before her next treatment. So these are relatively good days for her as she will be getting her next round a week from Tuesday (around the 21st). In the meantime, she will be taking another quick trip to Chicago to go to a friend's wedding next weekend.
Again, do a search for "Carrie's Cause" and if you are a facebook member you will be able to invite your facebook friends to this.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(36)
We have some pretty exciting events coming up......
On Sunday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, there will be a prayer service held for Carrie at Grace Church in Gladstone. While we are hoping that many people in the area come to pray over Carrie and worship our Savior, we are also asking for your support through prayer wherever you may be living. We are hoping that HUNDREDS, maybe THOUSANDS, of people are praying for a miracle healing for Carrie ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!! We pray that it is God's will that she will be COMPLETELY and MIRACULOUSLY healed from this devastating disease. Check out "Carrie's Cause" on Facebook for more information :). Please pass the word out for this special prayer request to all your friends, acquaintances, and family.
On the same day, but from 1:00 until 5:00, we will be having a benefit fundraiser to help Carrie with her medical bills. There will be a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, and bake sale. "Carrie's Cause" site will have updates.
And speaking of Carrie......in case you haven't heard, at her last appointment at the University of Michigan about 2 1/2 weeks ago, she was told that the lung nodules have decreased in size AT LEAST 30%!!!! This is AMAZING! And a TRUE answer to PRAYER. Carrie is having her chemo every 28 days, and usually feels quite well for 1-2 weeks before her next treatment. So these are relatively good days for her as she will be getting her next round a week from Tuesday (around the 21st). In the meantime, she will be taking another quick trip to Chicago to go to a friend's wedding next weekend.
Again, do a search for "Carrie's Cause" and if you are a facebook member you will be able to invite your facebook friends to this.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(36)
2011-12-28 - Heading into the New Year!!
Wow, I guess I need to apologize regarding not keeping this blog as updated as I should. But as someone wise last week told me, "I assume no news is good news." We'll go with that!!! But please keep your prayers coming :)!
Anyway, Carrie went through her last chemo at the U of M with no problems. Her blood counts dipped down, but not to a dangerously low level, and she avoided infections, etc. and kept relatively healthy until the last few days (more to come on that.) I want to take this opportunity to thank our different hosts downstate for their gracious hospitality in October and November. My cousins Patty and Nancy and families and George's cousin Butch and family opened their homes to us. I also do not know if I "blogged" thanks to the Aspen Drive/Mulberry Circle/North Bluff Drive neighborhood of Gladstone for their amazing contributions to Carrie during their annual neighborhood party. Thanks to all of you!
The Christmas holiday has been especially wonderful because Nick is home on leave from Ft.Carson, Colorado. And with the many blessings we have, our greatest gift to keep in mind is Jesus!!!
Carrie hit a bump in the road when she woke up early Tuesday morning with what appeared to be the GI flu. She was house/dog-sitting for her dad/stepmom and was alone when she got sick. She didn't call me until after she had been back and forth to the bathroom every 20 minutes for 4-5 hours. I didn't realize how ill she was until after I got there to pick her up. To make a long story somewhat shorter, we needed to call the ambulance to transport her to our local hospital, and she ended up being admitted. She is doing very well today and should be discharged in the morning and will most likely start her next round of chemo tomorrow (was originally planned for Tuesday.). While this may have been the GI flu, the hospitalist felt it was more likely adrenal insufficiency, which can happen due to side effects of her medications. But whatever the cause, she is ready to get rocking on continuing to fight this cancer, trusting in the Lord's will and plan and timing.
Thanks again everyone for all your prayers and support!!!!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(69)
Wow, I guess I need to apologize regarding not keeping this blog as updated as I should. But as someone wise last week told me, "I assume no news is good news." We'll go with that!!! But please keep your prayers coming :)!
Anyway, Carrie went through her last chemo at the U of M with no problems. Her blood counts dipped down, but not to a dangerously low level, and she avoided infections, etc. and kept relatively healthy until the last few days (more to come on that.) I want to take this opportunity to thank our different hosts downstate for their gracious hospitality in October and November. My cousins Patty and Nancy and families and George's cousin Butch and family opened their homes to us. I also do not know if I "blogged" thanks to the Aspen Drive/Mulberry Circle/North Bluff Drive neighborhood of Gladstone for their amazing contributions to Carrie during their annual neighborhood party. Thanks to all of you!
