WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday, November 30, 2005-8:14 Arizona Time
Jan Writes: Chemo day! I love chemo day because the combination of drugs they give me allow me to feel actually normal most of the day. I took advantage of this, as well as the willingness of my chauffeur, Veronica, to run errands. Besides picking up some craft projects for the holidays, we visited Zuni Hills to drop off some photos and holiday projects for my students to work on. It was so good to see and hug a few friends, but in all honesty, the highlight of the visit was when my principal, Nick Battaglia, gave me a Zuni Hills hat! It was just the hat I had been wanting for my collection. I will wear the hat with Grizzly Pride. Thanks, Nick!

The other highlight of the day was at home. We bought Gracie a new toy, a stuffed bird, which I predicted will last 3 weeks. She's had an absolute ball with it, and I'm afraid to say the bird may not make it to three weeks. However long it lasts, it has brought her intense fun, which is all we wanted. (Well, I have to admit that we also wanted her to be busy with something so she wouldn't be pestering us for pets everyminute. PUPPIES!)

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Tuesday, November 29, 2005-8:55 Arizona Time
It was another sleepy day after a wakeful night, nodding off during my reading in the arm chair until we went to the lab at almost noon. Still low energy, so I nodded some more in the afternoon. Finally I got disgusted with my lazy self and decided that even though I didn't have the energy to ride, I go could go upstairs and lift some small weights. I turned on some music and enjoyed some stretching and a little lifting. It did help invigorate me some, enough so that I could come down and write the blog. Tomorrow is chemo day, so we'll be up early and off to the spend the morning in the clinic. (Early? No problem! No hair to mess with!) I always like the chemo days; the drugs they give keep me feeling pretty good all day. I'm counting on that to be true tomorrow so I can get a few chores done with my shopping chauffeur Veronica!
Blessings to all!
Jan

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Monday, November 28,2005-6:15PM Arizona time.
Jan slept a lot of the day, read a little and rode her trainerbike very slowly for 30 minutes. Her energy level is low, but her desire to be active is high. However, it is very difficult to compromise with Mother Nature. Better to hold Her hand than push Her away in the struggle to be independent.I must say that Jan is Mother Nature's finest daughter, and she generally feels the better for it.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Sunday, November 27, 2005-7:56PM Arizona Time.
Jan Writes tonight: After a leisurely morning sleeping in, eating breakfast,and reading the paper, Veronica and I went to a baby shower at our friend, Sandy's. We saw some old friends, and it was certainly good to get out of the house. My only comment about the shower: They certainly didn't have things like that when my kids were babies! Lots of fascinating toys and gadgets. The party tuckered me out, so I am going to answer emails and go to bed.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Saturday,November 26,2005-7:51PM Arizona time.
Jan spent a lot of the day trying to keep warm. I think that her red blood cell count must be depleted. She, however, rode her bike on the trainer and did some laundry. Right now she & I are watching the Notre Dame/Stanford football game. After which we will retire to an early bedtime. I guess we are getting old. If you live long enough- that happens.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Friday, November 25, 2005-7:49PM, Arizona Time
Jan writes tonight: After a difficult night sleeping, I slept in a little later in the morning and woke up feeling better. I relaxed, ate breakfast, read the paper, then took the bike trainer out to the back patio for a photo shoot. I wanted my Zuni Hills friends who donated the trainer to have a chance to see exactly what they'd done for me. It was a beautiful day outside, and Gracie became my official training partner by spending the entire half hour of my ride circling the bike, sniffing and licking. It was so nice to enjoy the backyard, with its view of the golf course and water hole wildlife, not to mention the steady stream of golfers. I expect to spend alot of time out there riding, until I am recovered enough and can get back out on the road and trails.

Pat and I watched the ASU-U of A football game. Even though I took classes through ASU, I am forever loyal to U of A, where the medical staff at the UMC gave me nine years of healthy life through a bone marrow transplant. U of A football has struggled so much this year, and I was proud of the way they played even though they lost by a field goal in the final seconds.

