Perfect Match!!!!!

Another day of sunshine, feeling good and GREAT news. I just got a call from Keith and he is a perfect stem cell match. That's my boy! :) I've always thought he was a pretty cool guy, and now I know why, he has the perfect genetic make-up! ;)
Thank you so much for everyone's prayers, I know that many of you have been praying for this match and through Keith, God has answered our prayers! His goodness and faithfulness continues to bring me to tears.
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE AND A FUTURE" ~Jeremiah 29

Day 15 - What the heck, 9.3!!

Hallelujah, praise God. I've been feeling really good the last 2 days, no fevers and nothing grew on the cultures from Monday so I'm done with IV antibiotics! This morning I drew labs and my WBC's were over 10x higher than 2 days ago!! (from 0.6 to 9.3). I asked the nurses if this was a normal jump from the bone marrow and they didn't really answer the question but through their obvious surprise said that it was probably due to a bone marrow booster that I received last week. Personally, I'm going to call it miraculous, they can call it whatever they want. I know who's truly the "Great Physician" and who will see me through this dark valley. (and you don't have to wait 4 hours for his appointments, but that's another discussion for another day - and more prayers for patience :)
I'm presuming that since my bone marrow has rallied so well that they'll keep me on track and start the next round of chemo at the end of next week, but I won't know that for sure until Monday when I see the doctor. Until then, I plan to enjoy the weekend, free of "neutropenic restrictions"! I think a little country dancing is probably in order! ;)
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Psalm 100: 5

Day 13 - More Drama

Good news: I was able to get a lot of sleep yesterday, my fevers seem to have subsided and I'm feeling better today than I have in a couple days. My WBC count remains very low, so I'm still at very high risk for infection, but that also means the chemo is doing what they want it to. My platelets finally fell below the 10,000 threshold so I got a platelet transfusion today. I spent over 4 hours in the clinic (but at least I didn't have to go to the hospital so we'll include it under "good news")
Not so good news: my arm has been achey ever since they put the PICC line in, but figured that was just par for the course, yesterday got a little worse so today we did an ultrasound of my arm. They found a clot in my arm pit so the PICC line had to be pulled. I've opted to just leave it out until the next round of chemo and between now and then will go back to normal blood draws... Hopefully the next one will be better.
Thanks for everyone's continued prayers and support, please be praying that we find the perfect stem cell match - should hear within the next week.

Results!

Janna's doctor at KU Med. today, drew cultures and ordered antibiotics. He then sent her home to rest and return tomorrow. She will update you on those results after that visit.

Ida May

Monday, 2/22, Day 12

Just a quick note, after a pretty good weekend, I rechecked my blood work today and I still haven't started the rebound :( WBC - 0.2. In addition, I started to run a low grade fever so the doctors want me to come into the clinic. Hopefully they won't put me in the hospital, but we'll see. I'll try to update later this afternoon. Love, Janna

Not quite home...

Quick update, I went to the doctor today and learned that the chemo is "working"- my WBC's have dropped to 0.6 which means I need to start being a little more careful: avoid crowds, special diet... I figured I'd be safe in church but he specifically said "no" to that one :( He guessed that my numbers would continue to drop for several more days before they started to rebound and predicted that I'd need a platelet transfusion early next week. (Didn't tell him that I was playing flag football and volleyball last fall with platelet counts much lower than where they are now). Anyway, I feel good and if it wasn't for the labwork, would have been none the wiser. I still hope to be in my own bed before the end of the weekend! Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. -Exodus 14:14

At home... kind-of (Day 8)

It's good to be back in KC! We made it home safely Tuesday night and I've been sleeping at Mom and Dad's since they said it would be a good idea not to be alone until I hit the low point following the chemo (usually Day 10). Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to start sleeping in my own bed!! I've been feeling pretty good and have been able to go to work the past 2 days. God willing, I'll just keep getting stronger from here - 1 foot in front of the other, 1 day at a time! Will update if things change (or if I get inspired - watch out)

Kansas City or Bust!

