Here is a prayer that Karin's cousin prayed for our friend:

Invitation to Pray
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
God encourages us to pray. They tell us that prayer is a pious exercise which has no influence except upon the mind engaged in it. We know better. Here Jehovah, the living God, distinctly promises to answer the prayer of His servant. Let us call upon Him again and admit no doubt upon the question of His hearing us and answering us. He that made the ear, shall He not hear? He that gave parents a love to their children, will He not listen to the cries of His own sons and daughters! God will answer His pleading people in their anguish. He has wonders in store for them. What they have never seen, heard of, or dreamed of, He will do for them. He will invent new blessings if needful. He will ransack sea and land to feed them. He will send every angel out of heaven to succor them if their distress requires it. He will surround us with His grace and make us feel that it was never before done in this fashion. All He asks of us is that we will call upon Him. He cannot ask less of us. Let us cheerfully render Him our prayers at once.

I just spoke with Karin a few minutes ago. Several days ago Jeff told me that if we could get 2 doctors to agree on the next treatment step for Karin we would take that as a sign from God which door we should go into. We have left messages for 6 or 7 doctors, waiting to hear 2 of them say the same thing. This afternoon we got that. And, because we have God Hook Up ;), Jeff actually just spoke with the doctor. You know how hard it is to get a doctor on the phone, LET ALONE a doctor that has never met you!!! I want to stress how BIG this is. Jeff spoke with the doctor just minutes after his nurse told him, "He will never give you a recommendation over the phone." After much prayer, MUCH prayer, Jeff & Karin believe God would have them do brain surgery. God's fingerprint is all over this situation.
Karin just told me that she "felt people praying for her today".
Keep on praying. Pray for continued peace. It would be just like the devil to spoil this with a little worry, doubt or anxiety. Please pray for overwhelming peace. A peace that surpasses understanding. We serve an awesome God.

Good Morning! (depending on where you are ;) )
I just spoke with Jeff and Karin and today is a good day. The last couple (since the trip to Kaiser Redwood City) have been difficult and exhausting. Karin is requesting special prayer for some strength for her to be able to get up on her own again. She has not gotten up on her own since Monday and she fell when that happened. Not a bad fall, but hurt her emotionally. Anyway, we have been spending a lot of time praying and reading scriptures and today she sounds much better. Still tired, but more up. Praise the Lord! His mercies are new every morning.
We still need clarity on the situation with the doctor. We have narrowed it down to two procedures and need wisdom on which do to first. Please continue to pray about that.

Nothing much new to report. Please continue to pray for wisdom for Jeff & Karin about the decisions being made. Pray that God would guide them through the doors. God is very faithful to have given us so many options and we are being diligent to check them all out.

Please pray for Karin to be encouraged today. Pray that God would lighten her load and that she would be surrounded by His presence. Get out the Bible ad pray Ephs. 3:20 over Karin & Jeff.

Follow the link below to Karin's fav song (next to the "J, You Got Your J" song that many were introduced to at the Run).

http://www.klove.com/lyrics/lyrics.asp?2323

Melanoma is the giant in our lives right now. Please keep lifting the Carter's up in prayer.

Jeff, Karin and Enola went to see Dr. Sheridan today at Kaiser Redwood City to discuss the option of brain surgery on two of the tumors within the brain - the two that are causing the trouble with the mobility of the right side. The appt. was for 11:45. Jeff just emailed me some brief information about the appt. and said Karin was napping. The doctor said the surgery would be relatively easy to perform, would take about 2 hours and require a 2 day hospital stay. He said she would feel weaker for about a month and then should gain mobility of her right side again. Jeff said the appt. was like all the rest where the bad news gets brought up to the surface again and they have to hear it again. That is hard for them to endure and is exhausting. In all, I think it went well and we will continue to open the other doors that the Lord set before us last week. Please continue to pray for wisdom for the Carters.

OPTIONS! We've got options!!! A lot has taken place today. This is going to be a long post, so grab your Starbucks and read on. Thank the LORD for opened doors. We have been praying that God would open doors that should be open and close those that should be closed. Today, HE opened several.
Last night, Jeff got a call from Stanford. Dr Alder believes that Karin should have the two larger tumors on her brain surgically removed. These two tumors are next to her left ear and they are the ones that are causing the right side of her body to not work (dragging of the leg and loss of movement of her arm). Dr. Sattar made a referral for Karin to be seen at the Kaiser Redwood City Neurosurgery Unit. The four doctors there have all been trained at Stanford and Dr. Alder said any of them he would trust. By afternoon we had an appointment for Monday for Karin to be seen by a neurosurgeon at Kaiser Redwood City. When Karin found out that Alder suggested brain surgery to remove the tumors she told Jeff "I am ready, let's go right now!"
Then along comes Dr. O'Day who has a clinical trial of chemotherapy that he felt was suitable for Karin. I can't remember the name of the drug. He is option number 2.
Then Jeff gets a call from Dr. Wolf at Doctor's Hospital, Miami. We sent him the scans yesterday and he got them today and called right away. He would like to do the Gamma Knife procedure on all the tumors in Karin's brain. He has very high success rates and believes Karin's situation is workable. If the tumors in the brain are gone we can more aggressively deal with the tumors in the body. This is option number 3.
And then there is option number 4. UCSF has received Karin's file and has scheduled her an appointment to see Dr. Kashani on July 2. I am not 100% sure on this but from the research I have done I believe what they will offer is a clinical trial also. They have about 165 of them going on there, of which, Karin qualifies for 2. Not a typo. 2.
And then the best option we got is God. We still wait on God for a big supernatural miracle. While we do that we know that God can use many means to heal Karin. It just may be one of the above doors that He has opened for us just in the last 24 hours.
Now, here is where Jeff and Karin have asked for prayer. Where do we go from here?? Please pray that Jeff and Karin would have wisdom in knowing where to go from here. Pray that God would direct them and put people into their path that would speak to their hearts and guide them. Pray for wisdom for the doctors.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" James 1:5

