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Annette, Saturday April 28, 10 AM
Jacquline stayed one night at the Ronald McDonald House but is suffering from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea and had to return to the hospital.
Annette, Sunday, April 29, 2:37 PM
Today is the first day without pain killers. The crying has pretty much subsided but has not quite stopped yet. She’s still got diarrhea but at least she has not thrown up in quite a while, which gives us hope that she will be able to gather some strength.
Email Vince, Monday, April 30, 11:00 AM
Hi Everyone,
Last night Jacquline actually ate something for the first time in over a week ( only a bite ) but she is getting better.
She smiled that priceless smile and the cramps and nausea seem to have gone away for now.
She was unable to go to the playroom for the past few days due to Diarrhea but hopefully today she will be cleared to return.
Jacquline is looking well and her spirits seem to be lifting.
Visit, Thursday afternoon
They got home Wednesday night after Jacquline’s blood count was so good that the doctors sent them home. Jacquline is hooked up to a feeding device almost all the time. Since swallowing is still a big issue, she gets fed and hydrated through this tube exclusively. Her hair was cut short about a week ago and now she is wearing a cute hat wherever she goes. Her hair is beginning to fall out, but the doctors told her that it can look quite different when it grows back, she may even have curls. She likes the idea.
Vince, Sat, 05/05/07, 2 PM
We are all home now.
Jacquline is having a ball with all of her friends, and we went to Haiku School for a visit and a show and tell with all her classmates, everyone had questions about this and that and after one or two minutes they only wanted to play.
They all wished her a great big get well and the next day we went to see the big May Day dance, Jacquline got to sit with her class and enjoy their company.
We got to go to the Fun Factory twice and had fun big time.
Annette's Mom is arriving on the 7Th to help us around the house and take care of Dominique while we are on Oahu.
We are scheduled to return for round two of chemo on the 14th.
Monday 05/14/07, E-mail from Annette
The second chemo started and is going for 3 days. Jacquline is feeling sick, vomitting and belly cramps. But, there is some good news. The surgeon in Seattle is certain she does not need radiation therapy before the tumor removal surgery in her pelvic. He believes he can get it all out without interference in the joint area. Some bone replacement will have to be done at this time. All this will happen end of August in Seattle. Our stay there will be for about one month. End of July we will already travel to see the doctors in Seattle for an assessment.
Her stem cell collection will take place after the third chemo. For this procedure, she has to get a new direct line placed surgically next to the Hickman line. Since she is still not swallowing, because of irritation in her throat from the NG-tube (nasal tube into her stomach for food) the Doctor suggests to put a G-tub directly through her belly wall into the stomach. This would be done in a additional surgery.
It looks like we won't be coming home for a while. I am very happy to have my Mom here with me in the hospital right now. She helps me out a lot. She came from Germany for one month.
Thursday 05/17/07, E-mail from Annette
Jacquline is having lots of nausea today. It will get worse on Monday and then will get gradually better during that week. We might do the G-tube surgery right before the next chemo in two weeks. We might be able to come home in between. Vince is home with Dominique, he had the flu but is better now.
Monday, 05/21/07, E-mail from Vince
Jacquline finished round two of her chemo therapy, and is going through the nasty side affects now. She feels like junk but she looks good and has plenty of fight in her. We are holding up well and are taking turns sneaking out for some much needed R & R. Annette is into juicing now and reading wonderful things about the healing abilities found in juices so she is becoming an expert in the field in short order.
Tuesday, 05/22/07, Email from Vince
Yesterday Jacquline had a 103 fever so we are back in the Hospital, but that is OK as the staff here is wonderful. We fell safe and in good hands here.
Jacquline had to do more tests today for her blood work. Her cramps and nausea still persist and she is kind of out of it which is OK because she is completely miserable when she is awake.
Jacquline had a NG tube for feeding which drives her crazy since day one so the Doctors finally decided to remove it next week and give her a G tube directly into her stomach, less annoying but requires one more surgery.
At least she can swallow again, it has been 6 weeks since she has swallowed anything bigger than a tiny mouth full of liquid.
Saturday, 05/26/07, Email from Vince
Today we all get to go home for a week, Yahoo!
Jacquline is doing well enough to go back home to Maui, She accidental pulled out her I.V. this morning so she started out the day with big tears and a new poke.
She is doing well now and is covered with glue and glitter.
Sunday, 05/27/07, Email from Vince
We are all home and doing well,
Jacquline is doing well and playing with her good friend Xiana and laughing and having a ball.
She went swimming today with her new swimsuit and new wetsuit.
They took out all her tubes and she is free to swim for the next 9 days.
Sunday, 06/24/07, E-mail from Vince
Jacquline and the whole family are home safe and sound. Jacqueline's health continues to improve, her tumor "trashie" has shrunk, so the chemo is working well, we are through the third round of chemo and start round 4 on July 2. Annette and Jacqueline are going to Seattle on the 23rd for consultation for her big surgery in August. Jacquline had stem cell harvest last week which can be quite miserable for most, but lucky for her and us, she slept through the whole procedure (18 hours straight). The process takes about 7 hours where her blood goes through a big centrifuge. The stem cells will be frozen and reintroduced to her after round 8 of chemo. She is feeling well today which is great news as the last few weeks she was quite sick and not feeling well at all. Being home and playing with her friends is the best medicine for her.
No sun for Jacquline while she is on antibiotics. She has a "Hickman" tube on her other side now for all the medicine and blood draws (the other one quit working so she had to go through yet another surgery to get the new one with a new "G" tube in her stomach for feeding. The nasal tube feeding didn't work out and she quit swallowing.
Wednesday, 07/11/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline continues her Chemo therapy and finished round four. She was released for a few days and went to Ronald McDonald house and had a great time catching Geckos and picking flowers with her good friend Hailey, Unfortunate she ran a high fever followed by bad cramps so we felt it best to return to the hospital for tests and some antibiotics along with some fever and pain control drugs and they decided to keep her there for a closer look and more tests.
We plan to return home this weekend God willing.
Sunday, 07/15/07, Email from Vince
We are all home again. We had another tough two weeks and we all came through it OK.
Jacquline continues to amaze all of us, as she is quite an incredible girl.
When we first started all of this madness she could not even tolerate a scratch without crying for an hour. to give her a shot took three people, two to hold her and one to give the shot. Now she is giving herself her shots. It is quite a transformation.
She is rebounding from Chemo with incredible speed and she is so brave. She is home playing with her friends and fighting with her big sister as always.
Saturday, 07/21/07, Email from Vince
Hi All,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Jacquline had to be Medivaced to Oahu Today.
Last night during a routine line flush, which has to be done every day, she suffered what the doctors believe to be a clot that dislodged and went to her lungs.
She had bad chest and stomach pain, she could not breath and had a heart rate of 215 bpm.
We where naturally scared out of our wits so we took her into the emergency room, some hours later we got a room and the doctors on Maui did all they could but where unable to stabilize her. As she got worse they transferred her to intensive care unit.
Her blood pressure droped to a danger zone so all the experts decided to Medivac her to Kapiolani Hospital to get the best of care available here in Hawaii.
She and Mom just left for Oahu and Dominique are here on Maui holding down the fort.
Dominique is kind of oblivious to what is happening (lucky her) and I am scared out of my whits.She apparently has some kind of Infection to boot and has high fever and the shakes on top of everything.
Please pray for Jacquline as we really could use all the help she can get.
Sunday, 07/22/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is doing great!
She has been stabilized and all her vital signs are normal.
She will remain in intensive care for a few more days, So all the doctors can keep a close eye on her, but it seems as though we are through the woods for now.
It looks as though her Seattle trip will be postponed for now, we will have to put off the trip until she is strong enough to travel.
I will remain here on Maui until I am of some use on Oahu.
Annette is on Oahu with Jacquline and said she looks much better and is up and talking, her color has returned and is as feisty as ever.
Tuesday, 07/24/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is out of intensive care and is feeling better.
She still has a bunch of IV's and can't get out of bed but we are through the worst of it for now.
She is still in a lot of pain as she has been stuck in bed for 5 days now.
Sunday, 07/29/07, Email from Vince
We are having a happy Sunday. Jacquline got to sleep in.
Jacquline had some visitors yesterday and last night which really lifter her spirits, Thanks Marlon and Arabelle, tucker and Toby !
She is a little sick from the Chemo but keeps on going like the pink Bunnie on the TV commercials. We are expected to be released tomorrow and will stand by at the Ronald McDonald house till all the fevers subside which usually takes about a week.
Friday, 07/27/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is in a wonderful mood. She continues to amaze us all on how truly tough she is, she always comes back fighting but with the biggest smile and a cheery disposition.
She reminds me of my Grandmother who always smiled and had had only good things to say about the world and everyone in it.
Tuesday, 07/31/07, Email from Vince
We are out of the hospital. Jacquline continues to amaze me, she has yet to complain or cry out in frustration, she has been wonderful to care for, she is as cheerful as possible and is a pleasure to be around.
I must say she has been a wonderful teacher to me, she walks me through all of the procedures, as I must play doctor while we are out of the hospital and Annette has been there every step of the way to fill that role so this my first time on my own.
We took our time and after a few hours we completed all of the chores on our to do list, she continues to help me with her bandage changes, line flushes (scary stuff) and yes she helps do her own shots, which she now wants while she sleeps (good luck).
She still can't swallow, or won't swallow, but as I talked with other parents going through the same ordeal they said there kids didn't swallow there own spit as the Chemo makes it taste awful.
Jacquline finished round 5 of 11 and still continues to take it on the chin and keep on going.
Saturday, 08/04/07
We are back at the hospital. Today, Jacquline is not doing well. Throwing up causes her great pain and her stomach hurts a lot.
Tuesday, 08/07/07, Annette
Hopefully, Jacquline’s blood count is coming up today. The last couple of days were terrible.
Today, the results from the study drawing came back. I was desperately hoping, and was almost convinced we would get into the stem cell study. Unfortunately, that’s not the case and we have to go the long conventional way of chemo. I am completely frustrated, angry and ... disappointed. I get the impression the doctors believe in the stem cell therapy more, but of course it’s all hospital bureaucracy and the doctors are not supposed to comment. Sadly, I now feel like a test dummy, and even worse, her life depends on it.
I will now try and find the answer myself and see if I can find someone who will tell me, with an honest heart, what therapy is the one with a greater chance of healing. Can anyone tell me??? If stem cell therapy is really more promising, is there a way to still get into the study? Switch with someone? I need to find out ....
Besides all the stress, I have been reading more and more in Sabine’s Cancer Cleansing book that the corn syrup solids formula Jacquline is getting, is doing no good for her. I am doing some research in this field and would like to get in touch with someone who has a professional background in nutrition, on Maui or the mainland. It’s possible that a formula based on whey proteins would be much better for her, in so many ways ...
Friday, 08/17/07, Email from Vince
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We had a few setbacks but all is well for now. Annette and Jacquline went to Seattle where my cousin Venita lives, for a consultation.
All went well and the doctors where very optimistic, also optimistic about the impending tumor removal as well. Annette and Jacquline had only a short stay in Seattle and went straight back to Oahu for more Chemo. Big surgery will be on Sept 5th.
Jacquline continues to bounce back and smile through it all,
She is a true inspiration to us all as she never complains and just excepts life as it is one day at a time.
