Never too old for a sleepover!

Now that my sleepover party is over, I've got a little time to blog. My four-year-old granddaughter Annabelle and I like to have sleepovers now and then. We call ourselves the "girlfriends" (Bob is an honorary girlfriend), and we just do whatever girlfriends want to do. We got our fill of ice cream, stuffed animals, lip gloss, doll houses, and Ratatouille! Now I need a nap! But before that, I'll get you all caught up.

I had my chemo port put in Tuesday morning without a hitch. The doctor who operated on me was the same one that had sent me home saying there was no cancer in my adrenal glands the day before. He reassured me that there was absolutely nothing to biopsy in that area. There wasn't a lot of pain after the surgery; just a little Tylenol helped. But now having my chest bandaged and feeling that port under my skin, my cancer feels more real to me than it has yet. It's sinking in that this is really happening. I am a cancer patient, like so many loved ones before me. Now it's my turn.

I am so thankful to have my grandbabies around to lift my spirits when things seem a little somber. What a blessing! I am now a cancer patient, but it doesn't take away any of the excitement on their faces when they walk through the door to Grandma's house. A day of playing is great medicine for my soul.

Thank you to all of you who have offered your help to me and my family. We'll be taking you up on it soon! Until then, continue your prayers. I truly feel the effects of them and am blessed by your faith. Thank you!

These are my two Gator girls, Mackenzie and Annabelle, goofing around.

Answered Prayers

This morning I went in for my adrenal biopsy, and left with what I think is good news! I was given a CT scan to find where the cancer was in my adrenal glands, and they couldn't find anything. So I was moved into another machine which takes smaller pictures to make sure they weren't missing anything, and again, no cancer. So since there was nothing to biopsy, they sent me home! The radiologist said he would call my oncologist to discuss the next steps. It would appear God is beginning to answer some of your many prayers on my behalf. From the notes my daughter took in our last oncology appointment, we think that my adrenal glands being clear of cancer would mean that instead of Stage 4, my case would be considered Stage 3b, so my odds would be better and treatment would be altered. I will talk to Dr. Segota soon to be sure that this information is correct, and then we can move forward.

We were blessed last night to hear a sermon from Dr. Warren Gage, from Knox Theological Seminary at the evening service at our church. I'm usually a morning church person, but since Mackenzie was asked to sing at this particular service, we were there to hear God's words and her rendition of "Amazing Grace." Dr. Gage preached from Genesis 14:1-24, one of those passages that speaks about some ancient battle, giving a lot of detailed information that when you read on your own, you can't possibly imagine how it could apply to you in any personal way. Boy was I wrong. It speaks of Abram going to battle with only 318 servants against one of the greatest military forces of Allied powers in ancient times. And he sweeps them! Only a few verses given to this monumental victory, that we could easily overlook. The Bible talks about Abram's strategy of splitting his men and attacking the enemy by night and ultimately prevailing. When the king he served offered to give him all the spoils from his victory, Abram refused them, lest people assume his riches and glory came from the earthly king rather than the one true God. Abram wanted all to know that he overcame insurmountable odds only because the Lord came to his rescue. The sermon spoke straight to my soul. I want that kind of courage of faith. I will continue to strategize by making some lifestyle changes, going through treatment, and continuing to research and follow medical advice to the best of my ability. But in the end, should God choose to rescue me, I want all glory to be His. Medical odds are against me, but the one true God is on my side. Whether He chooses to save me by taking me home to be with Him in heaven, or by providing me the removal of cancer from my earthly body, I pray that people will see that against insurmountable odds, my Lord came to my side and saw me through this.

I am not afraid of the battle that lies ahead, because I have the assurance of a winning outcome either way. I wish that same certainty for everyone. The Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul long ago, and so I have no reason to fear. Please continue to pray for me and encourage me along my path, but know that I have courage, strength and comfort from, "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. What an awesome God we serve!

Good hair day :)

I figured since my hair will be gone in about a month, now would be the time to get a wildly sexy cut! I haven't had it this short since college, and I really love it! I went to a new hairdresser named Yvonne, who was adorable. Mackenzie and I had a good time talking to her and hearing stories of her evil mother-in-law, who fakes cancer for attention. That was pretty funny. So Yvonne, if you're reading, don't share this blog with your husband or in-laws :). On the way to the hairdresser's, we stopped at a wig shop to try on some looks. We found a couple winners, and realized there's a reason God did not make me a brunette!