The Christmas holiday has been especially wonderful because Nick is home on leave from Ft.Carson, Colorado. And with the many blessings we have, our greatest gift to keep in mind is Jesus!!!
Carrie hit a bump in the road when she woke up early Tuesday morning with what appeared to be the GI flu. She was house/dog-sitting for her dad/stepmom and was alone when she got sick. She didn't call me until after she had been back and forth to the bathroom every 20 minutes for 4-5 hours. I didn't realize how ill she was until after I got there to pick her up. To make a long story somewhat shorter, we needed to call the ambulance to transport her to our local hospital, and she ended up being admitted. She is doing very well today and should be discharged in the morning and will most likely start her next round of chemo tomorrow (was originally planned for Tuesday.). While this may have been the GI flu, the hospitalist felt it was more likely adrenal insufficiency, which can happen due to side effects of her medications. But whatever the cause, she is ready to get rocking on continuing to fight this cancer, trusting in the Lord's will and plan and timing.
Thanks again everyone for all your prayers and support!!!!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(69)
2011-11-29 - Fighting aggressively!
As most of you know, Carrie is back at the University of Michigan. She and her dad left yesterday, and plan to be there until at least Thursday.
Today, she had a port put in that will probably stay in for at least several months. She will be able to get her IV chemo through this port as well as have her labs drawn. She also had a pet scan done. Up until now, she has always had CT scans, but the pet scan will show more clearly how the tumors are responding with the treatment given. This was definitely a full day for Carrie!
Tomorrow, she has an echocardiogram, labs, an appointment with her oncologist (Dr. Worden), and her first chemo treatment. She will also have chemo on Thursday, and may be driving home afterwards.
I will be posting updates as we know more......
Keep praying!!! Your prayers are more powerful than all the medications and therapies out there to help beat this disease.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(46)
As most of you know, Carrie is back at the University of Michigan. She and her dad left yesterday, and plan to be there until at least Thursday.
Today, she had a port put in that will probably stay in for at least several months. She will be able to get her IV chemo through this port as well as have her labs drawn. She also had a pet scan done. Up until now, she has always had CT scans, but the pet scan will show more clearly how the tumors are responding with the treatment given. This was definitely a full day for Carrie!
Tomorrow, she has an echocardiogram, labs, an appointment with her oncologist (Dr. Worden), and her first chemo treatment. She will also have chemo on Thursday, and may be driving home afterwards.
I will be posting updates as we know more......
Keep praying!!! Your prayers are more powerful than all the medications and therapies out there to help beat this disease.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(46)
2011-10-31 - Back to Michigan
Who would have thought that the best center for treating adrenocortical cancer was located right here in Michigan?
Well, after being at two amazing facilities (Mayo and Cancer Treatment Centers of America), we found out that the University of Michigan Medical Center treats HALF of ALL the cases of this type of cancer diagnosed in the United States every year. Carrie was seen at U of M last week. See the following link:
www.uofmhealth.org/adrenalcancer?gclid=CODciqzik6wCFct-5Qod5irNpA
Thankfully, the cancer does not appear to have regrown in Carrie's abdominal area. A few spots in her lungs, however, have increased in size. U of M treats very aggressively, so they are recommending Carrie do several rounds of chemotherapy, which she will start in November. First, she leaves for California Wednesday for a week to see good friend Sarah. Thanks so much to my cousin Pat who is flight attendant for Spirit Airlines! Carrie is able to use one of her buddy passes to fly out of Chicago.
Carrie is continuing on the chemo pill (mitotane), and her liver enzymes and labs have all remained within normal/acceptable limits. She has been feeling well, other than being somewhat fatigued.
Please continue to pray for Carrie's complete healing from this disease, as well as for her continued strength. Prayers would also be appreciated for her safety during travel, and also for us to find affordable health care coverage (we just found out that her medical insurance will end December 31st...she will qualify for COBRA, but we are not sure of the premium and deductible cost). And most of all, pray that God be glorified through all of this, especially to those who do not yet know Him.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(39)
Who would have thought that the best center for treating adrenocortical cancer was located right here in Michigan?
Well, after being at two amazing facilities (Mayo and Cancer Treatment Centers of America), we found out that the University of Michigan Medical Center treats HALF of ALL the cases of this type of cancer diagnosed in the United States every year. Carrie was seen at U of M last week. See the following link:
www.uofmhealth.org/adrenalcancer?gclid=CODciqzik6wCFct-5Qod5irNpA
Thankfully, the cancer does not appear to have regrown in Carrie's abdominal area. A few spots in her lungs, however, have increased in size. U of M treats very aggressively, so they are recommending Carrie do several rounds of chemotherapy, which she will start in November. First, she leaves for California Wednesday for a week to see good friend Sarah. Thanks so much to my cousin Pat who is flight attendant for Spirit Airlines! Carrie is able to use one of her buddy passes to fly out of Chicago.
Carrie is continuing on the chemo pill (mitotane), and her liver enzymes and labs have all remained within normal/acceptable limits. She has been feeling well, other than being somewhat fatigued.
Please continue to pray for Carrie's complete healing from this disease, as well as for her continued strength. Prayers would also be appreciated for her safety during travel, and also for us to find affordable health care coverage (we just found out that her medical insurance will end December 31st...she will qualify for COBRA, but we are not sure of the premium and deductible cost). And most of all, pray that God be glorified through all of this, especially to those who do not yet know Him.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(39)
2011-09-07 - Treatment Plan Update
We just returned from Carrie's evaluation at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL last night. It is great to be home again!
CTCA has a unique patient-centered focus that brings together a team of caregivers who work together to achieve a best outcome for their patients. While Mayo Clinic has excelled at providing top-notch medical care to Carrie, we were quite impressed by the evaluation Carrie received at CTCA. Her team includes an internist, a board-certified oncologist, and naturopath physician, a registered dietician, as well as pastoral care and social work. In addition, there are therapies and modalitites such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, reikki, and several others available.
We had the reinforcement that Carrie's cancer is extremely rare. In fact, the CTCA location in Illinois has only seen 2 other cases in the last 5 years. And there is no magic answer or drug for Carrie's cancer. After much discussion, it was decided that Carrie would go back on the mitotane (the oral chemo pill) that is specifically for her type of cancer. Her labs would be closely monitored, and we would increase the mitotane extremely slowly. Carrie will return to CTCA in 6 weeks as long as she does well with this approach. We may go back to Mayo to pursue some of the clinical trials, but for now she wants to try the mitotane again. Carrie is also adding some recommended nutritional supplements (such as fish oil, vit. D, flaxseed, ginger, CoQ10, and Monavie juice for high antioxidants.) She is also going to eat healthy and give herself the best nutrition she can so her body can fight this disease! It was wonderful to have the naturopath on board who researched whether other supplements and testimony-inspired products could help Carrie. Many of the ones we brought to her could possiblity interfere with the Mitotane, or were not recommended due to Carrie only have one kidney.
So.....we are thankful for the next few weeks, and Carrie may still get that trip in to California (or possibly Tennesee?) in the next month. We will keep you all updated. In the meantime, while we pray for her complete and total healing, we feel God working in all of our lives and already healing her.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(98)
We just returned from Carrie's evaluation at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL last night. It is great to be home again!
CTCA has a unique patient-centered focus that brings together a team of caregivers who work together to achieve a best outcome for their patients. While Mayo Clinic has excelled at providing top-notch medical care to Carrie, we were quite impressed by the evaluation Carrie received at CTCA. Her team includes an internist, a board-certified oncologist, and naturopath physician, a registered dietician, as well as pastoral care and social work. In addition, there are therapies and modalitites such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, reikki, and several others available.
We had the reinforcement that Carrie's cancer is extremely rare. In fact, the CTCA location in Illinois has only seen 2 other cases in the last 5 years. And there is no magic answer or drug for Carrie's cancer. After much discussion, it was decided that Carrie would go back on the mitotane (the oral chemo pill) that is specifically for her type of cancer. Her labs would be closely monitored, and we would increase the mitotane extremely slowly. Carrie will return to CTCA in 6 weeks as long as she does well with this approach. We may go back to Mayo to pursue some of the clinical trials, but for now she wants to try the mitotane again. Carrie is also adding some recommended nutritional supplements (such as fish oil, vit. D, flaxseed, ginger, CoQ10, and Monavie juice for high antioxidants.) She is also going to eat healthy and give herself the best nutrition she can so her body can fight this disease! It was wonderful to have the naturopath on board who researched whether other supplements and testimony-inspired products could help Carrie. Many of the ones we brought to her could possiblity interfere with the Mitotane, or were not recommended due to Carrie only have one kidney.
