Jeanne's Cancer Journey

One More Post

2009-05-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hi,
As family/friend of Jeanne, there a couple of things coming up that you might want to know about.

On May 6, Wednesday, there will be a tribute to Jeanne at the end of the Focus on the Family daily broadcast. The broadcast that day is about the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday. The plan is to have a tribute at the end of the program. Check your local radio station for the time in your area. Or go to http://www.focusonthefamily.com and click on “Listen to Daily Broadcast” next to Dr. Dobson’s picture.

Then on May 28, Thursday, I plan to sponsor the day at one of our local Christian radio stations. It is KTLF, 90.5, in Colorado Springs . You can also listen to them online at http://www.KTLF.org. There will be a tribute to Jeanne through out the day. It will probably be the same or similar one each time. I don’t know the exact times.

I thank you for the many ways you have expressed your love for Jeanne and our family. And I appreciate your continued support of my family during these days of transition for us.

Thank you and I pray God’s blessings on each of you.

Dale Parrott

Thank you

2009-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all that braved the weather Saturday and attended the service in Raymore, MO for mom. It was a beautiful service and just as she would have liked it. It began snowing the night she passed away and it began snowing just before her funeral.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support as daddy has the service tomorrow in Colorado Springs.

Laura Jayne

Service Information

2009-03-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Services for Mom

Saturday, March 28, 2009
First Baptist Church Raymore Missouri
2:00 pm

Wednesday, April 1, 2009
First Baptist Church Black Forest Colorado Springs Colorado
2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, we recommend a donation to one of the following organizations:

Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs
American Cancer Society
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Detailed information will be handed out at each service.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and kind notes you've sent.

Laura Jayne

Our Mom

2009-03-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

At just after 4:00 pm mountain time, Jeanne Parrott went to be with her Lord.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support through all of this.

Laura Jayne

Tuesday Information

2009-03-24T08:14:00.001-07:00

I must spoke to daddy.

Mom remains the same. She is still unresponsive and her breathing is more rapid.

Laura Jayne

Monday News

2009-03-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Not much to update on. Mom had a difficult time last night with clearing her throat. She's still resting peacefully.

Laura Jayne

Sunday Update

2009-03-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

There's nothing to update on mom's status. But, I know many of her friends and our family are relying on this for information.

Brett flew in yesterday and is staying in C.S. until Wednesday. She's had a steady stream of visitors from CO and MO.

As for now, she is resting comfortably.

If I haven't said this before, I want to thank all of the friends in C.S. that took her to her appointments. Having the help of her friends abled my dad to work knowing she was being taken care of.

Laura Jayne

Saturday Morning Update

2009-03-21T07:10:00.001-07:00

We had a scare last night. Mom took a turn for the worse.

She had a very difficult time breathing during the night. Iris called daddy and he and Aunt Jayne got to the hospice and she calmed down.

She is resting comfortably. The nurses say we probably have 1 or 2 more days.

I will update more later as things change.

Laura Jayne

Contact Information

2009-03-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Realizing how busy daddy is, I thought I'd give you my email information.
If you would like to get in touch with us to find out updates, please feel free to email me at:
purpleroses33@yahoo.com

Thank you,

Laura Jayne

Our Time With Mom

2009-03-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? We all made it to Colorado Springs safe and sound.

Mom was in the hospital the whole time we were there. So, we made many trips to the hospital for visits and to sit with her and managed to find time for the 4 kids to enjoy their time together.

Mom had an infection when we first arrived, so we had to "suit up" as the kids called it in order to go into her room. This is the only picture I have of them all together. The rest of the trip, we only took 2 in at a time (the room was quite small). Still, I thought the many friends who cannot visit, might like to see this picture.

The girls flew out yesterday. I spent all day yesterday sitting by her side, holding her hand. Mark, the boys and I drove home today.

The purpose of this blog is to let each of mom and dad's friends and family know what is going on. Mom just is not getting any better. Her cancer markers continue to be up and she is not feeling well.

This evening, we moved her to Pikes Peak Hospice. They will take care of mom and make her as comfortable as possible.

Dad is mostly with mom, except at night to sleep (which might change since her room has a cot).

Please keep my daddy in your prayers that he stays strong through this and takes care of himself.

Love to all,

Laura Jayne

SURPRISE!!!!

2009-03-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Couldn't post this prior to today in case somebody read this and shared with my mom.

Brett flew the girls out today to spend the week with us. They've been to the hospital (yes, she is still there) to see Nana. From what I've heard, her mouth dropped open with shock.

We're ready for our week together. I'll update everybody when we have new information.

Love,

Laura Jayne

Postponed

2009-03-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well, mom went yesterday for her blood work before chemo. She's had no appetite, so they put her on some fluids and decided to postpone chemo for 2 weeks.

She went in today for more fluids and they found her oxygen level low. They've admitted her to the hospital, put her on oxygen and are running scans to see if there is a clot.

We will know more tomorrow once the tests come back. Keep my parents in your prayers as we battle this obsticle.

Love to all,

Just Checking In

2009-03-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

I don't have anything to update, really. Mom has had a few out of town visitors, she still has her Colorado Springs friends visiting her during the day.

She has her third round of chemo this Wednesday. I think this is her last round and then they do scans to see how the chemo worked.

Mark, the boys and I will be driving to mom's Saturday the 13th to spend a week with mom and daddy. We are really looking forward to that visit, especially Lucas. Please pray for us that we will be strong for the boys and help them through the first couple of days. This will be especially hard for Lucas as he is so very, very close to his nana.

