Thursday, July 19, 2007

Really didn't mean to keep you in suspense!

I just got really tired after treatment yesterday (plus was annoyed b/c I got sick *three times* due to anxiety - UGH!)...

But there's news...

And it's good...

According to my doctor, the scans show that "it's gone"... I have some trouble believing it although I am still happy... I guess it's the doubter in me that says "wait a minute, how can that be?"

Technically, there are still some visible lymph nodes although they have all decreased in size considerably. Many are listed in the report as having "FDG uptake reduced to that of the background," and since FDG is the radioactve stuff they give me that "lights up" wherever there are cancer cells, I am assuming that means there's no more of it present than you'd see on a person without cancer cells in that area.

I think the gist of it is that I wish my doctor had been more descriptive, had possibly showed me the actual images of my scan, or something similar. As it was, it just seemed almost... surreal.

Not that I won't be celebrating once my stomach is back to normal, of course!

What's next -- three more chemos instead of five (thank goodness!) a scan in three months, and then scans every three months for a year. Beyond that, I don't know, but am not worrying that far ahead.

Thanks for all the positive and supportive thoughts throughout this experience. :)

105 Comments:

Blogger Kathy McC said...

WOW! That's wonderful news!! So glad to hear the treatments are working and that there's a light at the end of this tunnel!!!

7/19/2007 8:09 PM  
Blogger Ann Howell said...

That is such fantastic news! I have been thinking of you and hoping that your situation would start to improve. The program of the reduced chemo and scans every three months seems almost manageable. Maybe you won't need those funky hats for much longer ;) (((Big, happy hug!!!)))

7/20/2007 7:28 AM  
Blogger Catherine said...

Gone?!?! As in...GONE?!?!

YEE HAWWWWW!

Doing a little happy dance over here for you.

Now we MUST get together to celebrate!

Big hugs to you!

7/20/2007 8:26 AM  
Blogger Dr. Grumbles said...

I am so glad you got some good news, even if it wasn't fully informative.

7/20/2007 9:16 AM  
Blogger Shinny said...

That is such wonderful news! Keep up the good work healing and let me know when you want me to send you bottle of wine. ;) So happy for you!!!!

7/20/2007 9:51 AM  
Blogger Thalia said...

Oh Lisa I'm so pleased, that's wonderful news!

7/20/2007 11:08 AM  
Blogger cat said...

May it stay gone forever and ever. Sending you some love and good thoughts.

7/20/2007 4:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Such Good news!!

7/22/2007 5:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, Lisa, that's fantastic news! I'm so glad to hear it. (Just getting it now because I'm on a trip.) May the good news stay good for ever.

7/24/2007 12:57 PM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

GONE!!!??? Oh Lisa, I'm SO happy for you!!! This is such incredible news!!!!!! WOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

I can see why it would feel a little unreal, but hopefully all that goodness will sink in and feel VERY real very soon.

(((((((HUGE HAPPY HUGS))))))))

7/24/2007 8:56 PM  
Blogger Lollipop Goldstein said...

Wheeew...that's wonderful news.

7/30/2007 7:01 PM  
Blogger laura said...

I'm so glad for you!

8/04/2007 12:03 PM  
Blogger cat said...

ok where are you?

hope all is well.

9/05/2007 1:52 PM  
Blogger Lollipop Goldstein said...

Hope all is well. Update?

9/15/2007 6:13 PM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

I'm thinking of you so much right now...

9/24/2007 11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know how many of you contact Lisa in real life or have access to her care page, but I'm afraid the news isn't good.

Basically, the chemo treatments were toxic to Lisa's lungs and she has been on a ventilator since around Labor Day.

The news from Greg, her husband, is not good tonight... this is a message some of us received from another friend who talked to him by phone...

THere isn't anything else they can do. They have the ventilator on as high as it can go but her saturation level is at 9%. It should be 100%. She almost slipped away last night but rebounded this morning. They've talked with the doctors and they said the damage is just too extensive. Two weeks of treatments and she has shown no sign of improvment whatsoever.

So now they are just trying to keep her comfortable and let nature take it's course. Greg and her parents are hoping they don't have to make a decision as to the ventilator and turning it off.

He's telling her it's OK to go to sleep... He and her parents are trying to come to terms with it. He's watching everyone be upset and the outpouring of love but it's not enough.

I reminded him that she won't be alone and neither will he... that they have two angels that are waiting for her. He said he knew and that her grandmother had said a similar thing.

I'm so sad. I just can't believe it. I won't give up until he tells me she is gone... but meanwhile, I understand that they have to. They have to let her go.

He said the nights are not good for her so maybe it will be tonight.


Everyone please pray for Lisa and her family.

Anne Schrader

9/24/2007 5:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you Anne.

