Jackie Gebhart's Fight with Cancer
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Jackie Gebhart is a "one of a kind" person. She has touched so many lives with her infectious positive attitude and active lifestyle helping to mold our youth into great soccer players and better people. She joined our staff back in 2001 when we started the club and has been instrumental to our club's success and growth. Everyone loves Jackie and what she stands for. She has helped so many of us and now she needs our help.
Earlier this year Jackie was diagnosed with cancer and began a 5 week radiation laser treatment to treat a melonoma on her vertabrae. After the 5 week intensive treatment and severval visits to her doctors (too many to remember) in Boston, she will undertake 2 major surgeries to remove the cancer in her vertabrae. The doctors will actually remove her vertabrae, treat the cancer and then go back in and create a new vertabrae for her to recover with success. We all know that this is a scary time for Jackie, her friends, her family and all the people she has touched. Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.
If you have not joined her facebook "Geb's Fight" - do it today! She posts her thoughts and updates as it's too difficult to remain in contact with all the emails, texts and phone call she receives. She never thought she had do many friends - amazing how one life can touch so many! Below are some posts for you to read on her journey.
We love you Jackie and SUPPORT you in your FIGHT! If there is one person that cancer doesn't want to fight - it's JACKIE GEBHART!!
Both Jackie (when she is up to it) and Tanya Adorno writes updates on the "Jackie Geb's Fight" facebook wall for all to stay in touch. Tanya played goalkeeper for Jackie at Maine for four years and is the event manager at UMaine. We are selling Jackie Gebhart Bracelets for $5 per braclet. All money goes directly to Jackie. If you would like to purchase one or 10, contact Tanya at tanya.adorno@umit.maine.edu. To date we have sold over 100 bracelets!!
Great News - October 20th Update!!
Hello all,
It has seemed like forever that I have updated you on what is going on. I have been so consumed with our season. As with anything else that we are excited about, we find it takes over and times seems to slip away.
As most of you know by now, two weeks ago I went in for my post clinical trial scans to see how the cancer was effected by the drug. The scans turned out to show absolutely no current disease. Between my body fighting this monster and the drug working doosies on me we both kicked the cancers ass. I am ofcourse being very cautious with showing too much excitement over the new, not knowing if it is because I am just off the drug, and other thoughts, but I am also excepting that for atleast the next two months, I am going to live my life as if I were any normal healthy person. Not looking over my shoulder, wondering "what's going to happen to me", being over cautious about what I am eating, doing, or how I am acting. I have a big smile on my face and living everyday to its fullest.
I also wanted to take this time to thank my team for putting together an amazing surprise dinner event for me last Saturday. There were so many wonderful supporters, and friends there and the whole thing was a total shock. It was a beautiful event and it makes me so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of young ladies.
So good news all around. Before I leave you for now I have two things for you.
1. Support the Maine Black Bears women's soccer team, who just pulled off two huge conference wins against Hartford and UNH both in freezing rain and snow. They surely showed alot and wont the fight in those two games. The playoffs are just a week away and we are fighting for every inch to climb the rankings and get one of those home births.
2. If there is one thing I have learned through all of this, it is that having support and strong people in your life, that you can accomplish anything. I have had so many people step up for me and help in unimaginable ways, that whenever I have the chance to help another I will put forth my best effort. Two friend of mine have ventured out and are trying there shot at something they feel passionate about. One just published his first book and the other is starting a clothing line. I am trying to help get the word of mouth out there and hope that all of you will check out the following two websites.
http://www.facebook.com/l/b80d5;www.dearlilly.net
Peter Greyson, author of Dear Lilly: From Father to Daughter: The Truth about Life, Love, and the World we Live in.
I haven't read the book yet but it sounds very inspirational and heartfelt.
http://www.facebook.com/l/b80d5;www.Kaination.com
I have one of these t-shirts and they are amazingly comfortable.
Thanks again for all of your support and I hope we can all help one another in some way.
