We had a set back today. Before the surgery, which is schedulded for Monday 4/14/14, Lisa had to undgo some labwork, ekg, and other tests. Her EKG came back abnormal, so the surgery is cancelled. She will be seeing a cardiologist on Wednesday.
She was thrilled. Even though she wanted this "Cancer out of her", she is thrilled to go to work on Monday and bowling.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Keeping up with Lisa - Breast Cancer :(
Greetings Family & Friends,
It has been a long time. Too long! I wanted to keep you up to date with Lisa's life. She currently is thriving in her home. Still working at the Olive Garden wrapping silverware, bowling, going to various activities, and surrounded daily by many family and friends. She is loving life!
She calls Medical Alert on holidays just to wish them Happy/Merry(insert holiday), and most recently, pranking us on April Fools Day. HA!! She called Sister Karen, said her morning caretaker, Susan, hasn't come in yet and she needed to get to work (haha). She called me(Amy) to tell me she fell out of her wheelchair and couldn't get up. Ahhh... Love that girl! She is so happy these days and it is so infectious! Karla & I were talking the other night about how much we look forward to seeing Lisa to hear what she has to say. She truly is a gift from God!
There is just one hiccup. Lisa was just recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She had her annual MRI in February, found a lump, biopsy came back with "Invasive Ductal Carcinoma", Stage #1. For breast cancer, we understand this is the best one to get, caught early. Her diagnosis is a lumpectomy and 3-6 weeks of radiation. She has had multiple doctors appointments this week (thanks Karen), and a few more next week.
Surrounded by family at Dad's and Dolores's a few days ago, we informed Lisa of her breast cancer. She was devastated. She is well aware of her prognosis. Her words "I don't want to loose my boobs", "I don't want to die". We shed many tears with her and have spent many moments trying to encourage her, cheer her up, and praying with her. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday April 14, 2014 at 7am.
Please set your alarm Monday morning and send prayers for the doctors and her family.
Her spirits are better today. She told me she can't wait to get "this cancer" out of me. She will miss a week of work and as you can imagine, Not Happy About IT!What to say? Think? Ponder? For me, It's tough for us to see Lisa go through this. She has been through SO MUCH already and I ask "why her"? I don't know why :(. When I get to heaven, I will go to the information booth and ask "why". But until then, all I know is this.. I am a better person today for knowing/loving Lisa! My children, nieces & nephews are better little people for knowing/loving Lisa! Our husbands are better people for knowing/loving Lisa. Our family & friends are better people for knowing/loving Lisa! You who are reading this are better people for knowing/loving Lisa! She's infectious! As Ron say's, "We will all be working for Lisa in God's Kingdom". I can't wait! Until then, we will try our hardest to keep you updated! Thanks for reading this long post and thanks for loving & praying for Lisa! Amy
It has been a long time. Too long! I wanted to keep you up to date with Lisa's life. She currently is thriving in her home. Still working at the Olive Garden wrapping silverware, bowling, going to various activities, and surrounded daily by many family and friends. She is loving life!
She calls Medical Alert on holidays just to wish them Happy/Merry(insert holiday), and most recently, pranking us on April Fools Day. HA!! She called Sister Karen, said her morning caretaker, Susan, hasn't come in yet and she needed to get to work (haha). She called me(Amy) to tell me she fell out of her wheelchair and couldn't get up. Ahhh... Love that girl! She is so happy these days and it is so infectious! Karla & I were talking the other night about how much we look forward to seeing Lisa to hear what she has to say. She truly is a gift from God!
There is just one hiccup. Lisa was just recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She had her annual MRI in February, found a lump, biopsy came back with "Invasive Ductal Carcinoma", Stage #1. For breast cancer, we understand this is the best one to get, caught early. Her diagnosis is a lumpectomy and 3-6 weeks of radiation. She has had multiple doctors appointments this week (thanks Karen), and a few more next week.
Surrounded by family at Dad's and Dolores's a few days ago, we informed Lisa of her breast cancer. She was devastated. She is well aware of her prognosis. Her words "I don't want to loose my boobs", "I don't want to die". We shed many tears with her and have spent many moments trying to encourage her, cheer her up, and praying with her. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday April 14, 2014 at 7am.
Please set your alarm Monday morning and send prayers for the doctors and her family.