I'll update the blog once I hear how chemo goes.

Love to all,

Laura Jayne

Update on Chemo Status

2009-02-23T16:15:00.001-08:00

Mom says her chemo crash has been hard this time.

Please pray for return of appetite and energy and continue to pray for good sleep for her each night.

Thank you!

Second Chemo Treatment

2009-02-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

Mom had her second round of chemo. The tumor markers and blood work dropped from 300 to 248. This is good news and the doctor was very, very pleased. This means the chemo is doing it's job.

The blood thinner is working and maintaining right level in her blood.

She sees the radiologist tomorrow. They will determine if she needs another round of radiation for the pain in lower back that is going down her right leg.

Having a Great Visit

2009-02-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

Brett and I made it (finally) Thursday night. My plane was just and hour and a half late. Arrived at 11:15 pm.

Mom has been doing good this weekend. Maybe it's because she has her kids here, but she's been up, played a game or two with us. We've cooked meals here, visited with a couple friends.
And, our cousin came down for the day yesterday. For all our family, that cousin would be Chris (Jack's oldest). We had a really good time.

Brett and I head out tomorrow late morning. Mark and I will bring the boys back over Spring Break, March 14th, and stay that week. The boys are looking forward to that visit.

Mom sees her oncologist Tuesday, has chemo on Wednesday, and sees the radiologist on Thursday. Quite a busy week.

Thank you to all of her friends who have come to visit, taken her to appointments, brought food and gift cards, and simply just sat with her at the house during the day. It is all very much appreciated.

Laura Jayne

Update from Mom

2009-02-11T15:46:00.001-08:00

Mom asked that I post this blog for her.

Even with Ambien CR, I’m not able to sleep a long night. Pray for sleep to be deep and long, please.

Kids are here this weekend

Next week is Dr. appt. on Tuesday, chemo on Wednesday and another dr. appt. on Thursday. Pray that chemo is as gentle as it was last time.

We thank all of you for the prayers for Dale’s job and all other needs. God is faithful and is supplying all our needs.

We think about all of you and pray for you as you pray for us.

Jeanne and Dale

Great News - Prayers Answered

2009-02-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share with all of our family and friends that we found out daddy will be staying with Focus on the Family. His position in the IT Department was to be eliminated at the end of this month. Daddy will be staying with Focus in another department.

We are all very grateful that this position became available and that daddy can stay.

Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.

Laura Jayne

Mom

2009-02-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

I know everybody wants to hear updates, but it seems everything is going as well as it can be, right now. I haven't heard anything new to write about. We've talked to mom and she seems much better than she was before the radiation and starting chemo.

Brett and I will be there the night of February 12th - the 16th. We are all 4 ready for a weekend together.

I will update when anything changes.

Love to all.

Chemo

2009-01-30T05:01:00.001-08:00

Mom did have her first chemo treatment on Wednesday. It is a 3 1/2 hour treatment that she takes every 3 weeks.

I called yesterday to check on her and she was out shopping and having lunch with Donna. That was a wonderful surprise to hear.

Just An Update

2009-01-28T10:52:00.001-08:00

Mom saw the oncologist yesterday. He said he was happy with progress mom is making…pain in shoulders is gone, nausea mostly under control, able to eat (if she will), the blood clot is being managed with coumadin. He wants her to get out of bed more, eat more, get a little exercise, become more alert and not wanting to sleep all of the time. She has some pain in the lower back and he is going to relook at the scans to see if it could be cancer or just inactivity of her being in bed so much. Once insurance approves, the doctor wants to start the chemo drug, Ixempra.

That's about the update I have now. I will continue to update when we know anything new.

She's HOME!!!!!

2009-01-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

I just talked to mom. She sounds great (considering the last week) and she's home, ready to sleep in her own bed. I'm sure dad is glad to have her home and not have to split time between the hospital, work and the house.

If any friends in Colorado Springs would like to help with meals for my parents, I'm sure they would appreciate it. Anything that they can make into smaller amounts, freeze and reheat would be so nice for them. They also have people visiting and I'm sure will have more as time goes on. Just having items in the freezer so daddy isn't cooking for company would be very helpful.

I'll send an update once I know more about medications, etc. She said she can feel a bit of the pressure gone from the radiation treatments. I hope this means that it will just get better and better as time goes on. She is still set to start chemo on the 28th.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Laura Jayne

Tuesday

2009-01-20T20:53:00.001-08:00

Mom is feeling better today. She's been eating and got some good sleep.

Her last radiation was today. Hopefully by next week, she will have relief from that tumor on her upper back that is causing a lot of this pain. They are changing her medication and we hope she will be home by Thursday (her birthday).

Yes, she will be 62 on January 22nd. I'm sure she would love to hear from her family and friends.

Update

2009-01-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post a short update. Mom is still fighting nausea and she doesn't want to eat.
They put her back in hospital on Friday, trying to get this under control. She's off the shot for the blood clot, now only taking the pill. I'm not sure when she'll go home. So, if you aren't receiving return calls from dad or calling the house, you'll know why there's no answer.

Brittany arrived Friday and has spent her time with mom at the hospital. Mom has really enjoyed having her there with her.

She's Home

2009-01-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let everybody know that mom is home from the hospital. Her oxygen level is good and she's on the blood thinner for the clots.

They did her first radiation treatment yesterday. She's a bit sick from that.

