Fall 2009: Jake and Nancy learned that Nancy's breast cancer was stage four. Winter 2013: They are still fighting. This is a gathering place to follow their story, offer support, love and prayers... to be by their side.



Friday, January 29, 2010

Another chemo down... fighting this moving forward

Hello friends,

Another week, another chemo complete. I had the chemo Trifecta today of Abraxane, Avastin, and Zometa and it all went smoothly. The cancer center went live on a new on-line computer system this week and things were a little slower than usual. Wendy was sweet enough to join me again for a marathon session (we didn't finish up until after 6:30 tonight), but she kept me entertained with a card game and the time passed quickly.

The last couple weeks my doctor has been talking with me about participating in a clinical trial of a new protocol that sounds very promising, but as it turns out I don't qualify due to my previous recurrence/treatment in 2007. We were both a little disappointed because one of the drugs on the trial is only available if you are on the study. The nurses involved with the investigation apparently spent hours going over my chart trying to find a way for me to qualify, but in the end it just didn't work out. Bottom line, I will continue with the current treatment plan of chemo for a few more months then switch to hormone therapy, which is easier to tolerate and won't require weekly visits to the treatment center. We have every reason to be optimistic the treatment will be effective for a long time to come. Once I switch to the new treatment I'll only need to come in every month for my Zometa infusion, the remaining treatment will be a pill I take at home. I'll still have PET/CT scans about every 3 months and lab work, but compared to the current schedule of weekly treatment it should be a walk in the park. In other news, I seem to have developed a slight infection in my port-a-cath, which has caused a pain/irritation in my right shoulder/neck, so I'm starting a round of antibiotics. This is one of those normal little bumps in the road we've grown to expect.
Next week we are off for some relaxation and warm weather in Palm Springs with our friends, Nate and Luanne. We've timed my chemo so that I have next week off so I'll be able to enjoy the weekend even more. Can't wait! -Nancy

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A couple days with Nancy and Jake (by Nancy's dad)

I’m Bill LeBoeuf, Nancy’s “Dad” and my wife Mary and I visited Nancy and Jake for a few days this week. Of course it’s great to visit their beautiful Shoreline home but the best part is to see Nancy as beautiful, enthusiastic and just plain nice as ever. We brought the Warm Sunny Southern California weather with us and had a chance to take some really pleasant exercise walks with her (unfortunately Southern California was hit with torrential rain, thunder, lightning and even a few tornadoes while we were gone!!). I got a chance to go with Nancy to a “chemo session” and got updated on all the things she and the bulldogs are doing.

Nancy and Mary collaborated on some delicious suppers at home and Jake set up the equipment for “Rock Star” and we all rocked out! Nancy and Jake were the true rock stars with Nancy on vocals and guitar and Jake on drums, but Mary was certainly right in there on vocals too. Poor Jake had to work but Nancy, Mary and I had a memorable lunch at Edgewater hotel after a beautiful walk through the sculpture garden overlooking the water in Seattle.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Blessings

"One of the silver linings of having cancer is that it shines light on what is most important." - Nancy Haunty a.k.a 'Mojo'
Faith. Love. Family. Friends. On my recent trip to be with Jake and Nancy, it was heartening to witness the outpouring of love and caring that surround Jake and Nancy. From the unknown neighbor who brought "sunshine soup" to their dear friends who provide a post-chemo resting place or those sweet friends who meet Nancy at the hospital to keep her company. You are their blessings!

I wanted to post some photos of some of Nancy's Seattle friends who threw a "Love Shower" for Nancy. It was a creative, memorable, uplifting afternoon of tender words, laughter, tears, (and song!) Thank you Kim for being so loving. (this says it all)








Thursday, January 7, 2010

2010 first post

Dear friends,
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and New Year. We are still doing well and are encouraged by the scan results from Christmas Eve. We had family in for the holidays, which was wonderful and very low-key/relaxed (pics attached, you can even see a rare photo of me with a wig or "hair helmet" as I refer to it). I had the chemo triple crown of Abraxane, Avastin, and Zometa on New Year's Eve and then took this week off just to take a little break. I feel great (considering I'm on chemo) and am trying to continue exercising every day and get lots of rest. My previous two times on chemo (in 2002 and 2007) I worked (though on a reduced schedule), but I am a strong believer that not working is more beneficial to my health and I don't regret it. People keep asking me if I'm bored, but truly I am not. It is amazing the number of projects I can find to work on at home. Plus, let's not forget my favorite bulldogs, who love having someone at home all the time.
Thanks again for all the support and I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year!