Mackenzie and I had a "girls' day out" shopping for knee high boots and long skirts since Mackenzie will be singing in church and needs clothes to cover up as much skin as possible! I didn't find any boots for myself, but I did get a new pair of socks. Woohoo! I'm looking forward to wearing my new purchase to dinner at my good friends, Bryan and Norma's house tomorrow night. They are two of my many loyal friends who have seen me through the hardest of times, and I am pleasantly not surprised to know they're right here with me again for this new trial. I'm packing fun activities and outings with loved ones into the next couple of weeks, because once my treatment starts, I'll have to conserve energy and spend more time at home.

My adrenal gland biopsy has been scheduled for Monday morning, and my chemo port will be put in Tuesday. I am still feeling well, and am thankful for that. Bob and I got an enormous box of old pictures out of our storage unit, so I've been getting a lot of smiles out of going through those. Some of my kids had those faces only a mother could love in their early years! Thank goodness their good genes eventually kicked in and they turned out pretty good-looking. Today is my oldest one's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE! I LOVE YOU!

Just the facts, and then some!

Yesterday I had an afternoon appointment with my oncologist where we received a lot of information about my case. Bob and two of my daughters, Erin and Mackenzie, were able to come with me. Shannon had to stay home with her daughters, but offered to make us all dinner after the appointment since she couldn't come with us - good deal!

Here is what I learned from Dr. Segota:
The cancer has not metastasized to my brain, however, it is in my spine. It also appears to be in my adrenal gland, which is located next to the kidney. The biopsy of my lymph nodes showed that my right node above the collar bone contains cancer. Since my tumor is in the left lung, the fact that my right node is infected allows them to assume the left nodes would also be malignant.

Dr. Segota has ordered a biopsy of my adrenal gland to be 100% sure it is malignant. She stressed that it is very unlikely that they would find the adrenal gland to be cancer-free, but we would certainly rather be sure.

So here's the answer everyone has been waiting for. I have Stage 4 cancer, which clinically speaking, means it is inoperable and incurable. This, of course, does not limit God's ability to perform drastic miracles, and I will continue to do everything I can to promote my healing including continuing to pray for healing.

The adrenal biopsy will be next week, and they'll put my chemo port in the same day. Medical treatment will begin February 5, with my first round of chemotherapy. I will be taking two forms of chemo, Taxol and Carboplatin, as well as a newer drug called Avastin. Dr. Segota said about 50% of people in my position live under a year from the time of diagnosis and 50% live over a year. She has every reason to believe I'll be one of the longer living because of my good health otherwise, positive attitude, and youth (I'm a mere 29 years old, remember?).

Again, I want to stress that this is simply the medical information I got yesterday. God's plan for me may be 100 more years on earth enjoying my husband, kids, and grandkids.

In the meantime, I got my nails done, and I must say, they look fabulous! Plus, Suzi brought over some beautiful flowers in a pot we had painted together to brighten my kitchen. The tag on the pot included this encouraging verse: "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word brings healing. -Proverbs 12:25." I am so thankful for all your kind words in emails, cards, calls, visits, and comments on this blog - which I must say is one of my favorite forms of encouragement because they are a public forum, so they not only speak to me, but to the others who read my blog.

Some of you have told me you are technically challenged like I am. If you are having trouble leaving comments, hopefully these instructions will help. At the bottom of each blog entry, there is a link saying, "0 comments," or maybe, "62 comments" :). Click on that and type your comment in the box that appears. Then type in the verification code below the box. Here's what I think was confusing people, don't try to put a username and password. Just click where it says "nickname" and type in your name. Ignore where it says "URL," and post the comment! Easy as pie! Can't wait to hear from all of you!

I am so thrilled that my darling son Steve and his wife and daughter are coming to visit me next week. He's in the Navy and has been moving from base to base for the past 17 years, so each visit from him creates big excitement. But although my son has been far, he has been incredibly supportive of me. In fact, he offered to shave his head with me when I lose my hair. I said that wasn't such a sacrifice, but if he was willing to wear one of the embarrassing warming cancer hats, that would really be something! This is what resulted...

