I was just diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer. From what I am understanding, this means it was caught early on and my chances are really good. I see an oncologist on tuesday to talk about my options for cure/recovery. Since it may require surgery, chemo/radiation, or a combo of these, I do not know how long I will be away from Caedes. I will miss you all, and ask that you please save me some beef from the BBQ and Tractor Race...and whatever you do, don't let Keith do a table dance at the picnic!!! I will check in as my health allows and will keep you updated on how I'm doing. XOXOXO ~Jenn~

Hey Jenn...I hope you get better soon!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you ... (*places lampshade on his head*)

hope you get better soon.. I'll miss you

Get well soon.

I'm sorry to hear that, but good thing you caught it early... get well real soon.

Aw, hun! I hope your better soon! You'll be in my prayers.xxxx

Big hug from me Jenn ! You'll be in my thoughts & prayers but I have high hopes since it was caught so early. You take care of yourself & know we send you our love & good wishes for a speedy recovery. But if you have to, buy a really awesome red wig ! Go into the hospital with style hon !
hugs !
Lauren

Wishing you well Jenn..

Yes ... stay in touch, and I take that as a promise.

Good luck ... and we are here for you. :))

Oh! Hope you get better soon Jenn!!! I will keep you in my nightly prayers! Remember that positive thinking really does wonders!

much love,
-Cat

You take care Jenn! My thoughts and prayers are with you also..=)

Thanks to all of you. I love being a part of this wonderful Caedes family, and fully intend to be back in prime form and ready to abuse chikin lovers. I've said it to Les and Kim, and want you all to know that I am one stubborn bitch, and do not intend to give up easily (see being stubborn IS a good thing). I mostly wanted to explain now why I may not be around, and to say I will miss you guys...but do plan to be back to give you all hell, as soon as I can. Seriously, your love and support means alot to me, and I really appreciate it. I'm glad I've met such wonderful people here, it's your support that will help me get through this. So thank you guys.

Take good care of yourself Jenn, do what the docotrs say and we will be looking forward to seeing you real soon! (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))) !!!

All the best Jenn.. you will be in our thoughts and prayers.. one good thing.. they found it early so that is great... We'll miss you so hurry up and get back... =)

Hey, so you can meet my cheering section in this...besides you guys who are amazing, and thank you...I have posted 2 pics. One is my son Robbie as a wee thing called "Ice Cream Face" and the other is of my daughter and husband taken a couple months ago at Disneyland called "A Princess and her Knight". Neither are great artistic works of art, although in my mind, kids don't come any more gorgeous than the twins (it's a mom thing I'm sure)and they are my work of art...but I really just wanted to share my family with my Caedes family.

sorry to hear you're goin through this Jenn, and congrats on catching it early. Pullin for you to make it out the other end w/ur sanity 1/2 intact… wait… what am I talkin about? u don't have any sanity left 8•P

seriously, best of luck to you hon, give a shout if you ever need to just vent and blow up somewhere safe

Nope, no sanity here...that's what I get for hanging out with you wild and crazy folks!!!! But I can't think of a better place to lose my sanity at.

