Check this out! My friend, Alisha, told me that her beautiful, talented, benevolent, strong, SURVIVOR sister-in-law, Holly Rose, is currently donating 100% of the proceeds from her book, Live and Give, to me!! I am so honored that a warrior like her would be so gracious as to donate earnings to benefit me in my fight! Thank you, Holly!! You are an amazing woman!
To order Holly's book, go to www.liveandgive.net.
--and don't forget Yoga-for-Jenny on Wednesday nights at Alisha's! (see post below) Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
"Yoga for Jenny"
Alisha Rose presents "YOGA FOR JENNY"
starting this Wednesday, February 22, beginning at 8:3opm, at her house in Norterra. Address: 28119 N 17th Dr., Phoenix 85085 Phone: 801-694-5299
All donations will go to Jenny's "No Pouting" Breast Cancer fight!
(Thank you, Alisha!!)
The class will be a one hour restorative yoga session. It is a calm and peaceful way to end the day and to help us all stay in a positive mindset for wellness!
We hope to make this a regular event. As our group grows, Alisha will scout out a larger location.
Let's get into wellness!
So excited!
See you there!!
starting this Wednesday, February 22, beginning at 8:3opm, at her house in Norterra. Address: 28119 N 17th Dr., Phoenix 85085 Phone: 801-694-5299
All donations will go to Jenny's "No Pouting" Breast Cancer fight!
(Thank you, Alisha!!)
The class will be a one hour restorative yoga session. It is a calm and peaceful way to end the day and to help us all stay in a positive mindset for wellness!
We hope to make this a regular event. As our group grows, Alisha will scout out a larger location.
Let's get into wellness!
So excited!
See you there!!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Upcoming Fundraiser -- 5K Run!
It’s a 5K WALK/RUN, as well as a One Mile FUN RUN for KIDS!
Saturday, March 10th, 2012, beggining at 8am.
Saturday, March 10th, 2012, beggining at 8am.
The Event will commence and end at the Weathersby’s Ranch:
28015 N. 37th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85083
28015 N. 37th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85083
Cost for adults is $20/person if you pre-register (This fee includes the event T-shirt!) Day of event, registration is $25 per adult. Kids’ registration is just $5!
...Of course, additional donations are always appreciated!
...Of course, additional donations are always appreciated!
To participate, please email Lorene @ Ikeof3@yahoo.com for a registration form.
See you there!! And, as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Dain Bramage??
Get comfy. This is a long one. :)
On Wednesday, December 7, 2011 my world basically turned upside down. You might say it was a day of infamy for me. That morning, I didn’t feel quite right. (In fact, others tell me that for a few days leading up to that, I had not been “myself,” but I was unaware.) But that morning and early afternoon, due to some unusual experiences, I knew something was wrong with me. I was watching a documentary on the internet (The Burzynski Movie!) when I realized that I could not read letters or numbers, nor could I write. Soon thereafter, I lost the ability to speak in full sentences. My husband rushed home from work, and I soon began to seize. He called 911 and I was rushed to the hospital.
Long story short, it was discovered that my breast cancer had metastasized to the brain, and I had two tumors that had to be removed. I, of course, was oblivious to all of this. Minutes before my seizures on Wednesday, Scott had me lay on the couch to rest . . . and immediately I felt myself shutting down, like a dark curtain were coming down. The next thing I knew, I awoke on Saturday night, recovering in the ICU. I’d had surgery on Friday afternoon/evening.
During this ordeal, our friends and family were amazing!! We were showered with support, love, service, and gifts. Some amazing angels broke into our home and decorated our Christmas tree and our home, inside and out. Gifts magically appeared under the tree! I woke in the hospital to find my brother had flown in the day of my surgery. I also woke to find myself sporting a new pair of cozy Christmas socks, and covered in a new, hand-made Christmas blanket. Rumor has it that the ICU waiting room was packed with loving friends, such that there was scarcely a chair for anyone else’s family and friends! Thanks to all of you for your amazing love, support, and prayers!!
