So I guess all my English writing teachers would be proud of me for using an "attention getter" as a part of my writing. I never took that aspect to heart in High School or College for that matter. Better late than never!
So, throughout my journey I have met so many INCREDIBLE people, cancer WARRIORS as I like to call them (thank you Kris Carr). I have read some AMAZING books written by these Warriors, and books written by Warriors whom I have yet to meet. (They are going on my list of heros I wish .. no will meet... someday)
Let me start from the beginning. The first "Cancer Warrior" I met on my journey was a new and dear friend of mine, Lori Lober. Her husband John and I are in a a business networking group together. We started about the same time, and since we were both new to the group we attended training meetings and such, because of this I was able to get to know John and learn about how incredible Lori is. John had always spoken of his wife's journey and I had heard other individuals speak of it as well. I was so inspired by her at that moment, she was definitely someone I wanted to meet, I wanted to hear her story and just get to know her. John told me of their website www.welovetolive.com, instantly I was interested. (this was all before I found out about my diagnosis) I remember later that day checking out the site. I was so inspired by it. It speaks about Lori's journey and you can see the strength that she had, and still has. Lori first discovered something was wrong back in 1998. It took 2 years for the doctors to diagnose Lori, by that time the cancer had metastasized to her liver. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer, and given 18 months to live. That was over 10 years ago, Lori has been found NED (No Evidence of Disease) for 10 years now and is 'Alive and Thriving!' Since then, Lori has written 2 books, working on number 3 and has created a cancer foundation called "Touched by Cancer" to help individual's feel hope when they, or someone they love is 'touched by cancer'. www.touchedbycancer.org. As soon as I received the phone call about my diagnosis, I instantly emailed Lori. We had never met personally, but I felt as though I knew her, and I knew she would be able to help me. The next day, Lori called me and walked me through those first moments.... the moments of 'craziness'. She encouraged me to get multiple opinions and check into ALL my options. And for that I am so grateful!! Lori and I were able to officially meet a few weeks ago at her beautiful home near my house. She has given me so much advice, comfort, books (one of her own... "Still Bigger Than Pink, Alive and Thriving" amazing book!!), and even supplements that all helped her through her journey and are now helping me through mine. She and John have made me feel so much like family, and for that I am so grateful!! I love you guys!!! and I look forward to more of our 'Girl Days!'
My next 'Cancer Warrior' whom I met on my journey is, Jackie Malena. Jackie is the author of "Surviving Cancer 101". Originally, my friend Tammy, had told me about Jackie's book and that she was getting me a copy. Once I met with Lori, I found out they they were all friends. Lori lent me her copy of Jackie's book, I took it home, read it, and LOVED it. Jackie and I officially met last week at an IsAgenix meeting. (IsAgenix is a celluar nutrition and cleansing system, check out Lori's site for more info I have quite a few friends who are on the product and LOVE it.. I am loving it too!) Here is an excerpt from Jackie's Blog to explain more about her journey: "In 2001 the doctors found a 2 pound tumor on my liver while I was 7 months pregnant. It was removed and my daughter delivered healthy 2 months later. It was Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In 2007 I was rediagnosed with the same disease. This time in the lung and lymph nodes and Stage 4. I am successfully surviving it and want to share with others how to manage the journey of Cancer. I want this blog to help inspire people that no matter how scared or overwhelmed they feel about their diagnosis, that we are in it together. Cancer is a journey. Get ready to be surprised at how big your spirit is. I have been given months to live by some doctors and some doctors believed in me. I am still here and don't plan on going anywhere soon." Jackie and I are actually being treated at the same center here in Tulsa,she is now a spokesperson for the Centers as well! She has been a huge support to me just giving me rundowns on how things will go and just listening to my "Cancer Crazys" as she calls them (Just random thoughts, worries, fears, anxieties about cancer.. the 'holy crap'. mode as she calls it, that sometimes takes over the mind). Jackie, I am so so GRATEFUL to you and for your friendship!! Together we are Cancer Warriors!!
Another amazing "Cancer Warrior" is my dear, dear friend Stephanie Withers! Stephanie and I also met through the same business networking group where I met John. Stephanie has been fighting Leukemia for the past few years! She is doing so well! I had NO idea about her journey until she told me while I was giving her a manicure at the salon. Stephanie's optimisim and amazing personality has really been a HUGE help to me! She has given me so much advice that has really helped me. She has listened to my concerns, questions, and thoughts.. and has been nothing but a super trooper the whole time! She has taken me on much needed "Girls Days" which are one of the reasons I am still sane! haha Steph you are AMAZING!
I have 2 other Cancer Warriors, my dear friend Christina and Kenna, both have had similar cancers this past year, but are now doing so well! I have been able to learn so much from them as well! Kenna keeps me updated on new quotes, inspirational thoughts and stuff that come to her, and that have helped her! I love you girls!!
I just have to say I love my Cancer Warriors!! It's nice because though we are all at different stages of our journey, we are all in this fight together, and will all be able to learn from each other. I look up to my warriors!!
