Posts Tagged ‘family’
May 24, 2010
I have not written lately because I haven’t heard about my next step. I have truly missed writing though. I guess God will tell me when to stop but for now I will continue. I first wanted to say that everyone that has prayed, sent flowers, food and written to me has been apart of my healing. You all have kept me going during those long days. For I know your prayers have reached heaven.
I am healing really well from the mastectomy. I only had to wear my drains for 4 days and those openings are also healing. I have started to work my arm up and down, so that I will get back my full range of motion. I will start physical therapy on Tuesday, at which I will ask when I can start to use my arm regularly.
This weekend we meet with friends in Ellijay and took a gentle 2 hour hike . I felt so good afterwards and have really realized that being out doors and walking is so good for me mentally and physically. We woke up early today and went down by our garden. Every dragonfly, butterfly and bird was out. It did such good to my soul to be apart of nature and to experience the beauty.
I wanted to share a verse I really love and which helps to encourage me each day. Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “ God offers help for today and hope for our future. Have a great day – Love, Lisa
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, friends, georgia, God, miracle, mother, prayers, scarf, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com, www.chemoflage.com, www.thepinkchronicle.com
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
May 18, 2010
I am a survivor. The early days leading up to figuring out about my cancer was a whirlwind. So many doctors and MRI’s. My whole life I felt I would never have cancer, that is what everyone else has. So like so many I was in a daze, for a while. Leading up to finding out, God had prepared me years ago to trust and lean on him. The book of Job was my theme. Along the way he taught me to not look at what the world says but, to look to him in faith for all things. So when I received the news of cancer, I first panicked. So upset with God because I had just gotten over a big trial with my son and I thought I couldn’t take anything else. I wrestled with this for days. And even blaming myself for not being responsible enough to catch the tumor early on. As the days went on and I continued to pray, in my spirit I heard God remind me - “we live by faith, not by sight” – 2 Corinthians 5: 7. From that day on those words lived in my spirit. I never read another cancer book or looked on the internet. I was told I had stage 3 cancer, it was the fastest growing cancer, and very large, over 5 centimeters. I never let those statistics stay with me – I heard all the scary news from the doctor’s and then I would leave and let God know that he has the final word and I knew he was going to take every bit of the cancer away. I told God I knew he would heal me and that I was looking to him, and only him for complete healing.
I tell you this because I think we live in a world that is hard to keep our eyes on Jesus. So many illnesses and diseases that we go to the doctor’s and embrace everything they tell us. We fall in to a trap of believing the doctors and the fear comes in and all of a sudden God is on the back burner. God wants us to come to him first!!! It is hard and God knows that. God wants the glory, not man. I was blessed by having cancer, and I can’t say that for everyone, all I can say is the road that we all go down is a lot lighter and easier if you can truly trust and have faith that God will see it through. I am up against another big trial,like we all are, one I believe is bigger than my cancer. One that I will share one day but, it is causes me to have even greater faith than before. This is my theme remember and I pray that God will get the glory, not man.
Love to all, Lisa
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, friends, georgia, God, miracle, mother, prayers, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com, www.chemoflage.com, www.thepinkchronicle.com
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
May 17, 2010
Hey Gang – Some more great news !! I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Barber this morning. Cubby came with me because she thought I might need support for when they took the bandage off. We walked in and his assistant said they got back the pathology report on the whole breast. The lymph node and enter left breast (inside tissue, nipple and skin) came back negative for malignancy. When God does healing he gets it from the root, and it is completely healed. Dr. Barber was not there to see me but, as we left he was coming out of the operating room. He was so happy and beside himself, he said I made his month.
I have to say, I am ok with my flat breast. It is sort of cute, so I can’t be too down on it. They also took out my drains. They were suppose to stay in for 2 weeks but, they were through draining. Praise the Lord, now I am free to move around. I am heading out for a long walk around chastian Park. All I can do is pinch myself that I have all this behind me. I knew all along I didn’t have anymore cancer but, now the Doctor’s have confirmed what I have known all along. I want to pray that through my experience others will see that nothing is impossible with God. And I mean nothing!!!!!
Php 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Love,
Lisa
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, family, friends, georgia, God, mastectomy, prayers, tumor, www.thepinkchronicle.com
Posted in The Chronicle | 4 Comments »
May 14, 2010
Blowing out candles for Ansley's Birthday and My Freedom from Cancer
We celebrated Ansley’s birthday the day I got home. She thought she was turning 26 but, I had to bust her bubble that she was turning 27. We had the whole family and cousins over, they hung out in my bedroom until it was time to eat. Then came back to blow out candles and eat the cake in my bedroom. Sounds strange but, it was so special.
The only reason I was back in my room was that everyone got mad at me, that I was doing too much. I can honestly say that I feel so good. I have yet to really have any pain. I have kept my eyes upon the Lord and this has caused me to not be sad anymore that I have lost a breast. I’m all bandaged up and I haven’t seen it yet but, I’m leaning on the Lord to help me see it and then move on.
