Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

It is such a shock to have lost Jessica. She always seemed so strong and positive. I will miss seeing her posts and picture. Prayers to her family.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

So sad to hear this. I send my love and sympathy to her mother and family and friends.
love sarah

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

RIP beautiful sister. We have lost such a strong spirit. My sympathies to her family.
Still can't believe we won't see her here any more...

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Shocked and so sad to hear this news.....prayers for her family....
Love, Eileen

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

If anyone knows anything about services for Jessica I would greatly appreciate it if you could post the information.
Best,
Karen Z

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Im in shock as well. and Im angry!!! Im so angry that we keep losing these wonderful, strong, beautiful women to this horrible disease. Jessica, I am going to miss your posts here so much. You were, and ARE, so much of an inspiration to me. I know where you are is beautiful and wonderful. Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your journey with us.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Here is a post Jessica wrote last month 5/17/13:

11 years ago - May 17, 2002
Hi friends~
Today marks 11 years since I heard the words, "It is cancer." And since that moment, my world has been profoundly changed. I know how well you all know and understand.
33 yo, Stage IV with liver mets at primary diagnosis. After failing my first treatment combo, I don't think anyone would have thought we'd see this day...Eleven years later.
I can't say that it's gotten any easier over the years - chemo certainly isn't any easier, nor is losing my hair, now for the 5th time.
I guess I've just gotten "better" at living with this disease - the breath taking highs & the heart breaking lows, the scanxiety, mourning the life that I thought I would have - husband, kids, etc - sadness that I will likely say goodbye to my family prematurely.
BUT, this journey hasn't been without its blessings, many, many blessings. And lots of laughs, making joyful memories and actually enjoying my life in spite of the challenges. Most significantly, I can say that I like the person that I've grown into - a more faithful, compassionate, empathetic person. One that I would not have had the opportunity to become had I never been faced with this adversity and met amazing, inspirational guides and friends, like all of YOU.
I will keep fighting, kicking and swinging, waiting for more treatment options to be approved and praying that a cure comes or this disease just stops and NED stays forever.
Thank you for allowing me to lean on you when staying strong was too hard. I hope I am the friend, guide, support, shoulder and ear to all of you that you have been to me all these years.
Here's to 11 x 11 more~

Keeping the Faith,

Jessica

Dx-5/17/02 - 33 yo; Stage IV - L IDC w/single liver met
1) Herceptin + Navelbine x 8 weeks - No response; progress to innumerable,immeasureable liver mets
2) ISIS 2504 + Herceptin - 6 mos, partial response
3) Taxol + Herceptin x 13 weeks to NED!
NED for 1 year
9/04 - Single liver lesion recurrence
Taxol + Herceptin - on/off to beat back lesion
12/05 - R Hepatectomy; Liver NED until 2009
3/06- Local recurrence - Left breast, IDC & DCIS, but holding treatment while continue to heal from Hepatectomy.
12/06 - L mastectomy + reconstruction through 8/07
10/07 - Recurrence - supraclav nodes
4) Gemzar + Herceptin - on/off controlling nodes thru
9/08 - 7wks Rads to supraclav nodes
10/08 - Acute Renal Failure - nodes in belly stricturing kidneys. placed permanent ureteral stents
Back on Gemzar + Herceptin, but no longer responding.
5) 05/09 - Tykerb + Xeloda - partial response x 5 mos
6) 10/09 - Xeloda + Herceptin - no response, disease progresses
7) 2/10- Ixempra + Herceptin - partial response x 12 wks.
Discovered single brain lesion x 4mm & liver lesions growing while screening for TDM1 + PI3Kinase study.
6/10 - Novalis to treat brain met - SUCCESSFUL!
8) 6/10 - Chemo-embo w/Adriamyacin to de-bulk liver lesion.
9) 8/10 - Screened & Started TDM1 EAP
Immediate response, disease in belly responds dramatically.
2/11- questionable progression of lung nodules
Discontinue TDM1
10) 3/11 - PI3Kinase + Herceptin - intial good response in 1st 6 weeks but LFT's elevated.
11) 7/11-Discontinue PI3Kinase + Herceptin study;
Disease progression - 2 small lesions in colon – docs have never seen this before in BC
11) 8/11 –Start new combo Halaven+Herceptin
10/14/11 -Completed 3 cycles (9 wks)Halaven+Herceptin...
10/18/11 - Scanxiety time -1st scans since starting this regimen
Good interval response, continue on H+H!
10/25/11 – new 2mm questionable spot in brain? Due to Novalis or new disease?
Re-scan in 8 weeks.
1/3/12- Disease progression; 50%increase size & SUV-R lung, middle lobe 6cm lesion.
R supraclav node multiple, miscellaneous nodes in belly. Colon lesions fired up.
12) Herceptin+ metronomic Cytoxan + Methotrexate.
…on a hope & a prayer. Only chemo I haven’t been on is Taxotere.
Hurry up Pertuzumab & TDM1!
Follow Up Brain Scan on 1/18/12…pleasepleaseplease be okay. I can’t take much more.
1/18/2012- 8 new spots in 8 weeks since last Brain MRI
one 2cm spot in brain stem, one 2cm spot in R temporal lobe.
No symptoms, THANK GOD!
1/25/12 – Start WBR x 15 rounds
2/10/12 – Oral Cytoxan WORKING! Melted supraclav node & undetectable by US!
2/14/12 – FINISH 15 rounds WBR;)
6/12/12- Continuing on oral Methotrexate BID & Cytoxan qpm, but on chemo break
for 3rd week due to low counts.
6/15/12 – Yay! Resume chemoJ
6/25/12 – Chemo break again due to low counts L
6/28/12 – PET Scan & Brain MRI this week…
NED IS BACK!!! NED in the HEAD, NED in the BODY!
10/26/12 – Still NED in the HEAD, but single troublesome node in chest, precariously close
to superior vena cava/heart. Not a perfect scan, but pretty darn good.
Maintain current treatment and Echocardiogram on 11/1 to keep an eye on node.
11/1/12 –echo shows normal cardiac function  & node non-threating,
but experiencing symptoms of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (obstruction/compression)
12/3 - hold cytoxan & methotrexate bc counts too low.
12/13-moved up PET scan due to increased SVC symptoms
12/14 –No more NED node progression causing increased SVC symptoms
12/17 – repeat echo & new chest mri for closer look…
Radiation to chest node recommended, change of systemic treatment pending
12/20/12 – 1/10/13 -14 rounds of rads to chest for mass causingSVCS
1/17/2013 – Started Pertuzumab, Herceptin, Taxotere
1/26-1/30/2013 – Surprise hospital stay for severe dehydration, dangerously low counts & blood born staph.
3/2013 – PET/CT shows almost complete resolution of chest mass & SVCS resolved. Still NED in HEAD!
Continue with PHT, but very hard on me.
Chronically anemic, requiring transfusions more frequently
Completed 5 cycles of PHT, now scan time 5/23.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Hi. Still no news in the major paper in Atlanta for services for Jessica.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

I am so sad. I will miss Jessica. Thank you Paula for reminding us about Jessica's strong spirit. I hope Jessica is flying high free of disease wherever she is. My sympathies to her family.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Arrangements for Jessica:

Funeral Mass will be held to celebrate Jessica Malia Lucas on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11 am.

Saturday, June 15th at 11am
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
25 Boulevard, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
www.lourdesatlanta.org

Details will follow at a later time for directions & parking at the Funeral as well as the reception following the Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations:

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
www.lourdesatlanta.org

Winship Cancer Institute | Emory
www.winshipcancer.emory.edu

Atlanta Hospice Center
www.vnhs.org

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

I only recently got to partake with thissite. I am ever so saddened to learn of the passing of one of your fellow b.c. fighters. My heart and prayers go out to Jessica's family. Jessica's writing to Paula was simply beautifully written.
I will hold her family in prayer to help them with their recovery. Momof4boys

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

A hero no less ... May she rest in peace.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

I am shocked and saddened by this news. We have had too many angels.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qERqUy40d78

Amazing lady. I will totally miss her.

Karen

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Beautiful video. I also posted it awhile back on the remembering our JML Jessica thread. For those who have not yet seen here or earlier, it is a wonderful tribute to JML.

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

So sorry to hear yet more bad news - reading the post Paula has highlighted certainly gives an idea of Jessica's strength and grace.
Love to all her friends and family..... Pam

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

Oh, Karen Z, you did? Either one it's on, it belongs.
Hope you and all are well,
Karen

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

So sad, God bless her and what a footprint she left.
patb

Re: Jessica Passed Away Last Night
 

By Michelle E. Shaw
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For Jessica Malia Lucas, her enjoyment of life did not end just because doctors told her she had six months left to live. Armed with a diagnosis of stage four breast cancer at the age of 33, Lucas decided not to dwell on what the doctors said but on the things in life she wanted to experience.

“She wanted people to know that you could be a functioning person, and live your life with cancer,” said long-time friend Ellen Khoury. “She wanted to send that message so that people had hope, and that they wouldn’t think, ‘Oh I’m gonna die,’ as soon as they got diagnosed.”

In 2008, Lucas opened Intown Pilates, Khoury said. A certified Pilates instructor, Lucas regularly saw clients and taught classes.

“Her health went up and down, but she never quit,” her friend said. “By the fifth time she lost her hair, she was bummed, but she never had a pity party.”

Lucas took the six months doctors gave her and stretched it into 11 years. She blogged often, and just last month on the anniversary of her diagnosis Lucas posted that her time was filled with “breath taking highs & the heart breaking lows.”

“I will keep fighting, kicking and swinging, waiting for more treatment options to be approved and praying that a cure comes or this disease just stops and NED (no evidence of disease) stays forever,” she wrote on May 17. Lucas, of Atlanta, died June 6. She was 44. She requested her body be donated to MedCure, Inc. for scientific research.

A funeral mass is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Atlanta.

The youngest of four daughters of a diplomat, Lucas was born in Baton Rouge, La., but grew up all over the world. She attended Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, and graduated high school in Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, with plans to become a physical therapist, but something else caught her attention, one of her sisters said.

“She decided she wanted to act and dance,” said Johanna Lucas, of Sausalito, Calif.

Jessica Lucas’ acting career included credits with Harry Connick Jr., Richard Gere and Channing Tatum, her sister said.
Throughout her illness, Lucas continued to amaze and empower friends and family with her positive outlook on life.

“Of the many things she was, becoming a teacher and a hero were not things she asked for,” said friend Tommy Housworth. “But when confronted with her circumstances, she handled both of those roles with grace and generosity.”

In addition to her sister, Lucas is survived by her mother, Elena Lucas of Honolulu, Hawaii; and sisters, Janice Lucas Volk of Hermosa Beach, Calif., and Juliet Lucas of Honolulu, Hawaii.