UPDATE

Boy it's been awhile...but I think we can assume that NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS!! The last two treatments have been fairly uneventful. I think we have figured out how to manage the pain!! YAYY!!! I've been way more tired the last two sessions, but have been able to work full days. Just no partying! hehe! Mom put out her update...and as usual is much better at words than I am! I will comment on Renae...and the rest of our Curves friends. I am so overwhelmed with the help that has come out of the woodwork since I ran into her the other day. I'm just beyond expressing how I feel!!! Mom and I are more than relieved that we'll have help when I have my surgery. I know its going to be a tough time. My friend Dorenda came for a visit last weekend. And we had a great time! She'll be coming with me to my final two treatments. That should be fun. (as "fun" as chemo can be!) and my Aunt will be up with my mom the final treatment. I can't believe its almost over....well the chemo part anyway.

Well here is Mom's update! xoxo

FOUR DOWN-TWO TO GO!!!!

Lisa is more than half way through chemotherapy treatments and trucking on. The last two treatments have been blessedly uneventful. Strangely, they seem to be getting more manageable as each treatment passes. Maybe it is learning new tips, Lisa listening more to her body and taking it easy but I prefer to think it is all the prayer support. Lots of strength there. Fatigue continues but the intense leg pain has eased up. No work hours lost this last go around though which was great.

Angels disguised as humans continue to appear. Lisa was leaving her house one morning with the tell tale cap (no wig that day due to continuing hot flashes). A friend whom she hadn't seen in months was passing by and noticed.......she did a quick U turn and asked was Lisa sick. Renae came by that evening to offer help. Before Jazzercise Lisa was a member of Curves. That facility closed, the ladies went separate ways with different health endeavors but Renae gathered the girls together and they have matters well in hand for the point in time when Lisa has her Surgery. Renae is an Ovarian Cancer survivor and knows what is needed during that crucial time of recovery......

Lisa's dear friend Dorenda will travel up to Centreville to accompany her to the next two Chemo sessions. I will head up the day after treatment each time. Next trip is the beginning of March. Last treatment is at the end of March for which my sister will join me. .......and that's it. Can't believe we have traveled this far. We then wait for word on Surgery and Radiation.

Thank you all again for prayers, cards, support. I also want to thank "?" For the lovely surprise that arrived at my door today. To be truthful I was fizzling out. We often ask "where is God in all this?".......... I was so bone tired after this last trip I was on a real low......God showed up in the way of two wonderful cards/notes I received this week then in the surprise today....... Just to remind me we never travel these paths alone and that He comes to us through our friends, family and loved ones............and yeah, I cheated and called the Florist but they followed instructions and wouldn't tell me who send the lovely, day brightening arrangement! So please accept my thanks as I am certain the sender(s) is(are) on this list :-) ...Thank you.

Laura

Birthday Dinner =0)

One of these days I'll figure out how to add a slide show! Elizabeth and I went out for dinner for my birthday tonite, one of my favorite places...Logan's Steakhouse. YUM!!! We had a great time!!

Girls' Day Out

Last Sat I was able to have a wonderful day out with my good friend Heather and her friend Jessica. Jessica is another BC survivor. A beautiful woman and inspiration. It was so much fun. We had good food and they of course teased me when I HAD to mark the moment and take pictures! Well I'm glad I did!! Lots of laughs there trying to get us all in! Thanks girls! I had a grand time!!!

Mom's New Year's Update

My mom has such a way with words. Here is her account of the holidays and my last treatment cycle. Thanks Mom!! xoxo

Happy New Year everyone. Thanks to everyone for the continual thoughts and concerns for Lisa. Family phone calls over the last week are were a boost to our spirits. A pre-Christmas visit from my sister's oldest daughter, her significant other and his mom and aunt was great fun and my son and his wife coming up to Centreville for Christmas gave Lisa lots of energy to face the next treatment.

I reached the Virginia Peninsula yesterday after two weeks in Northern VA and all the hugs from my Shag Dancing friends and my faith family at St Jerome were most welcome. Today was Carmelite meeting and the prayers and support of my Carmelite brothers and sisters was another good shot in the arm.

Christmas was wonderful. The timing of Lisa's treatments were perfect. She went in the first week of December so she was feeling great Christmas week. With one little altercation. She started "shedding" the Thursday before Christmas but had hopes of getting through the holidays. Saturday morning brought a loud YUUUCK!!!! from the shower. More than shedding was taking place. Lisa immediately placed a call with the "wigologist" We don't know what else to call Allissa. She is a most talented and empathetic Wig fitter/stylist, hair dresser, scalp treater etc and works with Cancer Patients. Monday Lisa went in and had the rest of her hair removed. The anticipation turned out to actually be worse than the act itself. The removal brought great relief to a very irritated scalp. Once done Lisa said she was able to take a big sigh of relief........another fear out of the way and she survived it! She wore a wig to church Christmas Eve but sported a jaunty cap Christmas day.

