Update on Jean
July 21, 2010
Jean is somewhat disappointed today as she was scheduled to see her oncologist at the Montgomery Cancer Center today to find the results of the test from UAB. She had gotten her hopes up to find out if the cancer was gone for sure. She received a letter late yesterday afternoon that said her appointment had been changed to August 4th after waiting almost a month for the results. When she attempted to find out what was going on from the Cancer Center, they were not very helpful. So now she has to wait two more weeks to find out the results. Continue to keep her in your prayers,
Update on Jean
July 14, 2010
Jean had a follow up appointment with her surgeon to get the results of the lab test of the two nodules he removed. He said the nodules were NOT cancer. Thanks for all the prayers.
She has an appointment with her oncologist the 21st at which time we hope to get good test results from the test she had at UAB also. Thanks again for your prayers.
Update on Jean
July 9, 2010
Thanks to everyone for all the prayers. Jean’s surgery went well this morning. The surgeon removed two nodules that he sent to the pathology lab, but he does not feel they are cancer. She has to take it easy for several days and has to go back to the surgeon the 14th at which time we hope to get the lab results.
She has an appointment with her oncologist the 21st at which time we hope to get good test results from UAB also. Thanks again for your prayers.
Update on Jean
July 7, 2010
Jean had an appointment with the surgeon today and is scheduled to have surgery Friday morning, July 9th, at 6am at Jackson Hospital. The surgeon will remove the nodule (rectal mass as he calls it) and will send it to the lab. At this time he does not think it is cancer, but cannot be sure until he gets the lab results back.
Thanks for all your prayers and continue to pray for Jean that this will not be cancer and that the original cancer is gone.
Update on Jean
June 28, 2010
Jean had her appointment with the Doctor at UAB today for an Endoscopy Ultrasound. The doctor said he did not see the original cancer, which was great news, but he did find a nodule about the size of a pea near the area of the original cancer. He was unable to take a biopsy because of the location. He recommended her see a surgeon to have it removed and have it sent to the lab. He cannot say for sure if it is associated to the cancer or something else, but he wants to make sure.
When we got back from UAB Jean made an appointment with the surgeon for July 7, 2010. We hope to get a surgery date at this time. We hope to have the results of the biopsy when she sees her Oncologist July 21, 2010.
Continue to pray for Jean that this will not be cancer and that the original cancer is gone.
Jean's Update
June 25, 2010
Jean has an appointment Monday, June 28th at UAB to have another Endoscopy Ultra Sound where they will also take some biopsies. We hope the results of these test will show she is cancer free. We will post the results as soon as we get them. It may not be until she has her appointment with the Oncologist on July 21st.
Please keep Jean in your prayers.
Jean’s Update
June 10, 2010
We got some good news when Jean went to her Oncologist Wednesday, June 9th. The SUV number, which is their concern has dropped again. It has dropped from 12.4 before any treatments, to 6.04 with the PET scan in March after completing her treatments, to 3.8 with the PET scan on June 2nd. This is encouraging to the Oncologist. He thinks what is showing up on the PET scan is tissue inflammation from the radiation treatments. We are waiting for an appointment at UAB for Jean to have another Endoscopy Ultra Sound where they will also take some biopsies. Then we will know for sure if she is clear of the cancer. They also gave her some medication to help with some of the long term side effects from the Chemo and Radiation treatments.
Thanks for all the prayers, cards, calls and messages on website.
Update on Jean
May 22, 2010
Jean will have some more tests next week and another PET scan June 2nd. She has an appointment with her oncologist June 9th. We hope to get good news at this time. I will post another update after that appointment.
Keep her in your prayers.
Update on Jean
April 28, 2010
I know it has be a while since I posted any updates, but we really did not know anything new.
Jean got good results from her nuclear stress test last week that she had April 13th. There was no evidence of heart problems
This week has been an emotional roll a coaster for Jean. She was to have a PET scan Monday at 12:30pm, but it was canceled because the machine was down due to the weekend weather. She was not able to eat all morning due to the scheduled PET scan.
Jean had an appointment with her radiologist Monday afternoon, but he did not have any result, because there was no PET scan. Her PET scan was rescheduled for Tuesday at 6:30am, but she got a call Monday night that the machine was still not repaired. She called the Imaging Center back Tuesday and told them she had an appointment with her oncologist Wednesday afternoon and would need to reschedule that appointment if she could not get the PET scan before then. They called her back and scheduled her PET scan for 6am Wednesday morning.
