Welcome to my CaringBridge website. I am using it to keep my family and friends updated in one place. I appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Dear family, friends, colleagues, coworkers, and acquaintances I would like to inform you of the journey I am embarking on. As some of you know, I was admitted to UMMC, Worc. Oct. 30th with a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (not a death sentence : ) That being said, I am in for a long journey including long and multiple hospital stays, chemo, transfusions, etc. Here at ‘Hotel Oncology’ as I call it, I am ‘vacationing’ in the 8th floor penthouse with a lovely view overlooking the UMass courtyard, parking garage and Rte 9. I have an AMAZING Oncology team working with me and appreciate the kindness and efforts of everyone I’ve encountered from my attending physician to my wonderful housekeeper. Best staff every!!!
People are looking to see what they can do for me, what I need and how to help. Thank you to all! What I can tell you is that I cannot receive flowers, fruit baskets and, yes, even Incredible Edibles as they are not allowed into the Hotel Oncology. Also not allowed – outside food sources such as Dunkin Donuts coffee or any food or drink from restaurants or shops. Children under 10 are not allowed to visit and all visitors MUST be healthy. We don’t like germs here.
All that being said, what you can do for me…first off prayers and positive thoughts are what I want most. Those of you who know me well, know I am a person with a strong faith base and firm belief in prayer – doesn’t have to be a Rosary, (although that works) but a simple request to your higher power to help me through this journey. (Costs nothing but means more to me than winning the lottery right now).
Secondly, along this journey I will need blood transfusions (just had my second one). The first leg and hopefully the last of this journey is probably a 6-8 month adventure, so if you are willing and able blood donations are a great gift, platelet donations better. UMMC has a donor center and the blood stays here with us unless needed elsewhere. The Red Cross is also a great place to donate as well. Again, free, but meaningful to me and other guests here at Hotel Oncology. If I am in need of other things for me and my family I will reach out as needed. Hospital admissions have a way of humbling a person and I am able to ask for help :) Lastly, there is an off chance that there is a bone marrow transplant in my future (praying it’s not). This is a great opportunity to get on a bone marrow donor list. I’m told it’s easy, just go to www.bethematch.org (
http://www.bethematch.org/) and request a kit; swab and send – again free. I may not need it (I pray I don’t) but many others do. That again is a free gift of life to someone.
So – a lot going on but please know I am in a good place. I have great support from the hospital as well as from all of you, and my room is filled with great energy. If you do plan to come see me, you must be healthy and bring positive energy. I do not need counseling and don’t need to console anyone else :)
If you call or text, I will get back to you as fast as I can, but sometimes it gets crazy around here and my ability to get back to people gets thwarted, but I will keep updating this site. Thank you and keep on praying and God Bless. Lisa
