Oh my sweet friends and followers…The past 11 days have been a journey in itself.
I will update you on the happenings of late.
It started on my chemo day….I was so weak, I told the captain i didn’t think I was strong enough to get in the car and go.
But, with his help, we managed to get to the cancer center, where they determined i needed fluids.
But after receiving two liters of fluids, the doctor ordered me to the ER for more testing.
The ER doctor admitted me to the hospital and thus began another series of cat scans, etc….and yet more fluids.
That was Wednesday.
On Thursday, about 4 pm….my husband noticed my right leg badly swollen and discolored….and pointed it out to the doctors.
Yes, there were about 3 doctors involved.
Shortly thereafter, my heart monitors went crazy, with my heartbeat racing to 155, which made breathing difficult and the room spinning.
All of a sudden, my room was full of medical personnel from all over the hospital.
Just like on those medical tv shows.
Finally, with oxygen and other remedies….a heart doctor showed up and all I could feel was I couldn’t breathe.
He ordered an echo on my heart, a cat scan for my lungs and a sonogram on my leg.
The results showed blood clots in both lungs (and leg) and a huge blood clot in my heart’s right atrium and chamber.
The next day, friday….my heart beat soared to 170 and I will tell you I was ready to meet my Lord and Saviour, Jesus…
Again, my room was filled with every kind of doctor and nurse as it was determined I needed to be in ICU.
I couldn’t breathe.
there were people everywhere and I could feel some one holding my hand and saying…”stay with us Kari”
It was the most horrible feeling, gasping for breaths as the doctors and nurses worked on me all the way to the ICU…which was several floors up.
Once there, I was given “TPA” for two hours, which is a blood thinner….or better known as a clot buster.
By the morning, I was still alive…and breathing with the aid of oxygen tubes and other paraphernalia connected to my body including a heart monitor that was connected to a major hospital feed that monitored my every move.
An echo machine was wheeled into my room and another echo cardiogram performed which showed the blood clot completely gone from my heart.
“wow!…unbelievable” exclaimed the tech….and I said…”no, God is in control”!!!
The doctor came into my ICU room and said….”little girl, you don’t know how close you came last night.”
I said “God isn’t ready for me yet”
Later, I was told that blood clots are connected to some chemo treatments.
I also have two hematomas….one on my left arm…..and one under my chin.
my whole arm is black and blue with a huge “knot” on my shoulder….which should go away in time.
After 3 days in ICU, I was moved to a “step down” or a room between regular hospital room and ICU. It is called Progressive care.
I was still being monitored by the main hub of “monitors” somewhere in the hospital.
Once, I was in the bathroom and one of the “leads” popped off and the next thing I knew there were two nurses in my face lifting up my hospital gown and re-attaching leads as I sat on the toilet.
It was determined I not only need constant blood thinners, I also needed a “filter” surgically placed in my vein to bust up any stray blood clots heading for my heart.
So that was done.
i’ve been told the blood clots in my lungs will eventually be absorbed by my body.
Meanwhile, my legs and feet were filled with fluids…and my feet looked like little “porkers”.
My feet were elevated above my heart…and after two days…started to resemble feet again.
After 11 days, Saturday eve, I was allowed to go home.
I am still very weak and need constant supervision.
The Captain got me a walker and a stream lined wheel chair.
i use the walker to navigate but hope to regain my strength to where i will not need it.
i hope this makes sense to you all…I still get a bit dizzy….but wanted to keep you all in the loop.
Thank you for your continued prayers….and your wonderful cards.
I love the story of Esther in the Bible….and I hope I have just a bit of her strength.
i love you all.
Blessings Always!
Catching up on my reading, and I will be continuing to pray, Kari. God is your strength and loves you so much. Your posts are bringing much glory to Him!
I am so glad to read this update from you! I have been praying. Sounds like you had quite the journey. I’m sure you are glad to be home! I pray the Lord will strengthen you and guard your health. He is not done with you!!! I will continue in prayer. If I can send you one of my books, please let me know. I would love to! —Patsy
My sweet Sister in Christ. Prayers continue hardly on you and Tom’s ( your Captain’s) behalf. This journey is beyond description, yet you have found voice to Express it all!! Emergency is the Word indeed so many effects from the Chemo is surprising to hear..it is fearful what it does l ache for your pain the unknown of it all, and Praise our Lord Jesus for His Mighty hand upon you. Brave indeed l know where it comes from, you have allowed yourself perfect surrender to your precious hope in Jesus… sweet Kari rest soul rest Shalom l pray for you in Jesus matchless name.
