March 30th, 2008
at 8:48 pm
(Uncategorized)
Update on Relay for Life - so far we’ve had dress down days and hat days at school as well as selling the paper feet for a grade level competition and we’ve raised over $2,000. I have my own personal goal of $500 and have gotten to $375 due to the generous donations of family and friends!!! I am really excited about Relay this year and helping the American Cancer Society. I am going to get more involved as I can.
Also, my family and I have been taking Juice Plus and really like the results we’ve seen. I didn’t take it before I was diagnosed with cancer, so don’t look at my situation and say, “Well, it didn’t do her any good!” 
Juice Plus is a dietary supplement made of whole foods – good for you fruits and vegetables. Check it out! None of us get enough fruits and vegetables and generally the food we eat is pretty void of nutrition. You can read all about it on my website and if you are interested, you can order online or contact me for more information. Compared to other supplements, the cost is very reasonable. My children love it and even ask for it every day! I also know some personal testimonials of it lowering cholesterol levels. Just look over the website and see what you think!
1 Comment
March 30th, 2008
at 8:36 pm
(Uncategorized)
Well, for now anyway. I don’t have the time or energy tonight to go into detail, but did want to say that I am finished with chemo. I go back in four weeks to schedule a follow up colonoscopy, abdomen scans, and some genetic counseling. Dr. Kallab wants me to have some genetic counseling done to determine if I had some predisposition for this cancer. If so, it can impact my children’s future.
So, for now, I am trying to regain my strength. I am frustrated that I am still so weak and tired, but the cumulative effects of chemo just take a while to get over. I am looking forward to Spring Break. We are going to get away to the beach, courtesy of a friend of Seth’s, and it will be nice to relax and focus my attention on my husband and kids.
But right now I have to get back to reality…school clothes, lunches, etc for tomorrow. Hope all of you are well – all of you one or two who are still reading!
4 Comments
March 30th, 2008
at 8:30 pm
(Uncategorized)
I wrote this post SEVERAL weeks ago! I never finished it (as with many things in my life lately.) So, I’m posting it as is for now.Â
Yesterday I received my next to last chemo treatment. Yes, that means only ONE more! I’m still having trouble really grasping that this ordeal is almost over. I feel overwhelming excitement; yet, I also feel apprehensive and guilty. Yes, guilty. You know how when two people are in a car wreck and one lives and the other doesn’t, the person who lives often has survivor guilt. Well, I feel a bit that way. I go to chemo and look around and see people who aren’t doing as well as I am. People whose cancer is far more advanced than mine. People who are taking chemo not preventively, but just to see if they can prolong the inevitable. And I feel guilty. I feel guilty being excited and ready to get on with the rest of my life.
I mentioned this to one of the chemo nurses, Anita, yesterday as she was accessing my port. She had the most profound thing to say. She said, “Now Leslie, you are thinking about this all wrong. You’ve got to be the voice for those who can’t be it for themselves.” A renewed sense of purpose washed over me. I told her she was so right! It made me even more intent on raising money for Relay for Life this year. This is the all night walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It is a huge event that is more like a carnival than just a walk-a-thon. I spoke to our faculty last Tuesday – just a week and a day ago. I made it through most of the presentation, but blubbered through the rest. I have not cried about my cancer since I was first diagnosed. I’ve cried due to pain from treatment, but not really over my situation. I’ve found my tears again. So, the waterworks flowed, but the faculty was gracious. I went over our different ways that we will be raising funds this year. So far we have had an overwhelming response! As of yesterday, we have raised $1266! I was thrilled! And we still have two months to go. I feel it is up to me to help us not lose momentum. This will be one way I can have a voice for those who can’t do it themselves.
I worry sometimes that I might waste my cancer. I don’t want to waste my cancer. If you haven’t read this article by John Piper, then take a minute to read over it. I also shared with Anita that I have been thinking about what a profound difference this experience has made in my life and in my thinking. I fear sometimes that as soon as I get back to “normal” (whatever that is!), I might slip back into routine life. You know, where you get so caught up in your own life that you don’t notice the needs of others or even have time to meet those needs. Now granted, there are times when the needs of our families do take priority. Plus, there are things I want my children to have the opportunities to do. But, will I so fill our lives with things to do that we don’t have time to reach out to others or stop to invest in other’s lives? If so, then I’ve wasted my cancer. I have been so ministered to during this time that I feel it is my turn to get the opportunity to minister to others. Not for the sake of just meeting physical needs, but for the sake of the gospel. If I only minister to meet needs and the gospel is not at the center of my actions, then it will be a waste.
1 Comment