So round # 6 will has begun tonight!
This morning I found out that my platelets had dropped last week to the lowest yet (at least that we are aware of). My Doc.'s at Cleveland told us that the normal range for your blood platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000 and you cannot take chemo if your platelets drop below 100,000. My platelets have been dropping down to 93,000. Last week (on Thursday) they were down to 88,000. Today I went in to have blood drawn again and they were up to 150,000!! Yeah!! My Doc. told me when they drop as low as they've been dropping I'm at risk for internal bleeding in my head or stomach. :) YUK. I believe they said it's not until your platelets drop to the 50,000 range that I would be at risk for a bone marrow transplant. So we're praying that this does not EVER become the case for me. As I've often said, isn't having cancer enough, why all this other stuff???
On a good note, I'm very glad to be starting my chemo tonight. It really makes my work schedule difficult when it gets pushed back. I'm very anxious to get these chemo treatments in and over with. So I just want to keep them going and be done!
I still feel very well!! As good as I feel I believe there has to be some awesome healing happening in my body!!
All and all, I feel good and don't have much to complain about! :) The platelet thing scares us a bit but we've had a lot of answered prayers so far so we'll just keep praying that my platelets keep coming back up!
Tonight I'm asking those of you who know Leslie A. to say I prayer for her and her family too. Praying for her surgery today to be a success and for her body to heal quickly and for her to soon feel well again!
Thanks for your prayers and concern, Jess, Mike and Luke
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Update from Jessie
Hello!! I just wanted to give everyone an update. I have been feeling very well lately both emotionally, physically, and spiritually. All great blessings for me and my family right now! First and foremost, I'M DRIVING AGAIN!!! Oh my, how great it is to finally have some independence. Luke and Mike seem to be happy about it too!
Luke is as cute as ever. :) He still seems to be doing well with all the chaos in our life. He does know something is "wrong" with mommy. You wouldn't think a little 3yr.old would have a clue, but unfortunately when something like this tends to consume so much of your life it's hard for him not to wonder what's going on. He thinks mommy sleeps a lot and is sick too much. This is hard for me because I want to be the mom I've always been with him, ENDLESS PLAYING!! I have to admit I am glad to get some relief from playing dinosaurs 24/7! :)
Work is going well, too. I missed seeing the girls I work with on a more frequent basis and "my clients" whom are my friends! I wish I had the stamina to work longer hours, but Thank-you to everyone who has been so patient about getting in! I'm happy to see all your names in my book again!
My next treatment is scheduled to start Monday March 10th, this will be round 6. I wish I could say this is halfway but it may not be. I will get my routine blood draw this Thursday to check my platelet count. My platelets have been low almost every month right before treatment which is a side effect of the type of chemo I take. Hopefully this month will be different! My next apt. at Cleveland has been scheduled for April 29th and 30th. This apt. will consist of an apt. with my Doc. who manages all my meds (Dr. Cohen) an MRI, EEG, meeting with a nutritionist, and an apt. with my oncologist whom I absolutely love (Dr. Tekautz) and her assit. (Carla). So already praying for such good MRI scans that my doctors are ecstatic again!! If I haven't said this before, Cleveland Clinic is a great place to be when you're battling something like this!!
For those of you who are not yet aware, my Mom has been planning a team to run/walk in a 5k to raise money for brain tumor research. The 5k is April 26th in Chicago, Illinois. For those of you who are interested in being a part of our team or would like to sponsor our team you can go to the American Brain Tumor Association's website and look up the 5k called The Path To Progress. Our team name is called Fighting Back. This is an open invitation to anyone who would like to be a part of this! If you have any questions you can email my Mom at audreysleep@yahoo.com . FYI, she's a procrastinator (wonder where I get it) so don't be alarmed if she doesn't get right back with you. :)
I've been told that often people don't know what to say to me or are worried about upsetting me. Please don't worry about this. I wouldn't know what to say to me either! :) Unfortunately this stuff is a big part of my life right now and I'm very comfortable talking about it. The first thing I will tell you if you ask is that CANCER SUCKS! Really, don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing. I'm doing good and sure I'm going to have bad days but who doesn't!
Last but not least, I can not THANK everyone enough for the continuous support that keeps pouring in!! We are so blessed!! We have been blessed with such amazing support and will be forever thankfull! We have GREAT family who supports us continuously as well as friends both new and old!! THANK YOU!!!
I hope this finds everyone in good health!
Luv ya, Jess
Luke is as cute as ever. :) He still seems to be doing well with all the chaos in our life. He does know something is "wrong" with mommy. You wouldn't think a little 3yr.old would have a clue, but unfortunately when something like this tends to consume so much of your life it's hard for him not to wonder what's going on. He thinks mommy sleeps a lot and is sick too much. This is hard for me because I want to be the mom I've always been with him, ENDLESS PLAYING!! I have to admit I am glad to get some relief from playing dinosaurs 24/7! :)
Work is going well, too. I missed seeing the girls I work with on a more frequent basis and "my clients" whom are my friends! I wish I had the stamina to work longer hours, but Thank-you to everyone who has been so patient about getting in! I'm happy to see all your names in my book again!
