This is Kelsey, To inform you all that my mom passed away on July 5 at 1:30. She was peacefully sleeping from the day before until the time she passed. All of our close family was next to her, and we all put hands on her about an hour before and we prayed for her and then we started singing worship songs and it was a peaceful passing for her to go be with Jesus. I whispered in her ear that I loved her and she could go when she was ready because we all knew where she was going and that she would be in Heaven, dancing with Jesus in her new body. I strongly believe that she started dancing with Jesus because she loved dancing and she was not able to for a long time. We all are so sad because she was an amazing friend, mom, daughter, sister, and an all around amazing person to everyone she met. Her legacy will live on in my heart and so many more.

The Memorial Service will be held at my our church at Calvary Chapel West Grove on July 17, 2010 at 11 am. It will be a celebration of her wonderful life and we will all be sad but we have to remember that she is in a better place now with Jesus. Please wear red to the service because it was her favorite color and I know that would be what she would want.

The address of the Church is:

12832 Knott Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841-3906
(714) 897-8972

In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the City of Hope, Attn: Central Processing, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 and please include: In memory of Jana Dillon in the memo line.

  Jana and Kelsey made the decision to begin hospice last Sunday. She has fought so long and so hard for the last 16 months and she says she's just tired and done fighting. Jana is so confident in where she is going that the peace the Lord is giving her provides comfort for her loved ones. We have had a week full of great family time, full of laughter and tears. Jana has done such a wonderful job raising Kelsey into a beautiful daughter who cares for others deeply, especially her own mother. Her love and maturity is far beyond her 18 years. We have already seen how Jana's faith has affected so many lives and it is our prayer that when you think of Jana, you would see the love of her savior, Jesus Christ, who passionately loves and cares for his precious daughter, Jana Dillon. Though we may not understand why this is happening, we rest in the knowledge that God is in control and His plans are good. It is clear that evil is present in this world but we know God is still greater! Jana and Kelsey have been singing praise songs to the Lord about his goodness with smiles on their faces and tears falling from their eyes as they hold one another.  Jana is eager to go home and be with the Lord but the Lord has not called her home yet. We are treasuring every last moment we have with Jana and she has taught us how truly precious life is... Now go hug your loved ones. :)

This Kelsey typing for my moms dictation!
I made it to Kelsey's Graduation on June 17th, which was a huge goal of mine since my diagnosis back in February of 2009. It was at Cerritos College and with the help of Julie, my parents, Rob & Candace, and Rob's parents, I made it through the ceremony and I ate a good dinner after at Frantones with family. On the morning of June 19th I began to go down hill and I became very weak and I began throwing up again. But by the time the party started that day I was able to be outside with blankets in my wheelchair, of course, to socialize with friends and family. It was a great blessing that I made it to Kelsey's Graduation and I was healthy enough for the party.
The past few days though I have gone down hill very seriously and I truly need all your prayers. Tuesday was very awful, I was in bed all day only eating ice chips that were fed to me. I was barely aware of anyone or where I was, and not talking at all. I had no strength and it took everything I had to get up and go to the bathroom. Today was a little better; I woke up and took a relaxing bath with the help of Kelsey and my mom, I actually put on clothes and perfume (: and I was wheeled to the living room to sit in my favorite spot on the couch!
All of your prayers and loving support is greatly appreciated! I love all of you.

It's me, Jana! I have been out of the Hosp. since Sat. and have been feeling really good since. I have been taking walks with my personal friends who come over and serve as caretakers. There are a few who come over to relieve my mom and sister from all the help I need. Everyone is extremely helpful!!!

I am trying to walk and get my strength back in my hands and legs.

Each time we have gone to Dwy Hosp., we have been able to share our faith with the nurses and here we had a couple also. God is so good!!!

Thank you for keeping me going and please pray that I'll be able to walk normal and be able to drive myself again.

I love you all and I wish all the Father's a wonderful day and my dad THE BEST!!!

"Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God......."Eph.5:1-3

June 4, 2010

The last two days have been interesting to say the least.   For the past month, I have had various "ailments" that we have not been able to explain and have not much luck getting in to see the doctor.   So, my mom and Julie decided yesterday morning that it was time for the ER to get all of these crazy things taken care of and figured out.   We got there at 10:30, got right in (because of a little assertiveness), got some blood tests, urine tests, etc. right away.   They concluded immediately that I had a UTI (urinary infection), a spot on my lungs which they thought was the onset of pneumonia, and another type of infection which I'm not sure of.   So, they loaded me up with antibiotics and an IV saline drip.  It was a VERY long day.   About 2:00 they were going to let us go home but I spiked a fever of 102 and my blood pressure dropped to 78/45 so they said I earned a night in the hospital.   Well, my mom and Julie came to pick me up today and to my surprise, the Dr. said I was so lucky that I got to stay another night.   So, my mom and Julie stayed today with me again until 7:00.   I really have no strength and they are still waiting for the cultures to come back and make sure they are treating me with the correct antibiotics.  My hands are not gripping either right now so I am having help with drinking my water and also eating.  Please pray for strength for me right now and that the antibiotics will do what they are supposed to and that I get out of the hospital quickly.   Thanks so much to all of my friends who are SO supportive, loving, and sending lots of prayers.  We couldn't do it without all of you!!!   This is Julie writing for Jana right now since she is spending the evening with her "other" hospital friends and we have the luxury of spending them here at Jana's house and keeping Kelsey company!

Hi everyone, sorry it's been so long since I've written.  I have had a rough 3 weeks, not able to drive or go to work.   One Friday afternoon, my hands started twitching real badly, which made me spill everything and my tongue got fat and I couldn't talk right.  Also, my eyes were looking far off.  It was very scary, so the Dr, ordered an MRI for me and I have been worrying about brain cancer.  I just got the results yesterday and it was negative for brain cancer PRAISE GOD!!!!

Another problem I'm dealing with is that I have too much calcium and I need to get it regulated.  That has consisted of a couple of 4-hour infusions.  They don't hurt, they're just long.

I also had a birthday in there and got to go to the movies, the Angel Game and my favorite restaurant for dinner and I really enjoyed that.

I totally love all of you and I'm sorry it has taken so long to write on my blog.  Usually when it takes a long time to to write, something's wrong.  May God bless each of you and give you lots of peace and joy and happiness.  God bless each of you!!!

Wow, that was so exciting to get 7 comments on my blog.  One was from my little girl I sponsor in Brazil and wsxwhx716, will you please reveal your identity.  All of you re such a huge blessing to me!!!!

I went to the dr. today to get chemo and have my Zomeda infusion.  The dr. informed me that my Calcium count is too high and if it increases any more, I will have to go to the hospital to get it regulated.  Also my cancer markers are increased, so we are going to do one more round of this chemo that I'm on to give my body a little relief, then I will have another PET Scan and probably put me on a more powerful chemo.  I know you're all praying, we just have to be patient for His perfect timing.  I still feel really good, I go to work every day except Thurs. (my day off for dr. appts.), and I have actually been able to stand for a longer period of time.

After chemo today, my mom and I went to lunch, then went shopping for a new dress for a black-tie event for my niece, Megan this Sat.  I found what I wanted and didn't get too tired from the shopping.

I know you're all anxious to see the hair, it's just so hard to catch Kelsey long enough to take pictures.

I continue to covet your prayers and I am so thankful to have all of you in my life and supporting me tremendously!!!  I humbly thank each and every one of you for everything!!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"  Phil. 4:13

Hi everyone!  I certainly feel the prayers at work.  I had chemo on April 1st and I had a vomiting episode on Wed., April 7th just when we were going to the airport on our way to New Mexico.  Kelsey and I went to visit our old neighbors and meet their youngest child (1 yr.)  We didn't let that get in the way and we had a fun time!  We got back Sat. afternoon and I have been feeling wonderful since then--no pain from my compression fractures, nor anywhere else. 

I went to the orthopaedic doctor on Thurs. and he said my leg is building up strength slowly so I will continue to use my brace for 4 more months and keep exercising it.  I have been walking so well without my walker or my cane, and I believe that is from having some relief with the compression fractures in my back.

I have been feeling so great, I can't believe I can still have cancer.  I know your prayers and support are healing my body.

Oh, I ditched my wig last Wed. night.  Currently I am a short-haired red head.  I truly hope Kelsey will help me change my pictures very soon and you can see it.  I like not having to wear the wig, but it is short.  So far, people have been so nice and telling me they really like it.  I like it a lot.  I am very thankful for my family and friends, you are all such a blessing to me!!!!!

Good Evening!  I felt like I haven't had as much to write about because I have been feeling very well, but I also know that a lot of my prayers come from those who read my blog (actually I just know that when I need prayer, I need to let everyone know) and I do need them.  I have had mild nausea for the past 3 weeks, and my leg is still crazy and weak and needs a lot of prayer and my next chemo is this Thursday.

All of you are so important to me and I thank you for your precious support!  I wish you all the very best and I treasure your love and prayers more than you can imagine!  God bless you all!!!  

Hi everyone,

My Fosladex treatment went fine and I have felt great.  The only issue I have is a little nausea and if I don't eat in a certain time period, I get sick and that happened pretty bad one morning when I tried to go to work without eating anything--YUK--now I eat before I leave.

I have been feeling great (except extremely tired this week from the time change) and I just think I should be well because I do feel so well.

My next chemo will be April 1, 2010 (no fooling).  Please continue to pray for me when you think of it 'cause I know that is helping!!!

Love to all of you and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hi everybody!  I have been feeling very tired but great at the same time.  I will get my first dose of the new chemo (Fosladex) this Thurs. (3/04) along with my Zomeda infusion (1/2 hr.)  

I forgot to mention in my last blog that the doctor ordered me a nice new walker, to help keep me from falling.  It even has a seat on it in case I need to sit down, when my back can't take anymore.  It's really nice and I have named it my Cadillac.  I even have special parking for my "Cadillac" at work.  I sure hope that I can update my pictures on this blog and I will show all of you my new Cadillac too.  Kelsey bought me a Cadillac plaque to put on the front and my boss is polishing it up for me before we affix it to the Cadi.  As Kelsey says, "I better slow my roll!"

I would, once again, appreciate your prayers on Thursday and also that this new chemo will do what I need it to do.  Have a totally blessed week!!!

Hey everyone,

Sorry if the last post sounded a little depressing (or a lot) but I wasn't expecting that kind of news from the doctor.  I have come to terms with it more today, plus I got to enjoy celebrating Kelsey's 18th birthday with her yesterday.  I praise God I was able to do that because last year I wasn't positive I would be here to share that with her.  She has been so wonderful helping me out the way she does and I'm so very grateful for her, along with the rest of my family who are so supportive.  I'm thankful for all the beautiful friends and family who give me so much encouragement--I hope I'm not  wearing you all out.  I love you and appreciate all of you as much as I have throughout this entire challenge.  Thank you, thank you, thank you and may God richly bless you!!!

Well, I got the results of my PET Scan today and I was hoping for a very good report because I have been feeling great, but the doctor told me that the scan shows progression of lesions in my liver and also in my right hip.  The doctor is putting me on a different chemo which will be given in the form of a shot (Fosladex) and I will still be getting Zomeda in the form of infusion once a month.  I was very sad, then the doctor stated, "this is just a bump in the road."  The symptoms of the Fosladex (I don't know how to spell it) are like menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, etc.--oh, no.  But I will not be losing my hair!

Once again I have been very grateful for all your prayers and support and hope you will continue to pray for me.  The road is still a long one and I hope you're with me through the long haul.  God bless each of you, I love you!!!!

