Karen's Prayer

Things are great!

2009-04-02T21:48:00.008-05:00

I thought I needed to do a little update since it's been so long since I've written. Things are going great!! I had a check up at the doctor the other day and everything looks really good and I continue to be healthy praise God! I ran 1/2 of the Little Rock marathon a few weeks ago with some of my girlfriends and it was an empowering experience.

There is a breast cancer survivor feature article in the April 2009 issue of All About You Magazine (AY Magazine). I was one of the women they interviewed for the article and I think it turned out pretty well. You should be able to pick up a copy around Central and Northwest Arkansas. (the picture above is from the magazine: I'm the jumper in the middle!)

I keep up with Facebook so if you are on, you can friend me here

The kids and Daniel are all doing well. Ophelia is closing in on the end of Kindergarten and Victor (3 1/2 yrs) & Fiona (2 yrs) are growing up very fast and play the days away.

School Pictures Below:

HS Reunions & Race for the Cure LR

2008-10-01T22:16:00.003-05:00

It's been a bittersweet end to the summer. Ophelia started kindergarten and is loving it which is a blessing but the 1 year anniversary of Kim's death was very hard. I miss her so very much. My health continues to be good and Daniel and I appreciate your prayers; the kids are doing great and growing up so fast. Vic turned 3 in June and Fiona is quickly closing in on 2 years old.

This weekend is Daniel's 20 year High School reunion and next weekend is mine! It's hard to believe 20 years have gone by. We'll be traveling down to central Arkansas 2 weekends in a row and there is a group from the Beebe class of '88 who are running in the Little Rock Race for the Cure in honor of Kim & me. Daniel & I will be running with them; Thanks for the honor!

Love, Karen

Uganda Update

2008-06-22T06:54:00.005-05:00

The team made it back to NW Arkansas yesterday evening. The kids and I were excited to pick Karen up at the airport and she and the team were happy to get home! I'm posting some of her photos linked below.

Uganda update for Friday

2008-06-20T15:33:00.002-05:00

I talked to Karen on the phone a few hours ago and they were at the Airport in Entebbe getting ready to board the plane. They have one stop in Kenya and then they fly to Belgium and layover a few hours then on to Chicago and then home. They arrive tomorrow at 5pm CDT. The kids and I can't wait to get her back home!!!! more tomorrow after she gets here.

db

Uganda Update, Thursday, June 19, 2008

2008-06-19T15:40:00.001-05:00

From: Chris Thornton
To: ckthorn@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 3:14:13 PM
Subject: Thursday

Our last day of service.... The team was spilt up today as the clinic and childrens outreach teams went to IDP camp Koch Chorom and a 4 person team went to witness and share at the village Opit.

From the reports the clinic and outreach went very good. About 220 patients were seen. Again many were not able to be seen. It was very hot and difficult today, but the team gave of themselves as usual and were a witness for Christ.

In Opit we spent 2 and a half hours doing hut to hut evangelism. We shared why we were there and invited them to the crusade in 2 teams. We then held a service in the UMC church there pastored by Titus. The church is held under a large tree in the middle of the village. The childrens choir sang and led worship and then Jody and Karen shared their testimony. Daphne and I and Jody and Karen then prayed with people. It was a great time. People coming to be prayed for. We literally got down into it today. Kneeling in the dirt with children all around. This was mainly children with a few adults as most of the adults were in the fields tending their gardens. A local team from the UMC is going back to Opit tomorrow to continue to support Pastor Titus and share the gospel.

It was a long, hot, and tiring day. But was a good day. People were helped. The gospel was preached. People were prayed for and God was given the glory. Our time here has been good. A lot of work to be done, but we will be back to Uganda.

Tomorrow we have morning devotions at the World Vision Child Soldier Rehab Center with the staff. Jody is leading it. I am really looking forward to affirming and encouraging these wonderful brothers and sisters for their work.

We will get to spend some time in the local market as some downtime and then our flight leaves Gulu international airport at 2pm for Entebbe. The Brickeys and Libby will leave with Pastor Edward, who is meeting us in Entebbe, to go to Jinja to serve his ministry for 2 weeks. And the rest of us will fly to Kenya and Belgium at 8:40pm Uganda time. I will email Kysia when we arrive in. Belgium. It will be good to see Pastor Edward again. He is a wonderful man. Our hosts in Gulu - Rev David, Paul, and Dr Moses - are wonderful as well. The church in Uganda has incredible leadership. They need our support.

We have a 5 hour layover in Belgium and the team is looking forward to some different food!!!

We thank you for your prayers. The separation of the team went well and God blessed both groups today.

Safe travels tomorrow for us and continued blessings to our families. We cannot wait to see you!!!

As a side note.... Dewey Dykes has officially become the most popar person ever in Gulu town with small children. They are the future and they are asking him to run for mayor. Their slogan for him is DEWEEEEEEE

I cannot wait for you all to see the pics. And for your family member to share their experience..

Tallk to you soon. Good night.

Crt

Uganda, Wed., June 18 Update

2008-06-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

Powerful day. We were to spend the day in the camp of Koch Lii, but had some trouble this morning. On the way there our bus broke down. It put us 3 hrs behind schedule. We only had the clinic from 1pm till 4:30pm. The sad thing is if we had been there all day the docs could have seen everyone. being late frustrated the tem and distracted us some. We felt under attack and we were. The only thing to explain it. We prayed while waiting on the side of the road and once we got back to town. Karen pulled jody aside during the clinic and aid something did not feel right. They prayed and things began to so smoother. We realized that the bus broke down on the same part of the road that is stalled on yesterday. Yeah... Spiritual attack. People were disappointed again when they could not be seen. And the camp leadership promised the people all would be seen which did not help. Koch lii is a smaller camp the Koch Goma, but the needs are the same.

Through grace and prayer we worked and supported each other. And God was glorified. Many people asked the pastors and I in the prayer room about Christ. The children’s team did another outstanding job.

The docs and pharmacy teams were awesome today. Effecient, smooth, organized, kind, and graceful. They saw 160 some people in half the time. God provides.

Once mike Adelman was the man. He handled crowd control with grace, organization, and humor. It is not easy to tell people to line up and deliver news that they will not see the doctor. He is an inspiration to me.

Tonight after dinner we had a team meeting and got the opportunity to share about each team member. It was a special time. I cannot tell you how wonderful this team has been. They are supportive, encouraging, helpful, hard working, and just plain awesome. it has been my honor to serve and support with them. I am blessed to have spent this time with them.

You should each be proud of your family member. It is not easy to do this for them or. you. They have missed you and been the hands and feet of Christ to a place that is not easy to be. This is definitely outside the comfort zone, but they have blessed me. Wow. I cannot say enough. God is doing a great work in them.