The remainder of the day has been spent resting and enjoying time with the family. The mild exercise in the morning seemed to give me a bit more energy during the rest of the day, but now leaves me tired enough that I think I will have a good night's sleep.

Thanks to all who visit this site. I feel powerful positive energy coming from this blog, and I am grateful to my husband, Pat, for setting it up for me.

Blessings to one and all.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Thanksgiving Day,November 24, 2005-6:32PM Arizona time.
We celebrated Thanksgiving Day in our traditional fashion. First we participated in the 10 mile/8k and two mile run walk sponsored by the Arizona Road Racers at the Peoria Sports complex. Jan and family walked the two mile course. We didn't set any speed records, but we walked the full two miles on a beautiful Thanksgiving morning.

We had ordered a pre-fab turkey meal from Safeway, but truth be told, it was almost as much work as doing it yourself. Jan did herself proud and prepared a very complete and tasty meal.
Tyler,Veronica,Jan & myself had a great time exchanging disneyland trip stories and sharing old family experiences,while we feasted
on the freshly cooked uncle Tom T.

Later in the afternoon,we watched some football games on television, and Jan took advantage of the opportunity to shave her head, which is now covered by a warm woolen cap. For fun, she first shaved a mohawk into what hair was left on the middle of her head. We do have a picture, but I love married life, so I resist the very compelling temptation to broadcast it live on an internet blog.

Thanks to all of you who have helped make it
a most blessed and appreciated Thanksgiving day.

Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday, November 23, 2005-8:47PM Arizona Time
Jan Writes:
Today was such a special day! This morning Pat and I had our monthly meeting with the oncologist, who immediately noticed how much better I was looking than the last time we'd met. He also informed us the the liver enzymes are getting better. We are hopeful!
This afternoon my friend Sandy made a delivery from my school, Zuni Hills. The special ed teachers bought a beautiful flower basket that matches my table cloth perfectly, so is now the Thanksgiving center piece. The students' gift is what took my breath away. The art therapist had the kids make paper mache hearts, all painted with diffferent colors, and filled a box with them: "A Box of Love." Each heart was unique, and I could feel the love in every one. We become teachers because we love children, and the best reward is that the children love us back!
This evening I enjoyed another slow, short ride on my trainer. I close my eyes sometimes and pretend I am riding on one of my favorite routes. Then I open them again to watch the Suns game, which today was another special event: another win, two in a row!
To all my friends, families, and unknown supporters who visit this blog, I wish you a safe, Happy Thanksgiving filled with many blessings.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Tuesday, November 22,2005 8:28PM Arizona time.
Jan is now back on her regular anti-emetic medication routine, so today she felt pretty good most of the time. Her hair is beginning to fall out in big clumps,so after Thanksgiving day,she will probably rush mother nature just a little bit by shaving her head. Otherwise, it is standing room only when competing with the fallen hair for a place to sit. Jan also rode her bike on the trainer for 30 minutes this evening, and she feels "real good". To quote Jan "I really enjoy the good times and the simple things".
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Monday,November 21,2005-8:39PM Arizona time.
Jan's day had a rough start with more nausea and vomiting. She had decided to experiment and didn't take the anti-emetic medication Meclazine for the two days prior to this one. Its the kind of experiment that tells her the medication is working.That is one experiment that has come to a happy end. The end of the day was much better than the beginning..
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Sunday evening, November 20, 2005- 7:01PM Arizona time.

Jan displayed her competence at mechanical skills by assembling her new bike trainer. She insisted on doing it herself, and by golly, she did a really fine job. The irony is that after she completed the project, she was too tired to ride the bike that sat on the trainer she had just built.:) I think that her red blood cell count is getting low because she feels cold a lot of the time and is easily tired. She is beginning to lose her hair,and evidence of platelet loss is beginning to appear as her blood does not clot normally or quickly. All these effects are anticipated byproducts of the chemotherapy, and Jan is making the kind of adjustments that compensate for them. For example, she recently bought several woolen hats to cover her head after she loses her hair.
However, when all is said and done, it was and is a generally good day at the Thompson household; With one exception- it appears that some special dog "tenders" (treats for the dog) were mistakenly placed in our candy/treat cupboard, and that I inadvertently snacked on a few, unaware that they were intended for dogs and not humans. Veronica laughed herself silly when she learned of my ridiculous folly. Well, at least, I haven't started barking for my dinner......yet.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Sunday morning, November 20,2005-8:24AM Arizona time.

To the blogger who left the kind note about going on a bicycle ride for Jan, I offer my apologies. I quickly scanned for spam on the blog this morning and did not carefully read the text of your comments.
My daughter had seen the comments earlier and said that they were extremely kind.
My sincerest apologies for the very inappropriate delete of your thoughtful and caring words. Please feel free to post again, if the Spirit moves you.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your support and encouragement.
Pat(Jan's husband)

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Saturday, November 19,2005-10:50PM Arizona time.
Today Veronica and I enjoyed a wonderful mother-daughter quality time day. We drove to REI and picked up the bicycle trainer and a few warm hats for the cooler weather. I treated her car to a full gas tank, and then we had a bite at the deli at the mall. This evening I joined Pat to watch the Suns sadly lose again.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Friday,November 18, 2005-5:51PM Arizona time.
Jan spent most of the day writing numerous thank-you notes, and was frequently fighting back tears that probably found their way
into the words she wrote. She experienced a relatively healthy day,but still looks better than she feels. And so goes the third Friday of November-2005.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Thursday, November 17, 2005-6:56PM Arizona time.
Jan has a good excuse for feeling tired today. She visited her classroom and Zuni Hills staff for approximately 2 hours during the middle of the school day. She enjoyed seeing the students and their parents and had fun watching the students Thanksgiving Day program.The Zuni Hills staff also surprised her with a bag of helpful items and expressions of personal concern that overwhelmed her with feelings of gratitude and affection. She intends to personally respond to each person to let him/her know how touched she is by their very special showing of concern and support. Jan says "I just enjoyed being back in the positive atmosphere of Zuni Hills."
Pat

Jan writes: I just had a visit with Phil Stanfield from Country Meadows. He brought a basket of goodies, including a little puppy puppet that beeps Santa Clause is coming to Town. We will have fun with the pup and all the many odds and ends from our friends down South. Thanks, everyone. Also, Pat was not aware that I also had a gift bag from Parkridge, full of more wonderful items from wonderful people.

People will tell you that teaching will not make you rich, but I ask you, how rich am I? I am blessed with so many caring friends that I have been near tears many times today. Thank you for your gifts, certainly, but thank you above all for your hugs, and for your caring and praying.
Blessings to all,
Jan

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday,November 16,2005-7:08PM Arizona time.
Now I see, Jan of the wobbly knees. Many days off of your feet will sometimes lead to "sea legs". She is a little unsteady on her feet, and is hoping the "bike trainer" will be the item that allows her to ride her bike and gain some strength in her legs. No luck today in her search for one, but it is the kind of search she is very motivated to do, so I suspect she will be "in training" shortly. We like the fact that today was as good as yesterday, and yesterday wasn't bad, so we are looking for a better tomorrow-always!
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Jan Writes Again!
I continue to get stronger each day, despite frequent queasiness. Food is staying down, working through, and nourishing my body. I rest alot and focus on getting well. Tomorrow if all goes well, Veronica and I are going to do a little TLC shopping: a warm soft hat for my soon to be bald head, and a trainer for my bike. With the trainer, I can set my bike up to ride in the house or back on the patio, and no one will have to stay with me or wait worrying for me. For this, I thank the staff of Zuni Hills, who kindly collected their cash and donated to this worthy cause. The trainer will help me keep in shape and go at a reasonable pace, hopefully a big part of the healing process. If nothing else, it will cheer me greatly! Thanks, Zuni!

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Monday, November 14, 2005-6:20PM Arizona time.
Another OK average day. Jan continues work on her school project and rests a lot. Her digestive system is responding to her diet and medication regimen and the digestive process seems to be settling down. However, she isn't quite ready to run a 10K and/or bike a century. :)
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Sunday, November 13, 2005-5:56PM arizona time.
Another "iffy"day. Stomach upsets and back pain and not feeling strong enough for a walk in the evening. The graph line spikes up occasionally, but it generally rides low on the vertical axis. Jan is reading a book called "Comedy relief" and working on a school project.
Got to find a way to laugh yourself through the down days. So I will close with a smile. :)
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005-7:00PM Az. time
Tonight, Jan writes:
The day began a little iffy, but soon settled into a fine day. Veronica took me for a brief outing to the Posie Patch (small craft fair). I did laundry, worked on a project for my classroom, and rested. I think I am finally learning how to eat and drink and take meds to keep this liver under control. It was a gorgeous day in Phoenix, and we are all happy and well here.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Friday,November 11,2005-6:40PM Arizona time.
A better than average day today. No vomiting, some minor nausea and the binding side effect of the Zofran.This effect can create some
notorious peristalsis and painful cramps.Everything from Metamucil to Prune juice works for a not very happy remedy, but Jan is feeling better today than yesterday, and went shopping with Veronica this morning. All in all, a day worthy to be classified as routinely healthy, given her present circumstances.

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Thursday, November10,2005-6:21PM Arizona time.
The Zofran has a nice carry-over effect, and Jan in an oxymoronish sort of way was feeling maliciously good enough to join Veronica and I on our weekly trek to the grocery store. It is true that she wasn't able to sprint to the ice cream aisle, but she did sniff her way to the snacks and treat line, and yep, she bulked up. But as she exhorts me to report, all her buying was in the health food section. So good to see something so ordinary for most of us, most of the time, become so extraordinary meaningful for her-this time.

Thanks for your kind comments and continued prayer remembrances.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday,November 8,2005-7:11PM Arizona time.
Third session of "chemo" today in the first cycle of treatment. Each cycle consists of four sessions. Once a week for three straight weeks, then a week off, then a fourth session. We discovered today that they wait until after the 3rd cycle before they "scan" for progress because they want to make sure the chemicals have had the opportunity to effect a change.

Jan does a lot better on scheduled chemotherapy days because they increase her medications to offset the potentially disabling effects of the chemical (taxotere). So today she treated herself to chicken strips from KFC and a home-made ice cream sundae.
"Finger lickin" good, and thats about as good as it gets on a Wednesday with cancer...:)

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Tuesday, November 8, 2005-5:56PM Arizona time.
We picked up the anti-nausea medication,Meclazine, about noon today. The nurse practitioner prescribed it, but it turns out you don't need a prescription to buy or use it because it is an over-the-counter anti-emetic. Jan took the prescribed dose, and her lunch and dinner remain comfortably settled in her stomach. Yet, She still experiences some transitory "urpy" feelings. It appears that we have found a powerful, but not perfect remedy.
Tomorrow morning, Jan tackles the 3rd round of "chemo". It is amazing how many people share the chemotherapy experience.
The chairs fill up.....fast.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Monday, November 7,2005-6:06PM Arizona time.
If you read yesterday's blog, you already know what happened today. Like Arizona's weather, Jan's physical condition remains the same. Her state of mind is more like I wish her body would be-sunny and warm.
Jan will be trying two new anti-nausea medications beginning tomorrow- Meclazine and Regulan. Hopefully, this will be the antidotal combination that works for more than temporary relief from these upsetting symptoms. Another blood draw tomorrow and "chemo" on Wednesday.
Pat
Thanks Cole Grosland for those cute little jokes!

