This week is #13.....

Hello, today is Sunday April 15th, Ken checking in with you (for Janelle)....

I would love to report that we have had a great week, but the reality is that I am somewhat paranoid to let my mind wander too far to the positive as whenever I do that, CANCER raises its head to remind us that our journey is day to day, sometimes hour to hour.

 We have had some very good times this week as I will share below, but it was sprinkled with a lot of fatigue, sickness and some genuine despair by me as I wrap my arms around our situation.  I seek wisdom as I navigate this path to make sure that I am doing everything possible to provide the best possible care for Janelle.  Please do not think that I have given up hope, I remain very positive / hopeful that Janelle will be healed.  Janelle also is very much only focused on getting back to normal.  We are just dealing with the impact these Chemo treatments have on the human body and it is very noticeable to anyone who comes by that they are having a tremendous toll on Janelle's body.

So this is another big week.  On Tuesday (17th), we will have another MRI scan.  Wednesday, in addition to our every other week Chemo treatment, we will sit down with our Dr. to review the MRI.  This does create a lot of stress as that discussion will go down one of two paths:  Treatment is working, continue with these treatments and deal with the side effects or Treatment is no longer working, discuss what other treatment options we should consider.

As I said, big week coming up.  I received an email this week from a great lady in Colorado (Debbie C), use to live in Charlotte; her kids went to Janelle's school.  She remains close to us, praying constantly for the situation.  She has felt led to organize a day of Fasting / Prayer for Janelle and asked me if I would share this with our blogging community.  Personally, I have not been one to FAST even when the situation has been put in front of me however I certainly do know that Fasting is very Biblical, many examples in the bible where people Fasted as part of their petition to the Lord for their requests.  So with that intro, I asked Debbie to provide me some narrative for your consideration.  As she notes, fasting is not necessarily going without food.  I eat so sporadically that no food would not be much of a sacrifice for me.  I have plenty of other bad habits so I will most likely plan to eliminate one of those for a day.  Please note that the day she has picked is next Wednesday, our Treatment/Doctor visit....

From Debbie.....

I will briefly share what this is all about and then each person reading this can decide if this is right for them.  Basically, fasting shows a concern over a loved one and the purpose is to seek God on their behalf.  A corporate fast (many people coming together at the same time to fast and pray) was very effective in the bible.  Fasting is accompanied by prayer.  Fasting can be to skip one meal or all three meals in one day.  Instead of giving up food, fasting can also be giving up TV, soda or desert (or whatever one feels led to fast from) for the day.  A fast is between an individual and God.  There is much in the bible about fasting but I will share just a few scriptures:  Matthew 6:16, Esther 4:16, Daniel 9:3.  With that being said, the day of fasting is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 18th for those of you who feel led to participate.

Now for some personal / updates on the better part of our week.  As you look at the pictures, I would like to point out to you in advance to enjoy the great smiles that my Janelle continues to have....

First, as most of you know, Janelle's Mom came for a visit for a couple of weeks.  We had a great time although managing food (making sure there is some) is not always my strongest point.  With Janelle and me, open up a can of soup, cook some Mac&Chesse, etc... pretty simple.  With Mom and our other visitors I wanted to at least have main dishes planned and handled, thus I was blessed to have a preschool Mom plan and cook several main dishes over the two weeks.  Here is the family in front of their home....thank you Marguerite (David, Sophie Ann & Grace).  You were a huge help to me.

Tuesday....Tulips showed up.  These were sent from California from a Lady I use to work with, close friend who is following our journey.  Thank you Erin.....

We had a very busy Wednesday.  Janelle had been complaining a bit (not really complaining) about her nails.  We just happen to have a Manicurist who makes house calls for special people.  So we now have very nice finger nails as well as toes.  Thank you Kelley.  Your kindness to us is so very appreciated.

Also on Wednesday, three of teachers from the school called to see if they could stop by.  Everybody misses Janelle; it is so good for all to just have brief visits.  The ladies also brought a very interesting gift that I will tell you about more in the weeks ahead.  Basically they brought us bugs that are going to grow into Butterflies.  Jeffery / Tresa / Kim, thank you for making the effort to visit with us.  It was really good....

Also on Wednesday, we had a visit from Janelle's Mom's cousin (actually more like 2nd cousin, twice removed or something like that but I don't understand all of that remove stuff).  Kathi is actually a relative on Janelle's Dads side.  She lives about 45 miles from us, this was the first time Jessie (Janelle's Mom) had seen her in like 50 years.  Great visit for the ladies.  Nice end to Jessie's visit with us as she left on Thursday.  On that note, we had a great 2 week visit with her, she was very helpful to us in so many ways and we look forward to her next visit.

Friday night, I had some work I needed to do away from the house.  One of Janelle's best friends is my go to lady who hangs out at the house when I have to be gone for a few hours.  It is such a great thing because it is normal; Ann and Janelle always hang out together.  I was trying to figure out when we met Ann, not really sure.  We have been in Charlotte since 1987, Ann has kind of been part of our close circle of friends since shortly after that.  Ann, you know how much I appreciate you?  Thank you for being available to us....