I loved being in the hospital. It was a 5 star hospital – I recommend the hospital to everyone..But what I really wanted to express to everyone was that I felt your prayers. I had such joy and peace that I know only God could give. The Lord heard loud and clear each one of your prayers. Thank you all so much – I could not have gone through this with out you all. Have a great weekend – Love, Lisa
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, friends, georgia, God, miracle, mother, prayers, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com, www.chemoflage.com, www.thepinkchronicle.com
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
May 12, 2010
On the Way Back to Surgery
Lisa made it through surgery with flying colors! There was not a dry eye in the waiting room when Dr. Barber came out of surgery to report that Lisa is cancer free! The lymph node came back clear as well. He found no tumor to remove. He told us that one third of the patients tumor shrink to almost nothing. Her tumor disappearance is a miracle!
Mom even shouted out to the surgeon and our family as they were wheeling her back for the operation that “oh don’t worry he is not going to find anything, there is no cancer in me.” She already knew her results before the doctor’s even opened her up.
We just saw her briefly as she was being wheeled back to surgery. She looked beautiful, but a bit groggy from the drugs. She was so happy to hear about the surgery results. I am sure she will be updating the pinky tonight about God’s miracle. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. We could not be happier at this moment; the mastectomy went better than we could of imagined.
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, family, friends, georgia, God, mastectomy, miracle, prayers, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com
Posted in The Chronicle | 8 Comments »
May 7, 2010
I am pinch writing for Mom today because last night she realized she had two doctor’s appointments to attend this morning and would not be able to devout the appropriate time to her beloved Pinky.
Lisa had a big Wednesday, filled with friends and preparations for her upcoming surgery. Three close friends took her to lunch to gather knowledge about the mastectomy and fill Lisa with love & prayers. Lisa has been looking forward to this outing because it is important for her to be able to discuss the mastectomy in order to ensure prayers and support though we all know Mom is going to be fine. It is just unsettling to realize you will be losing one of your breast because though women may not always realize it, breasts are apart of our physical self identity, but Lisa will overcome her apprehensions and will fall in love with her beautiful, sturdy new set!
After lunch, she headed over to the hospital for pre-op where she learned her schedule for Wednesday. She will arrive at the hospital at 6:00 am to inject dye into her lymph nodes so we can all be assured that the cancer has not spread. At 10:00 am, she will go in for her mastectomy and port removal. Lisa will recover for the rest of the day in the Ritz-like hospital room at the Waters Pavilion, which I think she is secretly excited about residing in for the day & night.
Thank you for all your prayers and support, we all appreciate each and every one. Please continue your prayers for Wednesday’s events.
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, mastectomy, mother, prayers, tumor
Posted in The Chronicle | 5 Comments »
May 6, 2010
I am home now from going to Jackson Hole and Las Vegas. I had a wonderful time in Jackson Hole, planning the wedding. While in Jackson Hole I was busy and not thinking about my situation. Then I got to Las Vegas and things slowed down. I was left alone Tuesday because Vincent went to a hardware show. I thought I would be fine by myself but, I became aware of how different I looked. I went and sat out by the pool and I started to notice that other people noticed me. I was sitting under the shade with my scarf on my head. Then I went to the fitness center and felt so uncomfortable with the way I stood out. I felt like I looked like a terrorist.
I never really thought about how I looked when I was at home with family, friends and all the regular stomping grounds. I found myself really becoming sad about what I had lost and what I have ahead of me. I quickly realized I was taking my eyes off one of the most precious things I have and that was the Lord. What was I doing?? I started praying and thanking God for all that I do have. Then I was reminded to pray on the armor of God – Ephesians 6:10 -18. I quickly found peace once again and was filled with a sense of love that only God can give. I also ran across this verse in Isaiah 26:3 – ”You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you”. I now know how others must feel that are going through any sort of change in their physical appearance from an illness . I will be forever changed with what I experienced, hopefully for the good.
Glad to be home and again thanks for all your support and love – Lisa
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, friends, georgia, God, miracle, mother, prayers, scarf, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com, www.chemoflage.com, www.thepinkchronicle.com
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
May 4, 2010
Lisa is on the move again, really taking advantage of her new found freedom. She is now residing in Las Vegas where she stay until Wednesday. She was so eager to throw craps with the rich and famous that she convinced Vincent to participate in a business convention in the Golden City.
Mom drove straight from the airport to a nail parlor in hopes of fixing her shrek nails for the night’s date with Dad. At first, the nail artists told Lisa that there was nothing they could do, but she convinced them that they were so talented they were capable of anything in the nail world. The nails are now covered with a beautiful sparkle that disguises their empty beds.
