Chemo Has Begun

Hello to all of Jane's friends and family. My name is Robin, and Jane has asked me to post this blog with updates about her progress in this newest challenge.

For those who are not all the way in the information loop, the cancer has returned to Jane's lungs and she has begun a new course of treatment with a drug called Topotecan. The course of treatment involves a one half hour drip three Mondays in a row, followed by one week off.  The plan is to do this through January.

The goal of this particular drug is to reduce the size of tumors and hold the disease at bay. The primary side effect of Topotecan is to reduce white and red blood cell counts and to reduce platelets. If that occurs she will have to take shots to bolster bone marrow production and may need platelet transfusions...or it may simply slow down the pace with which she can take to treatments.

Jane has been fighting this thing for 8 years and does not intent to give up the fight now (Irish...stubborn...fiesty).  She never fails to credit the unending support of so many friends and family members.

As to the impact of the first treatment (yesterday)..... the treatment is much, much shorter, so that is great. Today would be the day she begins to feel kicked from it and it probably will be fatigue more than anything else.

Emails, cards and prayers are much appreciated...and you know how she loves to laugh.  Probably shouldn't laugh in prayer though...I used to get in a lot of trouble for that!!!!

Stay tuned,

Robin

First Blog

Hello to all Jane's family and friends.  This blog has been put together to allow everyone to keep up-to-date with how Jane's cancer treatment is progressing.