So.....we are thankful for the next few weeks, and Carrie may still get that trip in to California (or possibly Tennesee?) in the next month. We will keep you all updated. In the meantime, while we pray for her complete and total healing, we feel God working in all of our lives and already healing her.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(98)
2011-08-28 - Calling all Prayer Warriors
Hi all. Carrie and I returned from Minnesota yesterday after spending a couple of days with good friends the Ketchers and Codenas. Last Tuesday Carrie had her appointments at Mayo Clinic, and met with Dr. Bible in the late morning.
Carrie has continued to feel great and looks to be in excellent health. Her labs are all pretty close to normal, but Dr. Bible did not want to put Carrie back on the chemo pill which is specifically to fight the type of cancer she has. He was concerned about her abnormal alkaline phosphatase level, which took over a month to come back to a near normal. He pointed out to us that the nodules in Carrie's lungs have increased slightly in size. From there, he gave her several options: 1. Do nothing but continue to travel and enjoy life. He very bluntly told us, however, that he felt her cancer would continue to grow. 2. Enter into a Phase I Clinical Trial with two different medications that have NEVER been used together on humans. In fact, Carrie would possibly be the first person to ever use these, and all treatments would have to be done at Mayo. The drugs individually have a long list of not-so-nice side effects, so together, who knows? In fact, Dr. Bible told us of a different clinical trial he has patients participating in that actually causes darker skinned people to have their skin turn lighter. I guess we decided that at this point the Phase I trial is not what Carrie wants to be a part of.
3. Try one of two different chemo regimens that have absolutely no proof of slowing her disease. These could be done in Escanaba.
After much research and prayers, we have decided to pursue a slightly different route for an evaluation. We leave for the Chicago area Wednesday night after I finish work, and Carrie will be evaluated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL. They not only do conventional cancer treatment, but also focus on such important things as proper nutrition. If you would like further info on these centers, go to www.cancercenter.com. Their website states: "At CTCA, we understand that cancer doesn't just affect one part of the body. It affects all of you and everything in your life. Here, you will receive a personalized treatment plan which includes a powerful combination of advanced conventional treatments combined with supportive complementary medicine therapies. This whole-person approach helps you fight cancer while you enjoy a good quality of life."
Please get on your knees in prayer for Carrie. We continue to go boldly to the Throne presenting our request for a complete and total healing. Feel free to forward this prayer request on to your family and friends.
We also ask for your continued prayers for Gary's brother Steve Cass. Steve is currently undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
You are all such a blessing to us!!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(41)
Hi all. Carrie and I returned from Minnesota yesterday after spending a couple of days with good friends the Ketchers and Codenas. Last Tuesday Carrie had her appointments at Mayo Clinic, and met with Dr. Bible in the late morning.
Carrie has continued to feel great and looks to be in excellent health. Her labs are all pretty close to normal, but Dr. Bible did not want to put Carrie back on the chemo pill which is specifically to fight the type of cancer she has. He was concerned about her abnormal alkaline phosphatase level, which took over a month to come back to a near normal. He pointed out to us that the nodules in Carrie's lungs have increased slightly in size. From there, he gave her several options: 1. Do nothing but continue to travel and enjoy life. He very bluntly told us, however, that he felt her cancer would continue to grow. 2. Enter into a Phase I Clinical Trial with two different medications that have NEVER been used together on humans. In fact, Carrie would possibly be the first person to ever use these, and all treatments would have to be done at Mayo. The drugs individually have a long list of not-so-nice side effects, so together, who knows? In fact, Dr. Bible told us of a different clinical trial he has patients participating in that actually causes darker skinned people to have their skin turn lighter. I guess we decided that at this point the Phase I trial is not what Carrie wants to be a part of.
3. Try one of two different chemo regimens that have absolutely no proof of slowing her disease. These could be done in Escanaba.