Monday, 08/20/07, Email from Vince, filling in for Annette on Oahu
Jacquline is doing OK. She is finishing up her 6Th round of Chemo and is a real tough girl.
She is taking all they dish out and keeps on smiling. She is out of bed for the first time in a few days and in off to the play room for some arts and crafts( her favorite).
We are busy making sand drawings and rainbow sand jars. She is a real treat to spend time with.
Monday, 09/03/07, Email from Vince
Off to the hospital to get ready for the big surgery. The Doctors at Children's Hospital Seattle seem confident they can remove the tumor and replace half of her right pelvis while saving her hip joint. They phoned us to let us know that a bone donor was located and that the bone looked to be a good match.
They said she should be up and walking in a day or two, Hard to believe but they are very confident and competent. She will have lots of physical therapy after.
Wednesday, 09/05/07, Email from Annette
Jacquline had her big surgery this morning! She was in for about 4 hours. Her right pelvic bone got cut in half and the back part, close to her sacrum, got replaced with another human pelvic bone.
The new bone is screwed on both sides with two screws and two plates, which will stay in.
She has an epidural in her lower spine, so she can't feel any pain right now.
Tomorrow she will have to try to move into a wheelchair and the day after that, we will try to walk with a walker, but she can't put full weight on for a while.
The tumor tissue looked dead when it got removed, the Dr. said, which is common after long chemo. Of course the question is now; why are her chances still so poor? I will get more info on that in the next few days, I hope.
She is in a good mood and watching TV all afternoon. She is drinking water and asking all kinds of questions.
Saturday, 09/08/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is making it through a very tough time in her life. She is in a lot of pain and is being as tough as passable.
Jacquline had to get out of bed just 24 hours after having half of her right pelvis replaced.
It is quite remarkable how resilient she is.
We all went for a ride in the wheelchair through the gardens here, It is a beautiful summer day and there is not a cloud in the sky, the birds are singing and the flowers are in bloom, we even got to pick a few and bring them back to the room.
Yesterday and today Jacquline went for a walk with her tiny little walker, the first day she took a few steps to the bathroom, and today we all went to physical therapy for a much longer walk.
Jacquline had to lift some weights in the form of a 5 pound ball, and walked for a few feet on her own with the use of her walker.
She had to do some stretches of her legs and arms, as she has been in bed for almost a week, and on some heavy pain meds so everything was starting to freeze up.
She did well but I think we all shed a few tears in the process.
She is in bed and watching Disney channel and some of her favorite movies and cartoons, which seems to be the best form of pain control as of yet.
Monday, 09/10/07, Email from Annette
Jacquline is doing better every day. She can stand up with help and walk very slowly with her walker. Still there is lots of work to do. She can't put her full weight on the right leg for about 6 weeks.
Tomorrow we will be released to the Ronald MC Donald House here in Seattle. We have to stay for follow up appointments with the surgeon, physical therapy and Naturopath, till next Tuesday and hope to come back to Maui on Wednesday 19th. But right away Jacquline has to rush to Oahu for more Chemo.
Here are some pix of Jacquline in Maui. [Pix to view here]
Thursday, 09/20/07, Email from Vince
We made it back from what everyone including Annette and I have deemed a very successful trip to Seattle for Jacqulines Hip and Pelvis surgery.
They removed the tumor and all the cancer infected bone and replaced the pelvis bone with a new one and all went well with no complications.
The Doctors all concur that Jacqulines recovery is nothing short of miraculous.
She is up and about with the help of her little miniature walker, It is so cute.
She is borderline running with the thing today and is off to play at the physical rehab gym as I write you all now.
She truly is a walking miracle, to be with he and to care for her truly is a gift and a privilege.
Today is the second day of chemo for what is to be her seventh round, she will probably have to go through fourteen rounds total. (seven more)
She is taking this round like a pro and all the doctors and nurses are all impressed with her and her cheerful disposition.
She really loves it here as far as being stuck in the hospital this place is great.
