Pray for Sara!

Dear all,

I know I have neglected to update this blog since I finished radiation on March 19. My days are now filled with carrying for baby Patrick instead of daily doctor's appointments. I've done a little traveling - to Georgia for 18 days for Spring Break; to New Orleans for a long weekend to celebrate Maureen's 40th birthday; and Indianapolis to chaperone 50 third graders for a two-day school trip. I'm training and preparing my team of 14 dear friends and family for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago on June 5-6. Patrick now has 2 teeth and Georgia is about to wrap up another school year. P.J. is great and is enjoying having a baby boy to watch the Hawks and Cubs with on tv.

My life was changed forever by breast cancer and I am thankful to have the chance to help another woman in my same situation. Today, my new friend and breast cancer sister, Sara is having a double mastectomy. Sara is also 25 weeks pregnant. Coincidentally, she is also having her surgery at Evanston Hospital and is with the same oncological surgery group, plastic surgeon's group and maternal fetal medicine group that as I was. My heart hurts for Sara and her family. Getting to know her has brought my memories flooding back. I'm reliving my own journey through her as she prepares for chemo, childbirth, more chemo and possibly radiation. I knew I would meet another woman some day in a similar situation; I never thought it would be so soon and she would live so close to me. When you read this, please take a moment to say a prayer and send positive thoughts Sara's way.

I promise not to let so much time go by before I write again. My journey through cancer is nearly over, but I'll be dealing with the aftermath for a long time.

Thank you!

Love,
Jana

Five more radiations!

The finish line is in site! Only five more days of radiation for me! Then I am FINISHED!!!! What a relief! The next day begins Georgia's spring break - so we are headed down south. It will feel good to have all this behind me and just spend time with my family!

I have to share this sweet photo of precious baby Patrick. He is one funny dude and such a good baby. We all adore him. Our family has never felt more complete!

Hard to believe Patrick will be five months old in a few days. What joy he brings to our household every day! We are so blessed!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
xxoo
Jana

Eyelash-less

Hey there. I'm doing fine. Radiation is going quickly. I have completed 19 of 28 treatments. My body continues to change as a result of all the cancer treatments. Over the past week, I have lost almost all my eyelashes and eyebrows. My doctors say that it is due to my whacked-out hormones combined with chemo still in my system and something about how the hair growth cycle works. A little of my hair on my head is shedding. Meanwhile, I still have to shave my legs! The expected burn from radiation has just appeared on my chest. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Fortunately, the feeling in my toes is almost completely back after being numb since early December. There's always something happening with my body.

Over this past weekend I had a 36-hour bug which left me unable to do anything but sleep. It was just awful; my sinuses ached so did my throat, ears, head, joints. Fortunately for me, P.J. kept the baby and Georgia away while I recouped behind closed doors under the covers. I felt so terrible that I couldn't even watch tv or read. Today, I am better. Glad it was nothing serious. It feels great to feel good again.

Between all this craziness, I am attempting to train for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I haven't been to the Fitness Center as much as I had in the previous weeks, but have walked outside three times in the past week. I've organized a team of 13 walkers (so far) called 'Patrick's Platoon.' It's comprised of family and dear friends with some flying in from Atlanta and Washington, D.C. to walk with me. Please consider making a donation to support us at http://www/avonwalk.org/goto/janasjourney. If this link doesn't work, please look up www.avonwalk.org and locate the donate tab and type in my name. I will put up the link for our 'Patrick's Platoon' web page once I personalize it.

Patrick continues to bring us so much joy! Georgia was born to be a big sister. She is a natural. She does make us laugh when she dresses Patrick in her Build-a-Bear gold dress and plays Alvin and the Chipmunks version of Beyonce's 'Single Ladies' for him to "dance" to. He just goes along with it. They are cute together.

Thanks for keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers. I'm almost there!

Love,
Jana

One year anniversary of breast cancer diagnosis

Dear all,



Time flies when you are having fun! It's amazing to believe that a year ago today my entire world was turned upside down when I received the diagnosis of breast cancer. What began as a regular mammogram (on 2/6/09) followed by a self-breast exam (on 2/8/09) revealed itself as cancer on 2/20/09. Needless to say, a lot has happened in a year!

Our son is now 4 months old and I have already had 8 treatments of radiation. Four more weeks of daily radiation - Monday - Friday - are left and then I will be done with all my treatments!!! I can't wait! Right now, I take Patrick with me to radiation at the hospital and he waits for me with the receptionist/scheduler "Grandma Jean" until I'm finished. Everyone fawns over him and he loves the attention.

Patrick and I try to go to the Lake Forest Health and Fitness after radiation. It is conveniently located in the same complex as the hospital. Patrick goes to the childcare center while I attempt to train for the Avon Walk. Today Patrick and I participated in a Pre/Post Natal Yoga class where we were the only ones in attendance. I was happy to learn ways I can exericise while spending time with Patrick. What a treat to have a private class!

This week I received the results from my BRACAnalysis. I am overjoyed that showed that I do not have the genetic markers indicating that my cancer is hereditary. This means that it must have been caused by environmental factors. And that my sister and my children do not have an increased chance of getting breast cancer. I also am not at a higher risk for ovarian cancer. This good news is a HUGE relief! Woo-hoo!

Thanks for all your continued support!

Love,
Jana

I have tattoos!

Now that I've got your attention - it's true ... I just received my first tattoos! I never imagined I would get a tattoo, not to mention three. They are really small spots or "markers" to be used by the technician to line up the machine for radiation. At the radialogist yesterday, I was given a CT scan and a mold was created to hold my head and shoulders in place while I receive radiation. I will begin radiation on tomorrow and go daily (Monday - Friday) until March 19.

Since I last wrote, I have completed my 12 rounds of chemo (since Patrick has been born). The last day was January 25. It felt so good to be done!

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of me finding the lump in my breast. Hard to believe it's been a year since all this started. To say that a lot has happened is an understatement. I've have a double mastectomy, finished remodeling our house, turned 40, undergone 18 rounds of chemo, countless blood tests, had a baby, had breast reconstruction, begun training for the 39.3 mile Avon Walk and am preparing to begin radiation. What a year!

Got to run. Baby Patrick is crying!

All my love,
Jana

Christmas Photos

Yes, I know I look like Mrs. Claus. Santa hats are always in fashion when you are losing your hair during the holidays.



Big sister proudly introduces Patrick to Santa.

I'm still here!

Please accept my sincere apologies for taking a vacation from blogging since the baby has been born. Patrick is nearly 3 months old now (on the 19th) and is doing very well. He is a pleasant baby who smiles and laughs a lot. Patrick is sleeps throughout the night and is beginning to get on a schedule. We are thrilled to have such a good baby!

I am pleased to report that I have completed 10 rounds of chemo since Patrick's birth. I have two rounds left and will finish on January 25. Afterward, I will take a 3-week break before beginning 5 1/2 weeks of daily radiation (Monday - Friday) at Lake Forest Hospital. It's surreal to be so close to the finish line!

Speaking of finish lines, I have just decided to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in Chicago on June 5-6. It's nearly a 40-mile walk (39.3 miles actually). Some of my friends and family will be walking with me ... we have a team of 13 so far. I welcome anyone else to join and/or sponsor us!

Again, I'm sorry about my lack of blogging. Caring for a newborn while undergoing chemo is exhausting! I'll catch up more when I can.

xxoo
Jana