Despite the challenges of this new metastasis and all that it entails, I had some miraculous blessings which I would not trade for the world! There were two in particular: For one thing the Lord showed us that he was absolutely aware of us. At the moment of my first seizure, my friend Lorene felt a strong prompting to call me. She was busy at the time, and almost dismissed the thought, but it would not leave her. Right after Scott called 911, Lorene called my cell phone only to have him inform her that I was seizing. She was there by my side within minutes, and her husband was just behind her. She was able to assist the paramedics who attended me, and her husband, Bruce, was able to help Scott to administer a priesthood blessing before I was whisked into the ambulance.
The second miracle is that, to me, I truly feel that the Lord has been guiding me on my path. Most of you know that since my diagnosis almost 3 years ago, I have felt prompted that the standard treatment of chemo and radiation was not right for me. I have been seeing naturopathic doctors and taking the best and most sensible treatments they could offer me (high dose Vitamin C, Iscador, Thymus, Laetrile, etc.). Six months ago, after my July PET scan (the one referenced in my last post-- where things seemed to still be stabilized--better than the previous PET actually!), my oncologist had warned me that the type of breast cancer I had will often metastasize to the brain. She admonished me to watch for signs, which included headaches, blurred vision, and/or confused thought. If I were to experience any of these, she would order an MRI of the brain, she’d said. Well, I experienced none of those symptoms. That is, not until the very day of my seizures. The miraculous part of this struggle is that I know that all of my experiences of that day were leading me on a path the Lord wanted me on. Allow me to explain:
For years a handful of women in my life had been telling me to look into the Burzynksi Clinic for treatment. A year or so into my cancer journey, I did contact the clinic, but felt that it was too expensive to afford, so I had dismissed it. Well… Late Tuesday night, Dec. 6th, I saw where my dear friend Cheryl posted on FaceBook a news story about her cousin, Margaret Manning, who had been cured of her cancer by Dr. Burzynski. Despite the late hour, I watched the news clip and also read the transcript of the story, crying through the entire thing. At the bottom of the article, there was a link to more information about Dr. Burzynski: www.settingthemfree.org That took me to a page where the entire Burzynski Movie was embedded. I clicked the link and watched about half of the documentary before I gave in to exhaustion and went to bed. I resumed the film the next morning after taking kids to school and performing my usual routine. This is what I was watching when the symptoms showed up. When my husband came home that day (in response to me not being able to speak full sentences!), I pointed at the computer, and he asked, “Is this where you want to go?” Yes!!
After my surgery, the brain surgeon told my husband that he was astonished at how healthy I was, and indicated that I was so viable for the procedure because my cells were so healthy, because I had not taken chemo. Validation!
I did know that I wanted to pursue the Burzynski Clinic, though I did not know how, as the cost is a bit prohibitive, but our friends kept asserting that we needed to figure out what we wanted to do, and they’d “make it happen.” We had enough money to send them me records, and they accepted me as a patient, saying that I was a “good candidate” for his treatment. We were thrilled!
My niece’s wedding was on February 4 – the perfect timing—in Houston. So Scott and I made plans to go, and also made an appointment with the Burzynski Clinic. Again, God stepped in, and miraculously we had enough money for the trip and for the appointment! And an even further blessing—we found out from the financial counselor whom we met with, that our brand new insurance (as of 1/1/12) is the ONE AND ONLY insurance plan in the world that pays 80% for their treatments! It is still going to cost us a lot of money, both up front and ongoing, (which we don’t have, but are trusting God will provide), but we were thrilled with that news.
The Lord has truly opened doors for us and led us on this path. I am so grateful for the blessings of knowing that He is mindful of little me. He is working in my life. Despite all of the challenges that come with cancer, I can honestly say I would not trade my experiences for anything. God loves me. This I know.
More to come! Stay tuned!
