Update...{April 13, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors at MD Anderson yesterday, Friday April 12th.  Jane then started Cycle 26 on the experimental chemotherapy drug, ABT 348.  With the combination of drugs prescribed by her doctors, Jane has been able to address the various side effects caused by the experimental chemotherapy.  Her energy levels are good with a positive attitude.  Jane continues to attend rehabilitation therapy twice a week at MD Anderson to improve her mobility.  In three weeks, May 2nd and May 3rd, Jane will undergo another battery of tests in order for the doctors to "restage" the status of the cancer.  After reviewing the results of these tests, the doctors will again recommend a way forward for Jane.  Until then, Jane will enjoy the Spring weather in Houston!

We are amazed by the continued level of support, prayers and assistance provided by family, friends and loved ones after 26 three week Cycles (546 days by the way).  We are so grateful for so much unconditional love and as you pray for us, we pray for you.

Update...{March 26, 2013}

Jane met with her doctors from MD Anderson on Friday March 22nd. As an update, Jane continues to suffer from various side effects as a result of the ABT 348 drug including, among others, high blood pressure and migraine type headaches.  As many of you know, the ABT 348 is a protein based form of chemotherapy. In response, the doctors are prescribing medicines and they continue to fine tune the combination of drugs in an attempt to best manage those side effects.  After the doctor's examination, Jane started Cycle 25 on the ABT 348 experimental drug as it appears that Jane's cancer continues to respond to the experimental drug. Yes, we are on CYCLE 25!

Jane really has been a warrior through this process and we have relied on our faith to sustain us through these many cycles.  We remain grateful for the countless prayers, rosaries and support from so many of you.  Thank you again so much!

Changes to Schedule for Rosary

As you may know we have been praying the Rosary for Jane on Monday nights at 8pm in St Jude Chapel at Saint Vincent de Paul. We are thankful to so many who have joined us throughout the last few months.

Please note that tonight's rosary has been canceled. We encourage each of you to pray tonight wherever you are until we can get together again. We have so much to be thankful for, in Jane's health as well as so many other blessings.

Beginning next week on Monday night at 7pm we will gather together to pray in the church, in the St Jude alcove, rather than in the adoration chapel at SVDP at 8pm as we have done in the past.

Update...{March 1, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors today, Friday March 1st, at MD Anderson to review the results of yesterday's tests. The tests reveal that Jane's disease is basically stable, as it has not spread and not actively growing.  So Jane will remain on the experimental drug, ABT 348, only as this drug appears to be "controlling" the cancer at this point.  As a result of this progress, Jane will not go back on the traditional chemotherapy drug, docitaxel, with the really bad side effects.  This is really, really good progress and great news for Jane.

On the side effects front, Jane still suffers from elevated blood pressure and "migraine" type headaches.  Last week Jane was in the hospital for two and a half days to address the high blood pressure and headaches. The doctors are attempting to manage these side effects through a combination of medications.  Jane has been a strong trooper through the cycles and maintains a great attitude.

Jane starts Cycle 24 today!  Jane will go through three twenty-one day cycles of taking the ABT 348,  which should bring us to Cycle 26 in early May 2013.  At that point, Jane will be "restaged" and the doctors will then assess the test results at that time to determine the path forward.  Until then, Jane will have nine good weeks to continue to build up her energy levels and strength to battle this cancer. The doctors told us that with this type of recurrent, metastasized cancer and Jane's response thus far that we should be prepared to start to view this as more of a chronic condition for Jane and learning to live with cancer.

We are so thankful and grateful for all the support and prayers and continue to be humbled by so much help from so many different people.  It is very comforting to know that we are not fighting alone and we have this wonderful army of support.   Thank you so much!

Update {February 12, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors today, Tuesday February 12, 2012, at MD Anderson for a regularly scheduled visit.  As Jane is taking only the ABT 348 during the month of  February, she is feeling much better in general.  Although her energy and stamina levels are good, she is still battling certain side effects, namely really  bad headaches from time to time, elevated blood pressure and lymphedema, among others. The doctors have prescribed medications to address these matters and Jane continues to soldier on with a positive attitude.

