P.S.

It's hard to believe that only six months ago, I was told that I would only have about six months to live. Duh-duh- duuun... P.S. that was dramatic music that they play in the movies... But thank God, I'm still here and still smiling :o) - see... that's me smiling. P.S. I usually smile with my mouth closed because I had bad teeth growing up. Didn't get braces till i was in my 30s. :o)

The happy couple (2012)

Well... in looking back over these past six months, I have been busy. Let's see...  February was when I was diagnosed with cancer. P.S. again. Started chemo in March... and had a going away hair party with my coworkers. Lost my hair... and now it's back. P.S. I've been told that I have a nice shaped head :o). I guess that's a good thing. Got engaged. P.S. I said yes. Two weeks later, we were married.

D.C. - P.S. Happy 50th!

Got to travel a little bit... finally got to see the cherry blossoms in DC, gave a speech in New York City, and recently went to Guatelmala. P.S. Loved it.

Always posing :o)
Feliz Cumpleanos

Have been able to spend lots of quality time with family. From an impromptu Oscar Party where we all dressed up to walk the red carpet...  to spending two weeks... two long weeks :o) down the shore in Ocean City. P.S. That's my   cousin Peggy working the red carpet.

Have also had good times with friends and coworkers... from the Candyland Beef and Beer, our Flash Mob dance during Alex Scott's Lemonade Day, and to now... back at work. P.S. I started watching the clock at 11 on my first day back. Is that bad? Whoops. And, Oh yeah, i also started this blog... six months ago exactly this past Sunday.

Aside from chemotherapy treatments, i also had chemo embolization to the liver, &  20 days of radiation to the pancreas bed. Have had lots of ups and, of course, some downs over these past six months. But by far the most exciting for me is this... see below...

Yes, we're pregnant! :o)

And apparently our little one resembles a little stuffed teddy bear, right! And no, baby bear is not in my belly. He or she is in our gestational carrier's belly on the other side of the country. 

I hope and pray these next six months continue to go just as well. Fingers crossed.

lots of love... little lisa lollipop

P.S. I love you, baby bear.  love, mama bear

Home Sweet Home

Hi everyone!
After talking to my father the other day and my sister today, i realized that i haven't told everyone... including you... that I am back at work. Yay... (for now :o).
I received a super warm welcome from my coworkers. Aside from all the smiling faces, I was also greeted by messages posted around the nurses' stations. They brought breakfast and treated me to lunch. It felt great to be home.

Tomorrow will be my third weekend back. And with that said, I better get my a@# to bed.

lots of love... little lisa lollipop

P.S. This blog is dedicated to my coworker Deb Mc who reads my blog religiously... and can even recite its dates and titles like Rain Man. :o)

Mr & Mrs: Wedding Video

Hi everyone!

Hope all is well. Just a quick post to include our wedding video. Here's the link:

     https://vimeo.com/71926173

lots of love...  Mrs. little lisa lollipop :o)

Guat's up?

Hi everyone!!
Guat's up? Clever Guatemalan merchandise slogan probably geared towards us Americans. My favorite though... Guatever! Of course, said with attitude.

So much paperwork :o)

Well... I returned from Guatemala last Sunday night. It was amazing! We worked out of an established medical clinic, and our team did a total of 70 surgeries during the week. Awe-sooomme! All of the children were beautiful, and the families were so grateful and appreciative. Even if the surgery was only for a hernia, they would thank us as if we were saving their lives. Many of the Mayan families have limited access to medical care... not to mention the financial restraints. Makes one realize how fortunate we are in the States. And not to mention how lucky we are as nurses. It was all old school paperwork... none of the high tech computer stuff that I'm spoiled with.

The food was good... and I'm a picky eater. Sometimes... the presentation wasn't the best though... check out the beans that came with my breakfast one day.

Fan dance

The weather: perfect. Warm during the day, but not unbearable. Unless you were working in a small space without ventilation. Here's Christine celebrating our fan's arrival after 2 long work days.  The mornings and nights, on the other hand, were just a little chilly.

Antigua, Guatemala

After a long work week, we headed to Antigua which is an old colonial city and absolutely beautiful. Being surrounded by the mountains and with the clouds so low, you feel like you are closer to Heaven. Perhaps that's why my prayers have been answered, and my scans this past week show that my cancer is stable and/or shrinking. Yay! Although I would love for it to be 100% clear, I'll take it! I'm taking my cues from my doctors, so if they are excited, so am I. So... I didn't need any chemo this week. Our current plan is wait and rescan late September. Fingers will remain crossed, and please keep the prayers coming :o).

I met a lot of great people both at the clinic and within the CHOP team. They are a fun, welcoming group of people whose energy never ceased to amaze me. If i looked better in the blue hats and if i didn't already have a home in oncology, I would definitely want to work with them in the surgery area.

Querido Junior

Lots of love to all of them and to all of Guatemala.
Don't cry. I'll miss you too.
little lisa lollipop

Antigua

Go Green Team!