God bless!

Purring....

The following is a recap of this past week.... 8 procedures and doctor's appointments. Pulmonary function went well. Constrast CT scan on my chest provided more information. My teeth are clean and in great shape. My shrink says I'm doing wonderfully. I had three MRIs of my thoracic and lumbar spine, and my brain. Not being a radialogist, I cannot say for sure, but when I looked at the film it looked clean to me, and I do have a brain. Remember the MRI? It's documented. I got to watch the biopsies on my neck in the sonogram machine while they were doing it. Fascinating. Again, I didn't see anything unusual in my lymph nodes, I think they are clean too. My theory is that my lymph nodes are glowing in the PET scan because they are working overtime to rid my body of this cancer. We'll find out on Tuesday what is going on. Dr. Segota meets with the oncology team to discuss my case, reviewing all the new information that was gathered. Then she will meet with me 3:30 Tuesday. Keep praying.

After the biopsies, Bob and I stopped at Houstons for a relaxing lunch, came home, snuggled, and took a nap. Then we went to see Charlie Wilson's War. We came home again, jumped in bed, and shared a piece of key lime pie, which we had bought at Houstons earlier.

Later at night, the biopsies caused my neck to swell and become very sore. I tried a heating pad and repositioning myself, and I could not relieve the soreness. Then God intervened. Tiny, Annabelle's kitten, whom we are babysitting, came and settled in across my neck. She was the perfect size and weight, soft as silk, and warm. She began to purr and I fell asleep. Purring is one of those sweet mysteries of life. Truly a gift from God.

29 and holding

Tuesday was a frustrating day, as I had no doctor's appointments and no one called me until after dinner. Then Dr. Segota called and said she had a lengthy meeting with the oncology team and it looks as if the cancer may also be in my spine. The difficulty is that I do not appear or feel as though the cancer is that far advanced. So, more testing will ensue.

Wednesday, I had an MRI of my thoracic and lumbar portions of my spine, both with and without contrast. Today (Thursday), they did an MRI of my brain. Tomorrow, I will have both of my lymph nodes, right and left sides, above my collar bone biopsied. After which Bob and I will be enjoying lunch and a movie, Charlie Wilson's War.

Everyone has been asking for a picture of me on the blog. However, every time I see a picture of myself, I don't think that is what I look like! I still think I am 29 and holding, and absolutely ravishing!! So, who is this person you all have pictures of, and what is wrong with all of your cameras?!!

Keep Praying!

Back at it

I had a great break from dr's appointments and testing this weekend and got to do lots of things I enjoy. I gave my garden a little TLC, almost finished packing up my Christmas decorations :), and saw the Packers win a big game - Yay! I also saw "The Drowsy Chaperone," one of Mackenzie's favorite musicals at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It was really fun! I highly recommend it to any of you if it comes to your area. The bonus for us was that we had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Houstons, after the show. I also ran into some great friends I hadn't seen in a while at church on Sunday. And after a Sunday afternoon nap, I went to our daughter Shannon's house to visit before she headed to Alabama for a week with her husband and kids. I couldn't have asked for a much better weekend.

Today was back to Holy Cross hospital for some of those tests I had mentioned. First was a pulmonary test to see if I could be a candidate for lung surgery. The test has to be read by a doctor, but the technician saw no problems, so that's good. Then I had a contrast CT to gather more detailed information about my condition. I wore one of my sister Jeannie's sweatsuits that she said I would become addicted to during this process. She was right! These things are great!

On the way back I stopped at one of my dearest friends, Suzi's house. She and her husband Bill, Bob, and I talked, laughed and prayed. Then Bob and I bought a new flat screen TV for our bedroom since it looks like I'll be spending more time in bed once my treatment begins!

I can feel your prayers, and they are really helping me. Please keep them coming! God bless!

And so we begin...

Today I officially became a cancer patient with my first oncology appointment, and I'll continue my journey of endless doctor's appointments with the six set up for me next week. My oncologist, Dr. Ena Segota, agreed with my lung specialist that there is a chance my lymph nodes are not infected with cancer, so she has ordered a biopsy of two nodes on either side of my neck. She also ordered an MRI to see if it has spread to my brain yet. Both of these tests should be completed early next week. If both results are negative for cancer, they will have to biopsy the rest of the lymph nodes that had appeared to be malignant. This is a much more complicated and risky process which will involve an overnight stay in the hospital.

