Hospital day 3

I just wanted to post a quick update... I was able to be at the hospital this morning when the doctors rounded and we now have a plan...

Janet is staying in the hospital at least the rest of this week and will be going over to Highlands to get her radiation every day. They really want her to be able to finish her radiation and want to be able to give her the IV fluids and medications to get her through it. So that is where we are at right now... She had a good night and was able to rest. She is still not up for visitors at this time and I will update again when I know more. 

Thanks,

Jenna

Happy Cup!

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the kind words, messages, prayers and well wishes. We are so blessed to have such great support.

Not a whole lot has changed today. Janet spent the day resting, she still had some pain and nausea, and her throat is still on fire. Bryan and I went up to the hospital around 4:30 and at that point Janet had only had a little sherbet all day. Tony left to go home and shower and brought her a milk shake that she drank a little part of. 

Bryan had been researching all of the different meds they were trying on her and encouraged her to take her "Magic Mouthwash" which is supposed to numb your throat to help with swallowing. She really really doesn't like the magic mouthwash and said she would try it to get some soup down if all of us did too so we would know how bad it was. 

Bryan loves his momma and gulped it down without a concern... then spent the next five minutes freaking out and trying to get me to look at the back of his throat and at his epiglottis because they were numb. Janet (and the rest of us) got a good laugh out of him being so dramatic and it encouraged Janet to try some soup. 

When I got home I got this text: 

She drank a whole cup of soup... it might sound small, but it is a great start!

Since we left now David and Jordan have also tried it and agree that it is nasty... so it might be nasty but if it helps her eat the benefits might outweigh the nasty taste...

So the plan is to reevaluate how she's doing tomorrow and go from there. The doctors said this morning that they will be looking at her treatment plan and maybe changing it up so it isn't so hard on her body. 

Thanks again for all the prayers, she is still not up for visitors right now and has been able to rest well while she has been in the hospital. We appreciate each one of you!

-Jenna

*This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.*

My Grace is Sufficient...

For those of you who don't know, Janet went into the ER this morning due to the increasing pain and nausea. The oncologist wanted to keep her under observation tonight and reevaluate in the morning.

She has had an okay day. Not a lot has changed. I spent a few hours with them this morning and then again tonight. When I left about an hour ago she was feeling better, sitting up and eating a popsicle. I think the medicines finally all correlated at the same time and she was able to get some relief. They've started her on some IV nutrition to try and get her back to normal tonight. 

I wanted to give you all a quick update because I know so many are thinking and praying for her and our family. We appreciate all of the outpouring of love and ask for continued prayer but at this time Janet is not up for having ANY visitors. We are trying to keep it as low key as possible so she can rest and get back to normal.

On that note... she was feeling well enough that Bryan surprised them with a quick visit with Hudson.  He loves his G-Ma so much. 

Jordan shared this Shane and Shane song with us today and we just love the words of it. YOUR grace is sufficient. 

Thanks again for the prayers, I will update again tomorrow!

--Jenna

*This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.*

When two or three come together in My name....

Beloved friends and family, this is Jenna again...

Janet has had an incredibly tough weekend. She is in a lot of pain in her neck now and still having the same throat pain and nausea. The cancer and treatments have really taken their toll on her.

She wanted me to let everyone know that she appreciates all of the texts, phone calls and emails, but right now she just hasn't been able to respond to everyone since the weekend has been so rough on her. She really appreciates the prayers and we just ask that you keep them coming. She is at the point where she isn't wanting to continue her radiation but knows that she needs to, so if you could be praying for strength to get past these last five treatments, we would really appreciate it. We are hopeful that it is the radiation that is causing all the discomfort and that with the end of that she will get much relief. At this point, Friday is supposed to be her last radiation.

I thank you all, from our whole family, for the tremendous outpouring of support and love. I am going to go with Janet to the doctor tomorrow and will blog an update tomorrow night.

-Jenna

"For when two or three come together in My name, there I am with them." -Matthew 18:20

*This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.*

"Spirit Lead Me Where My Trust is Without Borders..."

