Karla's Health Update 12/20/08

Heather wrote...

Well, Christmas is just around the corner. We do hope you are enjoying this beautiful season and the beautiful meaning behind it all.

After having two weeks of the new IV chemo, Mom is enjoying a bit of a break from it. It was decided that the new IV chemo schedule would be Dec. 30th rather than Dec. 23rd. This giving a chance for Mom to be able to possibly enjoy the holidays a bit more as well as Mom and Dad's 39th wedding anniversary on Dec. 29th.

We are not certain as to the effectiveness of this chemo. Blood tests will be done soon to determine this. A new concern is that Mom has been experiencing extreme dizziness for the last four days. Even keeping her eyes open for short periods of time contributes to the dizziness. The dizziness is even more evident during the nights. The doctor has suggested that it may be due to her blood pressure medicine. In an effort to rid Mom of the dizziness difficulties, the blood pressure medicine has been cancelled temporarily.

Mom's brother, Kirby, was able to fly out for a quick visit. This was a real treat for Mom as well as the rest of us. Dad's sister, Mary Ann, also came to help and spend time with the family. Her visit and help was well appreciated. Thank you to all of you for your kind words, Christmas cards and letters, encouragement, visits, meals, support, and prayers. When the mail comes each day, Dad makes sure to read them all to Mom when she is awake. She looks forward to this each day.

Mom and Dad were able to get their Christmas letter out and were so grateful it is a task that is done. Sending Christmas letters/cards out is very important to Mom and Dad and they didn't want to skip doing so this year. They are taking one day at a time with what tasks can be done. They want to apologize to all of you for not keeping up on email. Family and friends are so important to Mom and Dad and they so desire to not lose touch with you. As Dad often quotes, "Life is relationships." Please know that not hearing from them in email, etc. is only due to the temporary situations they are in with the chemo and side effects consuming much of their time. Despite the difficult journey this has been, Mom and Dad are enjoying each other and look forward to each new day.

Mom still loves to be fun and hear fun happening around her. It means so much when we are all there at the house. She may not say much but she loves to hear us all relate with each other. She listens in on our stories we share with each other. When she does join in, she spends much of her talking time thanking those within listening range for...being there, for getting her toast, for encouraging her to keep hydrated, for caring for her and she also apologizes for not keeping her eyes open or saying much. She has an amazing outlook on all of this going on in her life and inspires us all. Many people find themselves gravitating to becoming grouchy, grumpy, and difficult in situations such as hers. But not Mom, she is amazing. I think about what it would be like for me to be in her situation and I can easily see myself turning into a "Woe is me Diva" and being irritable. Thank you, Mom, for modeling what it is to bear good fruit every day, in every situation.

Well, it is with grateful hearts that we again tell you, Thank you. Thank you for being strong for us, thank you for praying with us, thank you for cheering Mom on. We are humbled and moved to tears many times. This means more than we can truly express.

May your Christmas be exceptionally beautiful and memorable. May Jesus be your honored guest and fill your home with His love for you.

Blessings,

Heather Hofman