Next, mom decided to go on a scarf shopping expedition. She has discovered through her frequent scarf fashions that it’s best to wear lightweight cotton ones because they are less likely to slip. Breast cancer sure has taught her a lot. I feel she deserves guru status in the scarf department.
Lisa felt down when she first arrived to Vegas because of all the beautiful half-naked people hanging out by the pool and in the restaurants. She started to envy their hair and nails, but quickly realized what her mind was doing and picked herself back up. I cannot imagine how she must feel, but she certainly has mastered being positive.
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, faith, family, fashion, friends, georgia, God, mother, prayers, scarf, tumor, www.breastcancersociety.com
Posted in The Chronicle | 3 Comments »
May 3, 2010
Mom and Dad's Jackson Visit in 2008
We had a very successful wedding planning weekend. Lisa kept us busy from sun up to sun down. Mom pushed us hard every step of the way because of the desperate time crunch. She groomed us into her wedding soldiers by challenging us to make quick decisions and express through words each one of our ideas. Her leadership made the weekend a huge success.
In the midst of all our busy decision-making, Lisa lost the rest of her nails, which she now kindly refers to her hands as shreky pooh (Shrek, the cartoon character). She turned the fallen warriors into pawns for her practical jokes by quietly tossing them at me in the middle of serious meetings. Lisa chose to laugh rather than cry about her situation, which is a common theme in Mom’s recovery. She continuously looks at the bright side even if she has to invent one.
Our last night in Jackson, Dad took us to one of the best restaurants in Jackson to celebrate his birthday and the first Monday that Mom will not undergo chemo. Wild Sage is a quaint little restaurant with only six tables, which makes it so personable and perfect for discussing the weekends affairs. After ordering appetizers, Rafe excused himself to the restroom. On his back to the table, he was stopped by a couple also dining. The couple asked if the woman he was seated with had cancer. They explained that they ask because their fourteen year old daughter was recovery from bone cancer and also underwent chemotherapy. The couple was celebrating their twenty year wedding anniversary and the recent health of their daughter. The lovely couple had made a pact to buy a dessert to anyone they saw undergoing cancer while eating out. This is an act of PAYING IT FORWARD, which is an amazing way to recognize and pay back all the love and support they felt while going through hard times. They made Rafe promise he would not relay this message until after they left so they wanted no thanks for their good deed.
The love and support Mom has received throughout her battle has been overwhelming even from so many strangers she crosses paths. Their act of kindness made me want to participate in a method of paying it forward as well. We will all be thinking of a similar act to honor all the love and support we have felt throughout this journey.
Tags:breast cancer, cancer, chemotherapy, family, friends, Jackson Hole, love, mother, mother of the bride, wedding, Wyoming
Posted in The Chronicle | 3 Comments »
April 29, 2010
Jackson, Wyoming
Lisa, Vincent, Rafe, and I are headed to Jackson, Wyoming this weekend for a wedding planning trip. This is Mom’s first trip out of Atlanta since her diagnosis. The doctor gave her the green light because her red and white blood counts were so high. She has a two-week get out of jail free card before the mastectomy. I am ecstatic that she is able to use it to help me wedding plan.
I remember when Mom first found out she had breast cancer. Rafe and I were newly engaged, which had been both our mother’s dream since we were fifteen. She was so excited about our wedding that at times I thought she was going to stop breathing due to her excitement. Dad complained about not being able to sleep at night because of Mom’s incessant chatter about wedding possibilities.
Anyways, at the beginning of her cancer journey she felt she would not be able to help me with the wedding. She called me one Saturday night crying about the wedding and how hurt she was that we were finally getting married and she was not going to be able to be apart of the whole process. She felt she was being cheated out of her Mother of the Bride dreams. Mom and I were both shattered by this realization, but I reassured her that her health was the most important thing and we would somehow figure out the rest.
Our fears never came to fruition because Mom has been able to do more than most Mother’s of the Brides who are in perfect health. She has not missed a beat or decision in the wedding planning. She has been with Rafe and I every step of the way along with his mother as well. We have been so blessed by her strength because she is helping plan our dream wedding in face of her battle. Lisa is exactly the mother I imagined her to be when Rafe and I first got engaged. Breast cancer has never slowed Mom down.
Tags:atlanta, blog, breast cancer, breast cancer symptoms, cancer, chemotherapy, christian, family, friends, georgia, God, Jackson Hole, mother, mother of the bride, prayers, tumor, wedding, www.breastcancersociety.com, www.chemoflage.com, www.thepinkchronicle.com, Wyoming
Posted in The Chronicle | 3 Comments »
I have not written lately because I haven’t heard about my next step. I have truly missed writing though. I guess God will tell me when to stop but for now I will continue. I first wanted to say that everyone that has prayed, sent flowers, food and written to me has been apart of my healing. You all have kept me going during those long days. For I know your prayers have reached heaven.