Now, what about the remaining head stubble still shedding on the pillow??.......why the lint roller of course! No, not to the pillow........ to her head. Lisa faces each problem with a dose of reality in how to solve it and a good bit of humor. (ya just gotta see prayers at work here)

December 29th brought the second treatment. She was very tired this time but I have to say sitting for five hours in one spot has to have something to do with that. I could hardly move when it was time to leave and I had no excuses! Tuesday brought half a day of work as Lisa was too tired to make it a full day. Wed was a bit better but she left work by 3:30 because her knees were beginning to hurt. Wed night we slept on the couch(good thing she has a sectional). We were near enough to the microwave so I could apply heat packs all through the night as we watched the Twilight Zone Marathon. This continued through New Years day. Friday she was back at work. Today, Sunday she was doing laundry and cleaning the house so she is on the up swing YAHOO!......Two down four to go!

The next treatment will be January 22 so Lisa will be feeling good for her birthday on the 15th.

Many people are praying, offering support and sending positive energy and don't personally know Lisa. If you would like to put a face to the name she has set up a "Blog". I don't know much about these things but evidently the young folk find it a great way to keep up with each other. As I see it, this is a great way to journal an experience and in the future it will be something good to reflect on. If you are interested the address is

http://lisashealingjourney.blogspot.com/

The kids post messages back and forth etc......it is beyond my capabilities. But I do "stop in" to check it out. If you are beyond me in your cyberspace experience feel free to post a comment.

With grateful thanks to everyone for all of the prayers, love and support you offer I pray the New Year will bring each of you an abundance of blessings.
Laura

January 3, 2009 Happy New Year! Two Down FOUR to GO!

Well I made it thru the week. Monday was cycle 2! Mom came with me this time. The day itself was fine. I never have much issue with my actually chemo day. Though after I was much more tired than the last time. It really hit me like a ton of bricks by 3 that day!! No Jazzercise this time!! =0) I managed to work a half day on Tues and Wed. But just too tired to finish the days out. By Wed night the dreaded pain came. Mom was there with comforting cups of hot tea and water and a heating pad. The cool thing is this go around I didn't have as much trouble sleeping as I did last time. Mom said on New Year's Eve she kept checking to see if I was OK. (we slept on the couch watching the Twilight Zone Marathon! happy new year! LOL) I don't think I tossed as much and I managed to get some sleep. I went to work on Friday, though I think the worst of it waited for me to have to go to work! So I worked til about 4 and came home. I was in a lot of pain yesterday/last night. Had a hard time walking around. But I think knowing what was coming made it easier. I woke up this morning with the heating pad on the floor. LOL I think that's a good sign. It still hurts, but its manageable. Elizabeth and I went on a short walk down the street and back. and I've been relaxing all day. Still hurting a little, but I think I'm in the upward swing. YAYYY for upward swing!!! I think the Aleve I've been taking has helped and I have also been doing a Yoga DVD every day that Mom gave me for Christmas. I think that helps stretch my muscles. So hopefully in a few days I'll be back to "normal" to prepare for the next cycle! As my friend Carol said...I'm 1/3 thru!!! YAY!

Happy New Year Everyone!! Again, thanks for all the love and support!!! And thanks for visiting! xoxoxo

Merry Christmas

I had a great Christmas. My brother and his wife came up for dinner and we all had a great time. Nice and relaxing. We even got some family photos! =0)

Freedom

What a day. It was so sad up til the point I lost my hair. Then when it came off it was like a relief! The pain was almost gone. I was a little tender this morning but it felt so much better. I stood in the shower and let the water run over my head. I wore my new wig today, and every one seemed to LOVE it! It was fun trying something new! Sort threw everyone! LOL

I made it to exercise today, and my head is totally pain free. YAYYY!!! Its almost Christmas. I'm looking for a day off and spending a nice quiet day at home!

Christmas is coming!

SO along with everything going on, it's Christmas. And I'm thinking of what's important. For the first time in years, I'm noticing the lights as I drive thru the neighborhoods and I'm listening to Christmas music.

My cousin Ered and her boyfriend Chad came for a visit Sat along with Chad's mother and Aunt. Oh to spend an evening with family...eating laughing, talking. IT was so fun!!!

Thursday my brother and sister n law will be up to enjoy Christmas day. It's a slim Christmas...but I'm excited about spending time with my family!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 22,2008 Ode To Long Hair

Oh what a week!! Woke up Thursday to pain in my head. I knew then that it was just about time. Sure enough I noticed more hair in the sink, and more in the shower. I was shedding! I was hoping that I could make it thru the holidays. But alas...by Sat it was coming out in my hand. I managed to get thru dinner with my family. But on Sunday it was impossible. I had to wear my wig. I had made an appointment with my "wig lady" to get the rest of it removed. I was sad. You know losing your hair is a tough thing. It was like the final step to admitting you are going thru cancer treatment. Everyone now will know. I will know every day when I get out of the shower. On the other hand...My head feels SO MUCH better! I had the worst headache all day long and was ready to have that offending head of hair GONE. And it shows that I am one more step closer to being HEALED.

