Welcome to our CaringBridge website. This was suggested by my brother Frank, to keep friends and family updated about my condition.. Get started by reading the introduction to our website, My Story.
Visit often to read the latest journal entries, visit the photo gallery, and write us a note in our guestbook.
Please keep our family in your prayers. I was diagnosed May 2011 with Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytice Leukemia.I had been feeling quite fatigued for a few months, with night sweats, loss of appetite, tummy fullness, and lose of weight. I was blaming it on menopause. It wasn’t until I found a lump in my arm pit during routine monthly breast exam that fright set in.
I notified my doctor immediately . She ordered mammogram which was normal but the ultrasound was abnormal revealing enlarged lymph nodes both armpits. My follow up appointment with the doctor questioned whether I had a reactive lymphoma, arthritis, or an auto immune disease. So she ordered more lab tests, and a Ct Scan. I had the Ct scan two days later, with the doctor giving me a call the following evening to report enlarged lymph nodes both sides of neck, chest, stomach, and groins suggesting possible lymphoma. I was really hoping it to be arthritis instead but deep inside me I knew it was worse. The doctor had me schedule an appointment with a general surgeon to remove now golf ball sized lymph node in my left armpit with biopsy. She also suggested I make an appointment with a hematologist/oncologist. He agreed I should I should have the surgery to remove the lymph node with biopsy and pre-scheduled me for bone marrow biopsy two days later. Everything seemed to be moving so fast, shock, sadness and grief were felt by me and my family. I had the lymph node surgery and all I remember before the anesthesiologist put me to sleep was saying “the lords prayer” (as suggested by one of my church sisters). I later asked the doctor if I got to the end of my prayer- he said your voice was so soft but I think I heard “amen”. Two days later I went back to the hospital for the bone marrow biopsy. I only wished they could of done it, while I was “OUT” under general anesthesia two days before. I was encouraged to take a Xanax and pain pill by a nurse prior to the procedure. I was so nervous and multi-tasking at home, that I couldn’t remember if I took them or not. I knew I couldn’t repeat the dose, and figured if I felt relaxed, well then I probably took them. I was most worried the cat might find them if I didn’t. Well I never felt relaxed and the cat was still alive when I came home. Oh well so much for that. When I went to sign the consent the nurse explained I would be having the bone marrow biopsy on both hips. I said “ are you sure”, she said “yes”. I was already terrified, and now they had to do BOTH HIPS WHILE I WAS AWAKE. Guess, what I did, more praying. In fact, on the way into the special procedure room, one of my previous nurse friends Rod, helped my other nurse friend “Rose” wheel me in the room.
He asked “if he could do anything?”, I said “say a prayer”, and so he and Rose held my hand and they said a gentle kind prayer on my behalf. Right there in the middle of the door way. I felt very blessed. The pathologist was very kind during this procedure and talked me through what I would expect and tried her best to keep me comfortable. They were all very kind. But next time I am going to make sure, someone else gives me 2 Xanax and 2 pain pills, and maybe knock me upside of the head. My mom was very comforting when I came back to the room. She held me while I released a few more tears. I felt beaten up with everything happening so fast. Brad took me to my follow up appointment with hematologist/ oncologist. He said “ he only had part of the test results back- “Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma” . It is treatable, but not cure able. The goal is to keep me in remission. He recommended chemotherapy 3 consecutive days every 3-4 weeks for 6 months. A few days later, the surgeon called to report I also have “Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia”. We have a follow up appointment coming up next week to receive all definitive biopsy results from lymph node and bone marrow. I recovered returned to work full/time and continued living life to its fullest. in July 2013, I developed tightness in my neck & chest, fatigue, night sweats and decreased appetite with abdominal full feeling again. i went to onocologist which couldnt't palpate anything but said "we will keep a close eye on you". Sept 1st, I was admitted to hospital for cellulitis of right thumb, septic with blood pressure 87/36. I felt like a Mac truck hit me. In the 4 days I was there, they gave me IV antibiotics, fluids, and discovered by CT scan 50 lymph nodes in chest, a few in throat, stomach & groin all of which still couldn't be felt but hiding deep inside of me. I knew it was coming back. So here we go again. Brad and I will keep you posted via this website on our progress through this challenging time. I am a fighter and always have been. I made it through four open heart surgeries for a congenital heart defect. I know I can walk one day at a time with this one too.
I know I can do this with prayer, love and support.
Please keep us in your prayers. I am praying for the courage to move through this new challenge with the grace of God and internal peace for me and my family.
Celebration of Lisa's life
All, I wanted to let you know we will have Lisa's service on Saturday August 4th at: 2:00PM
Mission Viejo Christian Church
27192 Jeronimo Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(Corner of Jeronimo and Marguerite)
This is a celebration and I request attire not to include black, in fact feel free to wear colorful clothing as reflective in her colorful attitude and spirit.
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