Everyone here is always glad to see her and is always looking forward to her next visit.
She still feels well and has little if any side-affects as of now, the chemo is a little different now and seems to be a bit more mild comparatively speaking.
Saturday, 09/22/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is out of the hospital and we are standing by at the Ronald McDonald house here in Honolulu.
Jacquling is trying to shake off the nasty side affects of the chemo, and she is holding up great despite the drugs best efforts of keeping her down.
Monday, 09/24/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is doing wonderful!!!!! We have been home for a week now and we are all amazed at how well Jacquline has recovered.
She is undergoing physical therapy a few times a week to strengthen her muscles, and keep her flexibility, and to teach her to walk without limping.
Saturday, 10/21/07, Email from Vince
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I should let everyone know that Jacquline is doing well.
She has finished her another round of Chemo and is doing wonderful.
She is swallowing now and has started to eat solid food again (and enjoying it) for the first time since this whole mess started.
She can finally get rid of her spit bucket which she had to carry around with her the last few months because her spit tasted like all the chemicals from the Chemo.
Annette is doing a great job with all of the super food( juices and fresh live food) all the good nutrition has really made a difference in her blood count recovery and just the energy level and her spirit even seems to be back more so than ever, I am truly impressed with Annette and how she has really taken the bull by the horns.
Sunday, 11/04/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline had a chance to go trick or treating with her best friends, she dressed up as a fairy princess, a princess and a Little Devil.
Jacquline has finished yet another round of Chemo and she is doing great.
She has managed to put on quite a few pounds since Annette has got her on the super foods, nothing but fresh live food and no bleached sugar or flour.
I sneak in some pizza last night though, she loved it and gobbled all it up.
Jacquline said that all the vegi pizza was for her only as she really loves veggies and that if you eat it enough you kind of get use to it, yum yum!
She also loved the peperoni and cheese pizza as well.
She continues to take all the treatments like a pro and complains very little, we have to bargain quite a bit when it comes to shots but we get through it with a few tears and the help of the scream pillow, sorry neighbors for all the noise.
We are out of the hospital for now and back at the Judd hillside Ronald McDonald house, we love it here and feel at home here and are always happy to meet new folks and share our stories and really feel as though we are not alone in our plight.
Jacquline never ceases to amaze me as to how truly tough yet soft and loving she can be.
Friday, 11/23/07, Email from Vince
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving I know we did.
We got a chance to spend the day with our good friends and eat way too much food.
We where able to get two weeks off from the hospital and spent every day having fun.
Jacquline is doing well spending some quality time with all of her friends.
Jacquline has a tutor coming to the house on weekdays for an hour or two a day to help catch her up with her class.
She got to spend a day with her class in Wednesday at school for the first time since she got sick, and she had a great time.
She truly misses school, and all of her good friends there.
She did however come home with a scratchy throat so I guess we should be careful about keeping her in school as for as germs are concerned.
Thursday, 11/29/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline has just finished round 10 of 14 and is doing OK although she quit swallowing for a few days as her saliva tastes really bad from the Chemo.
She started swallowing liquids and some healthy foods Annette got her at the health food store, and of course her favorite (POP CORN) she loves no matter what.
Jacquline got a chance to go therapeutic horseback riding today and is getting back to her normal self, despite catching a cold and a sore throat at school last week.
All is well, Annette and Jacquline are tough as nails.
Friday, 12/14/07, Email from Vince
Jacquline is in Honululu enduring yet another round of Chemo.
Jacquline is in a lot of pain and her gut continues to give her some trouble.
Other than that she is a real champ and a pleasure to be with.
acquline is looking forward to getting home and spending Christmas with family and friends, and we are all looking forward to being home for the holidays.
Wednesday, 01/02/08, Email from Vince
We spent the whole Christmas time out of the hospital and had fun going to movies, horseback riding, going to the Arcade and doing lots of sleepovers with all the little neighborhood girls.