I want to thank all of you who were praying for me on Wed. when I had my PET Scan.  The test went fine, but I don't get my results 'til I see my doctor next Fri. 2/19.  Yes, that is a long time to wait and yes, Satan has tried to make me think some horrid thoughts, but the Lord reminds me that I am not to worry, but to let my requests be made known to Him and also that God is not a God of fear.  I was really praying about that before I went to bed and thankfully I fell asleep quickly.  I still have a problem with that "waiting" thing and especially the "not knowing."

I will have chemo on Thurs. then I see the doctor on Fri.  When I think about it too much it makes me cry so I would really appreciate your prayers.  Please help me carry this burden. 

Overall, I am feeling Great except still trying to gain strength in my right leg and to get around without falling.  I also continue to have neuropathy in my fingers and toes which is very bothersome.

Your prayers and support are what keep me positive!  I love each of you and I am truly, truly thankful.  God bless you!!!!!

Hi my friends,

I had chemo yesterday, again just Avastin (no Taxol) and I was very tired after it.  Kelsey and I had an appt. but as soon as we got home, I fell asleep for most of the evening too.  It was very hard for me to get up this morning too.  

I got my appt.  set today for my PET Scan and it will be next Wed., 2/10/10 @ 8:45 am.  I truly hope that you will all be praying for God's will and I'm hoping that God's will is to have the PET Scan show that I am cancer-free.

Can you believe that on the 18th of this month. it will have been one year from the day I was diagnosed.  God has done many, many amazing things in my life this past year and that is because of the beautiful expressions of love and concern from all of you.  It's very hard for me to express how grateful I am to each and every one of you...but I know God knows.

Thank you again for your continued love and support for the past year and please don't quit yet--I hope you will hang in there with me to continue this fight.  I love you all!!!

It's Friday night and I had chemo yesterday and after our usual lunch (El Taco), I did fall asleep for quite a while, but of course, with the rain and Kelsey and the dog sleeping too, it was very easy to sleep.

I saw the orthopedic doctor and he wants me to wear my pretty brace for 3 months--yes, 'til April.  I went to my gym at work this week (which I hardly recognized with all the new equipment) to work on strengthening my leg.

For those of you who follow my blog regularly, I'm sure you've seen one person who comments on my blog every time, is Betty Taromino and the NY Group.  Betty is my brother-in-law's sister (one of his 7 siblings) and she came out from New York last week and I got to go with my sister to pick her up at the airport, then we played (and ate) at The Pike in Long Beach.  I also got to see her at my sister's house on Saturday and we played the famous NY card game, Hand and Foot.  She is as sweet as her comments on my blog and I was excited that I got to meet her and spend some time with her.

I praise God for each and every one of you who care about what is going on with me and I am grateful for your prayers and support.  It really touches me when I hear that someone is reading my blog--THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  I pray that each of you receives extra blessings from the Lord this week.  Lots of love to all of you......until next time  

I'm back........I went to the doctor last Friday and I am going to keep taking chemo (Avastin only) until the end of Feb. when I will have another PET scan done.  He did not say what would happen if I am responding, but if I'm not responding, I will probably go on a new regiment because I can't go back on Taxol or my neuropathy would get really bad.  We'll see how I have responded when that time comes.
I have been feeling great!  This week no one poked me--no shots, no chemo and no blood draws.  I had an appt. with the guy who made my beautiful brace (lol) today and he made some minor adjustments to make me walk better.  I see the Orthopedic doctor on Friday but he is just going to check my gate (medical term for "walk") and my strength.  I went to my last phys. therapy this morning and now I have to keep doing my strengthening exercises on my own.  I am fortunate to have a gym at work so I can keep up with all of them.  I just have neuropathy at the tips of all my fingers and toes.  Overall, I have had much more stamina in a day.  I actually come home from work later and I get some household chores done too, before I land in my chair for the evening.  Thank you for your prayers and everything--I am definitely feeling very well.  I know God is not done using me!!!