Karin had a great day yesterday. She sounded good when I spoke with her in the morning. They were headed out the door so that the house cleaner could clean. They ended up at Old Navy, and Jeff said that was my fault. :) I was just keeping my friend informed about sales, and such. :)
Right now Karin is at the alternative doctor in SF. They spent the night in CV so they could get there early thing morning. After she is done getting her "cocktail" they will head home for a nap.
We are still working with 4 other facilities and trying to get some possible treatment for Karin. Please pray that doors that are supposed to open, and those that are to close, close.

Today's trip to the doctor has shown that there is a few tumors in Karin's brain that have grown. There are others there also, but there are 2-3 that are causing problems. Dr. Sattar has agreed to send Karin where she needs to go to get treated. Jeff has left messages for Dr. O'Day, Dr. Alder (Stanford) and we are also working on pulling together the needed reports to get an appointment at UCSF. Oh, I am also working on Doctors Hospital in FL.
They are holding off on giving Karin anymore chemo in the hopes that she will get into Stanford for their Gamma Knife procedure (not really a knife, but radiation). Gamma Knife has shown to be successful because they are able to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor, unlike in whole brain radiation (WBR). The drawback with the Gamma Knife is that they can only pinpoint 2-3 tumors because it does damage the brain tissue.
Jeff asks for your prayers. As I am sure you can image, we all grow weary and they are no exception.
We will continue to wait upon the Lord. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 31
I know I have written that scripture before but I think it fits well here.

I had thought Karin's appointment with the Onc. was later this week but as it turns out it is today at 9AM. Please pray as Jeff and Karin go to this appointment. Pray for some good news. Pray for peace.
Karin has the blood work on Friday so that she can start the Chemo again on Friday.

I talked with Karin a little while ago while she was on her way back from the doctor in SF. She sounded GREAT. For her sound as great as she sounded it can only mean that God is doing great things!! She said the doctor appointment went well and she had a good weekend.

Kids are off to VBS this week & Jeff is home now.

I have not actually spoken with Karin this weekend but I have heard from several people she had a great weekend. Yesterday, Karin made it out to Noah's soccer game. . .and stayed for the whole thing. This afternoon her brother took her to her Dad's and then they were all going to go for dinner and then Karin would go to Tom and Terry's for the night. Karin has a appointment in SF with alternative doctor in the morning to get another "cocktail", as Enola called it. :)

Next week Karin starts the 5 days of intense chemo again. Can't remember which day that is supposed to happen though. They also have a dr. appt. with Dr. Sattar, the Onc., on Tuesday.

Jeff was on his way home from Redding when I spoke to him earlier.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Eph 3:20

I always go back to this scripture for this situation. God is faithful. We just need to keep asking. He is not deaf! He hears us. Keep praying!

Remember the last time I posted I said that Karin was going to the Dr. in SF? He is the "alternative" doctor. I had said that both Jeff and I expected that she would be wiped out when she got home. Jeff told me yesterday that she WALKED in the door, was chipper and stayed up for another 2-3 hours before she took a nap. On the way home from SF she requested to run into Costco and do a little shopping. Even that did not wipe her out. Small miracle but we will take it! While she was at Costco she ran into a guy who's wife was doing the same treatment as Karin. Isn't it amazing how God always puts in where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there?? He is good.

When I called yesterday Karin was up making her own breakfast. These are all little baby steps but I am grateful that she is able to do somethings on her own.

I talked with Karin this morning and she was getting ready to send Jeff out the door. We are just about forcing him to go to Redding this weekend for an annual golf tournament that he does. I think the R&R will be good for him and you know Karin, she told him to go. Pray that he is able to rest a little and gain some more energy for the fight that lies ahead of us. That being said, Jonathan is coming for the weekend to help Karin out. Salina is coming home tonight from her little trip to Mexico. ;)

The scans came back yesterday and there was no real improvement to mention. God is still in the miracle business and we will continue to wait on Him! Please keep praying for our miracle. Pray that Jeff and Karin are able to stay strong to fight the fight.

Karin had a GREAT day yesterday. She felt good and was able to go to Baja Fresh with her Mom. Karin, her Mom and Tom went and spent the night at her Mom's in CV and then this morning headed to SF to visit the alternative medicine doctor. She said she slept great last night, even though she was not in her own space. Thank you God that Karin has had a couple of good days. Keep it up! Karin does seem to be coming down with a cold. We were thinking it was allergies but her and I just talked about it again and she now thinks it is a cold. Can you believe this is her first illness since February? That is very good for someone with a compromised immune system. I am expecting her to be wiped out the rest of today and possibly tomorrow due to the activity level of the last couple of days.

Karin is doing well this morning. She said going to the movies on Saturday really wiped her out so yesterday she did nothing but sleep other than going to the 8AM service. So, today she feels caught up but is planning on laying low today.
As it stands right now Karin's next appointment will be June 19th with the onc. I think we have determined that we can't change this appointment because of the blood work that has to be done for the next round of chemo.

I spoke with Karin earlier this morning and she sounded great. Better than she has sounded in several days, if not weeks. She was hoping to get out to a movie today - something she has not done in months! She said the scans went well and now comes the waiting to see the results.

One last thing. Hoping this Blog will turn over 30,000 this weekend. Isn't that cool??

Have not had much time to post today. Kids are out of school and I have my full time job as their "recreation coordinator". ;)
I got an email from Jeff late last night saying that Kaiser called them last night to cancel their MRI appointment for today, which was supposed to take place at noon. Something about contracts and equipment. Please, this is not a broken arm that we are dealing with!! Anyway, Jeff called early this morning and was able to get an appointment for today at 2pm. All of you that have ever dealt with Kaiser know that this does not happen!! Thank you, Lord! His favor went before Jeff and got them this appointment!
So, today's appointment was just for the MRI and not to have the scans read. The next appointment Karin has is on the 19th with the new oncologist. Jeff will also be getting copies of the scans to Stanford and John Wayne. At last, Jeff was going to try to get that appointment moved up. Please pray for some good news on those scans.
Jeff and Karin made it out to Costco today with Enola and that wiped out Karin. Salina is off with a friend to Mexico and Noah is gone for the weekend with Jonathan to a wedding in SLO. Should make for a nice quiet weekend for them.

My mailbox is overflowing with email from people wanting to bring meals for the Carters! Thank you! All your names are being added to the list and when your name gets to the top you will be called by Julie Garcia for the details.
Jeff just told me that Karin is off having breakfast with her Dad and they did not even take the wheelchair! Yeah! You go, Karin!
Please be praying tomorrow for the Carters as they go in for those scans. Please pray not only for the scans but for peace for the family.

If you are interested in being on the list to make a meal for the Carters, we want to hear from you! You can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com and I will get your info to Julie, who is coordinating their meals.

We still have some of those cute bumper stickers. Jamie keeps a stash at Celebration or you can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com and we can work out getting one for you. They are available for a donation.

Karin is feeling good and sounding like herself today. The two nights prior to last night she has been up most of the night. Then added to that she did not sleep during the day either. Today is a new day!
Jeff is off to a field trip with Noah & Karin is hanging out at home with her Mom.

Just spoke with Jeff on the phone and he wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their love & support. He said he does not even know how to begin to say thank you for everything that has been done for them. Words can not express their gratitude. They feel your support & prayers. Thank you for all you have done, whether that be bringing a meal, cleaning their house, taking care of the children, being taxi service for the children, sending a card and/or gift, donating money to the Karin L. Carter fund . . .EVERYTHING. There are no words.

Please pray for Karin this morning at 11:10 PST. Karin & Jeff are meeting together with the Elders of Golden Hills to pray for Karin's healing.

For all of you waiting for your Run t-shirt, thank you for being patient! We are still trying to get them donated. As soon as they become available I will let you know.
Since we have less and less happening in the Carter house I will go to posting every other day. If something comes up in between that time I will always pass along the information. Please continue to pray for Karin's miracle!! Our God is faithful!

I never talked with Karin myself yesterday and I was waiting to talk to her to get all the info, BUT I heard from people at the kids school & Tom and Terry that she went to the kids school during lunch!!! Wow! You go!! That is walking in faith! So proud! This morning Terry called me and told me that Karin sent Salina and Jeff off to a movie last night. These are all miracles! Thank you Lord. He is faithful!
I talked with Jeff this morning and he said Karin did not sleep well last night and as a result has been asleep most of the morning.

I keep forgetting to add this picture that I took while at Karin's last month. Look at all those cards! Cole and Noah helped me hang them all on the wall. She had already filled up 2 bulletin boards! Keep 'em coming. Email me at bethey12@yahoo.com if you want her address.

I talked to Jeff around 9Am this morning and Karin was already asleep. Jeff was getting a little work done while she is sleeping. Karin has been really tired. Please pray that she is feeling less exhausted and not nauseous.