Good News Update!

I received word from my dad today that they had a positive report from mom's oncologist! This seems to rarely happen and we give God due glory for His work in my mom's health.  A big thanks to all of you prayer warriors out there as she fights this uphill battle. We are overjoyed to hear that the cancerous cells are greatly diminished and her Epstein-barr virus (EBV) count has dropped from 42,000 (since discovery of the EBV presence) to 3,800!!! This is encouraging news as it seems there has mostly been a barrage of frustrating news in the past. Please continue to pray her as this battle is far from over.

With this good news, comes the ability to take steps toward the treatment that we pray could save her life. She and my dad will fly to NIH in 3 weeks to prepare for the t-cell transplant. (Remember, they are pioneering a new treatment of engineered t-cells to specifically fight this rare cancer.) This trip will allow them to do the necessary gathering of data for her specific cancer in order to engineer these "custom fighter cells." We still need to find a match in order for this process to continue, so please pray for this entire process. Thanks for your love, support and most of all your prayers! God is doing a mighty thing and teaching me about trusting in Him in the process.

Please pray for:
- mom's mouth sores to lessen as they continue to make it difficult for her to talk and eat
- her 3rd round of EPOCH which started tonight at UW Medical center, pray it continues to be as effective as it has been
- a donor match to be found for the t-cell transplant
- both dad and mom to get restful sleep and to truly embrace this good news with lifted spirits


The Kroegers are currently on an adventure with Trav's family in Park City, UT. We couldn't manage to pull together a video, but here are some pics thus far!!!

Twin Falls, ID

The packed out car!

 

Sweet morning memories 

Emery's princess facepaint

Aksel's a pirate

super ice cream boy!

Super Baby Madsen Boy

Watching the sunset at Guardsman's Pass

Em has her hair back, in a braid! :)

Em with cousin Natalie

Mads 'n Me

A long hike deserves fun park playtime!

Kroegers' New Pad

Sorry for missing a post last week!  Travis, Madsen (7wks) and I went to Sayulita, Mexico with some friends to celebrate our upcoming 10 year anniversary and while we had hoped to post while there... it just wasn't able to happen. This week has been a whirlwind, we closed on our first home (!!!) and we leave tomorrow for a full Kroeger family vacation in Park City, Utah.  So while we hope to post while there, we will see if it proves possible.  This video depicts today's festivities from our first "camp in" at the new place.  It has central air!!! ... so even though we're not "moving in" until July, we may just have to be there more often. ;)

click here for VIDEO

Update:  Most of you are probably aware that mom finished her 2nd full treatment of EPOCH chemo last week and did very well.  However, similar to last time she was not able to remain at home for her recovery.  She again became neutropenic (zero WBC) characterized for her with intense lethargy, increased mouth sores and continuous fevers.  She is very blessed to have my dad's ever present watch over her as he monitors her progress and provides her daily care.  Alas, she is back at UW medical center for continued care as she tries again to regain her strength (and an increased WBC) in an effort to be ready for her next round of chemo.  Her oncologist was positive despite these setbacks, sharing that he thinks with 2-3 more rounds of chemo she may be ready to try the engineered T-cell transplant.  Please be praying for her (and my wonderful dad's) strength through this whole process and that a matching blood donor would be found quickly to enable this transplant. Mom, you are a hero to me... not many people would be able to make it through this process as it is so very grueling and taxing on your body and spirit.  We love you SO much! XOXO

Also, if you are a pampered chef fan... we are having a "show" in honor of mom's fight against this rare cancer.  Proceeds will go to benefit the T-cell leukemia lymhpoma foundation (http://tcllfoundation.org), which was founded by the wonderful, Dr. Shustov (mom's doc).

Please let me know if you would like to be added to the Facebook page or just browse and order directly by logging onto www.pamperedchef.biz/katiegreer. (Go to the top left corner- click shows you're invited to- click LOOKING for a SPECIFIC SHOW-type DENEE KROEGER as your HOST.)