One Week Down

Cathy filling in for Carol.

Today started out a bit rougher for Carol...a lot of you have referred to Carol as the "energizer bunny" but this morning even the best batteries seemed to be running low. She described her energy level to Sue (the wonderful Christian nurse she has seen two out of the five days this week) as about 1 1/2 batteries out of the normal 6. Carol awoke with some nausea this morning but after eating a bit of food and taking the anti-nausea medicine she felt much better. As always though, Carol's spirit remains strong and she is as upbeat as ever!

After getting her chemo shot this morning Carol took off with Chelse to Michaels to get her new photo of Half Dome matted and framed...she plans to display it on the wall opposite her bed to give her motivation and inspiration for the climb ahead.

The meals you all have been providing for Mark and Carol have been soooo appreciated...they have all been nutritious and delicious! Ruthie Kronk and I were the delighted guests at dinner this evening and were thoroughly entertained by a slightly "drugged on Ativan" Carol. She is experiencing some nausea now during the day and had to supplement the slower acting medicine with the quicker acting Ativan...but little did she know the side affects would make her so hilarious at dinner. (Guess you had to be there!)

Carol has one more treatment on Monday of next week and will also see the doctor in the afternoon that day. The next round of chemo will begin October 13. For the next go-round Carol will be hospitalized at Stanford for five days because of an additional treatment that requires around the clock monitoring.

Please continue to uphold Carol before our mighty God...below are some particular areas to bring before the Lord:

• Platelet levels to remain above 100
• Nausea to be minimized
• Strength
  
• Wisdom for the doctors overseeing Carol's treatment and specific prayer for Monday's appointment that the two doctors would have communicated with each other to better give Mark and Carol some clarity around the plan of treatment.
• That Carol's body would be built up during the break from treatment
  
• That the chemo would do its work...shut down the cancer cells dividing, but leave Carol's immune system intact.

Mark and Carol are so grateful for your support and are continually giving thanks to God for each and every one of you! You are loved and appreciated more than you know!

P.S. Carol loves getting your notes and comments on the blog...the more the merrier and yes, Kathy, you can definitely leave comments every day!