Friday, August 1st

Hello everybody! Just wanted to ask you to pray for us Friday as Mom, Levi, Isaac and I make our journey home. I have a treatment in the morning, and then we'll be on our way! Just keep us in your prayers that we'll have safe travels, and that the boys will be pleasant on the way home! (Hey...it can happen!) Usually, pleasantness is not a problem (seriously), but they are tired, and so are we, so pray...pray...pray! Anyway, it's too late to load the car tonight, so we're loading in the morning, which may rush us a bit. Hopefully everyone will rest well, and the entire day will flow smoothly.

Thanks for your prayers. We so appreciate them and you!

Blessings,
Leslie, Bootsie, Levi, and Isaac

Lengthy and Long Overdue...

I don't know whether to start way back when or just skip to the good news...

Let's go back a ways....

• I'm nearly done with the proton therapy that I mentioned weeks ago. It has been amazingly tolerable. Not a single side effect that I can see. I walk backwards now, but other than that...JUST KIDDING! It has been a breeze. For awhile there were some problems, as the main "thingy" that produces the proton beam went on the fritz. I had to settle for the "Lexus" of radiation for a few days until the "Lamborghini" was repaired and running again. Ahhh...the trials of the radiated! Anyhoo...it was quickly fixed, and I was back in the proton program within a week.

By the way...I don't think I've posted this anywhere until now, but I'm their first breast cancer patient...ever...at MD Anderson in the proton treatment center! How 'bout that. Their slogan (MD Anderson's) is "Making Cancer History", and...I did!

• As for the "regular" radiation, I finished that on Friday (25th of July). I've got a great sunburn from it, but that's about it. I met some terrific patients and outstanding staff during my "radiant" summer. I have pictures and stories to post soon. Shane, Susan, and Danyel were my radiation therapists. I wish you all could meet them. They were the absolute best...very professional, yet very personable. I consider them lifelong friends now, and can't wait for Jeff to come back with me so I can introduce them to him.

So, now for the grand finale....

• I met with my medical oncologist, Dr. Booser, on Wednesday of last week. He told me that he has been reviewing the research, and sees no benefit in sending me through those 10 extra weeks of chemotherapy we had been planning on. "So, let's just move on to the Herceptin every 3 weeks," he calmly stated.

Excuse me...say that again? I'm DONE?!!! Just like that...I'm through with everything? Just Herceptin every three weeks until further notice. It doesn't even have any side effects....so...I'm through!

I was so stunned that I had to run it by my radiation oncologist, Dr. Woodward.

"What does this mean?"

"Well, basically, you're cancer free, we've done all we would do, and you've responded extremely well. We'd love to say that it'll never come back again, and we certainly hope it won't, but the truth of the matter is that there is no rhyme or reason to cancer. You are through with treatments, (except Herceptin), you are cancer free, and it's really just 'Have a great life, and call us if you need us!'"

Are you kidding me? To quote one of my father-in-law's old time preacher acquaintances...HOT HALLELUJAH!

Now, obviously I'll be going back regularly for checkups, as well as reconstructive surgery, but...HELLO...the cancer is GONE!

I know! Stunning, isn't it? Feel blind-sided? Me too! I truly believe that I've been healed, by the hand of God and his skilled physicians. I don't even know how to sum it all up, but when it's all soaked in, I'll write it here first.

Thank you all for your support, your prayers, and your love. We have been blessed beyond our wildest imagination.

Leave me a note when you read this. I'd love to hear what you're thinking about my news!

Love and blessings,
Leslie

( I realize at this point I may have failed to mention earlier that Jeff and I, along with my oncologists, feel that Herceptin only will be sufficient post-cancer treatment, and we have chosen not to participate in their Bone Marrow Transplant study at this time. In a nutshell, they still have no proof that it would be beneficial to me...especially since I'm already cancer free, and will be on Herceptin for years to come. Herceptin, a "monoclonal antibody" works by marking the cancer cells as foreign cells, and allows my own immune system to kick 'em in the tail! Developed right here at MD Anderson, thank you very much! I think I'll let them work the kinks out of the BMT before I jump right in.)

Thought For The Day

“We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing - that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment.” ~ Oswald Chambers

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In a Nutshell...

July 4th: No treatments. Flew home and spent the weekend of the 4th with my family. Went to James River's "I Love America" celebration, then to Anita's on Saturday to see baby Brody and my brother, Kevin, who was in from St. Louis.

July 7-11th: Brought Owen to TX with me. What a hoot! We had a fantastic road trip down, and spent the rest of the week going to treatments and taking him to see his cousins (second or once removed or something like that) Jordan, Keirnan, Gabrielle, Alex, and Miguel. Celebrated his birthday with Gabrielle, Alex, and Miguel on Thursday night the 10th. He was elated.

July 11th: Owen's 9th birthday. At his request (and without any hesitation on my part) we spent the weekend with Kirk, Nanette, and Portia and their summer farm help, Jeremy (or Germy...however you want to say it!) on their farm. Owen wanted to ride 4 wheelers for his birthday, and boy...did he ever. He was thoroughly spoiled (pictures will follow...tomorrow). 4 wheelers, trip to Austin, new hat from the hat shop that made all the hats for the cast of Lonesome Dove...umhmm...big stuff, new belt, new UT hat (camo, too), fishing, tractor riding, golf cart riding, cattle buying, bow shooting, dirt, deer feeding/watching, more 4 wheelers, steak, steak, bacon, doughnuts, birthday cake. "This is the BEST birthday ever!" stated repeatedly. When asked on Saturday what he wanted to do on Sunday, he replied, "Everything that I did today!" What a kid! Thank you, Thank you Kirk and Nanette...and Portia and Germy!

July 14th-17th: Radiation and Proton therapy consumed our days from noon to 6 pm. Gotta love that commute into and out of Houston.

July 18th: Postponed one day of treatment to head home. Road tripped with Owen...phenomenal kid. Made a trip home in record time: 11 hours!

July 19th: Thoroughly cleaned Uncle Randall's car...he had let me use it (with very little notice...thank you, thank you Uncle Randall) to go to Houston. Washed off seagull "presents", bugs, and a variety of other road trip trophies. Vacuumed out dirt and hay from the farm, sand from the coast, and food from the trip. Smelled of new car scent when returned. Thank heavens for Armour All and high pressured washes!

Then, returned home at 2ish to repack Owen and Jeff for a trip to Rolla to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary! Congratulations to Larry and Roberta Davis! I hear the celebration was a fantastic success and immensly enjoyable...even by two tiny twins!

July 20th: Loaded two preschoolers and my extremely patient mom for a road trip back to Houston. Met my cousin Ed and my cousin Bob and his wife Shelly and their son Adam near Dallas for a quick visit. Realized at 8:49 p.m. (after even more potty stops) that we were not going to make Houston before dark, so we checked into a Hampton Inn and cozied in for the night. Got a full night's rest and a complimentary breakfast, and

July 21st: Made it to Houston by 12:00 noon, just in time to drop by Aunt Teresa and Uncle Howard's where Mom, Levi and Isaac stayed while I darted off to my 1:15 appointment. Picked them up a little after 4, then drove to our borrowed home in 106 degree heat in rush hour traffic. Started some laundry while Mom started supper, filled the wading pool for the boys, sprayed on some OFF, grabbed a glass of ice water and welcomed myself back to TEXAS!

A more relaxing entry will surely follow...soon. Just wanted you to know what's been going on since July began! My goodness...that makes me tired just to type it!

Hope your summer is going well. Anybody ready for some crisp fall weather yet?

Love and blessings,

Leslie

Quick Hello

Just wanted to write a bit and let you know that I'm still doing fine. I go into the medical center every day for radiation, and then come home. It's pretty uneventful...it's not uncomfortable or anything. I just lay on a table, and they set their cross hairs on me (I come from a huntin' family), and then I'm done. It hardly even makes a noise. Much more pleasant than anything I've had done to me thus far!

I've stayed up too late already, but I wanted you to know that I'm fine. Owen is down here with me for the next couple of weeks. He's a blast. He has a good sense of humor, loves to hear and tell a good story, enjoys playing games, and is enjoying me almost as much as I'm enjoying him. I can't believe he's almost nine already...his birthday is this Friday! What a guy! And did I mention how strong he is? I don't have to carry a thing!

I'll write more another night. I have lots of stories to tell...travel stories, 4th of July, etc. Right now, it's pushing midnight, and I'd better get to sleep.

Thanks for your continued prayers. I appreciate them so much.

Love,

Leslie