Hi friends, this is Jenna (Janet's daughter-in-law) again. Tony just called and asked that I would update Janet's blog for her tonight. Janet is really needing prayer... She actually asked me to post this text that I sent her yesterday and I was already planning that, so I will go ahead and post this along with a few more specific prayer requests.

------I sent this out to Janet, Tony, Jordan, David and Bryan yesterday as a prayer for our family-----

In reading the story of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) this morning God revealed a few things to me. Peter had enough faith that he believed that if Jesus called him out of the boat, that he would be able to stand on the water. Jesus did command him, Peter followed, faith unfaltering, until he saw the wind and unsteady waters. He called out to Jesus and Jesus saved him IMMEDIATELY... And asked him why he doubted.

In this season, The Lord is calling Janet and our family out on to the water. We had unfaltering faith until lately when Janet started struggling so much. Now, we call out to Jesus to save her, rescue her, heal her. He promises us that he is there immediately. That there is a plan... and asks why we have such little faith?!

Father, I pray over Janet and our family today. We are out on the water, in the midst of a storm. Waves are crashing all around us. Steady the waters, strengthen our faith and bring healing to Janet. We know that when we call out to you, that you come and save us immediately. I pray over Janet- that where ever you are calling her- immediately save her, rescue her from this storm, put her back in the boat and hold her in your arms.

Ease her nausea today and bring a new sense of peace over her. We love you and trust that you can heal her.

In your almighty name I pray!
Jenna


-------------

I write tonight asking all of our friends and family, along with other people who have come across Janet's blog for whatever reason, to stop and call out to Jesus on Janet's behalf. These last few weeks have taken a huge toll on her physically & emotionally. Janet's major problem right now is that her throat is in a lot of pain. The radiologist told her that towards the end of her Radiation she might have some throat soreness, but she still has 5 treatments left and is in a lot of pain that is not being managed by her pain medication currently. She is also still battling the nausea and having to force herself to eat.

A few specific requests:
1. Pray for her pain to ease in her throat. Not only is she having the nausea but it is hard for her to swallow now too.
2. Pray for her nausea to subside.
3. Continue to pray for Tony as he is staying home to be with her.
4. Pray for a miracle. Pray that the cancer disappears. Pray that God pulls Janet up into the boat with him and heals her body. I know and believe that He can heal the sick. So we are praying for a mighty work in Janet's body.

We are so so grateful to have had friends bring meals this week and offer to help out in other various ways. We covet each and every prayer and we know that they are being heard and we are so thankful to have all of the support and love given to our family.

In His Love,
Jenna

"I Need You Now"

I am so grateful for the out pour of love shown to me and my family.  The battle is still raging on but God refreshed me in Him today.  I feel this past week I depended on others more than I ever have before on pleading to God for grace to see me through each day.  It was like I was trusting more in other people's  prayers and their quiet times than my own.  Isaiah 49:15b-16 "yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."   I know God will never forget about me, even when I put Him on the back burner of my life at times.

Here's what I read in my Jesus Today:  "I am taking care of you.  I know how hard this is to believe when conditions that are troubling you get worse instead of better.  It's easy to feel as if I am letting you down-as if I really don't care about what you're going through.  You know I could instantly change your circumstances, and you can't understand why I seem to be so unresponsive to your prayers.  But I repeat:  I am taking care of you.  

To become aware of My loving Presence,  you need to relax and stop trying to control things. Give up your futile efforts to think your way through your problems.  Fall back into My strong arms with a sigh of trust.  Cease striving and simply enjoy being in My Presence.  Though there are many things you don't understand, you can rest in My unfailing Love.  This Love is independent of all circumstances, and it will never be taken away from you.

Although My ways may be mysterious and unfathomable, My Love is perfect and everlasting.  Watch in hope for Me, remember that I am God your Savior."

