Hilltop View
Hello, my friends. First, I want to apologize for the silence. It has been four months since my last update, and we’ve been busy. I have been in the hills and valley but have never been alone.
November 28th was my first of four rounds of chemotherapy. Quick recap: I am still on my oral targeted therapy, Tagrisso. My MD Anderson oncologist, Dr. Heymach, happens to be one of the leading physicians in research and treatments for my specific type of lung cancer. Dr. Heymach suggested adding the four rounds of cisplatin and pemetrexed while continuing the Tagrisso. This decision was based on the recent FLAURA 2 Study. In a nutshell, the goal of the chemotherapy was to extend my time on the oral targeted medication.
This July will mark two years on Tagrisso.
Easy Breezy
I breezed through the first three rounds of chemo. From start to finish, my chemo days would take about four hours. There was a slight waiting list of sweet friends who wanted to accompany me; that’s a great position to be in. I am so thankful for those who continue to show up and support us. Josh, of course, was my first date, and in true Josh fashion, he went big. He started the day with a big healthy breakfast and a basket of my favorite things.
Tami and Jessie were my dates for cycles two and three. Both of these friends hold such a dear place in my heart. They kept my spirits up and my tummy full, and I am pretty sure we laughed the whole time; four hours would fly by. The routine was the same: infusion, coming home, sleeping for the next one or two days, then doing business as usual. I was pretty proud of myself—no nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, or other symptoms. The week after my infusion, I would have a doctor’s visit and labs. My doctor would consistently commend me on my health but also advise that the chemotherapy has an accumulative effect. In true Karly fashion, I spoke with my boss and let her know I was probably going to be back to work sooner than expected. Our family was also blessed by so many of you who brought us meals during the week of my infusions; this was huge for us and very appreciated.
Respect the Chemo
My final round of chemo was on January 31st. Josh was my date for the final round. Preparations were made for a small celebration the following weekend, and I was ready to put this chapter behind me; I had conquered chemo. I soon realized the power of chemo and found a genuine respect for what my body had been through. Three days after my final infusion, two of my kiddos had a fever; on day four, the fever hit me. It would take about the next fourteen days to recover. It was the perfect storm. My immunity was down, as expected, following chemo, but because I had a fever, I was hospitalized to rule out serious infections. I ended up having Flu A. I can honestly say that I have never felt so sick in my entire life. My ANC (absolute neutrophil count) was 170; it would have to be at least 500 before I would be discharged. I spent five days in the hospital. My hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets were dangerously low as well.
I had zero strength; fatigue was an understatement. Walking from my bed to the restroom would leave me exhausted. I was relentless with the doctors, begging to be discharged. Friday, February 9th, was Rush’s first school dance. The entire staff at the hospital was aware of Rush and his first dance; I was discharged on the 9th and made it home just in time to see Rush go to his first dance. Thank you, God, for this precious time you have given me. I continued to recover over the next few weeks. I also learned to give myself more grace and rest; resting is something I still work on. During these next weeks, my depression, worry, and fear were kicking in full force. I spent a lot of time pleading for God to heal my body, clear my mind, give me energy, and restore my health.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
We are going to jump back real quick: On January 17th, I had my scheduled brain MRI. Again, I was covered in prayer. I was calm on this day. There is no way to explain it other than the supernatural presence of Christ. Thank you, God, for Jesus and all you have done, believing faithfully that there is more to come.
The MRI was clear, with no progression. Thank you, God.
On February 26th, I had my scheduled PET scan. It had been more than five months since my last scan; they are usually every three months; needless to say, this scan was eagerly anticipated and equally feared. So many of you prayed for and over me. Your words and prayers have such power. I read them, pray them, and reflect on not just your love but the love of our Father. The PET scan revealed that God continues to heal my body. There are no signs of progression; the area to my T12 and left posterior ninth rib are clear, and there is no evidence of disease. Thank you, God.
I returned to work at the end of February. I continue to be blessed with a career I love and leadership that gives me the time to heal.
Right now, we are enjoying the hilltop. I do not search for fear or sadness; they always find their way back here and there.
Instead, I find peace in God's word. I am reminded of Paul’s letter to Corinth, which encouraged their faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:6, Paul writes, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
“Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.”
J. Oswald Sanders
Paul also writes a letter to the church in Rome to guide, direct, and encourage the believers. In Romans 1: 16-17, Paul writes; For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Faith is how I choose to live and how I will make it through, even when I am holding my breath between scans and doctor appointments. This faith is where I will dwell, where I will pour my fears, and where I will continue to find my strength. This faith will allow me to move forward fully, expecting healing and many years of loving Josh and our babies.
Today, we are still navigating our version of normal. The older boys are becoming more aware; we pray with them often and remind them of God’s unfailing love, absolute truth, and all-consuming power that we can find in His Word.
We are thriving. Four kids is not for the weak; between church, school, spring concerts, field trips, soccer, gymnastics, ninja class, baseball, and football, I often find myself giddy for my shifts at the hospital. But man, am I grateful for the chaos.
I will continue to do my best. I will have my MRI and PET scans at the end of May, faithfully believing there will be continued healing.
I can never thank you enough for your love, prayers, and ability always to show up when I need you the most.
