Team Janel

I made the comment the other day that in college, you sometimes feel like you're removed from the real world. That constant worries about school or social events or whatever you worry about at school is truly so important. Well, I got a real hard slap in the face the end of this semester. Things like that, they're petty.


Meet my Aunt Janel...
She is my dad's brother's wife. My mother's sister-in-law. My cousin's mother. My aunt.


My Aunt Janel has been diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

She is the mom to 2 boys, Brandon and Tyler. She is happily married to my Uncle Mike and they live in Creedmoor, NC.


Here's a little info from her Facebook group.

"In the early months of 2011, Janel became terribly ill and began, receiving treatments for a blood disorder called ITP. As a result of responding poorly to various medications, her doctors implemented a bone marrow aspiration and determined that she has Follicular Lymphoma. Soon after her first stay in the hospital, in early April, she was additionally diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Janel was readmitted to the hospital on May 20, 2011 where she still remains. During her stay, she has been in and out of ICU several times. Again, she is currently being treated in ICU. As you can imagine, this has been devastating to her family and friends, but especially overwhelming to Janel."



She has missed birthdays, Easter, mother's day, numerous baseball games while admitted in the hospital. It's been a long time coming and she was supposed to come home on July 4th. Her neighborhood planned parties and were all awaiting her arrival. 


The day before her expected arrival home my Uncle posted this on the group. 


""They had to intubate her and are trying to reduce pressure in her brain. It is touch and go right now. Help her Lord, either way to fight this and get better or to be ready to come to you and see her mother."

Well as everyone was overwhelmed with the news and the activity on the Facebook group was extremely touching, people praying for miracles, comforting my uncle and cousins, praying she would feel no pain, etc. For me it became hard to read but also comforting to see all these people come together. 

The next day we got this post:

"Ok, here is the latest, great news first! She will open her eyes and look in your direction if you talk to her. Still super medicated, so the looks are not for long but hey this is huge news! She may have an intestinal infection they are looking for, and her pressure in her brain is still high so we have a ways to go. The prayers are working!"

On Monday, the 4th, we had 141 members, by the 5th it was up to 453 members. The prayers and support were unbelievable from all around the country, many who had never met Janel. 

Today, we got this post:

"Breaking news! While awake she did awesome in her neurological exam. She blinked 3 times for me, squeezed my fingers with her left hand and showed the doctor 2 fingers with her right hand. He said she was at the best possible level while on a breathing tube. Can I get an Amen here!"

It's the power of prayer people! People have made green ribbons and tied them to their mailbox, porch light, office doors, etc. Many group members have made their profile picture to the team Janel group picture. It's truly amazing to see the love and support from everyone and I know it's touching to my uncle and cousins, and my Aunt Janel, who hears all the posts and support from her bed.

The group member total today? 1,153. And the posts count? 1,027.

Sure, a youtube video or funny tweet can go viral fast, but a group supporting a woman who's battling cancer? It's pretty amazing. 

If you have a few minutes, after reading this novel post, join the group and leave a comment. I know it will truly be appreciated! 

YOU CAN FIGHT THIS AUNT JANEL!

UPDATE:


Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. My Aunt Janel passed away. She joined all the angels in heaven on July 17th. Her funeral was beautiful and please continue to keep her sons and my Uncle Mike in your prayers. Her group on Facebook is now being used as a sort of prayer list and is amazing to see the rally and support from complete strangers when someone is in need. Please check it out and see all the amazing things an amazing woman has lead us to be a part of.