It was me that Greg spoke with... and I'm starting to wonder if maybe I misinterpreted some of what he said yesterday? He and the family have started the process of letting go but I continue to grasp on to any glimmer of hope.. miracles happen every day and I'm still praying for one for Lis. I've been telling God that her work had only begun on this earth and I know after this experience that she and Greg would take a different outlook on life and would serve his goals better.

I of course pray for whatever He thinks is best for Lisa but meanwhile, I pray and hope that means recovery. I just can't let her go... Not yet.

9/25/2007 1:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

PS (from the last comment)- If anyone reading this wants to know more about Lisa you can e-mail me at ann2002marie@yahoo.com

9/25/2007 4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From Lisa's husband:

It is with unbearable grief that I give you this news. Tonight at 7:45 (9/25/2007) our precious Lisa passed away. Her poor lungs just couldn't overcome the horrific damage caused by this tragic complication. Lisa passed in her sleep. She experienced no pain or suffering.

:o(
- Leanne
ann2002marie@yahoo.com

9/26/2007 8:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, no. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to her husband and her family at this horrible time.

9/26/2007 8:52 AM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

Our hearts are broken.

Go be with the ones you loved and lost, my friend. You will never be forgotten.

eve

9/26/2007 9:12 AM  
Blogger Trevor Coultart said...

Just picked up the awful news from Catherine's blog. Feeling so bad for Greg and family. So very very sorry.

9/26/2007 10:05 AM  
Blogger Rosepetal said...

My deepest deepest condolences. Goodbye Lisa.

9/26/2007 1:17 PM  
Blogger Lollipop Goldstein said...

I'm crying right now. I'm so sorry, Greg. My heart goes out to Lisa's family.

9/26/2007 1:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear this. I only knew Lisa through her words, but I admired her tremendously.

-A Reader

9/26/2007 1:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry.

She will be so missed.

9/26/2007 2:47 PM  
Blogger Kristen said...

I am devastated to hear of this tremendous loss. I was a newcomer to her blog and wish I had only known her longer. My condolensces go out to her family and friends.

R.I.P. Lisa

9/26/2007 2:52 PM  
Blogger C said...

Oh my, I am so sorry Greg. May you find the strength you need.

9/26/2007 2:56 PM  
Blogger Julie said...

I am so very sorry Greg. Keeping you in my prayers.

9/26/2007 3:29 PM  
Blogger Kathy McC said...

I am so sorry, Greg. Lisa will be greatly missed...

9/26/2007 3:38 PM  
Blogger Chan said...

"I'm sorry" just doesn't seem enough..... our thoughts are with you all.....
We will miss you Lisa

9/26/2007 4:12 PM  
Blogger Jillian said...

To Greg and all of Lisa's family,

My heart is breaking for you and for the fact that Lisa didn't get the chance to do more on earth.

I have thought of you all so often. I hoped she would be ok. Lisa will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss.

Lisa - I hope you have found paradise and the babies you loved so deeply waiting for you.

9/26/2007 5:26 PM  
Blogger Searching said...

I am so very sorry, Greg. You and your family will be in my prayers.

9/26/2007 5:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry...although I hope that it gives you peace and moments of happiness (someday) to know that Lisa is now holding her beloved babies.

9/26/2007 5:48 PM  
Blogger Sunny said...

I am so sorry. I can't even imagine.

9/26/2007 6:53 PM  
Blogger Meghan said...

So sorry for your loss. I don't even have words right now, just know that there are a lot of people thinking of you and your family

9/26/2007 7:06 PM  
Blogger Alyssa said...

I am so, so sorry Greg. May you be sheltered in the palm of God's hand and surrounded by the love of friends and family. Lisa will be dearly, dearly missed.

9/26/2007 8:25 PM  
Blogger Bea said...

I'm so sorry for this loss. "More than her share" is just a little too apt. And you've had more than your share, too. I hope there's an extra share of peace in store for you both, somewhere, someday.

Bea

9/27/2007 7:19 AM  
Blogger Rachel said...

Greg, I found out that your wife passed away from the Lost & Found blog Mel set up. I am so sorry for your loss.

9/27/2007 7:59 AM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

I'm just devastated to hear about Lisa's loss. She gave me so much through her friendship and unwavering support, and I will miss her desperately.

Greg, I'm so sorry. Please know how much Lisa touched my life and my heart, and that I will always, always remember her.

My thoughts are with you and your family...

9/27/2007 8:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am beyond shocked. I'm so sorry to all of her family and friends. I didn't really know her other than what she shared here. But her perspective and voice will be missed.

9/27/2007 10:45 AM  
Blogger Tracy said...

I am so sorry for your devestating loss. I pray that God protect and keep your family during this difficult time.

9/27/2007 12:38 PM  
Blogger Carrie said...

I'm so very sorry. Life is so unfair.

I'm thinking about you at this terribly sad time. Wishing you peace.