Her spirits are better today. She told me she can't wait to get "this cancer" out of me. She will miss a week of work and as you can imagine, Not Happy About IT!What to say? Think? Ponder? For me, It's tough for us to see Lisa go through this. She has been through SO MUCH already and I ask "why her"? I don't know why :(. When I get to heaven, I will go to the information booth and ask "why". But until then, all I know is this.. I am a better person today for knowing/loving Lisa! My children, nieces & nephews are better little people for knowing/loving Lisa! Our husbands are better people for knowing/loving Lisa. Our family & friends are better people for knowing/loving Lisa! You who are reading this are better people for knowing/loving Lisa! She's infectious! As Ron say's, "We will all be working for Lisa in God's Kingdom". I can't wait! Until then, we will try our hardest to keep you updated! Thanks for reading this long post and thanks for loving & praying for Lisa! Amy
Monday, March 26, 2012
Walk
It was communion day at our church service. Lisa knows when it is communion and brings her wheelchair for the purpose of going up to communion. It is a long walk. For those of you who don't do this in your churches, we go up to the front of the altar and we get blessed and partake in wafers and tiny wine cups that represent Christ's body and blood. I have been in churches where the wafers and juice are brought to you and you are sitting down when you take communion. It is unique how each church does this...but anyway...
Lisa walked up to communion...like I said, it was a long way. Karen did not walk in front of her, or beside her. She walked behind her. Lisa walked the whole entire way and she was proud. As I watched her walking up, I got teary eyed. I thought to myself of just how far she has come. She never gave up. Dad was sitting behind me and remarked how tired she must be.
On her way back from communion, she walked ever so slow, and Chase and Michele giggled. Chase leans over to me and said, "Mom, Aunt Lisa is holding up the line, look at all those people behind her!" I smiled and thought to myself...no, she isn't holding up the line, she is leading the parade!
I had a conversation with Lisa, just a couple of days ago. She told me that she wished she didn't have just one hand. I reminded her that some people don't have any and that she is lucky to be alive. She told me she did not want to die. I asked her if she remembers that she almost did and if she remembers us squeezing her hand when she was so sick she couldn't talk. She says she does. I don't know.
All I can tell you is that I was so proud of her and her walk to take communion. All those people who walked behind her, had no idea why they were walking so slow, they had no idea that the lady who was in front of them was taking her triumphant walk and that they were privileged to be there with her. They have no idea.
Her family does. I still get teary thinking about how far she has come, and I thank God for that :)
Lisa walked up to communion...like I said, it was a long way. Karen did not walk in front of her, or beside her. She walked behind her. Lisa walked the whole entire way and she was proud. As I watched her walking up, I got teary eyed. I thought to myself of just how far she has come. She never gave up. Dad was sitting behind me and remarked how tired she must be.
On her way back from communion, she walked ever so slow, and Chase and Michele giggled. Chase leans over to me and said, "Mom, Aunt Lisa is holding up the line, look at all those people behind her!" I smiled and thought to myself...no, she isn't holding up the line, she is leading the parade!
I had a conversation with Lisa, just a couple of days ago. She told me that she wished she didn't have just one hand. I reminded her that some people don't have any and that she is lucky to be alive. She told me she did not want to die. I asked her if she remembers that she almost did and if she remembers us squeezing her hand when she was so sick she couldn't talk. She says she does. I don't know.
All I can tell you is that I was so proud of her and her walk to take communion. All those people who walked behind her, had no idea why they were walking so slow, they had no idea that the lady who was in front of them was taking her triumphant walk and that they were privileged to be there with her. They have no idea.
Her family does. I still get teary thinking about how far she has come, and I thank God for that :)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Cover Girl
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/olive-garden-holds-job-for-disabled-woman/article_e59086c8-56ba-11e1-83bc-001871e3ce6c.html
Lisa is a star today...her article about her comeback hit the front page of the local newspaper. Lisa, when her picture was being taken last week, asked the photographer if she would be on the front page...she told them she didn't mind if she was. LOL! She then asked if the pictures in the paper would be in color, because you know, she looks good in color! The photographer laughed and said she really didn't know...but most likely not.
Well, right there on the front cover is Lisa and her cute self:
Lisa is a star today...her article about her comeback hit the front page of the local newspaper. Lisa, when her picture was being taken last week, asked the photographer if she would be on the front page...she told them she didn't mind if she was. LOL! She then asked if the pictures in the paper would be in color, because you know, she looks good in color! The photographer laughed and said she really didn't know...but most likely not.
Well, right there on the front cover is Lisa and her cute self:
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dr Appt
Karen took Lisa to her nuero apt yesterday. He is a bit concerned about her weight...she has gained (and lost) more since he saw her 6 months ago. Karen said that he asked Lisa how her memory was. Lisa said "good" He wanted to see for himself...