I resemble that statement. :PPP

Ok, so I had my oncologist/gynocologist appointment today...and the doc was a real asshole SOB. He did a very harsh exam with no concern for my discomfort, then told me get dressed and go back to his office, where he promply declared (read: load a shotgun, point and shoot) that I am not a stage one but a stage three...surgery was out of the question and I had a 30% chance. Bang! Then he said that he wants me to go back under anasthesia so he can do a proper exam to determine my actual stage...but wait, he just declared me a stage 3 and now says he needs to do a better exam...yes, my thoughts exactly. Then although various cat-scans, ultrasounds and so on DO NOT show it, and he just did a basic exam, he declared that it was now also vaginal (which by the way is quite rare)...he then went on to say that cancers do not grow this rapidly and that it was impossible for my doc who was all up in my biz last week and DID NOT see or feel what he claims, to call me a stage one...but wait...cancers do not grow that fast...HUH? So I will jump through his hoops for now, but my uncle who is a GYN is asking some collegues to see me...so I may go to the Bay Area soon and get another opinion. This doc today had already had his mind made up, didn't listen to me, put through a very painful exam without any care for my pain, then drops a bomb on me, then declares he needs a better exam to determine my stage for certain...
Can we say major asshole with issues!!!
I am not taking his diagnosis as the "word of God" and if sheer willpower and determination were enough, then I am already ahead of the game...so I get a second opinion, but in the meantime, I will go on in my own Pollyanna way and basically consider that new doc a quack. By the way, he has written MANY papers about various cancers and teaches a class on it. What is that saying about those who can't, teach. No offense to any teachers...just I get the feeling that his knowledge is more book than anything, and that he has become so desensitized that I am just another cancer patient to him...I say this because he used my name all of one time and that was in the beginning and looking at my chart.
So that is my update. If any of you have an inside with "The Big Guy", I'd sure appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me. I'm a bit out of faith at the moment.

Wow .. I don't know what to say .. You should, of course, get another opinion straight away .. there are a multitude of online information and support groups ONLINE that can answer your questions ... seek them out

My mother went through the chemo treatment a couple years back and she is doing good now

I'm with Keifer.. deffinitly a need for a second opinion there.

Sorry to hear about your illness.. my prayers for a quick recovery are out for you.

Best wishes to you Jenn. Hope to here from you soon.

You know you are in my thoughts and prayers. You also know that Fresno is not THAT far away for me. Keep us posted and again thank you for sharing the family photos. Explore all your options and get the best care that you can. Don't you want to see me in my red dress someday???

Check your watch. I think it's time to find a new doctor. Seriously, if what your saying is anything near accurate, how could you have any faith in such a person... I wouldn't put my health in the hands of someone like that. Good luck.

Don't let this one ... one ... individual shake your resolve.

Take that doctor out back and throw him the DUCK pond! That's where QUACKS belong!

Seriously, any doctor who is so insensitive to a patient both physically and emotionally, especially w/out saying "Here are the options that I think give us the best chance of beating this" shouldn't be treating anything more serious than removing Warts from the noses of Wicked Witches.

Run Jenn & get another opinion as fast as you can. From someone more patient friendly, more sensitive to your needs & concerns. Book smarts does not equal people skills & at the very least his are lacking. Go to someone who is concerned with the whole patient, including her emotional well being. This is an extremely traumatic event in your life & it effects the lives of everyone in your whole family as well, & you need someone sensitive to these multiple issues. Ask around, gets names & make calls. I'm here if you need me hon.

After much googling and research, I found a product that in clinical tests shows some great promise when used in conjunction with western medicine. It is called Cell Forte Max3 by Enzymatic Therapy. Anyway, I mention this because I have started trying it today, but if you know anyone with cancer who is openminded, they may consider trying this. In a few reports I read, some openminded western medicine docs are prescribing it to use with other therapies. I just got my taxes back, so while I try to find a kinder more gentle doc, and in the meantime see asshole doc, I will be trying these natural therapies. I'll keep you informed on how they work. I am journaling all of this and hope that when all is said and done, I can get help making a website for others who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer. BTW, I go under anasthesia tomorrow for asshole doc to do his exam...and in happy news, MY gyno said that she agrees he is an ass, but swears that on technical crap he's good...BUT insists that I find another doc since his bedside manner will have adverse effects on me...she also said that from her exam, at worst, she'd call it a stage 2.

I don't know you but I will pray for you.

Good luck today Jenn.

You will be in my thoughts. :)

Good news, my Uncle got me a gyno/oncologist in the Bay Area. It will be a week or 2 before he can see me, but he is a longtime friend and collegue of my uncle's...and apparently very friendly, smart as a whip, been doing this for 30 years or so, and willing to try to switch his schedule around so he can see me as soon as possible. At family functions, I have met some of my uncles's friends/collegues, and I have yet to meet someone who wasn't funny and warm and smart. But then my Aunt and Uncle are kinda hippie folks to begin with...very laid back, funny, warm, openminded, creative...etc...so it is only natural that their friends would be great (I think).