I'm not able to help my parents, being so far away. So, I want to thank all of the friends they have in the Springs who are helping them with doctor visits, meals, and everything else.

Laura Jayne

Doctor Visit

2009-01-13T15:22:00.001-08:00

I may have had my information a little confused. I will update you on what is going on as of today.

Mom started a treatment that she will take once a month to help with bone density. While having that treatment, she met with the radiologist. They've decided to start radiology tomorrow on her upper back. The doctor believes that 5 days of radiology will help relieve the pain in her upper back. Chemo will start on January 28th.

While seeing the radiologist, they found a blood clot on her right lung and behind the left knee. They're giving her blood thinner and she is staying overnight in the hospital tonight.

So, for those of you trying to call the house, this is why nobody is there to take your calls.

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Little Friend

2009-01-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

Last time around, mom carried Kemo with her. He is the stuffed dog that Lucas named. He's been on Lucas' dresser since mom finished her chemo.

Now that we are doing this again, she was given the stuffed bear. Lucas and Turner have named her Hope.

Results

2009-01-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

Mom and dad saw the doctor yesterday. Here's what we know.

Normally if breast cancer comes back, it goes to the bone, brain, or lung. They've determined that the cancer is only on her bone (spine), so the doctor was pleased to find no other cancer.

She begins chemo on Tueday for the next 3-6 months to treat the tumors on her spine. She'll be taking Zometta, which apparently shouldn't be as hard on her as the last chemo she took. She'll see the radiologist Friday and begin radiation soon along side of chemo. Once she is done with chemo, she will take a shot once a month for as long as needed. I'll have more on that later.

They are working on changing the medication she's taking now so she won't be as sick to her stomach. Hopefully that will help her get out of bed more and still help with the pain.

I booked a flight to Colorado Springs. I'll be there over Valentine's Day weekend. It will be good to see my parents. We've also decided to drive out with the boys over Spring Break in March. I know that Lucas and Turner are ready to see Nana and she's ready to see them.

Love to all,

Laura Jayne

Biopsy

2009-01-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

Lucas isn't with me to think up the title to this blog, so I made my own. He titled the blog sent letting you all know about the cancer. He's such a sweet kid.

Mom just had a biopsy of the bone (in her back). She's in recovery, but the doctor said all went well during the procedure. The procedure took two hours instead of one, because the bone was densor than expected. He got 4 good samples.

Mom will see Doctor Huff on Friday afternoon for the results of all the tests. I will send an update this weekend.

Laura Jayne

It's Back!

2009-01-02T15:56:00.000-08:00

By now you all know that we received some extremely devestating news last month.

What started out as back pain, was discovered to be cancer. Her doctor said he did not want to see cancer within the first 18 months after surgery. Here's what we know and where we are right now.

Early December mom was having some pain in her back. After waiting and waiting, she finally went to the doctor. They did an MRI and found three tumors on her spine (not in her spinal fluid). One of the tumors is pinching a nerve by the 4th vertabrae and causing the pain. They gave her some medication to help with the pain, so she sleeps quite a bit. On Friday after Christmas, she had a PET scan and an MRI of the brain. We are waiting on the results to find out details about the cancer, tumors and many more details. She had her port put back in so she is all ready to start chemo when her doctor determines what she will take.

I will continue to update the blog when I hear anything new. As always, she loves to receive phone calls and cards and visits.

Love to all,

Laura Jayne

1 year and counting!!!

2008-10-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe some of you are checking this off and on - so the update!

September 27th marked the one year of the last chemo treatment.

Today, October 29th, marks the one-year anniversary of my double mastectomy!

Radiation finished on January 30th.

So......I can't believe we're getting these milestones behind us!!!!!

Your prayers carried us through.......I'm doing good physically. I see the oncologist on November 7th and that should go well. I seem to be seeing him every 4 months.

In a bone density scan, they did find that I have osteoporosis in my back and osteopenia in my hips so have added yet another pill to my list of drugs to help with that. I take Femara daily (new generation Tomoxifen) to stop any estrogen-fed tumors in my body.

That's about it for me and my health. And, oh, I've had many haircuts by now!!!!!!!

I love and appreciate all of you!!!!!

Maybe you didn't believe I wouldn't add more!

2008-03-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

Maybe you didn't believe I wouldn't add more and are checking back - that's a good thing 'cause I did decide to add maybe one more!!! I wanted to show you a picture of the hair coming back - everyone likes it so short so this is probably my "do" for upcoming years. It certainly is easy - shower and go!!!!

I did see both oncologist and radiologist last week. I don't see the oncologist again until July 8th and I can wait a year before I have to spend any more time with my radiologist. I can live with that! Both doctors have been great to work with and be with but I'm ready to go months without having to interact with either of them!!!!!

Now, for the question: Am I cancer free?

Probably, maybe, who really knows. The oncologist said that I have had so much treatment that any scans they do right now wouldn't show anything so we're opting for a couple of blissful years before we doggedly try to see if there's any cancer left in my body. Recurrence usually is brain (headaches that aren't normal), bone (aches in bones but not in joints) and liver and kidney (abdominal pains). We'll cautiously watch and wait for now and I am FINE with that!

I returned to work fulltime on January 23rd - took a week in February to do Oahu, Hawaii with a girlfriend and am back now getting ready for our annual event in Washington DC in May. I'm ready to get home and in bed each evening and I'm definitely ready for the weekend when it gets here. Both doctors said I'd fight low energy for up to a year. I do still have some neuropathy in my feet that is very annoying and a little chemo brain now and then but overall, I'm doing GREAT!

We still appreciate all your prayers and calls, cards and gifts. You went over and beyond and proved yourselves the great friends we knew you were!

Thanks
Jeanne and Dale

Christmas Update & Final Thank You

2007-12-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas Day 2007 has come and gone. While 2007 wasn't at all what we expected at this same time last year, we know the cancer journey was for a purpose. We pray that we have lived in front of you what our God can do when He is trusted with everything in our lives. Our prayer is that 2008 will be the best year yet for each of you that we love so very much. Let this be our Christmas card to each of you - I always have good intentions but never do get those cards in the mail!!! But, we love receiving the cards that you send and the updated pictures of kids and grandkids.

I'm back on track with radiation treatments each day. As of today, I have 9 down and 24 to go. I am scheduled to finish on/around January 31st. The weather has to cooperate and not dump inches of snow overnight between now and then or it could be a day or two later. After the radiation, I will start taking Femara - yet another preventive treatment for the hormone receptive cancer that I have. I will take it 5-10 years and be monitored closely. We will be praying that everything (chemo, surgery and radiation followed with the drug therapy) will have done its appropriate work and that my cancer of 2007 will be come a faint memory in the years to come.

And, yes, my hair is growing back. I'm waiting for it to curl but so far it's straight and soft and growing slowly but it's growing and that's a good thing!!!

I will return to work in January - scheduled for January 23rd.

Dale and I can't adequately express to each of you what your comments on the blog, cards, phone calls, gifts, kind words and hugs when we get to see you in person have meant to us this year. It was a totally unexpected journey that we faced but each of you have made it as easy as possible -- and when it was hard, your care and love made it easier to face. It was amazing - someone always called just when the time was right - thank you for following God's leading to make that call at that particular time. It was always right on!!!

We couldn't have done it without you and your prayer support. We have always had a very strong faith but it has a new dimension in our lives today. God has been and continues to be faithful to us and the strong tower that we run to and find safety in. We are still smiling and even laughing a lot - only God could give us that peace. Dale is my hero - he's done it all and remains strong for me and our family.

We will not be making any more updates to this blog site unless something drastically changes in the next month or so and we're not expecting anything.

Thank you for staying faithful. A very good sister-friend told me at the beginning that all I had to do was the "staying"; each of you would do the "praying" for me. You have done that and so much more -- we are so very, very thankful and humbled to be cared for so deeply by each of you. Dale says continually that I am spoiled -- and, believe me, I know it and I love it!!!!!

Sending you hugs,
Jeanne and Dale

P.S. A special hug to Laura Jayne for keeping the blog site updated while I wasn't able to. I had so many wonderful comments from all of you about how nicely she kept all of you up to date on what was happening with my treatments and how I was doing. I am very proud of her - thank you, Sweetie, you did a GREAT job!!!!!

Update

2007-12-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't updated this in such a long time. With the Thanksgiving holiday and travel and company, I got side-tracked.

Mom and Dad left the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and spent the week/end in Kansas City with Brett's girls (Ashleigh and Danielle) and all of their KC friends.

Mark and I drove to Tucson to spend Thanksgiving with Brett. That was such a great visit!

The Monday after Thanksgiving, mom and dad arrived in Austin to spend the week with my family. I know the two weeks was long for mom, but I also know that we ALL needed to see her and have time to spend with her and daddy.

Any way, she starts radiation this month. I'll keep you posted when that happens.

Laura Jayne

Treatment

2007-11-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Plan of treatment remains unchanged. Mom will start radiation when the surgical area has healed. Radiation will last 6.5-8 weeks once she begins. First CT scan for that is December 7th and they will schedule actual radiation start after that. Maybe the 10th or sometime that week.

Mom likes the radiologist a lot. She says she has a great team of doctors.

The Oncologist said this is not the report that he would have wanted, but it is not uncommon either. So, we just plot forward with the planned radiation and the following hormone-blocking therapy and treat each day as a gift from God. He doesn't see any positive results from doing another chemo round unless it comes back somewhere else in her body later on. Of course, with this pathology report, that is more of an option than if she had gotten a clean path report.

Results

2007-11-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry this hasn't been posted already, but mom and dad needed to get in touch with me and Brett before they posted anything.

Healing is going well; pain is to be expected but it’s part of the healing process.

We all prayed for a better pathology report than we got Thursday afternoon. There is still cancer remaining in her body. A small area on the chest bone under the right breast where the tumor was connected – that was expected and planned for with the upcoming radiation. But, they also took 14 lymph nodes from under the right arm and at least 3 had cancer in them. The lymph system is where recurrence in the future will come from. And, when they took the right breast tissue, they found cancer outside the original tumor and had to unexpectedly take some muscle under her right arm. They couldn’t take any more than they did in the surgery so we’ll pray now that radiation takes care of what is left in her body.

From Mom:

So, the short story is that I still has cancer but the hope is future treatment and my God’s hand on my life. Nothing can touch me – not even cancer – unless He allows it; so we continue the journey with great faith in His ability to heal this in His time.

I already had an appointment scheduled with the radiologist for this coming Friday morning and I’ve now scheduled an appt. with my oncologist right after since they’re in the same building. We’ll check to see how this changes the prognosis and what other treatment he might be suggesting. I’m assuming there may be another round of chemo if the radiation doesn’t kill what is remaining.

