Update on Joanna

Wednesday, February 28, 2012

Joanna’s first chemotherapy treatment was yesterday (Monday, February 27).  Every two weeks, Joanna will go through the same routine.  She will go into the hospital where they will access her veins through her port.  She will carry home with her a * portable pump that will slowly administer the chemo over the next two days.  Then she will go back to the hospital and have it removed.  The chemo is not the same regimen that is given to breast cancer patients, so she will not be losing her hair for quite awhile.  Dr. Logston said that most people are able to go through this type of chemotherapy and still continue to work.

I did receive this note from Joanna on Monday evening after she was finished with her treatment.  “Hey, we're on our way home.  I wanted to let you know that the chemo makes me cold-sensitive, meaning I can't drink cold stuff or touch cold stuff because it will make those areas exposed to cold to feel like they are numb.  They said if I drink cold stuff, it will make my throat feel like it is closing up even tho it's not.  For example, when we walked outside to get in the car, the air was brisk, and my fingertips immediately started to tingle and feel like little pins were going in them.  Also, the nurse said the steroids they gave me today will make me feel more energetic for about 48 hrs, and then it will feel like I got hit by a truck.  Well, I'd like to play the piano Wednesday, but the Lord is going to have to help me make it through that.  I'd love for people to pray that I can play for church Wednesday.  We'll see.  So, it sounds like the worst of this chemo is about two days down the road. =(  Thanks for everyone's love and concern!”

This morning, I received this note from Joanna’s sister.  “Joanna got up at 1:30 A.M. with nausea but didn't heave.  And up at 5:30 A.M. with pain.  She said the * pump makes a little noise every now and then which disturbs her sleep but doesn't totally wake her up.  She said she feels "different" today but can't describe it.  She ate quite a bit last night which made us happy.”

Thank you for remaining interested and prayerful concerning Joanna.  Your praying for her means everything.  This chemotherapy treatment is the first of twelve to be administered over the next six months.

Again, if you would like to send correspondence to her via e-mail, send it to:

joannajax@timberlinebaptist.org

If you would like to send something through the mail, please send it to:

Joanna Jackson
Timberline Baptist Church
512 Canon Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO  80829

These updates are also posted on our website.  Simply go to http://timberlinebaptist.org and click on “JoJo’s Updates.”  There, you will find everything I have sent out so far with the most recent one at the top.  Be sure to refresh your browser page to make sure you get the latest update there.

Thank you, and God bless you,

Pastor Dan Parton

Prayer request

I have a dear friend, Joanna, from my home church.  She's 41, and she was recently diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer, which has metastasized to her liver and lungs.  I can tell you from experience that my church family will support her through this, and her parents and siblings are a part of her support system, as well.  She's single like me.  Jo had surgery a couple weeks ago to divert her colon and do a colostomy, and her recovery has been slow, difficult and painful.  Monday, February 27, she will begin chemotherapy. 

May I beseech you to please pray for my friend and my 'family' (my home church) through this crisis?  It's been very difficult not to be with them through this time.  Thank you so very much.

Car troubles

Today I went with the other Becky to take her Doberman puppy to the vet.  He’s a real cutie – still has puppy breath!  Unfortunately, he’s pretty sick right now, and they’ve been taking him to get IV fluids.  It’s about a 40-minute drive to the vet.

The vet was giving Becky information regarding what is wrong with the puppy, but Becky isn’t medical, so some of what he was saying wasn’t clear.  He thought she didn’t understand French so he starts talking to me.  Now that’s a hoot!  She’s been here since 1995 and I’ve been here 3 months. 

As we left the office and were approaching the truck, we both heard a loud crack, as if someone hit the car with a rock.  There wasn’t anyone around, but when we walked to the driver side of the car to put the puppy in the back seat we both heard the hissing of the rear tire.  As I inspected the tire to figure out where the puncture was, I found that the valve stem was dry rotted and had ruptured – the air was hissing like a cat!  I’ve never changed a tire on a 4x4, so I asked for the manual to see if there were any special instructions.  When I started laughing, Becky told me not to laugh – asked me what I thought was so funny.  I said it struck me funny that two English speaking women are standing in French speaking West African trying to fix a truck with a manual that’s written in German!  Anyhow, I stuck my finger on the valve stem and compressed it against the rim while Becky looked for some duct tape, which thankfully she found.  After a few pieces of duct tape the leak stopped, we got in the truck, prayed for safety and drove home without any trouble.  Now that’s another first for me!  Incidentally, I am posting this 3 weeks after the event (yes, I’m still having internet issues!), but the same thing happened to Bob the following week.  Different tire, and he had to change the tire out, but thankfully he had just pulled up to the house when it happened.  The Lord sure looks out for us ladies!