So, right now I am on my way to go under anasthesia and let jerk doc poke around, wish me luck...and that he will be thorough yet a bit more gentle than in the office visit I had with him. I'll update you later. Hugs and Kisses.

Good luck Jenn....hugs & kisses right back hon ! Plus a ton of love

All my best, Jenn.. Wishing you well..

Again, Fresno is not that far away. If you want to, E mail me and you can call me for emotional support. I can give over the phone bed time stories to the kids. I used to give a different version to my hubby when we were dating. I can send Trader Joes or Mother's care packages with Peets coffee in them. Girl, you know I am here for you!!

Thank you Kim, and as always, you ROCK!!! Well, I got awesome news today...first, jackass doc made a BIG and way off prediction when he said stage 3...turns out there was a lot of dried blood and cells that had formed charcoal type clumps and he thought that originally THAT was tumor...so under anasthesia today, he "hosed" me out, then examined (MY doc who is awesome told him to hose me out) and found that it was not what he thought. He staged me at a stage 1B2...and the cleaning of my area released alot of pressure and pain that I was in. Good news number 2, is that my uncle got me an appointment on March 15th with a friend and collegue who from my medical charts I faxed, thinks that surgery may still be an option BEFORE radiation and chemo. And news #3, those vitamins I bought at Whole Foods (that I talked about above) after only 2 days of using them 3x/day...I am already feeling more energy.

So thank you everyone for all your prayers, I think they are being heard. A huge weight has been released in finding that while it is a far stage one, it is still only a stage one! I am so blessed to have such an awesome family here at Caedes, and the supposrt you guys have given me means SO MUCH. Thank you all, again! I see tthe radiologist tomorrow for a consult, and will discuss how it will or won't affect my shot at a possible surgery in 2-3 weeks, and if it can wait that long so that I may get my second opinion. BTW, the doc my Uncle referred me to, is apparently one of the leading gyno/oncologists in the NATION, he apparently is one of the first to hear about/know/try the newest treatments, and teaches them nationwide, as well as having his own thriving Bay Area practice...so his opinion will be valuable.

Anyway, that is my update for now. Much love to you all.

awesome to hear Jenn, we're all still here pulling for you. 8•)

Now ... that is some good news.

Nothing a good hosin' can't fix, I always say. Yes, back to the regularly scheduled insanity, here at the home. :P

(p.s. Hope the day goes well. :) )

Jenn I'm so happy for you !! This is terrific news ! Big hug hon ! I hope all your news is just this wonderful !

I have been beamed up by aliens and am being turned into a human pin cushion!!! Ok maybe not, but it sure feels like it. The process is moving very quickly, at an insane pace...I am having trouble knowing which day it is...and am looking forward to this weekend. Some of you already got this update...but I'll re-tell it...

Yesterday I went under anasthesia and got staged at a 1B2, today I saw the radiology doc, tuesday I see the chemo doc, somewhere in that time frame I will get a few blood transfusions (it's always good to donate, now you know why, and I am glad I always have)...then on the 15th it's off to the Bay Area for a second opinion, and if he agrees to the chemo/radiation process, then I'm back in Fresno on the 16th to begin the process...which will be 5x/week for 5 weeks.

So it is really moving VERY quickly, and I am getting swiss cheese brain from the fast pace, but everything seems promising for a full recovery...just not looking forward to the process of getting to that recovery point. Guess I can't bitch much though, considering what doing nothing at all would get me...

So thank you again for all your well wishes and prayers and support...now if you could do something about my sanity...ah crap...that's been gone for a while...I live at Caedes!

here'syour update to all the drama in my life...like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives...

