Jet 1957 - 2014

We had to come back from our holidays in the first week of August.

In the hospital in Frutigen/CH they gave Jet a punction and took away more than one liter liquid. But after one day we decided to go back to the own hospital in Utrecht.

The research gave as a result new metastases in the liver.
Within one week the situation deteriorated.

Tuesday August 19. Jet passed away.

Treasure up her laugh in your heart.

Summertime

It's been awhile since we were finishing the last message stating that after the last chemo treatment a liver scan should give guidance on the impact of 6 treatments.

Actually the whole chemo treatment existed  of 9 cures and these had, of course, their impact on the overall condition.

The first three cures had no effect and the bad message was that the cancer markers increased dramatically.

We seriously took account to the fact that we would get no more summer.

But the new chemo species gradually began to have effect, the blood values were becoming more beautiful  and by these positive development also the fighting spirit came back again.

That ran approximately parallel to the hair growth.

Without hesitation and as proud owner of velvety gray hairs, Jet walks through the local super markets and other shops.

The grandchildren enjoy the new hair of their Omi. The stroking by those children's little hands influences  growth absolutely.

Yesterday again a conversation with the oncologist. The last liver scan indicated that no deteriorated conditions were found and the blood research confirmed that positive development.

After the third failed chemotherapy,  the cancer markers were more than 4000. And now, after the six new treatments are the value sunk to 139.

Every month there is still a check necessary by taking blood samples, but we were advised to go to have a nice rest and holidays.

What a great advice. Who would have thought this six months ago?

We will certainly follow up that good advice.

So the next time you will not read a lot of news here.

Maybe a vacation photo from Switzerland.

It's silly season.

Many thanks to our real friends

The new chemo therapy is based on yew needles and is called Docetaxel.

This natural product has worked also in Jet's situation.

We are very happy with the result so far. 

Many  friends from abroad gave us very moving and personal signals by writing letters, post cards, sms or messages on Facebook.

In the meantime we have noticed who are our real friends, because they are faithful in maintaining the contact.

We have always invested in friendship and are refunded  now.

This aquarel Roel painted in 1998

Today

After the visit to the oncologist we came back cheerful !
How is it possible when you suffer cancer, but the message was that there are no new metastasis in the liver.
It means that this second chemo therapy worked.
The third treatment was already planned and it means that we are in hospital tomorrow at 09.30 pm.
Full with optimism continuing the fight.

Today

The verdict will be given by the oncologist today.
If the other chemo therapy had no effect, the treatment stops.
Of course we hope for another conclusion.

The effect of the new chemo therapy

Jet got the stronger chemo therapy on 14/2 but the effect was so painful that  she had to go for 3 days in hospital last weekend to recover. 

In the meantime she feels better and we can enjoy the early spring.

Next chemo is on Friday 7/3 and three weeks later another CT scan.

If this scan shows that the treatment had no effect, the oncologist can’t do anything more. 

In that case we have not so much time left.

It is a difficult period, but of course we are still hopeful that this chemo helps.

Catching at a straw

The result of the last CT scan was disappointing.
Three chemo treatments didn't had the effect we were hoping for.
New metastasis were found in the liver.
The oncologist decided to describe a different chemo therapy as a last chance.
The first treatment took place Friday February 14. and a second one in three weeks.
Another liver scan must prove the effect of this new chance.
We grab all the courage we have.

The last period no messages on this site.

The conclusion: no message, good message should be seen as a wrong one in this case.

After the first chemo treatment on December 13., the process went on like it was predicted. The first week was not so nice, but after that we had two great weeks in Oostende.

The frequency of treatments is every three weeks. 

But the effect of the second one was much more complicated. 

Two weeks no energy, no appetite and a lot of pain in the stomach. 

Two clothing sizes less, but the desire for more weight is greater than the joy about a slim waist.

Also after the third chemo there is no improvement in the overall condition. The lack of energy is so frustrating.

On Monday a new CT scan and two days later a meeting with the oncologist.

We're waiting for a little spring feeling.

 

After the first chemo treatment

We have had a wonderful Christmas vacation of two weeks in Ostend.

The first week there was still no question of hair loss, but in the second week it went with knots in the direction of the drain of the shower. We decided that Roel should act like a barber. Carefully he removed the other hair with his Shaver. 

The wig time has come.

Luckily there was so much wind on the Belgian coast that we could walk around among all the other caps.

No nightmare that we had to run along the beach behind the wig, which would then be carried by the waves towards England.

We can’t be dissatisfied with the reality of the moment. Hopefully the chemo does what we expect of it. The next chemo treatment is on January 24. With positive spirits we start 2014 with the new reality.