Here's my last picture of my long hair: Maybe the last for a long time! Everyone seemed to really love my short hair! =0)










Though I have 3 great wigs!! So going to have fun with them. This one is my "Kelly Clarkson Wig!" LOL (according to Elizabeth I look like Kelly in this wig!) And last but not least...no wig. OK I'm not quite ready to share my lovely bald head. Its not quite bald. Maybe at some point I will. But here I am in my new "doorag." =0> My work out uniform! hehe!

Wed Dec 17

Not much going on. It was a rough day today. Busy with year end, things are tight, among other things. Yes I have cancer. Still weird to say it out loud. I HAVE CANCER! I talked to a lady at the Cancer Society. I'm going to take a class called Look Good Feel Better once I lose my hair. Hasn't started yet, but I know it's coming. Boy that will make it real for me. She is also going to match me up with someone who's been through it.

Went to dinner with Aunt Susan and my cousins. It was really nice to hang out with them. We've lived in the same area for 8 years and we hardly connect...Life Happens! But it was so nice to see them tonight! To the doctors tomorrow to get my blood drawn. I guess my counts were OK from last week since I didn't hear from them. I guess I'll find out. I'm so glad I have Christmas week free! I have my next treatment on the 29th. Not much of a New Years! LOL

Short Hair

In preparation for the effects of chemo I decided to cut my hair. I'm kinda liking the short do!

a beautiful gift

I was told we were having a staff meeting today. I walk into the conference room to see my coworkers all standing there with smiles on their faces and this huge colorful gift bag on the table. Oh and Vienna taking a picture of my stunned face. I was like what is this?? My friend Jessica tells me for the group...that they all wanted to do something to show me how much they all loved and supported me. Everyone helped in the making of this beautiful quilt. I of course cried and cried. It just amazes me the support and love that is coming from all sides. I tell you, I am truly blessed to have found such a wonderful "family" at CORT last year!

The story so far

My mom has been busy updating all her friends and she tells the story so much better than I can. So I'm going to put her updates here. Then when I'm in treatment and not up to updating, she'll update my blog for me.

November 8
Thank you my friends

To all my friends who have been remembering my daughter, praying for her and sending words of encouragement to her or me.

To my dance buddies who lift my spirits, My Saint Jerome Church family who keep us in prayer and those of you who have put Lisa on the prayer lists of your various churches and communities, My Carmelite Brothers and Sisters and my Buddhist friend who sends positive thoughts and energy .....thank you to all of you and anyone I may have over looked.

Lisa's cancer is much more invasive than first thought. The mammogram did not tell the whole story. The MRI and Second Ultra sound detected an eleven cm tumor which did not show up on the Mammogram. Density of tissue??? Position???? Who knows why. There is lymph node swelling so it appears the Cancer is at least Stage III. A PET test is to be done next week to determine if the cancer has spread.... where to and how much..............I am assured that your prayers are being heard as, even in the middle of what seems like the darkest days of my life since I made this, all too familiar, journey with my husband, there are always blessings. Lisa's continual upbeat attitude and courage can only be attributed to prayers offered on her behalf. A huge blessing came from her work place. Lisa is only two years at her job and her Short Term/ Long Term disability was minimal. She was fearful of how bills would be met if she had to take time off with out pay. She was called into her boss's office to be told her Grade Level was changed and her disability pay would be substantially increased. One terrible fear wiped off the table.

Another blessing that had to take a change in perspective on my part is that Lisa is in the hands of wonderful and capable AND very proactive Doctors. At first my thought was I can't stand to hear one more thing. But as bad as everything seems to be moving it could easily have been over looked........At what seemed a very small abnormality on a young woman's mammogram could have been put aside for "another year and let's see what happens"............Every step of the way it has been....."let's check just to be certain" and every test has yielded unfortunate surprises. No stone is being left unturned.

I am thankful for, and ask for, your continual prayers. It is going to be a long hard road which I pray will come to a happy end.

Nov 18
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!

This is a repeat. Three people said they did not receive this last night. I am not certain what happened. So many of you were so supportive during this waiting period and the news is too good not to share even if it comes twice to some of you. Thank you to all of you for your hugs, love and especially your prayers last week.

All I can say is Praise be to God!