9/27/2007 3:15 PM  
Blogger singletracey said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray that you and your family find peace.

9/27/2007 4:07 PM  
Blogger queen said...

I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family members are in my thoughts and prayers.

9/27/2007 4:28 PM  
Blogger Impalace said...

Dear Greg and Lisa's parents, I know there are no words to make any of this better. Please know that everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.

9/27/2007 9:28 PM  
Blogger Erin said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

9/27/2007 9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so sad and sorry to hear this news. Greg and the rest of Lisa's family are in my thoughts.

9/28/2007 3:38 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

9/28/2007 11:43 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm so sorry.

9/28/2007 12:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your unbearable loss.

9/28/2007 1:06 PM  
Blogger Katie said...

There are no words. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family.

9/28/2007 4:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm in shock, total, unbelievable shock. My condolences to you and your family.

10/01/2007 7:23 AM  
Blogger Caro said...

I'm so very sorry.

10/01/2007 7:35 AM  
Blogger thrice said...

So, so sorry...........

10/01/2007 9:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am just so very sorry for your loss. Lisa had a great voice, she will be missed.
Nancy

10/01/2007 1:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i am so sorry. i have been following lisa's journey for so long-- and have been thinking about her for these past months. greg, my thoughts will stay with you. i am just so sorry.

10/01/2007 11:48 PM  
Blogger Shelly said...

I don't have the words to express how incredibly sorry I am for your loss. I have been reading her blog for awhile now and I thought she was such an incredibly strong woman. My prayers are with you and your family.

10/03/2007 3:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been reading Lisa's words for a long while and stopped when I got caught up in my own world...We never spoke in person, just through comments on one another's blogs. Tonight I learned of her passing and I am devastated. Lisa was a fantastic individual and I just don't have the words to properly express how sorry I am for this loss. I regret losing touch with her and her illness. She will be missed...

10/04/2007 10:13 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

I kept checking for posts from Lisa and then decided to read the comments today. I'm devastated to hear this news. I am so, so, so sorry for your loss Greg, and Lisa's family. This is so awful and unfair. I'm just so sorry.

10/06/2007 5:33 PM  
Blogger Mindi said...

I've been checking for updates also and hadn't read the comments. I'm so sorry. I had only been reading her blog a short while, but I really enjoyed her perspective on things. Take comfort in the fact that she's with your babies, waiting for you. I'm crying as I write this, I'm so shocked.

10/09/2007 8:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

we were the ones.
the ones who had the blog about lymphoma that lisa visited.

she read the post i wrote about my wife itching all over.

and we emailed with her and she was diagnosed.

and my wife is still alive,
and lisa is not.

and that is so NOT ok.

we are not ok with that.

with warmth and sadness,

us.

10/12/2007 7:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Daniel,

It is wonderful that your wife is still alive and it is also wonderful how your blogs helped Lisa get diagnosed. There is no sense to this and why one lives while another does not but we all have to have faith and believe that Lisa is happy now.

Best of luck to you and your family,
Leanne
(a special friend to Lisa who does not want to forget her)
ann2002marie@yahoo.com

10/15/2007 11:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aww, Daniel! That is rough, but I am so thankful you and your wife were there for Lis when she needed answers and someone who talk to who knew what she was going through. Lis was a dear friend to me, but I could not possibly have provided the kind of support to her that you and your wife surely did. God bless you!

Anne Schrader

10/18/2007 3:10 PM  
Blogger carolinagirl79 said...

I am so sorry.

10/22/2007 7:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

May the lord be with you.

10/26/2007 12:10 PM  
Blogger Sami said...

Greg & Lisa's parents...

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you...

11/04/2007 1:18 AM  
Blogger Thalia said...

just heard this news, i hadn't been checing the comments. so very sorry geoff. she will be sorely missed by this community.

11/04/2007 11:14 PM  
Blogger Amanda said...

I am so sorry for your tremendous loss.

11/14/2007 8:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greg-

Just wanted to add that I'm thinking about you and Lisa this holiday season. I know how hard this time can be after such a huge loss, and I'm keeping you and all of Lisa's family in my thoughts/prayers.

Amy

11/23/2007 4:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of Lisa.
xx

1/07/2008 7:10 AM  
Blogger Ali said...

I am so sorry for the loss of Lisa. For your loss. For our loss - for everyone who knew her. This is just so tragic. I am so sorry.

2/20/2008 5:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just an internet stranger wanting to let you know now Lisa touched our lives. I was on the train today and "Inconsolable" came on my iPod. Thinking about her, I couldn't stop crying. I didn't know her in person, but I miss her. I'm thinking of Greg and her family and wishing them comfort. And wishing the world was fair and that she was still here with us.

3/02/2008 10:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

still thinking of you...

3/29/2008 7:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow.