My next treatment is scheduled to start Monday March 10th, this will be round 6. I wish I could say this is halfway but it may not be. I will get my routine blood draw this Thursday to check my platelet count. My platelets have been low almost every month right before treatment which is a side effect of the type of chemo I take. Hopefully this month will be different! My next apt. at Cleveland has been scheduled for April 29th and 30th. This apt. will consist of an apt. with my Doc. who manages all my meds (Dr. Cohen) an MRI, EEG, meeting with a nutritionist, and an apt. with my oncologist whom I absolutely love (Dr. Tekautz) and her assit. (Carla). So already praying for such good MRI scans that my doctors are ecstatic again!! If I haven't said this before, Cleveland Clinic is a great place to be when you're battling something like this!!
For those of you who are not yet aware, my Mom has been planning a team to run/walk in a 5k to raise money for brain tumor research. The 5k is April 26th in Chicago, Illinois. For those of you who are interested in being a part of our team or would like to sponsor our team you can go to the American Brain Tumor Association's website and look up the 5k called The Path To Progress. Our team name is called Fighting Back. This is an open invitation to anyone who would like to be a part of this! If you have any questions you can email my Mom at audreysleep@yahoo.com . FYI, she's a procrastinator (wonder where I get it) so don't be alarmed if she doesn't get right back with you. :)
I've been told that often people don't know what to say to me or are worried about upsetting me. Please don't worry about this. I wouldn't know what to say to me either! :) Unfortunately this stuff is a big part of my life right now and I'm very comfortable talking about it. The first thing I will tell you if you ask is that CANCER SUCKS! Really, don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing. I'm doing good and sure I'm going to have bad days but who doesn't!
Last but not least, I can not THANK everyone enough for the continuous support that keeps pouring in!! We are so blessed!! We have been blessed with such amazing support and will be forever thankfull! We have GREAT family who supports us continuously as well as friends both new and old!! THANK YOU!!!
I hope this finds everyone in good health!
Luv ya, Jess
Monday, February 11, 2008
Treatment #5
Praise the Lord! Jessie had her blood drawn again this morning, and her platelet count has raised a significant amount in the last few days. She will begin her 5th round of chemo tonight. So while treatment is never easy, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers throughout this week.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Jessie's Prayer Request
Hi there everyone!! For the most part everything has been going pretty well. I will admit I've had a bit of an emotional struggle in the last month or so but feel as though I'm finding my way back! I suppose this journey is going to be like a roller coaster with highs and lows along the way. I find my self relying on my faith more than ever and God seems to be pointing me in the right direction at just the right times. I have made some new friends since becoming a part of the not so cool "cancer club." These friendships have been a great thing for me too. It's nice to be able to share with someone who knows your struggles.
On a much more exciting note, 16 days till I will regain some independence! I'LL BE ABLE TO DRIVE! I can't wait! I've had to rely on friends and family more than ever with not being able to drive. So, THANK YOU to all of you who have been helping get me to work and play dates and whatever else we do. Mike and I have truely tried to realize the blessings all around us. Our friends and family being right there on top of that list! I pray that you all know how much you all mean to us!
Mike's amazing!! Being how I get so tired, Mike has to pick up the slack and as most of you know with a very energetic 3 yr.old, that can be exahausting. Not to mention he pretty much gets no time to himself. If he's not at work then he's usually with Luke and I taking care of both of us! Sometimes I have to remind myself that this is just as hard on him as it is on me. So cheers to Mike!!!!
Today I'm writing you asking for a specific prayer request. I received a call from Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday telling me that I could not start my chemo as planned on Thursday night. Apparently when I had my routine blood draw on Tuesday my platelet count was too low. I won't go into all the details but it can be a very dangerous situation and my focus is on beating this cancer of which chemo is a part of!! I'm going back to have my blood drawn on Monday and assuming my platelet count is up I'm hoping to start chemo Monday evening. In the meantime we're praying that I don't have any unexpected injuries and bleeding. I'm praying that this won't continue to be a problem and that my chemo schedule can stay on track! Above all other prayers, I'm praying still for complete healing of this or any cancer! Our God is a mighty God and I believe he will heal me!! As I've been on this cancer journey I've come into contact with many others battling something similar to me and I also pray for there complete healing. It is very hard to hear of someone else battling this ugly disease. It makes me sick and I just want to fix it for them too! So please remember my fellow cancer pals in your prayers!
I hope you all are well and your families are in good health! Everyday is a gift so enjoy every moment with the ones you love!!