For all the prayers offered on behalf of Lisa I thank everyone!!! With grateful thanks to God I can tell you Lisa's PET scan showed the cancer has not metastasized. I am sitting here thinking how ironic to be thankful for Stage III cancer....But I remind myself Faith makes all things possible....not easy. It will be a long road for Lisa but it is doable. With the strength, prayers, love and support of our friends we will press on. We couldn't have gotten through the last few weeks with out everyone's love and encouragement and the grace of God.

I return to Northern VA on Wednesday to go with Lisa to meet with the Oncologist and speak about the treatment plan which will begin the week after Thanksgiving. Her Medi Port was placed on Friday and that Surgery went well.

Thank you again to everyone for the prayers offered thus far. Please do not abate as Lisa has a long way to go.
Love, Laura

November 21
Lisa's Doctor's Appointment

I had not intended to write again since I had let people know the Scan
gave good news and didn't want to overload everyone. But some folks have
emailed asking about Lisa's Wed appointment. If this is "too much
information" just feel free to delete. I believe we got the best news
we could get in a bad situation and feel SOOO much better. Not to say
this is good or going to be easy but it is doable.

The Doctor's appointment went well. The Doc's demeanor was to totally
different this week. She was very kind and personable last week and very
through and I liked her a lot. She had the MRI and went over it point by
point last week. But I got a different vibe from her on the two visits.

Wednesday she practically danced into the room with a big smile on her
face saying here are the results to the PET scan. She was obviously
delighted with the results. After talking with the Surgeon the day of
Lisa's surgery I do think there was concern.....the surgeon stated to me
Lisa was "not in a good place". I was very worried.

The scan showed no metastatic progression. The cancer has not
infiltrated the chest wall. It is, however, Multi-focal on the one side.
It appears two lymph nodes are swollen at this point. The tumors are
ER+(will respond well to hormone therapy) and HER2- (not aggressive)
which she said was good.

Treatment will start Dec 4 for Chemo followed by an injection of Nulasta
the day after. The TV commercials for that REALLY are true! It will help
her maintain blood counts and energy levels. She will be on Cytoxan and
Taxotere. The Doctor said at this point the plan is the surgery will
follow and radiation last. She did say there would be variables to
consider as Lisa goes along. The next step will depend on the response
of the tumor to the chemo.

It was so different from one week to the next I could only say WOW!

So, Lisa presses forward.

Again grateful thanks for all your concern and prayers. This has been
pretty stressful not only on Lisa, Bryan(my son) and me but the rest of
the family. Ann has been burning up 64 coming back and forth to help me
maintain some amount of sanity and my sisters-in-law in New York have
been in constant contact. From all of us Thank You !

Laura

December 9

Subject: One Down.........

Lisa started treatment
Dec 4......... One down
 five to go.

 Lisa got through her
first round of  Chemo
with minimal problems.
She 

remained active after
her treatment. Went to
 Jazzercise Thursday
night 

and out for dinner.
Friday she was in
Costco's getting in
groceries when

I called.  She had a
friend over Friday
night. Saturday drove
Elizabeth 

to a Girl Scout
camp-out in
Stafford so that was a three hour round trip

drive. When I spoke to
her Saturday she said
"I am really tired"
(gee, Ya think????) 
Sunday she had side
effects from the
Nuelasta. Her knees 

hurt so bad she
couldn't walk. The
doctor said take
Motrin and 

rest.....A friend was
up there for the
weekend and was able to
help 

out......Things could
have been far worse

Monday she was back at
work as planned...still
sore but moving. Today 

she is feeling almost
normal.....drinking
loads of water and
hoping she 

is not too tired for
Jazzercise tonight. .
Still sore but glad
the worst is over with
for this round. A bit
of nausea on Sunday but
manageable. 

Lots of good tips
helped her cope
well.......drink a
gallon of water 

every day, add ginger,
add lemon, keep
exercising,  suck on 

mints......take a mega
vitamin,  and I think
all the personal support 

was a huge incentive.
Family phone calls,
cards from all you well 

wishers, co-workers 
being supportive,  it
has all been a huge
boost. 

The prayer cover keeps
her spirits going in
the right direction.   

Thanks to everyone for
every thing.

Effects will be
cumulative as time
goes on but she is
ready to face it 

as it comes.

I will go up for
Christmas and stay
through her next
treatment which 

starts on the 29th
December.  She wants
to work on the 30th
and 31st so I can help
get meals if she comes
home exhausted.

Have a Blessed
Christmas everyone if
I don't see some of you
between now

and then.

Laura

My Healing Journey

So this is my first blog. I'm really not sure how to even do it. So I'm jumping right in. As everyone knows I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in October. I have been OVERWHELMED with the amount of support, prayers, love, and well wishes I am getting from EVERYONE. Friends, family, friends of family, its just AMAZING to me. I just am not sure how to handle all this. But its such a blessing. I will try to keep this updated so everyone knows what I'm going through. I really appreciate everyone and all the help I have received so far.

Thank you all!! XOXOX