October 17th
Things are beginning to settle
down. Karlie has gone home from the hospital last weekend. Earlier
than the Doctor wished but Karlie and the family had enough of being in
the hospital. So with some arrangements for blood testing etc. they
were able to go home. Karlie has improved so much since getting home.
She is sitting up and communicating (exceptional well whenever she wants
something). They are still having an issue with her sodium levels. We
had a blood test today. If all goes well she will go back on her Chemo
treatments next week. We have a ways to go, but with all your prayers
we know Karlie will be back to her full self shortly. Please again I
ask that you remember Karlie in all your prayers. Thank you all for all
your love and support.
Jody
October 8th
As some of you may know we had a
new MRI a week ago last friday. Upon reviewing the MRI our Doctors were
amazed to find that a part of the Tumor had died. The dead part of the
tumor along with the rest of the tumor, became incased in a fluid filled
cycst. It had found a small space away from the Pontine area and was
perfectly sitting there where it could be removed. So last wednesday Dr.
Sun performed brain surgery on Karlie and was able to open the Cyst,
remove the tumor and fluid and dead tissue. We were facing all kinds of
possible problems with a procedure like this. We are now 5 days post the
surgery. Karlie has done fantastic. The only side effect from the
surgery is her left arm seems to be weak. The same day of the surgery we
noticed her eye already began to move back into its normal position. The
Doctors say this has never happened before. At the bare minimum they
believe they have extended her life for a significate period of time.
They believe there could be some cancer cells left in the pontine area,
but do not know if there really is or not. Since nothing like this has
ever been seen or happened before we are in ground breaking territory.
This could even be such a miracle that her life has been saved from this
tumor. We will continue with monthly MRI's and will continue with her
Chemo as soon as the Dr.'s believe it is safe to begin. We are so
grateful for all your prayers. It is clear the prayers are making a huge
difference in our Karlies life. Please continue to pray for her complete
healing. Again and as always we wish to send you all our deepest thanks
for all your love, support and prayers. Without all of your prayers we
would have never come this far. All our love, Jody Powers & the Breeden
family.
October 6th
Last night we had Karlies new MRI
to get a visual of how successful the surgery went. The new MRI shows
that there is NO TUMOR. The Dr. does say there can be some cancer cells
left. They do not know what will happen next. As soon as it is safe we
will begin the Chemo again. I am still in such shock that we have come
this far. It was Just a few short months ago that we were told that
there was no hope. Karlie would live at most 12 months. Some of the
Doctors thought we should not even attempt the treatments that we did.
Now here we are 5.5 months later and we are making medical history. I
know that it is with the prayers that we all have prayed and Gods grace
has brought us this far. I guess at times I even have a hard time
wrapping my thoughts around how far we have come.
Karlie has no side effects from
the surgery. All the this and that's they said could happen as a result
of the surgery have not come to pass. She can speak and all her motor
skill are perfect.
I again sat with Dr. Sun and
reviewed the new MRI last night. I saw his face and his reaction. He
is in shock as well. It was clear he was pleased with our results. As
I have said before we will praise God for this miracle and now we are.
Karlie will be going home as soon
as she if off the IV Pain relief, and when she can eat. They removed
her catheter last night. Today we are hoping to be moved out of ICU and
into a recovery room. We should be taking her home in a few days as
long as no complications arise.
Through this entire process we
have been blessed with all your prayers and thoughts. Your hard work
for her fund raisers, and support you all have given to Karlie and the
entire family. I know without all your love, support and prayers, we
would have never come this far. So I know I have said this before but I
must say it again. We thank you and love you all for all the support
you all have given us. Please keep up with all your prayers and God
Bless You All. All my love, Jody
October 4th
Thank You !!!! Thank You for
your prayers!!!!! They are working. Karlie went through the surgery
with flying colors. The Surgeon was able to remove most of the tumor.
There are still cells existing in the pontine area. There will be a MRI
again tomorrow at 3 pm to see the results of the surgery. There were no
complications, no blood transfusions. She was off the ventilator within
1/2 hour of her surgery. At this point no one knows what to expect. We
will continue the Chemo treatments in hopes of killing the remaining
cells. Again we are in uncharted territory so there is no guidelines
to know what to expect. Tomorrow we hope to know if she has any motor
skill complications or speech complications. If she does not she will
go home in a week. If she does we will then begin physical and or
speech therapy. I along with the entire Breeden family again would like
to thank everyone for all your prayers. Without those prayers we would
not get through this. Please keep the prayers coming. God Bless You
All.
Love Jody
September 29th
I know I have sent a couple emails
with regards to my niece Karlie. But this one is by far the most exciting
and scary.