D- "What was the last holiday?" thinking New Years right? Nope...
L- "Martin Luther King Day."" Ha...the dr smiled and said that was pretty good.
D- "Ok Lisa, what is the next holiday?"
L- "President's Day" He laughed out loud...(you know he wanted her to say Valentines Day :)
He told Karen that her memory is just fine...
Cute, isn't she?
D- "What was the last holiday?" thinking New Years right? Nope...
L- "Martin Luther King Day."" Ha...the dr smiled and said that was pretty good.
D- "Ok Lisa, what is the next holiday?"
L- "President's Day" He laughed out loud...(you know he wanted her to say Valentines Day :)
He told Karen that her memory is just fine...
Cute, isn't she?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
It's My Birthday!!!!
Lisa's birthday was yesterday. Karen called her early as did I. She was happy...you could hear it in her voice. She is walking down to the common area on her days off of work, for breakfast. She has lost a little weight and is quite proud of herself. Her walking is improving. She holds on to the railing in the hallway with staff close by and when she is not able to use the railing, her hemy is waiting for her. She wants to walk again, like she used to.
Santa came to the store in early Dec. Lisa came to sit beside him. The whole family comes and hangs out while he is there. She loves to come be with Santa...she used to help when it was Santa Joe. I would say that he has come to the WSC for more than 25 years!
We went to Lisa's Christmas party for the apt complex she lives in last week. They have catering and set up tables and everyone who has anything to do with the people who live there are invited. Lisa was so excited. Dad and Karen and Joe and I, along with all our kids came to celebrate. Lisa had fun.
She has decided that she wants to be home for Christmas Eve. She wants to go to church with us and then to her apt to sleep in her own bed and Christmas morning wants to go over to eat dinner..."Over where?" is the question. She will come to my house or to Karen's. We will leave it up to her. She told Karen in October that she was coming to her house for New Years Eve and was bringing her bottle of champagne from last year to drink with Karen. It is was cute...Karen was laughing when she informed her.
This Christmas is so different than last year. Lisa was not with it at all.
We wished she could pull out of the state she was in. Well....she has!
She continues to be the spry self she is and her opinions of the world are just as funny as they ever were. She loves her work and her apt.
It is still hard to accept what all she has gone through, personally, but she goes on and she doesn't complain. I could learn a lesson here!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year too! Much love from Lisa and her family :)
She has decided that she wants to be home for Christmas Eve. She wants to go to church with us and then to her apt to sleep in her own bed and Christmas morning wants to go over to eat dinner..."Over where?" is the question. She will come to my house or to Karen's. We will leave it up to her. She told Karen in October that she was coming to her house for New Years Eve and was bringing her bottle of champagne from last year to drink with Karen. It is was cute...Karen was laughing when she informed her.
This Christmas is so different than last year. Lisa was not with it at all.
We wished she could pull out of the state she was in. Well....she has!
She continues to be the spry self she is and her opinions of the world are just as funny as they ever were. She loves her work and her apt.
It is still hard to accept what all she has gone through, personally, but she goes on and she doesn't complain. I could learn a lesson here!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year too! Much love from Lisa and her family :)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Not a day goes by...
OK, if you talk to Lisa on any given day she will tell you..."my birthday is coming up!" Her birthday is next Monday, Dec. 19. She is soooo excited. I think she is more excited this year than I have seen her in many years. It could be because she has come a long, long way from her last birthday. She tells everyone and she says it with such a big smile, like it is an accomplishment, but, in some ways it is I suppose.
She has a new caretaker. We love her. She pushes Lisa, she talks to her like we do and Lisa doesn't get by with telling her what to do and when to do it. Yes, she is an answer to prayer. Lisa gets mad at her, and doesn't like her telling her to get up and do something...but she will do it for her. Karen and I are just so thrilled to have her in Lisa's life.
Karen took Lisa to see mom today. Lisa told her she misses her and that her birthday is next Monday and that she will be 48. She has such a child like mind:) I am so glad she is my sister!
She has a new caretaker. We love her. She pushes Lisa, she talks to her like we do and Lisa doesn't get by with telling her what to do and when to do it. Yes, she is an answer to prayer. Lisa gets mad at her, and doesn't like her telling her to get up and do something...but she will do it for her. Karen and I are just so thrilled to have her in Lisa's life.
Karen took Lisa to see mom today. Lisa told her she misses her and that her birthday is next Monday and that she will be 48. She has such a child like mind:) I am so glad she is my sister!
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