I told Jordan and Tony both that even though things seem to be getting worse, I feel God is healing me.  I've gone 20 months with different types of chemo and have had little to no side effects and now the nausea seems to be overtaking my everyday life.  I'm trusting that things are finally working in my body.  My oncologist is out on maternity leave so I've been talking to a nurse practitioner and the research assistant and they have considered taking me off the clinical trial, but I truly believe God is working ALL things out for my good and for His glory and I do not want to stop the medication.  Isaiah 49:26b "Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."  I told both Tony & Jordan that it doesn't matter how bad things might get, it doesn't change the fact that I will still praise Jesus.  I will praise Him here on earth and I will praise Him in Heaven!!!!!


Each day is a new day of seeing God's grace and during these difficult times, I still sense God is showing me that He is all I really need.  Here is a prayer sent to me from Kathy Hedges that was written by James McDonald when he was in the midst of very difficult dark days of his life-he beat cancer, a wayward child and a congregation that tried to bring him down all within 2 years.  She sent this to me last week, but for some reason (a God Wink) I needed it more today.  "Lord, I know I don't thank You enough for the difficulties You allow in my life.  And I admit it would be difficult for me to ask You for more!  But I know the hardest moments of life have led to my deepest longing for You, my clearest understanding of Your ways, and my most significant steps forward in growth.  Thank You for Your amazing patience in waiting for my thanks to flow after the fact more often than during the trial.  Please continue to teach me that what I need for tomorrow and the rest of my life is what You are providing through hardship today.  In Jesus' name, Amen!

Here is a new song that was part of my refreshing today that I wanted to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWytXE_uFvs

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

"A Battle Raging On"

Hi friends. This is Jenna (Janet's daughter-in-law) writing on Janet's behalf.

We are asking for major prayers for Janet. She just told me that she literally "feels like her body is going through major starvation". Nothing sounds good. She has been battling with nausea and feels like her body is withering away to nothing. She has lost quite a bit of weight and needs to be able to eat for her body to keep fighting the cancer.

We aren't sure what is causing the nausea, but nothing is really helping with relieving it. It's possible that it is the clinical trial pill, which is very important that she keeps taking. She has also been very tired and only gets relief when she is asleep.

Today was her 5th radiation treatment. She is doing great with it and is already seeing improvement with her pain in her hip and in her neck. That is a huge praise!

So those are the "details".

But I am pleading with you on Janet's (and our family's) behalf to cover her in prayers. She has had a very very rough time the past two weeks.

I'd love to give you a list of specific things to pray for...
-Pray that Janet's nausea will subside and that she will be able to eat and GAIN weight.
-Pray for her emotionally as this has been so draining on her.
-Pray for her to have an increase in energy.
-Pray for Tony as he is helping her through these tough days.
-Pray for Bryan and Jordan and their families.
-Pray for Janet's doctors.

We appreciate all of your prayers more than you know and I will try my best to keep you all posted. We are so blessed to have the enormous support system that we have.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

-Jenna

"Green Mask"

I began my radiation treatments last Friday and had my 2nd treatment today.  I was more prepared today.  I took my anxiety medication about 1 hour before arriving at Highlands and I also took my IPad and Jaw Bone speaker for sound.  I could not hear the music on Friday from the cell phone and they took longer on setting up all the key target areas for the radiation.  I had them remove my mask several times on Friday and really struggled breathing and relaxing.  Today was  a much smoother day.  At times it would be easy to throw in the towel and say I'm all done, but God continues to place people in my path to encourage me or for me to encourage them that this battle is not our own but it's for His glory and purpose.  I have 2 radiation treatments down and 13 more to go.  I did not feel good over the weekend and  I struggled with nausea and ended up getting sick late last night.  I am thankful that my appetite has been better today and for the grace God gave me to live another day to see my family here on this earth.  I pray as I continue to walk on this journey that my eyes continue to look up and not at the raging storm around me that wants to swallow me up.  May I always see Jesus' hand stretched out ready to take hold of mine and that I will give him my all and my best each day I live. 

