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!

Get me out of the house!

Looking good ladies!

"Get me out of the house."  Two weeks post treatment Jan is more than ready to get out of the house.  The tired feeling is overwhelming, although she is able to eat fine thank goodness, but the tiredness takes its toll.  With each treatment the weak tired feeling has lasted longer so she is glad there is only one more of this type treatment to go.  Jan planned a night out for her and Mallory (one of her granddaughters) who was traveling through on her way to South Carolina.  After picking her up at the Richmond train station they headed over to Siné for dinner then over to the Carpenter Theatre for the annual production of "The Nutcracker".  Mallory being a veteran of many Nutcracker performances was the perfect date.  So ladies night out was a perfect celebration for Jan's first day out again.  One more treatment -- a rest period -- and she can move on to the next set of treatments, this is one time in life when yes you do want time to move a little faster.  Thanks to all who make calls, send emails, visit it all helps!

Carpenter Theatre, Richmond

"Ballet Pink" roses

Treatment #3 ---Done.

Treatment #3 is in the books.  

Chocolate dipped strawberries with pink ribbons.
Jan with some of her work friends.
Downtown lights.

After surgery there is often some fluid build up and drainage down into the surgery site.  Jan's fluid build up didn't occur till 6 weeks post surgery but the site filled up quite a bit.  The surgeon tapped the site and was able to remove all the fluid leaving her feeling better.  Often this will just dissipate but sometimes they have to remove it especially with a larger amount as they did with hers.  Other than that all went well and she has one more done.  The first 2-3 days she feels pretty good so we took advantage of that with some shopping, eating out, and a visit to the Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond.  Knowing it would be decorated for the holidays we thought it would be a nice spot for lunch after her treatment.  Jan, Toni, and Lyn had a relaxing lunch overlooking the beautiful lobby area and enjoyed the decorations.  It ended up being a late lunch so were able to catch the downtown lights on our way out of the city.

Jan & Toni 

Completely made of gingerbread and candies,
it made the whole area smell amazing.

Lyn & Jan

Happy Birthday!!

Sharon, Carol, Bessie (mom), Janet
sitting: Janice with Carolyn
1960

Happy Birthday!! 

 Today is Jan's (& Janet's by the way) Birthday!  Throughout their lives they have occasionally been able to get together for their big day, even a few surprise get togethers.  This year Jan will be having dinner with both her kids that hasn't happened since at least 1977, so that alone is a reason to celebrate.  The four of us sitting at the table together a little older and "wiser", wouldn't you love to hear that conversation?

It is also the night before treatment #3, she has her house decorated, her Christmas cards mailed & house cleaned.  The first 10 days post treatment are a bit rough but she still has gotten plenty done the next 10 days.  Hopefully this treatment will go as well and she'll be down to one more of these "big" ones and can move on to weekly treatments.  These leave her very tired with the weekly the lower dose should have less side effects.  Monday she'll meet with the surgeon to set up surgery in the spring, then radiation to follow that.  As always keep those emails, notes, prayers, and well wishes going her way.  

Wintergreen Birthday Weekend 2008

Carol, Sharon, Janice, Janet early mid 80's

A visit with Santa!

While the sisters were together they made their trip to visit Santa!

Naughty or Nice?

Treatment #2

Surprise!  Carol, Sharon, Janice, Janet

Well all things considered Jan handled the first treatment and the weeks that followed amazingly well.  Main side affect other than the mouth ulcers---- at day 16 she lost her hair, but Jan didn't let that keep her from going to church.  Rog helped her trim the edges she pulled on her wig and headed out the door.  It is this drive & attitude that is going to help her get through this in high style.  Her sister Sharon arrived from Kentucky a couple days early so they could enjoy some time together while she was feeling her best.  Treatment day arrived with a wonderful surprise --her other 2 sisters (Janet from Pennsylvania and Carol from New Jersey) showed up at the hospital and so the 4 of them were able to have lots of girl time together.  We refer to these 4 (and especially when they are all together) as the crazy aunts, but boy every friend who has heard of them would love to have one of their visits.  They are like tornadoes through your house and when they leave your laundry is done, folded, put away, dishes done, closets organized, if you have painting to be done yep check that off too, babysitting, yard work, you name it they get it done.

Jan's lab tests were all good,  so this keeps the treatments on schedule making the next one December 6, here is hoping she continues this well throughout.  She is hoping to feel well enough to get to work a few days this month and Lyn (Carolyn) will be down to celebrate her birthday and get treatment number 3 over with.

A big thank you to her co-workers for the visit on treatment day.

Keep those emails, calls, cards coming she loves to hear from all of you!

Rog & Jan in the waiting room, Rog is going for the
record of books read on a Kindle.

You can't keep Jan down

Well 2 weeks post first treatment and Jan shows up to work.  As crazy as this sounds to most people, going to work made her feel great.  The first week after treatment went pretty well, it was the second week when things started to catch up to her.  She developed mouth ulcers a common side effect, which of course also bothers eating drinking etc.  She began a Tetracycline rinse and after 4 days of that she is doing much better and was happy to report to work for a few hours.  So far her main complaint is just not being able to do things, working or not she is normally always moving.   As she approaches the next treatment on November 15 she looks forward to seeing her sister Sharon.   Continue emails, cards, messages ---all are appreciated.