Ok, so I saw the chemo doc today who was awesome! She even said to definately get a second because she felt that surgery was still an option open to me, then after, low doses of chemo and radiation. My blood count is finally going up. I was at 8.9 last week, this week I am at 9.4...so still badly anemic, but the iron pils I'm taking seem to be working...they are called Repliva and are pretty new. So on thursday I go in for an IV of iron, on friday I get what is called a PetScan, which is supposed to give great details about the tumor, and if it is spreading and at what rate. On the 15th is my second opinion in Los Gatos (Bay Area), and we will just go from there.

For the record, I have one and only one good vein, which is used for blood tests, IV's all that...and that poor vein is sure getting a workout these days!!! Today they took 7 vials of blood...the irony being that the lower your blood levels are, the more (apparently) they take! I said that I am already low on blood, and they said they need to run more tests because of that, hence more vials...the medical profession...go figure!

So I have tomorrow off and then my insane schedule begins again...and to add insult to injury...I somehow screwed up my back because my sciatic nerve is acting up on me right now...when it rains it pours!! Oh...in other news...I am thinking about dying my very long auburn hair pink and purple...I figure I'm going through the end of this stage in my life, and about to begin a new stage, so go out sassy...besides, once chemo starts, I'm gonna lose it anyway (and it took me 4 years of pampering to get it to grow to almost my ass, don't that suck). So if I do dye my hair, even if it's a crappy cellphone pic, I'll post it for you all...I'll probably do hot pink on the underside, and a lavender on the top side...how ever I do it, it'll be groovy.

So that's my update...yes a novel it was...thank you for reading it, and again, thanks for all your love and support. ~Jenn~

Hmm, just read your horoscope for today Jenn ... something about staying away from magnetic forces or something.

This make any sense to you?

Take care, and as always, you are in my thoughts. :)

(p.s. Good luck tomorrow if I don't see you 'here.')

Well, I can always put on my superhero suit, then strategically put myself under a high, yet powerful magnet...scream "to infinity and beyond", and take flight. Of course getting un-stuck from said magnet will still require a bit of planning...but it could be fun for 5 minutes. Anyway I am off to see the vampires and spend 6 hours of boredom getting juiced up. I wonder if they offer intravenous Margarita's???

(*hand on the power switch of magnet*) ... say when ... oh, and don't worry ... there is a soft place here for you to fall ... always. :)

Personally, me ... I would go with some of Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Tequila in the I.V. . Oh yeah, that'll get you thumping your chest quick. ;)

Maybe you could journal your expereinces and sell them to a magazine to inspire and reassure others going through the same ordeal. I think you will be a hottie in pink and lavender hair and think with wigs, you could be a different woman every night......fun fun fun. Dont be afreaid to ask questions about everything being done. I will keep up on your progresss. You know I am here for you!!

good luck and let healing and great health come your way. God bless you

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Jenn. :)

awwwwwww. *tears up*. that's so sweeeeet.

(p.s. DITTO)

Thanks Les.
Ok, an update...I started radiation yesterday, and chemo starts next week...after 5 weeks of those, I get brachytherapy, then surgery.
I am doing well for the most part, and will check in as I can.

You'll be dancing the cha-cha before you know it ... and WE shall dance with you ... (*pushes Les forward*)



Since we are doing old blessings ..

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house

Olde George Carlin Blessing

Jenn - keep strong & positive in the face of all the docs throw at you. I had radiation and chemo therapy a few years back so all I can tell you that you don’t already know from what your going through is to keep focused and alert to the advice you are given and remember its just another one of life’s challenges that needs its ass kicking into touch as does anything in your usual routine that would cause unnecessary stress and aggravation. I know it’s easy to say it when your not there but be determined, the pains and discomfort will pass, don’t be afraid to question the docs on anything you don’t understand or aren’t sure of – they don’t like it but to hell with them if it puts your mind at ease. Make sure you are your number one priority right now and you will sail through it :-) take care and chat soon.

