Kara's Treatment

Many people have asked about the specifics of Kara's treatment so I thought it would be good to mention the information here.  

Kara's chemotherapy medication is called Abraxane.  It is solvent free and suspended in a human protein instead of a chemical one.  It does not have steroids.  I'm not sure what all of that means but some of you may, so there you go.  It will cause her hair to fall out at some point and it makes Kara nauseated on the days following her treatments.  

Right now her treatments are every Thursday morning for three weeks and then one week off.  This Thursday, August 23rd, will be the third treatment in this first cycle of treatments.  So Friday and Saturday are her hardest days right now.  Once the nausea passes Kara feels pretty good and is able to even do yard work!  She is anticipating that the nausea may increase in duration with each treatment.  After two cycles of chemo the doctors will reevaluate the mass in her breast and see if it is ready to be removed.  They are hoping that the mass will have become smaller.  

The leg trouble Kara had after her first treatment did not return, so she has been able to move around easily. 

Please continue to spread the word about Kara and this blog.  Money has been coming in through PayPal and Austin Montessori School and I know that it is a relief to both Kara and Keith to have financial support.  

~Janice

A Haircut for Kara

This afternoon I had the pleasure of visiting with Keith, Kara, Gregory and Miko at their home.  In anticipation of losing her hair from the chemo treatments and just staying cool in the heat, Kara asked if I would cut her hair.  She was ready for it to be really short so that is what we did.  She looks beautiful and refreshed.  Now she and Gregory have the same hairdo!

Kara had pain and swelling in her left leg after her first chemo treatment last week.  It was very painful and made it hard for her to walk.  She was given antibiotics to fight any possible infection.  The cause of the pain is still a mystery but today she walked around her home and yard easily.  Her next treatment is tomorrow morning and she will have to wait to see if the pain returns in response.   Every day is a new day with challenges and blessings all blended together. 

~Janice

Food and Restaurant Suggestions for Family Meals

If you are donating a meal  through the Care Calendar, here are some suggestions.

Mr. Natural on South Lamar.  Their Vegan food is labeled so it's easy to pick up a meal for the whole family. 

Whole Foods has lots of vegan options, but you may have to read the labels to determine that there is no dairy or animal products (honey is okay). The hot foods usually state whether they are vegan. 

Other restaurants that are vegan or have vegan options:

Casa de Luz

Counter Culture 

Beets Cafe

Daily Juice
Mother's Cafe
Juice Land
The Soup Peddler

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse 

Kerby Lane- ask for the vegan menu

Thai Fresh 

Tarka

The Happy Cow website/App lists vegan restaurants and trailers in the area.

Veggytopia.com will deliver Vegan meals for a week if you sign up.