Hi Kari,
I’m so glad your heart clot is gone! I’ve been checking over here, and feared that no news was bad news. So it is good to hear from you again. Thank God for your great doctors and staff. You are in my prayers. Meeting Jesus is not a bad thing (when you know Him), as you know. It just leaves the rest of us here “on the other side of the river.”
Liberty
You, Tom and the Lord are walking one amazing, often pain filled and scary journey…we all love and miss you and keep you in our prayers often! You’re in Good Hands…
Kari: I was thinking of you and worried as I usually get updated blogs each Monday. So sorry to hear about what you’ve had to endure. But, so proud of you and the captain for not giving up the fight. Please keep us informed through your blogs. Hugs and prayers to both of you.
Janet and Bud
Dear Kari, you are so fortunate to have your captain keeping an eye on you and getting you help when you need it most. Kari, you’re an inspiration to everyone for being so strong to get through all you are going through right now. Prayers for both you and the captain. You are going through a difficult journey right now, but I have faith that both of you will get through it. God has other plans for you. How are your kids handling all of this? I’m sure they are freaked out. Hang in there, Kari!
Love you,
Sandy
Wow, you are so brave! Sending prayers your way.🙏🙏🙏
Kari, I pray that you do not repeat this hard experience. I will pray that you can get back to your chemo and begin
to feel better. Please keep your spirits up! There are a lot of prayer warriors holding you in pray.
I have followed you way before these health issues..back when I loved just reading about you sitting on you lanai! Your blog caught my attention because my husband is also called cap’n by his grandchildren because we are sailors. I was so saddened to hear your story. I’m praying so hard for you and sending you positive mojo every time I think about you. It sounds like you are a true warrior and God is watching you with pride. You are His child and He will take care of you. I know that in my heart ❤️
Keep fighting girlfriend…we are all here for you.
Sending prayers , as you journey through this Cancer world . Stay strong , but most of all live in the presents ,Enjoy family and Home , God is in control of the rest , ox D.Golden Cape Cod
Kari I’m so sorry your going through all of this. I pray for you many times a day. You are loved by so many. We are all paying for you.
Love Judy
Oh Kari I’m so sorry you are going through all of this. I came to tears hearing of this my sweet friend. I’m praying so hard for you! God loves you and he will take care of you. Hugs and more hugs!
Kari, I have been so concerned about you. Oh my friend, I am so sorry that you have gone through all of this. But, I know your faith has not been shaken. Thank you for updating us when you are so weak. Prayers for your Captain as he takes such good care of you. You are always in my prayers sweet friend. Sending hugs and love across the miles 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Kari, I’m so sorry to hear all that you’ve been through, but obviously God has other plans for you, at this point. You’re still in my prayers for complete healing.
Sweet Kari, you have been on my heart a bunch so I am grateful for an update…not what I expected. But I know He is sovereign, just as you too know so clearly in your actions and testimony. Completely Sovereign, Infinite in Wisdom and Perfect in Love, so we trust Him completely as this all unfolds. Love to you friend, Candis
You and the Captain are in my prayers, daily. love and hugs from KC
Laura D
Oh my Kari, what a scare! I am sending continued prayers, love and hugs. ❤️
Oh My Goodness Kari, what an ordeal, but I so very glad that you are still with us. Prayer for a speedy recovery.
Oh, Kari, I’m so sorry you’re having to endure all this, but I’m sor grateful that you are still here!! You are a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God. I think of you daily and you are constantly in my prayers. Keep up the good fight, BRAVE AND FAITHFUL BELIEVER.
Praying for you and sending lots of love. God Bless the Captain for his love and devotion to you. Stay strong my friend❤
Kari we are not ready to let you go. Keep fighting and remember you are amazing and very much loved.
Warmest hugs from across the pond. Ross xx
Praying for you Kari. So sorry for all that you are going through. I had knee surgery six weeks ago and ended up in hospital again with a swollen leg! So hot you could heat the room. Luckily no blood clot. But so painful. You will be in my prayers as well!🙌🙏🏻
Praying for you right now.
So happy to hear an update from you. I was worried when I didn’t see a post for awhile. God is in control and I am still praying for you.
Oh Kari, I have no words, only prayers…unbelievable…. I continue to madly pray for you
XOXOXOXO Jenna