We’re going to take it one day at a time and that’s what I want everyone who loves me to do also. We can’t live in fear because we KNOW who holds our future and we know that He has a plan for this journey thru cancer and for my total life.

Love to all,

Jeanne, Dale, Laura Jayne and Brett

Mom's Status

2007-11-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Well, it's day 3 after the surgery. Mom is feeling great. She took off the bandages yesterday. Iris says she is being a good patient.

Daddy is going to work since Iris and Aunt Jayne are there to look after the patient. Actually, I think daddy is thankful to be out of the house. If you know the three of them, you'll understand.

We should hear from the pathologist tomorrow. Mom will be doing the update since I will be out of town.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for her and daddy during this time.

Laura Jayne

Surgery

2007-10-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

Is over!!!!! She went in yesterday about 11:30 am and was out of surgery at 3:30 pm.

She had a staple removed from one of her knuckles (she had that procedure done a couple of years ago) and the double mastectomy. Might as well kill two birds at one time, right.

I'm sure there are more details, but the short story is that they took a little more of the muscle on the right side than they thought they would have to. She has 2 drains on the right side, one drain on the left and a "nerve block" for the knuckle surgery. They should have the biopsy results back on Friday.

Last night was a restless night for her, but they were able to keep her comfortable with morphine and such. She will be going home today. You can call the house, but I can't guarantee that she will be awake to talk. But, daddy, Aunt Jayne, and Iris (she's an oncology nurse) are there and they will be taking care of her for the rest of the week.

Laura Jayne

Count Down

2007-10-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

Well, we are down to 4 days until surgery. It's set for Monday afternoon. She will have a minor hand surgery first, then the double mastectomy.

She tripped over somebody at a conference last weekend and thought she might have broken her knee. Paramedics (cute ones apparently), emergency room, bruises, etc., but no broken bones. Thankfully, or surgery might have been postponed.

I will send a blog once she gets home on Monday.

Laura Jayne

Mom's Last Time

2007-09-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

Today is mom's last chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are taking a cake to the nurses to celebrate and thank them for all of their hard work.

Surgery is set for October 29th.

Laura Jayne

The "Date"

2007-09-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Mom is having her next to the last chemo tomorrow. She's feeling pretty good today and is going to work for a few hours.

Her surgery is scheduled for October 29th for the double mastectomy. If all goes well, they won't keep her overnight. She has plenty of people to take care of her after the surgery, so I'm not flying out there.

Will keep you posted as the next month goes by.

Laura Jayne

Half Way Done

2007-08-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Well, mom survived her first round of treatment (barely it seems). She got really sick and sore from that first round. She had her second round yesterday and they are going to monitor her closely and start pain meds earlier if she needs them.

So, only 2 more rounds and she'll be done with Chemo. I know she'll be tickled pink to have that over with. Now, isn't that an ironic statement since the breast cancer color is pink.

Keep sending notes and prayers, she loves reading them.

Laura Jayne

The Last Kind

2007-08-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

Let me just say one thing about mom's blog on the DC trip. It was a wonderful trip for all of us. It was really good to see mom and spend time with her. And, she's right, Lucas did a great job pushing her around. Except that one time.......in Williamsburg.....when he almost dumped her on a small hill, face first. It was quite funny to see. Boy, her reflexes worked well that day.

Mom started her first of four rounds of the "T" chemo. It is given through a lengthy infusion. Once we're done with that, she meets the surgeon to discuss surgery. I talked to her last night and she seemed tired, but did okay during the infusion.

Laura Jayne

A/C punch is done!!!!!

2007-08-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

Laura Jayne is busy tonight so I decided to sit down and update this myself!

First, I want to share with you how good God was to me on my trip to WDC with Turner and Lucas, LJ and Mark. I had really dreaded the hot weather that WDC is famous for in the summer and really thought maybe I'd made an awful mistake planning a trip there in late July. But, because of your prayers, God held back the weather and we had 80-85 degrees most of the week with a wonderful breeze. Toward the end of our trip, the temperature was climbing but we had wonderful temps to enjoy.

I had energy unknown for me! I got up early, stayed up late and walked 3-5 blocks between buildings on Monday. We used wheelchairs inside the museums only. Lucas took over the job of getting me where I needed to be and he did a wonderful job for a first-time wheelchair pusher. I was very proud of how well he handled me all week.

I had an great appetite all week and ate full meals - enjoyed the wonderful seafood restaurant on the Inner Harbor of Baltimore the first night. We met our wonderful friends, Terry & George there. It was a short, sweet visit before we had to head to Gettysburg for our hotel reservations.

We had the most awesome host and hostess at the Bartels' home in Manassas. Just what I needed was to be with "family" and they provided me a great couch so I could rest when I needed to. And, they loved on my family - we love Dennis and Lita so much and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for letting us crash with them for the week.

Now....today was my 4th and last round of the A/C punch (two chemo drugs that I can't pronouce or spell!!!) I'm very glad to have them done. They call the A chemo drug the "Red Devil" so you know it has to be killing everything - good and bad. I won't miss getting that infusion!

August 16th will be my next chemo and we are changing to a "T" chemo - again, can't spell or remember what it is! I will also have 4 rounds of this drug - different side effects and a much longer infusion time. After these 4 rounds are completed, we will be meeting with the breast surgeon to get the mastectomies scheduled - looks like October. 8 weeks recovery and then 6-8 weeks of DAILY radiation treatments. This is a long process!!!

