We have not updated everyone for a long time, so we apologize if this entry leaves some gaps. But, be sure to read all the way to the end for the BIG family news.
Presently, (October 15th) Jeanne has been enduring much discomfort from the side effects of the chemo drug, Xeloda. She has developed redness on her hands and feet, so severe it is difficult to walk, and her hands are leathery. And, she has not been able to eat solid foods for a week due to extremely painful mouth sores and thrush. She has been taking some drugs (fluconosol and nyastatin) to treat it. We have seen a slight improvement with her mouth sores, in the last few days, but not yet with her hands and feet.
We appreciate your prayers and thoughts as she perseveres through this time.
Since the last posting in August, 2007:
In the last posting, Jeanne mentioned the chemo drug Doxil was showing good results. The scans in late September, however, showed it was beginning to lose its effectiveness. So, in early October, it was replaced with Taxotere and Xeloda. For those of you counting, this is her fourth chemo combination.
Taxotere is a heavy-hitter among chemo drugs, and the side-effects may be more pronounced as well. Xeloda is an oral drug, which Jeanne was on almost three years ago. The doc is hoping the cancer has not built an immunity to it if its combined with a different companion drug.
Everyone in the family is pitching in to help when Jeanne is not feeling good. One thing we are learning is the daily nature of a chronic disease. It requires us to plan ahead, and to be flexible when those plans need revisions.
The big news is (drum roll please!) ......
Our oldest daughter, Nicole, is engaged to be married! The big day is February 22nd, 2008. The lucky guy is Christopher Zimmerman. If I say much more, he and Nicole will be embarrassed for all the attention. So, I will leave it at that...for now.
Thank you,
Pat Hazleton