Love, Jess
On a much more exciting note, 16 days till I will regain some independence! I'LL BE ABLE TO DRIVE! I can't wait! I've had to rely on friends and family more than ever with not being able to drive. So, THANK YOU to all of you who have been helping get me to work and play dates and whatever else we do. Mike and I have truely tried to realize the blessings all around us. Our friends and family being right there on top of that list! I pray that you all know how much you all mean to us!
Mike's amazing!! Being how I get so tired, Mike has to pick up the slack and as most of you know with a very energetic 3 yr.old, that can be exahausting. Not to mention he pretty much gets no time to himself. If he's not at work then he's usually with Luke and I taking care of both of us! Sometimes I have to remind myself that this is just as hard on him as it is on me. So cheers to Mike!!!!
Today I'm writing you asking for a specific prayer request. I received a call from Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday telling me that I could not start my chemo as planned on Thursday night. Apparently when I had my routine blood draw on Tuesday my platelet count was too low. I won't go into all the details but it can be a very dangerous situation and my focus is on beating this cancer of which chemo is a part of!! I'm going back to have my blood drawn on Monday and assuming my platelet count is up I'm hoping to start chemo Monday evening. In the meantime we're praying that I don't have any unexpected injuries and bleeding. I'm praying that this won't continue to be a problem and that my chemo schedule can stay on track! Above all other prayers, I'm praying still for complete healing of this or any cancer! Our God is a mighty God and I believe he will heal me!! As I've been on this cancer journey I've come into contact with many others battling something similar to me and I also pray for there complete healing. It is very hard to hear of someone else battling this ugly disease. It makes me sick and I just want to fix it for them too! So please remember my fellow cancer pals in your prayers!
I hope you all are well and your families are in good health! Everyday is a gift so enjoy every moment with the ones you love!!
Love, Jess
Monday, January 21, 2008
Happy Birthday Jessie!!!!
Hey everyone! I just wanted to make sure you all knew that Saturday, January 26th is Jessie's 27th Birthday!!! Make sure you post her a Happy Birthday wish!
Jessie- Eat a little cake along with your birthday Ice Cream!! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
love you to pieces,
Janel
Jessie- Eat a little cake along with your birthday Ice Cream!! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
love you to pieces,
Janel
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Great News!!
Jessie, Mike, and Luke traveled to the Cleveland Clinic today for Jessie's first MRI in three months. The Dr.'s were "thrilled" with her results! There was much anxiety leading up to this day for Jessie and we are all so relieved to hear such good news. Praise the Lord!!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Jessie's New Update
Hey there! Well it's been quite a long December. I thought I had caught the stomach flu or something but after talking with my oncologist's assistant we've learned that chemo can take quite a toll on your intestinal tract. I've been feeling pretty bad now for over a week plus the week of chemo before this had to come along. I'm counting on January to be much better! My oncologist's assist. gave me the on-call number for the weekend but I'm not sure at what point a should call. I've surely had enough! Apparently they (at Cleveland) think they're going to have to change my chemo a little. They're thinking I'm on too strong of a dose. I'm concerned about them lowering it because I will do what I need to make sure this cancer is gone. One good thing about them lowering my dose is that maybe my treatments would be a little more bearable and not so painful. I thought the intense pain I experience in my abdomen during the end of my treatments was normal for chemo but apparently it's not. I guess that's why they're considering lowering my dose. I'd like to find an alternative to lowering my dose just to be sure we're kicking the possible cancer cells that may be left. Definitely feeling pretty frustrated at this point.
We were able to get out for short periods of time to go to our many Christmas gatherings. Luke had a great Christmas. He and Mike have been so great through these last few weeks and they've definitely been on their own. Mike's been doing quite the job being "Mr. Mom." I've been very blessed with the family I have.
I apologize to those of you who have called and I am yet to return the call. I just have not felt good at all lately. They way I've been feeling lately doesn't allow me to get very good sleep at night so often I'll take a nap later in the day or just whenever I can get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Don't be afraid to call, if I'm up to it I'll answer and if I'm not doing well at the moment just leave a message. You won't be bothering us. I've been using my email more than ever because it's a nice way for me to stay in touch even when I don't feel great. So send your email addresses my way!!
Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas season!
Much love, Jessie.
We were able to get out for short periods of time to go to our many Christmas gatherings. Luke had a great Christmas. He and Mike have been so great through these last few weeks and they've definitely been on their own. Mike's been doing quite the job being "Mr. Mom." I've been very blessed with the family I have.
I apologize to those of you who have called and I am yet to return the call. I just have not felt good at all lately. They way I've been feeling lately doesn't allow me to get very good sleep at night so often I'll take a nap later in the day or just whenever I can get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Don't be afraid to call, if I'm up to it I'll answer and if I'm not doing well at the moment just leave a message. You won't be bothering us. I've been using my email more than ever because it's a nice way for me to stay in touch even when I don't feel great. So send your email addresses my way!!
Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas season!
Much love, Jessie.
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