February 27 (written morning of 28th)

The first round of chemo finished up last night and Karen was able to see Becca for the first time in a few days.  We were both able to see Becca together last night, though I am still required to stay outside the glass.  The swelling in Karen's legs is going down and her face is looking fuller that it has in months so the feeding tube is doing its job.

Update part 2:

Rebecca had the IV for nutrients removed and is doing well on just the feeding tube.

February 26

The first round of chemo should finish up later this evening for Karen.  Karen's parents, Glade and Georgia, arrived last night and have been with her most of the day.  Since changing her pain medication yesterday afternoon she is more of her usual self today.  She has been joking and smiling even though she is in pain.  Karen even requested to start walking some more since she hasn't been able to walk much in the last 2 1/2 weeks.

February 25

Karen had a slight reaction (some facial flushing) to the first batch of chemo last night so the third drug of the treatment was put on hold until this morning.  She is doing okay but is easily confused and disoriented.  This morning (maybe sooner) she began hallucinating most likely as a result of the pain medication she is on.  The hospital will now have someone in her room 24/7 to help her out.  This third drug will take a total of 48 hours to run through her system and while that is happening she is unable to leave the floor in case their are any other reactions.  That means she won't be able to see Becca for a few days.

February 24

Karen will be starting chemo today.  Each treatment takes about 48 hours so if all goes well she will be out of the hospital Wednesday.  That is subject to change.

She is still running a slight fever and her white blood cell count has apparently been high since she was admitted though today was the first we had heard that.  They were a little worried about her heart rate (in the 130s) and had her on a monitor overnight.  The oncologist is not too concerned since fevers and high heart rate are common with cancer.

Rebecca is still doing great.  They have moved her by a window so I can look in at her.  I haven't been able to hold her for a few days since I have a cold.  I will send some more pictures when I get some time.

Braden

New Baby Girl

Rebecca was born at 8:00 PM on 20 February 2014.  She is 15.5 inches and weighs 3 lbs 6 oz. (born at 31 weeks and 2 days instead of 40 weeks, about 8 weeks early).  Baby is doing 'phenominal' and is a little 'rockstar' according to the NICU nurses.  She is breathing unassisted and moving well.  A feeding tube was placed today in addition to the nutrient IV already placed yesterday.

Karen was induced due to a fever in conjunction with worries about her overall health since she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last week. We had been hoping to get to Feb 25 to give Becca some more time.  With the fever and because Becca had already been given the steroid treatments for her lungs, not to mention the doctors being confident of a minimal difference between then and a 32 week delivery, we decided not to chance it.

This will actually get Karen into chemo a few days earlier.  While that may not be a big difference, we will take any advantages we can right now.  The oncologist expects to begin chemo either Monday or Wednesday of next week. They are working on improving her nutrition and protein (albumin) levels via IV and a feeding tube.  She is actually getting a blood transfusion as I type this.

At this point the oncologist has said the average life expectancy is 2 years since it has spread to the liver (CT scan soon to determine if it's in the lungs as well or not).  We are hopeful that estimate can be beaten since most people with colon cancer are older with other problems.  Besides, Karen is fiesty.  That's where Rebecca gets her strength.

Keeping it positive since despair is downright depressing.

Braden