Tomorrow the team is split up. 4 go to the village of Opit to share the gospel and pray. And the clinic is set up in Kock Chorom. It will be a long day. We need prayers for strength as the team is spilt up. Be with the clinic as they minister. And be with the team in opit as they share and pray. Neing apart will be different as the enemy will use this to distract us. As a team we are there for each other. Apart we will need an extra measure of grace and prayer to do the work. God calls us to do.

Some of the team is still sick. Getting better, but still need healing. Dewey was bitten by the Ugandan Tetsi fly and could now have African sleeping sickness. We are watching him to make sure he stays awake at all times!!! [Of course he is fine. He did get bit by something, but it was not the dreaded tetsi fly. We keep telling him it was, but..... Humor has been an important part of this trip]

Good night to our friends and family. Our work, this trip, is almost done here. We look forward to seeing you. Please keep us prayed up.

Talk to you soon.

Crt

Uganda Update, Tuesday, June 17 in Gulu

2008-06-17T18:10:00.001-05:00

Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:11:25 PM
Subject: Tuesday in Koch Goma

Praise God for He is good and answers prayer!!

Today was an excellent day. As you know we were unsure how it would go in the camps due to the situation from the war. Well..... All prayers were answered.

First... Due to the relative stability the last 2 years a lot of people have left the camps to go home. There were still many people, but the numbers were managable. The doctors saw over 200 patients today and the process went smooth. We still could not see everyone and people went away disappointed, but great work was done. We worked on how to make the process better and God answered your and our prayers.

The pharmacy is a hopping place as it never slows down once the clinic starts. Daphane, sylvia, and pam were joined by dewey and charles to handle the volume. Great job by all. They helped each other and covered for bathroom breaks [this is a whole other email!!! It is interesting to go to the toilet as they say. Your families will fill you in. And I think we have pics!] And for water and food. No lunch today. We ate snacks and stayed hydrated.

Childrens ministry went very well. It was very hard and there were still a lot of kids. Keith, tamara, preston, and libby did fantastic. They were helped by dennis who was awesome. Dennis is a former child soldier abducted from his village. He spent 6 yrs in the rebel army. Both his parents were killed by the rebels. He has a 10 and 13 year old sibling and he works so they can go to school. He would like to go. Back to school someday, but now he is the only caretaker for them. This is the kind of stories you hear. Wonderful brother of Christ who is taking of his family and serving God. It was an honor to meet him and see him work with the kids.

Keith was awesome with the kids. He got them to call the hogs!!! And sing the figt song among others... He is an expert in blowing bubbles and is a killer balloon animal maker. He also shocked and awed them with his futbol skills!!!! Keith is a hero of mine as he gives of himself and does whatever is asked. He loves people and is always bringing a smile to the kids.

The prayer room was great today. I met many believers and got to pray for every single patient today. The needs and suffering can overwhelm me but when it was starting to be drained from all I saw and heard God brought someone to us that praised God even with sickness and sufferimg in their lives and the lives of their family. It was a great day.

The team is tired and hot and sore. Libby and preston got sick a little bit due to the sum today, but both are better. We have many on the team battling stomach issues and headaches. There was a nice breeze today that helped and we did well on water. Sore muscles and aching joints are also abundant. A lot of standing, bending over, kneelingn etc. Please pray for continued healing and rest and strength.

We go to kock lii tomorrow. This camp was smaller than koch goma last year, so all should go well again. Please keep praying for a smooth process, organization, healing, rest, supplies, and childrens ministry. The childrens ministry is so important and so tough. There are kids everywhere. You see 5 year olds carrying the infant sibling on their backs. Malnutrition. Rags for clothes. And great big smiles and laughtet. These children are incredible.

The children can be very aggressive during activites. You cannot give anything away as it turns to chaos. Older kids take things away from younger ones. They hit and beat others. It is heart breaking. So please pray for fun activities and stories, and grace. These children know war and suffering. We cannot expect them to be kind and polite. The smallest thing [empty water bottle, gum, balloon] is valued and treasured like gold because they have nothing. Pray for childrens team.

One last note...... As the team rumbles down dirt roads in a bus that has seen better days we have bonded. I mean gotten really cozy. In the sun. And heat. And I can say with confidence that at the end of the day we STINK!!! Some may tell you the did not, but trust me.... They did. And I am the chief. I can get down right rank. Nothing like 17 hot and sweaty muzungus riding in a bus with no air conditioning [thank goodness for windows] in the sun and heat and dust and dirt and fumes in africa to create a whole new smell!!! And we are no longer 17 white people. We are now 17 slightly reddish brown people. Don't be alarmed after our first couple of showers at home. They rust color is normal. It will go away... Eventually.

We are all looking forward to opening our our ugandan restaurant when we get back. NWA is ready for some posho, chapate bread, mangos, matooke with g nut sauce, cassava, rice amd beans, nile perch, and roasted goat!!!! Yummy!!!

I love the food, but you can tell we miss home.... The bus ride turned into what foods we miss. Chick fil a. Taco bell. BBQ. Cheeseburger and fries.

We miss you all. We are so thankful and appreciative of your prayers. We love you and cannot wait to share our stories and pics with you. God has been glorified by this team. It is my honor and I am blessed to have served with them.

But we are not done, so please keep up the prayers.

Good night and Shalom

Crt

Uganda update, Tuesday, Jun 17

2008-06-17T09:09:00.000-05:00

Subject: Tuesday

We are heading to koch goma. Please be in prayer for us to seize the moments today. We will see a lot of suffering and poverty, but we also will see Christ. He is here and we will have opportunities to show grace and truth to people. Lord let us be your hands and feet.

Thank you for your prayers. We are looking forward to getting out and loving people.

We miss you all so very much, but we need to be focused on today.

God bless

Uganda update, Monday, June 16 in Gulu

2008-06-16T15:57:00.001-05:00

Subject: Monday in Gulu

Well we arrived in Gulu today. It was a travel day for us as we drove the 2 hrs from Jinja to Entebbe. We flew to Gulu on a 19 passenger twin prop plane and landed safely at the Gulu International Airport. [Tongue is firmly in cheek]

Our hosts were waiting for us. Rev David, Paul Lakuna, Dr. Moses, and Pastor Titus and Soloman are all with the United Methodist Church.

We got situated in our hotels and went to visit the World Vision Children of War Rehabilitation center. This is a special place for me. I first heard about the war and the child soliders from an article about the center in a World Vision magazine. We got a chance to tour the center and met with the director Mark. Mark is a hero of mine. How he does what he does all day with love, grace, hope, faith, and humor I will never know. He invited us to come join the staff on friday morning [the day we head home] for devotions and to share. This is very exciting as we will get a chance to encourage the workers. We found out that Pastor Titus, who is one of our hosts, was once at the center after being rescued. He is going to share his story with us while we are here.