And then there is Saturday, Janelle watching her HGTV, me working in the garage on one of my many spring projects.  Car drives up into the driveway....Kathy / Sheri.  You may remember a couple of weeks back that I took a picture of a load of food they had brought.  These ladies are very special to us (by the way they are part of the school staff and also a craft/stamp club Janelle goes to).  They came for a visit and of course in Kathy/Sheri mode, brought BBQ / Fixins for dinner.  Thank you, it was very good.  Ian and his roommate showed up and finished what I had planned to eat today....They say thank you also.  Janelle was kind of sleeping, not interested in having another picture taken so I took one of the ladies with our dinner.

Ok, that is it for this week.  I hope the personal stuff is not too much.  I very much enjoy taking pictures of my Janelle and that great smile as well as of the people who touch our life and I like to share it with others.  Please do remember us this week, the 17th & 18th are very big days for us.  Thank you again for all of your comments, cards, emails and telephone calls.  They mean a lot to us.

Have a great week.

Ken (& Janelle) Hayes

 

Comments

[susie p]

thanks for the update...never give up!!!prayers for great news this week and i will be fasting on wed .love and hugs to you both!!

[Cindy K]

Thanks for the update, Ken. I'll be praying and fasting along with you all. give my love to Janelle.

Blessings for a good week this week!
Cindy K

[Susan]

Ken,thanks so much for continuing to keep us updated on Janelle. I will be in prayer about fasting because I have never done it. But whatever my fasting includes, it will be worth it for Janelle.
Much love to you both!

[janis]

Ken - thanks for all the pictures and the news... you take wonderful care of Janelle - I will be praying (always) and will plan to fast (not my strong suit, but this gives me a great motivation..) God will sustain you. love you both, janis

[Kearney Murphy]

thanks for the update, ken. now that i know that fasting does not necessarily mean abstaining from food, i will most certainly join in the fast on wednesday. continuing to pray for janelle.

[Anne Romanoski]

Thank you so much for the update and pictures. You're right, Janelle's smile is beautiful. I'll definitely be fasting on Wednesday. My prayers for you all continue.

[Nancy Ludwick]

Thanks for the update--you both are in my thoughts and prayers. Will especially remember you this week.

[Patricia Cotner]

I have been one of Janelle's blog reader almost since the beginning. I do not comment much. Thought it was interesting that Janelle's mother's name was Jessie as that was my grandmother's name. I will be fasting with you all on Wednesday and will suggest that my family do also. Hugs to both you and Janelle

[Lee]

My heart is with you. I will be fasting and praying on Wed 18th. Take care dear friends. Lots of love and hugs xxx

[Traveling Mama]

You guys are in our prayers! Wishing you peace, comfort, and rest during this time. Love, big hugs, and blessings from Copenhagen!

[Sherry in MI]

Thanks for the update, Ken. Will keep you both
in special prayer on the 17th and 18th.

[Vicky]

You are truly blessed in your friends and family and it's heart warming to hear of the support you are getting at this challenging time. I shall certainly be joining you all with fasting and praying on Wednesday.

[Sharon D]

Thanks for the update, Ken. Love to see the pictures of Janelle smiling and all the people helping y'all out! I'll definitely be praying on Tuesday and Wednesday. I pray for y'all every day. Blessings and healing and strength and peace--

[Lynn]

Never to many personal updates Ken. I love to see how blessed you are with family and dear friends. Sending special prayers for the doctors appointments this week. God bless you all!

[SueB]

I will be honored to do the fasting on Wednesday. I am always amazed that Janelle continues to share that beautiful smile of hers with all of us. Ken - I do have one request - would there be any way you could post something short after talking with the doctor rather than waiting until Sunday? Love and hugs to you both. Wish I could cook you a dinner. Oh, great post. Love the photos.

[lynne]

Love you.

[Kim Bartley]

Praying often.

[Sandy Johnson]

I will say Prayers for a good report this week. Thank you for the update.
Sandy Johnson (Harry's mom)

[Julie H in Mn]

Again, continued prays from MN. Good Luck on a good report this week.

Julie

[eleftheria]

Ken,thank you so much for the update.Yesterday was Easter Sunday in Greece. Prior to that i have been fasting for 40 days( a tradition followed by many christians here).It is indeed a really biblical and powerful thing to do. So this Wednesday i will be fasting again and will be praying for my Janelle and for great news. Please keep sharing photos, her beautiful smile is never too much.
To Janelle: I love you and i miss you.
Will be looking forward to learning how the MRI went

[Karin]

Thanks for the update. I am praying for a week of healing, peace and great news for you and Janelle.

[Connie F.]

Thinking of you and Janelle and praying everything will go well this week. Janelle has such a beautiful smile - I love seeing the pictures of her. Praying that God will give you the strength and comfort you need to make it through this tough week and sending (((BIG HUGS))) your way.

[Marybeth L.]

Thank you for the update Ken! My thoughts and prayers are with you all ,as specially this week and Wednsday ! You are so right Janelle has the best smile , and it is so nice to see her smiling face. Take care and big hugs from Cucamonga !

[Joyce Mehrberg]

Thanks for the update. It is nice to see all the kindness and love that is being showered on your family. I'll be thinking of you this week, Wed. especially. Hugs from San Diego.

[Kathy Mc]

Ken, you are such a saint to be there for all of us but especially for the care and concern you are providing for Janelle. Love seeing her beautiful face filled with delight even though we know she struggles with treatments, test results, lack of energy, and just not able to be herself. Will be praying for positive results this week and will join in on Wednesday's fasting in honor of our dear sweet Janelle. Thanks for keeping us posted and know your entire family remains in my prayers!