An update from Karyns dad...

Karyn is immersed in physical and occupational therapy. She does 3-5 30 minute sessions each day. She gets an hour nap after each 30 minute session and usually needs to be woken up in order to make it to her next session. Karyns father said she has an extremely aggressive schedule, really no free time, and that he doesn't have the right words to describe how exhausted she is from all of the hard work shes putting into getting better.

Go Karyn Go! Keep it up! We know you can do it!

He said that Karyn wants to contact each of us, but that she just doesn't have the time or energy to do so right now. Julian mentioned that when he visits her at night, he sits with his laptop and reads her the emails and blog messages and she usually falls asleep to them. Isn't it great that she falls asleep each night to the words and support of her friends?

One Week Anniversary

Hello to our dear friends and family!

It's been one week since Karyn's surgery and though it feels like ages, time is passing pretty quickly here.

As we lay here in the bed at the Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital (Julian found a wireless network in the hospital...of course) we are simply left speechless by the amount of support all of you have given us. It is this outpouring of love and support from friends around the world that give her the most inspiration for the challenges that lie ahead.

Physical therapy started in earnest today and in one day she has already made progress. The staff here is amazing and have been able to get her moving around on her own without much assistance. Still, the surgery and the drugs have left her quite fatigued and she will need to relearn many of the tasks we all take for granted every day. We have been told that the use of her left leg and arm will come back in stages and then will require a retuning of all the muscles involved to provide normal motion. She was able to move her leg today for the first time in a week, something that gave us all an incredible amount of joy. Karyn is one of the strongest individuals I know and you can see how focused she is during these physical therapy sessions.

I know many of you would like to visit and we assure that that time will come, but at this point even the smallest tasks are tiring and Karyn needs all of her energy directed towards rehabilitation. Her goal is to be strong and independent soon and to celebrate what is sure to become a new and positive chapter in our lives.

Once again, we cannot put into words the thanks we feel for all the positive support and energy everyone is putting into helping our family through this tough time.

Ti voglio bene tutti! Bacioni a presto!

Karyn and Julian

PS - Keep the champagne and prosecco flowing!

Dear all of Karyn's Incredible Friends

I spent the weekend with Karyn and I want to share some of my thoughts.

First - Karyn appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers. Julian has been bringing your cards and emails (he has figured out how to get on the facilities network!) every night for her to read and she especially appreciates pictures. She has many great memories with you and these help motivate her to get better.

Karyn has several weeks of very intensive therapy ahead of her. She has very limited use of her left arm and leg and hopefully with time and as she recovers from her surgery this will improve. It is amazing that her surgery was only one week ago and she has come this far. She has a large incision across the right side of her head but fortunately the surgeon only shaved a small amount of hair. Her postoperative swelling and bruising have significantly improved and she looks like "Karyn" again. She will be undergoing Radiation therapy for six weeks the start date is still to be determined. Between radiation therapy and physical therapy, she has a lot of work to do. She is very tired and must save all her energy for therapy and time with Julian, Aidan and Lieneka.

So at this time I do not think she is ready for visitors. But I do think she will be ready very soon. When Karyn and I decide she is strong enough we will let you know. She is anxious to see you, but does not want to do it too soon.

Again thank you, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for Karyn. She treasures them and hopes to see all of you soon. Please send her a card or email - reading them definitely helps keep her spirits up. She is definitely meeting this challenge and appreciates all your support.

Best regards to all of you
Erica

Cancer Survivor Stories

Your messages to Karyn are so wonderful and touching that I wanted to post another section for all the cancer survivor stories floating around out there. All the success, resources, alternative therapies and survivor support will certainly give Karyn the edge in fighting this disease. The power of positive thinking is unstoppable.