Tuesday, February 26, 2013

my crazy cancer story in a nutshell


That's Nuts!! Cancer Sucks! Lol.



My cancer story is a little complicated, so I’ll just bring you back to the beginning.  At ten I was diagnosed with bone cancer of the right leg (femur). Ewing’s Sarcoma to be specific. I was told that it is usually more prevalent among big boned males- guess I had to represent, ladies. HOLLAAAAA!!!

Age 10- that striped sofa rocks!



















Treatment included chemotherapy, radiation to the right femur, and an autologous bone marrow transplant that included total body radiation (or TBI to keep it short and sweet). Truthfully though, there’s nothing sweet about it.  After a long, intense year of treatment, we did what most families do –we went to Disney! Hilarious picture attached of my sisters and I at Epcot Center 1986.

Lisa, Mommy, Marita, Karin, Susan, and Andrea 

Afterwards, life continues on and brings milestones like high school graduation and attending college. While in nursing school at West Chester University, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the right leg.  A different type of bone cancer caused by my previous radiation treatments 9 years earlier. I took a semester off from school for chemo and surgery. And as a woman, this was the easiest 12 pounds* I ever lost...

but not recommended for everyone. 
* Footnote 12 lbs. = 1 right leg. Lol. 
So without hair and without a leg, I returned to school in the Fall of 1994.  My homecare nurse arrived at my dorm room on Thursday evenings to access my port and start iv fluid hydration in the form of a backpack.  That backpack would then accompany me to my classes on Friday.  Friday nights, while most students went out to parties, I would receive my own cocktail of chemo in the dorms. Followed by a weekend full of fun and hydration – in the form of a backpack. Lol



Party hard dude! Go Rams! ...I'm such a dork 

Third times a charm (only since this one wasn’t too bad). At 32, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer- caused by that darn TBI from 21 years earlier.
Surgical resection -check þ
Radioactive iodine treatment -check, check þþ
More surgery the following year for residual metastic disease  –check, check, check þþþ
Can you tell I’m a checklist kind of gal. Lol


Age 38 was going to be a milestone year for me, only because it marks the official halfway point in my life. Half of my life with one leg... and half without. Well that brings me to now. I was just diagnosed with either (since the doctors haven’t officially come to an agreement) metastatic pancreatic cancer or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Not good though, regardless of what they decide.  Best case scenario would be surgery. Fingers crossed :o) Chemotherapy is a definite. But I am told that with this aggressive form of cancer, chemo is just for control -not for cure.  Most people will live for 6 months. One year if they’re lucky. Man, this sucks a*#.  

So... many prayers needed. Not to micro manage your prays, but please pray that I qualify for surgery. Now, await further instructions. Lol. Attaching a picture of Saint Peregrine, the Patron Saint for the Cancer Afflicted which includes a prayer.


Prayer to Saint Peregrine

Pray Hard. And then Pray Harder. Lol. 
I have a big important meeting with the doctors... T minus 12 hours and 30 minutes.
Until next time, lots of love, little lisa lollipop :o)





13 comments:

  1. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers Lisa, love you girl, stay strong!

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  2. Your incredible Lisa!!! Lots of prayers coming your way. xo samii

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  3. Amy shared your story and blog with a group of women. I will be praying for you. I am inspired by your positive attitude and sense of humor through everything. Good luck at your meeting!

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  4. Lisa, you are an unforgettable person. You had such an impact on me when you chaperoned the ski camp at Camelback. I have many delightful memories of which you are a huge part. I'm sorry to hear cancer is trying to get you yet again. I will be praying!!!

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  5. Lisa, lots of love and prayers coming your way. That picture brings back lots of memories, miss you my friend.

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  6. Lollipop Lollipop, Oh Lolli Lolli Lolli, Lollipop *POP
    Sending many prayers your way! Everyone knows I love church songs but now this song will be another one to send along with my prayers :)

    your are impressive and my FAVORITE cousin (don't tell your sisters of the other cousins PLEASE!). Love the pics....I hope you got your sisters' blessings to use.

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  7. Hi Lisa, I'm a friend of Amy, Peg and Suzanne's. Cancer sucks but your blog is awesome! Prayers to Saint Peregrine- check and double check! Hope your meeting goes well!!!

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  8. Your the strongest person with the best character of anyone I ever met. You beat it before and you will beat it again! Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way.

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  9. We will pray without ceasing! Sending hugs and all our love.

    Eileen and Grace Doran

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  10. DIOS NUNCA TE DEJARA LISA!! ERES UN EJEMPLO HUMILDAD EN LA VIDA Y UNA PERSONA QUE AMA LA VIDA!! REZAMOS EN LO MAS PROFUNDO DE NUESTROS PARA QUE DIOS TE AYUDE Y PRONTO SONRIAS A LA BUENA SALUD QUE TE MERECES EN ESTA VIDA. CON CARIÑO: GILBERTO CRUZ Y MARIA DE LA LUZ CRUZ.

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  11. Lisa I wish had had magic hands to heal you but I don't. But I will be praying very hard and harder for healing powers to come your way. I did my pediatric affliation at CHOP way back in 1965....yes way back but I love that place...back then my favorite was Baby East...will pass this on to my friends to put you on their prayer chains....please know from the bottom of my heart the prayers are coming and believe in the power of the Lord and his healing powers....keep the faith and I'll keep the prayers..you concentrate on getting better...we'll all pray for you....love and hugs also coming your way...Take care. Love, Kathy

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  12. Lisa,
    I cannot stop thinking about you since hearing the news from Rick. I cannot understand how one person can have so much thrown at them in one lifetime, yet you keep saying how blessed you have been. You have been a fighter since the day that I met you back on 7East. 19 years ago..... how time flies. You are truly an inspiration to so many people and I will continue to pray for you every day, every minute that I can. Keep your head up, fight the fight and stay strong.

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  13. Lisa, you are indeed a strong person with a personality that's just Amazing. You are in my Prayers and thoughts. God Bless. Loads of Love, Philomena

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