Jeannette's Second Chemotherapy Session

On Thursday, May 26th Jeannette had her second round of chemotherapy, this time at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans which is much closer to her house.  Although she is quite fatigued, Jeannette is feeling less nauseated this time and Justin and Emily had dinner with her and Tim tonight after she got home from Mass.

Jeannette is suffering from a bit of
 

Tim decided to take advantage of this and challenged her to a game of Scrabble.  He insists this is the only way he'll ever have a chance to win.

Biopsy Part Two

Jeannette had the second biopsy today of the spot on her lung.  She said that it went well and she's resting comfortably at home, eating chicken soup and feeling somewhat better than she did over the weekend.  Her next chemotherapy session is scheduled for Thursday, so Jeannette is hoping that if the biopsy shows another type of chemotherapy treatment is an option, she'll know it by then. 

Update: post-chemo

Jeannette had her first chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday.  For the first couple of days afterward she felt really good, perhaps due in part to the steroids they had included with her chemo.  Since then, however, she has been quite nauseated and tired.

Her biopsy is still scheduled for Monday morning, which hopefully will lead to another type of treatment being available. 

Jeannette's First Day of Chemo

Today Jeannette had her first chemotherapy treatment at Fletcher Allen.  She was there for five hours, and reports that it went really well.  Jeannette had no adverse reactions to the chemo drugs like people sometimes do, and the doctors included steroids in the medicine to help alleviate the pain in her back.

A biopsy is scheduled for Monday so doctors can sample a bigger piece of the spot in Jeannette's lung.  They will be testing the tissue to see if a new pill form of treatment can be used for her.  Jeannette's next chemotherapy appointment is scheduled for a week from tomorrow (Thursday the 26th).  From here onward Jeannette will be able to receive her treatments in St. Albans instead of Colchester, so she will be much closer to home.

Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers and support. 

The Chemo Plan

On Tuesday (May 17) Jeannette will go to a class to learn about what she can expect throughout her time on chemotherapy.  On Wednesday (May 18) she will begin chemotherapy with a 3-4 hour session.  She will continue weekly sessions after that point for a duration to be determined.

Update from Jeannette's PET Scan and Follow-Up Appointment

Today (Wednesday, May 11th) Jeannette had a meeting with Dr. Thomas to follow-up on the PET scan she had Monday. 

The PET scan revealed that the cancer is not in any of Jeannette's organs other than the lung where it originated.  However, the cancer has spread to numerous bones in her body beyond those of her legs.

Next week our family will attend a meeting that lays out what to expect during chemotherapy, and chemotherapy will begin next week as well.  

"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death."   ~Anonymous
"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it."  ~C.C. Scott
"Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there."  ~Author Unknown

Next Up: The PET Scan

Jeannette's PET scan is scheduled for next Monday, May 9th.  She will meet with the oncologist on Wednesday, May 11th to hear the results of the scan anddecide how to proceed with treatment.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

Jeannette's sister (Mary Wiethake) lives in Colorado.  Mary sent us prayers for healing, printed on beautiful paper.  Mary asked that we share some of the prayers here on Jeannette's site so that others might join in saying them.  Today's prayer is to St. Peregrine. 

St. Peregrine Laziosi, much like St. Paul, opposed the Church in his youth before converting.  When Peregrine was afflicted with cancer of the foot and amputation had been decided upon, he spent the night before the operation in prayer. The following morning he was completely cured. This miracle caused Peregrine's reputation to become widespread. He died in 1345 at the age of eighty-five, and he was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726.  (www.catholic.org/saints)

St. Peregrine, Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer, we confidently turn to you for help in Jeannette's present sickness.  We beg your kind intercession.  Ask God to relieve her of this sickness, if it be His Holy Will.  Plead with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, whom you loved so tenderly, that she may help Jeannette through her powerful prayers and loving consolation.  But if it should be God's Holy Will that Jeannette bear this sickness, obtain for her the courage and strength to accept these trials with patience and resignation from the loving hand of God , because He knows what is best for the salvation of her soul.

St. Peregrine, be Jeannette's friend and patron.  Help her to imitate you in accepting suffering, and to unite herself with Jesus Crucified and the Mother of Sorrows, as you did.  We offer Jeannette's pains to God with all the love of our hearts, for His glory and the salvation of souls, especially our own.  Amen. 

Meeting With Oncologist Today

Jeannette met with an oncologist, Dr. Thomas, today at Fletcher Allen.  The meeting was to discuss other treatment plans now that Jeannette has completed radiation on her legs.  Dr. Thomas said he wanted to order a PET scan before they decide upon a chemotherapy regime.  His office is working to schedule that scan for later this week, and after that we will know a lot more.

Sometimes, taking things in small steps is good.  See below: