Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Getting a good zappin!

The sign on the treatment room.  

Well,  this is Jeff.  JaNae has been kind of a slacker so I guess it is up to me to fill everyone in.  I don't blame her for slacking though, she has been super tired and not feeling all that groovy.  We thought the 3 weeks she had between chemo and radiation would be a time where she felt wonderful and we could have some fun but it hasn't panned out that way.  She caught a cold that went to her chest and has had a terrible cough which has kept her feeling yucky. Luckily she didn't get pneumonia despite her suppressed immune system.

Then last Monday, she had an appointment with her butt doctor (I mean colorectal surgeon) and he did an exam and found a nodule at the anastomosis (where the colon is reconnected).  It was biopsied and we spent 3 sleepless nights worrying about whether the cancer had returned.  It ended up just being some inflammatory tissue with no cancer, so we were very relieved... but nobody can describe with words the stress that something like this brings.

Yesterday, she had her first radiation treatment and it seemed to go well.  She also started the Xeloda which is the new chemotherapy pill she is taking while doing the radiation.  I was teaching a lecture and could not go to the treatment so she went alone.  I had begged her to take a friend with her but she refused.  (Yes it is true... sometimes my wife will not listen to me.)  Anyway, she told me she ended up seeing an oncologist who is a partner of her doctor because her doctor was out of town.  She told me that she became emotional talking with the doctor and I was kicking myself for not MAKING her take someone with her.  Today she had treatment #2 of 25 and I did go with her.  The technicians lined up green lasers with her tattoos and I went out while JaNae was locked in a big vault and zapped.  JaNae got to listen to elevator music and look up at fake stars on the ceiling during the treatment. I took a few photos but not as many as I would have liked.  I will try to take more to post so you can all see what the treatment room is like.

Anyway, after the treatment, we were grabbed by the social worker who spent some time talking with us and was concerned about how JaNae is doing. (I think the doctor set the social worker on us like an attack dog.) I know JaNae hates that sort of thing but I enjoyed meeting with her and talking about a few things.  I know the stress of this whole situation has affected our kids and we spent a lot of time talking about taking care of their emotional needs. It was insightful.

I hope everyone is well and happy. We appreciate the love and support you have all shown us.  We could not make it through this alone.

-Jeff


I'm just trying to show how thick the door is.



4 comments:

  1. Oh what an ordeal! Janae, I don't know what to say, but I hope you feel my love from across the miles.

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  2. I can't believe the stress of finding the nodule! Especially the sleepless nights. You know you can always call me, I'm not a good sleeper! I'll watch Modern Family over the phone with you and we can laugh and comment on what a great show it is. Nothing like a little Phil Dunfee to get you through the rough times. Love you guys!

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  3. Holy cow you guys! I'm so glad the biopsy came back cancer-free! What a relief!!!
    JaNae, please keep me in mind next time Jeff can't go with you!!!! :)

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  4. Man, you are one hairy guy Jeff! Love to you both

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