We also got to see the land where the UMC in Gulu purchased land for a training center and guest house. This was funded by Central. They plan to use the guest house to generate money to be put back into the ministry. And the training center will house their office and they will train pastors for churches in the villages. Very cool day for sure.

Here is our plan for our time in Gulu:

Tomorrow [tuesday] we will be setting up a clinic and child outreach in the IDP camp of Kock Goma. We will be there all day. This is a camp we visited last year.

Wednesday we will be setting up a clinic in the IDP camp of Kock Lii. Jody, Keith, and I are excited with this because on the scouting trip last year a man said we would never be back. We hope he is still there.

Thursday we will be spilt up for most of the day. A clinic will be set up at IDP camp Kock Chorom all day and one team will go to the village of Opit which we visited last year. They will be sharing the gospel and praying with people. This village is where our host Pastor Titus leads a church.

On friday we will have devotions and share with the staff of World Vision and do some shopping in the market and our plane leaves Gulu for Entebbe at 2pm. We arrive in Entebbe at 3pm and meet Eastor Edward who has some of our bags!!! He will take Tamara, Charles, and Libby back to Jinja where they will spend 2 weeks with him in ministry and then they go to Tanzinia to spend time with Charles Wiggins and his wife. Please be in prayer for them as they minister.

The rest of them team will hang out with pastor edward until our plane leave for Nairobi, Kenya at 8:40pm. Them on to Brussels, Belgium where we have a 5 hour layover. Them on the Chicago and then home some time saturday night. Not sure of arrival time but will email that when I talk to Jody.

Not much excitement today. The bus got stuck at the site of the land purchase, but it got out without too much work.

We are excited to be here, but we request prayer. Many on the team are physcially sick and need some healing. Sinus and stomach issues. We need prayers for the childrens team. The estimate are 200 kids at each camp. They are a little overwhelmed. We will have 2 Ugandan doctors seeing patients at each clinic in addition to our team, so prayers for the phamarcy as this can get bottle necked. Also pray all goes smoothly. It is a little more desparate in Gulu; We do not have enough time, doctors and medicines to see every person that comes.

Also... Some of the team would like to send out messages to family to have your cell phones ready. We have purchased 2 cell phones here and they will be calling to talk because we all miss our families!! [I am supposed to make sure and give a big hint hint to Aprils husband].

We appreciate and love you all. Thank you for letting us come and minister. And thank you for your support and prayers. We need them to finish strong in this good work.

Another prayer request..... Plenty of water. We have struggled with adequate water each day. It is hot and we are working long days.

Talk to you tomorrow. Time for sleep.

Shalom

Crt

Uganda, Sunday, June 15, 2008

2008-06-15T18:01:00.002-05:00

Subject: Sunday

What a wonderful day!!!! The team needed a day like this after 2 intense days of clinics. Very refreshing and uplifting.

We started off by going to His Mercy Church out side of Jinja. This is Pastor Edwards church. The place was packed!!! Wait till you see the pics. The building is a wooden shell with a metal roof. He needs a new building which will also be a school and a community center. This is a prayer request for the team. We got to hear the choir sing, the childrens choir sing, a bible study, and each team member introduced themselves and shared a few words. Jody brought the message and many people came to faith in Jesus. The team then prayed for people and spent time with the people. We were there for three hours and as we left they kept church going!!! African church services are very active. The singing invloves dancing and movement. I love church in Uganda.

Karen shared her testimony this morning as well and let me say she rocked it. She was nervous, but we prayed for her and she just shared from the heart. It was powerful and uplifting. I heard pastor edward complement her later. It was truly a wonderfl time.

We then went to some local tourist spots. We first went to the Bujagali falls which are amazing. The pics don't do it justice, but God knows how to create a natural beauty. It was here that we also got to encounter a truly epic international encounter. We had our group photo in front of the falls with Kim Jong IL II, the communist leader of north korea. I know it seems crazy, wait till you see the pic. It was him and he was drinking a pepsi and his group jumped right into our photo. It was great. You have to see the picture to understand. Wild to say the least.

We also went to the source of the nile river which is just cool. To see the start of the longest river in africa with so much biblical history is a great benefit.

We then we to a village about an hour outside of jinja for a mini crusade. Pastor edward's organization runs a school here for orphans which we got to see and tour. A muslim man approached the ladies and said he wanted to become a christain and jody, edward, and sunny witnessed to him and he says he has committed to Christ. Wow. At the crusade there were around 600 people. We heard a choir and a childrens choir sing. Due to time jody shared and many people came to faith. The people were open and welcoming. Just like all the places we go. Lovely people.

On the way home we got to stop and visit edwards father and stepmom at their home. This was special as we were able to affirm how we feel about edward to his dad. Very special time.

While it was a long day it was a good day. The team needed this to prepared for our trip to gulu tomorrow.

Please pray for us in gulu. We really do not know what to expect. The situation is so dire due to the war. The camps are depressing and it is going to be tough. Please pray for things to run smoothly. Supplies to stay full. Rest and comfort for the team. Strength for the team as they work on patients. Organization for the child outreach team. They may have a great and trying time in the camps with so many kids.

Everyone is anxious and excited. We are trusting God.

We do not have our program yet, but as soon as I get it I will email it out so you know where we are to be for prayers.

Thank you so much for the prayers. We are sustained because of you. The covering is felt for sure.

Goodnight and talk to you tomorrow.

Shalom

Uganda, Saturday, June 14. 2008

2008-06-14T23:20:00.001-05:00

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Chris Thornton
To: ckthorn@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 3:24:17 PM
Subject: Saturday is over

Another incredible day. Powerful and tough. The doctors saw another 180 people today. It was a full day of clinics. The hard part was we could not see everyone. The people today were ones who could not be seen yesterday and still more people came when they heard a doctor was in the village. A lot of people were sent away disappointed and the team struggles with that, but we are trying to realize we cannot do it all. We can only do our part and let God do the rest. It is still tough. Crowd control got crazy a few times today as people kept trying to sneak in and cut in line and plead their case as to why they should see the doctor. Mike was a rock as always. I got to pray for him today for a few minutes to help sustain him. I loved being able to do that. He has been wonderful.

Our pharmacy ladies are still going strong. They continue to take care of all patients with grace and love. They always point out special needs so the prayer team can pray for them. They need rest and strength please.

April needs sleep. She has been awesome assisting the doctors, but she os having trouble sleeping. Rest for her.

The child outreach team was fantastic today. I saw the largest game of duck duck goose I have ever seen!! Balloon animals were a surprise hit with kids and adults!! Preston, libby, and tamara are really treating the children well.

The construction team painted 2 schools rooms over the last 2 days. They have done anything asked of them even helping separate medicines to help the pharmacy. Charles, dewey, and keith need rest and relaxation tonight.

Dr cross and fossy continue to go the extra mile. We were supposed to end at 2pm today, but they stayed till 6pm to see everyone who had been promised to see the doctor. Just awesome.

