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Word From Jen – December 1

Good morning all!

Last night was a good night. My rash is slowly giving way. I was able to get some good sleep last night even with the early morning vitals and blood labs.

This morning they had to redo my labs to check to see if the first labs were right. My hemoglobin dropped from an 8.2 to a 6.9 and then read a 7.0. So l will be getting a hemoglobin transfusion. I don’t need platelets or anything else which is good.

With being on chemo and IV fluids my counts are going to drop. The fact that I have gone almost 2 full weeks without needing a transfusion is amazing.

My sister Jessica Crawford stayed the night with me. We played countless rounds of rummy and learned how to french braid my hair….well sorta.

Yesterday we went on 2 walks around the hospital and my own floor which will reduce the heparin shots that I may need.

Today we did another quick walk around the floor before I was due for a refill on my chemo and my transfusion.

The nurses and PCA’s here love my hair Laura Moreo. Already planning my next color!

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My brother Matt Honigford is coming down to see me this afternoon/evening and I believe mom and dad will be back down tomorrow.

They keep talking about moving me down to the 15th but that hasn’t happened yet so I am not holding my breath. I don’t mind the 16th floor.

If you want to send me an ecard or a present my current room number 1604. If I happen to change rooms before it gets to me they will make sure I get it anyway.

I really appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers and the donations. It really helps more than you know.

If you want to visit please let me know and we can set that up 🙂

Keep my family and me in your thoughts and prayers as well as those in Tennessee. Those fires are scary and can’t imagine what the people of Tennessee ate going through right now.

God bless!

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Chemo Started

Today I started Chemo. I am doing what’s called 7 + 3 which is 7 straight days of chemo and 3 of those days I get 2 bags of chemo.

I was also giving a heparin shot to prevent blood clots.

Doctor’s haven’t been in yet. Mom went home for the day to get things since we weren’t prepared to be admitted early. But my sister is here to spend the day with me 🙂

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Good News/Bad News Kinda Day

So plans have changed.

One of the common side effects of this clinical trial drug is a rash. Last evening Jen noticed she was itchy and today as we are sitting here at the James, she developed a rash. It has become more apparent as they day has progressed. It covers about 70% of her body and since it is more then 30%, she is being admitted.

So the good news is her chemo will start two days sooner then expected. The bad news is she will not be able to be home for the next several weeks.

She will get chemo for 7 days. On two of those days she will get two chemo drugs. They call this 7+ 3.

About day 10 her counts will fall dramatically. This is where she is at most risk for infection. About 2 weeks in her hair will begin to fall out. 4 weeks we should see a rebound in numbers if everything is working. When numbers improve she will be able to go home.

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Thank You

Week 2

The ‘thank yous” for week 2 is going to take me awhile to write. 1. because I am cooking a late dinner tonight due to not getting back from Jen’s hair appt until 7:30 and 2. because the list is so long. It may just end up taking a couple post to complete.

✓ Thank you again Diann Neal and Ernie Nealfor allowing Jessica and Jennifer to stay with you last week so that they were able to get to their early morning appt.
✓ Thank you Deb Spieles for your message this week. I am looking forward to seeing what you and Jessica have planned.
✓ Thank you Kimberly Bair for the conversation. It is nice to have your insight about these battles that lay ahead.
✓ Thank you Alex Warnement also for planning an event for Jen. And also Jessica Crawford for taking over some of the load in planning it.
✓ Thank you Dolores Johnson for sharing with me about the chapel at the James. Randy and I took a tour of it when we recognized the names outside the door. It is such a peaceful place.
✓ Thank you Angela Gamble for the nice conversations over the last week. I hope your battle with this horrible disease is a short one and life can get back to some normalcy soon for you.
✓ Thank you Tabitha Maag for your messages through out this week. I was feeling pretty low a couple of times, and those words and often snapchats of those cute babies are really helpful. Also thank you for setting up with Laura to do Jen’s hair. The smile on her face will push me through.
✓ Thank you Laura Moreo! She is still smiling! Her hair looks amazing. You did a wonderful job and your kindness will not be ever forgotten.

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Heros

Heroes always show up in those moments you need them most. On the afternoon Jennifer was to have her bone marrow biopsy, I had one heck of a stomach ache and needed tums so badly. But fear if I went down to the gift shop, they would show up to do the biopsy and I wouldn’t be there for Jen. I prayed my stomach ache would subside as I needed to be at her side. But it was not letting up.

