Alright everyone! I want everyone to take a deep breath in…..hold it, and EXHALE! I need your full undivided attention!
This is Lisa.
This is how I remember Lisa.
Lisa is a fighter, and this is HER story…in her own words.
Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you sooner. I have a hard time thinking that my story is special but I owe you a story as part of my thanks for being so wonderful. This chapter of my life started in November of 2011 when I had my somewhat annual mammogram and the results came back … normal. Move forward 5 months to April 2012 and I noticed lumps that shouldn’t be there and tried to ignore them so they would go away … they didn’t and in May I went to a surgeon thinking they were cysts and he would just drain them for me. He did a needle biopsy to test if it was indeed a cyst. His office called me two days later and told me that I needed to come in … never a good sign. On May 24th, my baby sister’s birthday, I was given the diagnosis of stage 3 triple positive breast cancer. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and was so grateful that Christy was there to hear the rest because I didn’t hear anything else after that. For the next two weeks I felt like I was walking in a fog, with lots of tears and uncertainty. Then I met with my team of doctors and figured out the treatment plan and more importantly made the decision that I was tired of crying and that this was just a bump in the road. I decided that this was an opportunity to learn about myself and discover inner strength. What I actually learned during chemo, surgery, and radiation is that I have a spectacular support system of family and friends, near and far. Chemo wasn’t fun but the doctors were amazed by how well I responded to chemo and we were all encouraged thinking that this was a once and done. I finished treatment in May of 2013 and checked in with my oncologist every three months and all was good. Until April 25, 2014. I took my 7 year-old nephew bowling for his birthday and the next day I found a new lump under my arm. I thought it was probably scar tissue but decided to ask my doctor about it just to be sure. After about 4 weeks of various tests and finally a surgical biopsy it was determined that my cancer had returned. Just when I finally have enough hair again to complain about. This was completely unexpected but I still plan to kick it’s ass. I’ve completed 30 more rounds of radiation and I begin chemo on October 9, 2014. This isn’t fun and I pray that a cure is found soon to save others from having to suffer loss because of it. However, I am so grateful for the blessings I have experienced and the lessons I have learned. I have an amazing medical team that fights for me, a remarkable family that is always there for me, and more friends than I ever realized. I have an INCREDIBLE life and I have lots more to learn and give.
When I read this story it gives me goosebumps. I know she’s a fighter, and I pray for her everyday!
Okay. Take another deep breath in…….hold it, exhale. Now everyone go to the top of this page to the October Breast Cancer Awareness tab. Click, and donate. Just $1 helps. 100% of all proceeds will go to Lisa, to help fight her fight. Together we can all make this happen!
GO.
FIGHT.
WIN!
(Love ya, Lisa!)