Sunny is fast becoming every child and parents best freind. She has assited the docs amd helped child evangelism. She even began to provide shampoo and tooth brushes and paste to some young women and mothers today.

Karen moved to assisting the docs today and her experience was a huge help to dr fossey. Karen is a huge blessing.

No more adventures for me today. I went to town with pastor edward again but in a car. We bought some bibles and I went with him to visit an elderly church member in the hospital. I am tired and beat up spiritually and physically. The prayer room is great and hard. So many needs and issues. I have made 8 trips on the roads in the last 2 days. Ugandan roads are not the best. I have been bumped and thrown a lot. I am tired of riding in a vehicle!!!

Tomorrow is church, the crusade, and some local toursit spots for relaxation. Please pray everyone gets rest tonight. All are tired after 2 long full days.

Happy fathers day to all our dads out there. To our kids... We miss you and love you!

Monday we leave for gulu. Please pray for the following:

Supplies to stay full
Rest and sleep
Sickness to go away
The team would be ready to pray and be a blessing to the villagers tomorrow

Thank you to all of you. We could not be doing this without prayer support.

Talk to you soon. Good night.

Uganda Update closing out Fri, June 13

2008-06-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

From Chris Thornton:

Wow.... What a day today!!! The first clinic is done and while tough all went well.

I believe the doctors saw around 200 people today. The process was chaotic at times, but the team is flexible and trusting on God and He has provided.

Tamara is better and will be able to go out with us tomorrow!!

Libby got dehydrated today and was sick the afternoon. Please pray that she feels better and can join us again. It is very hot and lots of sunshine. We were low on water today, but do not plan on that happening again.

Children’s outreach was great though overwhelming for the team. The sheer numbers of kids was a lot to handle. The team was planning tonight for tomorrow and again being flexible. They are just playing and helping and loving the kids. Pray for them to find strength. The laughter and smiles I saw told the story. And bubbles are a big hit!!

Mike Adelman is the best crowd person I have ever worked with!!! He was taking care of people. Giving and receiving high fives. He was grace and love in action.

The pharmacy ladies are tired!! They were busy from start to finish. It was hopping and they handled themselves wonderfully. Pam, Daphne, and Sylvia are my heroes. They were strong, kind, loving, organized, and just awesome. They need rest though. Sylvia needs prayers for her back tonight.

April and sunny assisted the docs and were a wonderful complement. They stepped up and just did what needed to be done.

The docs are just blessings. Both Dr. Cross and Dr. Fossey were focused and treated people like people. Great work they did today.

Our construction is half way done with their project. They even stepped in to take photos, fill vitamins bags, move furniture, and whatever needed to be done.

Saturday is the same as today. We go back to the village of Lubani and set up the clinic with the construction team and children’s outreach. Please pray for the following:

Rest tonight
God to multiply the supplies like the loaves and fish
The process to run smooth
God to be glorified
Relationships to be formed
Strength and wisdom for the team

Thank you all..... We feel each prayer. While today was crazy it got done, our hosts were so very thankful, and people received physical relief along with spiritual healing.

Talk to you tomorrow night.

Oh yeah.... My motorcycle adventure was awesome!!! I was scared, but it was thrilling and something that can only be down in Africa.

God bless,

Crt

Uganda update for Friday, June 13

2008-06-13T08:23:00.002-05:00

From Chris Thornton:

Subject: Uganda Friday 13

Prayer request are listed within. Please also pray that our group will not be overwhelmed with the need, but lean solely upon Christ.

First thing in morning
Tamara is sick and unable to go out with us today. Prayers for healing.

Libby Haney is heading up child outreach is Tamara's absence. Preston, Sunny, and Karen are helping in this team.

Sylvia is heading up pharmacy team with Daphane and Pam

Dewey, Keith, and Charles are heading up the construction team to paint a school

Mike Adelman is head of crowd control

Dr cross and Fossey are treating patients

April is assisting the doctors

Jody and I are in the prayer room

The excitement is high.... The team is ready to go out and love the people

Talk to you soon

Thank you for the prayers

Special message from Pam to Palmer - "I Love you!" (Palmer e-mail her back even if it is through me, sweetie. I'm not sure which address you are staying right now)

Four hours later…
This is insane..... It is controlled chaos with needs everywhere. Children are everywhere and the team, while stressed a little seems to be doing well. More to come later.... I am off to buy more medicines and 100 mosquito nets to hand out.

The doctors are being the hands and feet of Christ and the pharmacy ladies are incredibile. April is a machine helping people.

Mike has the crowd control down with grace and love for the people.

The construction team is just getting started. More later.

The child outreach team is rocking it. Bubbles are a huge hit!!!!

I am about to ride 10 miles on the back of a motorcycyle to town with pastor Edward and a local doctor. More on this adventure later!!!!

Two hours after that…
Talk about an African adventure all for me!!

I rode as the third person on the back of a motorcycle 10 miles to jinja from the village of lubani where we are set up for the day. I went to buy additional medicines the doctors need as well as 100 mosquito nets we will hand out to families to combat malaria.

2 Africans and a muzungu (white person) flying down a dirt rode in Uganda.... Had to be a sight. I loved it!!!!

Headed back now to eat lunch, at 2:45pm, and continue the clinic the rest of the day.

Not sure how the rest of the team is yet. Will update tonight.

Keep prayers going for organization, rest tonight, supplies to not run out early, and grace to be on the team. It is crazy in the clinic, but everyone seems to really be out there serving and giving of themselves.

Prayer room is awesome to have the opportunity to pray for healing and blessing in peoples lives.

We are flying down a dirt road back to the village in a car. Picked it up in town...... Would have loved to ride the motorcycle back!!!! Not sure how fast we are going as the speedometer does not work......

Keep up the prayers!

Uganda update #2 directly from Chris Thornton's blackberry

2008-06-12T18:24:00.000-05:00

This message was typed on a blackberry by a tired missionary. Please excuse the typos.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Chris Thornton
To: ckthorn@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:41:36 PM
Subject: Thursday

What a crazy day.... We were late getting to jinja due to the money issue..... By the way they ended up giving us $200 to much!! So we are going to return it next week when we fly to gulu....

Today was a PR day. We arrived in jinja and got our rooms. We spent a little time at a house for single mothers and widows with HIV\AIDS. This is run by the evangelizing sisters of mary in partnership with cyorf. Wonderful time with them. We are going back tomorrow for a few minutes as well.

We also spent time with the cyorf board and discussed some future needs and they thanked us for the support we have provided so far. Very grateful.

We them had a visit to a housing project cyorf is working on. They build new perm houses for widows and we got to see one under construction. $2,500 for a brick house.

Them we had a meeting with the vice chairman of jinja district. He is equal to the governor of arkansas. He thanked us for our support of cyorf and is providing us a guard during our stay to protect the medical supplies. This was a big deal for us to meet with him.

