Hello friends and family of Linda Paquette. While we plan to continue to share news of Lin’s condition with you here, the need for this site is hard to confront. We appreciate your care and concern as we share weekly details and updates of Lin’s condition and continue to hope for happy times ahead.
Since March of 2018, Lin has struggled with breathing and fatigue. Concern from her friends and family finally influenced her to go to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a pleural effusion. After repeated draining and testing, as well as surgery and biopsy of the lung, results showed that, Lin was suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer in her left lung, with metastasis to her back, rib, and several other suspicious spots in her body. Lin was referred for treatment with a Lung Cancer Specialist at Rush Oncology, and in May began 6 rounds of chemotherapy. Treatments have been shared between Rush Oncology in Lisle and Presence Cancer Care/JOHA in Joliet.
In monitoring progress of Lin's treatment throughout chemotherapy, she has been undergoing further testing, particularly on the "suspicious spots," including one on her brain. Friday July 13th, Lin was diagnosed additionally with Leptomeningeal disease, where the cancer has become aggressive, and travels through cerebral/spinal fluid to attack the lining of the brain. Untreated, she may just have a few weeks. With treatment, the doctor has said that life can be extended months, with 6 months to a year being the outside chance. Treatment includes whole brain radiation, which has it's own share of complications. Lin has begun the recommended 10 rounds of radiation at JOHA on July 17th.
Obviously, this diagnosis and treatment are terrible to contemplate for friends and family, but they're even harder for Lin, who has just celebrated her 71st birthday, and has been looking forward to many more with her children Justin and Mandy (and their spouses Anne and Joe), and grandchildren Connor, Claire, Sydney, and a soon-to-be-born Baby Dwyer. Lin appreciates all the calls, visits, cards, food, and well-wishes from her friends and family these past few months, and looks forward to more as she struggles with this new course of treatment.
Currently, Lin is residing in Presence Villa Franciscan, 210 Sprinfield Ave. Joliet IL in room 231. However, Lin anticipates moving into the Timbers at Shorewood next week. We will update with her new address and room number, as well as details for visitors. Any mail sent to Lin's house, Mandy and Justin are also bringing to her weekly.
We will make sure to share any notes, good wishes, and comments from this site with Lin. We appreciate that all our family and friends care deeply, and we'll try to update the site with a journal entry weekly.
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