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Joy has managed to lose most of the IVs. and has been walking around the area several times a day.  She usually does 3 laps 3 times a day with the walker and/or IV pole and then sits in a chair for a while. Blood draw last night, and again this morning, showed elevated white count, so a CT scan revealed fluid build-up in the abdomen ... she is just now in surgery, having a new drain inserted for that.

Still no pathology report, but the doctor will be back from his annual 2 day vacation tomorrow, and he wants to discuss this himself, so tomorrow will be the predicted 5 days anyway .... have to remember there was a holiday and weekend somewhere in there ... We have become acquainted with most of the medical team here.... they are really wonderful people.  We were just told that our's is "such a nice family" and they really like us being here .... have no problem with us staying all day and late into the night.  That's what I do, anyway.

John has gone off on another of his drives, and Bryan is busy with his "war" games on line.   I've got my Kindle for the times when Joy is sleeping or I want to give her some alone time with John or Bryan.  She is so appreciative that we are here.  This is her whole family (3 generations ... mother, husband, and son )... she says she feels so badly for people who are here, far from home, with no friends or family near.

We are still perking along and will most likely be here another few daze ... chart shows estimated discharge date as 1/2/15 ... but this new wrinkle (fluid and drain) could change that.  Until there is an assurance nothing is leaking, she will not have anything by mouth.  Have to start off with clear liquids then advance from there, you know.  She won't be going home until she is eating and walking and well on the way to "normal"   At this point, the team continues to be amazed at her progress.  Whenever we go for a walk they just stand at the nursing stations and cheer! 

Jane, I am so pleased to read your posts of Joy's encouraging progress.  Praise God!

News from the doctor this morning is bad news, good news .... He said Joy had pancreatic cancer, but he got it all.  The biopsy from the area after the cancer was removed was benign -- no cancer in the surrounding tissue.  According to him, it will be another two weeks before she will be discharged from this hospital.  She was disappointed at that, but is a real trooper and wants to do all that is required to assure she never has to come back!  He wants to make sure she is strong enough to manage at home.  This will mean PT and diet manipulation.... she gets to start clear liquids today ... just ordered broth, jello and a popsicle ...

John has arranged for us to rent an apartment near here ... just past the parking garage so it will be within walking distance,(a looonngg walk) and we can avoid the $12 daily parking fee.  Looks like I'm going to get my exercise, after all! 

Can't help but think of Jean's battle with this same disease ... and at this very same time of year . Today is the anniversary of when she passed away   Joy told me then, and has repeated it a few times since: "Mom, I promise not to die, You can't lose 2 daughters .... and I will keep my promise"   It has been a little worrisome these past couple weeks, whether that would happen, but it seems we got a do-over, and this time were successful.

A better ending to this old year  ... looking forward to a much happier New Year.

Thank you Jesus for the answer to prayers. Thank God that they got it all.

Thank you for the updates Jane.  Prayer continues!

Amazing Grace - that is what I thought about when reading your updates on Joy.  Her name says it all.  My best wishes to everyone in the family. 

Beautiful messages from you, Jane. I'm still praying for all involved.

Ruth Ann

A bit of a bustling, busy day again, and she is getting tired.  Took a long walk this afternoon and then sat in the guest lounge .... in a real chair, she says .... for over 2 hours because it was so comfortable and she was in a place that didn't look or feel like a hospital room.  A recliner where she could put her feet up and relax .... while John checked the Rose Bowl game ..... GO DUCKS!! 

Her liquids have been cut back, because there is still a "leak" somewhere and the idea is to empty the drains so she can have another scan to find out just where and what ... and treat it! 

Progress is progress and, whether slow or not, she is making progress .... much better than regressing, for sure.

I was awake in the night, Jane, and prayed for y'all.

Ruth Ann

Prayer continues, Jane!

The doctor was in to see Joy yesterday evening, while I was there, he says it looks like. Sunday for the next scan. 

She walked without any support, for the PT.  Also enjoys walking with us around larger and larger areas, then sitting in the lounge "just like real people!"  Her clear liquids have been taken away from her in preparation for the next scan on Sunday.  She can have water to take her Percocet, and must drink only 100cc per nursing shift... 8hours. She looked good yesterday and in good spirits.  The pain seemed to be managed better. She no longer has her"magic button" to push every 10minutes, and that had her a bit apprehensive, but she has the nurse's promise to get the pain meds to her on time so she can stay ahead of the pain.

I'm waiting for Bryan to get up,so we can go over to the hospital... This may take a while.

I am using his iPad at the moment, and trying to get used to it.  See y'all later ... I hope!!

May our Lord guide the hands of those performing the scan and the thoughts of all medical staff as they work with Joy.

Ruth Ann

It has been a while since the last update on Joy.  I came home from her house, in Twain Harte, Calif. on the 1st of February and have only had one phone call from her.  I did manage to get some messages on Face Book from her and some of her friends. They have kept me aware of her progress.  Some of the ladies from her church have been taking care of her.  The Monday Bible Study decided she needs her house cleaned "for at least the next 6 months" and they show up every Monday after Bible Study!  Another group are managing what they call the Food Train, and bring in meals a couple times a week.   

Joy can only manage a few bites at a time of anything (because her stomach is greatly reduced in size) but she is trying to eat frequently ... John has also stocked up on Protein Shakes for her ... She can manage them easier.  She sleeps a lot, but that is a good thing, also a side effect of her pain meds.