After much research and prayers, we have decided to pursue a slightly different route for an evaluation. We leave for the Chicago area Wednesday night after I finish work, and Carrie will be evaluated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL. They not only do conventional cancer treatment, but also focus on such important things as proper nutrition. If you would like further info on these centers, go to www.cancercenter.com. Their website states: "At CTCA, we understand that cancer doesn't just affect one part of the body. It affects all of you and everything in your life. Here, you will receive a personalized treatment plan which includes a powerful combination of advanced conventional treatments combined with supportive complementary medicine therapies. This whole-person approach helps you fight cancer while you enjoy a good quality of life."
Please get on your knees in prayer for Carrie. We continue to go boldly to the Throne presenting our request for a complete and total healing. Feel free to forward this prayer request on to your family and friends.
We also ask for your continued prayers for Gary's brother Steve Cass. Steve is currently undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
You are all such a blessing to us!!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(41)
2011-08-20 - Summer fun!
It's been wayyyy past time that I updated this blog. Thanks to all of you who so patiently wait for our new posts.
We had the opportunity to head down to South Carolina and were invited to spend time with our friends, Chris and Rich Warner, who, thankfully, decided to retire on Kiawah Island. :) Chris and Rich are the parents of my dear friend, Katie, who also came down from Charlotte, North Carolina. Also along were our lovely friends, Laura (Olson) LaFave and Katie (Prins) Sinclair. And Laura's youngest, Landon. :) Landon was such a trooper and enjoyed by all. Anyway, Katie, my mom, and I left from Escanaba and met Laura and Landon in Detroit. From there, we all flew together to Charleston, SC. While my mom went to visit her BFF from high school, Julie Lund (she lives in Mt. Pleasant), Katie took us back to Kiawah Island to start our time of great times and relaxation.
We spent a lot of time in the pool, bike riding, walking on the beach and laughing. We even got to accompany Chris and Rich on the island's "Turtle Patrol," which was very entertaining! The patrollers dig up the Loggerhead turtle nests and assist any remaining babies to the sea...luckily, we got to witness this! Very fun. We also went into the village on the island and into Charleston to do some shopping. I'm SO thankful that Chris and Rich opened their wonderful home to us and that the girls, Landon, and my mom were able to come down. We had a wonderful time.
In a couple of days, we head back to Rochester for another check up. If you're praying, I would also ask you to pray for Gary's (my mom's husband) brother, Steve. We just found out that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and will be traveling from Texas to Mayo to receive a 2nd opinion.
Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!
Carrie
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(42)
It's been wayyyy past time that I updated this blog. Thanks to all of you who so patiently wait for our new posts.
We had the opportunity to head down to South Carolina and were invited to spend time with our friends, Chris and Rich Warner, who, thankfully, decided to retire on Kiawah Island. :) Chris and Rich are the parents of my dear friend, Katie, who also came down from Charlotte, North Carolina. Also along were our lovely friends, Laura (Olson) LaFave and Katie (Prins) Sinclair. And Laura's youngest, Landon. :) Landon was such a trooper and enjoyed by all. Anyway, Katie, my mom, and I left from Escanaba and met Laura and Landon in Detroit. From there, we all flew together to Charleston, SC. While my mom went to visit her BFF from high school, Julie Lund (she lives in Mt. Pleasant), Katie took us back to Kiawah Island to start our time of great times and relaxation.
We spent a lot of time in the pool, bike riding, walking on the beach and laughing. We even got to accompany Chris and Rich on the island's "Turtle Patrol," which was very entertaining! The patrollers dig up the Loggerhead turtle nests and assist any remaining babies to the sea...luckily, we got to witness this! Very fun. We also went into the village on the island and into Charleston to do some shopping. I'm SO thankful that Chris and Rich opened their wonderful home to us and that the girls, Landon, and my mom were able to come down. We had a wonderful time.
In a couple of days, we head back to Rochester for another check up. If you're praying, I would also ask you to pray for Gary's (my mom's husband) brother, Steve. We just found out that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and will be traveling from Texas to Mayo to receive a 2nd opinion.
Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!
Carrie
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(42)
2011-08-09 - Appreciating life.....
Hi all. It has been a wonderful few weeks. We leave for South Carolina this Thursday.....we are soooo excited to see good friends and family!
