Lisa's Healing Place
Donation protected
As most of you receiving this know, Lisa Roberts - super mom to Cole and Mason, wife to Doug and rock star dog mom to Milly - was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2014 (when Cole was 9 and Mason was 6).
What has followed as the diagnosis sunk in and treatments began has been nothing short of an emotional and physical roller coaster for Lisa and her family. No one is more tired of the C word than Lisa. And yet, here we are 6 years into that diagnosis, and things are getting real very fast.
Over the past several weeks, Lisa took a much-needed break between one grueling chemo protocol and another (during which time, the cancer has not taken a break) and has done some soul searching and serious research as to what other means there are to improving her quality of life and boosting her immune system as well as her spirit - an alternative to chemo therapy. For the warrior woman we know and love, this is a time of reckoning.
After conducting extensive research to find a place that meets all of her needs with the full support of friends and her family, Lisa has chosen a full immersion, in-residence program at an integrative healing clinic to focus 100% on the healing of her whole being - mind, body, spirit. Sanoviv Medical Institute (Sanoviv Healing Institute ) was chosen by Lisa for its highly regarded excellence in oncology and full person wellness.
While there, Lisa will be working with doctors, psychologists, nutritionists, movement specialists and more - all day every day for 3 weeks, starting March 16th. She expects to return home to her family in early April - with a rested, stronger body and a hopeful mindset - ready to meet whatever comes next. Lisa will return home with a personalized program designed during her stay.
This GoFundMe campaign - Lisa’s Healing Place - is being set up to help the family absorb the cost of this significant uninsured expense. This is the first time the Roberts’ family is asking for financial help. As you may know, Doug is the sole financial provider for the family, and he is self-employed, which means that all medical payments are out of pocket. Although they have been able to keep up with the ongoing costs of Lisa’s medical costs, this is a big hit to that budget.
It takes great courage and vulnerability to ask for help. Which is why I’m asking for them - with their blessing (read Lisa’s heartfelt note below).
There is no donation too small. You may donate anonymously. If you are unable to donate financially, please continue to share her story. Please know that whatever form your support comes in, Lisa and Doug's journey is enriched by your being in their lives. I will post updates on this site to keep you abreast of Lisa’s progress and well-being.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LISA'S LETTER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
History:
Many of you know about my cancer diagnosis six years ago, Stage IV Breast Cancer with metastasis in my bones. Through chemo, radiation and other supplemental therapies, I was able to rid my body of those tumors. However, almost two years ago, the cancer came back and has been growing in my liver ever since.
I have continued with western medicine and have participated in studies and endured more chemo. All told, including hormonal therapies, I have been on twelve different drugs over these past six years.
But it isn’t working. The cancer is still growing.
My Current Situation:
I have been under the care of UC San Francisco who has an excellent breast oncology department. My doctor does not believe that she can cure me – at best we are trying to shrink the tumors and prevent more from spreading. The only tools that she has to do that is more and more chemo – for the rest of my life.
The last two weeks have been particularly challenging because I have been experiencing shortness of breath and the doctors don’t know why. I have had multiple tests (CT scans, x-rays, EKG, echocardiogram and more) and it shows that my heart and lungs are strong, but it doesn’t tell us the reason for the shortness of breath. This will be one of my first areas of focus when I arrive at the clinic.
This has felt like being on a plane with no particular destination in mind and running out of fuel and oxygen. This scenario doesn’t end well.
A Leap of Faith:
Over these past six years I have educated myself about my disease, I’ve read many books, attended workshops, used alternative therapies and much more. I’ve also been juggling the full-time life of a mom of two young boys.
What I haven’t done is take a deep dive into an integrated approach to healing or taken the time to focus 100% on myself. Which is what I am about to do now.
My goal is to beat back this cancer and rebuild my immune system. My boys are too young to live their lives without me. I am doing this to save my life and to improve the quality of life. I have realistic expectations, but I still believe in miracles and the power of community!
Thank You!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such an amazingly supportive community. You lift me up on days when I need it – and there have been many of those days.