We have eaten and sorted the supplies and are ready for the clinics and the construction projects tomorrow.

We met another group of 56 from all over the states doing medical, construction, evangelizing, etc in jinja. They are staying on our hotel.

That is all for now..... The team is getting along very well and bonding. Everyone is excited to get started tomorrow.

More to come later..... Thank you for the prayers. We are felling them.

I love you. Talk to you soon.

Crt

Uganda update #1 for today from Kysia Thornton

2008-06-12T18:22:00.001-05:00

Psalm 120:1 "In my distress I cried unto the Lord and he heard me."

The team got to work today. Before going into Jinja though they had to exchange their money. They were shorted by $1000 and had to go back through the process again when they realized it. Chris said, "The Holy Spirit guided us through and everything worked out." Thank you for all who are praying for the team out there. I believe
this "guiding" to be a result from your prayers.

The team is closing in for the evening in Jinja. They have hired widows from CYORF to prepare their meals while in Jinja. Tomorrow (tonight for us) they will hold another medical clinic and hold Discipleship classes. In the Evening (Our mid to late morning Friday) they will hold a Mini-gospel Crusade.

Special prayers:

For Tamara as she leads the children's ministry programs.

Jody as he leads the Discipleship classes.

Prayers for empowering the whole team to be able to express God's grace and be bold with their faith.

The younger members of our team Sunny, Preston, Dewey and Libby we pray for special wisdom and safety as they work alongside the team. That they would carry "a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7) in their testimonies.
The people of Jinja and the surrounding villages to be open to God's call on their hearts.

Thanks so much!

Kysia

Uganda Mission Trip

2008-06-10T13:46:00.006-05:00

I thought I'd post an update for those who follow Karen's blog. Today Karen left with a group from our church, Central UMC, on a medical mission trip to Uganda. This mission is headed up by Jody Farrell & Chris Thornton who have been active with Worldvision and CYORF helping the people and children of Uganda. This is an exciting trip and Karen is thrilled to be able to go and help out! As you may guess, her health is good and she is doing well. We are going to miss her greatly over the next 11 days!

They will be traveling from Arkansas to Chicago to Brussels to Entebbe and finally ending up in Jinja, Uganda tomorrow. Their plans are to work in Jinja and then travel north to Gulu and work there toward the end of their trip.

Please pray for their safe travels and that they will have a positive physical and spiritual impact on the people and children of Uganda. I will post the update emails I receive on this blog so you can check back in on their progress. Here is the first update from Kysia Thornton:
--------------
Psalm 34:3- Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

The Mission Team for Uganda is heading out. They will fly from XNA to Chicago to Brussels to Entebbe then into Jinja, Uganda. They will arrive in Jinja ready to work by Thursday. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that their hearts will be prepared upon arrival to begin their work in both medical clinics and community projects.

Our Team members are Jody Farrell, Chris Thornton, Keith Hoggard, Dewey Dykes, Mike Adelman, Karen Blasingame, Carol Fossey, Michael Cross, Sunny Cross, Pamela Hays, April Steeps, Preston Thibodaux, Sylvia Wulf, Charles Brickey, Tamara Brickey, Daphne Wright, and Libby Haney.

"Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then said I, "Here I am; send me."" (Isaiah 6:8)

Kysia Thornton
-----------------

Thanks! Daniel Blasingame, daniel.blasingame@nominum.com

Happy belated Easter!

2008-03-27T10:27:00.007-05:00

Thanks for the encouraging comments and emails. We had a great Easter and Holy Week and I hope everyone did too. Here's a picture of the kids after church & lunch on Easter Sunday and there are some more pics here.

It has now been almost 8 weeks since my last surgery and I have been getting back to exercising for the past week or two and feeling better. I was hoping to do the Little Rock marathon but it just wasn't in the cards. Daniel and I went down to to race to encourage our friends who were participating and I wanted to honor Kim's memory by doing the race as she did the year before (Kimsprayer entry March 2007). Next year for sure! Thanks to all those who participated and thought of Kim. Also, thanks for your continued prayers.

Speaking of exercising, Kori, Leslie, Melanie & I are participating in the Hogeye Marathon as a relay team on April 6 and Daniel & I are doing the NWA Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure on April 19th. Keep us all in your prayers!!

Thanks again,
KGB

At Home doing well

2008-02-02T09:13:00.001-06:00

I brought Karen home yesterday around noon and she rested all afternoon and had a good night of sleep, helped by pain medication. Today she is up and about and we enjoyed a good iChat with the McNabbs on the computer before they headed off to a basketball game.

Thanks for your prayers!

Daniel

Going home today

2008-02-01T09:24:00.000-06:00

Karen did well last night and is getting up and around the hospital room. This morning Dr. Rob Hix made rounds and gave her the OK to be discharged so hopefully by lunch we will be taking Karen home.

Thanks,
db

Resting in her room

2008-01-31T17:20:00.001-06:00

Karen's surgery went well and she is resting in her room now. She is expected to spend the night and go home tomorrow. Right now she is about to get a dinner of clear fluids, Jello & broth, yum!

db

In Recovery

2008-01-31T11:46:00.000-06:00

I just talked to Dr. Paige Partridge-Hix and everything went well. Karen is in recovery right now and will be moving to her room in a little while. Thanks again for your prayers.

db

back in the OR

2008-01-31T08:27:00.000-06:00

Karen is now in surgery at Willow Creek. Dr. Atwood got started right at 8am with the continuation of the reconstruction and should be finished around 10am. At that point Dr. Paige Partridge Hix will finish. Karen will spend the night in the hospital which may be a good thing because the weather is getting bad here in Fayetteville!

Thanks for all of your prayers, emails and calls of support. Karen's mom and dad, Mary and Victor, are at our house keeping the kids. Lots of people have asked about bringing us food during Karen's recovery and Stephanie Rosenfeld is graciously managing a meals list. If you are interested, Email me at dblasing@gmail.com and I will get you her contact info.

Thanks again,
Daniel Blasingame

Thanks Mark!

2007-10-04T01:57:00.000-05:00

Mark McNabb was gracious enough to post Kim's service online. Please see Kim's site for the link to the youtube segments.

Daniel & Karen

kim's prayer is now a book

2007-09-26T16:42:00.000-05:00

Great news! Kim's prayer is now a book available here.

Please see Kim's site for more details from Mark.

KAIT News 8 Story on Kim

2007-09-20T20:17:00.001-05:00

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7106304

Kim's Arrangements

2007-09-19T13:47:00.000-05:00

Visitation will be from 5-7pm, Thursday September 20th, at the First United Methodist Church Chapel in Jonesboro, AR. The church is located at 801 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR.

Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary in Jonesboro on Friday, Sept. 21 at 4pm.

