Team JLO -Top Fundraising Team for Sandy Sprint 5K

Well the results are in...
Team JLO - was the number one fundraising team for the Sandy Rollman Foundation's Sandy Sprint 5K in Philadelphia yesterday!

What an awesome job by the entire Lopez family and their friends in raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing !

More Difficult Words to Write

I learned last night that a dear friend of mine, Lyn Rossi, passed away. Lyn was a Woman of Teal.

I have begun this entry a few times but can't seem to find the right words.
I am sad for Lyn's husband, two children, sister, brother-in-law, nephews and mother because Lyn was such a special caring woman. This might seem selfishly but I am sad for myself - I will miss Lyn. Lyn's family and ours go back to the days when our son's were in elementary school together- they are now 23 . Back in those days Lyn was every teacher's dream class mother. She was creative and helpful and boy could she cook. She made the best crumb cake. She could have a show on the food network.

On days when I had teacher meetings my kids would spend time with Lyn and her children. Of course, first priority after a snack was finishing their school work. When the weather was warm they played in their pool or out in the yard and when it was too cold they were down in the basement.

There was always time for tea with Lyn. As a friend she was so easy to talk to. When my sister was ill and passed away she offered words of hope and consolation and prayer but mostly her friendship - which was worth its weight in gold.

While the boys were in High School Billy spent a few winter breaks on vacation with us in the Poconos. And along with the Linkin's, we adults stayed in touch even when the boys were off to different colleges.

Lyn and I were both diagnosed with OC disease - myself in the summer of 2005 and Lyn in the fall of 2007. We have walked the path through the surgeries, CT scans , chemos and follow-up visits. Lyn never complained - except maybe about her wig but we all do that!

I will miss my friend. May her family find peace and love. And may we find a way to stop this disease from affecting other women's families.

Livestrong
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing - even if a little bit of a blessing is missing.

Chemo # 6

Today was the 6th treatment for my recurrence ( 15th all together) . Carla was once again my cheerful and considerate nurse. The taxol infusion went very smoothly. I had a visit from one of the ladies in my CINJ support group. It was a sweet gesture and made the time go quickly.

I saw one of my gyn oncs before the treatment. My physical exam went well. That is good news.
We will wait to see what my CA 125 is this time and get a CT scan before we make the final decision about stopping or continuing. My CA-125 has been 10 twice in a row. If it stays the same then most likely I can stop chemo. If it drops down to 8 then I might be asked to continue 3 more cycles.

I am scheduled for a CT on May 4th. That info will help decide if I will continue in treatment or not.

I really would like to make that trip to Kansas in May so I hope and pray that my CA-125 will remain at 10 and my CT scan will be clear.

Matt is home for a few days to go to the dentist and have his car checked. Murphy is here too. It is great having a dog in the house again.

Livestrong
Dee

Every Day is a Blessing.

2009 Teal Tea, Supports Ovarian Cancer Research at CINJ

__________________________

Established in 2008, The Teal Tea Foundation , is a 503(C)(3) foundation. It was founded by Jean Shipos an OC survivor. The foundation's mission is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for research. Proceeds from this year's tea will go to support OC research at the Cancer Institute of NJ.

I am thrilled to have been invited to discuss writing this blog as part of a speakers panel at the Tea. If you visit the Teal Tea Foundation website you can buy tickets and read about the auction items, table contest and hat contest. I look forward to being part of this wonderful event.

Livestrong,
Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Team JLO Event

It was wonderful getting together with friend and fellow survivor Janice and her wonderful family last night for the 3rd annual Teal Night at the Olive Branch to support Team JLO. Team JLO will be participating in this year's Sandy Rollman Foundation's Sandy's Sprint. Sandy Rollman Foundation raises awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Support Team JLO here. A special thanks to Doug Schneider and the staff at the Olive Branch for their support of Team JLO and raising awareness of OC in central NJ.

Sandy's Sprint Race Details:
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 8:30 AM
Carousel House in Fairmount Park (Belmont Avenue & Avenue of the Republic) in Philadelphia

Since I will be having chemo next week I won't be able to make this year's walk but Janice and I agree that come next April the two of us will be walking through Fairmount Park. ;o)

Livestrong
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

CINJ Receives Community Program Grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation

I am so pleased to report that CINJ ( where I am treated) received a $100,000 Community Grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to train health care providers in NJ about the emotional and physical needs of cancer survivors. The Buildings and Bridges Program is part of the recently established Center for Cancer Survivorship at CINJ. CINJ is NJ's first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"Receiving a boost from one of the nation’s most highly recognized cancer foundations, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) will be able to expand a successful clinical program that meets the unique needs of cancer survivors. The Buildings and Bridges Program is being made possible by a $100,000 Community Program grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower people affected by cancer. The award was made recently to the CINJ Foundation. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Through peer-based training, the Buildings and Bridges Program enhances the capacity of nurses, social workers and other healthcare providers to meet the practical and emotional needs of cancer survivors. It is an extension of CINJ’s Center for Cancer Survivorship (CCS), a newly established entity serving as a focal point through which all survivorship research, clinical, educational, and advocacy efforts are coordinated . ...
Denalee O’Malley, MSW, is the supervising program development specialist for the CCS, who designed the Buildings and Bridges Program program. “The aim of this educational program is to build an understanding of cancer as a chronic disease that is survived, with ongoing practical and emotional impacts that can be managed. By educating health care workers we can be sure that we not only enhance the quality of care and resources available to survivors, but that we also increase community awareness about the ongoing challenges experienced through the different phases of survivorship. We are grateful to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for this support,” she stated."
The complete press release can be found here.

On a personal note, I am happy to have been asked to be a member of the Survivors Advisory Board for the CCS.

Livestrong!
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

We will Prevail.....

When Nick and I visited Tech last weekend we walked over to the April 16th Memorial in front of Burruss Hall. We had been there before- when the Memorial was dedicated in August 2007, when we moved Matt into his apartment in January 2008, and last May for Matt's graduation.

Each of the 32 Hokie memorial stones had a daffodil laid beside it.

On this the 2nd anniversary, I read my entry for April 16, 2008 and the memories came flooding back.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the students and faculty who lost their lives that day and to all the students , faculty and staff of VT.

Nikki Giovanni said:
We will continue to invent the future
Through all our blood and tears
Through all this sadness
We are the HOKIES
We will prevail!
We will prevail!
We will prevail!
WE ARE VIRGINIA TECH!

And they have prevailed......

Hokie Mom,
Dee