Blessed to Bless

I spoke at church today about the Atlanta 3-Day... Here's how it went.

I'm Pretty Sure Mama Would Be Proud

I believe Mama was proud of all of her children, but lately, I've been thinking about how proud I think Mama would be of Laura right now.

She would be proud of the way Laura faced the original diagnosis. She would have been proud of Laura's determination and her fight. She would have enjoyed Laura's photos of her doctors and nurses and the camelias that Laura got to see with Mrs. Cannon in the spring. She would have respected Laura's intelligent questions and her desire to follow doctors' orders even though that meant she couldn't have salads for a LOOOOONG time.

And, she would be pleased and proud that Laura's fight and the doctor's care somehow led to the disappearance of the tumor. She would be smiling and telling her friends the good news.

And,I think she'd be proud of Laura and the rest of the GoFightWin! team for doing the 3-Day.

I spoke with Laura the other day and she reminded me that what we're doing for the 3-Day isn't about any one individual. It's about fighting this fight so our children and other people don't have to face an uncertain future.

Our team is walking the Breast Cancer 3-Day so that there will be more resources and funding for people who are facing a similar diagnosis to Laura's. We're walking as a team.

Laura, Mary Celeste and I have raised the minimum donation we need to participate. There are others on our team who still have more funds to raise. If you're thinking that you'd like to make a donation to the Breast Cancer 3-Day, please do it. Choose a member of the GoFightWin! team who hasn't met their minimum donation and help them meet their goal.

There are lives to save today and you can help be a part of making that difference.

Mama would be proud of you.

Blowin' in the Wind

Laura's hair is growin' back!!

Check it out!

She's Stayin' Busy

Laura's had a full summer and it's not over yet...

And, she still gets to pop-in to have some medical work throughout the summer.

Today she had to go in for a dexascan which is a test to check on her bone density. She reports that procedure was "nothing" and that she probably spent more time filling out paperwork and talking to the technician than she did for the test itself.

She feels really good and has been able to take a trip to Michigan to see Lisa... with a stop or two along the way to see Clif, some former Tennesee friends and neighbors and a friend who used to live in Cedartown, but now lives in Kentucky.

After her fun trip to Michigan and back, she took her first 14 mile outdoor bike ride in a looooooooong time. Other than being able to go for the ride -- which she LOVED-- she was also able to catch some good 4th of July amateur fireworks on the ride home.

The next day, she and her friend, Judy went for a ride and saw a gopher turtle which is on the proposed endangered species list.

Her INR is right where it's supposed to be -- which is nice cause she is able to be a little less rigid with her diet... and THAT's a good thing 'cause she DOES have an appetite!

The past few days she's spent cleaning, while Steve has headed back to work already.

Lucky for me, my girls and I will get to see her next week!! All the siblings will be together towards the end of next week.

She's getting excited, too, for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Our team has met over 66% of our goal for the walk. Thank you, to all of you who have made contributions.

GoFightWin!

A GOFIGHTWIN! Kind of Day

"I wish I could give everybody the news I have to give you. You are doing GREAT!" said Laura's oncologist, Dr. Jani.

All of her lab work (including her INR for her Coumadin) came back great. She tells me that she's finally "therapeutic"... (Maybe she can explain what that means in a comment.)

On Thursday she'll start back on the research drug (Avastin) and that means going to the infusion room...but she's feeling GoFightWin-ish! so she can do it!. She'll also start her hormone therapy (which is really anti hormone therapy)...this means taking a pill everyday for five years. She won't be able to say say she's cancer-free for 10 years, but things are lookin' good!

After Dr. Jani, she went to Dr. Aderhold (the surgeon) who was equally impressed with the progress she's made.

But one of the best parts of her day was when she was told, "yes, go get a pedicure today."

(Notice the breast cancer ribbon on her big toenail.)

And even better than that, was when Dr. Jani smiled and handed her a presciption and said, "Yes, Laura, you can ride your bike."

Claire sat with her while she had her pedicure and Judy's gonna bring shrimp and grits for a celebration tonight!

In other news, Mary Celeste has met her goal for the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

It has certainly been a GOFIGHTWIN kind of day!

A Fruitful Day for Laura

Just received an e-mail update from Laura on what a lovely day she, Steve and Emily had last Monday... Here's her report:

Ok, I don't how it happened, but I was able to get out of the house and actually go on a 4 mile walk that I loved!...even in the morning heat. Emily (Nurse Ratchet) was hesitant but went along with it. Steve was in it for the blackberries I said were out there. Anyway, my crew let me hike through town and then the woods just to pick black berries. It was a great time and I felt so much better that when I got home, I decided to make a blackberry cobbler and have fresh vegetables for dinner.

I counted it as therapy but Emily monitored the activities I did the rest of the day. I obliged her rules the rest of the day with the understanding that, if I didn't do anything else, I would go to spinning class at 6:00. It worked and I got to the class!

That was one of my favorite days!

Informational Meeting Last Week

Last week (June 7th), team members gathered in Leesburg for a meeting to let the community know what is happening with Team GoFightWin!. Wish I could've been there, too! The following article was published in the Lee County Ledger.

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Team Go Fight Win held BREAST CANCER

3-DAY Awareness Meeting on

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Team Go Fight Win had an informative meeting in hopes of raising awareness of the Breast Cancer 3-Day event this October in Atlanta, Georgia. Team Go Fight Win will join thousands of other dedicated women and men in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. The three-day, 60-mile walk benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund requires months of physical and financial preparation, challenge and triumph. Participants commit to raising $2,300 in order to participate and follow a four to sixth month physical training program. The public meeting was held on National Cancer Survivor Day. "We thought that National Cancer Survivor Day would be the perfect time to raise awareness of the Breast Cancer 3-Day and to have a Celebration of Life," said team captain Tobi Collins.

“I decided to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day because my mom had breast cancer. Breast cancer doesn't just affect the victim but many people! I wanted to make a personal difference to help fight the disease,” said team member Debbie Bruner. "The money raised during this event will help ensure funding for important research, education and community health programs."

“It is such rewarding feeling when a group of people ban together in an effort to raise funds to end breast cancer," said team member Laura Kitchens. "I am excited that Lee County is going to be represented in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. As someone once said, 'knowledge is power.' I truly believe research is the answer to the eradication of this disease."

The public meeting was held at the Lee County Library on Walnut Street. Team captain Tobi Collins led the meeting followed by a DVD and music video. Questions were answered and more team plans were made. The team welcomed new members, Angel Lavender and Debbie Hinman. "Though not all our team could be together today, it was very exciting to welcome two new members to our team. I look forward to our team travelling together on a life changing journey", said Mary Llaurador.

For additional information you can contact any team member.

Some members of Team Go Fight Win
Pictured back row: Debbie Hinman, Debbie Bruner, Laura Kitchens, Tobi Collins, Judy Powell
Seated: Mary Llaurador and Angel Lavender