Kim would like you to consider memorials to two organizations that were close to her heart and will be instrumental in helping to continue to raise our children, as well as many other children, in the Christian faith:

The Ridgefield Christian School Building Fund

3824 Casey Springs Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72404

The Youth and Music Ministry programs of the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro 801 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401

Kim

2007-09-19T08:45:00.000-05:00

Kim passed away at 4:53am this morning. Please continue to pray for the family.

http://kimsprayer.blogspot.com/

Family Time

2007-09-13T21:32:00.000-05:00

I have known that i needed to write for many days, but i have found it most difficult to find words.

I am healing remarkably well. There are definitely some physical limitations still at this point, but time and appropriate exercises will help remedy those problems. The swelling is almost resolved, and pain is becoming something of the past. I still have to be cautious to not over do it, but i see progress everyday.

I can't say Thank-you enough to all of you. Your prayers, love, and acts of kindness have been overwhelming - you have taken care of my family and provided support that has enabled me to concentrate on my healing. We are grateful.

While i know you are curious to hear of my progress, i know you are equally anxious to hear about Kim. Here is where i find it hard to talk. Kim was admitted to the hospital today. It has been increasingly hard to manage her pain and so this is one of the major reasons for her going into the hospital. I don't feel like i can reveal much more - i feel a deep conviction to maintain the privacy of Kim and her family until they are ready to share more about this deeply intimate time in their lives. I know that you can understand that we are all trying to manage a full range of emotions right now. What i can share is that Kim is being well cared for and her pain is under control.

Your prayers are sustaining, and God's presence is where we find comfort. We see and feel God's loving hands through your gracious acts of kindness. Please continue to lift Kim, Mark & the kids, and my parents in your prayers.

My family and I will leave in the morning to go to Jonesboro. I will share more with you when i am able.

May God's blessings rain down upon you!
Karen

Drain FREE at last!

2007-09-01T07:49:00.000-05:00

Faithful friends!

Truly the Lord is good. I was to see my breast surgeon on Friday, but his office called on Thursday and said they could see me on Thursday afternoon. Yahoo! The last drain was removed and plans were laid to take my first shower since my surgery.

I am getting physically stronger every single day. Some girlfriends (thank you Pamela and Christie) came by yesterday and got me out of the house for a much needed change of scenery.

It is hard to not be physically able to hold ones children. My arms ache at times to hold the baby, and to play in the floor with the kids. I know that my physical limitations are only for a period of time, and i am leaning on God's time for my healing.

Thank you all for your kind words. My heart is thankful for your prayers. Of course i am sorry to hear of some of your own struggles with this disease and am adding you to my own prayer list for God's healing hand to touch you. I have witnessed His healing powers many times. The Lord declares He will restore you to health and heal your wounds. Jeremiah 30:17. Lets all claim it together!

I will continue to keep up the blog to keep you posted. My love to you all!
God Bless you and keep you.
Your servant,
karen

I am so blessed!

2007-08-29T17:28:00.000-05:00

Hello my dear friends!

My faithful scribe Daniel has declared me typing ready, and so i must blog. I am so thankful to you all for your prayers, thoughts, cards, flowers, meals & errands that you have generously given. My kids are loving all the desserts around the house.

My trip to Jonesboro was such a precious gift. I tried to just absorb as much of Kim as i could. I have to just say that God Blessed Me! Wow! My sister rocks. She has always been someone that i have admired, looked up to & loved dearly. She teaches me in all she does. Not only does she have a faith that is unshakable, but she remains a servant. She kept trying to take care of me! We curled up in bed together like we were kids. We would laugh, talk about life, take some pain meds, sleep, and then repeat. My mom loved having her two girls together for her to take care of! My mom has the ultimate servant heart. She is at her happiest when she is doing something for someone. My dad is displaying a life of ministry skills. We all are finding much comfort and hope in his prayers, stories and revelations. God is so at work and so into the details of our lives. I love to see His hand. Thank you God!

Physically i feel like i am making progress everyday. I was able to have another drain removed today. Down to the final drain, and if all goes as planned it will get yanked on Friday! pray it goes as planned because these drains are getting on my nerves. And they are uncomfortable.

I feel so blessed! Who knew that having breast cancer & a blog spot would turn up some precious people from my past! I have loved hearing from so many friends! Thanks! God has put many people into my life, and every single one has taught me something special and necessary for me to know for this moment in my life. I have been overwhelmed with love. I give God the glory for all of you and your support.

The prayers that you are lifting are so necessary for my sister (kim), her husband (mark), their kids (oliver, jackson, lehman, mary claire), my parents & my family & me. I truly believe it is by your willingness to storm the throne in prayer that we have been lifted by such amazing grace to endure these hard times. We have received many blessings out of your prayers. We need you to continue the race. It is not over yet.

I love you all! God bless you and yours!
Your servant,
karen

To Jonesboro with Love

2007-08-28T00:25:00.000-05:00

As most of you have read on Kim's Blog, Karen was able to make the trip yesterday afternoon to Jonesboro to see Kim. HOORAY! Many thanks to our good friend Dr. Rob Hix for applying his flying skills to his aircraft and delivering Karen safely to see Kim. Karen said she had an enjoyable journey over with Rob, Paige and their children. She is so THANKFUL to be able to be with Kim and their family at this time.

Karen is flying home in the morning to go to a doctor visit tomorrow and hopefully will have a good update and be able to remove the remaining two drains. We will then turn our focus on planning for the next phase of her treatment which will involve more surgery but the dates have yet to be determined. The short term plan is to have my mom and sister come up this Wednesday and help with the house and the kids for the next week as Karen continues her recovery and it allows me to go back to work.

Please pray that Karen will continue to heal quickly so she can head back to Jonesboro in a week or so for another precious visit. Karen really needs to be able to be with Kim & Mark & the kids as well as her parents right now so please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers along with the McNabbs & the Greens. Thank you all for the many gifts, flowers, prayers & kind comments posted to this blog.

Your ever faithful scribe,

Daniel Blasingame

doctor appt. update

2007-08-25T09:10:00.000-05:00

I took Karen to her appointment at Dr. Atwood's office yesterday afternoon and they were able to remove 2 of her 4 drains. Our marching orders are to continue to monitor the output of the remaining 2 drains and call Tuesday morning to talk to the nurse about the progress. If she continues to heal, and not over exert herself, we should be able to have the other 2 drains removed on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The doctors (Atwood & Cross) both said that if she feels up to it, she can go to Jonesboro to see Kim. If she has a good day today one of our good friends is going to fly her over in his plane tomorrow. A 5 hour car ride is probably too much to undertake but she thinks that she could make an hour plane ride given good weather. If the Good Lord is willing, they should take off for Jonesboro tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. Pray for good weather so she can go see Kim.