Here is to the next two months CANCER FREE
September 9th Update
Hello all,
I Know it has been awhile since I have sent an update so I figured it was time. As you may know, I have been on a clinical trial for the last 3 weeks. It is a very new phase 1 trial with only 18 members. The trial has been demanding not only in the drug itself, but the outrageous travel between Orono and Boston. I am in Boston every Wednedsay, which with distance means I must leave every Tuesday, and I often have other appointments around my demands which has made the last 3 weeks a true challenge.
The drug itself is a very powerful drug being administered at a very high dose and it is having a tough reaction on my body. I am consistantly weak, very labored in my breathing, I have been having a difficult time getting food in, but mostly trying to keep weight on. To be honest the last 3 weeks have been a blur and in no means enjoyable.
Throughout the trial time I have had 3 spots of disease, one on my rib cage, one on my right tricept, and one on my left pect muscle. Last Monday I went in to get a biopsy on the spot on my rib cage for their records. While I was getting ready and the doctor was searching my side for the lump, to her surprise, she could not find it. She looked over my scans that were taken the day before, and to her additional surprise and mine, the spot had dissapeared.
At that time I was scared to get too excited about this, but it did lend me a light of hope. So they did the biopsy on my arm lump instead. Leaving just the one spot on my left pect muscle remaining.
Well over the last week, I have been struggling hard with the drug and its side effects. Trying to battle as always, force food into my body, but this past monday, the drug had its way with me and forced me to call 911 as I was experiencing difficulty catching my breath. They didn't find anything of major concern, but did find my body in great dehydration.
This Wednesday I met with the doctors again at Dana Farber to discuss possibilities of changing the dosage of the drug along with taking a short break from it, which is built into the protocol. So I will take a break until Tuesday and start again on the drug at a lower dosage. Which I am hoping will make my quality of life a bit more enjoyable.
I also had my next set of scans run and the results showed that the level of cancer activity in the spot in my left side has dropped from a 12 to an 8 on their scale. Which they informed me is a huge drop and I could see the doctors smile through the phone when he called me with the news.
So the good news is my body is wanting to use this drug to fight this cancer. It is showing good - in my eyes- wonderful results and It is giving me the encouragement that I need right now going through this hard battle.
I wanted to let everyone know that I apologize for not always getting back to you right now, but it has been very difficult to talk while feeling so awful all the time. I hide away alot these days, fighting, but I am starting to receive the results I need to be hearing and that is making it alot easier to get through the days. And hopefully the drop in dose will make the fight a bit easier for me too.
So thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. They are working so believe me I look forward to hearing from you, and in time I will hopefully talk or see all of you again soon, looking strong and ready for battle.
"Always Believe"
Jackie
March 5th Update - Jackie Gebhart sent a message to the members of Jackie Geb's Fight.
Subject: Well overdue!!!!
Hello All,
I know that I filled all of you in on the Surgical information that happened during my 2 week stay at Mass General, but I have been meaning to thank many for their support during that time.
First I want to let you know how I am doing now. I am almost two weeks home and the advances I have made in recovery are amazing. All of my stitches and tube holes are doing well, no infections or anything. I did have some nerve damage during the second surgery that effected my lift hip and leg, but aside from the numbness I am still feeling, I am gaining strength and mobility back to that leg and area which is a relief. The pain in my back is not too bad actually, even with having to cut back the pain killers. I am getting around great, showering again which is wonderful, finally sleeping in my bed rather that the couch, and gaining more and more independence each day.
The only down side over the last week has been the constipation due to the pain killers which is one reason I have cut back major on them. I have gone 11 days with out a real (well you know), spent 9 hours in the emergency room on tuesday for some help but didn't get much from them, I look about 7 months pregnant, and the uncomfortable feeling has effected my personality for sure. I am a grump mister most of the time and that is one reason I have not gotten around to thanking many of you yet for your support. So please understand I am most thankful to everyone, but have been in a down place for awhile, but i am climbing out of it slowly so that is great.