But, we are doing GREAT. I'm very tired most of the time and there are days where I do nothing but sleep but that's when my body is recovering so I just sleep when my body says that's what it needs. Dale is my hero - he's on top of my meds, keeps me reminded of what the doctor has just told me when I forget (often!) and he cooks everything we need. I wouldn't want to do this without him.

I was with Laura Jayne last week and Brett is here with his girls this week. It's been very nice to hug on the kids and grandkids - I needed that!!!!!

I just want to thank you for all the cards, flowers, gifts, letters, phone calls and prayer support. Your prayers are definitely the "wind beneath my wings" and they give me life each day when the journey seems so very daunting and scary. God Bless each one of you for the special ways you have touched my life -- both in the past and during this journey. I love each of you so very, very much.

Hugs
Jeanne

She Did It

2007-07-29T15:06:00.001-07:00

We made it through our trip to the DC area.

Flew into Baltimore last Saturday. Drove to Gettysburg and stayed the night. Drove on Sunday to Mannassas (sp?) to stay with Leta and Dennis. Spent 3 days touring around all the spots in DC (Arlington Cemetary, the Monuments, War Memorials, National Archives, Ford Theater, Museums). Went on a White House Tour, ate lunch in the Senate Dining Room, had a private tour of the Capital, sat in on the Senate while they were in session (special thanks to Paula Carroll for arranging all of this). Mom and Turner stayed home on Wednesday so they could relax and get ready for the remainder of the trip. Thursday, we drove to Williamsburg for the night. Friday, walked around Williamsburg some more and drove to Jamestown and back to Mannassas, VA. Saturday, woke up early and drove to Mount Vernon. After that, it was time to drive back to Baltimore and fly home. Mark drove about 1,000 miles over the course of 8 days.

Mom did amazing. We had a wheelchair that we used quite a bit. But, she also did really well walking. I spoke to her this morning and she was exhausted. I think the vacation was a bit of adreneline helping her make it through.

Tomorrow (Monday), Brett and his girls will arrive in Colorado Springs for a week long visit with mom and dad. Mom's next chemo is on Thursday.

Laura Jayne

Round 3

2007-07-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Mom had her third round of chemo yesterday. Her counts were back up from being at the bottom of the tank last week. That was good news.

Knowing that Sunday and Monday she will crash, she’s just resting and getting ready for that to happen.

Everything is “go” for our trip to Washington, D.C. in 8 days. Her oncologist has given her some good directions, which she has promised to follow (and we will make sure she does). We’re all prepared for a wonderful trip together.

We're thankful and grateful for your kind comments and all the prayer support we are receiving from our wonderful friends around the country.

You are loved and appreciated.

Laura Jayne

Mom's Grounded Again

2007-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

This last round of chemo was pretty rough – she went to bed Saturday night and got up in time to go to work Tuesday morning. Worked 8 hours Tues and 8 hours Thursday this week so she could get paid for July 4th holiday. Yesterday, she started feeling pretty weak and left for home mid-afternoon. Fever and chills started early evening. Dr. has put her on an antibiotic and she saw him yesterday morning. They tried to draw blood for lab work but had trouble getting blood to draw. They gave her fluids thru the IV port and then were able to get blood drawn. Her white blood count is dangerously low. A normal person’s is around 7,000 and Mom’s was 200. So, she’s grounded – no work, no crowds, no large amount of visitors for this weekend and she has to go straight to ER if she has any symptoms at all over the weekend. Her immune system is caput! If Dad and Mom were exposed to the same germs, Dad might get a little runny nose and may a sore throat; Mom could die because she has nothing to fight germs with right now.

Laura Jayne

Update

2007-06-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Mom did her second round of chemo on Thursday. She went ahead and shaved more of her hair.

The doctor says it is going as expected. Good that there was no nausea last time.
The doctor says this time will be a little rougher. More fatigue and maybe nausea.

As of last night, she seems a little more tired than one day after the first treatment.

Keep sending her notes. She loves to read them.

Laura Jayne

Here We Go Again

2007-06-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Mom's second round of chemo is this Thursday. She did pretty well the first round, but did stay away from crowds over the weekend.

She will have her third treatment on July 12th before we head off for a week in D.C.

Laura Jayne

Mom's Collection

2007-06-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Mom's collection of "pets" is growing. Good thing they aren't real. Let's see.......so far she has received the bear named Kemo from Aunt Carol, the post office cancer bear name Kema from Aunt Jayne, and the Beanie breast cancer bear (guess we'll call her Pinkie - like in the movie Grease, which is my favorite movie) from me. There seems to be a trend in the pets she has received.

Please continue to send mom your thoughts (ALWAYS sign your first and last name on the blog), phone calls, letters, emails, and prayers.

Laura Jayne

The treatment journey has started

2007-06-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Mom had her first treatment last Thursday. She did pretty good until Sunday. She didn't have any nausea and fairly mild other side effects. Starting Sunday, she was aching, cold and very tired. Although being tired is to be expected, we don't know how long it will last. Today she plans to go to work at 10:00 and work about 4 hours.

She appreciates your cards, letter, calls, visits, etc.

Laura Jayne

Mom's First Time

2007-06-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

She had her first round of chemo today and it went well.

Their time spent with Dr. Huff was mainly to go over side effects and how he wants them handled. The biggest concern is her temperature...100.4 is ok - 100.6 and feeling ok is ok - 100.6 and feeling crappy means a middle of the night call to his office. Infection is his biggest worry since chemo is killing good stuff along with the cancer.