Love & light,
Lisa
What has followed as the diagnosis sunk in and treatments began has been nothing short of an emotional and physical roller coaster for Lisa and her family. No one is more tired of the C word than Lisa. And yet, here we are 6 years into that diagnosis, and things are getting real very fast.
Over the past several weeks, Lisa took a much-needed break between one grueling chemo protocol and another (during which time, the cancer has not taken a break) and has done some soul searching and serious research as to what other means there are to improving her quality of life and boosting her immune system as well as her spirit - an alternative to chemo therapy. For the warrior woman we know and love, this is a time of reckoning.
After conducting extensive research to find a place that meets all of her needs with the full support of friends and her family, Lisa has chosen a full immersion, in-residence program at an integrative healing clinic to focus 100% on the healing of her whole being - mind, body, spirit. Sanoviv Medical Institute (Sanoviv Healing Institute ) was chosen by Lisa for its highly regarded excellence in oncology and full person wellness.
While there, Lisa will be working with doctors, psychologists, nutritionists, movement specialists and more - all day every day for 3 weeks, starting March 16th. She expects to return home to her family in early April - with a rested, stronger body and a hopeful mindset - ready to meet whatever comes next. Lisa will return home with a personalized program designed during her stay.
This GoFundMe campaign - Lisa’s Healing Place - is being set up to help the family absorb the cost of this significant uninsured expense. This is the first time the Roberts’ family is asking for financial help. As you may know, Doug is the sole financial provider for the family, and he is self-employed, which means that all medical payments are out of pocket. Although they have been able to keep up with the ongoing costs of Lisa’s medical costs, this is a big hit to that budget.
It takes great courage and vulnerability to ask for help. Which is why I’m asking for them - with their blessing (read Lisa’s heartfelt note below).
There is no donation too small. You may donate anonymously. If you are unable to donate financially, please continue to share her story. Please know that whatever form your support comes in, Lisa and Doug's journey is enriched by your being in their lives. I will post updates on this site to keep you abreast of Lisa’s progress and well-being.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LISA'S LETTER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
History:
Many of you know about my cancer diagnosis six years ago, Stage IV Breast Cancer with metastasis in my bones. Through chemo, radiation and other supplemental therapies, I was able to rid my body of those tumors. However, almost two years ago, the cancer came back and has been growing in my liver ever since.
I have continued with western medicine and have participated in studies and endured more chemo. All told, including hormonal therapies, I have been on twelve different drugs over these past six years.
But it isn’t working. The cancer is still growing.
My Current Situation:
I have been under the care of UC San Francisco who has an excellent breast oncology department. My doctor does not believe that she can cure me – at best we are trying to shrink the tumors and prevent more from spreading. The only tools that she has to do that is more and more chemo – for the rest of my life.
The last two weeks have been particularly challenging because I have been experiencing shortness of breath and the doctors don’t know why. I have had multiple tests (CT scans, x-rays, EKG, echocardiogram and more) and it shows that my heart and lungs are strong, but it doesn’t tell us the reason for the shortness of breath. This will be one of my first areas of focus when I arrive at the clinic.
This has felt like being on a plane with no particular destination in mind and running out of fuel and oxygen. This scenario doesn’t end well.
A Leap of Faith:
Over these past six years I have educated myself about my disease, I’ve read many books, attended workshops, used alternative therapies and much more. I’ve also been juggling the full-time life of a mom of two young boys.
What I haven’t done is take a deep dive into an integrated approach to healing or taken the time to focus 100% on myself. Which is what I am about to do now.
My goal is to beat back this cancer and rebuild my immune system. My boys are too young to live their lives without me. I am doing this to save my life and to improve the quality of life. I have realistic expectations, but I still believe in miracles and the power of community!
Thank You!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such an amazingly supportive community. You lift me up on days when I need it – and there have been many of those days.
Love & light,
Lisa
Organizer and beneficiary
Deb Hanni
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Doug Roberts
Beneficiary