Friday, July 22, 2011
PRAYER REQUEST! :D
Hey Friends!
Quick update... On Monday, 7/25/11, at 11:00am, I am having yet another PET scan. It has been six months since the last one. I am quite anxious (and a little excited!) to see where things stand. I am even more excited than in times past to see the results, because I am currently under three treatments I have never done before:
I trust in God completely, that whatever His Will is in this is what is best for me. But I am pleading more than ever before to receive some kind of encouraging results. I feel like I need a lift ... like I need additional evidence that I am still on the right path. For that reason, our family is fasting this coming Sunday. If any of you are willing and able to join us in this fast, it would be so greatly appreciated! It would be an honor for me to have you participate!
Thank you for all of the continued love, support, well-wishes and encouragement that I consistently receive from all of you. I love you!!
Let's kick this thing's biscuits!!
xo,
Jenny
Quick update... On Monday, 7/25/11, at 11:00am, I am having yet another PET scan. It has been six months since the last one. I am quite anxious (and a little excited!) to see where things stand. I am even more excited than in times past to see the results, because I am currently under three treatments I have never done before:
- Iscador, which is an injectable drug made from mistletoe, and a proven cancer fighter in Europe
- Thymus supplement, which stimulates the Natural Killer cells in our bodies to fight disease
- Protandim, which many/most of you have heard about. It is an antioxidant, anti-aging supplement which is getting a lot of attention for its success in fighting cellular oxidative stress, which is at the root of most disease. There is a lot of buzz about this little pill...
I trust in God completely, that whatever His Will is in this is what is best for me. But I am pleading more than ever before to receive some kind of encouraging results. I feel like I need a lift ... like I need additional evidence that I am still on the right path. For that reason, our family is fasting this coming Sunday. If any of you are willing and able to join us in this fast, it would be so greatly appreciated! It would be an honor for me to have you participate!
Thank you for all of the continued love, support, well-wishes and encouragement that I consistently receive from all of you. I love you!!
Let's kick this thing's biscuits!!
xo,
Jenny
Thursday, March 17, 2011
I Got My Fishes!
Well! Belated Happy New Year to all! I am long overdue for an update, I know. Much has happened, and I am excited for the opportunity to share my experiences w/you all. Get cozy… This is a bit long. Sorry!!
As you all know, since the fall I have been getting treated by my naturopathic doctor, having 2 full regimens (20 total treatments) of intravenous Vitamin C, and also hyperthermic (heat) treatments off and on. (I have many of you to thank for making these treatments financially possible!) I have also been exercising, making dietary changes, and taking supplements to fight cancer.
January rolled around, and my oncologist and I determined it was time for another PET scan to evaluate the status of the cancer. This was a “you win some, you lose some” kind of victory. The spots on the ribs, pelvic bone, and tailbone appear to have vanished! (Hooray!) However, the spot on the sternum has grown a bit, and a handful of lymph nodes in and around the chest and armpit areas are still lighting up. So… we are still fighting the same fight. I feel fortunate that I have not really lost any ground.
That being said, I have felt a renewed determination to get even more aggressive. I felt that something was lacking in my current care, but didn’t know what that “something” was… Then, from an unlikely source, I heard of a holistic/naturopath doctor in Scottsdale named Martha Grout who was reportedly “curing cancer.” (She, of course, does not make that claim, or she’d be shut down by the powers that be!) I researched her and discovered that she offered many of the treatments I had read about two years ago, but didn’t think anyone in Arizona offered them! (such as diagnostic blood work from Europe, and treatments like alpha lipoic acid, and IPT, which is a low-dose chemo) She was an MD for 25 years prior to becoming a natural/holistic doctor. I had a phone consultation with her and was greatly impressed. Scott and I then met her and liked what she had to offer.
