Hi, this is an update on what has happened this week. Tuesday I went to Salt Lake Clinic and had fluid removed from by abdomen. For some reason my Liver is swollen and is producing fluid into the abdomen. They pulled almost 4 liters of fluid off my abdomen and I can now bend over and much of the pain is gone. Wednesday I went to the Salt Lake Clinic for my chemo treatment. We left about 10 in the morning and returned home at 5:30. That is a long day for me. That included going up to LDS hospital to have the dressing changed on my pic line. Today I went into the Clinic to get my neulasta shot to bring my platelets and white-cell count up. Time for me to rest. If this chemo follows the past, I will feel pretty good today and tomorrow and then will have a difficult weekend. I just get feeling pretty good and then it is time for another chemo treatment. I have had 7 teatments and have 5 to go. I have them every 2 weeks. I appreciate all the help and prayers in my behalf. We also appreciate all the meals that have been brought into us. Thanks so very much
Love, Jolene

Just an update to what is happening with the cancer. On the 21st I went in to get a CT scan to evaluate how the cancer therapy is progressing. I have had a great deal of swelling in my abdomen and in my legs and feet and the doctor was concerned that perhaps the cancer in the liver was not responding to the chemo like the cancer in the lung. Dick and I had a consultation with the doctor today at 2:30pm. He said he had good news!! the CT scan showed that the tumors in the lungs and liver had shunk significantly both in size and in number. He was very encouraged with the therapy results. Apparently the liver is simply reacting to trying to rid the body of all the toxic material from the chemo and is not being able to handle the overload very well. I will go in on Monday and have the abdomen drained like I did a few weeks ago. He instructed me to put pillows under my legs at night so the fluids in the legs will drain back into the abdomen so the lymph nodes can get rid of the fluids in the legs. If I can get past the swelling I think I would feel pretty good. The swelling makes it hard to eat and drink because it pushes on my stomach and intestines. I am not sure you really wanted to know all of that but thats where I am at. I will continue with my chemo treatments on next wednesday.
Love, Jolene

A Message From Jolene's (out-of-state) Family

First of all I would like to thank all those who have been concerned and who have helped Jolene in the past few months. Being out of state for this ordeal has been hard on us as we wish we could be closer to her. However we cannot change where we are at the moment and so it has brought us much peace knowing that she is surrounded by such loving and caring friends. Jolene talks frequently about how much has been done for her from all of you so I know it has meant a lot to her as it has meant a lot to us. Isn't it so true that a ward becomes your family; I feel very fortunate that Jolene is in such a ward.
We were all so glad that we could be together as a family this Christmas season and I am still marveling at how full Jolene's counters were with treats and goodies, by how many people stopped by to see if she needed anything, and to hear a neighbor's snow blower clearing Jolene's driveway. These acts may seem little to some but enormously appreciated by those served. Again thank you from her family...the prayers and thoughts that you all are giving her also comforts her family members.
Second of all, I wanted to share some fun memories that were had while being together this past Christmas. Like I said on my blog: the Christmas tree has been put away, the Christmas lights have come down but the Christmas memories will never fade.

Lexi (granddaughter) and Connor (grandson)

Caleb (grandson) and Ashley (granddaughter)

Jessica (granddaughter)

Alli (granddaughter)

Josh (grandson) and Sam (grandson)

The Grandkids singing for Nana and Papa

Steve (boyfriend) and Sandi (daughter)

Shelly (daughter) and Steve (son-in-law)

Ann (daughter-in-law) and Jim (son) and Jolene

Jolene and Marianne (daughter-in-law)

Jolene and Dick - Christmas Eve 08

Trevor (son-in-law) and Mari (daughter) Kidd

Ann (daughter-in-law) and Haley (granddaughter)

Katie (granddaughter) Alyssa (granddaughter) and Jessica (granddaughter)

Marianne (daughter-in-law) Dave (son) Caleb (grandson)

My latest treatment

Yesterday Jan 14, 2009, I had my latest chemo treatment. It turned out to be an eventful day. I thought I was going there to have only a chemo treatment but before they started the chemo treatment I was sent down to radiology so that they could get water off of my liver. apparently the chemo is not being as effective with the liver and there is water building up around my liver in my abdomen. Then back to onchology to get my full chemo treatment, abraxane, avastin, and ny bone strengthing treatment that I get once a month which is zometa. Then back on thursday morning for the newlastin shot to improve my white cells and platelets.
On January 21st I will go in to onchology and they are going to do a CT scan on the chest abdomen, and pelvic areas to see how effective the treatments have been. On January 23rd Dick and I will have a consoltation with the onchologist to see if the plan we have been on is working or if there are any changes needed. On January 28th I will go back in for a chemo treatment of some sort. On every Wednesday whether I have a treatment or not, I go up to LDS hospital to the infusion services to have the dressings changed on the double pic line.
I have my good days and my bad days but all in all I think things are going well. The prayers and loving support of family, friends, and ward members has been very comforting. I am a fighter and am going to keep on fighting and hope for the best.

Welcome to my blog!

I had my last treatment on December 31st. My whole family was here for New Years and we were able to have our traditional family celebration with finger foods and lots of fun and games. I even made it to midnight! I have been fighting fatigue for the last couple of weeks, but I am looking forward to my next treatment on January 14th. I am hoping that soon after that I will feel well. Hopefully after the next treatment, they will do a body scan to see how well the treatment is working, and that will give us an idea of what to do next.

I just want to thank everybody for their support and prayers. They mean so much to me. I figure we can never have too many prayers!