awake, finally!

Hi everyone, it's Kari.  I am rather weak and tired, but wanted to post something.  I cannot believe Memorial Day was only last weekend- it feels like an eternity ago.  Monday night and Tuesday night were restless nights.  The study drug gave me a terrible sore throat, and that coupled with the anxiety of the upcoming surgery just wouldn't let me sleep.  I went to church on Tuesday morning with the kids and met with Father Carl, who prayed with me and I received annointing of the sick.  James played on the floor in the room and Katie sat on the chair next to me.  As we were praying I looked over at Katie and she was sitting with her hands folded in prayer, head bent and muttering.  I swear she was praying with us.  I went to my pre-op testing appointment on Tuesday afternoon and then got my sugery time 6:30am.  6:30 came bright and early, and with a lot of emotion.  I had a hard time getting ready on Wednesday morning, and half of it was I really wanted to kiss my babies before surgery, but since it was so early in the morning, we had to take them to my mother in law's the night before.  Jay was really sweet and made things better by showing me some pictures and playing some voice recordings James had made on our iphones.  Who knew trying to occupy James by letting him play with my iphone would turn out to be so comforting to me?!? We got to the hospital and checked in, and Jay stayed with me until they had to take me to pre-op.  My parents arrived about 7:30 and they got to spend time with me beforehand as well.  My surgeon and plastic surgeon came in before the surgery to see me, and that was reassuring.  It also felt good to know that I had so many people praying for me.  The last thing I remember was being rolled into a really big room with a lot of people and supplies waiting for me....

I kept thinking when I couldn't sleep the night before about the Chicago Marathon.  For the last few years my brother Rob, my brother in law Greg and sister in law Tracy and Jay have run in it.  I remember on those mornings waking up and thinking it's 7:30 and they are starting, it's 8:30 and they are still running, it's 9:30 and they are still running, it's 10:30 and their still running.  I thought of all the things I was doing, all while they were running for hours.  I felt like my surgery was like the Chicago Marathon and I kind of felt like I was more concerned for everyone who was waiting for my surgery to be over than for me.  I had the easy part, I just had to sleep.  I felt bad for all the people waiting to hear news.  I am thankful that Jay and my parents were in the waiting room fielding updates for the surgical team, and I am thankful for my Aunt Rosemary, Uncle Paul, Aunt Nancy and Sue for spending the day with them.  I know that it was comforting to them to have those people there.  I am also thankful to my mother in law and father in law for watching James and Katie during my surgery. 

After I came out of surgery, I don't remember much except feeling pain and then feeling sick.  I waffled between feeling pain, getting medication, getting sick, feeling pain, trying a new medication, feeling sick, etc.  The cycle lasted Wed night, all day Thursday night and until about 2pm on Friday when I finally gave up and just decided to take tylenol and deal with the rest of the pain rather than keep throwing up.  Because if any of you know me well, you know what a baby I am when it comes to being sick.  I am so grateful that my mom was there with me the entire time, sleeping on a little couch, freezing right under the cold air conditioning vent.  I was touched by all the visitors, phone calls, flowers and cards I received.  I am also thankful for my dad who stayed at my house on from Wed night to Friday night to be with my kids.  I am so glad they had their Papa Bede to play with and take care of them, as they love their Papa Bede very much and he is very good with them! 

I came home on Friday night about 8pm, and it was nice to be in my own bed and see my Katie sleeping.  I miss James, but I am sure he is having a great time with his cousins.  I am so grateful that my brother in law Greg took him downstate on Friday to my other brother and law and sister in law, Tracy and Chuck's house for the week.  He will have a great time with his cousins! 

Since I have been home, I have been resting, sleeping, watching tv, and listening to books on tape.  Thank goodness for my iphone so I could read some emails and today I am feeling good enough to spend a little time on my laptop. Yesterday my brother Rob and his wife Audrey come over with their twin girls Caroline and Olivia and they played with Katie and took all the girls for a walk.  Thank you Krupa Family of 4!   I also had a nice visit with my Aunt Aggie, Uncle Richard and cousin Meridith who stopped by today. 

My mom is going to be staying with us for at least a week.  It is so nice to have my mom, an RN with me 24/7.  My dad is  helping out too, and it is so nice to have them taking care of me and Katie. 

I am looking forward to feeling better and stronger each day.  Next week I have three appointments with the doctors to figure out the next steps and chart a plan of action.  I know I will have two more surgeries before this journey is over, and some sort of treatment.  I am thankful for all my friends and family, and my doctors.  Keep praying please!

Kari's Home...