I am an internet friend of Lisa's who was fortunate enough to have met her in real life too... I continue to miss her and I guess I'm just glad to see that others remember her too.

- Leanne

3/30/2008 10:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thinking of Lisa today and sending love to Greg and her family.

4/08/2008 5:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love you Lisa.... You are still touching my life in so many ways!

4/08/2008 4:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thinking about Lisa and Greg today and sending you peace.

9/22/2008 9:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Miss you so much Lisa!!! :o(

Thursday Sept. 25, 2008 ... I just have a pit in my stomach as the day grows closer. I'll try to smile and gain strength from your smile.

Love your friend,
Leanne

9/23/2008 12:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all still.

9/23/2008 2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just found this blog today, read most of it and then these comments. Your family is in my thoughts today. Please know that this blog is a beautiful tribute to what I am sure was a beautiful spirit.

9/25/2008 9:10 PM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

Miss you. Still.

9/29/2008 9:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I miss you, too. Sending love to Greg and Lisa's family.

Amy

10/28/2008 6:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sigh. Thinking of all of you today on this very sad anniversary.

11/27/2008 5:20 PM  
Blogger Catherine said...

You're gone but I still have your blog on my blogroll...I just can't delete it. I almost sent you a Christmas card...and then I remembered. I miss you, my friend.

12/23/2008 1:54 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

I still have you on my blogroll, too. I hope this blog stays here as a remembrance of your beauty and bravery.

1/11/2009 1:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, Lis. I miss you so much.

Love, Marcie

1/30/2009 1:44 AM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

Dear Lisa, it's been two years, or that's what the calendar says. We still miss you so much, and honor you on this day.

Love, Eve

9/25/2009 10:02 AM  
Blogger Catherine said...

I think you would have enjoyed this past weekend with us. I'm sorry you didn't get the chance to.

11/16/2009 2:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Still remembering you in 2010 —Amy

5/22/2010 8:39 AM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

Just thinking about you.

6/28/2010 4:08 PM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

It's September again.

As you know, I met your darling Greg a couple of weeks ago. He misses you so much, Lisa. Still. He keeps finding things of yours...poems you wrote, a little item here and there. And it shocks him every time to discover some unknown bit of you that lives, some words that you thought and he never knew about.

He still hasn't looked in your purse.

I know he doesn't believe such things could happen, but if there's any way you could please let him know that everything's okay, it would help so much. He feels so bad about what happened. So guilty. We know that he did the best he could, and yet he can't stop thinking about how things could have been different and how you might still be here with him. With us.

Greg left me with a demo you had recorded together in your band. God, I was blown away. Even if I hadn't known it was you, I still would have been amazed. From a recording of your passion to the voice mail messages he treasures, every breath signifies life. Lisa, alive.

I guess that's how come we can't let you go.

all my love...
eve

9/02/2010 9:01 AM  
Blogger Catherine said...

You should have been there.

3/28/2011 11:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Remembering you in 2011. This year, my friend biked the length of California to raise money for lymphoma research. I made a donation in your name.---Amy

6/18/2011 10:19 PM  
Blogger kate94651 said...

Today has been a More Than My Share kinda day...and I thought of you. I like to think that means you're thinking of me too. I miss you Lisa.

9/26/2011 12:49 PM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

I miss you, sweetie. And so does he. Please let him know that it's all okay.

1/18/2012 3:33 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

I can't believe it has been nearly 5 years since your last post. You are still missed. I'm so sorry you're not still here.

7/07/2012 8:42 PM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

How could it be five years now? You're supposed to be here.

A couple of months ago a few of us got together in Chicago with our kids. They all had 'M' names—Mariam, Marjorie, Milo. What would yours have been? And don't you know they all were supposed to grow up together, and all of us were supposed to grow old together too?

9/25/2012 8:57 AM  
Blogger msfitzita said...

Just thinking about you.

ox

4/04/2013 11:44 PM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

Miss you, friend. </3

9/25/2013 6:31 AM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

Seven long years. How could it be?

9/25/2014 9:23 PM  
Anonymous Catherine said...

Feeling sad and thinking about you. Wondering about all the what ifs in this life. I miss your "voice" here. (The comment/human authentication for this comment made me check all the cake photos...you'd have gotten a kick out of that.)

7/14/2015 2:49 PM  
Blogger lorem ipsum said...

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, Lisa. Love you.

9/24/2015 10:22 PM  
Anonymous Catherine said...

Take care of Jill, ok?

5/01/2016 8:16 PM  
Anonymous Catherine said...

I've been thinking about you...I couldn't figure out why. And then I remembered. I always think about you as the seasons change from summer to fall. How has it been ten years? I stumbled across your photo the other day...and cried. I miss the kind words you would share with the blogosphere. I hope wherever you are, you are at peace...and having a grand party with Jill and all the babies.

10/02/2017 8:57 AM  

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