July 25, 2020 · from Lesley’s original CaringBridge journal
So, do you ever have those times when you feel certain you sent a text – only to have that person text you back as if they still hadn’t heard from you – as in, you texted them back in your head but not IRL (in real life – I had to look that one up)? Or perhaps you did compose a text but never hit send? Well, that was me this week, the former situation being the better metaphor for my reality. It was after about the third or fourth person texted me to ask how my scans and bloodwork went that it dawned on me, “YIKES! I never did update everyone!” I am truly sorry. I should not be asking ya’ll to pray for me and leave you hanging like that! So here goes…
Scans were all clear!!! Praise the Lord! They said they didn’t need to see me at the breast surgeon’s office for another year – frankly, that makes me a little uneasy, but they obviously feel like I’m doing great. I went straight from my breast surgeon’s appointment to my medical oncologist (that administered chemo for BC – I feel like I should make you all a flow chart for all the oncologists in this story). It was so good to see him! When he came into the room he said that the surgeon had already called him telling him she just saw me and how amazed she was, that I “looked like a million bucks!” to be exact. I told him I ought to because I’ve seen the bills and I’ve cost that much and then some! He told us his side of the story of the day I got diagnosed. I had to fight back some tears. It was his day off and he was working on the roof, “and I’m not a working on the roof kind of guy” he said. He knew when the PA called that it was something serious because he said he never calls him on his day off. “NO!” he said when he heard the news. Then he called Dr. Kota and told him what was going on. Dr. Kota said, “give me her name and number and we will take care of her” and that got the ball rolling. From the time I first spoke to the PA until the time they called us saying I had a room ready and gave us the room number telling us that I was a direct admission was less than an hour. All I could picture as he told me this was him sitting on his roof rallying the troops on my behalf and praying for me as I knew he was. I get choked up even writing about it. He had called me several times during my hospitalization but didn’t want to visit to keep any potential germs away. Tuesday he said that what he most looked forward to about my visit was getting to pray with us – and that is just what we did. He thanked the Lord that He is still a God of miracles. When I sit back and think about that, how my doctors view what has happened with my health to be a miracle and that they all seem shocked and amazed at how well and fast I’m healing, it humbles me – gives me a feeling that I should be more reverent about my experience. Not that I think I shouldn’t be joyful, I do and I am. I want everyone to see the amazing things God has done in my life, but I don’t want to overlook the fact that this is a bountiful gift that I’ve been given and I don’t want to take it for granted.
Here are some things I paused and was grateful for this week – just four months after a very serious AML diagnosis and just shy of two months from a bone marrow transplant I was able to:
- very quickly ascend the stairs in the parking deck at the doctors’ offices
- cook dinner several nights (okay, it was heating a frozen meal but it still counts!)
- play with Gus outside several times
- take some walks to the mailbox and around the driveway (my mailbox is far from the house)
- finish planning school for this upcoming year
- start some strength training exercises
- go most every day without a nap
- watched a ridiculous number of hummingbirds go through a ridiculous amount of sugar water
- made brownies (those were from scratch, with mocha icing – they are sinful)
- went swimming
- watched my boys help Gus swim – Gus is fearless – the diving board doesn’t scare him!
- got cleared to eat fresh fruits and veggies again! It’s been four months since I’ve had any and originally they said 6 months POST transplant.
AND… I was able to skip my Leukemia doc appointment this week! When they saw me last week, again they said my bloodwork was great and they bumped me out to two-week visits!!! I had the week off from doctors!
Sooooooo, I hope that gets you all caught up. We start school on Monday. I am excited and feel more prepared than I think I ever have been in the past. Gus is most excited because he has some “real school books” (cut and paste, tracing, and coloring books) and his own (lefty) scissors and stick glue. He has been talking about it a lot. The big three don’t share mine and Gus’s enthusiasm for the start of school. I will go to the Leukemia doc Tuesday for bloodwork again and will try to be more expedient about updating everyone.
I have been given a gift – and so have you. Every day our feet hit the floor we should be thankful. I have, fortunately (some folks think unfortunately but not me) had experiences that help remind me to be more acutely aware of the privilege I have of being alive and healthy – at least my version of healthy, which is fine by me 🙂
Love to you all – thank you for the anonymous cards and gifts again – such sweet surprise blessings!
Lesley
Comments from CaringBridge
Krista Shook — 7/27/20
Praise God! He is marvelous and you are wonderfully re-made.
Joanna Collins — 7/27/20
You are AMAZING and our God is AMAZING! Praise HIM!!!
Theresa Morgan — 7/25/20
So glad you are doing so well. Praying it continues 🙏🙏🙏😷😷😷
Mindy Stirling — 7/25/20
Praising Jesus with you Leslie! Thank you for the reminder to see life as an incredible gift for all of us. You are an inspiration to my soul to trust the Lord in the small and big things in life.
Nancy Sullivan — 7/25/20
So thankful for your wonderful news! God has truly been with you
Joyce Wood — 7/25/20
Oh praise the Lord for all his blessings and your sweet picture with family . Prayers continue for the days ahead and can not wait to seeing God working . Prayers for you Joyce Wood🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️
margie veatch — 7/25/20
Lesley, thank you for sharing this update. Such a lovely and encouraging story! Thank you for the reminder that the Lord is always at work!
Jackie Hartley — 7/25/20
Praise the Lord!!!!! We serve a mighty and majestic Lord who cares about every single detail of your life! Praising Him with you now and especially for the doctor He gave you! How wonderful to have him pray with you! Love from all the Hartleys
Gale Roberts — 7/25/20
Blessings!
Edwina Williams — 7/25/20
Love and prayers still coming!💕🙏
Becky Holton — 7/25/20
Such great news!
Kemberly Smith — 7/25/20
Such wonderful news!! So thankful for the Lord’s blessings! Continual prayers for you🥰
Carol Churi — 7/25/20
You indeed are a walking miracle. I praise the Lord for his healing and for your attitude through this whole medical challenge. You are definitely an inspiration. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you.
Angela wells — 7/25/20
Lesley that is so awesome to hear!!! Your enthusiasm and positive attitude is contagious. I feel so thankful and blessed To have you in my life now. I know we knew each other before but these past couple of weeks I have thoroughly felt a privilege in becoming your friend. You are a rock!!! The power of prayer is amazing and you are a picture perfect example of what prayer can do. You and your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers as they have been in the past.❤❤❤
Lesley Letson — 7/25/20
there is something about cancer that bonds folks more than anything else can 🙂
Cancermamma 