Well, we brought Kari home today. I am writing this from the tropical oasis that our kitchen has become. Kari has received a flood of flowers from everyone. She really appreciates this. She didn't sleep well last night and she was very nauseous for the first part of today. She did a complete turn around when I got there about 2:00. I'd like to think that it was my bright wit and charm, but more likely it was because they changed her meds again. They took her off of the NORCO and put her on plain Tylenol to take the edge off of the pain. The difference was night and day. By the time dinner came around, she had a modest appetite. Kari is propped up in bed with pillows and the TV remote. We got home after Katie went to bed. They will both be very happy to see each other in the morning. James and my brother Greg went on an adventure this morning. They caught a train bright & early to Union Station to catch the Amtrak to Rantoul, IL to see his cousins Caleb and Eli. Tracy & Chuck were gracious enough to take James for the upcoming week to allow Kari to rest and heal. It will be tough for him to be away but he's having a good time with his cousins. I am pretty certain that he is having too much fun to be missing us. Thanks again to all for your continued support. It is good to have Kari home and I know that she will be more comfortable here. As a good friend of Kari texted, "Round 1 goes to Team Harris". Let the healing begin. Jay

Update...

Okay Folks, I am sitting on the couch in Kari's room at Loyola. She has been napping for about an hour. Things are going well. She had a decent night. She was pretty nauseous but they changed her pain meds and she is feeling much better. Her pain is under control, obviously enough to let her nap soundly. Her mom went back to our house to clean up, rest a little and spend some time with the kids. I'll stay here for a while. The kids are doing well. They had a busy day with my mom which included going to the zoo and playing at the park. I picked them up about 7:30 last night and James was sound asleep before we crossed over 22nd Street. Katie was a different story. Our usually easy-to-sleep little girl was ready to party last night. When I left the room after I put her down for the first time, she was chatting with one of her stuffed animals. Collectively between Kari's dad and me, we put her to bed 4 times after finding her playing with toys in the dark. Not unhappy, just playing in the dark. I put her down for the final time a little before 10:00. When I checked on the kids again at 11:30, I found her asleep next to James in his bed. Anyway... I'll post more later today. Jay

Email from last night...

Hello All, For those who didn't receive it, here is the text from the email that I sent out last night. Jay Before I get too far, I need to thank all of you on behalf of Kari and our entire family. We have struggled to find the right words to describe the support that Kari has received since we announced her fight with cancer. Surprised, overwhelmed and humbled are a few that come to mind. Your collective thoughts, prayers, cards, phone calls, flowers and visits have made this far easier for Kari. Also, the meals and care for our children have been invaluable. Today was the next big step for Kari. She had a pretty grueling day of surgery that started about 6:30 this morning and ended late in the afternoon. The medical staff at Loyola was caring, professional and compassionate. By their accounts, everything went flawlessly. Kari had a bilateral mastectomy. Additionally, they removed a mass of lymph nodes in her right arm. Right now, she is in a fair amount of pain and nauseous, but doing well considering everything. They are going to watch her closely tonight and into tomorrow. There is a chance that they may release her tomorrow afternoon but we are in no hurry. Friday is the more likely case. Her mom, Diane, will spend tonight with her in the hospital to keep an eye on things. She has 4 to 6 weeks of recovery ahead of her. Over this time, she will be restricted in what she can do, including holding the kids. I know that this will be very difficult for her. We will meet with her oncologist within the next week to chart her course of treatment. It will almost certainly include 4 to 6 weeks of chemotherapy. There is a modest chance of radiation therapy, but we won't know this for sure until we meet with the oncologist. Again, thanks to all who called, texted, emailed today cheering her on and looking for updates. I did my best to keep you all up to date with the play-by-play coverage. Also, thanks to those who spent the day with us in the hospital helping us pass the time and lending your support. Having you there meant a lot to us. Please watch our blog for updates over the next few weeks. You can get to it at www.team4harris.blogspot.com. As we promised, we have been trying to keep just as many updates on the kids on the blog as we have updates on Kari. Sincerely, Kari, Jay, James & Katie The Harris Family

Half-way there...

We just met with Dr. Godellas, Kari's surgeon. His part is finished. He said that she was in good spirits as they were putting her under and that her vitals were strong. He was able to remove all of the tissue that they needed and that there were no other complications. The plastic surgeon is with her now. Dr. Godellas felt that Dr. Vandevender had a good 3 to 4 hours of work to do with her. I'll send out another update when she's in recovery. Jay

Start of a long day...

Good Morning to All, Kari just went into the operating room. We got here about 6:15, went throught he pre-op routine and did a little waiting. Kari's parents got here a little after 7:00. We had about an hour to wait together before they took her off. I'll keep updating this over the course of the day. Jay

surgery

Hi all,  Unless anything changes, my surgery is set for tomorrow morning.  I am first case so I have to be at the hospital bright and early at 6:30.  Jay will update the site with info throughout the day.  Please say prayers for me, my family and all the wonderful people that are taking care of me and my family.  Thank you!