She went to the oncologist appointment, but went to the lab for blood work before her appointment. She was put in a room and waited approximately 1 hour before the nurse practitioner came in to talk to her. She stayed about 10 minutes and left. The oncologist came in approximately 30 minutes later.
We left with mixed emotions of the PET scan results and lab report. Jean’s blood work showed she was a little anemic, but more importantly our concern was with the PET scan. The scan showed that the SUV level was at 6.04 (it should be at or near “0”). It was 12.4 when she had her first PET scan before any treatment. The tumor measured 1.2 x 2 x 2 cm for a volume of 1.8 cm and the volume before treatment was 2.54 cm. There is still no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes or anywhere else in her body.
Jean’s oncologist still feels good about the report at this time, but has scheduled her for another PET scan for June 2nd. She has to take two more B-12 shots and weekly Vitamin D before then. Jean will go back to her oncologist June 9th and he will review the June 2nd PET scan and schedule for her to go back to UAB in Birmingham for another Endoscopy Ultra Sound.
Jean thought the PET scan would be clear especially since we were told the CT scan was clear that she had March 29th. So needless to say she is somewhat disappointed. The waiting and uncertainty is not good for her stress.
Please continue to pray for Jean. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
April 4, 2010
I had to take Jean to the Prattville Emergency room Saturday afternoon with severe chest pains. They kept her overnight for observation, because some blood level was up that could indicate blood clots. They said she is at a high risk of blood clots due to her treatments she has gone through. They did a CT scan on her chest and did not find any clots.
The cardiologist came in to see her this morning and did not think it was her heart. He thinks it is from the stress she has been through in the past several months, but wants to do a nuclear stress test to rule out any heart issues as soon as she gets enough strength to do the test. He wants her to try to do more each day along with diet to increase her strength. She is back home now.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
April 2, 2010
I had to take Jean to the Cancer center this past Tuesday she was in a lot of pain. They gave her some additional medicine to see if it would help with her problems.
We met with her oncologist today and got a good report from her CT scan. There was no sign of the cancer only scar tissue from the radiation. (THANK GOD) Her blood levels were almost perfect. The pain and major discomforts are due to the chemo and radiation treatments even though she completed them last week. They gave her some additional medicine to help with the nausea that has become more frequent. She was told the nausea and other pain and discomforts could last two to six more weeks. The radiation burns are gradually getting better.
Jean is scheduled to have a PET scan April 26 and will see the radiologist the same day. She is scheduled to see her oncologist the 28th and get the results of the PET scan at that time.
Jean found that she had cancer on my birthday and found that according to the CT scan there was no sign of cancer on her birthday. We just thought that was a little ironic.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
March 29, 2010
Jean completed the last of her 33 radiation treatments Friday and they removed the chemo pump Wednesday. They will not remove her port until all of her test come back clean.
She had a CT scan today and has an appointment with her oncologist this Friday. At that time she will get the results of the CT scan and how successful the treatments have been. The oncologist will let her know about a schedule for a PET scan and if she will need to go back to UAB in Birmingham for another endoscopy ultrasound.
Jean is still uncomfortable with some pain from the radiation burns. She continues to get tired easily. Hopefully these side effects will go away over the next few weeks. She is trying to maintain a positive attitude.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
March 24, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump removed today and had a boost radiation treatment also. She has two more boost radiation treatments and will be finished with them Friday. She saw her radiation doctor today and he is pleased with her progress.
It will probably take at least two weeks for her system to start to recover from the chemo and we hope during this time her other side effects go away or at least decrease. We are not sure when she will get her strength back or recover from the radiation treatments.
Jean is scheduled for another CT scan the 29th with an appointment with her oncologist April 2nd. At this time she will get the results of the CT scan and how successful the treatments have been. The oncologist will let her know about a schedule for a PET scan and if she will need to go back to UAB in Birmingham for another endoscopy ultrasound.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
March 17, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled for the 7th time today, but she did not have a radiation treatment today. She had a CT scan yesterday to prepare for her last 5 radiation boost treatments. Her radiologist decided to wait until Monday to start the boost treatments to let her recover some from the radiation burns. Hopefully she will only have her chemo pump refilled 1 more time while taking the radiation boost treatments.
It is good that she has spring break this week. Her energy level is at the lowest it has been yet. She has to stop to rest when she tries to get ready in the mornings, but still no major nausea. Her major pain now is from the radiation burns.
