Hi Angels,
Well I think we called the recovery slightly early last time, but now I am happy to tell you that JEN K. IS BACK!
My last post was 2 months ago, and at the time Jen had completed radiotherapy and was expecting it to be smooth sailing from there. Unfortunately, the cumulative effects of all the treatment had a delayed reaction, and for a while there Jen was feeling pretty miserable.
Finally, those feelings have passed, and Jen is feeling well enough to face the world again.
After a long 11 months of treatment, honestly harder than she had envisioned, Jen is back to her old self. She is feeling healthy, less tired, more sociable and more capable of dealing with the hub bub of everyday life.
Last week, Jen and Will had a lovely family holiday with the girls in Fiji. Where better to shake off the gloomies? After a week with the sun on your back, the salt water in your hair, and the peace, love and kindness of the Fijians, everything seems rosy, and no mountain too big to climb.
Jen's now feeling ready to go back to work. The wonderfully patient team at Macquarie are welcoming her back in a couple of weeks. She'll start off slowly, and build up to her full capacity by the end of the year. This is a huge step in the right direction, putting behind her the trials of the last year. It is the last piece in the 'back to normal' puzzle she's been focusing on achieving.
22 October is Pink Ribbon Day, when we get together to raise awareness and funds for women's cancers. Jen would love it if we got the girls together for a Girls Night In. Ladies, please SAVE THE DATE. When we work out the details, we'll be in touch again.
I hope those of you in Sydney are out enjoying the spectacular day.
Take care all
Cathy (and Jen)
Friday, 24 August 2012
Saturday, 16 June 2012
The sky is clearing!
Hello Angels,
As the heavens continue to send forth the rain, Jen's clouds are clearing, and she can see the light on the horizon in terms of her treatment.
I won't recap the stats, but as you all know, it's been 9 months of hell for Jen and Will. Fortunately this is the last week of her radiotherapy, and Jen is really looking forward to getting off the medical treadmill.
As you'd expect, the end of treatment brings mixed emotions. She's relieved to have finished the treatment, so now..... we have to wait patiently to see the fabulous results of all those horrible drugs.
Over the next few months Jen is going to focus on her wellbeing, getting fit, and doing what makes her happy. The good news for all of us is that what makes Jen happy is catching up with friends and family. So I expect you'll all be seeing much more of Jen and Will from now on.
Fortuitously, the end of treatment coincided with Jen and Will's 4th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe it was only 4 yrs ago that we celebrated that great day. Jen and Will have definitely had plenty on in the last few years, and so much to celebrate - especially their strong friendship, and their beautiful girls. They celebrated at Momofuku restaurant at The Star. Jen said it was very special, although with 15 courses to get through, no wonder she was "stuffed" the next day.
For those of you who haven't seen Jen for a while and aren't sure of how she's feeling physically and emotionally, I can tell you that she has absolutely turned the corner. Her hair has grown back beautifully although still on the short side, she doesn't look like a cancer patient now - just a local Lilyfield 'chick'! Without the chemo drugs in the system she is feeling so much better. Also she has built up her emotional resilience and is feeling more positive than ever that she has beaten this beastly illness, and it is all behind her.
I know you all feel the same way and wish her well.
Thanks again for all your love and support. It has definitely helped, and we are so grateful for every little thing, and every thought and prayer you send Jen's way.
Love to all
Cathy
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
News from the Front
Hi Angels,
Thanks for checking in on Jen's Road to Recovery. It isn't as entertaining as the compelling Voice/Masterchef bonanza we are being treated to on Aussie TV at the moment, but I'll do my best to keep your attention for the next few minutes.....
A huge effort from Jen this week, as she commenced the next stage of her treatment - radiotherapy.
She had hoped to start sooner than this, however with a slower recovery from chemo than expected, root canal on a tooth ( yes, can you believe it!), and minor preventative surgery, all since chemo finished, she delayed the treatment until this week.
So with the chemo and surgery recovery well advanced, and a couple of days R & R in Port Douglas for Jen and Will, Jen was finally ready to hit RPA Hospital for a daily dose of radiotherapy to the effected area.