Carrie's health has been very good. Her liver enzymes have continued to decrease. She is currently still off of her chemo pill, but will go back on when the labs reach a certain level. Dr. Bible told Carrie last week that he was "delighted" with how she was doing, and that he didn't get delighted very often :). Praise God!!!!!
Thanks for all your continued prayers and support!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(36)
Hi all. It has been a wonderful few weeks. We leave for South Carolina this Thursday.....we are soooo excited to see good friends and family!
Carrie's health has been very good. Her liver enzymes have continued to decrease. She is currently still off of her chemo pill, but will go back on when the labs reach a certain level. Dr. Bible told Carrie last week that he was "delighted" with how she was doing, and that he didn't get delighted very often :). Praise God!!!!!
Thanks for all your continued prayers and support!
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(36)
2011-07-16 - Update from appointment
We just returned from Carrie's latest appointment at Mayo Clinic. The great news is.....no IV chemo again this month!!!
Dr. Bible was pleased to tell us the "trajectory of your disease has changed since I first met you." What he was telling us was that Carrie's condition seems stable right now, versus the rapid spiral downward she was headed to in January.
The lung nodules have mixed results again, a couple of them are smaller (yes!), and a few are slightly larger. But there is no new growth seen there, praise God! While most of Carrie's labs were within normal limits, one of her liver tests was highly elevated. We are praying this is just temporary. Dr. Bible decided to take Carrie off of the mitotane (chemo pill) temporarily
for a week and repeat her labs. This medication may be causing side effects that we don't want.... Although being off the mitotane for a week is not ideal, we know she was off for several weeks at the time of her surgery without problems. And the medication has a long half-life so it will remain in her system. In addition, some sort of cystic area has shown up on her ovaries. Dr. Bible felt that it was probably not cancer, but it does of course need to be monitored.
We will be returning to Mayo Clinic the week of August 22nd for follow-up. This will allow Carrie to go to South Carolina in August, and is prior to when I return to work. Please keep us all in your continued prayers.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(72)
We just returned from Carrie's latest appointment at Mayo Clinic. The great news is.....no IV chemo again this month!!!
Dr. Bible was pleased to tell us the "trajectory of your disease has changed since I first met you." What he was telling us was that Carrie's condition seems stable right now, versus the rapid spiral downward she was headed to in January.
The lung nodules have mixed results again, a couple of them are smaller (yes!), and a few are slightly larger. But there is no new growth seen there, praise God! While most of Carrie's labs were within normal limits, one of her liver tests was highly elevated. We are praying this is just temporary. Dr. Bible decided to take Carrie off of the mitotane (chemo pill) temporarily
for a week and repeat her labs. This medication may be causing side effects that we don't want.... Although being off the mitotane for a week is not ideal, we know she was off for several weeks at the time of her surgery without problems. And the medication has a long half-life so it will remain in her system. In addition, some sort of cystic area has shown up on her ovaries. Dr. Bible felt that it was probably not cancer, but it does of course need to be monitored.
We will be returning to Mayo Clinic the week of August 22nd for follow-up. This will allow Carrie to go to South Carolina in August, and is prior to when I return to work. Please keep us all in your continued prayers.
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(72)
2011-07-07 - Yes...we had a wonderful trip!!!
First of all, I want to apologize for not updating the blog more often. Carrie does post on her facebook site quite a bit. If you friend request her and let her know in a message how you know her, she will probably add you as a friend. Also, I have posted quite a few pictures on my facebook site as well.
Anyway, our trip out west was absolutely wonderful. Carrie did more than any of us had thought possible, and it was such a great experience. We all learned through it that she is able to get up early if need be, and can hike the beaches and mountains (obviously in moderation), and can tolerate being in close contact with family for extended periods of time :).
We flew into Portland, OR, on June 14th and drove to Pendleton and spent several wonderful days with my sister Kathy and her family. We then drove to the Oregon Coast and up to the Seattle area. We did attend Mars Hill Church at the Ballard Campus that Sunday. Although we were a little disappointed that Pastor Mark Driscoll was not there in person, we did see a prerecorded sermon and were in the midst of a body of believers to worship the Lord. And that is what it is all about! We also met with several of the other pastors after the service, and they all laid hands on Carrie, anointing her with oil, and praying for her healing. It was a fantastic experience!
