Ringing in the New Year Cancer FREE!~

For anyone who's still checking on this blog from time to time...we have great news! Jalene's most recent CAT scan came back CANCER FREE! What better way to ring in the new year?!
Thank you to everyone who is still praying for Jalene and her boys!!!
Much love to you all and to Jalene in 2009...

Peace,
Janis

GREAT Story

Hey all,

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but this story is worthwhile for any of you still checking out the blog. Jaime Bledsoe is the son of Dyan and James Bledsoe, they live in Pullman, WA, and they are one of my closest friends.
Well, they visited us over Thanksgiving weekend, and they showed me that the wording 'TEAM JALENE' is completely worn off his bracelet. And that's because he's never taken it off. He is a freshman in high school, and on the football team. When game time arrived, his coach told him to take off the bracelet, and Jaime put it in his shoe, and that's what he did for every game. How sweet is that? So, eventually the wording rubbed off the bracelet. Now if that's not showing your love then I don't know what is. Jaime is awesome.

Peace,
Janis

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who loves and supports Jalene. Thank you to those who send positive energy her way every day! Jalene is hanging in there at work, although it's been very difficult.

Most of you probably aren't checking out the blog anymore, but for those of you who look at it once in a while, I want to say thanks for all those people who have inspired Jalene on this journey. You all have also inspired me!

YOU ARE LOVED

Janis

INSPIRATIONS TO ME

Two people emailed me tonight and their words left me totally inspired.
The first person was the amazing Fr. John, and anyone who knows him KNOWS he is the MOST inspired AND inspiring! This quote is on his 'signature' at the bottom of his email:

"In the evening of our lives we will be judged on one thing: love." St. John of the Cross
The second person who emailed me is a long time friend who has known Jalene since high school. Annie, you rock! This is what Annie had to say:

"I was so very glad to hear that Jalene is cancer free and feeling better! I’ve been keeping her in my prayers….a lot of people have…..people I have shared her story with…..people she doesn’t know……so many are praying for her. When you see her next will you please give her a big hug for me? Thanks Janis for all that you have done with the blog and continue to do daily. I wonder if you will ever fully know the impact of the blog…not just for Jalene but for us all……"

You know, it's obvious how much Jalene is loved, BOY is she loved! How blessed is she to have all of you out there who care...and all of you out there that don't even know Jalene. Did I mention how much I loved this quote Fr. John had in his email to me?

"In the evening of our lives we will be judged on one thing: love." St. John of the Cross

So, Jalene is home sick with Step Throat...(can the girl even get a break?)...Jalene you are loved!

peace,
Janis

Cancer Awareness

I want to take this opportunity, since I have your attention, to share some health facts about cervical cancer. We can all officially say that we've known someone that has had to battle Cervical Cancer, and most likely a few of you have known other women besides Jalene.

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/cervical-cancer-topic-overview

What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be cured when it’s found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap test.
What causes cervical cancer?
Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You get HPV by having sex with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.
You can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in your body and can lead to cervical cancer years after you were infected. This is why it is important for you to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal, or a change in your menstrual cycle that you can't explain.
Bleeding when something comes in contact with your cervix, such as during sex or when you put in a diaphragm.
Pain during sex.
Vaginal discharge that is tinged with blood.

Feeling good!

Hi Everyone,

So Jalene is feeling pretty good lately...still very tired and hanging in there. I have been getting a few more pictures for the slideshow, and even some more orders coming in for bracelets, which is awesome since the REAL BULK of the medical bills are soon to be coming in for Jalene.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, love, and prayers for our Ironwoman and her boys!

peace and love

Where the Streets Have No Name!

The song you're listening to is by the group, U2. When Jalene crossed the finish line at the Ironman in Arizona, this is the song that was blasting over the speakers! She could hear it from a little ways away...and as she ran, it got louder and louder.

Jalene, this song is for you!!! This 'battle' of cancer was another 'IRONMAN race' that you fought through and conquered!!! I love you so much and am so proud to call you my sister.

Rock on baby!!!!

Janis

Message from Jalene's Radiologist

Hi all,
Here's an AMAZING email I got from one of Jalene's Radiologists:


Janis;

My name is Andrew and I'm one of your sister's Radiologist's. I wanted to introduce myself & email you to let you know what an amazing BLOG you've created. Jay just told us about it last Friday when she was here for her tests - cannot believe she never mentioned it. She seems private, so I'm not surprised. You would have heard from me long ago had I known about it. (We all gave her a hard time for not saying anything). She and I went through all the pictures, comments and updates - and it's very cool. You are a wonderful sister and it doesn't surprise me at the out-pouring of support Jay has received.

Which leads me to my next topic: JAY.

She ROCKS!! I was here when she went through her first round of Chemo & Radiation. I, well all of us, immediately were drawn to her and she is 'up there' on our favorite patient list! She has lifted my spirits since day one and I always looked forward to seeing her. She's amazing, what can I say? This certainly isn't an easy place to be, as I see so many people come & go, with their lives flipped upside down. But it's worth it when you have people like Jay. From the 'inside' of Radiology, this was very disturbing to have her as a patient, again, and watch her go through this for the 2nd time. She has had a tough last 4 months or so. But she's been so positive, under some very stressful circumstances. She's been a tough patient and has endured a lot. I continue to be impressed at her perseverance. She did have several 'moments' during her treatments, many tears, nauseated all the time, feeling worried & sad and so tired. It was hard to watch. But every time she'd walk out, she'd have a high-five ready for me and yell 'AMEN'. That was her 'thing.' And she'd make all us of scream it with her - in unison. Even the ADMIN's. (JJ is so funny). She's just beautiful and deserves everything life has to offer. I agree with you that she WILL be back on her bike, back in the pool, hitting the Portland streets with her NIKE's on running for miles! I'm not sure anything can stop that girl. We can all learn so much from her. I know I have.

