Recovery Road

Hi all! We wanted to let you know that Jane is home from the hospital and doing well. She came home last Wednesday (the 21st) and has been recovering well at home. No complications and lots and lots of sleep have done her well. Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers you've been sending her way. She has a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bender next Monday, during which she will learn her chemo schedule and any other next steps.

Post-op day 3

We think Jane turned a corner today. Last night and this morning started a little rough as she spiked a low grade fever overnight and had to have some testing done. There was some concern about her white blood cell count and platelets as well. Her doctors think the abnormal counts may be related to anesthesia or the antibiotics she received during surgery and are hopeful they will improve over the next couple of days. Her fever resolved early in the day and then things began to look up. Jane said she felt more energetic and was able to sit up for longer periods of time. She had a bath today, which also helped her spirits. Overall, things are becoming easier and she's even getting her spunk back.

Because of her low white blood cell count and the need to limit her exposure to germs, Jane should not have visitors. We will let you know when this changes so that you can come visit if you want. She is beginning to check email and texts so feel free to communicate with her that way. I think she would enjoy them.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming.

Post-op day 2

Hi all! Sorry for the infrequency of posts. I think we were better at getting out more updates after Jane's last surgery, but this time we have two kids, which leaves little time for much else! Jane is doing well. She is tired--she didn't sleep well last night (Saturday)--but that's not unexpected. Her spirits are good, and she has been walking a lot and sitting in the chair in her room. The doctors are pleased with her recovery so far. The biggest thing she needs right now is rest and sleep. She has started to eat bland solid foods, which is also right on schedule. As is the case with most post-surgical patients, the doctors want her to pass gas. Of course, Connor and Jack get quite the kick out of that, and we have been talking about Grandma Jane and her farts most of today! Lucky us!

All in all, we are thankful for a right-on-schedule recovery so far, and thankful for all of the messages and prayers you've been sending. Thank you! To highlight your day, here's a cute video of Jane and Randy's grandkids at the park today:

Out of surgery--all good

Hi all! Jane is out of surgery and in recovery. Surgery took about two hours and went well. Dr. Bender got the nodule that had recently shown up, as well as another one that had appeared on her CT a while ago and hadn't really grown but was suspicious. He was able to get all of both areas, leaving her with no visible cancer inside her abdomen (yay!). She will be in the hospital for about five days, and we'll keep you posted on her progress. Your prayers and thoughts are being felt, and we thank you!

Jane is in surgery

Hello everyone! Jane is in surgery. We just got word that they started surgery about an hour late, so it'll be around 4 p.m. before we have any updates or know how she's doing. Thank you for all of the prayers and good karma you're sending into the atmosphere today. Everyone here is doing well.

Deja Vu all over again

Well, we're back. Jane's cancer is back. Last Sunday was the three-year anniversary of Jane's first surgery, and a day later, she learned that the cancer has returned. A scan in September showed a possible nodule, and a new scan in December showed continued growth of that nodule, which now is about 2 centimeters. The good news is that it's in a location Dr. Bender feels will be easy to remove. The plan will be the same as last time, with everything occurring at the exact same time of year. Everything feels very familiar. Jane will have surgery on January 16 to remove the cancer, and a few weeks later she will start chemotherapy. The cancer responded really well to this chemo regimen last time, and we have every expectation that it will respond well this time too. It just makes for a crappy six months ahead.

Thank you already for all of the wonderful support and prayers that you are sending Jane's way. Through the wonder of facebook, you've probably already heard everything, but we thought this would be a good way to convey more detailed information and another place to gather positive energy. Please continue to send healing thoughts and prayers Jane's way. We will keep you posted. Feel free to also contact Jeff or Nike if you'd like (jeffandnike@gmail.com). In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures of the grandkids at Christmas. This time around, Jane has three grandbabies that we can share pictures of!

Lydia enjoying her new book

Jack, Lydia, and Connor with their new raincoats from Grandma Jane and Grandpa Randy

Grandma Jane help the kids open their presents

All three grandkids got fartblasters from the movie Despicable Me for Christmas!

Grandma Jane bought Liddy her first doll and buggy.