Friday, February 20, 2009

Please pray for my friend Deana - URGENT!!!

My heart is so heavy for the Reynolds family right now. As many of you may remember, a couple of months ago, my sweet friend Deana was diagnosed with Burkitts' Lymphoma. At the time, the odds of knocking it out were so high that things would be fine in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse.....in a hurry!!! Deana is married with 2 little boyz 4 & 2. Please read this update and PLEASE keep Deana's family in your prayers!!!



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Dearest friends,



Deana and I met with her doctor today and received some disturbing news. Apparently Deana's cancer is not responding at all to the chemotherapy treatment she's been receiving these last several weeks. It has started to appear on the right side of her face causing a numbing sensation that Deana describes as 5 novacaine shots after a dentist visit.


Deana has tried two different chemotherapy protocols and is now going to start a third (possibly final) no later than Monday. We will know in as little as two weeks if it is successful.To our shock and utter dismay, the doctor is not optimistic about this round of chemotherapy, but given the odds are greater than zero, we charge forward. We will not give in.


Tomorrow, Deana's oncologist and I will each be contacting medical oncologists at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX. Apparently their lymphoma treatment is the most progressive and if there are applicable clinical trials with experimental drugs -- should it come to that -- that hospital will be leading those efforts.


Deana wanted me to let everyone know that while we are hopeful, and are trying to remain positive, that the doctor did tell us that given the aggressive nature of Deana's cancer, we are dealing with just a matter of weeks for Deana if not addressed. He has encouraged us to contact Hospice.


I apologize for the impersonal nature of this update, but wanted to make sure to keep you all informed.Please keep Deana and our boys Zane and Zachary in your prayers. It means so much to us. We need them now more than ever.



Please, please take the extra moment to hug your spouse and kids today and often.Either I or Deana will post an update just as soon as we know more.


God bless you all,Jack





2 comments:

AprilH said...

Kristi, I will pray for your friend diligently. We never know the trials that we will face on this earth, so we have to live every day and love every day as if it is our last. This is very sobering for me as I know it is to others. We are only one breath away from Heaven. I am praying that your friend will not receive her call from God until she lives a long, full life.

Hugs!
April

Linda Ashcraft said...

I'll remember this family in my prayers.

Linda