what side effects have you had from chemo?
hair loss! but hey, showers are really short with no hair on your head and no need to shave! i kind of look like G.I. jane or something...only not so fit!
i wear a wig to work and church (which is uncomfortable and itchy), but all the other times i wear hats or head wraps. to be honest, it's actually quite liberating to be bald. less time getting ready in the morning.
besides hair loss, i get leg pains for a couple days after treatment, and i am always tired (but who isn't!)
do you feel sick?
nope. i am so so blessed. haven't had to take a nausea pill yet!! i actually feel pretty much normal. actually better than i did before surgery.
what can i do to help?
come visit! i especially love to hold babies if you have one!
suggestions for head coverings. bald can be beautiful - but it's cold!
how long do you have to do treatments?
i have already finished three! that's HALF WAY. i will be done by the end of february.
are you still working?
yes, and so grateful. i love my job and it keeps me busy...but i do come home exhausted!
what kind of cancer do you have?
i have stage 1 ovarian cancer. i have had one ovary removed and the other one is still healthy and good. stage 1 is the lowest - so it's curable and i should have a long, healthy life. this leads me to the question...
can you still bear children?
yes! as long as my other ovary keeps doin' it's job!!
(sorry if that was TMI for some of you...but everyone asks so i'll just put it out there!)
through this whole situation, i have just felt so grateful. i am grateful for my helpful husband who doesn't complain that his wife is always tired and still thinks i am beautiful. grateful for a body that is healing well and strong enough to fight this disease. grateful for a family who looks beyond a bald head and realizes i'm still good ol' jaci. grateful for children and my job that help me realize what really is important. hair is not one of them. grateful for SO many friends who have expressed love and concern for me!
2010 is going to be
a year of healing
a year of new adventure
a year of love
a year of miracles
a year of improvement
i'm.so.excited.
i have passed the hump of chemo - it's all easy sailing from here!
...any more questions?
Friday, January 1, 2010
they ask..i'll answer
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34 comments:
Yes ... how many fingers am I holding up? :) You are such a trooper and you will never know the countless lives you have and will continue to change because of your optimism and faith in your dark hour. I love that, and I thank you for that.
One of my best friends has been through chemo and experienced hair loss as well. I will see if she has any suggestions for keeping you head warm! :)
Hi Jaci. I've been wondering how you are doing..I know my mom has as well. I admire your positive attitude, you are so strong. I hope you really are feeling okay. Hope you have a wonderful new year!
Thanks Jaci! The only other question I have is how are you so amazing? I bet you are as gorgeous as ever and glowing with faith. You'll never know how your trial has touched and taught so many of us. A very, very happy new year to you and yours!
Jaci, I'm back again to say you are incredible. Just wanted you to know. Oh, and that you are still in our prayers. xo, Linn
you're amazing. you always have been. hang in there we're thinking of you
Cada vez que leo tu blog me llena de ganas de seguir viviendo y haer las cosas mejor,. Gracias por hacernos sentir lo valioso de la vida y lo bendecidos que somos.
Jaci te quiero mucho y espero que todos tus deseos para el 2mil10 se cumplan.
Jaci I am so glad you posted that. I have always been wondering how you are doing and what is all going on with this. I know people probably bug you all the time with questions and want you to talk about it. Just know that I am here for you always. Even though we haven't talked much over that last several years, I still consider you one of my dearest friends and I love you. Know that I am thinking of you always and wish I lived there so I could come and visit often! :)
I have to say that I am happy you answered these questions. It is a very personal thing you are going through and so I didn't want to ask but at the same time I wonder all the time how you are doing. You sound like you are in good spirits which is nice to hear. There are many people who think of you often and pray for you! I am sure things are hard and different but your positive outlook and happy attitude is inspirational!
I do have one question, if you don't want to answer, no problem but I am wondering how you found out you had a problem? I know you had a cyst removed and it came back cancerous but I'm just wondering if the cyst was causing pain, etc.
Good luck. I hope 2010 is full of the things you want in life. P.S. I'm so glad that you can still have babies. If you EVER are in town and want to hold one, I have plenty who would LOVE a visit!
It makes me so happy that you're doing so well. I need to come hang out with you more. And I think you look absolutely stunning bald. You pull it off quite nicely. :)
Jaci! You are amazing! Good luck with the rest of the treatments!