Monday found us in the Olympic National Park, and the Hoh rain forest and at LaPush (yes Twilight fans, on the reservation). The beaches were phenomenal, and this is where we had our most challenging hike. But, getting to the tide pools was definitely worth it. By Tuesday night we were at my aunt and uncle's in Port Orchard. They have a wonderful home situated right on the Puget Sound, and we all felt so warmly welcomed.
On Friday the 24th we said goodbye to my sister Kathy at the Portland airport and flew to Denver. My son Nick picked us up, and we spent the next two nights in Colorado Springs where he is stationed at Fort Carson. Please remember to keep all of our young men and women serving in our military in your prayers....... We saw more of God's glorious creation at the Royal Gorge Park, as well as throughout the local area. It was sad to be dropped off by Nick Sunday night, but we even had time to connect and have dinner with one of my college friends, Barb, who lives in the Denver area.
As of now, Carrie's health appears to be improving. We return to Mayo Clinic next week, and she will get her CT scans and labs on Thursday, and meet with Dr. Bible on Friday. We prayerfully expect that all will be stable or better in her lungs, with no new growth, and that we will be able to return home on her oral chemo. If that occurs, Carrie will be doing a few things. She is tentatively planning a trip to California to see her good friend Sarah, and she is also planning to travel to South Carolina to see friends there. She will also be talking with her doctor about her ability to possibly do some work from home for her company. While many people might not appreciate their jobs, we are soooo thankful that Carrie has had a wonderfully supportive company and well as being healthy enough to possibly do some work.
Praise to God, and thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support.
Julie Cass
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First of all, I want to apologize for not updating the blog more often. Carrie does post on her facebook site quite a bit. If you friend request her and let her know in a message how you know her, she will probably add you as a friend. Also, I have posted quite a few pictures on my facebook site as well.
Anyway, our trip out west was absolutely wonderful. Carrie did more than any of us had thought possible, and it was such a great experience. We all learned through it that she is able to get up early if need be, and can hike the beaches and mountains (obviously in moderation), and can tolerate being in close contact with family for extended periods of time :).
We flew into Portland, OR, on June 14th and drove to Pendleton and spent several wonderful days with my sister Kathy and her family. We then drove to the Oregon Coast and up to the Seattle area. We did attend Mars Hill Church at the Ballard Campus that Sunday. Although we were a little disappointed that Pastor Mark Driscoll was not there in person, we did see a prerecorded sermon and were in the midst of a body of believers to worship the Lord. And that is what it is all about! We also met with several of the other pastors after the service, and they all laid hands on Carrie, anointing her with oil, and praying for her healing. It was a fantastic experience!
Monday found us in the Olympic National Park, and the Hoh rain forest and at LaPush (yes Twilight fans, on the reservation). The beaches were phenomenal, and this is where we had our most challenging hike. But, getting to the tide pools was definitely worth it. By Tuesday night we were at my aunt and uncle's in Port Orchard. They have a wonderful home situated right on the Puget Sound, and we all felt so warmly welcomed.
On Friday the 24th we said goodbye to my sister Kathy at the Portland airport and flew to Denver. My son Nick picked us up, and we spent the next two nights in Colorado Springs where he is stationed at Fort Carson. Please remember to keep all of our young men and women serving in our military in your prayers....... We saw more of God's glorious creation at the Royal Gorge Park, as well as throughout the local area. It was sad to be dropped off by Nick Sunday night, but we even had time to connect and have dinner with one of my college friends, Barb, who lives in the Denver area.
As of now, Carrie's health appears to be improving. We return to Mayo Clinic next week, and she will get her CT scans and labs on Thursday, and meet with Dr. Bible on Friday. We prayerfully expect that all will be stable or better in her lungs, with no new growth, and that we will be able to return home on her oral chemo. If that occurs, Carrie will be doing a few things. She is tentatively planning a trip to California to see her good friend Sarah, and she is also planning to travel to South Carolina to see friends there. She will also be talking with her doctor about her ability to possibly do some work from home for her company. While many people might not appreciate their jobs, we are soooo thankful that Carrie has had a wonderfully supportive company and well as being healthy enough to possibly do some work.
Praise to God, and thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support.
Julie Cass
- COMMENT - READ COMMENTS(105)