Dear friends and family,

Janet’s cancer has progressed at a far faster pace than any of us expected. In two weeks, her tumors are more numerous and are markedly larger. Some are now poised to impinge on vital organs. 

I think her body had magnificently managed to maintain something like stasis as tumors grew for many months, undiscovered, in her colon and then abdomen. But a very rigorous colonoscopy three weeks ago with 40 biopsies, followed by CT scans with multiple contrasts and drugs, and then an infusion of iron, all conspired to overwhelm her body’s dwindling internal resources. As a result, her tumors have grown as much as 20-30% in just two weeks. 

We wound up early Saturday in the hospital ER after two painful days of abdominal swelling. Tests, including a new CT scan, showed a likely infection and danger of sepsis, along with significant tumor growth. Significant antibiotic IVs eliminated the fever and any immediate sepsis risk.

After numerous consultations with medical personnel, including her oncologist and an oncological surgeon and talks with both our grown kids, Janet has counted the costs and feels strongly in her spirit that the best choice for her is the path leading to hospice care… knowing that the Spirit in her is greater than the spirit that is in the world and that with God all things are possible. She wants to focus on gratitude for the wonderful life she’s had and that we’ve had together, instead of fighting tooth and nail to eke out more days while diminishing her life’s quality out of desperation. It’s a heavy decision taken in joy and strength, intended to focus her on joy and strength. 

Janet is exceedingly sensitive to medications of any kind–including the oral antibiotic they sent her home with from the hospital. A hospice approach will allow her body maximum ability to recover from all the recent assaults on it, in the hopes that perhaps she can enjoy a higher quality of life in her remaining days and weeks. She’s already feeling lighter and better having made the decision, and she enjoyed a quiet morning on our sweet patio. 

The speed of all this has stunned us all to try to stay ahead of it and maintain a sense of peace and clarity, so Janet is relieved to have this decision behind her. That speed has also made me an utter failure at keeping you, our dear friends and loved ones, up to date on her journey—I no sooner would draft an update and things would change before I could send it. 

** Please sign up on CaringBridge to be notified of any future updates, and feel free to share your notes of encouragement and love. .. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/janettrenda

Your messages of love and prayers from near and far have been overwhelming and beyond encouraging. Thank you for walking this journey with our dear, dear Janet. Both of us feel your constant love and support. 

Cory & Janet