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Emily Lester 
Hi, welcome to Emily's caringbridge! This site has been provided to keep friends and family updated on my progress. As a three time cancer survivor, it seems as though I was forced to grow up a lot faster than most kids. Quite frankly, I am determined that this will be my last battle. I am extremely sick of this disease. It is an omen that has consumed my life for far too long. My original diagnosis occurred on October 17, 2001, three days after my twelfth birthday. Doctor’s gave my family the devastating news. I had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of cancer in children. It wasn’t until later that week when I began to understand the gravity of my situation. I was old enough to know what cancer was, however for my own protection, the words never seemed to be spoken aloud. After a few days, all I had made out were bits and pieces of a diagnosis. I stayed on full alert, listening to my parents whispers. I questioned each secret hallway meetings as my parents stepped outside to talk with the doctors. Finally I had made out sentences such as “blood disease” and “leukemia”. Unfortunately, I was too scared to ask questions or clarify the facts. I barely understood what was going on until one day I found the courage to confront my parents. So I have cancer, right? It was the hardest question they’ve ever had to answer. However, they knew that I needed the facts. The bits and pieces about "disease" and "leukemia" were terrifying. My only reference to the term was a Barbara Bush biography that I had read over the summer. The biography had mentioned the death of her child to "leukemia." Recognizing the name of the disease, I feared that soon my family would lose me too.
Those first three years of chemotherapy were quite a battle. However, despite the constant suffering and fatigue, I continued to recover, working toward my high school goals of attending the SPHS International Baccalaureate program. In fighting this illness, I have come to realize that were many gifts in my cancer experience; it just took me awhile to notice. After learning of my relapse in November 2005, my family traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. There Doctor’s determined that a bone marrow transplant would be my best chance for a cure. Fortunately, my younger sister, hero, and best friend, Catherine, was a perfect match. Transplant was tough! Probably one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced! Following more chemotherapy and total body irradiation, my cancerous marrow was completely wiped out. Infused with my sisters healthy cells, all I could do was wait. Weak and fatigued, I spent months suffering through the awful complications and side-effects. For almost a year, I awaited the slow recovery of my immune system. Meanwhile, my life and dreams sat temporarily on hold. However, despite the pain and suffering, I kept up my spirits and studies, refusing to give up. Through my lonesome year in isolation, I continued to gain strength. In July, 2006, I was finally able to return home. In 2007, I transferred to Seminole High School as a full time student. This year I finally got my license and am now a senior attending high school full time. My coarse load is pretty heavy as I am taking several honors/AP classes. I also continue my education through Florida Virtual School. I have returned to my volunteer work with organizations such as The American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year I have also joined several clubs and extra-curricular activities. Following months of hard work, I recently received news of my acceptance to Duke University. This year it seemed as if my hard work and determination had finally paid off. Up until Thursday January 24th, everything had been going great. The news of my latest relapse has come to our family as a great shock! I still can't believe that this is happening again. Duke is still waiting and I am determined that I wil be there this fall. I am currently back at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
We ask that each and everyone please pray for Emily as she faces this next challenge. We have so many decisions to make; keeping in mind that none will come easy.
“Living in a constant sea of devastation, I have witnessed innocence wounded, and come to terms with the precariousness of life. These angels living on in my heart are my reason for wanting to make a difference.” Emily Lester
 I Will Keep Adding More Pictures... Chemo Crew Craft & Design
Curing cancer one bead at a time...
Journal
Saturday, October 25, 2008 1:29 PM CDT Just let me begin by saying, THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Chick-fil-a to honor Emily on her birthday. We don't have an exact dollar amount of how much we raised yet, but it was a definite success since Chick-fil-a told us we brought in so many people they are giving us a larger percent of profits. So thank you to all chick-fil-a, all the businesses who donated prizes for the raffle, and everyone who ate 'mor chikin'for Emily.
This past Wednesday, both Emily and the Chemo Crew were honored for their efforts in last year's Relay for Life at an American Cancer Society Dinner. Emily won the 'Courage' award for all the work she has done for the ACS over the years, by speaking, raising money, and recruiting new volunteers and teams. The Chemo Crew won the 'Golden Sword Award' for being the first ever Platinum Level Team in Seminole Relay history by raising over $25, 000 for the 2008 Relay alone. In the history of the Chemo Crew, we've raised over $65, 000 in five years. Congratulations to everyone on the Chemo Crew, and thank you so much to everyone who donated.
A brief update on the Lester family:
Grace is back at Largo Middle School with her two amazing teachers. We decided to hold her back since last year was so hectic. She is doing great and has accumulated many more DVD's.
Catherine is in her senior year at St. Pete High. She is currently working on all of her applications for college. She is also kept busy as President of the Key Club at school.
Matt is still in NYC. He's coming home this week for a wedding reception for Aunt Gege and our new Uncle Buzz (CONGRATULATIONS!) and is bringing along a 'friend' (who is a girl!). We are so excited to see him and meet her.
Tricia has been keeping busy by doing lots of yard-work and subbing occasionally in Grace's class.
Steve is back at work and spends a lot of time reading these days.
As a family, we've created the Emily Lester Memorial Scholarship through the Pinellas County Education Foundation. We have several Relay fundraisers in the works so we will keep you updated. We are also beginning the process of creating a foundation in Emily's name.
Thank you to everyone who continues to check the site and sends us love and prayers. We truly appreciate all of the support we have received over the years. We'll try to keep the site updated more regularly.
Please remember to keep Emily's classmate, who registered to be a marrow donor at a drive and will be donating in the near future, in your prayers.
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