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Introduction
Janet was diagnosed early January after undergoing many tests in December 2007. Her official diagnosis is small cell lung cancer which spread to her liver and bones by the time she was diagnosed.
Report created by: Sandy
Date: 01/20/2008 at 2:13 p.m.
Subject: Welcome
| As you know, Jan will be starting treatment this week (1/23). Her spirits are high and we are all so appreciative for the encouraging support of family and friends. We know you are all praying for her and that means so much. Hopefully, this web site will be a easy way for us to keep you updated through out the process. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/17/2008 at 06:41 a.m.
Subject: surgery
Last night Jan had emergency surgery to repair a ruptured bowel. She made it through the surgery okay, but it will be a long road to recovery. She will likely be in the hospital for a while. Please pray for patience for her as she does not want to be in the hospital, but desperately needs to be there.
Bob and Megan will return to Minneapolis on Tuesday to take care of some things and then one and/or all will return soon. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/17/2008 at 7:07 p.m.
| Jan is still coming out of anesthesia - still pretty groggy. She is being checked out by every conceivable specialists. IV's are providing her nutrition and other systems are removing fluids and such. She is very bloated because they are giving her many IV fluids to keep her hydrated. She may not be up to visitors for a few days. I will keep you posted. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/18/2008 at 10:08 p.m.
Jan is still very weak. Wednesday they will force her out of bed so she can start to regain movement. She tried to sit up today, but could not do it for long. She is on heavy pain meds - which are making her confussed at times - and quite silly at other times : )
Wednesday she is also scheduled to have her lung drained.
Many of you have expressed a willingness to help out in any way. We appreciate the outpouring of support. Right now there is not much to be done. Wayne has been coming over regularly to have dinner with us so most of the time there is no one at their house so food is not needed right now. I am sure when Jan returns home, meals will be helpful. Thank you. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/19/2008 at 8:58 p.m.
Subject: lung
Today Jan had the fluid removed from her lung. The procedure went well. The nurses sat her upright off and on today. Her pain has reduced somewhat and she is starting to think more clearly.
I have had a few questions concerning the name of the hospital because I keep referring to it as GVH - sorry about that. It is Grandview Hospital in Sellersville, Pa. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/20/2008 at 8:51 p.m.
| Jan is doing better each day. She is very slowly getting more energy and strength. Today she was moved out of ICU. |
Report created by: Wayne
Date: 03/21/2008 at 1:37 p.m.
I was with Jan this morning. She continues to improve each day. The Dr. has removed one drainage tube and reduced the amount of oxygen that she is receiving. She is on a clear liquid diet and her stomach is accepting the liquids with no ill effects. Her attitude is so incredibly positive that it is infectious. She lifts the spirits of all who enter the room.
Jan and I thank all who have sent notes and prayers. They have helped. We especially thank Sandy for keeping the postings current. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/25/2008 at 06:52 a.m.
Just checking in to tell you everything is about the same. She is still weak but tries to move around everyday. She is being very patient and content at the hospital and has a good attitude.
A letter/phone call will be coming to the piano students as she has made the decision that she will not be returning to teaching. Ever the teacher, she knows the students should not be going this long without a lesson ; ) |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/29/2008 at 08:20 a.m.
Subject: home
| I has become apparent that chemo is no longer an option. Jan has grown so weak that she cannot get out of bed. Her mind is just as strong as ever, but she is tired and would like to come home and be peaceful as she receives visits from family and friends. I know this is a hard thing to read and accept, especially as quickly as this has all happened. We are so appreciative of the prayers and support from you all. Please continue to pray for comfort, peace and acceptance. Thank you. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/30/2008 at 5:01 p.m.
Subject: home pt 2
I have to start this out with the ending first - Today Jan is doing well.
Saturday morning Jan had internal bleeding which was pretty severe. We alerted Megan and she and Bob and Max flew home and arrived to the hospital by 1 am. We all camped out at the hospital for what we expected were her last hours. She was still clear minded but very tired and expressed her will to go to sleep and not wake up anymore. She slept most of the night as the bleeding slowed by morning. She woke up alert and hungry. The current plan is to send her home under hospice care tomorrow (Monday). She is happy and excited to come home. We do not know how long this new "high" will last. We are taking it one day at a time and some days it is one hour at a time. Thank you all as your prayers were felt by us last night.
PS- what a wonderful family I have the privilege to be apart of. We have all pulled together and are holding each other up. They have all been so strong and courageous. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 03/31/2008 at 7:18 p.m.
Subject: home at last
| It was a long day, but the ambulance brought Jan home at 6:00 pm. She is having a hard day and is very tired and very weak. She is comfortable and pleased to be home. Hospice is coordinating her care and will come by daily or as needed. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/02/2008 at 11:27 a.m.
| Jan's condition is holding steady. She is settled in at home and seems to be comfortable and relieved to be home. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/04/2008 at 9:01 p.m.
| Tonight the family got to have an evening of sharing, laughing and praying together. Jan was awake a pretty talkative for a few hours this evening and we were able to make the most of it. Every day is a gift. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/05/2008 at 7:26 p.m.
Tonight Jan was asking me what I have been putting on the web site lately. She asked me to relay to everyone how happy she is to be home. She feels it has made a big difference for her to be able to see nature, be around family and to see Tanner and Tori playing out side her window. Towards the end of the night, Bob walked in the room eating a bowl of ice cream. She perked up and started asking questions about the ice cream. She decided she would like a few bites. It was an orange cream flavor. It tasted good to her and made her remember back to elementary school when they were allowed to leave the school at lunch and walk to the drug store for a creamsicle for 5 cents.
Thank you to everyone who has provided a meal. It has allowed Megan and I to be more like Mary instead of Martha during the evenings when Jan is awake and alert ; ) |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/06/2008 at 8:22 p.m.
| Pastor Keith (Deep Run Presbyterian) came to the house tonight to give a private communion for Jan and the family. It was a very special experience for all of us. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/07/2008 at 7:43 p.m.
| Today Jan was very tired and slept most of the day. Her vitals seem to be holding steady. She reads over her cards daily and enjoys heraing updates from friends and family. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/08/2008 at 7:33 p.m.
Today was another quiet day. She slept most of the time. She is very weak. She is on medication to assist her with comfort and peace as she finishes out her final days. Her body is starting the process and she has expressed a desire to not fight anymore. The following verse has helped her as she made this decision...
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" II Timothy 4:7
Many of you have asked to come see her. Jan and the family have decided to keep these final moments that we have together private. We hope you understand. The greatest support you can give her at this time is to pray for her to pass quietly as is her prayer.
I will continue to keep you posted. |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/09/2008 at 1:06 p.m.
This morning Jan passed away quietly in her home. We thank you all for your prayers which have been felt in her peaceful passing.
I will post service information when all the arrangements are made. Tentative date will be next Friday or Saturday (4/18 or 4/19). |
Report created by: sandy
Date: 04/10/2008 at 4:05 p.m.
Subject: service
The memorial service has been set for Saturday, April 19th 11:00 at Deep Run Presbyterian Church. The service will be officiated by both Pastor Keith Crawford-Roberts (DRP) and Pastor John Hessler from Calvary Chapel. A luncheon will follow the service.
I would like to thank everyone for your condolences by way of messages, cards, calls, food and of course prayer. It has meant so much to us to see and hear how Jan has touched so many lives.
We are grieving but we are also laughing. It helps to have seen how ready and prepared she was to go as she was secure in her salvation through Christ.
It has also helped Wayne to have Max in the house and to see proof that while there is death there is also birth and life.
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