In desperation, I asked her nurses if they had anything I could take, but they directed me to the gift shop. That day, Jennifer’s personal care assistant was this spunky young woman. She had a beautiful bed side manner and always a beautiful smile on her face. When she heard of my problem, she came in the room and told me she would run to the gift shop for me. Not 10 minutes later, she showed up with tums. I immediately took them and my stomach ache subsided quickly. Soon there after the team showed up to do Jen’s biopsy and I was able to sit near her and hold her hand through it. I am so grateful for my hero that day. And that God sent her to me.

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Support From Friends & Family

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Tolise Adkisson  – Our church is praying for all of you and especially for Jen to beat this thing.

Abbi Vincent – Praying for everyone! 15171327_10157778707765634_7860102571530424466_n

Ashleigh Webb – Prayers going up for you lil girl

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Today I made a life changing decision and I enlisted in the Army National Guard, and I can honestly say I am so excited for the adventure I am about to take! However, I am not the only one facing a life-changing obstacle. PLEASE SHARE THIS! I have also chosen to wear orange today in support of one of my best friends, Matt Honigford’s sister Jenny, who was diagnosed with Leukemia yesterday. We all care about you Jennifer and know you can conquer this! If any of you would like to lend support or affection for Jenny do so at Let’s Do This – Beating Leukemia with Jennifer please! Also, we all know these things can be expensive and it would mean the world to myself, Matt, Jenny, and their whole family if anyone could donate anything to help! Here is the link (https://www.gofundme.com/jennifers-fight) and thank you so much!! – Justin Varble

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Today I wear orange for my sister @jennhon06 who was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday. Together we will fight this and kick cancers ass because cancer has messed with the wrong family. – Matt Honigford

Karen Warnecke – Wishing the results were different but knowing God’s holding Jennifer in His hands. Faith will carry through the hard times.

Michelle L. Heitmeyer – Will keep all in our prayers!

Heather Nicole — With Thanksgiving drawing near, and so much going on, let’s remember to be thankful for what we do have and not focus on what we don’t have! Although the Honigfords may not have their traditional Thanksgiving this year, they have each other (and all of you and your support) and that’s what matters! We’re all blessed to be here and have another day. Thank You Lord for family and good friends!

Melissa Burgei – Sending in my swab kit! ❤️

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Upate – Tuesday, November 22, 2016

This evening Jennifer is headed to Columbus with her sister Jessica for early morning appointment with the clinical trial folks at the James. Thankfully they are able to stay with Randy’s aunt Diann. She is preparing them a late evening meal when they arrive which is super nice of her.

Jen overall felt ok today. She has a bit fatigued and light headed this morning but as the day progressed she felt a bit better.

A bit of bad news for her today was the place she was in contact with to harvest her eggs after chemo told her they don’t except her insurance. So I’m not sure if there may be another place she can do this with or if we will need to figure out how to pay for that out of pocket. The initial visit over $250 and without knowing additional cost from there it is definitely something to figure out. This is one of those things I need to let go and let God lead us to the answer. Prayers needed in that department.

We decorated today for Christmas and listened to Christmas music nearly all day. Every year we question why there are so many versions of the song Last Christmas, one of Matt‘ s least favorite Christmas songs.

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Most Important Test of Their Lives

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Update – Friday, November 18, 2016

Jennifer had a pretty good day. She took a long nap this afternoon as she didn’t sleep too great last night. She was pretty quiet all day which isn’t her but she is taking some meds to help with anxiety and so that can make her feel a little off for a couple days.

St Rita’s delivered some supplies for us to clean her central line. Today was the first time we had to do that ourselves, but it was easy to do.

Tomorrow her sister is going to spend some time with Jen and maybe even take Jen out for a bit as long as Jen is feeling up for it. Jen will need to wear a mask around others when out and try to not touch things too much and wash her hands frequently.

On Monday, Jen will go to the hematologist in Lima to check her numbers and on Wednesday she has appt in Columbus at the James. Because the appt are early, the plan is to stay in Columbus with Randy’s aunt Diann. We are so lucky to have her there. I have also been offered a few other places to sleep when I am in Columbus for long periods of time and I am sure will be taking them up on the offer. The first week I had a hard time leaving Jen’s side as it seemed every time I did…something happened that concerned me. I am much happier being with her then being away.

Jen is handling this all like a pro. Her smiles and gentle ways continue as I know her to be. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter who has more love in her then nearly everyone I know.

Keep the prayers coming as I do believe God has been close at our sides every minute and sends us some miracles when we need them the most.