It was at this point that I had another faith-building experience. The fee for what Dr.Grout wanted to do—just diagnostically to get the ball rolling—was about $4000. It was for a Biofocus blood test, which would be sent to a lab in Germany. This test would find and isolate circulating tumor cells in my blood and test them extensively to find out what treatments are most effective to defeat the cancer. It would test all of the different chemotherapies, as well as heat treatments, mistletoe extract, and other therapies. If specific chemos proved effective against my tumor cells, I was prepared to begin a regimen of Insulin Potentiation Therapy—IPT, or personalized low dose chemo, which uses a fraction of what conventional oncologists are prescribing, but targets the cancer using its weakness for sugar. This made sense to me, and I was willing. The initial lab bill, however, caused some hesitation. $4000?! I was far short of that in my medical bank account, having depleted funds in financing the Vitamin C treatments. But each time I prayed about what to do, I felt incredible peace that I was on the right track and that the Lord would provide. Of course, the adversary works on us, as he always does, and left me doubting. Would exhausting all the funds (and using credit if needed) be reckless? Would I be a foolish steward over that sacred money that was supplied by brotherly love? Or would taking that leap be an act of faith and trust in God? I wavered for days despite the answer Scott and I both had already been given. Then, one morning I had the Lord tell me in black & white…
I knelt to pray, as I always do in the mornings, in the same spot at the foot of my bed. There I found our church magazine, the Ensign, sitting square beside my spot. I quickly flipped thru it and landed on an article titled, “The Savior’s Compassion” by S. Kent Brown. I noticed a blurb indicating it was an article about the miracle of the fishes. I assumed it was a reference to the Savior feeding the thousands with the fishes and loaves, and decided that if anyone needed a fishes and loves kind of miracle, I did. I decided to read it that morning over breakfast. It actually turned out to be an article about the miracle of the fishes almost causing the fishermen’s nets to burst and to practically sink two boats, and how in that miracle, the Savior showed his compassion for his newly called apostles. I realized upon completion of that article that this was PRECISELY what my Father in Heaven wanted me to read that day, and that He wanted me to know He would provide. I prayed and received that confirmation yet again. After that, I would not turn back or doubt my decision to pursue the expensive testing. (Interesting note: When I tried to quickly flip to that article easily that night to show Scott, it was hard to find! It was not at the centerfold or any dog eared pages. The fact that I landed on it so easily that morning was further testament to me that I needed to read it. Here is the link to that article, if you’re interested: http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/the-saviors-compassion?lang=eng)
The doctor was kind enough to let me pay for just half of the blood test up front. When the Biofocus lab received my specimens, they discovered NO circulating tumor cells! Which is GREAT NEWS! It means my body is doing its job to keep the cancer at bay. Other good news: Because they found no circulating tumor cells, they could not perform all of the diagnostic testing, and for that reason, the lab bill was less than half of what was anticipated! The Biofocus lab folks did test my blood for NK cell activity (Natural Killer cells), and discovered my NK activity to be very low. To build that up, the decision was made to put me on thymus, and also Iscador (a mistletoe extract). Iscador comes from Europe and is not cheap, but is far less expensive than chemo!! I will self-inject it into my stomach 3x/week. I was taught there and then, on the spot, and injected myself with my first dose. When we settled up the bill, I had a credit from my previous payment, and not only did it cover the Iscador and the thymus, but it left me with $8 extra to go toward a future appointment, as well as a bit of funds still in the M&I medical account. God DID provide!! I thanked Him fervently! I am so blessed that He has let me know time and time again in this battle that he is ABSOULTELY aware of me, and is here for me!
I still have an uphill climb ahead, and I know I will continue to need help, but I am optimistic that I will KICK this thing in the pants. It will not beat me. I am ready to keep up the fight, and I am happy!
Thanks for all the continued love and support! I love you all!
Jenny
As you all know, since the fall I have been getting treated by my naturopathic doctor, having 2 full regimens (20 total treatments) of intravenous Vitamin C, and also hyperthermic (heat) treatments off and on. (I have many of you to thank for making these treatments financially possible!) I have also been exercising, making dietary changes, and taking supplements to fight cancer.