Spending two weeks in a hospital room is hard enough, adding a brick building view and 4 roomates that either snored all night or growned in pain and you could imagine the mental strength I had to have to last that long. But the honest truth is that your support and visits made each day special.
First I have to thank Josette, My sister Lisa, My brother Brendan, My father Ed and his wife Marie, for splitting time and shifts making sure I was never alone and always had a hand to hold and someone to be there for me in every aspect. Even they became closer during this time, and I know that I would not have been able to go through what I had to without their love and support. There is nothing that compares to having your family with you during a time like that and I am so thankful that I have mine because they are the reason I made it home.
I also need to Thank Tanya Adorno and Amy Adamo for their time and friendship. They both spent extra time filling in for my family support when they could not be there. Their help with getting things I needed, being there when I was getting sick or in pain, giving massages, and many other acts were amazing and so welcoming.
Heather Hathorn for spending the day with me and running erreands during a very difficult time for me. She was there when I was in alot of pain and did not want to deal with anyone, but she made the time as comfortalbe as she could for me and everytime I spoke with her or looked at her she kept a smile on her face which helped me get out of my funk.
Jordan Pekrul and her Mom Barb, for also spending time with me during a down time. I apologize for not being totaly with it during your visit, but I remember all of it and It makes me realize how lucky I am to have so many special friends in my life.
Emily Stevens, Sawyer Hanson, Jen Buckley, Kay Miller, Erin Corey, Angie Clark, Maureen McHugh, Elise Tebbetts, Carolyn Fotiu. You have all shown me the meaning of Black Bear Family Pride. Knowing that the 4 years we spent together during your time with Maine Women's Soccer formed a life long friendship and family that together can accomplish anything. Your visit was inspiring and forced me to realize what it is I was fighting for. To know that after my fight with this thing is won, that I will have friends like you to share more time with made the fight an easy battle.
To the entire Maine Women's soccer team, for their unselfish visit on a free sunday. I have already told you how much your visit meant to me. Especially the timing of it. Making one of my worst days, change in an instant by seeing you all walk through the door. Know that soon you will join the list of women I previously spoke of.
To Scott Atherley for making a day trip and spending a great day together. Your support and understanding has helped me be able to focus soley on my recovery which is most important. And making sure I will still be able to be a part of the Women's soccer program even with this huge absence
To Kelly Stubbs, for making many visits each night to just say hello. For making me and my family know that I was in good hands since she also works at Mass General. And for just being a true friend.
For mrs. Adami, kerstin Adami's mother for also visiting and making me know that I was in good hands. IT has been 12 years since Kerstin played for me at Maine and seeing her family visit me during a tough time like that was one of the greatest acts of kindness I received. It showed me that time nor distance can destroy a true connection between people, and that there still are truely wonderful people in this world.
If I have forgotten anyone I sorry. Along with the above visits, I also received many phone calls and texts sharing your wishes of recovery and support, and I thank each of you for reaching out to me. Every act and connection I received during my stay, was a push for me to stay strong, fight hard, and Get back on my feet ASAP. So thank you to evereyone. I would not be were I am today without you, and i believe that I am further than I should be on my road to recovery.
Thank you all and I look forward to going on a walk with each of you soon.
February 24th - Subject: Home at last
Hello everyone. I want to start by saying I am sorry about the lack of communication during the last 2 weeks. Without my phone and internet ability, I had no way of getting the word out except through our superwomen Tanya, so I wanted to fill you all in since today is the first day I have gotten on the computer since the day before surgery.
As you all know from Tanya both surgeries according to the doctors went as planned. I do not have the official documentation of the procedures or full report of the success, but I have a follow up with the surgeons on Monday so I should know all facts then.
Honestley I am sitting here and wondering what to write. It has been a long, rough, two weeks and sooo much has happened that my head is spinning with what I should write down.