She said the infusion was itself painless - about 2 hours from start to finish. She goes back tomorrow afternoon and gets a shot of Neulasta - that's the one that causes the flu like symptoms and achey bones.

Everyone in the office LOVED her Kemo puppy. She only took the one "pet" this time....She says she''ll "introduce" Kema to them all at a later date (when daddy isn't her travel partner - she says he gets nervous if she doesn't act pretty normal when he's with her).

Laura Jayne

Send Prayers

2007-06-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Mom starts chemo in 2 days.

I pray that she does okay with her first round I'll update everybody Thursday night.

Laura

GREAT NEWS TODAY

2007-06-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

No cancer found in any of the scans.

Of course, the doctor said there could be floaters but that’s why we do the chemo – the tumor and to get any floating cells and kill them.

Chemo begins June 14 – every 2 weeks at start – skipping the week for the trip to DC with my family. She should be feeling pretty good for that.

Laura Jayne

And......We have a WINNER!

2007-06-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Kemo

...is the name of my new little buddy. Thank you for all the votes - I especially thank each one of you who voted for Dale's choice!!!!! Lucas, you are the BIGGEST winner because you picked Kemo and didn't even know that was Pops' choice - Brett, you were right.....always side with your dad - he's the best. Pops is my hero!!!!!

Jayne brought me the Post Office breast cancer stamp series bear and we've named her Kema.

They will both go to all treatment appointments with me! I'm sure Pops and my friends will look so cute holding them while I get my chemo - the things my friends and Dale will do for me!!!!!

Look for update this evening. I have oncologist appointment this morning. We should have reports from scans and treatment schedule.

I love each one of you so much!

Jeanne

Petition for the Mastectomy Hospital Bill for 2007

2007-06-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

Please take the time to read this article.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html

Surprise Visitor

2007-06-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

On Monday, my Aunt Jayne (mom's sister) showed up in Colorado Springs for a surprise visit. She's staying the week and then heading back to MO.

The tests have been done. Mom and dad meet with the oncologist Thursday morning to find out results and start date for chemo.

Laura

To be Named or not to be Named - now that is a Question!

2007-06-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

Well, that's not really the question - the spelling of the name is the question for this little guy....read on.....

During my cousin Carol's visit last week, I was pestering Dale for a dog to love on while I'm taking my treatments. I wasn't getting very far with that idea either! I'm sure Dale thought taking care of one patient was quite enough for him and having a puppy to house break and take care of was just TOO much right now. After Carol went home, I received this little guy in the mail a few days later. She assures me that he's house broken, self-sustaining if I travel and soft and cuddly and barkless -- just what Dale needs in a pet!

He's going to be my buddy through the upcoming treatments. He started by going to work with me last Friday and getting to know all my very nice friends there. This weekend, he journeyed with me and I think he looks pretty cute in my hat and wig....don't you??????

Now, we MUST name the little guy and there's a disagreement in the family about how to spell his name. That's where you come in. Please post a comment and vote on

Chemo or Kemo

I don't dare tell you which Dale prefers......I can't stand to lose, you know!!!!!

Hey! We have to find some fun along the way and I love the fun things!

Jeanne (I wrote this one myself!)

A New Woman has hit this town!

2007-06-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday I took control of the ONLY thing I could in my cancer journey at this point. Julie and Sandy took me wig shopping (I think we found a really great one!) and then I went to Sandy's house and we took the clippers to my sweet little head with a #3 blade and ooops - there went my hair!

Then, I put on the Jeanne wig and I'm back to almost normal!

Then, when I'm real creative, I add my new hat we bought in Estes Park last Saturday...

Now you know this part of the story!!!!! Laura Jayne and Brett - I'm still the same cute little mother you know and love. Ashleigh, Lucas, Turner and Danielle - Nana is still Nana!!!!

This little light of mine................

2007-06-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

If you already read this posting and notice a change in the title, read the first paragraph and you'll understand. The change was made at the suggestion of my dearest friend, Angela.

Mom is having her next scan tomorrow. It's a full body CT scan. She'll drink some sort of liquid (you know she'll love doing that) before the test and that will “light” up her abdomen area. They will inject a dye tracer before the CT scan and that will “light” up everywhere else. That will show them if there is any cancer in her organs.

The scan last Friday was to see if there was anything going on in the bone and bone marrow. The echocardiogram was to get a baseline for her heart since a side effect of the chemo drug can be heart failure (rare).

Hopefully this week, she'll get with her oncologist and start the chemo. After Monday, she plans to work the rest of the week.

Thank you for all the emails and support. Mom loves getting the notes.

Laura

Mom's Port

2007-05-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Is that the right title?????

Any way, she had the "power port" put in this afternoon and did very well. It allows
blood work, chemo, and dye for scans without having to be stuck with an IV each time. She'll try to work tomorrow.

Her CT Scan is scheduled to Monday. They'll check her heart and the bones Thursday.

Thank you to mom's friends and mine for your thoughts and prayers.

A special thank you to my BROTHER. For serving his Country and his belief. Brett, I'm sorry we forgot to call. We NEVER forget what you do for all of us and what you've chosen to do for your Country.

We don't ever forget.

I love you,

Sis

Happy Anniversary

2007-05-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad,

We all want to wish you a happy 41st wedding anniversary.

We love you both very much,

Laura, Brett, Mark, Ashleigh, Lucas, Turner and Danielle

Sign Your Blog

2007-05-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Make sure when you write a comment on our blog site that you sign your full name. With the fan club of millions and millions of friends that Mom has, she needs to know who is writing to her.