So again, I am thankful for your prayers, and I ask specifically this week that you will pray that my lymph nodes and brain are not cancerous. This could be very good news!

I am fortunate to be so comfortable in the hands of Dr. Segota. She is a delicate blonde from Western Europe who eased my family's concerns as we learned of Teach's cancer. She studied at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, but most importantly, she has a wonderful bedside manner, which caused me to remember her and request her for my case. Proving herself just as caring as I had thought her to be, she remembered me when I entered her office, and asked why I hadn't simply spoken to her about my cancer before. I hadn't because I didn't want to concern Teach with this before his death, but I was grateful God put her in my path so that I could talk with her about it now.

It is good that Dr. Segota is already familiar with my large family. She and the nurses in the hospital commented many times during Teachy's time in hospice on the love and smiles in the room with him. The highlight of every day for Teach was a visit from my granddaughter Addison who was born 2 days after my mother's funeral. A true testiment to the fact that the Lord both gives and takes away. Here are a couple pictures of their favorite "bump" game.

Read all about it!

Since so many of you have asked me to keep you updated about my progress as I go through cancer, I've decided to take my first shot at keeping a blog. Here's the facts as I know them so far:

On December 7, I had a routine physical where a chest x-ray was ordered because I complained of shortness of breath and fatigue. This led to numerous more tests, ending with a biopsy confirming that I have Adenocarcinoma, or simply put, lung cancer not resulting from smoking.

It appears that about a dozen lymph nodes in my chest area are also involved, which makes operating seem impossible. However, there is a slight chance these lymph nodes are not malignant as first thought, so another biopsy may be ordered. If the biopsy shows they do not contain cancer, I could have surgery to remove the growth in my lung, followed by chemo and radiation. Otherwise, aggressive chemo/radiation treatment will begin soon. I see my oncologist tomorrow, and will hopefully have more answers.

That's about all I know as far as my illness. The past months and even year or so have been a very trying time in my family, with numerous deaths and illnesses, but it has also been a time of reawakening to the involvement of the Lord in our everyday lives, and His power to comfort us even in the hardest of times.

As I sit at my computer, I can think of countless instances where God orchestrated our lives in order to allow us to be there for one another. Here are just a few:

As some of you know, I have been blessed in the past four years with three beautiful granddaughters. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer about two and a half years ago, only one of them had been born, Annabelle. I had the joy of caring for her during the week. When we learned of my mother's illness, it coincided with Annabelle entering school, which gave me more time to care for my mother properly, by taking her to her many doctor's appointments, simply spending time with her, and ensuring she was happy and knew she was loved until her time of death. This timing could only be God's design.

A month later, my eldest sister Jeannie was also diagnosed with cancer, and I had the free time to visit her many times in Wisconsin and see her enjoy life and keep her contageous vibrancy right up until her time of death. Jeannie was an example to me in this area. She showed me that a cancer diagnosis is no reason to go into a cacoon of depression, but rather a reason to live most joyfully to your fullest every day you are given.

More recently, we were fortunate to have my dad, Teachy, spend the holidays with us in Fort Lauderdale. Due to our many families having to schedule Christmas celebrations, ours was moved up to three days before Christmas. My youngest daughter, Mackenzie, grudgingly titled it "Fake Christmas." But again, in God's divine planning, it was that very evening that Teach had to be admitted into the hospital where he spent his final 10 days. I am so thankful that he spent "Fake Christmas" enjoying our family and we were able to enjoy him.

I realize this first entry has become a little long, so I'll stop and have to tell you many many more stories of God's intervening another time. But I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and encouraging words. I am so moved by your support. Keep it coming!! Feel free to contact me at:

Jayne Kaminski
3373 Lakeshore Drive
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

And also feel free to comment on this blog entry or any other. I'd love to hear from you!

God bless each of you.


PS - I thought this was too cute to leave off. It's an email I got from my daughter-in-law, Dawn and her little ladybug.

Dear Gram-
I heard the news and I think it really stinks!
I love you!
Emma