Pieces from the desk of Lori

(...a bit more...)Part of my cancer treatment included three sessions of internal radiation. I didn't know this even existed, this abnormal process of trying to kill off microscopic cancer cells near the tumor site.  It had to be a group of mad scientists...

(written last year as I had finished 4 surgeries and was not starting the treatment phase)I could feel the excitement growing.  It was just moments before the house would be still with all family members gone.  As they drove off, I instantly had tears in my...

(more of my story... beginning of radiation treatments)As I slid back the curtain of the dressing room it was immediately apparent that I was the "odd-man-out."  Everyone (okay 4 or so other patients) was sitting with their hospital gowns tied to open...

(written on my 25th anniversary June 9, 2009)It was one of the most tender moments of my life.  Literally, a "words cannot describe,"... "time stood still"... kind of moment.  Eddie was standing in the driveway as I pulled up from my...

(more of my cancer story from spring 2009)I arrived for my first appointment at Stanford Medical Center in a state of awe and disbelief.  How had my case been elevated to the point of needing the counsel of possibly the best doctors anywhere?  It was like...

(...here's my main point...)As I began wrestling with this new discovery, God gave me the most amazing privilege of seeing how He ties everything in our lives together.  Most times we don't get to know, this side of heaven, the tie-in, but by His grace,...

(keep reading...)I was put in touch with a genetic counselor at Stanford Medical Center.  She wanted to present the whole idea of testing, educate me on all the ramifications of it, and then let me make an informed decision.  I liked her approach and felt...

(the story goes on...)My mom's medical history has always alarmed my doctors.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44 and died ten days after her 46th birthday.  She was so young!  My whole adult life, doctor visits have held much...

(my journey through cancer... continued...)As my doctor finished the colonoscopy he stated that he wanted to talk to us before we went home.  Alarms were going off in my somewhat drugged, foggy mind.  This can't be good was the most prevalent thought...