Jen will visit RPA for this treatment daily for the next 6 weeks. After which, god willing, her medical treatment will be complete, and she can focus on her general 'fit for life' health and wellbeing, like the rest of us.
The ever strong and constant Will is in Europe and China on business for a couple of weeks, so Jen and the girls came to stay with Rob, I and the kids on the weekend. We always love having them with us, and this weekend was no different.
We enjoyed a great Mothers Day with gourmet treats courtesy of Maryanne and plenty of home made Mothers Day cards from the children. Jen was also pleased to know that some of her dear friends were out running the Mothers Day Classic in the City - a Cancer awareness event. Maybe next year we can all do it together???
Which brings me to the continuing amazing support Jen is receiving from all of you. A number of you have helped Jen over the last couple of weeks while Will has been away, and Jen needed help lifting the girls. I was at Jen's last Wednesday night and the house was full of helpers. Jen is so grateful for this assistance. She's also had a few of you sleep over and has commented on how nice it is to bond with her girlfriends in this way again.
If there is a good side to this story, it is that Jen is far more comfortable these days asking for help when she needs it. I know she found it hard to accept that she wasn't as strong and capable as she has always been, but with friends and family like all of you, her journey is made so much more bearable.
For those of you supporting from afar, your words of support and encouragement are also highly valued, and much appreciated.
From all of us, to all of you...keep believing! Jen is a star and she will be back in full swing very soon.
Love to all
Cathy
Thanks for checking in on Jen's Road to Recovery. It isn't as entertaining as the compelling Voice/Masterchef bonanza we are being treated to on Aussie TV at the moment, but I'll do my best to keep your attention for the next few minutes.....
A huge effort from Jen this week, as she commenced the next stage of her treatment - radiotherapy.
She had hoped to start sooner than this, however with a slower recovery from chemo than expected, root canal on a tooth ( yes, can you believe it!), and minor preventative surgery, all since chemo finished, she delayed the treatment until this week.
So with the chemo and surgery recovery well advanced, and a couple of days R & R in Port Douglas for Jen and Will, Jen was finally ready to hit RPA Hospital for a daily dose of radiotherapy to the effected area.
Jen will visit RPA for this treatment daily for the next 6 weeks. After which, god willing, her medical treatment will be complete, and she can focus on her general 'fit for life' health and wellbeing, like the rest of us.
The ever strong and constant Will is in Europe and China on business for a couple of weeks, so Jen and the girls came to stay with Rob, I and the kids on the weekend. We always love having them with us, and this weekend was no different.
We enjoyed a great Mothers Day with gourmet treats courtesy of Maryanne and plenty of home made Mothers Day cards from the children. Jen was also pleased to know that some of her dear friends were out running the Mothers Day Classic in the City - a Cancer awareness event. Maybe next year we can all do it together???
Which brings me to the continuing amazing support Jen is receiving from all of you. A number of you have helped Jen over the last couple of weeks while Will has been away, and Jen needed help lifting the girls. I was at Jen's last Wednesday night and the house was full of helpers. Jen is so grateful for this assistance. She's also had a few of you sleep over and has commented on how nice it is to bond with her girlfriends in this way again.
If there is a good side to this story, it is that Jen is far more comfortable these days asking for help when she needs it. I know she found it hard to accept that she wasn't as strong and capable as she has always been, but with friends and family like all of you, her journey is made so much more bearable.
For those of you supporting from afar, your words of support and encouragement are also highly valued, and much appreciated.
From all of us, to all of you...keep believing! Jen is a star and she will be back in full swing very soon.
Love to all
Cathy
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Last Week's email..for the blog followers
Hi Everyone
We hope you had a lovely Easter, and for those in the midst of school holidays, you are managing to keep the kids entertained!
The great news from Jen is that she has finished her chemo treatment. Her last dose was last Tuesday. She is so happy/relieved/stunned to be finished, and is really looking forward to feeling fit and healthy again.
