Jill Update 10/25/07

Well, chemo is OVAH!!! Yahoo! Jill is feeling more herself again. She is anxiously waiting for the surgery (next Friday, Nov. 2nd) and wishes it could've been done and over with by now. Surprising to me in a way, since I figured she'd be dreading it, but she's ready to get it done and MOVE ON.

She's made friends recently with a young woman, Becky, in her same predicament (only with twin 1 yr. old boys) and has received encouraging news that Becky's recovery has not been too difficult after her double mastectomy. Not too difficult meaning not unbearable pain or complications. The practical part of not being able to lift anything over 5 lbs. is the tough part. How in the world do you take care of your kids and recover from major surgery? Family and friends will play a big part. We're ready!!

Thank you everyone for sending cards and other types of support. To Jill, the surgery is the hardest part of this whole ordeal, so keep the well wishes coming. We had an impromptu night for the girls at Keystone Lake last weekend to boost morale - kind of a Bye Bye Boobies party. Thanks to Mandi R. for the great idea. We're looking forward to the "Hello Hooters" party to which everyone will be invited.

Love,

Amber

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Is. 40:29

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PICS

Aunt Ber took Peyton for ice cream at Marble Slab (notice the booboo on her eye - a playground injury)

Peyton at the Riverwalk Crossing in Tulsa




Lainey looking a little concerned - No wonder, this is the Mike-Tyson-ear-biter pose from Jill ;o)

The view we girls had from the deck at Jill's friend Jennifer's lake house. We soooo enjoyed girl time! If you only knew...

A little Peach Schnapps is good for the body, say Tammy and Jill. (I tended to disagree the next morning ;)

Jill Update 10/6/07

Hi everyone,

JILL UPDATE

Jill is doing very well after her last chemo treatment on 9/21. She's feeling better and better each day. Last night we (Jill, Jerry, and I) went to see movie and had dinner afterwards while Mom and Dad kept the kids. She said she almost feels normal again. You know... What a whirlwind she (we) has had in the last 4 months.

This crazy summer of '07 is outlined here:

1) There was the diagnosis on June 5th

2) The aftermath (dealing with the scary thoughts about the upcoming events and her future)

3) Lainey's birth on June 11th

4) Chemo all day every 2 weeks - beginning June 15th

5) Head shaving on July 1st

6) Feeling bad physically and emotionally

7) Hat buying

8) Pharmaceuticals

9) Taking care of Lainey and Peyton

10) Oncologist appointments

11) Breast surgeon appointments

12) Periodic MRIs and PET Scans

13) July 4th celebration

14) Peyton's first day of Pre-K - Aug. 23rd

15) Jill's school starting

16) Race for the Cure - Sep. 19th

I would say that it has been the busiest summer I can remember for any of us. Jill sure has been brave. She figures if someone else has gone through it, then she can too. I'm still certain that I would've been much more of a mess than she has been. Such a commentary on humanity that she has received so much support throughout this ordeal... Might seem a little dramatic, but sometimes you do wonder. People she has had little contact with have come out of the woodwork to offer support and care. If I ever doubted that people are inherently good instead of bad, I do not now. I knew she had friends, but I didn't know how good of friends they were. Also, we've received great news that 2 of her 4 aunts do NOT have the BRCA1 gene. Yay!!! Her other 2 aunts have yet to receive results. Hoping and praying for good news from them.

SURGERY UPDATE

The mastectomy/expander surgery is scheduled for Nov. 2 at St. John Hospital. Surgery time is expected to be 4-6 hours. She'll be in the hospital for 3-4 days. Recovery time is 4-6 weeks - no lifting of anything > 5 lbs. She may go back to work after about 2 weeks. The doc won't begin expanding the expanders until about 4 wks. after surgery. You can send well wishes to her in the hospital at St. John, or you can send them to me, and I'll make sure she gets them. I'll be up there every day. Plz refer to your emails for my and Jill's addresses and phone numbers.

Love,

Amber

P.S. The kids are doing well. Lainey is sleeping up to 7 hrs. a night (on a good night - ha!) and grinning like the dickens, and Peyton is loving bus rides and school, smart little thing that she is!

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PICS

Awards Ceremony for the Tulsa Race for the Cure - Mandi Rivers (Team Captain) and Jill

Race for the Cure Award - Largest New Team with the Highest Average Donations - $46.97 per member

Peyton and Li'l sis Lainey

Jill's School Kids Supporting Her\

Ford Tri-Motor Ride

My dad and I (with friend Mark and daughter Rachel) recently took a ride on a Ford Tri-Motor vintage airplane (produced in 1925). We flew from R. L. Jones Riverside Airport around Tulsa and enjoyed every minute of it!

Here's a photo montage of the event: