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(Jan’s story is being authored by family members who have been with Jan throughout this journey. It is written in laymen’s terms with as much accuracy as possible. Thanks to everyone for all the love that has been shown to Jan and her family. Please continue to keep Jan in your prayers. God’s blessings.)🙏
Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2016. We were hopeful when her tumor was successfully removed with clear margins, and no cancer was found in her lymph nodes. She chose to have a double mastectomy, so she would not have to worry about any recurrence. As a follow up to the surgery, she had a scan, and an appointment at Cancer Care Institute with Dr Sahin, who became her oncologist. The scan revealed a metastatic tumor in her liver. And, so began Jan’s battle against stage 4 breast cancer.
With true warrior strength and spirit, Jan has endured several types of chemotherapy over the past year and a half. Jan’s quiet strength and determination have been an inspiration to all who know her.
At Jan’s first chemotherapy appointment, she matter-of-factly told the nurses (whom we love💕) that she didn’t “do” side effects. And, she didn’t.
Jan’s cancer tumors, which were eventually also found in her lungs, did not respond to targeted chemotherapy. She was given an oral chemotherapy drug that had to be taken daily. This chemo also did not work, leaving Jan not feeling well and everyone frustrated. Finally, an ‘old school’ chemotherapy drug was used, with wonderful results. In mid-April of this year, her scan showed NO cancer in her lungs and one extremely shrunken tumor in her liver!! Everyone was ecstatic!!
Toward the end of May, Jan developed some speech changes and some confusion. Hoping this was due to the cumulative effect of all the chemo Jan has had, a scan was planned for Thursday May 30. Things changed dramatically in a short period of time, with Jan ending up in Rapid City Regional Hospital on May 30, with a scan showing that the cancer had aggressively attacked her brain. Radiation was given for about a week. Jan came to Hospice House of the Black Hills a week after she was admitted to the hospital, where she is currently in room 8.
At Hospice House, Jan has had so many visitors: friends, family, friends who are like family. It has surely been the sign of a life well lived that so many people love her so much💕
It is with heavy hearts that we need to inform you that Jan has passed away with her loved ones by her side. She passed June 28th around 150am. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
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