Help Joan Dykstra chase the cure

 I met Joan in 1996 when I became a teacher at a local high school.   Joan was a teacher's aid for business classes.  Eventually her positions moved around the school.  Joan worked with students while battling cancer for several years until it became too taxing on her.  She was SO patient with students and really dedicated herself to helping students succeed.  Very often she would be seen making the students laugh and enjoy learning.

Throughout Joan's battle with cancer she has never ceased to amaze me with her positive attitude, her faith, and commitment to help others. I want to take the time now to reach out and ask for help for her and her family to ease some of the  financial burden that  fighting this battle has brought on. She could use help with cleaning, medical bills, etc. 

Join me in helping Joan and her family with financial help to ease the burden of this fight as she continues to chase the cure!

Laura Penner,  Friend and past Colleague at
Sturgis High School

We asked Joan to write about her journey fighting cancer:

"I was diagnosed with Advanced Stage 3 contained Ovarian Cancer on June 2, 2008 at U of M. I was upset with my doctors for missing it, but soon realized that I had a part in it also. Had I been informed, I would have been more persistent and a better advocate for myself. I am sure it would have led to an earlier diagnosis. So, the one thing I wanted to do was make others aware of ovarian cancer and its silent symptoms. If you want to know more about the silent symptoms go to chasingthecure.net. Ovarian cancer doesn’t have specific symptoms of its own. This is why I tell my story. Instead, there are risk factors and a group of symptoms. These symptoms can also be signs of many other health problems, most of which are not as serious in nature. But, if you are experiencing 2 to 3 of these symptoms for more than 2 or 3 weeks, you should see a doctor and have an ultrasound. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer in the U.S., but it accounts for only about 3 percent of all cancers in women. Since 1987, the number of new cases of ovarian cancer has gone down slightly, but the chance of dying from ovarian cancer has stayed the same.

If you had ever told me I would be running before my 50th birthday, I would have laughed. But at the age of 50, I started working out, August 2006. My family encouraged me to start running. I decided to try the walk run method. I ran my first 5k in April 2007 and my second ½ Marathon in January 2008 at Disney World with my family. I did the Flying Pig half-marathon with them at the beginning of May 2008, less than a month before my diagnosis in June. 

I did a ½ Marathon in Disneyland on Labor Day 2009 weekend with my family the 2nd weekend after my 4th Chemo. I was very grateful for all the support I had received from my family and friends. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13 soon became clear to me it should be my life verse.  

I had signed up for the 5K and the Goofy, (1/2 marathon one day and full marathon the 2nd day), at Disney World in 2009 and decided I would still try to do it. The 5K and the ½ went well. By the 3rd mile of my first marathon, I was out of energy and knew I was in trouble. I told my husband, sister and brother-in-law I was going to pull myself at the first med. tent for them to go on. My husband decided to stay with me until the med. tent and then catch up with the others. Shortly after they left, the back of a runner’s t-shirt caught my eye and it read “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13. It started me thinking, was God telling me he would carry me through it as He has my battle with cancer. I saw the shirt a few more times and before we reached a med. tent, I decided to trust God no matter what the outcome. We figured out just how fast I would need to go to finish under 7 hours and not use any more energy than I needed to. Amazing the four of us finished together with 2 minutes to spare.

The physical strength I had gained from working out and running become a big part of my recovery. I realized God had used running to prepare me for one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. I did a lot of walking. 

I had been having some symptoms during the summer 2009 and in the middle of August 2009, I was set up to have surgery. My cancer had returned. My doctor was able to remove all the cancer laparoscopically. I was able to start running after 2 weeks and able to do the Great-Turtle 5.7 on Mackinac Island after my 2nd chemo.  

Don’t get me wrong, it has been far from easy. I am not telling you this story to make myself look good. Running has come to mean a lot to me; seeing how God works in my life, quality time spent with my family, my health. I encourage you to take charge of your health by exercising and eating healthy. It’s not something you can do overnight. It’s an ongoing process. You will find it easier if you have support from family or friends, so include them. Also, if you are having health problems go see your doctor. If your symptoms persist and your doctor does not get them under control, get a second opinion and a third opinion if you need to. 

Since my cancer returned under the two year mark my chances of staying in remission after chemo was not good. I started in a study which continued for a year and had 6 sessions of chemo along with the study drug at the beginning. This kept me stable for a year and 3 months.   

Then, I would have chemo, the cancer would shrink some. I would get a break. Then it would grow and this cycled continued. On October 23, 2014 my cancer had grown through into my colon and I had to have a colostomy. The cancer masses gradually getting larger as I continued on chemo until December 2015.  

I have been through 9 rounds of chemo, 1 year in my 1st study. My last chemo, I was on indefinitely. I made it 9 times before it stopped working. I am now in my 2nd study which I am thankful for, since, it is my only option at this time. It shows signs that it might be working, but will know February 11th.  It will be 8 years, June 2, 2016 that I have been fighting this battle.  I did a 5K New Year’s day 2016 and am planning to do one on my 60th birthday. However, I am just walking for now. 

Basically, 1-2 years was what I was given after my surgery.  I have been so blessed!  I have gotten to see my daughter and son both get married.  Will be turning 60 in February 2016 and celebrate my 40th wedding anniversary with my husband, God willing. 

Obviously, I am extremely wore out. However, I enjoy time with family and I am still fighting every day! 

Life verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13 
My Peace: Jesus Christ
My Motto: I choose to live, love, learn, laugh, teach and help others"