Jean is scheduled for another CT scan the 29th with an appointment with her oncologist April 2nd. At this time she will get the results of the CT scan and how successful the treatments have been. The oncologist will let her know about a schedule for a PET scan and if she will need to go back to UAB in Birmingham for another endoscopy ultrasound.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board. (Some have said they could not find how to leave a message on the message board. Look to the left of “NOTICE!!!” just above this update. There is a tab “Message Board Post Notes or Comments” click on it and it will go to the “Message Board”.)
Update on Jean
March 10, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled for the 6th time today and had her 25th radiation treatment today. She will have 8 more radiation treatments left after today. Five of these will be boost treatments. She continues to get tired daily, but otherwise is still doing okay. She has had more days of feeling yucky, but not really bad nausea. Diarrhea has become more frequent. Jean is scheduled for radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 8 more treatments. She is scheduled to have her chemo pump refilled weekly for 1 maybe 2 more refills. She will meet with her oncologist Friday of this week.
Jean is having more severe burning from the radiation treatments causing the skin to peel off like any burn, which is becoming very uncomfortable. She met with her radiation doctor today who feels progress is going as expected and the burning unfortunately is somewhat normal for her type treatments.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board. (Some have said they could not find how to leave a message on the message board. Look to the left of “NOTICE!!!” just above this update. There is a tab “Message Board Post Notes or Comments” click on it and it will go to the “Message Board”.
Update on Jean
March 4, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled for the 5th time yesterday and will have her 21st radiation treatment today. She will have 12 radiation treatments left after today. She continues to get tired toward the end of the day, but otherwise is still doing okay. She has had more days of feeling yucky, but not really bad nausea. She is scheduled for radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 12 more treatments. She is scheduled to have her chemo pump refilled weekly for 2 more refills.
Still no bad side effects yet, thank God for this. She is having more burning from the radiation treatments, which is becoming very uncomfortable.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
February 25, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled for the 4th time yesterday and her 16th radiation treatment today. This puts her at half way through her radiation treatments. She continues to get tired toward the end of the day most days, but otherwise is still doing okay. She has had a few days of feeling yucky, but not really nausea. She will have radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 17 more treatments. She will have her chemo pump refilled weekly as long as she is taking radiation treatments.
Still no bad side effects yet, thank God. She is having more burning from the radiation treatments, but Doctor says there will be worse days to come in all areas.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
February 19, 2010
Jean had an appointment with her oncologist today and he gave her a good report. Thanks for all the prayers. He said her blood counts look good and that he is confident she will have a successful recovery. It is just a matter of enduring the treatment process.
Update on Jean
February 17, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled for the 3rd time and her 10th radiation treatment today. She continues to get tired toward the end of the day, but otherwise is doing okay. She will have radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 23 more treatments. She will have her chemo pump refilled weekly as long as she is taking radiation treatments. Jean will then go back to UAB in Birmingham for additional test to see the status of the cancer.
Still no bad side effects yet, thank God, just some slight nausea a couple of days and slight diarrhea one day. She is having more burning from the radiation treatments, but Doctor says there will be worse days to come in all areas.
We continue to thank everyone for your continued prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
February 10, 2010
Jean had her chemo pump filled the 2nd time and her 6th radiation treatment today. It went well and the swelling around the port is decreasing. The alarm went off on the chemo pump twice in the middle of the night last night, but nurse had me cut it off since she was to have it refilled today. She gets tired toward the end of the day, but otherwise is doing okay. She will have radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 27 more treatments. She will have her chemo pump refilled weekly as long as she is taking radiation treatments. Jean will then go back to UAB in Birmingham for additional test to see the status of the cancer.
No bad side effects yet, just some slight nausea one day and slight diarrhea the next. She is having a little burning from the radiation treatments, but Doctor says there will be worse days to come in all areas.
We continue to thank everyone for your prayers. She appreciates the cards, calls, visits, e-mails, and messages posted on message board.
Update on Jean
February 3, 2010
Jean had her 1st chemo and radiation treatments today. It went well with the exception of a little problem getting the needle in the port because of some swelling. The alarm went off on the chemo pump after we left the chemo facility. That turned out to only be a clamped hose. She is somewhat tired due to the long day, but otherwise is doing okay. She will have radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday for 32 more treatments. She will have her chemo pump refilled weekly as long as she is taking radiation treatments.
We continue to thank everyone for your prayers and please continue to pray for Jean as she takes her treatments.
You are welcome to continue to leave Jean notes on the Message Board on this web site. She appreciates the encouragements. This does not mean you cannot call or come by if you would like.