Thanks,

Thursday, May 24th

2007-05-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Dad and Carol went to the oncologist with Mom. Lots of big words that we can’t pronounce or spell or remember! Next week brings lots of scans and procedures. Thursday there is an echocardiogram, an injection of dye at noon and a bone scan at 3:00. 24 hours later, a CT scan of chest and abdomen. The dye from Thursday has to be out of her system before she can have the CT scan dyes.

Mom’s friend, Iris (an oncology nurse and a colon cancer survivor) mentioned a clinical study and there is one that she may qualify for. It will take the two normal chemo drugs and add a study drug. It is a good thing to qualify for a clinical study. This one is in phase II in the United States so it will not be a blind study and Mom will get the additional drug not a placebo.
Chemo will begin as soon as the oncologist feels he has enough of the scans in. Right now, he’s thinking every 3 weeks and he agreed to work with Mom so we don’t have to miss our trip with the boys to Washington DC July. We've been planning this trip for quite a while and it’s something she does NOT want to give up.

This is her last weekend of freedom before Dad grounds her and makes her "mind" the doctors. They are going to Estes Park to celebrate springtime in the Rockies and check out how much snow is left on Trail Ridge and around the lakes in the National Park.

We all appreciate your prayers and support! All of you know my Mom quite well. She loves having it all be about her, being the center of attention. Keep the phone calls, emails, blog comments and cards coming.

Carol, enjoy the peace and quiet at work. It won't last long.

Laura Jayne

Giving Laura Jayne credit!

2007-05-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

Even though each post on this blog site will state that Jeanne Parrott posted and the date and time, Laura Jayne is doing the postings from now on. We use the same account and it's in my name but she will be doing all the updating. Thank you, Sweetie, from the bottom of my heart! You and Brett are just the BEST!!!
Love,
Mom

Wednesday, May 23rd

2007-05-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

Mom's cousin, Carol, is driving in today to spend the weekend with mom. She moved to Kansas and is only about 7 hours from Colorado Springs. She will go with mom and dad to the oncology appointment tomorrow. Then, who knows what the two of them will be up to the rest of the weekend. Sorry, daddy. I wish I were there to keep you company. Oh yeah, never mind. You have to chauffer them around on their shopping trips.

The first of the "Journey"

2007-05-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Before I went to Washington DC this year for the National Day of Prayer events (April 28-May 7), I had bronchitis and went to our general doctor for a script to knock the cough. While there, I asked him to check what I was feeling and he agreed it wasn't normal. He sent me to a breast disease specialist and she immediately scheduled me for an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram on the right breast. Those were done on May 11 after I got back from my trip.

She called me later on May 11th and told me the news that the tests showed something suspicious. She scheduled me to have a biopsy on that breast on May 15 and also an ultrasound on the lymph node under my right arm and a resulting biopsy on that lymph node. They removed 10 clips of tissue from the mass in my breast and 6 clips from the lymph node. Normally, she said that of the 10 from the mass there would be 3-5 that showed cancer - all 10 of mine were cancerous. From the 6 from the lymph node, normally there would be 1-3 but all six of mine were cancerous. So, we're dealing with a very aggressive cancer and it involves all of my right breast tissue and muscle and under my arm into the lymph node system. The diagnosis is a poorly deliniated tumor which means it is not encapsulated, if I understand it all.

On Thursday, May 24, I will have my first meeting with my oncologist and he will set me up to have my body scanned from head to toe - PET scan, CT scan, bone density scan, and bloodwork. This is so we will have a baseline to check the chemo against to see if it is working.

I am scheduled to have an IV port put under my collarbone in my chest and that's where I'll have blood drawn and chemo given - I hate needles so this is a very GOOD thing!!!!! That is scheduled for Tuesday, May 29th. I can't start chemo until that is done and the bandage removed and all of the scans are done. Maybe first round of chemo will be June 1 or early the next week.

Pray for my doctors. Dr. Laura Pomerenke is the breast disease specialist and she's also the surgeon who will do any surgeries I have - the IV port being the first. Following chemo, she will perform the mastectomy. Dr. Jason Huff is the oncologist who will monitor the scans and his office will administer the chemo. He will also be in charge of any follow up radiation after the mastectomy.

In between all of this, Dale and I will celebrate our 41st anniversary on May 28! My cousin, Carol and her husband, Ira, will be here this weekend. Carol will be going to the oncology appointment with Dale and me (I'm so thankful!) and we'll be playing lots of Perquackey over the weekend. Dale and Ira will just enjoy watching us and being together. Maybe we can make a trip to the mountains if I feel like it and don't have appointments to make.

Comments:

Dr. Pomerenke: "You have a tough year ahead of you"
My friend, Iris: "Let us do the praying; you do the staying." (I love that one!!!!)
Friends: "You're a tough cookie - you'll do fine"
Me: "It will all be ok. I know there's a plan and this is part of the puzzle of my life - my puzzle wouldn't be complete without this piece. I am yielded to the Master's plan and I know Who holds my future in His hand."

Prayer Requests:
1) For Dale, Laura Jayne, Brett and Lucas, Turner, Ashleigh and Danielle - peace as it looks like we have a storm ahead of us.
2) That the chemo lets me work as much as possible to preserve leave days, etc.
3) For my team at work - they have to cover my load when I'm not here - they are great!
4) That the wig looks great!!!!! My daughter says to get a long blonde one (ha, ha).