UPDATE: Jan & Brownie

[Jan214]

Dear Forever Friends,

My whole world is falling down around me and I need your help.  I am going to try not to ramble but the last month or so has been very trying.  I have been in the hospital 3 times and I am just now home from my latest stay.  I do feel better.  The Gemzar has not worked since treatment 3 so he is stopping it since it is making me so sick.  My numbers are low enough that he says I can take a break for awhile and regain some strength.  That is good news for me but that is where the good news stops.  While I was in the hospital my chemo buddy from my carbo/taxol days was across the hall and our onc told me she only has a matter of days.  He is sending her home to hospice care.  She was stage 1 and I sure didn't think it was going to be her.  We have become pretty close and our husbands have become friends.  I am devastated by this.  I am 3c it should have been me.  There is no rhyme or reason to this monster.  

My FIL was given 6 months with pancreatic cancer and that was in Sept.  He had a mini stroke on Tues because of some brain tumors that have developed and Cory went tearing down there in the middle of the night after making sure I was okay in the hospital and I had friends around.   Anyway, they sent his dad home yesterday and this morning the hospice people said it could be anytime now.  Cory is on his way back from his parents to pick me and the girls up and we are going back down there.  

Brownie has sent me several text messages over the last little while and I will write them out here exactly as she sent them. "I'm back in the hospital with 102.6 temp, stomach cramping, bowel problems and a whole sort of mess.  I'm scheduled for CT scan and blood tests. Please keep me in your prayers.  Will you let everyone know on medhelp?..."  So that is what I am doing.

I would like to ask  you to pray for Deandra, Cory's dad and my friend Camille.  She's a cyster you all just don't know her.  As always, for those of you that don't pray, good thoughts, well wishes and loads of positive energy would be greatly appreciated for all of these people.  Also, let's not forget ourmarie.  Has anyone heard anything about her?  I would also ask that you pray for my wonderful husband (Cory).  He is just devastated by all of this and he is being such a rock.  Can you imagine what is must be like for him to have so many people he loves dying from cancers and having to hold everyone up?  For all of you caretakers, God bless you.

Also, I would like to ask that each of you take care of and look out for the forum.  My in laws have dial up and with everything going on I will not be able to check in much.  Will someone or someones, please keep up with people having surgeries.  I will still do the birthdays and as far as I know there aren't any until monday.  SimplyStar was trying to be in Chatzy at 10 and 8 and learinboutlife has been trying to fill in for those times while Star is away, but if some of you could make sure somebody is there at those times.  I have noticed lately that people keep missing each other and there have been people who need to talk.  In short, i am asking you all to keep a good eye on the neighborhood as i can't do the Neighborhood Watch this week.  Thanks you guys.  I know I can count on you.
I love you all
Jan

[Lafnatitall]

Don't know how many of you may know this, but a friend of mine set up a "website" at www.caringbridge.org so that friends and family can keep up with the journeys that others are on with this disease.  The family members, if the person with the cancer can't, can put in journal entries as well.  You write your particular story, and then can post updates in your journal.  Others can go to the site, read about your journey, and then sign the guestbook with their own comments.  If you'd like to go to mine, goe to the website, and then in the place where it says, "enter name of site", enter my site name of scrapbookqueen.  It has been so easy to set up...and has been quite cathartic for me and my friends and family.  Much easier than trying to keep up with posts...

Try it and see!  It's a great offering fo rpeople to communicate in one spot!

[Jan214]

Gia, thank you for keeping up with the posts. So many of you are so good about being good friends to each other and I am always touched by it.

I have started a new post for updating everyone on Deandra as I want the focus on her and I managed to turn this post into a pity party for me.  Sorry, but thanks for all of your support. Please look to the Deandra Update post for further updates on our little Brownie.

Thanks,
Jan

[gma718]

I am so sorry to hear all that you are going thru right now..Life can be so overwhelming..please know that you,your husband, camille and your father in law are in my prayers..I am also so upset with the news about Deandra..Please when you speak with her send  her my love and tell her I am thinking of her daily!!! I want to hear that she is back home and feeling good soon!!! I HATE THIS DISEASE AND ALL THE OTHER CANCERS!!! I wish there was anything I could do for all of you suffering..i will try and help with the posts as much as I can..whatever it takes I will be there for all of you. Stay Strong!!! Love, Gia :)

[Jan214]

Thank you all for your loving and understanding responses.

I am going to do a separate post for Deandra's updates  as I don't want her overlooked.  Thanks again you all for your support. You all just mean the world to me.  

[Tybear]

Hi Jan... I am really sorry to hear of all that you are going through. It has been a really long month for you and although I'm sure this isn't how you would have wanted it, I'm grateful they are giving you and your body a rest. I can't imagine what Cory is feeling right now...please tell him I'm so sorry about his Dad.
I can't believe Deandra is back in the hospital...I know it's selfish, but my first thought was I hope she gets well enough to go on her trip! I just feel like she deserves it so much...we all deserve it! I wish I could wisk all of us who are fighting, away somewhere sunny to be pampered....
Please don't worry about us back here...there are plenty of us around to make sure help will be offered when it's needed.
Rest up Jan...
Love Becky

[crecco]

I took a break yesterday and did not even touch my computer. I am so sorry now that I did because I was not here for you.

  Deandra, I hate hearing that you are back in the hospital. It sounded as if you were doing so well! I hope that they will get this all straightened out so that you can get home and continue on your road to recovery. I will keep you in my prayers. It is good that your Dr is scheduling the CT and blood work and I hope that they both show all is well.

  Jan, I do not even know what to say. You have been through so much lately! I am glad to hear that you are going to get a break from the chemo. You need the chance to build yourself back up again. I pray that your numbers remain low so that you will not have to start any treatment again for awhile. Please know that your friend Camille is in my prayers. Stage I? Will any of ever be able to understand this disease and just how it works? Also I will keep Cory and his Dad in my prayers. I know how hard all fo this has to be on him. You know that I have started keeping lists too and will do my best to keeo everyone up to date in what is going on. Please as Marty said, we will still be here, so you take the time that you need and know that our thoughts and prayers follow you where ever you go.

                  Love to you both, Chris