This is what she posted on Face Book last night:

I came to this land of Facebook today after a long trip to other parts of life. .. . reality, pain, Presence and beautiful friendships. I've decided this takes effort as does a phone call or a visit for me. SO, do not despair I am not gone, but I am renewed and still recovering from a very wild adventure through hospital and pain medication.. ONE thing...GOD was and is with me every step of the way, with every breath I take I praise HIM, for every one thing I could complain about, instead I find one hundred things for which and in which to be thankful. I am grateful. I will check in here from time to time, it is ever so easy to come here and spend the day, but for now, I am reluctant to spend the wee bit of energy that I have on this machine...I am tired already, must go for the nightly nap. truly love all you, my friends and family.

Good news Jane.  I will continue to pray.

Jane, thank you for that encouraging update.   

And may the good news continue!

Jane, I'm so thankful you are keeping us updated. May God bless you, Joy, and the family during this time of healing and recovery.

Ruth Ann

This is indeed great news.

Here's Joy .. exuding JOY .. sporting a new, sassy haircut and with her good friend from her church. 

She is awaiting the okay from her insurance company to go to Cancer Treatment Center of America.  If accepted, they will fly her and John to whichever center has the best program for her.  Otherwise, she will begin a 5 month course of chemotherapy.  She is working at avoiding that, and making sure she stays healthy and cancer free.... juicing and careful diet. 

Jane, there will certainly be prayers for her acceptance in Cancer Centers and for an appropriate course of treatment.  The photo is wonderful.   

I am so happy for you for answered prayer.

That will indeed be a great place for her to go to, Jane.  She looks so happy in the photo.  She's (and YOU) certainly been through a very difficult journey.

I just received this email from Joy ... You'll notice she is being kind referring to my fiftieth birthday ... also, Dot and Becky are both graduating from MTI on the 10th of April.

I'm needing to call you today, but I have several calls and appointments going on today. We have applied and have been accepted to The Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They are flying John and me out to their Illinois center on Monday for a three to five day evaluation. They may start their treatment right away and that means I would stay.

I have been ready to start chemo for several times already and each time something happens that it could not be started, maybe the CTCA will find another result... They are very nice people over the phone and they pay our way and accommodations and food.  I'm excited. Their whole focus is on my quality of life. So I will be out of state for your fiftieth birthday and maybe Dot's graduation too...but I need to get whole.

We appreciate your prayers, as always.  God is still in control, and we trust Him.

Praise God, Who always answers prayers!  I pray the blessings continue for you and your family, Jane.

May God bless Joy and you and your family. I trust she will receive wonderful treatment at the Center.

Ruth Ann

I just received this email from John.  He and Joy are at the Cancer Treatment Center in Chicago ... when they flew in there on Monday, the airlines managed to lose their luggage (including Joy's CPAP machine) and she wasn't feeling well.  Yesterday was a day of assessment and testing.  Today he posted that she had a bladder infection so no testing, only a CT scan this afternoon.  She had been to a pain management class and it was recommended she have a nerve block for the abdominal pain.   I guess the scan revealed the cause of that pain. 

Just wanted to write a personal update for you. Joy's cancer has metastasized to her liver which explains the pain. Treatment doesn't change from what it was before. Her tumor markers in her blood are extremely high but getting the chemo started should help that. We have been very frustrated with our local hospital in getting things going. Last time in they couldn't even get an IV started for a chemo treatment so we started looking at other providers. That's how we ended up here at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They are even paying for airfare and some of the hotel bill. In addition to chemo they provide acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition and other alternative medicine solutions. She will be flying out here regularly or to the center in Phoenix for treatments. The personnel here are fabulous. We have elected not to burden Bryan with this info as we think it would unduly trouble him and there is nothing any of us can do other than pray. I will call him when we have a plan from this facility which should be in the next few days and I will update you at the same time. I will stay in touch.

Jane, I am so sorry that things seem less positive right now, but I'm praying this is only a temporary glitch.  Our God will never fail us!  So we will redouble our prayers for precious Joy!  Love you!

Not encouraging, Jane.  But we know that our Heavenly Father is in charge.  Prayers continue. 

Here is John's most recent post on Facebook :


Joy update 4_1_15
Had a great day here, not just because of feeling better but because this facility is unlike anything I have experienced before. The people and attitudes displayed are simply incredible. We aren't patients but family that is sick and hurting. Don't know how else to describe. It. Joy is in a good place physically but is a little down tonight. About an hour ago I spun around in my chair here in the hotel room and caught my little toe on the spindle of the table and dislocated it. To make her day worse I made her reset it. At least it is pointing the right way now.


If anyone is suffering from a cancer or has a loved one diagnosed with it, give Cancer Center of America a call. These people are terrific. It is like being in one of their commercials. They approach this from a wellness perspective and treat with chemo,, nutrition, acupuncture, counseling and copious amounts of love and compassion. Everyday we ride a shuttle from the hotel to the hospital and listen to others going through similar circumstances. Some have been in treatment for months but all have amazing stories of hope and success. It is a blessing to be here. Our story will be great also.

She starts the day tomorrow with a pain block shot in her back to get the pain and nausea under control then meetings the rest of the day with different doctors and specialties. Her chest port goes in on Friday.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Our God is Glorious!

Thank you for posting this encouraging report!