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Sunday, November 6,2005-5:26PM Arizona time.

The cycle of "good" days has ended. Jan generally feels sick most of the time, and when she doesn't need an emesis basin, she is nauseated and tired. Even phone calls which normally boost her spirits will now trigger episodes of increased nausea and vomiting. Tomorrow, we will contact Dr. Singh, and see if he can prescribe a medication which will offer more than casual relief from these symptoms. We are not sure, if the symptoms are the result of liver dysfunction and/or a reaction to the pain medication and chemotherapy she is receiving.

I am hoping that the doctor will have some kind of clue and,at least,be able to offer some kind of palliative remedy.

Thanks for your continued prayers.
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Saturday,November 5, 2005-6:06PM Arizona time.
"Routine" is sometimes a word not easily appreciated by those who crave excitement and/or are looking for a thrill to punctuate the boredom of a less than exciting life. However, I must say that I couldn't be more happy with jan's latest daily routine. Although she doesn't feel normally healthy, she at least doesn't feel terribly bad. She is able to eat and enjoy a meal, and experience and share some happy and joyful connections with family and friends. And she has a Hope and a belief that her life will get better.These are the seemingly insignificant events and small joys that in circumstances like this really become big miracles..
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Friday, November 4,2005-5:55PM Arizona time.
Jan spent a lot of today sleeping and only had one unhappy episode with the "barf" bucket. The day could probably be best characterized as a low energy day for her, although she never really felt bad and/or very sick. Relatively speaking, an "easy" time...
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Thursday, November 3, 2005-6:01PM Arizona time.
It almost seems like we have gone from the Dark ages to the Renaissance in a few days that seem like centuries. Last week, Jan could hardly talk and slept most of the time when she wasn't feeling sick and/or experiencing a lot of pain. Today, the pain and nausea are under control, and Jan asked to go for a short bike ride. She really doesn't need to ask me if she can take a bike ride, but I have to accompany her because she is taking a narcotic medication to suppress the pain. However, I was concerned that she wanted to expend more energy than was really available to her. So I compromised and agreed to ride along on a trip that was less ambitious than the one she had originally planned. The story ends with an "Alls well that ends well". To be honest, it all does seem rather miraculous.

After next weeks chemotherapy, I think we repeat the "scans" to see if the tumor has shrunk and/or been destroyed. It is a sizable mass, so even some reduction in size would be significant.

Jan will probably lose most of her hair in the next month and her immune system will be severely compromised by the loss of white blood cells(the body's infection fighters). She is a person who normally has an abundance of healthy energy, but now she must struggle to manage her physical resources in ways that won't leave her feeling tired and exhausted most of the time. And she must avoid situations that would expose her compromised immune system to diseases etc., it could normally handle with ease.
She is reasonably sensitive to the messages her body sends her, so I expect she will make the lifestyle adjustments most consistent with maintaining as good as health as possible under the circumstances.

Continued gratitude for your kind thoughts, prayers and good wishes,
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday, November 2, 2005-6:05PM Arizona time.
"I never promised you a rose garden", the song says. But for the last two days Jan feels like she has been living in one. She continues to be pain and nausea free. Even today after the second round of "chemo", she jumped out of the "chemo" chair and found a vanillia shake that was better than the "cat's meow". There is definitely a positive turn of events here, and she is showing improvement that I would not have anticipated a week ago. Wonderful prayers and the power of grace unfold before our very eyes..
Thank-you!
Pat

WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Tuesday, November 1,2005- 5:00PM
Hooray!Hooray!-Jan has kept everything "down" today. The strategy of eating before taking the pain medication appears to be working. Consequently, she is feeling a lot better, is nausea free and taking a lot of naps. This is her best day in several weeks. Its time to smile big and often :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)-Ok, I got a little excited and went overboard, but it was that kind of day!
Pat