Jenn, I am thinking of you! Fresno is not really that far.....

Phil, thank you for sharing that. It's nice to know that some here have gone through the ringer and survived and thrived...it gives me hope for my recovery. Currently my toilet and I are becomming fast friends, I'm hoping that that will ease after a bit of time...although I start chemo next week and am really nervous that I will be living in my bathroom.

I really miss hanging out here, but just have not been feeling very well lately...I really just wanted to check in, say hello, pass out some hugs...and now I am off to bed.

*plumps Jenn's pillow for her*
*goes off to make a pot of tea*

We are all here for you and praying for you Jenn..

OK...well I am scheduled for my first chemo treatment tomorrow, so I am a bit nervous. The thought of barfing scares me more than the potential of losing my hair. I'm doing well for the most part, my hubby has been great playing Mr. Mom since I've been sick. I've met some lovely people at the cancer center, which is nice. Mostly I'm just chugging along. So that's my update...if you don't hear from me, don't be offended...I am a BIG weenie when it comes to tummy troubles...so if I do end up with the barf bag, I'll probably veg in bed and whine and cry for a few days. I'll update you as I can. Thanks again for all the wonderful encouragement, prayers, et al...

Best wishes , I hope that it is easy on your system. Let us know how it goes.

Remember to rest and listen and learn from the others on how to handle the chemo best.I know you are worried, but know that you are in my heart and I am happy to hear that hubby is doing well with the kids. We will look forward to your next posting when you are ready. You are braver than you think you are.

Take care of yourself Jenn & remember we love you & we're thinking of you hon .....You can do this, & if the chemo makes you sick, just remember that it will get easier hon. Hugs !

Yes, the past few days I have been MIA...
I had my first chemo treatment which I'd boldly thought I got through with no problem...ended up having a delayed reaction and spent the past 2 days praying to the porcelain god. I feel a bit crappy, but am still in good spirits. My second chemo treatment comes tuesday. Now that I know what to expect, I hope I get through it a bit better than this past treatment. The twins are doing well, and are always asking if they could rub my back or get me a snack. Rob has taken over the position of Mr. Mom, as well as dad, and I feel bad that he carries such a burden right now, but he is a trooper and knows that I couldn't do this without his love and help. So that's where things stand right now...I miss you all, and the fun on the boards...hopefully I'll be feeling better soon enough here, to come on and give you guys a hard time.

Nice to see you Jenn ... hang in there. :))

Yet another update in my insane life. Tomorrow (Monday 3/27/06) I get my radiation as usual, then a docs appointment followed by 2 pints. And I don't mean of a good dark beer. Apparently the blood transfusion my docs have debated over, was finally decided to be necessary. The iron IV they gave me 2 weeks back hasn't raised my blood count as much as they had hoped for. Then tuesday is my second chemo. Now that I know what to expect, hopefully it will go a bit easier. So I may end up going MIA again for a few days, so all I ask is that someone make sure to attack any cow lovers for me, and please, get Keith to sit out in the sun...Ol' mushroom head is looking pretty pale these days!

*runs hot water in Jenn's bath*
*adds luscious smelling silky bath beads*
*pours a glass of wine & leaves it on the rim of the tub*

*sneaks out so she thinks the elves did it*

Yay, lets hear it for those Caedes elves!!!
Calgon take me away, I am SO ready.

*sneaks in & adds some Godiva Chocolates from Secret Stash for Jenn*

Cuz everyone knows Chocolate cures everything......

Hugs Jenn

godiva chocolates and a warm bath...it may not cure everything but it is certainly the best cure for the soul! the blood transfusion went well...for all the times i have donated blood...i never thought i'd be on the receiving end of it. chemo in the morning...time to catch up on some reading and torment my nurses with my cheezy jokes...

Good luck with tomorrow's treatment Jenn..........xoxoxo

Today's Tuesday Jenn so I'm sending you a big hug & lotsa love hon .....I'll be thinking about you.