Lisa's Fearless Fight
Donation protected
Hi Friends : )
On February 6th of this year, after having a routine colonoscopy (what in the what - hello 50's!!??!!) I didn't even make it back to the dressing room after the procedure, when the Dr. and nurses shuffled my parents and I into a little exam room and told us I had colorectal cancer. In shock, I couldn't stop seeing the look in my Mom and Dad's eyes as the room sort of spun for a second. Honestly though, I became real sturdy real fast because I knew from watching best friends of mine that a positive attitude was going to be my greatest healing strength! And so began the whirlwind of the biopsy, CT scan, MRI and appointments, appointments, appointments. (Co-pays, co-pays, co-pays LOL). Don't get me wrong, I am BEYOND BLESSED to finally have a group medical benefit plan after trying to get (woefully) by on CoveredCa for years.
On March 26th I began 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments in SB (I live in Buellton), chemotherapy and holding down my full time job to aggressively attack Stage II colorectal cancer (actually, more on the rectal, than the 'colo' but it's embarasssssssing). Then as luck would have it, my beloved old jalopy of a jeep decided to let me know in no uncertain terms that it needed the whole front end replaced to the tune of $3,600.00. My folks and I are pretty blue collar, but somehow my parents came up with that money and made sure safe daily trips to & from SB were made. My parents have been by my side every step of the way and I know how VERY blessed I am to have them with me. They are just the true meaning of people that are 'salt of the Earth'. My closest friends have jumped in and helped me shore up financial holes every month - and for them i will always be indebted and have the utmost gratitude.
On June 27th I will have laparoscopic surgery to have the bugger of a tumor removed and hoping beyond hope that the cansah is contained to the areas that the scans and imaging have previously indicated. This Monday June 3rd, I will have a procedure for my colorectal surgeon (the amazingly smart & beautiful Dr. Yurcho!) to see how well the treatments thus far have worked. (Prayers if you wouldn't mind please!?) After the surgery I will be out of work for hopefully just about 8 weeks and then can get back to my job in the vineyard management industry that I love so much. And I know that my co-workers are super hopeful I will return before harvest starts in September! Fingers crossed! Around that time I will start chemotherapy again and that will be for an additional 6 months. So this journey will be about a year all in - and then I hope to spend the rest of my years gratefully watching my daughter and granddaughters live their lives and be able to say "I'm a Survivor!". The fact that I am this lucky compared to other people is not beyond me. And I don't intend to ignore God's wake up call to live my best life......physically, spiritually and emotionally. I will turn this mess into my message, and spend my years advocating for earlier screening guidelines.
All this being said, I uncomfortably and very humbly am raising the white flag and asking for assistance from my loved ones, friends and community during this challenging time. The treatments, specialists and constant appointments have left me financially struggling. Although I have worked through all of this thus far, I am beginning to feel the financial strain to support Regis (my beloved pup!) and myself. The side effects are catching up to me enormously. My parents gave what they had to fix my car and I just cannot stand that they have so much worry and fear. Any donation is greatly appreciated and no donation is too small. Donations will be used for rent, co-pays, prescriptions (geezus the medicines involved, oy vey!!!), gas for travel, paying someone to watch Regis while I'm in Cottage, etc etc etc. I am about to not be able to work anymore until after I've recovered fully and am released to work. (About 2-3 months). I want to show my daughter and granddaughters how to be strong even in the face of something so fearful - that faith in Him will prevail all, and that being vulnerable and asking for help is also a great, great strength.
One of my best friend's mom has been sending me encouragement cards with many scriptures and this one is one of my most favored.........John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me". I have felt God's spirit and his helpers every day here on Earth and I am so grateful for everything and everyone.
Love,
Lisa
#rectully
#luvyourbuns
#colorectalcancerawareness
On February 6th of this year, after having a routine colonoscopy (what in the what - hello 50's!!??!!) I didn't even make it back to the dressing room after the procedure, when the Dr. and nurses shuffled my parents and I into a little exam room and told us I had colorectal cancer. In shock, I couldn't stop seeing the look in my Mom and Dad's eyes as the room sort of spun for a second. Honestly though, I became real sturdy real fast because I knew from watching best friends of mine that a positive attitude was going to be my greatest healing strength! And so began the whirlwind of the biopsy, CT scan, MRI and appointments, appointments, appointments. (Co-pays, co-pays, co-pays LOL). Don't get me wrong, I am BEYOND BLESSED to finally have a group medical benefit plan after trying to get (woefully) by on CoveredCa for years.
On March 26th I began 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments in SB (I live in Buellton), chemotherapy and holding down my full time job to aggressively attack Stage II colorectal cancer (actually, more on the rectal, than the 'colo' but it's embarasssssssing). Then as luck would have it, my beloved old jalopy of a jeep decided to let me know in no uncertain terms that it needed the whole front end replaced to the tune of $3,600.00. My folks and I are pretty blue collar, but somehow my parents came up with that money and made sure safe daily trips to & from SB were made. My parents have been by my side every step of the way and I know how VERY blessed I am to have them with me. They are just the true meaning of people that are 'salt of the Earth'. My closest friends have jumped in and helped me shore up financial holes every month - and for them i will always be indebted and have the utmost gratitude.
On June 27th I will have laparoscopic surgery to have the bugger of a tumor removed and hoping beyond hope that the cansah is contained to the areas that the scans and imaging have previously indicated. This Monday June 3rd, I will have a procedure for my colorectal surgeon (the amazingly smart & beautiful Dr. Yurcho!) to see how well the treatments thus far have worked. (Prayers if you wouldn't mind please!?) After the surgery I will be out of work for hopefully just about 8 weeks and then can get back to my job in the vineyard management industry that I love so much. And I know that my co-workers are super hopeful I will return before harvest starts in September! Fingers crossed! Around that time I will start chemotherapy again and that will be for an additional 6 months. So this journey will be about a year all in - and then I hope to spend the rest of my years gratefully watching my daughter and granddaughters live their lives and be able to say "I'm a Survivor!". The fact that I am this lucky compared to other people is not beyond me. And I don't intend to ignore God's wake up call to live my best life......physically, spiritually and emotionally. I will turn this mess into my message, and spend my years advocating for earlier screening guidelines.
All this being said, I uncomfortably and very humbly am raising the white flag and asking for assistance from my loved ones, friends and community during this challenging time. The treatments, specialists and constant appointments have left me financially struggling. Although I have worked through all of this thus far, I am beginning to feel the financial strain to support Regis (my beloved pup!) and myself. The side effects are catching up to me enormously. My parents gave what they had to fix my car and I just cannot stand that they have so much worry and fear. Any donation is greatly appreciated and no donation is too small. Donations will be used for rent, co-pays, prescriptions (geezus the medicines involved, oy vey!!!), gas for travel, paying someone to watch Regis while I'm in Cottage, etc etc etc. I am about to not be able to work anymore until after I've recovered fully and am released to work. (About 2-3 months). I want to show my daughter and granddaughters how to be strong even in the face of something so fearful - that faith in Him will prevail all, and that being vulnerable and asking for help is also a great, great strength.
One of my best friend's mom has been sending me encouragement cards with many scriptures and this one is one of my most favored.........John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me". I have felt God's spirit and his helpers every day here on Earth and I am so grateful for everything and everyone.
Love,
Lisa
#rectully
#luvyourbuns
#colorectalcancerawareness
Organiser
Lisa Tully
Organiser
Buellton, CA