I'll fill you in Medically in as short of an explanation as I can thinking it is easiest to write facts right now. The doctors have told me that the removal of the vertabre was successful and the hard wear they were inserting were all functional and look to be in great shape. The stitches look great and are healing well.
On a personal note about the surgeries, Wow what an experience it has been. I am quickly learning the meaning of the word "Patience" but it is a word that I have not had alot of familiarity with in my life until now so it is a tough one to except.
I arrived home in Orono on Saturday afternoon. Luckily I was able to a get the hospital to transport me because I can not even imaging how the heck I would have made it any other way.
While I was in the hospital I was making small strides in recovery, which the nurses seemed to be amazed by, but I guess they are more familiar with the rate of recovery. During my stay It was easy to except the pain and discomfort in my back(I mean I just had a bone removed right) but the compromises that concerned me the most were 1. the fact that my breathing is so labored. With the swelling inside my chest cavity, along with the incision through my ribs and the lung tubes hanging from my chest you could only imagine the discomfort and frustration. Since being home my breathing has become less labored and i am finding that I don't have the felling of fainting from simply walking to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
The second concern was that during the second surgery they compromised my left leg nerves in some manner. They do not know the exact impact but as of now I am still numb from my belly button to mid back on the left side. My groin and hip are in constant pinched never feel, and the strength in that leg is much less that in the right. They say over time It should recover, but nerves are a long process.
But all in all I must admit that The last two weeks were the longest, toughest of my life. I went through what the doctors explained as the "open heart surger" of backs, and I am sitting in my chair at home, able to look out at the amazing sunshine, often trecking out the the deck to get some fresh cold maine air, walking to the bathroom, doing laps around the couch, ever so often canning my way up and down the stairs, and through it all basically doing so at a slower pase then usual but thank God I am doing them.
I wanted to give you the medical update first so you all know the I am doing great and learning each day little tricks so make my life easier. I will write again to let you know about how amazing your support has been for me during these past two weeks, but that will take some time so i will give you a break for that one.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in my recovery. I will be back on here again tomorrow.
February 18th Update - Subject: Jackie's Cell Phone!
Jack wanted me to make sure EVERYONE knew that her cell phone is officially BROKEN... and that she is not ignoring ANYONE:) along with that message, she wanted me to fwd the phone number to her hospital room. (617) 724 - 4693
Her 2nd surgery went JUST as planned again.. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to spend a lot of time down there since surgery last Thursday..I encourage any of the 2008-2009 women's soccer players to please post on the wall just HOW Jackie is doing(Cyr Bus Line donated a bus to send the team down to see her sunday afternoon)...Anyone else that has visited, pleeeease post to the wall:) I TOO, am out of the loop on the daily IMPROVEMENTS which are HUGE from here on out.... Since we saw her fairly bed bound on sunday... she has been able to walk to the bathroom..I ASSUME a veeeerry slow process... BUT FROM HERE ON OUT it's TIME, REST, and REHAB!
February 10th Update
Subject: Jackie Update
Helloooo All,
So I have finally figured out where I can go in the hospital to be able to update!! Jackie has improved 10 folds since I got here sunday... She had some intense stomach pains sunday into sunday night which kept her from being able to take any food IN... since then though, things have been "moving"(she is going to kill me for writing this).. and has been feeling much better..slowly eating.. yesterday 2 bites of pudding and just an hour ago, about a third of a yogurt... to let her stomach feel it out.. she is taking her time taking anything in out of complete FEAR of that pain coming back... but anyway, she has her color back and although still incredibly difficult, Rolling from her back to her side has gotten "easier"... still doesn't look easy BY any means.. but she is able to do it with much less help.. yesterday the Physical Therapist came in and she walked DOWN the hall with her walker and back WITHOUT it, with just a soft arm help... she explains her slow/awkward walking as more of a FEAR than a pain (5 out of 10)... the fear of tripping, slipping, or adjusting the "apparatus" in her back...
