The will to survive

When Janeece was only 15, she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. She responded well to treatments and was in remission for 9 years. She finished high school, went to college, and married Josh. They had 2 gorgeous children together. Alivia and Logan. When Logan (her youngest) was only 5 months old, the cancer returned.

She was determined to beat this monster again. She fought, she fought hard. She did things that I don't know I would have the courage to do.

100 doses of chemo. Radiation. Still the cancer would not let go. She had a hemipelvectomy in March of this year. The cancerous tumors were pushing on everything inside her. In this surgery surgeons removed the entire right half of her pelvis. This also included removal of her right leg, part of her lung, bladder, and colon. She continued her fight.

In June of this year, I got the privilege of being her nurse. She had a large wound on the stump they had created for her. I had the overwhelming privilege of seeing her twice a day to bandage her wound. I will say it was the BEST and most difficult experience I have ever had as a nurse. To see someone only 27 years old, with a 3 year old and a 6year old........ that hits home. But her attitude was AMAZING. She ALWAYS had a smile. Her voice.... she always sounded happy. She was so appreciative. I often thought... WHY??? Why does she have to die?? Nearly every time after I saw her I would cry. I didn't want the kids to loose their mom. I didn't want Josh to loose his wife. She ADORED those beautiful kids. Every moment was a gift.... every second was precious. Josh was so supportive, so strong, so compassionate. I didn't want her to suffer. I didn't want her to go through everything she had gone through and then loose the battle. It hit home like a ton of bricks.

In July, she started to have more pain in her abdomen. She went to the hospital where more procedures were done. The cancer was taking control. A tumor was found in her abdomen about the size of an egg. One month later when she left the hospital, it was the size of a full term baby. Janeece kept fighting. Her cancer Doctor suggested she go home on hospice care. She wouldn't consider it. To her, hospice was giving in. She was not giving in.

In August, they sent her home and told her she has 2 to 4 weeks to live. Her goal was to see Christmas, or at least Halloween. She needed a blood transfusion only two weeks after she came home. Less than 2 weeks later, the her blood was nearly gone again. She had a lot of pain. Most of the time it was controlled with an IV that pumped continuous pain medication into her. There were a few days that the pain was really bad. She still managed to smile. She still wanted to fight. My heart ached for her and her family.

At only 27 years old, on August 25th 2010 Janeece passed away. She leaves behind two young children (Alivia 6 and Logan 3), her husband Josh and lots of other people who loved her. She was at the hospital surrounded by her family and friends.

I only knew her for a few months. But her story, her attitude, her family, her smile made me feel compelled to do something for them.

I hope you will also help me to help her family. On Saturday October 16th at 7 oclock, at the Spanish Fork Fair Grounds, we will be having a fundraiser in her behalf. Its called BULLOWEEN..... its a free event where bull riders will be riding bulls in their Halloween costumes. We will have concession stands, a raffle, and donations at the door. PLEASE join us!! Wear your Halloween costumes, their will be prizes for the best costumes. Bring the family and all your friends and neighbors. I hope her story will touch you the way it touched me and all the other nurses involved in her care.