By the way, J brought a bracelet in to me yesterday! You done good ---

I will miss her a lot. I'm moving to the east coast, as I just accepted a new job. I will continue to email her and call every now and then. Thank you, Janis, for being an amazing sister and supporter. Thank you to everyone. I KNOW that she will continue to show her children, family and friends that she's a fighter and continue to hold her head high. She has a lot to be thankful for. She is my ROCK STAR.

Sincerely, Andrew

CANCER IS GONE!

We have wonderful news!!! Jalene got the beautiful call from her doctor saying that all tests came back NEGATIVE AND CLEAR OF CANCER! Isn't that fantastic!?
This is awesome news!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for Jalene these past few months...prayer is powerful!

Jalene goes back in one month for more tests to follow-up.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. I can't say it enough!!!

Janis

Jalene's friend Rick

This is a picture I love. Jalene met Rick while doing the Ironman in Arizona. He lives in Philidelphia and sent me this picture, which is from the Appalachian trail..and holding up his TEAM JALENE bracelet...I love it! Thanks Rick!!

A Good Morning message from Mamacita

Chuck and I are pulling out of Jalene's driveway this morning. CJ is off to school early, Joseph rode his bike to school, and Jalene left for work. It's kinda sad to say goodbye, we've so enjoyed being part of Jalene's family on a daily basis, and I'm so glad I was here.
Jalene had a rough weekend, lots of anxiety about lots of things, and she is SO so tired all the time. So day by day I believe she will get her strength back, and I pray for PEACE, STRENGTH, AND GUIDANCE for her. I've seen so much support and love for my girl, and it's overwhelming. Thank you to everyone. So we're off to Bonneville Fish Hatchery for the month of November. Much love to you Jalene and to everyone who reads this. And Janis, you have done such an amazing and wonderful thing for your sister..what a great idea.

Love mom

Praying

Hi sister,

I know you're not feeling well at all this weekend and I want to say I love you! We are all standing behind you and praying for you.

**Jalene had final tests last Friday, but no results come out until next week. I will keep you all updated on the test results!

Peace and Love

Happy halloween

Happy Halloween!

Jalene is at home tonight and gearing up for possibly going into work tomorrow..I actually don't know whether she's planning on going in or not. Hopefully not as her body has not recovered from the radiation treatment this week.
She has normally been going in on Mondays, then works early morning Tuesday before radiation, then the same Wednesday if her body can handle it. Then Thursdays she's pretty much down for the count...and Fridays are a toss-up..depending on how her body is holding up.
So, if she's planning on throwing herself back into the 40+ hour workweek starting next week, she's going to need a lot of support and prayers as that's going to be a huge adjustment.

Thank you to everyone so far who has sent in pictures for the slide show! (Mostly my friends because I'm continuously harassing you :) )

I have to put this picture of Jalene on this post because it's Halloween, and this was taken a couple of years ago and I love this picture of her!

Janis

This is it!

She's DONE!!!!! Yesterday was Jalene's final radiation treatment, and although she is feeling horrible, she is so fired up! I didn't talk to her much yesterday because she was feeling too sick to talk on the phone....but I heard the emotion in her voice and she's so thankful it's over with and so grateful to everyone who's been supporting her.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE...this blog couldn't have happened without YOU.

Jalene has an scan on friday that will determine that all the cancer is gone, so keep praying everyone.
Because Jalene is a HUGE fan of Michael McDonald, and of course all 3 of us sisters are crazy for him...we will celebrate the end of Jalene's treatments with some MM.

God bless all of you! You are loved.

Janis

One day to go!

Jalene is resting at home tonight after her 2nd to LAST radiation session.

A big thank you to a good friend of hers in Boston who called her tonight and completely lifted her spirits. She is, as expected, not feeling well, but got a big hug from Julianne! Before we left Jalene's house today, Julianne insisted on climbing on Auntie GG's bed to give her a big hug and kiss...then proceeded to pick up a lifesize Tiger (stuffed animal), and heave-ho it on the bed to snuggle with Jalene. Pretty cute.

We love you Jalene..you can do it. One more day.

You are loved!

Hi Jalene

This lifeguard's for you Jalene

Ok, so tuesday morning is Jalene's radiation treatment. I know she's really having a hard time, so sister, this should give you a laugh.

I know that your own personal lifeguard, David, is singing straight out to ya! Especially because of what happened when our family was camping waaaaaaaaaaaay long ago. All I remember is swimming in the lake, when all of a sudden the lifeguard came running and splashing by me, muscles rippling in the sun...and he went jumping in the water to save my sister Jalene from drowning. Well, we all know that Jalene was wildly flailing her arms 'supposedly' drowning because she thought the lifeguard was a hottie. And this I vaguely remember because I think I was only 10 years old or so..which would put Jalene at about 12 years old.

Good stuff. So Jalene, this 'lifeguard' is for you!



xxxooo

LAST WEEK!

Hey all,

This is Jalene's LAST WEEK of radiation treatments!!! Then on this coming friday she has a scan that will confirm that the cancer is all gone! She has had a pretty good weekend, just very tired as usual.

Keep sending the love and hey, what about all you people out there who haven't sent me your pictures showing your bracelets!? There are A LOT of you out there NOT on the slideshow! So...give your sister Jalene some lovin and send me your pic. Just use your cell phone if that's easiest...and send it straight to my email from your cell!

Peace,

Janis

I Arise Today

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth
Firmness of rock.--
Kuno Meyer Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry