The Big Finish

Everyone make time today to toast to the big finish of this long road of treatment.

Thank you to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, letters, emails, cards, rides she has certainly found out how big her group of "Peeps" is.

 Today is the last of the radiation treatments.  Hurrah!  From here forward cells will stop being destroyed and Jan can rebuild all those healthy cells.  Her hair is coming in well ever since the end of Chemo, she is regaining her strength, and she only has a few things that still don't taste just right.  She is back to trying to do all things at once and rarely sits still.  We are at almost one year from when this road began and it has been a long haul but what a trooper!

 Good Job Mom!

A recent day out with Janet & Carol 2 of her sisters. We were
trying to figure out how to "facetime" with Sharon in Kentucky
but didn't have a wifi connection. It was a 3 hour lunch so if we
did figure it out it would have been a 4 hour lunch.

Home

Jan is home and doing really well.  She is glad to have that behind her and moving forward.  Another. 4 weeks recovery then a month of radiation and done.  We are all looking forward to celebrating the end of treatment.

Surgery day

Mom's surgery was slightly delayed starting around 1:30 they finished around 4.  All went as planned and we were able to see her around 7.  She was awake and seemed to be very clear.  A heaviness at the surgery site but all things considered doing well.  Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!  We will see how she is doing if she can come home tomorrow or the next day.

Chemo --- Done.

Chemo is done and finally a 3 1/2 week rest/recovery before the surgery May 6.  The staff met her with balloons, lots of goodies and hugs.  What a rough time when you are facing chemotherapy but an amazing staff really helps you to face it down.  Back at home more flowers to celebrate.  Call, email or even better stop by she is always ready for visitors.  We'll continue to keep you posted with the progress.

Wahoo!! Last of these treatments!

Well on Thursday Jan gets the last in this series of treatments and she is more than ready to be moving on.  Numbers have been good so she has stayed on schedule having only delayed treatment once so that is good news.  She has tolerated this series pretty well but as she nears the end she is much more tired, the cumulative effect is catching up to her.  With the end of these treatments she'll say goodbye to this great staff, it is a tough area to work in but they never show it.  Most anywhere but the nursery in a hospital is difficult but oncology is the hardest day in day out, when you see a group in action that works this well you are inspired.  They have made a difficult road to travel easier ---A huge Thank You to all of you!

Jan will get about a 4 week rest before having surgery on May 6, then another rest, some radiation and then I'm sure we'll see her back to full speed.

Keep the well wishes headed her way, emails, texts however you communicate.

#6 Done

Halfway through this round of treatments---Hurrah!  She's getting there ---numbers are good, although she still has side effects they are more tolerable than the last round of chemo so that is good.  A week of visitors made for a happy Jan, nothing can make her happier than visitors and of course trying to avoid germs isn't easy for her.  I equipped her with a lot of hand sanitizers and she is trying to behave in that department.

All hooked up.

Helping out with Draw Something....

Quick visits from children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great grand puppies, sister, brother in law it was a busy week which helps pass the time till Jan is back to full speed!

Maci doesn't stop long enough for many pictures.

Washing baby puppies

At Grandmas you get to sleep on the couch!

and on nice quilts!

Are you going to make me move?

Treatment #5 and 7 to go!

Always glad to get this text on Thursday it means we are one closer to kicking this!  

A few side affects from this treatment but her energy level is good which makes tolerating it easier.  She has even worked a few hours lately which we all know how Jan loves to work.   Keep her in your thoughts!

Progressing

After Jan returned from Florida she began her next series of treatments, these are weekly treatments and so far different but more tolerable side effects.  Unfortunately she got a sinus infection so battling that with antibiotics dropped her blood work numbers so she did have to skip one week which will add a week to the end.  However she is now over the sinus issues and feeling much better, more energy and able to do some of her normal routine.  Yes, even working a few hours.  We all continue to remind her to stop hugging so much and wash hands more but hugging less is hard to do.  Keep her in your thoughts, drop her a line (the post office needs some business), make a call or send an email she'll love hearing from you.

After 80° weather time to go home.....

Rog & Jan head back to Virginia today, Jan with plenty of rest Rog with plenty of golf.  Although Jan endured those post treatment effects she was able to rest in a sunny warm spot with Janet & Don.  Upon arrival Jan's foot had swollen a lot and with some cramping, post chemo, riding in a car there was concern it could be a clot so they did spend most of one day in an Emergency Department. She received great treatment and was cleared with a Doppler study, this let those of us far away (who had to make her go) able to breathe easier.  Obviously not something to mess with, after a few days the swelling did go down and she will be taking care to keep it elevated for the ride home.  Otherwise she did well now she is done with those type treatments and will begin on Thurs. with the next round of treatments which occur weekly.   The hope is these next 12 weeks will go as smoothly as the first round.  Please continue those prayers, thoughts, well wishes she'll take all of those she can get.  Emails, phone calls, written notes whatever you can do she loves to hear from all of you!

The Florida condo in a quiet relaxing community made for a great respite.

Dinner out, Kindle time & Words with Friends, lots of sunshine!

A much needed "Mini Escape" for Jan

A much needed "Mini Escape" for Jan....

Helen, Anna, Emily, Janet, Janice, Roger, & Emma
(guess Carla or Don is taking photo)

Before all the news began in September Jan & Rog had planned on spending about a month in Florida with her sister Janet & brother in law Don of course that all changed with the new schedule cancer brings.  You all know Jan doesn't like sitting still but missing out on a trip was driving her crazy--- which in turn drives Roger crazy.  This has been on her mind for awhile but with the holidays brought the reality and Jan wasn't gonna miss it all together.  So 2 days post treatment they packed up for a shortened Florida trip but enough to get rejuvenated & enjoy the 80° temps.  They got a nice surprise with a visit from nieces they don't get to see often enough Tom & Carla's crew live about an hour away and Helen & Emily were visiting them from South Carolina.  What a great treat to get to see them all!  Tom & Helen are the children of Jan & Janet's brother Albert and his wife Ann who still live in Pleasant Mount not far from their homestead.  Can't resist these old photos what great memories we all have being up there.  I'll have to dig deeper into photo archives to find a good one of Albert & Ann---next post.  While they enjoy their 80° I'm headed to Boston where it was 9° this morning!  I'll update this when I get back, their condo has wifi so keep those emails coming, and she'll enjoy some mail when she gets home.

Farmhouse on the hill

A beautiful view from the house in every season.

The always busy pond on the west side of the property.

The trip down included cheese & cracker
party for the girls while they guys caught
up on their football.

Treatment #4 is in the books

Treamtment #4 is in the books!

Jan's twin sister Janet & her husband Don were there for support through this one.  Of course Roger was along as he has been for every appointment she has had.  His Kindle gets a workout I think he is averaging 5 books a week!  Jan's lab numbers were all good that has been a good surprise through this first 12 weeks.  Although she has some GI issues and loss of taste for awhile she has been able to eat well.  There was more fluid build up at the surgery site so she had to go back and get that removed again, otherwise she is progressing as planned.  The tired/exhausted feeling sets in now for about a week to 10 days but she will be spending them with Roger, Janet & Don so that will help to pass the time.  She did manage the un-decorating from the holidays before the treatment so feels good having her house back in order.  January 17 begins her next round of treatments.  These will be every week for 12 weeks, hopefully they will go on schedule and she can get that behind her also.  Continue with letters, emails, phone calls anyone who knows her knows she loves to chat!
                          A Happy & HEALTHY New Year to all!