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

"No Trouble"

I went in to Highlands yesterday to meet with the research director and a nurse practitioner.  I was honest with both of the ladies and admitted that I had not taken my medication all week while we were in California.  I am thankful to say neither one of them were upset with me and completely understood why I chose not to take the medicines.  I am back on schedule with the clinical trial.  I also received another round of Zometa (helps strengthens your bones) yesterday.  We were at Highlands for an extra 2 hours trying to get my port to work.  After a lot of hard work from the nurse, we finally had success with a blood return and I was able to receive treatment.  Last month the Zometa caused me a tremendous amount of pain during the night of treatment and the next day.  I am so thankful to say, I had zero pain last night and slept very peacefully. 

I received a phone call today from the radiology department and they have my treatment plan set up.  I start radiation this coming Friday and will have 15 days of treatment.  I will not have it over the weekends, just Monday through Fridays.  I struggled being back home from our vacation but God refreshed me yesterday as I went back to Highlands for treatment.  I am thankful for the great care I receive there and for the new people I continue to meet that are on different journeys than myself, but are there for some sort of treatment.  God has been and will continue to be my strength with each new day He blesses me with.   

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

"A Week Of Restoration"

My disappearing act lasted almost a full week and now it's time to come back to reality.  Tony and I were blessed with a trip to Coronado Island in San Diego, CA.   We were originally scheduled for a trip back in March to Hawaii but had to cancel due to my health.   Thank you to friends and American Airlines for a postponed trip.  We left early Monday morning and stayed through Saturday.  I decided blogging, Facebook, texting and phone calls would be very limited to enjoy time away with my very best friend.  We had a full week of relaxation with no agenda each day.  I even took a step farther and decided not to take my medications.  I didn't like how tired I was feeling or the mental state of mind I was in.   The research team and clinical trial doctors might not be happy with my decision, but I wanted a vacation from everything and feel I accomplished that mission.  Tony and I enjoyed walks on the beaches, bike riding, long naps, toured the Midway aircraft carrier, riding around in a convertible car,  time with our beautiful twin granddaughters that were 2 hours away, the San Diego Zoo, eating out and an amazing sunset at La Jolla beach.  Our time together away from doctors, chemo and the craziness of everyday life is exactly what I feel my "internal" doctor would have ordered. 

My eyes were opened to more of God's beautiful creation all around us.  On the flight out, we flew over the Grand Canyon and Tony and I were listening to the song, "Soveriegn " by Chris Tomlin.

"Looking out our plane at the Grand Canyon"

Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy
In my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arm
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

All my hopes
All I need
Held in your hands

All my life
All of me
Held in your hands

All my fears
All my dreams
Held in your hands

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

"Sunset at Coronado Island"

"Sunset at La Jolla Beach"

It's hard to hear those words being sung while you are flying over one the the greatest wonders of the world and not trust in the God who created everything.   One night we were standing on some rocks along the beach as waves were crashing around us and I felt God's power and wondered why since He created such massive force, why wasn't He healing me? I know He can speak healing and it can disappear at any moment.  On our last night we drove to La Jolla beach to see the sunset.  We were in awe of God's greatness once again.  The lyrics to the song "How Great Is Our God" is all I could hum with tears falling from my eyes.  


"How Great Is Our God"

The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
Lion and the Lamb
Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

Name above all names
You're worthy of all praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God

[3x]
How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

As we enter back into reality my heart is heavy with what lies ahead.  It's easier to "bury your head in the sand" and pretend like everything is good.  I will start my clinical trial medication tomorrow and not sure which day I will begin radiation treatments.  I do know the same God that created so many wonders I saw this week, is the same God living inside of me and I will continue to rest in His strength.  When I am weak, He is made strong.   Below is the song I was listening to as we were landing into Northwest Arkansas.  Not a coincidence but a God Wink of me knowing God is with me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbIXoPblF8Q 

Tony, Kaitlyn, Kimberly & Me

"Midway"

"Looking off the Midway toward Coronado Bridge"

El Coronado Hotel

San Diego Zoo

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."