I started reading this AMAZING book called "Crazy, Sexy Cancer" (Hence the title of my entry) by Kris Carr... She too is a fellow Cancer Warrior, her book has brought so much insight to me and has helped me to look at this in a more "Lauren Way" she and I have similar outlooks, I can just tell.
Now, I can't have a blog and not mention the 3 most important people in my journey! Ed and Vicki Carey. My amazing parents and Brother.
I have never fully understood the love a parent has for a child until I saw the looks in their eyes when this journey began. I know that I will never fully understand that love until I have my own children someday, but I feel like I have a glimpse. I have always seemed to take my parents for granted (Never intentionally) This journey has helped me open my eyes. My Mom has been a huge help, she has taken on probably the most stressful part of all, the paperwork, insurance, record keeping (I am also doing my own record keeping, but she is doing the hardcore stuff). She has been so strong during this, and I am so grateful for that. I was looking through a scrapbook my Aunt Sheila made for me the year I graduated High School, and it was a scrapbook of my life up until that point. I saw pictures of me as a child with my brother, cousins, and relatives. But, the one that stood out the me the most was on where I was probably about 3 years old, I was holding a book and carrying it over to my Mom to show it to her. I just saw myself as a little girl and saw that love that my Mother had for me, and still has for me. She has been through so much healthwise so that I could even exisit. Why did it take me to long to realize that?? So, Thank you Mom! Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on whenever I was scared.. I know that I am a "tough egg to crack", and rarely show my emotions to you guys. Thank you for always giving me good advice! I do listen, even if it seems I am not. Sometimes, I don't understand myself, but I know that you do. You are my mother, you gave me life! I love you!! I dedicate this entry to the BEST MOM EVER. I love you MOM! I am so inspired by you! Don't ever forget that!
Padre, Oh Padre, I love you so much! We have been through alot together, I have probably caused you more anxiety that anything there is. But, I know that you love me. When I told you what the doctor said to me on the phone, and I saw your heart break right in front of me, it hit me, you are a person too. You have feelings just like I do. I have always seen you as Macho Dad, the one who rarely shows a sign of fear and weakness. Even when you were going through hard times, I never once saw the look of fear in your eye. I always knew that everything would be okay if you said it would. But, in that moment I could see it in your eyes that you had NO idea what to expect, I could see that you needed to be comforted just like I did. But, I am glad that we all found the strength that we needed during that time. Thank you for being my chauffeur and driving all the way to Tulsa for me, for researching all these healthy supplements to help get rid of my disease. I would be lost without you. Thank you for teaching me how to stand up for myself, and for instilling the "don't be negative" phrase in my mind. Your endless motivational speeches were never in vain, even if I pretended like I wasn't listening.. I was. Thank you to the best DAD ever!
Last but not least, Johnners! My amazing Brother.. I know that I seem to get annoyed with you alot (sorry about that.. I blame it on .. actually I have no excuse.. haha) You have been a huge source of strength for me. You have understood me better than anyone at times, I know its because we come from the same gene pool and have similiar thought processes.. mine are better though! (just kidding) You have ALWAYS been on my team, you have always stood up for me, even when I told you not too.. thats what a brother is supposed to do, ignore his sister and do what is right! So, Thank you for that.. I am so happy that you are happy and have found love! (I know you are probably not loving this whole spotlight thing.. but deal with it.. haha) You deserve the best and have found it!! Love you Johnners!
There are so many other people whom I am so Thankful for and whom have helped me so much! I haven't forgotten you I promise.. you know who you are! I mentioned you in my last blog..
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Moving on quickly, I wrote about my "Cancer Warriors" because as I was reading Kris Carr's book today she talked about her Cancer Warriors.. she called her Cancer Posse the "Cancer Babes" , all these woman have been touched by cancer and have been surviving!
Right now, I am at the Treatment Center in Tulsa. Everyone here is so nice. I woke up at the crack of dawn to do consults and blood work. Tomorrow, my day is full of scans, PET, CAT, and the prep meeting for my Bone Marrow Biopsy which is Wednesday. The amazing part about the Bone Marrow Biopsy is that I will be asleep! The other docs I visited in KC said they wouldn't do that. Bless you CTCA in Tulsa! The only Bone Marrow Biopsy I have seen was on Grey's Anatomy, and it looked so painful, granted it is Hollywood.. After these tests they will know more. I more than likely won't start treatment for another week or so, I will know more tomorrow, but since I am so young I have to preserve my future kiddos, with chemo there is a risk of infertlity. You may think I am sharing too much, BUT, this is my journey, whether I tell you in person or on here its still the same. I have come to realize that this is my journey, I have cancer, BUT, I am not a cancer patient.. I am a cancer SURVIVOR, you are a survivior the day you are diagnosed. I am still the same Lauren as I was a month ago. I have learned to embrace HUMOR as a part of my healing, I am sure some people have no idea how to respond to that, but It has helped me alot. So, lets all laugh together, learn together and grow together..
I Love you Guys!!
Lauren
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