Update

Laura had her first round of chemo on Thursday. On Friday, she was given an injection to increase her white blood cell count. She came to Atlanta on Friday night. We (Harv, Sarah, Hannah, and me) are here as well.

She is now experiencing pain in her bones - because of the Friday injection - as well as slight nausea. Sitting still is difficult for her. She wants to be busy doing things, but doesn't feel quite up to it.

Things that are a comfort to her right now are: being at Mama's and Papa's; eating my first-ever homemade vegetable soup (supervised by Laura - - with some her fresh-frozen garden vegetables), and having me read from Bailey White's new book, Nothing with Strings.

Please pray that the pain will go away, and that she will not require stronger pain relief. Also, please pray that she is able to get a good night's sleep.

Please pray that she will be able to enjoy the next few days. More children, siblings, nieces, and nephews begin arriving Tuesday night and Wednesday. She's especially hoping that she'll feel a little better pm Thanksgiving Day.

Posting will be hit-and-miss over the next few days. We don't have Internet access at my parents' house. We are able to see your comments, though, as they are viewable on Harvey's cell phone.

Let the Fight Begin!

Another note from Laura:

I am tired now! First round (or cycle as they say at the hospital) has begun. A long day but not unpleasant. My chemo nurse was DeeDee and my research nurse is Kathy. They took good care of me.

The interesting stuff that went on in the chemo ward were things I had not thought about.

• If you don't get there in time for The Today Show you watch Judge Mathis and then you get to see Judge Judy.
• After that, somebody (today it was Steve) turns the channel to The Young and the Restless (at which point a sandwich and soup were served).
• Then came Days of Our Lives.
• The ones of us that were left after that were mostly konked out.
• The remaining ones caught glimpses of Rachel Ray with special guest Vanna White at 51 years old!
• Then it was time for me to go home.
• DeeDee told me to go ride my bike and I did after Steve and I went to the store.

The end.

I love you, Laura...

I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow. Can't wait to see you on Sunday!!

A note from Laura...

This is straight from her....

I will be participating in a clinical trial which is a type of research. In addition to the standard care for breast cancer, I will receive a drug called Avastin. All of my doctors think this drug will be a great addition to my treatment. There have been positive results reported from patients treated with this drug.

Steve and I will take an education class tomorrow that should make us well informed about the dos and don’ts while I am receiving chemo. I will have my first treatment on Thursday probably lasting 4 to 5 hours. By the second treatment my new Kindle will have arrived. This should help make the time go by much better!

I know it might be hard to accept the fact that all this might make me a sweeter person. Right now I just want to say I love you all. I’ll try to remain pretty much like I usually am but I might get mushy every once in a while.

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P.S. This summer in Bellingham, our Lebanese friends read Laura's coffee. After she drank it she pressed her thumb print into what was left in the cup -- whatever the picture said was her "fortune." There was an elephant with its trunk sticking out...

They told us that means "good luck."

:-)

Yippeeee!

Good news!
Laura heard the good news today that there is no cancer on her lungs.

She also was happy to hear that she can participate in the research study. As part of that study, she's going to have to have another breast biopsy tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. That biopsy determines which "arm" of the study she will be a part of. Being a part of the research group will allow her to be more closely monitored and she'll receive more attention.

The chemo education was postponed until they determine which part of the study she will be in. And, in all probability that class and the chemotherapy will begin this Thursday.

We're all hoping that the chemo doesn't interfere with our Thanksgiving plans and that Laura will still be able to be in charge. (Well, we SORT of want her to be in charge.)

By the way, Laura really appreciates all the notes and the kindnesses that you have given to her these past couple of weeks.

Hope to report more good news as the week goes on.

Facing things boldly

I found this quote the other day...

It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.

~Isaac Asimov, author

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If ever there was someone who faced things boldly, that would be Laura! I look forward to watching her difficulties vanish.

Here's to a good week ahead!

Morning and Evening Mantra

May all be loved.
May all be healed.
May all be sheltered.
May all be free from fear.

May I be loved.
May I be healed.
May I be sheltered.
May I be free from fear.

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited…

It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
It cannot conquer the spirit.

~Author unknown

Another Day with Another Dr.