Before she starts radiotherapy in a couple of weeks, she is taking a few mini-vacations - one with kids, one just her and Will - getting some necessary dental work (after chemo that's a walk in the park) and having minor surgery as a preventative treatment. Radiotherapy is six weeks of daily treatment. This will happen at RPA as it is closer to home. Jen has a great radiotherapist and she feels in good hands for the next and hopefully final stage of her treatment.
Jen has been discussing her return to work plan with Dr Friedlander and the wonderful team at Macquarie, and she is planning to ease back in over the 2nd half of the year, so as to ensure she can maintain a healthy balance.
If you've spoken to Jen recently you've probably noted a more 'back to normal' Jen. She is truly amazing and those of us very close are very relieved that she is feeling much better, both physically and mentally.
I am sure she would love to hear from you, so please drop her a note when you get a moment!
As I said on the blog last week - Easter is a time of great possibility - in Jen's case - we know this to be true!
For those of you who are praying - please keep Jen in your thoughts. I remember when Mum had cancer 18 years ago, and her name was on the prayer list at St Therese Dover Heights for many years. We used to tell her to take her name off the list - she wasn't sick! But she insisted she still needed the prayers - and given she is here to tell the tale - she must have been right.
Love to all
Cathy
We hope you had a lovely Easter, and for those in the midst of school holidays, you are managing to keep the kids entertained!
The great news from Jen is that she has finished her chemo treatment. Her last dose was last Tuesday. She is so happy/relieved/stunned to be finished, and is really looking forward to feeling fit and healthy again.
Before she starts radiotherapy in a couple of weeks, she is taking a few mini-vacations - one with kids, one just her and Will - getting some necessary dental work (after chemo that's a walk in the park) and having minor surgery as a preventative treatment. Radiotherapy is six weeks of daily treatment. This will happen at RPA as it is closer to home. Jen has a great radiotherapist and she feels in good hands for the next and hopefully final stage of her treatment.
Jen has been discussing her return to work plan with Dr Friedlander and the wonderful team at Macquarie, and she is planning to ease back in over the 2nd half of the year, so as to ensure she can maintain a healthy balance.
If you've spoken to Jen recently you've probably noted a more 'back to normal' Jen. She is truly amazing and those of us very close are very relieved that she is feeling much better, both physically and mentally.
I am sure she would love to hear from you, so please drop her a note when you get a moment!
As I said on the blog last week - Easter is a time of great possibility - in Jen's case - we know this to be true!
For those of you who are praying - please keep Jen in your thoughts. I remember when Mum had cancer 18 years ago, and her name was on the prayer list at St Therese Dover Heights for many years. We used to tell her to take her name off the list - she wasn't sick! But she insisted she still needed the prayers - and given she is here to tell the tale - she must have been right.
Love to all
Cathy
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Big Milestone - Huge!
Hi Angels
(Apologies for the lag in news. I'm having email issues.)
Thank goodness for the blog - and those of you who can follow...because today is a huge day for Jen.
After 5 months of chemo, today was Jen's last session. She has officially finished the chemo stage of her treatment. She's feeling really good about everything, and ready to get on to the next stage - radiotherapy - with a quick stop in at the dentist for root canal in between (there is a positive side to cancer - root canal seems like a walk in the park!).
Over the next few weeks/months Jen expects to gain more energy, and get back to feeling like her good old self.
Dr is very happy with Jen's progress, and we are very proud of the way she has managed it.
Easter is a time of new birth and great possibility - may it be so for Jen and Will and all those who continue to support her journey.
Love to all
Cathy
(Apologies for the lag in news. I'm having email issues.)
Thank goodness for the blog - and those of you who can follow...because today is a huge day for Jen.
After 5 months of chemo, today was Jen's last session. She has officially finished the chemo stage of her treatment. She's feeling really good about everything, and ready to get on to the next stage - radiotherapy - with a quick stop in at the dentist for root canal in between (there is a positive side to cancer - root canal seems like a walk in the park!).
Over the next few weeks/months Jen expects to gain more energy, and get back to feeling like her good old self.
Dr is very happy with Jen's progress, and we are very proud of the way she has managed it.
Easter is a time of new birth and great possibility - may it be so for Jen and Will and all those who continue to support her journey.
Love to all
Cathy
Monday, 27 February 2012
Update on the Amazing Jen
Hi Angels,
We had a wonderful family breakfast yesterday - all the Kovacs, Stanton, Killingers, and I wanted to share with you how well Jen is managing her care, and getting on with the day to day job of managing a family etc
We bumped into a work colleague of Jen's and she commented on how great Jen looks and how fabulous it was to see her. It dawned on me, that for those of you who haven't seen Jen since she began treatment, (but have been supporting so fantastically from afar) it must be hard for you to visualise her in the current situation.
I am very lucky to be able to check in with her daily and see her all the time, so while I see the ups and downs, I take great comfort in being able to see and hear how she is really feeling.
So for those of you who miss Jen - whether it be socially or at work - I can tell you - she looks great. Her skin is shiny, her eyes are bright, her laugh is loud - and ok - she's lost her hair - but otherwise, when she is out and about and feeling good - she looks great.
When I think about why this is, I think Jen says it best - "I haven't got cancer - I HAD cancer, and now I am having treatment to make sure it doesn't come back".
Jen is desperate to be back amongst you - she'd love to be at work, and out socialising with you all. She'd love to have the energy to care for the girls, and Will, without additional help. All in good time, as I keep telling her.
In the meantime she is doing an amazing job of managing her treatment, resting, and where possible, looking after the girls, being a great wife to the continually amazing Will, and putting the finishing touches of their beautiful home.
And the good news is, she is starting to think about her 'post chemo' plans. That in itself is great progress.
You know Jen - she's got an amazing outlook on life - and this little hiccup is only making her stronger.
For those of you tracking the treatment - there are 6 chemo treatments remaining, followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
Keep up the prayers and well wishes - she isn't out of the woods yet - but she's on her way back!
Love to all
Cathy
We had a wonderful family breakfast yesterday - all the Kovacs, Stanton, Killingers, and I wanted to share with you how well Jen is managing her care, and getting on with the day to day job of managing a family etc
We bumped into a work colleague of Jen's and she commented on how great Jen looks and how fabulous it was to see her. It dawned on me, that for those of you who haven't seen Jen since she began treatment, (but have been supporting so fantastically from afar) it must be hard for you to visualise her in the current situation.
I am very lucky to be able to check in with her daily and see her all the time, so while I see the ups and downs, I take great comfort in being able to see and hear how she is really feeling.
So for those of you who miss Jen - whether it be socially or at work - I can tell you - she looks great. Her skin is shiny, her eyes are bright, her laugh is loud - and ok - she's lost her hair - but otherwise, when she is out and about and feeling good - she looks great.
When I think about why this is, I think Jen says it best - "I haven't got cancer - I HAD cancer, and now I am having treatment to make sure it doesn't come back".
Jen is desperate to be back amongst you - she'd love to be at work, and out socialising with you all. She'd love to have the energy to care for the girls, and Will, without additional help. All in good time, as I keep telling her.
In the meantime she is doing an amazing job of managing her treatment, resting, and where possible, looking after the girls, being a great wife to the continually amazing Will, and putting the finishing touches of their beautiful home.
And the good news is, she is starting to think about her 'post chemo' plans. That in itself is great progress.
You know Jen - she's got an amazing outlook on life - and this little hiccup is only making her stronger.
For those of you tracking the treatment - there are 6 chemo treatments remaining, followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
Keep up the prayers and well wishes - she isn't out of the woods yet - but she's on her way back!
Love to all
Cathy
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Postcards from "The Road"
Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year. Obviously we are aiming for health and vitality this year.
The support you are showing for Jen is wonderful. I have had a much better insight into this while she, Will and the girls have been staying with us. Her phone is constantly beeping with messages from you all, and even if she doesn't respond - trust me she is listening - it is helping her find the energy to fight the good fight.
I think I speak for Jen and all the immediate support crew when I say we have moved from the 'alarmed' stage to the 'alert' stage. Time is an amazing healer, and as Jen moves onto phase 2 of the chemo treatment - she has settled into the chemo routine - and can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Jen started her second cocktail of chemicals 3 weeks ago. This cycle will last 12 weeks. She has Taxol weekly - with general tiredness and headaches as a side effect, then she has Carbo Platinum every 3 weeks - which brings with it nausea. Despite all her efforts to keep a normal routine, for one week out of three the nausea is delibitating.
So during the good weeks (about half the time) Jen is in good health - eating well, spurts of energy, mental focus. She needs to have a morning and afternoon nap, but otherwise soldiers on.
I always admired Jen for her positive attitude and can do approach to life, but now I watch in awe as she and Will tackle finishing off their renovation, caring for two demanding little ones, and managing Jen's health. It is amazing how life goes on, and everyone gets on with things.
Jen and Will are very excited to be moving back to Lilyfield this weekend. The house is looking amazing. The huge effort of Maryanne, Bob the Builder, Will the labourer/painter and Jen the interior designer have payed of beautifully.
Special thanks to the chemo fairies - the crew who have been taking Jen to hospital each Tuesday. Depending on the week, this can be a few hours or half a day. It's when you get the reality check of what Jen is really dealing with, but also get the confidence boost, that all will be well in the end.
Many of you have asked 'what's next' and 'when we will know if the chemo is having the desired effect'? After this round of chemo (end March) Jenwill have radio therapy daily for 6 weeks The first real test will be her scan in September. It's tough not to be able to get an earlier read on things, however I think this is the thing with cancer and those who have had it - you get your annual scan and over time, you think and worry about it less and less - that's called recovery!
So Angels, thanks once again for all your love and prayers. At this stage everything is going well.
Love
Cathy
Happy New Year. Obviously we are aiming for health and vitality this year.
The support you are showing for Jen is wonderful. I have had a much better insight into this while she, Will and the girls have been staying with us. Her phone is constantly beeping with messages from you all, and even if she doesn't respond - trust me she is listening - it is helping her find the energy to fight the good fight.
I think I speak for Jen and all the immediate support crew when I say we have moved from the 'alarmed' stage to the 'alert' stage. Time is an amazing healer, and as Jen moves onto phase 2 of the chemo treatment - she has settled into the chemo routine - and can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Jen started her second cocktail of chemicals 3 weeks ago. This cycle will last 12 weeks. She has Taxol weekly - with general tiredness and headaches as a side effect, then she has Carbo Platinum every 3 weeks - which brings with it nausea. Despite all her efforts to keep a normal routine, for one week out of three the nausea is delibitating.
So during the good weeks (about half the time) Jen is in good health - eating well, spurts of energy, mental focus. She needs to have a morning and afternoon nap, but otherwise soldiers on.
I always admired Jen for her positive attitude and can do approach to life, but now I watch in awe as she and Will tackle finishing off their renovation, caring for two demanding little ones, and managing Jen's health. It is amazing how life goes on, and everyone gets on with things.
Jen and Will are very excited to be moving back to Lilyfield this weekend. The house is looking amazing. The huge effort of Maryanne, Bob the Builder, Will the labourer/painter and Jen the interior designer have payed of beautifully.
Special thanks to the chemo fairies - the crew who have been taking Jen to hospital each Tuesday. Depending on the week, this can be a few hours or half a day. It's when you get the reality check of what Jen is really dealing with, but also get the confidence boost, that all will be well in the end.
Many of you have asked 'what's next' and 'when we will know if the chemo is having the desired effect'? After this round of chemo (end March) Jenwill have radio therapy daily for 6 weeks The first real test will be her scan in September. It's tough not to be able to get an earlier read on things, however I think this is the thing with cancer and those who have had it - you get your annual scan and over time, you think and worry about it less and less - that's called recovery!
So Angels, thanks once again for all your love and prayers. At this stage everything is going well.
Love
Cathy
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