Light the Night

I had the most wonderful experience last week. I participated in the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma in West Palm Beach. This is a 2 mile walk that takes place in the evening, in the dark, along the waterfront. The light comes from the illuminated balloons that everyone carries while they walk!  Lights for those who are still in the fight, those who have survived and sadly, those who have lost the battle.

I put my team together and named it "Laugh for Life" as I believe laughter is truly the best medicine! My goal was to raise some money for the cause and participate in an event that was fun and brought attention to my cancer-Lymphoma!!! I didn't set a goal. I just figured I would do my best to make a decent contribution to the fight against cancer. I had no idea that I would end up being one of the top fundraisers of the event!

Thanks to my wonderful friends and supporters for making it possible for me to raise over $5,000!!! What a feeling! What a night! I was so proud to have my team there- 15 strong- all in their "Laugh for Life" t-shirts. A sight I will never forget!

I met fighters and survivors, young and old. I met family members whom I also consider to be fighters and survivors.  Their stories would touch your heart just as they touched mine. There were prayers for those lost and a memory wall to write messages and memories. There was dancing to celebrate life! There was love everywhere.

I am so thankful to have been able to participate in this amazing event with my family and friends. My cup runneth over!! Thank you all.

Much Love-
Fran
xo

PS Come join me next year at Light the Night 2012!!

Cancer Sucks!!! We need a cure NOW!!!

Okay. I know I haven't posted in a while but I have been so busy and although I have thought about posting a hundred times, I just never sat down to do it.  So now, three months later, here I am once again.

Since my scan and physical in August, life has taken over as it should. We closed on a second home in West Virginia, Lindsey has her first "real-life" job, Bryan is engaged to sweet Neka and I have gone back to work, part-time. I traveled to New York to see family and friends and got "hit" by the October snowstorm! And, I managed to raise over $5,000 for the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma. (see separate post)

My white count has slowly climbed up to just within the normal range which is fantastic! When Dr. Schwartz has a smile on his face, I know I'm in good shape. I have been concerned about being around the students at school because they all have so many germs!!! Apparently, I have to be more concerned about my own body creating infections more than I have to worry about others. I had several scares but all is well for me right now.

I wish I could say the same for a dear friend of mine. I have really come back to my blog tonight because her cancer has come back and it SUCKS!!! It scares me, not to mention her. She was the picture of health. She was exercising and running in marathons and enjoying her life. And now, she has heard the devastating words- "the cancer is back." Why??? Did you hear me? I want to know why???? She was actually told at first that it wasn't cancer and she and her husband were so relieved. How could they be so wrong? Why didn't it show up on all of her follow up scans? It's so wrong. We cancer survivors count on our doctors and test and scans to give us the right information. If we can't count on them, who can we count on?

My feelings and fears can't come close to how she is feeling right now. But, her diagnosis has brought fears and doubts that I haven't really felt, even when I was going through chemo. She was supporting me. She told me I would get through it, and I did. And now I am afraid. For me and for my dear, sweet, fun-loving friend and her family.

Please pray for her. Please pray for me. Please pray for anyone that has cancer and their families.

Please pray for a cure and do what you can to help find that cure!! Now.

XO