January rolled around, and my oncologist and I determined it was time for another PET scan to evaluate the status of the cancer. This was a “you win some, you lose some” kind of victory. The spots on the ribs, pelvic bone, and tailbone appear to have vanished! (Hooray!) However, the spot on the sternum has grown a bit, and a handful of lymph nodes in and around the chest and armpit areas are still lighting up. So… we are still fighting the same fight. I feel fortunate that I have not really lost any ground.
That being said, I have felt a renewed determination to get even more aggressive. I felt that something was lacking in my current care, but didn’t know what that “something” was… Then, from an unlikely source, I heard of a holistic/naturopath doctor in Scottsdale named Martha Grout who was reportedly “curing cancer.” (She, of course, does not make that claim, or she’d be shut down by the powers that be!) I researched her and discovered that she offered many of the treatments I had read about two years ago, but didn’t think anyone in Arizona offered them! (such as diagnostic blood work from Europe, and treatments like alpha lipoic acid, and IPT, which is a low-dose chemo) She was an MD for 25 years prior to becoming a natural/holistic doctor. I had a phone consultation with her and was greatly impressed. Scott and I then met her and liked what she had to offer.
It was at this point that I had another faith-building experience. The fee for what Dr.Grout wanted to do—just diagnostically to get the ball rolling—was about $4000. It was for a Biofocus blood test, which would be sent to a lab in Germany. This test would find and isolate circulating tumor cells in my blood and test them extensively to find out what treatments are most effective to defeat the cancer. It would test all of the different chemotherapies, as well as heat treatments, mistletoe extract, and other therapies. If specific chemos proved effective against my tumor cells, I was prepared to begin a regimen of Insulin Potentiation Therapy—IPT, or personalized low dose chemo, which uses a fraction of what conventional oncologists are prescribing, but targets the cancer using its weakness for sugar. This made sense to me, and I was willing. The initial lab bill, however, caused some hesitation. $4000?! I was far short of that in my medical bank account, having depleted funds in financing the Vitamin C treatments. But each time I prayed about what to do, I felt incredible peace that I was on the right track and that the Lord would provide. Of course, the adversary works on us, as he always does, and left me doubting. Would exhausting all the funds (and using credit if needed) be reckless? Would I be a foolish steward over that sacred money that was supplied by brotherly love? Or would taking that leap be an act of faith and trust in God? I wavered for days despite the answer Scott and I both had already been given. Then, one morning I had the Lord tell me in black & white…
I knelt to pray, as I always do in the mornings, in the same spot at the foot of my bed. There I found our church magazine, the Ensign, sitting square beside my spot. I quickly flipped thru it and landed on an article titled, “The Savior’s Compassion” by S. Kent Brown. I noticed a blurb indicating it was an article about the miracle of the fishes. I assumed it was a reference to the Savior feeding the thousands with the fishes and loaves, and decided that if anyone needed a fishes and loves kind of miracle, I did. I decided to read it that morning over breakfast. It actually turned out to be an article about the miracle of the fishes almost causing the fishermen’s nets to burst and to practically sink two boats, and how in that miracle, the Savior showed his compassion for his newly called apostles. I realized upon completion of that article that this was PRECISELY what my Father in Heaven wanted me to read that day, and that He wanted me to know He would provide. I prayed and received that confirmation yet again. After that, I would not turn back or doubt my decision to pursue the expensive testing. (Interesting note: When I tried to quickly flip to that article easily that night to show Scott, it was hard to find! It was not at the centerfold or any dog eared pages. The fact that I landed on it so easily that morning was further testament to me that I needed to read it. Here is the link to that article, if you’re interested: http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/the-saviors-compassion?lang=eng)
The doctor was kind enough to let me pay for just half of the blood test up front. When the Biofocus lab received my specimens, they discovered NO circulating tumor cells! Which is GREAT NEWS! It means my body is doing its job to keep the cancer at bay. Other good news: Because they found no circulating tumor cells, they could not perform all of the diagnostic testing, and for that reason, the lab bill was less than half of what was anticipated! The Biofocus lab folks did test my blood for NK cell activity (Natural Killer cells), and discovered my NK activity to be very low. To build that up, the decision was made to put me on thymus, and also Iscador (a mistletoe extract). Iscador comes from Europe and is not cheap, but is far less expensive than chemo!! I will self-inject it into my stomach 3x/week. I was taught there and then, on the spot, and injected myself with my first dose. When we settled up the bill, I had a credit from my previous payment, and not only did it cover the Iscador and the thymus, but it left me with $8 extra to go toward a future appointment, as well as a bit of funds still in the M&I medical account. God DID provide!! I thanked Him fervently! I am so blessed that He has let me know time and time again in this battle that he is ABSOULTELY aware of me, and is here for me!