God is good and thank God for my extra special kid-o prayer warriors! I've always believed that God hears children in a special way.
After a weird/scary reaction to a med last night, I had a decent night sleep, and woke up with an appetite for the first time in 4 days, and I've finally been cleared to go home today! - God is Good. I plan to stay with Mom and Dad until we see where my blood counts go and how I feel. If I feel tomorrow, like I do today, watch out Village Peds! ;)

I sought the Lord and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
- Psalm 34:4

Day 5- 25% done!

I can't thank everyone enough for all your prayers and support. God never fails to amaze and humble me.
I just finished up the final dose of chemo for this cycle so now I just have to wait for some protective medicine to run through the IV over the next 24 hours and then they should discharge me tomorrow afternoon. In honor of the Valentines holiday, I decided to turn red with a nice rash, but nothing they were to worried about and then all day today I was seeing red as they gave me my first blood transfusion to boost my red blood cells. All seems to have gone well, not feeling too bad, and I'm glad to say that if things go according to "plan" then I'm 25% done with chemo and that much closer to winning this battle.
God bless you all!

New blog features

Hi all,

There are new elements to the blog.

1) Inspiring messages

Instead of using comments on each update--post your messages to Janna here.

2) Helping Calendar

Events/tasks for helping Janna. Soon we'll have more entries posted here that will need volunteers. We'll announce this sort of information on the Friends of Janna Group.

3) Tech Help

Sometimes things on the web are a bit confusing. We'll help out with some answers here. If you've had any trouble posting a comment to the blog, check here for help.

4) Updated layout

I'm sure you could tell already, but the layout has changed. If you see any problems, please contact me. (See Tech Help)

Day 4

Thank you to everyone for all the prayers, especially the intentional ones to end the fever- they worked. It got as high as 104.5 yesterday afternoon and then as quickly as it started, it ended last night about 7. The chemo is definitely succeeding at knocking down my blood cells. My WBC's were 0.4 today - hope they rebound as quick as they drop! Overall feeling ok today, have a bit of a headache and food still isn't top on the priority list. If I can stay fever-free, the plan is still to head back to KC late Tuesday.
His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.
- Song of Solomon 2:6

Day 3

Janna enjoyed visits with Maria and Katie last night (2/12). The surprise baskets were fun. We will wear our TEAM JANNA bracelets proudly. Thanks Katie!

However, it is a rough day today. Janna's immune system has already bottomed out and she has been running a high fever since last night (104.5). They are suspicious that there is an infection in her blood stream and have started antibiotics. We are grateful that the migraine has gone away for now.

Tune in tomorrow...it will be a better day!

Ida May

Day 2

Answered prayer: no significant side effects after Day 1! A little indigestion, but can't complain about that. The day seemed to go quickly with lots of visits from staff and going for tests to check my lung and heart function

Perspective of a Mom

Wish we had brought a camera yesterday to record Janna's progress through the hospital ... in a wheel chair, with a food tray on her lap, eating lunch! Or maybe the one where they are hooking up the chemo as she is eating the puppy chow (thanks Corissa)! So far her stomach of steel is holding its own. God bless you all for your prayers and amazing expressions of concern. Your friendship is a gift to be cherished on this long journey.
Mom
aka Ida May

Day 1

Glad to say tha we made it safely to Omaha (and were only 8 min late to the 9am appt :) They placed a PICC line which will provide "long" term IV access so that I don't have to continually get stuck for labs and have an IV in my hand. Unfortunately, that's all that has happened so far. (Gotta love the efficiency of the medical system- again, learning to wait on God's good and perfect timing!). I'll start my first round of chemo at 8pm and it will run until about 9am. I'll let you know tomorrow how the Stomach of Steel tolerates the first test. Spirits are hanging tight!
"So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 40:10

Omaha called and I start treatments tomorrow. I have to be up there at 9am so Mom, Dad and I will be leaving KC dark and early! God willing, Day 1 will go well and I’ll have a stomach of steel! :)

Waiting

I wish I could tell you that I was safely in Omaha and done with my first 2 days of chemo, but I'm still in KC- waiting, and learning to be patient with the medical process. As a good friend told me, "God's timing is perfect" so this is all just part of the plan (but I'm still frustrated). Anyway, the current plan is to head to Omaha on Thursday, but I haven't heard from my nurse coordinator yet and it's currently 2:00 on Wednesday so who knows, plans may still be changing. Stay posted... ;)

- In His Will is my Peace.