Update on Jean
January 29, 2010
Jean had her port installed Wednesday for the Chemo treatments and it is healing well. She had a lot of pain after the surgery Wednesday and Thursday, but is doing much better today and has more mobility of her left arm today. Sitting for a period of time is still her major pain.
We met with the Oncologist today and Jean will get her first Chemo treatment the same day she starts her Radiation treatments. Before her first Chemo treatment she has to attend a one hour educational session. Radiation and Chemo treatments will start February 3rd. She will have 33 Radiation treatments, one a day, Monday through Friday. The plans are to have the Chemo injected through a pump which will be filled once a week. The Oncologist feels confident Jean will not lose her hair or have problems with nausea taking the Chemo treatments in this fashion. He did say she would probably have problem with diarrhea as a side effect of the Chemo treatments, which is the same side effect of the Radiation treatments.
The Oncologist was very pleased with all the test results and was confident that the treatments would result in complete healing of the cancer.
Jean will see the Oncologist again on February 19th.
We thank everyone for your prayers and please continue to pray for Jean as she takes her treatments.
You are welcome to leave Jean notes on the Message Board on this web site. This does not mean you cannot call or come by if you would like.
Update on Jean
January 21, 2010
We met with the Radiologist today and Jean got her markings for the radiation treatments. Radiation treatments will start February 3rd.
Radiologist went over the two tests with us. PET scan and Endoscopy Ultrasound showed no other cancers in her body except the anal cancer. They also showed no cancer in the lymph nodes and the anal cancer is T2 or T3 stage 2.
She will need 33 radiation treatments. Pain will start to get better after a few treatments, but will then get worse, maybe even worse than now.
Good chance she will not have to have surgery after the doctors reviewed the two tests. A very, very small percentage of people have chronic diarrhea after radiation treatments. If this happens Jean would have to make the decision to have a colostomy or not. Also if cancer comes back she would have to have a colostomy.
Wednesday, January 27th – Jean will have a port installed at the Jackson Surgical Center for Chemo treatments.
Friday, January 29 – We will meet with the Oncologist to further review the test and decide when to start Chemo treatments. Jean will also start her series of B-12 shots the same day.
We thank everyone for your prayers and please continue to pray for Jean.
You are welcome to leave Jean notes on the Message Board on web site.
Update on Jean
January 15, 2010
Jean's doctors have several test scheduled in the next two weeks.
The following is her schedule:
Tuesday, January 19th - PET Scan
Wednesday, January 20th - Special test at UAB in Birmingham
Thursday, January 21st - Meet with Radiologist
Wednesday, January 27th - Have port installed for Chemo
Friday, January 29th - Meet with Oncologist to review test results
Friday, January 29th - Start B-12 injections, which will be every week for five weeks
Please continue to pray for Jean.
Update on Jean
January 12, 2010
Jean met with an oncologist and radiologist today and there are some uncertainties of the course of treat until more testing is done. She is scheduled for a pet scan the 19th and is awaiting appointments for a port to be installed in Montgomery and a specialized test that will have to be done in Birmingham.
Jean will have at least 29 radiation treatments, but probably more. Chemo is scheduled to be put in the port through a continuous pump for an undetermined length of time. All of this may have to be adjusted or changed after the results of the two upcoming test results are studied. It looks now like it is almost certain that she will have surgery after the treatments.
After the test results are in Jean will with meet with the oncologist and radiologist to determine a more correct course of treatment.
Please continue to keep Jean in your prayers.
Update on Jean:
January 6, 2010
We met with the surgeon today. The surgeon had already had conversation with the oncologist Jean wants to use. They made the recommendation to treat the cancer with Chemo and Radiation instead of surgery at this time. Due to the location of the cancer if surgery is the first course of action Jean would have to have a colostomy bag permanently. If the Chemo and Radiation treatments are not successful or the cancer returns then surgery would have to be preformed.
Jean has an appointment with the oncologist at the Cancer Center Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and we will know more at that time.
Please continue to keep Jean in your prayers. You are welcome to leave Jean notes on the Message Board on web site.
Jean and I appreciate all the support you have given in our efforts to promote Square, Round, and Line Dancing. We are going to do our best to continue the Square Dance classes until the students graduate, but all other dance activities will be canceled indefinitely. Jean has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and all my efforts and attention will be directed to her care and healing. We may attend some dances when Jean feels up to it, but we will not know the prognosis until after surgery and more testing.
I will keep Jean's progress posted on the web site: www.carsdancing.com.
I will also try to post any special dance activities for clubs and associations as I am made aware of them.
Thanks again for all your support and please keep Jean in your prayers.
Comer