You are amazing...seriously!! I love your attitude, and need to be more like you! Love you! Ruby and I need to come see you on one of these Fridays...she is getting crazy, you would get a kick out of her!
you are so amazing! You have such a great spirit about you! You guys are still up in Cache Valley right? I am up there quite a bit. I will have to txt you next time I am coming up and see if we can meet up. Keep up the positive attitude.
I was curious about all of those things, thanks. My schedule is really open this next week... hint, hint....
Jaci you are seriously so amazing! Your good attitude is something that inspires me (as well as everyone else I assume). Hang in there! I'll continue keep you in my prayers!!
I'm so thankful for your diagnosis. I really wasn't aware of the severity or such things.
You're a brave woman, with an unfailable amount of faith.
you brighten the world.
Woohoo, halfway there!!!!
Thanks Jaci! That is so good to know! Your attitude makes me realize how blessed I am and how great life is! Thanks for putting all of that out there! I had wondered a few of those things myself. Thanks for letting me know! :) I love you! Braden still loves his little hat and looks so stinkin cute in it!
Happy New Year!
Thanks for answering our questions. I think about you all the time. You're such an inspiration to us. We love you. We pray for you all the time. You're doing great.
Jaci I love you!! You are such an inspiration, I want to be more like you! Thanks for being you
Oh and Yes, you can use a pic of Addie :)
Jaci, you are truly amazing. I was so glad to read an update, I've been thinking about you and praying for you lots. Glad to hear everything is going as well as it can. I wish I lived in Utah - if I did I would come visit you lots and let you hold and play with my little guy all you wanted!
Thank you for sharing. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that things are looking up for you. You are courageous and selfless. May God bless you in 2010... :)
Love you!
Jaci- you are such a great example to me. Reading this made me think of how much you are like your Mom. I have always admired her cheery countenance and determination to tackle anything. I see these same characteristics in you. Thanks for being an inspiration. I hope the second half of treatment goes as well as the first.
I had no idea before you wrote this post. Jon and I agree that you are amazing and so strong. Our prayers are with you.
I love your positive attitude! Clark and I hope you continue to stay healthy and strong!
Hi Jaci! I know it's been forever but I do keep track of you through your blog. I can't believe all you've gone through and your tremendously great attitude about it. You are very inspiring. I hope and pray that everything keeps going well. If you ever have time (I know teaching is HECTIC) we should meet for lunch or something. I have a baby you can hold. :)
Jaci: I asked my friend what she suggested for your head. :) She said she liked to use the wig caps. She'd wear it on her head when she went to sleep as well as under her hats and scarves. She said the nylon usually feels better than other material. She said you can get them at Walmart, fabric stores, or wig shops. Her word of warning though was that the more expensive ones usually feel better [from the wig shops]. The cheaper ones [Walmart]are generally tighter [too tight] and made her head hurt. Hope that helps!
Jaci - it was so good to read that post. I've also been thinking a lot about you and it was so good to get an update. I can't believe how inspiring you are - you're attitude about everything is amazing. I'm sure you'll come out of this a much better person than any of us who haven't gone through something like that. Thank you so much for sharing your story and infecting your optimisim on the rest of us! Best wishes and congratulations on hitting the half-way mark!
Loving the hat you made! Finlee keeps stealing it from my closet and calling it hers, but when her little eyes close at night I sneak in her room and rightfully take it back!
Thank you for posting the Q&A. One more question..
How did you know? Were there any symptoms?
Clearly cancer is no respector of persons. It affects old, young, healthy, men, women, children, etc. It's a reminder that we all need to be aware.
Jaci, you are truly inspiring! I am so glad to hear how well you are doing. Keep hanging in there and congrats on making it over the hump!!!
Can I bring Bristol over to visit...with some treats? Ok...she may not be a "baby" that you can hold, but she is quite entertaining!
I know you don't know me, and I technically don't know you...but Brittany Nabrotzky (my near and dear friend)told me what happened and about her love for you! I have been truly inspired by your story, your confidence in Christ, and the decision you made to be strong. I have made a decision to have a similar outlook during hard situations. We one day will all face adversity that seems bigger than us, and I think you have shown everyone that it doesn't have to be. We can do hard things.
Thank You...
Cassie Cornwall
You are AMAZING! Hair is overrated, especially when it's old and getting gray! xoxoxo
I just have to say that you are the most amazing gal I know.
Wow. I just clicked on your blog from Marci's. I can't believe how much you have been through at such a young age; you are so strong. I admire you and hope the future brings a whole lot of fun and happiness.
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