I still have an uphill climb ahead, and I know I will continue to need help, but I am optimistic that I will KICK this thing in the pants. It will not beat me. I am ready to keep up the fight, and I am happy!
Thanks for all the continued love and support! I love you all!
Jenny
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Emotional Hangover!!
HELLO BLOG READERS!
I want to thank EVERYONE who came out yesterday to the fundraiser at Adams Academy! It was a great time! I am forever indebted to all of those who did so much to put it together -- especially Tara McMurdie, Cheryl Weathersby, and Janna Carlos. I know there are TONS of others I am missing... I am so grateful to all of you who donated items, created items, or sacrificed your time to be there and to serve. It is all so humbling and overwhelming... I have cried so many tears of gratitude and they continue to flow. :')
One of the highlights of the day for me was signing the Pink Heals firetruck. It was an honor (an emotional one) to add my name to that beautiful rolling edifice.
I am grateful to Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Olson at the school for being there for us! I am also thankful for the Girl Scouts (Debi's girls!) who made those beautiful headbands and flowers, and the Junior Honor Society at Adams for all of their work in helping with setting up, with food, etc. There were so many young smiling faces there! It was beautiful!!
Lastly, I want to thank all of those who came out and showed support, whether bidding on auction items, taking a class, teaching a class, cutting hair, painting nails, giving massages (mine was DIVINE!), or just eating good food (Abuelos' salsa and queso! Que bueno!) and spending time with us. I am touched by the outpouring of love!
May all of you have the opportunity, at some time in your lives, to be the recipient of such love and service is my prayer. And if so, I plan to be there to "pay it forward." Thank you again!! I am blessed!!!
Jenny
I want to thank EVERYONE who came out yesterday to the fundraiser at Adams Academy! It was a great time! I am forever indebted to all of those who did so much to put it together -- especially Tara McMurdie, Cheryl Weathersby, and Janna Carlos. I know there are TONS of others I am missing... I am so grateful to all of you who donated items, created items, or sacrificed your time to be there and to serve. It is all so humbling and overwhelming... I have cried so many tears of gratitude and they continue to flow. :')
One of the highlights of the day for me was signing the Pink Heals firetruck. It was an honor (an emotional one) to add my name to that beautiful rolling edifice.
I am grateful to Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Olson at the school for being there for us! I am also thankful for the Girl Scouts (Debi's girls!) who made those beautiful headbands and flowers, and the Junior Honor Society at Adams for all of their work in helping with setting up, with food, etc. There were so many young smiling faces there! It was beautiful!!
Lastly, I want to thank all of those who came out and showed support, whether bidding on auction items, taking a class, teaching a class, cutting hair, painting nails, giving massages (mine was DIVINE!), or just eating good food (Abuelos' salsa and queso! Que bueno!) and spending time with us. I am touched by the outpouring of love!
May all of you have the opportunity, at some time in your lives, to be the recipient of such love and service is my prayer. And if so, I plan to be there to "pay it forward." Thank you again!! I am blessed!!!
Jenny
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