A Load Lifted

(Laura happily discards the port that she has had for over a year.)

Thursday was a happy day. Laura had a tremendous load lifted off her chest :-) when her port was removed!! Woo hooo!

It then got better when the coumadin nurse called and said they had enjoyed working with her and that Dr. Jani said she no longer has to take take the coumadin!!!!

She bought herself a special latte and treated herself to a manicure and pedicure.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement and help. Laura has some pretty wonderful friends!!!

Team GoFightWin! is considering another round of Breast Cancer 3-Day for 2010 (some have already made the commitment)... Stand by for future updates for that.

We love you all!!

♪ ♫ Cel - e - brate Good Times ♪ ♫

"Good times" might be a stretch, but there was much celebration on the day of Laura's last infusion.... Here are some photos of the day.


Weeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaww! Last infusion!

Look at all that hair!! Time for a trim!

Friends and family gathered for a celebration dinner at "The Catch."

Check out the cake: "Beat Breast Cancer 10 - 4... Over and out!"

(Way to "capture Laura in cake," whoever arranged for that! ☺ )

Go Fight Win!

I love you, Laura!

January 7th is an Important Day!

Yesterday was Raney's first birthday. We had a little celebration which included doggie birthday cake and a playdate with her mother and her sister. (I know, I've gone crazy!)

Even though birthdays are fun, the best thing about yesterday was that Laura had her LAST infusion!! Hooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!

The end-of-infusion celebration in south Georgia was held at The Catch in Albany. (Wish I had been there.)

Photos of the last infusion and the celebration will come soon.

Please be praying for Laura. The doctors found a cyst that they think is "nothing," but she'll have it checked out to make sure.

Please continue to pray for peace and comfort. What a year this has been!

Thank you for your support and your prayers. ♥

Patience...

Today I was reading an advent devotional and I read the following... It reminded me of Laura. She has been living with grace and patience in the midst of a difficult year. I continue to admire how she embraces life in spite of challenges and trials. She is an inspiration to me.

Wishing you all peace, joy and hope this holiday season and in the year ahead.

GFW!

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The Patient Live and Wait in the Present

by Henri Nouwen

A waiting person is a patient person. The word "patience" implies the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Impatient people expect the real thing to happen somewhere else, and therefore they want to get away from the present situation and go elsewhere. For them, the moment is empty. But patient people dare to stay where they are, waiting.

O God, help us to be patient, knowing that all good gifts come from you in your own time.

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P.S. She has one or two more infusions with the research drug. Then about a six-month wait and then reconstruction. Please pray that she will remain healthy during this period. And please pray for peace and comfort. Thanks.

Team GoFightWin! at the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day

Our journey began waaaaaaay before last Friday... It began last year. Laura and Angel were diagnosed with breast cancer last fall.

This fall, team GoFightWin! decided that we were going to do what we could to help find a cure for it.

We travelled from various places on Thursday and ended up at Lake Lanier, GA so that we could walk 60 miles to show how serious we are about getting this disease to go away.

Here are some photos from our trip... Neither the words nor the photos adequately tell what it was like, but you can get some idea.

For me, and I think for others, it was an amazing, unforgettable weekend...in many ways.




I saw this as I drove down I-85. It was a sign of what would be in store for us over the next three days.


We gathered in Judy and Pam's room for a little social hour before our evening began.

Then the walkers had dinner at Jennie Clayton's house. She had a FEAST prepared for us. It was YUMMY!

And, then... it was time to retire for the evening. Early start the next day.

The whole gang pictured here before we all went to bed.

See what I mean when I say early start? It was still dark when we arrived on Friday morning.

Judy seemed to really get into the theme of things.

And Pam made all their costumes.

Normally, 3-Day walkers sleep outside, but our original campsite was "messed up" during the Atlanta floods. So, we camped in a BIG building.

Adrienne found her cozy little spot OUTSIDE of a tent. She preferred it that way.

Along the route on the first day, Angel's family surprised her with those sweet signs and those sweet boys!

Just in case the motorists didn't notice, there was a sign to let them know there were a lot of us coming.

See what I mean?

Day 2 begins.... Buses took us to the start of the walk.

There are still a lot of people walking.

A stroll by the Chattahoochee River...

All along our route -- on all three days -- we were met with cheering crowds. Most of the time, it brought tears to my eyes.

Our cousins met us in Duluth with this sign and goodie bags. They stood there for THREE hours waiting for us!!

At the end of day two's walk, the WHOLE team posed for a photo.

Beginning of day 3.

Mary Celeste's friends met us along the route to cheer us on. Even had goodies!!

Mary Celeste and I walked together down Peachtree. We thought this was a good photo op...

This is just one example of the fun traffic help we had along the route. The dancing motorcycle men (and women) were a HIT!

We're getting closer to the finish line!

Look what we saw on the sidewalk!!!!!!!!!!!

Leesburg sent some medical help! :-)

The closing ceremony...

If you look closely (just about the middle of the photo), you'll see Debbie Bruner holding the GoFightWin! banner that Pam made. Laura took this photo from the stage.

The Atlanta skyline as we head to our homes.

One last team photo -- with some of our supporters!!

An unforgettable weekend!!

Just a quick note...

Team GOFIGHTWIN! completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day yesterday. It was an AMAZING experience.

We have lots of pictures to share ....and perhaps a story or two, but those will come when a real computer is available to me.

For now, know that ALL of us on the team appreciate your support.

Four Days to Go!!

On Friday, October 23, Team GoFightWin! will begin a walk from Lake Lanier (about 60miles north of Atlanta) which will end at Turner Field on Sunday afternoon.

We are excited, nervous, emotional, tired, curious and hopeful!!

If you're in the Atlanta area and would like to cheer us on, please choose one (or all) of the cheering stations listed below to show your support for our team and for the many other teams joining in the fight against breast cancer.

Wooo hooo!!

GoFightWin!

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Friday, October 23
8:45 am - 10:45 am Downtown Buford89 Main St.Buford, GA 30518
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Suwanee StationStation Center Blvd. Suwanee, GA 30024


Saturday, October 24
9:15 am - 12:00 pm Oreck Vacuums Store & Plaza5005 Peachtree PkwyNorcross, GA 30092
11:30 am - 6:00 pm Duluth Monarch School3057 Main St.Duluth, GA 30096


Sunday, October 25
7:45 am - 9:30 am Lowe's 4950 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.Chamblee, GA 30341
10:45 am - 1:30 pm Atlantic Stations171 17th St.Atlanta, GA 30363