On Monday, January 6th, Jane went through another cycle of the drug Avastin at M. D. Anderson hospital. The side effects after this treatment have been more difficult than typical on Jane. Jane continues to fight hard and get through this round as best as possible. At the end of this month, the plan is for Jane to undergo a number of tests at M. D. Anderson to "restage" her cancer. Once Jane's doctors review the tests' results, then they will recommend a path forward for Jane.
We hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas holidays and we wish everyone a Happy New Year. We continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support and love throughout her illness. We are praying for all of you.
Update...{December 17, 2013}
On Monday, December 16, 2013, Jane met with her doctors at MD Anderson and they administered another cycle of the drug Avastin. Jane has been able to manage most of the drug's side effects fairly well and maintains a decent energy level and great attitude. Although it is clear that the recurrent, metastasized cancer detected over two years ago is still around, Jane continues to stay in fairly good shape, all things considered. The plan forward is to have another cycle of Avastin and then "restage" the disease some time in January, 2014.
As two out of three of Jane's boys are home from college, Jane will be blessed with all three of her boys home for the Christmas season. We want to take this opportunity to wish each one of you a very holy and merry Christmas season. You have no idea how your many acts of kindness and generosity, prayers, Rosaries, and Masses have sustained us over the past two years while fighting cancer. We are ever so grateful and thankful for many family and friends who have helped us along the way. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope you are able to spend quality time with your families and loved ones during this special time of the year to focus on the true meaning of Christmas!
As two out of three of Jane's boys are home from college, Jane will be blessed with all three of her boys home for the Christmas season. We want to take this opportunity to wish each one of you a very holy and merry Christmas season. You have no idea how your many acts of kindness and generosity, prayers, Rosaries, and Masses have sustained us over the past two years while fighting cancer. We are ever so grateful and thankful for many family and friends who have helped us along the way. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope you are able to spend quality time with your families and loved ones during this special time of the year to focus on the true meaning of Christmas!
Update... {November 18, 2013}
On Monday November 18th, Jane met with her team of doctors at MD Anderson to review the test results as she completed the first three cycles with the single agent treatment plan using the drug Avastin. The tests indicate that the disease is essentially unchanged, in that it is not growing, which is great news for Jane. We'd obviously like to see the cancer shrink down to zero but, at this point, a stable disease is really good news and we need to take it one step at a time. Jane still continues to suffer from small side effects with the Avastin drug although she has tolerated the Avastin drug regime a whole lot better than the other drugs.
At this point, the plan is for Jane to take three more cycles of Avastin, which would involve three - three week cycles of taking the drug at the beginning of week one and then using the next two weeks to recover. This plan would take Jane through the months of November and December and then Jane would be ready to be "restaged" in about two months or mid-January. Jane feels a lot better and her spirits and outlook are much improved.
As we head into the Thanksgiving holidays, we all have much to be grateful for and we have been blessed with the love and support of so many friends and family over the past two years. We will continue to pray for all of you and hope you have a great and safe Thanksgiving with your families and loved ones.
At this point, the plan is for Jane to take three more cycles of Avastin, which would involve three - three week cycles of taking the drug at the beginning of week one and then using the next two weeks to recover. This plan would take Jane through the months of November and December and then Jane would be ready to be "restaged" in about two months or mid-January. Jane feels a lot better and her spirits and outlook are much improved.
As we head into the Thanksgiving holidays, we all have much to be grateful for and we have been blessed with the love and support of so many friends and family over the past two years. We will continue to pray for all of you and hope you have a great and safe Thanksgiving with your families and loved ones.
Update...{November 7, 2013}
On Monday October 28, 2013 (apologize in advance for the late post), Jane started the third cycle of taking the drug Avastin. Avastin is the third different drug Jane has taken over the past two years to battle the adenocarcinoma cervical cancer that has metastasized (which means the cancer has spread from the original site) after being dormant for over ten years. The first two sets of chemotherapy drug treatment protocols were experimental in nature with Jane experiencing a pretty rough set of side effects with each regime, but the effectiveness of those drugs had pretty much run their natural course and the disease was no longer responsive to either set of drugs. With Avastin, Jane continues to handle this drug fairly well, with only minimal side effects at this point. Jane, however, continues to take daily doses of pain medications to manage her pain levels and the doctors are closely monitoring Jane's kidney functions which needed earlier treatment. Jane's blood work and kidney function test results from Monday October 28th came back in the range of "normal" for the most part, which is a really good sign.
On Friday November 15th, Jane will undergo a series of tests at MD Anderson including a CT scan, and those test results will be reviewed on Monday November 18th, at which point the doctors will again recommend a path forward. It has been over two years since we learned about Jane's recurrent, metastasized cancer and we are just grateful for each day and incredibly thankful for the gifts of friendship and unconditional support from so many wonderful friends and family. Please know that each one of you are in our daily prayers of thanksgiving.
On Friday November 15th, Jane will undergo a series of tests at MD Anderson including a CT scan, and those test results will be reviewed on Monday November 18th, at which point the doctors will again recommend a path forward. It has been over two years since we learned about Jane's recurrent, metastasized cancer and we are just grateful for each day and incredibly thankful for the gifts of friendship and unconditional support from so many wonderful friends and family. Please know that each one of you are in our daily prayers of thanksgiving.
Update...{October 10, 2013}
Jane started the second cycle of the new drug Avastin on Monday, October 7th. Jane has handled this drug fairly well with very few side effects and Jane’s blood work and kidney functions all appear to be headed in the right direction. Jane’s energy levels are very high and spirits are positive. Jane will take another cycle of the Avastin drug in three weeks (on or about October 28th) and then Jane’s cancer will be restaged in mid-November. At that time, the doctors will review Jane’s CT scan and related test results to determine the path forward.
As the summer weather gives way to slightly cooler temperatures in Houston, we offer prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving to so many of you who have been so helpful, supportive and loving over the past twenty four months. There is no doubt that we could not have pushed forward without so much help and love. Please know that we are humbled and thankful for all of you.
Update...{September 5, 2013}
Jane completed the procedure at MD Anderson to relieve pressure on her right kidney and she came thought it without any complications. She spent the night at the hospital to be monitored and returned home on Thursday September 5th. The doctors present plan is to start Jane on a new chemotherapy drug called Avastin on Friday Sept. 6th. The theory behind this drug is to slow the growth of new blood vessels that allow the cancer tumor to grow. This drug is not expected to have any major negative side effects for Jane.
We want to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support as we feel them.
We want to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support as we feel them.
Update...{September 1, 2013}
After further evaluation, the doctors believe there is a tumor pressing against Jane's kidney, colon and ureter. This tumor is significant enough that it is interrupting the proper functioning of Jane's kidneys. The doctors want to attempt to stabilize Jane's kidney functions so she can continue to take chemotherapy drugs to fight the cancer. The procedure on Jane's right kidney is scheduled for Wednesday September 4th. Once the doctors assess the procedure's results, the doctors expect to continue with a new chemotherapy drug.
We express our continued thankfulness and gratitude to everyone for their support, concern and prayers.
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