Donation protected
Leslie is an amazing, loving, and caring mother, sister, and daughter - a super positive force and a Breast Cancer Survivor. In addition, she is a very hard working Human Resources professional who loves to put all others, including executives and employees, before herself. She enjoys family, cooking, gardening, and her cat Jasper.
I’m speaking in present tense, because I know Leslie is still here with me. However, last Saturday Feb 18th 2017, we lost Leslie (62) to non-smoking lung cancer (she never smoked a day in her life). By telling her story below, we hope to raise awareness for the increasing incidence of this cancer and provide a way for family, friends and interested parties to donate to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and funeral expenses in lieu of flowers.
It started in 2009, when Leslie was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As a single mother, with her only child Christina in college, Leslie would attend her chemo and radiation treatments on her lunch breaks and then return to work. After a long grueling fight including a mastectomy, Leslie beat breast cancer and remained in remission for 7 years!
In January 2016, she got a typical cough. Except this cough did not go away. It persisted all day long every day despite numerous trips to the doctor, antibiotics, blood tests, chest x-rays, etc. No conclusive diagnosis was made until May 2016 when an astute x-ray technician saw a little something that did not look right. By the end of the month, Leslie was diagnosed with Non-Smoking Lung Cancer.
Her oncologist and very trusted breast cancer healthcare partner said the likelihood of getting cancer again after 7 years remission was extremely rare much less non-smoking lung cancer. Shocked as ever, we as a family learned for the first time that there was a version of lung cancer for non-smokers, that it is on the rise especially in women and has low double digit survivor rates.
Leslie, now short of breath but with continued strong positive spirit bravely faced cancer again. Within 2 months, an insidious sinewy inoperable tumor was wrapped around her main bronchial tube essentially squeezing her major airways. From June to November, Leslie received an onslaught of chemo, radiation and immune therapy, Leslie’s lungs continued to fill up with liter after liter of fluid obscuring a clear visual of the tumor and collapsing her right lung. By early December, this news was extremely frustrating to everyone after seeing Leslie get so tired, be plagued with digestive issues and limited in her ability to breathe after just a few steps. Her oncologist was determined to find another solution.
Over the next week Leslie’s team of doctors decided to perform surgery to repair the right lung and clear out all the cancerous fluid. A 2-3 day hospital stay turned into 12 days. We all have so much respect for the physicians and nursing staff that got her through long days with tubes draining fluid from her lungs. On February 8, 2017 Leslie was so happy to come home, to sleep without the constant machines beeping, water her plants and see neighbors and friends. She was so thankful for her in-home caregivers, nurse and PT who arrived daily with renewed positive energy. Ten days later on February 18th, 2017 we were shocked to get the call that Leslie passed away. After only 9 months, Leslie was gone. Survived by her only child, Christina and family who are devastated.
If you are still reading this, the message from my family to yours is:
· Don’t ever put off medical care. There are many stories of “healthy” people who have been diagnosed with cancer after months of no warning signs.
· Don’t ever let work take preference over your health. After 8 years at the same company, Leslie did not get one call or note from any colleague during her sickness.
· Show your love for family and friends every day as if it were their last.
Despite the best care and a very supportive family, Leslie was not able to beat lung cancer, but her legacy may help others beat the disease. Your donations will be split between the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and funeral costs. God Bless You.
I’m speaking in present tense, because I know Leslie is still here with me. However, last Saturday Feb 18th 2017, we lost Leslie (62) to non-smoking lung cancer (she never smoked a day in her life). By telling her story below, we hope to raise awareness for the increasing incidence of this cancer and provide a way for family, friends and interested parties to donate to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and funeral expenses in lieu of flowers.
It started in 2009, when Leslie was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As a single mother, with her only child Christina in college, Leslie would attend her chemo and radiation treatments on her lunch breaks and then return to work. After a long grueling fight including a mastectomy, Leslie beat breast cancer and remained in remission for 7 years!
In January 2016, she got a typical cough. Except this cough did not go away. It persisted all day long every day despite numerous trips to the doctor, antibiotics, blood tests, chest x-rays, etc. No conclusive diagnosis was made until May 2016 when an astute x-ray technician saw a little something that did not look right. By the end of the month, Leslie was diagnosed with Non-Smoking Lung Cancer.
Her oncologist and very trusted breast cancer healthcare partner said the likelihood of getting cancer again after 7 years remission was extremely rare much less non-smoking lung cancer. Shocked as ever, we as a family learned for the first time that there was a version of lung cancer for non-smokers, that it is on the rise especially in women and has low double digit survivor rates.
Leslie, now short of breath but with continued strong positive spirit bravely faced cancer again. Within 2 months, an insidious sinewy inoperable tumor was wrapped around her main bronchial tube essentially squeezing her major airways. From June to November, Leslie received an onslaught of chemo, radiation and immune therapy, Leslie’s lungs continued to fill up with liter after liter of fluid obscuring a clear visual of the tumor and collapsing her right lung. By early December, this news was extremely frustrating to everyone after seeing Leslie get so tired, be plagued with digestive issues and limited in her ability to breathe after just a few steps. Her oncologist was determined to find another solution.
Over the next week Leslie’s team of doctors decided to perform surgery to repair the right lung and clear out all the cancerous fluid. A 2-3 day hospital stay turned into 12 days. We all have so much respect for the physicians and nursing staff that got her through long days with tubes draining fluid from her lungs. On February 8, 2017 Leslie was so happy to come home, to sleep without the constant machines beeping, water her plants and see neighbors and friends. She was so thankful for her in-home caregivers, nurse and PT who arrived daily with renewed positive energy. Ten days later on February 18th, 2017 we were shocked to get the call that Leslie passed away. After only 9 months, Leslie was gone. Survived by her only child, Christina and family who are devastated.
If you are still reading this, the message from my family to yours is:
· Don’t ever put off medical care. There are many stories of “healthy” people who have been diagnosed with cancer after months of no warning signs.
· Don’t ever let work take preference over your health. After 8 years at the same company, Leslie did not get one call or note from any colleague during her sickness.
· Show your love for family and friends every day as if it were their last.
Despite the best care and a very supportive family, Leslie was not able to beat lung cancer, but her legacy may help others beat the disease. Your donations will be split between the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and funeral costs. God Bless You.
Organizer
Bryce Basiliere
Organizer
Irvine, CA