Laura went to a lung doctor and they performed a bronchoscopy. It was uncomfortable just preparing for the procedure, but Laura said all of the medical staff were kind. That helps! She didn't get any feedback from that doctor, but we hope to hear soon what the results of that test were.

She was told she shouldn't drive so her friend, Judy, took her to the appointment and stayed with her. When the procedure was over, she was told not to do anything for the rest of the day. When I spoke with her (about 5:30 Eastern) she was just about to go stir-crazy. Laura doesn't sit still easily, as most of you know.

She's going to "cheat" and go to the Chamber of Commerce dinner 'cause she feels fine -- she says.

I'm thankful for all the people in Leesburg who are making themselves available and who are loving her. I know there are lots of people out there who are doing things for her. To all of you, our family says "THANK YOU!"

Other news: Top Turkey starts tomorrow. The teachers are already being competitive. One teacher already has $75 from his students. Who will win?! Continue to tune in for updates.

We love you, Laura!

GoFightWin!

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We're not monkeying around, Laura...

... we're with you all the way through this journey!

WE LOVE YOU!

A spot...

Today Laura's oncologist called and told her that a spot on her lung "lit up" when they did the PET scan yesterday. He asked her if she'd ever had pneumonia. She said no, but she had asthmatic bronchitis and a severe "allergy-thing."

So, the next thing she has to do is go to the "lung guy" and have a bronchoscopy. The other things are on hold until the results come from the bronchoscopy. That test will be at 10:00 tomorrow.

Please pray that whatever "lit up" is not cancer and is not a problem.

The good news is that they didn't see any cancer anywhere else.

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Teeny Weensy Bit of Information

Laura said that she was told today that the chemo would start next Tuesday. Not sure of exactly how many times a week or the details of the chemo, but that’s when she was told it would start.

Our cousin gave her some helpful tips on ways to make the chemo more bearable and gave Laura hope that she’ll be able to go to work through it all. That was encouraging to Laura and so that’s the direction I’m thinking.

She’s also hoping to feel good enough at Thanksgiving to boss us around. And, we’re all looking forward to that unusual occurrence. :-)

She has enjoyed reading your comments so keep ‘em comin’!


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What's Comin' Up...

What a week this has been -- for Laura and for those who love her. We're thankful that things are in motion and look forward to gettin' that crazy thing out of her body.

On Saturday, Laura and Mary Celeste did lots of things at "Mama's house"... They cleaned things out and they worked in the yard. (Thus, the picture of the beautiful fall leaves.)

They also went for an appointment for a cranial prosthetic. They had fun seeing all the different options and made the most of a less-than-pleasant situation.

This week:

Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern) she'll have a PET scan which will determine if the cancer is anywhere else in her body. (I'm praying a major NO! to that one.)

Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. (Eastern) she'll have a MUGA test to determine her heart strength to see if she can handle the chemo. (I'm praying a major YES! to that one.)

Monday the 17th - She'll participate in an education course to help her know what to expect throughout her treatment. She'll also find out the results from all the tests so far.

Laura plans to teach all of this week, too! She's got a busy week as the students prepare for the first annual Top Turkey Award. Top Turkey is a project to raise money for the Food Bank of Lee County. The faculty member or staff member with the most feathers at the end of the project will be titled Top Turkey. Each feather is .50 and represents a can of food.

Our family will gather at our parents' house for Thanksgiving at the end of the month. All of us will be there and we will have a chance to physically be there with Laura. I, personally, can't wait. For those of us far from her, it's been a little difficult. It'll be nice to be close. And, I look forward to laughter, rockin' on the front porch, annoyances, loud, crazy family games, lots of good food, maybe a glass of wine or two, and plain ol' togetherness.

Thank you for your love and support and prayers.

GoFightWin!!

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An Unwelcome Guest

On Monday, November 3rd, Laura found out that she has a rapidly growing type of breast cancer. The past few days have been full of tests, information, questions, fears and prayers. She's still in the process of finding information out, but here's what I know:

• Her treatment will begin with four months of chemotherapy followed by surgery.
• The doctors have inserted a "life port" where the chemo will enter. It's connected to a large blood vessel. This eliminates the need to continually poke her with a needle as well.
• She may qualify for a research study which still involves chemo, but whichever group she falls into will determine what type and how it's administered.
• Soon she will have a full-body PETscan which will determine whether the cancer has spread or not.

More information as it is available...

GoFightWin!!