Once again we have made a trip to Seattle with great anticipation on the final verdict regarding the tumor. We came well prepared with many question and expectation to receive many answers. Again we are able to report very encouraging news.

The tumor has been identified as a low grade Nerve Sheath Tumor sometimes referred to as Schwannoma. This is quite rare but not as aggressive sarcoma as originally thought. The Doctors were not only surprised but very delighted with this diagnosed and feel that there is only be a 10% “chance” it will come back. The team of Doctors felt at this time is was not necessary to start radiation treatment. They have setup a follow up MRI on November 21 to check if any new growth has occurred. After this test they will determined if it is necessary to start radiation. Dr Conrad seemed surprised and relieved on the outcome of the test and apologizes for the large scar on Jackie arm. As for the use of her triceps muscles he had to take out a rather large section but felt over time this won’t effect the use of the arm.

After our meeting in November 21 we will need one more checkup in the beginning of June 2007 for him to give Jackie a clean bill of health.

We have much to be thankful for and know at the end of the day the Lord is in charge and has his plans set out for us. The Lord has shown his kindness to Jackie through your prayers and constant support. Thank you again for all the cards, e-mails and phone calls. Jackie has said many times you don’t feel like you go through this alone what a wonderful blessing.

Yours in Christ,
The De Jonge’s

With great Joy and Thankfulness Jackie was able to come home late Saturday afternoon. The Doctor’s felt comfortable with her progress and pain management. The Lord has given us much to be thankful in both the speed the Doctor responded and the low tumor grade. Currently Jackie is feeling a fair bit of discomfort and some muscle spasm, which is to be expected with this type of surgery. Next week Tuesday we go back to the Cancer clinic in Seattle with the intent to set up a plan for radiation treatment. As far as we know she will have this treatment in Bellingham for 5days per week over a period of 6 weeks. We are not sure of the side effects with this type of treatment but know there is some discomfort attached to radiotherapy.
This week Jackie’s parents are staying with us and helping out in the house as I go back to my work. Our family is grateful to have them here and appreciate their wiliness to help in the daily operations of the De Jonge household. If you would like to visit please feel free to call and Jackie has promised to tell you if she is not up to having the visit.

Thanks again for all the well wishes and at the end of the day may God be glorified through all this tumult and uncertainty.


Yours in Christ,
The De Jonge’s

The Day after the surgery.

We sit here with great thankfulness to our Heavenly Father above who continues to give hope and grace each and every day. The surgery went well and the doctors were happy with the outcome. The tumor seemed to shrink since last weeks MRI which allowed them to cut a 2cm margin around the tumor for 3 out of the 4 points. As originally expected the area closer to the auxiliary nerve was the 1-point they needed to cut below the 2cm margin. The triceps muscle was cut and some removed which means at this time she cannot use her triceps. The Doc feels over time she will be able to use this muscle again. Jackie is feeling pain in her left arm but it is now manageable through “drugs” every 3 hours. If all goes well she hopes to come out on Sunday or at the latest Monday.

Now the big question is where do we go from here? This morning the Doctor and team who did the surgery yesterday came by the room. They went over the procedure completed a wet biopsy which did coincide with the PET scan and classified a low-grade tumor. Over the next couple of weeks they we have a full detail assessment of the tumor and make the decision if and when she will need radiation treatment. If this treatment is recommended this can be done in Bellingham and take about 5-6 weeks. As for a clean bill of heath this will take sometime which at the moment is not known.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this blog and I hope this gives us all reason to love one-another and continue to pray for all those who are suffering.

Yours in Christ,
The De Jonge’s

Jackie underwent surgery today. The surgery lasted 1.5 hours and the tumor was sucsesfully removed. However she is in a fair amount of pain. Some of the muscle in the arm has been cut out but she should be able to have most or full use of her arm once things have had time to heal. Hendrik is staying in Seattle tonight with Jackie, and the kids are staying at home with Jackie's parents.