Jane felt good enough this month to attend a silent four day retreat at the Featherock Conference  Center located in Schulenberg, Texas.  The spiritual activities at the Center are entrusted to

Opus Dei, a personal prelature of the Catholic Church.  More information about retreats and other activities at the Center for men and women can be found at "www.featherock.org".  Jane's older sister, Jeanie from Shreveport, Louisiana, accompanied Jane on the retreat so we are not so sure about the "silent" nature of the retreat!  

 

We continue to be amazed at the incredible level of support, assistance and prayers since Jane was diagnosed with a stage 4, recurrent and metastasized cancer in October, 2011. Among other things, we love attending (when Jane is able to do so) the regular Monday night rosary at 8 pm which has been organized by Jane's dear friend, April, and which is held at the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church's  Adoration Chapel with mostly our friends' children leading each decade of the rosary - - - how inspiring to hear the young, beautiful voices of the Church speak to heaven requesting the intercession of the Virgin Mary for Jane!

Update {January 8, 2013}

Jane met with her doctors today, Tuesday January 8, 2013 to review the more detailed assessment of the CT scan results.  As there was no clear evidence of the cancer spreading, the doctors deemed the results "inconclusive"; therefore Jane's condition did not warrant more aggressive measures.  The doctors cautioned that there is an "area of concern" in her abdomen but there are limitations to the tests' diagnostic capabilities and they will monitor this area over the course of time.  Based on the results, the doctors recommended that we "stay the course" and stick with only the ABT 348 experimental drug for the next month.  Jane, at this point, does not have to go back on the chemotherapy drug, docitaxel, which has the really bad side effects.

This is really good news as Jane will have another month taking only the ABT 348 and this will allow Jane time to build up her strength and stamina.  Jane goes back to MD Anderson for another round of tests at the end of February 2013.

We hope you all had a great Feast of the Epiphany this past Sunday.  We continue to be sustained by your prayers and kind thoughts as they are working so please keep them coming.  We are truly grateful for everyone's support and assistance over the past fifteen months.

Update {December 28, 2012}

Since the last update on Nov. 16th,  Jane has completed two rounds of ABT 248, the experimental drug, only.  The side effects have been generally manageable. Jane's energy level and stamina are much improved.

On Thursday Dec. 27th, Jane completed a battery of tests including  a CT scan and Echo.  On Friday, Dec. 28th, the doctors recommended that Jane continue with Cycle 21 with only the ABT 248.  The disease is generally stable, in that it has not spread to other parts of the body.  This is good news.  The Dec. 27th test results, however, were not entirely clear as there is one area of concern so the doctors will review the results with a wider group of experts for more detailed study.  Jane will go back to MD Anderson on January 8th to further review the test results with her team of doctors to plot a path forward.  One of the big decisions is, based on the detailed test review, whether to put Jane back on the combination of the more traditional chemotherapy drug, docitaxel, and the experimental drug, ABT 248, or continue forward with only the ABT 248 drug. The doctors strongly suspect that the really bad side effects that Jane has suffered with have been caused by the docitaxel so our preference is to move forward with just the ABT 248 drug.  However, the doctor's decision must be balanced with making sure we have the appropriate drug protocol to fight Jane's cancer successfully.

It has been nearly 15 months since Jane was diagnosed with a recurrent metastasized adenocarcinoma.  Although it has been kind of a roller coaster at times, Jane's progress on the experimental clinical drug trial has been good. This is turning out to be a more protracted battle and we are up for it, especially with the prayers and support from our many family and friends. 

We hope everyone has spent time with their families during this Christmas season.  We are so grateful for the prayers and acts of kindness to support our family during Jane's cancer battle.  Jane's spirit is strong and positive,and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!