We all got lots of great presents and spent some real quality time together.
Jacquline and I are back to the Kapiolani Hospital for round 13 so only two more and we are done, Yahoo!
Jacquline is doing great and we are all looking forward to getting back to a normal life some day.new pictures
Tuesday, 01/08/08, Email from Vince
We are out of the Hospital and having fun.
We are going Horseback riding today, then off to the beach.
We are all doing well, especially Jacquline.
Annette Dominique Jacquline and Me are all here at RMDH and having a ball.
Jacquline is full of energy and playing hard with her big sister, Annette and I can hardly keep up with them.
Thursday, 01/24/08, Email from Vince
Jacquline is home and having fun, we spend our days just having a ball, playing with friends going horseback riding, and playing games on the computer.
Jacquline was scheduled to start Chemo on Tuesday but her blood counts were too low so we will probably start on Friday or next Monday, that gives another week to have fun and take a much needed break from the chaos.
Friday, 02/01/08, Email from Vince
Everything is back on schedule.
Jacquline had a few setbacks as her White Blood counts where very low and was unable to start her Chemo on the normal time frame. She continues to do well and feels good.
Jacquline is happy and having fun and other than being Bald like myself she is quite a normal six year old.
She enjoys playing with her friends and fighting with her sister when they are not hugging and playing and behaving like only sisters do.
Annette is going with Jacquline to Kapolani Hospital today.
Saturday, 02/09/08, Email from Vince
Jacquline and Annette are all home. After her 13Th round of Chemo Jacquline was strong enough to travel back home and she looks great.
Wednesday, 02/27/08, Email from Vince
Jacquline continues to do well and is awaiting blood test results to see when she is strong enough to complete her 14Th and final round of Chemo.
She will then have to go through two weeks of Radiation therapy on her lungs where the cancer had spred to, we are all looking forward to wrapping up all of this and resuming a somewhat normal life again.
Although life will never be the same after all we have been through we seem to more aware of our short time here on earth and we only have so much time to spend with one another, so that said we all need to be a little kinder to one another spend a little more time with one another .
Take time for friends and family and be more patient with those folks we don't see eye to eye with.
Love one another and let the ones you really care about know it.
You who are on this list need to know how much I appreciate all you have done for Annette Myself Dominique and especially JACQULINE.
We love you all.
Monday, 03/03/08, Email from Vince
I am happy to say that Jacquline is done with all 14 of her Chemo treatments, Yahoo!!!
She still has two weeks of radiation therapy on her lungs, and we will be seeking a cancer cleanse, but it feels great to have made it this far.
The past 11 months have been a life time for our family and we could not have made it without the love and support we have received from all of our family friends and the whole community here and abroad.
They had a party for Jacquline at the Kapiolani hospital for her last round of chemo and there was lots of cake and presents, she was very happy to make it through that as we all are.
She is resting and recovering at the Ronald McDonald house on Oahu and soon she will go through a whole battery of scans and tests and meet with a whole new staff of doctors who will be performing her radiation treatments.
We are truly blessed to come as far as we have intact.
Monday, 04/14/08, Email from Vince
We are all good here on Maui.
Jacquline has finished all of her standard treatment and is doing great!!!
I took her to school today and spent the whole day with the class and we all had a wonderful time. Dominique spent her whole recess time with Jacquline as well and we had a great time playing tag and tire jumping and climbing on the monkey bars.
The whole class welcomed Jacquline and made the day very special for her.
We did show and tell and drawings for Jacquline and everyone made her feel really welcome and loved.
I would like to thank everyone for helping us to this point in our lives for it truly has been a journey of the spirit and soul for all of us and we are happy to be where we are and we could not have made it here without all of the wonderful people we have had behind us every step of the way, we truly appreciate every bit of help and encouragement we have received.
We are blessed to have made it to this point in our lives in tact.
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