Today Jackie went back to Seattle and completed her PET scan and we were pleasantly surprised. The Doctor have now down graded the tumor to low. This very good news because she will now have the 5cm x 2.5cm tumor removed and this will mean she will not have the Chemo treatment. Tomorrow Jackie will have her surgery at 12:30 pm and have the tumor removed. This will keep her in the hospital until Monday. After this she will probably undergo radiation treatment to make sure they have taken care of all the bad cells. As for how we feel we continue to be thankful that God has heard all our prayers and on all accounts Jackie should be ok. Thank you all for the wonderful comments and for the communion of saints.

This is as far as we know and please continue to keep us in your prayers.

The Thankful DeJonge Family

These few pictures were taken on sunday september 3rd.

In case anyone doesn't know, from left to right

Jessica Chase Erin Danielle and Danae

We have just got back from the Sarcoma clinic in down town Seattle. We spent 3 hours with different Doctors and nurses who gave not only a plan of attack but also some encouraging news. Dr. Conrad felt very comfortable to say at this time Jackie will not loose her arm and more than likely have full use of her arm after surgery. He is treating this as an intermediate grade soft tissue sarcoma in the triceps muscle and the auxiliary nerve is at risk. (If this nerve is removed she will feel numb on top of her arm).

As you all can imagine we are so thankful to hear this news and believe the prayers that have been sent out have been heard. God is gracious and has shown favor on Jackie to allow her to keep her arm. We know there is still a road to be travel to beat this cancer but feel God will continue to take care of Jackie as he has done in her past years. It has amazed us how great the cancer clinic has treated us and felt that God has instructed each team member to take care of Jackie.

Dr Conrad is a big believer in the PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) and feels that between the PET and the Biopsy he will be able to make an accurate assessment on the tumor.
Below is the latest agenda for the up coming days.

1) Tomorrow she will go for a PET scan back in Seattle for 3 hours to see how active/aggressive the tumor is.

2) On Thursday evening 8 or 9pm he will open up Jackie's arm and complete a biopsy. If the tumor is low to intermediate grade tumor Dr Conrad will remove it immediately. She will then have to stay in hospital until Sunday or the latest Monday. Assuming all things go well Jackie will have a follow up with radiation directly of the arm over the next couple weeks.

3) Only if this tumor is a High grade tumor will she then be stitched up on Thursday night and they will start her on chemotherapy which would mean she will be in the hospital for 5 days and receive an aggressive 96 hours of direct chemo.

Both Jackie and I thank you all for reading this blog and appreciate the prayers and care you continue to show us through this challenging time.

May we all be served through this news and may this bring us all closer to Christ,

The De Jonge’s

This is the first message regarding Jackie's heath concerns. It is now been 4 days since we have received the news from the Doctors on the Sarcoma cancer tumor growing on Jackie's left arm. We are currently in the waiting stage until our visit tomorrow to the Seattle's Cancer Care Alliance. This meeting will be with Dr. Ernest Conrad who is a specialist in Sarcoma Cancer.
So far we are told that this tumor needs to come out ASAP. The unknown is, will Jackie loose her arm or the use of her arm. We do not know if this cancer has spread but the doctors are hopeful that it is contained to her arm. Both Jackie and I continue to be reminded that the Lord is our guide and comfort. He has His plans for Jackie, and I know He will not give her more than she can handle. This weekend we have felt the Love of God in our lives through all who have sent a card, phoned, e-mailed, visited or said a prayer for her. We are praying for the Lords healing powers that this operation will allow Jackie not only to keep her arm but to fully use it. We were assured on Sunday that the Lord has shown his love and kindness in our lives and we will submit to his name above all through what ever He gives us to endure. Those who know Jackie, she is a pillar of strength and her love for God and her family are always the centre of her life.
Please continue to pray for her as her life is very precious and she is a very important part of our children's life as they grow in age.

Yours in Christ,
De Jonge Family