Let me back up though and explain what happened on friday as well as I understood it.. the surgery team went in from the back and took out as MUCH of the L1 vertebrae as they could, put in the 2 rods, and filled the space with a bone mixture that included some of her own cells from her hip bone.. that's where I got lost... a few of the doctors have been in to visit her to get updates and such and they all keep telling her that the surgery went exactly as they had hoped... WHICH IS GREAT news.....
Just as she improves 10 folds every day, she goes back under THURSDAY..she has an amazing attitude and is finding some humor in the situation.. in PARTICULAR, she has been deciding/predicting the weather outside based on the color/contrast of the brick of the building 3 feet away outside the window of her "president's suite" of a room.. :)
Anyway, Thursday they will go in from the left side, it looked like just under the ribcage, and take out the entire FRONT of the vertebrae and the tumor(yes, the tumor is still in there right now)... then after they remove those, they are going to put a protective GORTEX half cylinder layer around the front half of her Spinal Cord and then RADIATE the entire area to make sure they got it all, again, fill in the space with that bone mixture(haven't quite figured those details out yet).. and then close her back up...
Thank you...and keep Jackie in your prayers for pain free days and comfort and trust in the doctors. Cancer - you are in trouble.....
February 6th: Subject: Jackie's Surgery!
Wellllll Group,
I am in Orono and got a report. Jackie got OUT of surgery around 2:30 and is IN recovery! No one has seen her yet so we don't know how she is feeling or anything YET... they are expecting to see her around 5:30. Doctors said the surgery went well though! So far very good news:)
She told her sister she was going to try to write to the group tonight or tomorrow! and if she can't, they are going to call me and I will shoot out another message with more updates!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR TODAY!
January 28th - Subject: Message From Jackie
Ok all, one more update before I head to Boston for the surgery. I met with the surgeon on Monday for a pre surgery talk and during that meeting he informed me that the surgery will be the same as discussed previously except that it is going to be covered over two days. No worries this is the usual protocol for this surgery. They were thinking that since I am young and healthy that they could push it all into one day, but after consideration on my body and on their brains they figured even though I am one tough cookie, that 16 hours is just not fair to put my body through that type of stress.
So, I agreed with them for my bodies sake and also because I would rather have awake, alert, responsive dr.s messing around with my spine. So I will go in to surgery on the 6th at 6 am.
They will perform the posterior surgery, removing the back of the vertebra, placing screws and rods into the L2 and L3 vertebra for support, screws and rods into the vert below L1 and filling the space with bone grafting and sealing me back up. Then I will recover in Boston for a few days, getting me up walking, doing some rehab, and basically looking for hardware and infection problems, and then on the 12th I will return to surgery and they will go in the left side to remover the front portion of the vertebra, radiate the area, place more screws and rods, bone grafting, and seal me up once again. If all goes well, which we all know it will, I should be out of there in 4 to 5 days after. It is a longer process then originally planned, but the procedure is the same and I would have to agree with them that it is for the best to do it over 2 days rather than cramming it in.
During my time in between surgery's If they are telling me I will be walking and in rehab, then I would imagine that I would be up for visiting. So if you are in the Boston area and have some free time to spend with a friend, I would be more than happy to have you come by. I do not know my info yet as to room and such, but the surgery is taking place at Mass General Hospital. I plan to have my computer and phone with me, but I am unaware of the internet set up there. I will have someone put the information on this page for anyone to look up.
I want to thank everyone in advance for you support, well wishes, and remarks that have given me the courage and strength to attack this in suck a positive way. I hope to continually hear from you and also to keep you posted throughout this next step.
We are expecting a huge snow today. they are calling for 1 -2 feet. Great timing for me to get my last snowshoeing adventures in. I will post some pictures from the last few If I can figure it out, but looking forward to the next few days of playtime.
Have a great week and hope everyone is doing well.
