Happy New Year!!!!

Brooks Atkinson-"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go."

What a year 2007 has been. Let's repeat that one more time....What a year 2007 has been. Talk about starting out with an understatement.

While sitting in church Sunday with just my boys while my wife was at home as a result of the reactions to the chemo, listening to Pastor speak about looking back at 2007, I found myself pretty angry, upset, flat-out mad. Look back at 2007-are you kidding me? No way I want to look back on that year. From here and forever more 2007 will be the year that which will not be mentioned....All my time-lines go from December 2006 to January 2008....there is no 2007...

After a few moments to pause and reflect I was able to reconsider. While we experienced some of the lowest lows, I can honestly say we have also experienced some of the highest hi's (yes, Janis got some good dope after her surgery and no, am not talking about that). 2007 has strengthened our faith, our marriage, our relationship with our kids, our friends, our church, and the support we continue to receive perpetually strengthens and lifts us up.

As crazy as it is to say.....I know that we have a long way to go but maybe 2007 wasn't so bad afterall?!!??!?

Chemo -Treatment 2

Took Janis in for chemo treatment 2 today. Part of the schedule today in addition to the chemo was a consultation with the Dr. He had some interesting news from his big breast cancer convention he recently attended (over 8,000 Drs from 70 countries). The treatment that Janis is receiving for her type of cancer has proven VERY successful....good to hear that again and be reinforced that the cancer she has is being treated correctly and we have every reason to expect good results.

The Dr. even mentioned that there is a possibility that Janis could have less symptoms from this treatment than the previous one....won't hold my breath on that one. She is really anxious for the first week after treatment starting about 2 days after as that was the worst time for her last week...fortunately, we have the holiday to help with all this.

Thanks again for the prayers and the support and the meals and the hugs, and....etc...much appreciated. Will keep y'all posted on how this round goes.

It's only hair...right?!?!

As the title suggests, things have changed around here lately. Ever since we found out the chemo treatment, we have been trying to prepare for this day when the decision would be made to shave Janis' head. The Dr's were certain that 2.5 weeks after the first chemo treatment of taxotere, Janis would lose her hair. Was never a matter of if, but a matter of when. The last few mornings, as Janis would get ready, it was pretty tough for her and each day things were getting worse...just more and more hair coming out with each attempt to make up her hair.

We spent a pretty typical Christmas eve with family having a great time...all the while, pretty certain at the end of the evening, we would be breaking out the clippers. After everyone left, we ended up watching Christmas vacation and wrapping up Santa's presents to the kids, talked about the inevitable and finally decided to do it.

As a husband, there really is very little that will prepare you for shaving your wife's head. Not something that is a lot of fun.

Janis has continued with her amazing spirit and this evening, as we were getting ready to watch Pirates of the Caribean 3, as she was wearing her bandana, she told the kids its pirate night and to dress accordingly.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all! Wanted to drop a Christmas wish to all that have been supporting us and helping us out this year. Thank you very much!

Mat 1:21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus--'God saves'--because he will save his people from their sins."

Check out the new 'do

Now, I realize, since 'do' is in the title that some of you may be treading cautiously while reading this (after the flak I received from the 'poo' entry)....well, read without hesitation or worry as this is just an entry to show off Janis' new hair do.

Janis went to her long-time hair stylist Julie Calkins and she got a new style. As you can see by the picture, Julie did a great job. Part of the new style was to get ready for the hair to come out (figuring when it does-less on the head = less to come out), part was to have something easy to take care of, and partly to start getting ready for having the hair completely gone...pretty logical step in the natural progression here.

I think the new style looks great and so do the boys.

Janis has been going strong. Really a good week with no nausea or any other issues to speak of...probably the only thing is the prevailing thought that any time the hair will be coming out.

1 down 5 to go

Janis made it into work yet again today. I decided to look at the calendar and trace back to the surgery day to see how many actual days Janis has missed from work. I count a mere 3 days off from work. She was out the week of Thanksgiving (mainly because the girls at her work wouldn't let her come in even though she wanted to). Even though she isn't pulling completely full days she is really pulling thru. I am amazed at the toughness and determination she has had going thru this.

Janis was even wanting to help some with the flood cleanup in the area, but of course that was not allowed for some really obvious reasons but look no further than the immune-suppressed state that she is currently in.

The first couple days after the initial chemo Janis was feeling really good. A couple days after she started to feel a bit of a stomach issue, isn't really enjoying the smell of food right now (even cinnamon rolls), and the taste of the food isn't too good either. She has what she is describing as similar to flu-like symptoms. She received a white-blood cell booster on Monday (would have received it with the chemo but fedex was tied up with the floods) -this should help her fight off germs but there is possibility this could cause a bit of bone pain too.

We continue to be thankful for all the prayers and support that we are receiving. thank you all for your continued support.

Chemo -Treatment 1

Janis first chemo appointment was for 8:30am this morning. We were dragging out feet a little and didn't get there until 8:45am (such a long drive...ha ha....maybe a half mile). Took a little while to get in. Then Janis got her port hooked up which was pretty cool. Didn't hear any screaming when the anti-coring needle was inserted -so it got started well. She then was given some pre-medication for various things (benedryl for possible reactions, some anti-nausea medicine, some steroid for chasing the home run record, some tylenol for any aches that might come up). All went thru the IV except for the tylenol (only took me 3 tries before I gave up trying to stuff those pills thru the tube).

The taxotere was started and the first 10 minutes are the most likely to elicit a reaction and she made it thru there without any event. In fact, they actually sit right in front of you during this time. She will be finishing that in an hour, then to a treatment for another half hour and another one for an hour and a half.

The setup at Capital Oncology seems pretty good. 6 recliners outlining a room, nurses in the middle. They are very efficient and attentive and there is plenty of interaction.

Went back and saw Janis during the treatment and the 2nd chemo was just completed (carboplatin) and the Herceptin was just starting. She hadn't had any reactions so far and was doing really well.