We are sitting out on the back porch reading the paper enjoying the break in the weather. It is such a joy to sit together and watch the kids play out in the wet grass and on their rain-soaked swing set. Karen is finding great pleasure in being able to get out of bed and get some fresh air. Vic is finding every mud puddle within sprinting distance and making quite mess of his clothes. I'm glad my mom is here to help clean up these children.

Continued thanks for your help and prayers,

Daniel Blasingame

update from home

2007-08-24T09:22:00.000-05:00

After spending the afternoon on Wednesday and all day Thursday at home Karen is continuing to recover well. Thanks to everyone who has brought food, emailed, called, SMS'd, prayed & directed positive thoughts to Karen.

Today we hope to be able to have Dr. Atwood remove 2 of the drains that are helping keep down swelling as Karen heals. They serve a good purpose but they are kind of a nuisance and it will be great to get them out. Keep your fingers crossed.

The kids are being gentle and adjusting to not being able to be held by their mama. They are proud to have Mom at home. My mother, Marietta, came up last night to help out and we are thankful. We have made it very well over the past couple of days but having a grandmother around is a HUGE positive with the kids.

Yesterday Kim called Karen to check on her progress!! They were able to have a good conversation and it was a real blessing to Karen. They changed Kim's pain medication to a stronger, longer lasting dosage. She was up eating soup when she called Karen which is great because the 2 days before she was hardly able to eat. Please keep Kim & family in your prayers. Your prayers are providing much comfort to Kim & Mark & family.

I am typing this with Karen looking on. She still can't really put her arms in "typing" position yet but it won't be long!

Karen says she feels your prayers and she really appreciates everyone. She has a great attitude and I think that is really helping to move her along in the healing process.

Sincerely,

Daniel Blasingame

good news and home at last!

2007-08-22T15:25:00.000-05:00

Dr. Cross came to visit early this morning bearing encouraging news from pathology. There was no indication of any other cancer or anomolies in the tissue other than what was found on the initial biopsy. This is really great news!

Karen rested the remainder of the morning and had her last lunch in the hospital. She said it was pretty good, meatloaf & mashed 'taters. (That tidbit of detail is included for the lime jello coveters - you know who you are... Julie Francis) About 2:30pm we were discharged out into the heat of August. Thank goodness we are home. Karen is doing well, resting in her own bed now. Baby Fiona is taking a little nap too. Vic, Ophelia and I are all sitting on the couch watching Little Einsteins. It is the first TV they have been able to watch due to the fact that Nan and Pop weren't able to coax the TV on at the same time as the satellite box. No worries, we try to limit their TV time anyway and it did them good to spend a few days at home with no Dora, Little Einsteins or Back Yardigans.

With Karen's good progress Mary and Victor Green left to spend the night in Benton tonight and go to Jonesboro first thing in the morning to be with Kim. They have been so helpful to us over the past 4 days; We wish we were on our way to Jonesboro to be with Kim too but Karen can't travel in her current state. The Drs. advised that Karen shouldn't travel until she has the last of her 4 drains removed which will probably be next Wednesday; We will see. Although we want to be en route to Jonesboro, it is kind of nice to sit at home with the kids and Karen and pretend for a few minutes that everything in life is back to normal even when I know it is not.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, words of encouragement and help while we were in the hospital. Thank God for answered prayer.

Sincerely,

Daniel Blasingame

end of day 2

2007-08-21T19:34:00.000-05:00

WOW! What a difference a day makes... Karen continued to get better and better today. She was able to walk around a bit, sit in a chair in her room and she is eating real food now.

Mary and Victor brought our kids by this afternoon to see their mom and they were a little taken aback with the hospital room and I think it was a little unsettling for little Boo (Vic) to see his mother laid up in the hospital bed. They were glad to see her but they did not like the hospital and want to see mom at home.

Dr. Atwood visited this evening and answered some questions for Karen and me. Everything continues to be in order with her surgery and recovery from his perspective. His nurse will be back tomorrow morning and he said after that, if Karen feels like it she will be free to go home. I would expect that if we have a good night and morning we will go home tomorrow.

The Northwest nursing staff, who has given Karen excellent care, removed her IV after dinner and she is now on oral pain medication vs the IV morphine. She continues to rest well and we are looking forward to going home tomorrow.

Thanks again for all of the prayers, emails, phone calls etc. Hopefully the next update will be made from our home.

Daniel Blasingame

day 2 mid-day

2007-08-21T12:27:00.000-05:00

Dr. Atwood's nurse, Candy, came by this morning after breakfast to check on Karen and everything with the surgery continues to look good. She was great to talk with and answer questions and generally made Karen feel good about her progression. Dr. Atwood is planning a visit late afternoon or early evening.

Soon after Candy left Karen was able to get out of bed and go to the bathroom which is really great (it is the small things that are important!). She was able to sit up in the chair for a while so they could change her bedding and her gown which she had been in since surgery. They have also been able to take her off the oxygen and she is doing hourly breathing exercises. She was able to call Kim and have a short conversation with her and I went down to the cafeteria to get Karen a cup of coffee.

After she got back in bed and rested for a while she decided to get up again and before getting back in bed, Karen suggested that she go for a stroll to satisfy one of her prescribed walks. The nurse and I were able to wrap her robe around her, stick her drains in her pockets and guide her on a walking tour of the floor with IV in tow. She really enjoyed getting out of the room. After the stroll we had a great visit and prayer with another of our Central United Methodist Stephens' ministers. Karen is herself involved in this ministry and greatly appreciates being on the receiving end of the support through this ministry at our church.

Special prayer request:

Rev. Victor and Mary Green (Karen's Parents) have been great taking our kids to their pre-school activities and helping me in many ways. They are very dear people. I want to ask for special prayer for them: with Kim and Karen both sick I cannot imagine how hard it is as a parent to have your children in pain and struck with a vicious illness such as cancer. They are very, very strong people and strong Christians but I can see that these episodes with Kim and Karen have really shaken them. Please remember to pray for them as you pray for Kim and Karen.

I look forward to the day that I get out of posting updates and Karen is the one taking over the helm of updating everyone on her phenomenal progress.

Daniel Blasingame

day 2

2007-08-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Last night Karen did pretty well. There was a fair amount of pain so she maxed out her self regulated morphine a couple of times so they administered some oral vicodin which helped her rest. Earlier in the evening last night, Dr. Atwood called to check on Karen and yesterday while she was in the recovery room his office had a single beautiful pink rose delivered so she would have it upon arrival in her room. It was a very thoughtful gesture and we appreciate it.

At 7am this morning Dr. Cross came by the room and checked her incisions & drains and talked with us for a bit. He said these all looked good and the drainage chart kept by the nurses was regarded as very positive by Dr. Cross.

I didn't mention this yesterday but before surgery Karen's platelet count was abnormally high > 830k. At the time it was a bit of a concern but Dr. Cross said if it was an issue we would deal with it later. Well when he checked this morning from her bloodwork, it was 199k so yesterday was either a fluke or a mistake so that was somewhat of a relief. Dr. Cross also said that Karen needs to get up and walk today which we knew. Overall he seemed very pleased with the outcome thus far. He wants her to drink lots of fluids so they can remove the IV and reduce a possible site of infection. No one enjoys having a needle stuck in their arm anyway.

Karen is still a little groggy from the pain meds and after effects of the anesthesia. They brought in a YUMMY breakfast of lime jello, oatmeal, coffee & a lime sugar free popsicle. She isn't really hungry but she is eating it. She hasn't had anything to eat since about 8pm Sunday night and those of you who know Karen well will understand that is a really long time for her to not eat. Hopefully the oatmeal with the sugar in it will give her some energy. I asked her if she wanted something more substantial and she did not. I figure at lunch after getting up and around and settling back in she will want to eat.

This morning I have been showing Karen the comments on the blog by all of the people praying for her and watching her progress. You can't imagine the positive effect this has on someone going through an ordeal such as hers. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!!

We continue to thank God for the blessings we have and ask for your prayer for a full and speedy recovery.

Daniel Blasingame

out of the OR, finally

2007-08-20T19:55:00.000-05:00

Karen's parents and I spent the afternoon in the waiting room getting updates from the surgical nurses every hour or two. We were visited by some of Vic & Mary's friends as well as Rev. Fink and our faithful Stephens Ministers (the Greens). We visited, waited and had some prayer time between updates.

Around 4pm Dr. Atwood emerged and we met in the consultation room. His news was good and the surgery had gone as he planned. PRAISE GOD! He said Karen's muscle structure was good and her blood flow was excellent which will help in the healing of the reconstruction. We breathed a sigh of relief and shook his hand. He told us they were dressing Karen's incisions, attaching the pain pump for her back and then they would put her in the support bra. After this she would go into recovery and then go to her room (2513). He said this would take over an hour.

Mary and Victor went to our house and I went to pickup the kids from Kori's and delivered them home. They all had a fun sleepover at Coco, Kori & Waynes but Little Vic and Ophelia immediately fell asleep in the car. I dropped the kids with Nana & Pop and then went back to the hospital with Karen's clothes & bag.

I got to the room before she did and waited. I was kind of relieved to sit down in a place besides the waiting room. She arrived on the gurney with 4 nurses in tow. I was so glad to see her but my eyes welled up with tears because the toll of the all-day surgery was evident in her face. Her poor eyes were still almost swollen shut and she was still very groggy from the medication. The nurses moved her from the gurney to the bed and I became ill as I watched helplessly while they dutifully moved her and the amount of pain she was experiencing while being moved became very apparent. I think the nurses did a fine job it is just the fact that she has such injury from the surgery. I really became weak during this time. It is excruciating to watch her in such pain and not be able to do anything about it; she had also maxed out her self regulated morphine. They administered additional oral meds and after lying there for about 20 minutes she became at rest again. We were able to talk and she became more lucid each minute. PRAISE GOD SHE IS OK and the recovery is beginning I thought to myself. She was able to eat some ice and drink some water and is now sleeping and resting.

Dr. Atwood said she would need to get up and stand tonight which is a scary proposition for me to think about right now but she is very strong and I can see her getting stronger by the minute. I think tonight will be the hardest and tomorrow she will really begin the healing process in earnest. Tomorrow she is supposed to get up and walk 3 times. Please continue to pray fervently for her recovery and thank God for answered prayer. Her surgeries went very well and this first day is almost over.

Again, thanks for all the email/text messages of encouragement. I am going to read them all to Karen tomorrow. The kids go to church-school/mother's day out in the morning and they are VERY EXCITED to see their mother tomorrow afternoon. Continue to pray for Kim and Mark.

Thankfully,

Daniel Blasingame

surgery update

2007-08-20T11:39:00.000-05:00

We arrived at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale a little after 5:30am and got Karen admitted. By 7am we were in a room awaiting the surgery to begin. We had a short prayer session with 2 of Central's Stephen Ministers. After this Dr. Cross came in and we had a short prayer with him too. They soon administered the first of her anesthetics and we rolled down the hall. We bid a tearful farewell (at least I was crying, she was kind of loopy) and she went into surgery as I went to the waiting room at 7:23am.

Karen's parents arrived around 8am and about 9:30 Dr. Cross came out and said his part of the surgery was complete and everything went well. Dr. Atwood was walking into the OR as Dr. Cross finished. They will now take the breast tissue and send it to the lab to check for any further sign of cancer (we should know more by Thursday). If there is none, they will test the initial biopsy for to see if it is hormone receptor positive or negative. We expect it to be negative which is the same as her mother's and her sister's. This will dictate more options as we progress through treatment in the coming months.

The surgery team has been really good about coming out and giving updates and the quality of customer service we have experienced thus far at Northwest has been very good. Hopefully within a few hours (by 3 or 4pm) Dr. Atwood will finish and Karen will go into the recovery room. Due to the length of this surgery she may stay in ICU tonight or she may be moved to a regular room on the floor.

I appreciate all of the encouraging emails and SMS messages that I have received and I was able to pass many of them on to Karen before she went into surgery. Continue to pray for Karen, the doctors and for Kim and her family.

Daniel Blasingame

getting started

2007-08-19T13:12:00.000-05:00

For simplicity of updating our friends and loved ones I set up this blog to post updates on Karen's progress as she goes through the process of treatment for breast cancer. In the tradition of Karen's sister, Kim Mcnabb (Kim's Prayer), we will try to update as possible.

We are truly blessed today

Through God's grace and a Citation II, Kim, Mark, Oliver, Jackson, Lehman and Mary Claire McNabb were able to fly over from Jonesboro this morning to visit with us and go to church before Karen's surgery tomorrow. Kim and family are in GREAT spirits and we continue to pray but frankly her health prognosis is not good. The physicians say her time here with us is short: 2 weeks to 2 months. We are enjoying the time we have together and praying for peace and for acceptance of what God has in store for Kim.

I take Karen in the morning at 5:30am for her surgery. She has a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction scheduled that will last about 8 hours in total so tomorrow will be a really long day. The surgeries will be performed by Dr. Michael Cross and Dr. Daniel Atwood at Northwest Health. Our 3 kids are spending the night with good friends so Karen can get some rest tonight and we can get an early start tomorrow. We will probably be in the hospital through at leastWednesday and possibly Thursday. Please pray for Karen and our family.

The good news from 2 weeks ago is that Karen's lymph nodes showed no sign of cancer. However Karen, Kim and their mother Mary Green are all BRCA Positive . When we get through with the breast surgery and the oophorectomy+hysterectomy there will be no need for chemo or radiation thanks to the negative lymph node lab results.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support,
Daniel Blasingame