Hospice Care

Due to my high bilirubin and white blood cell count, chemo is no longer an option and chemo is no longer working.  Therefore, we have decided to switch over to hospice care.

I can't believe it's been a year since my diagnosis.   Every day has been a gift from above.  It was dream come true and I really enjoy my time there.  My grandma was in tears when I came and tears again when I left.  I'm so glad  I was able to go.  I don't know how much time I have left (ER doctor estimated to "weeks" but I know those estimates are always somewhat of a guess.) I will enjoy every day that God gives me.

Thank you so much for all that you guys have done for me and my family.  Right now I'm feeling pretty good  because I stopped chemo and family is in town.  The love you all have shown me was unbelievable.  Thank You!  I hope one day my kids can show the same kindness and love you guys have shown me.

Thank you so much!

Love,

Kaori

Prayer Request

Kaori was scheduled to have chemotherapy today. However, her blood work showed high white blood cell count and high bilirubin. The oncologist has instructed her to go to the emergency room in case she has an infection and if the liver doctors can find a way to decrease the bilirubin. 

Please pray that the liver doctors can do a procedure to bring down her bilirubin and that if she has an infection it would be resovled quickly.

Mike

Thank You

It has already been almost 2 weeks since I've arrived in Japan.  I have one more whole day left tomorrow and then I take off on Friday.  It has been dream come true - being able to enjoy the time with my grandmother, relatives, and friends, enjoy good food and with relatively good health during my stay here.

Thank you!  This trip would have not been possible without all of your prayers, support and kindness.

Some highlights from second week in Japan.

Meeting with my Uncle, Cousin and her youngest daughter at an onsen.

Japanese breakfast at the onsen.

Kids breakfast

Japanese PJ's at the onsen.

I felt well enough to go the Osaka Aquarium, so we took a trip there.  Daniel really enjoyed it.

One of my favorite fruits in Japan (out of many 😁).

Enjoying family and good food

The day before we left (Weds), I was sleeping most of the day.  My mom didn't think we would make it onto the plane but God was Good the next day, I had lots of energy and we were able to board the plane.  However, they had some maintenance problems.  I thought to myself, "Lord, I made it onto the plane.  Is this plane not going to fly??".  However, God was gracious and we were only 30 minutes delayed.  We made it to LAX and then boarded the plane to Osaka, Japan.  My grandmother's friends (3 cars) came and picked us up from the airport.  

It's been almost a week and I've only had one episode of nausea and have enjoyed my time with my grandmother.  Tomorrow, I get to see my Uncle and cousin from Kyoto and looking forward to see them.

I have to admit, one of the other things that I was looking forward to was the Japanese food.  Here are some highlights of what we've had so far. 

Sushi

Cream Puff (Eaten by my nephew Tristan)

Japanese Cake

 

Souffle Cheese Cake

Sukiyaki

Soft serve & Iced Coffee with Soft serve and Coffee Jell-O

Yakisoba & Okonomiyaki

Made It!

 I can't believe it!  Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!  We have made it safely to Japan.  

One Step Closer!

Thank you for all your prayers!

The endoscopy went very well.  No bleeds and they only had to  band two varices.!

Japan here we come!  We plan to leave Nov. 3rd and planning on returning the 18 th.  I can't believe we are actually going.  Kind of crazy!

I did take a blood test and my CEA level went up slightly.

My grandmother is so excited!  Thank you so much!!

Happy Halloween!