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