LTich

I just arrived home a few hours ago. I wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the thoughts & prayers. I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me & my family. Prayers & thoughtfulness of others are the only thing that got us through the past 6 or so days. During the visitation, I realized a very special gift that Mom gave to us. We got to see so many beloved family members & dear friends. Some of whom we haven't seen in 20 or more years. Several of my old high school friends that I had lost touch with & even their parents showed up to extend their sympathies & pay their respects to my Mother. My Mom touched so many lives, far more than I realized. People filed past the casket for 6 hours straight & they were still showing up as it was time to go. The guest book has several hundred signatures in it. At least 100 of her coworkers showed up as well. It was an incredible tribute which spoke volumes about my Mom. She was a super coworker, super Mom & super Wife that touched so many lives. She will live on in the hearts of many. I am so proud to have her blood in me. Thanks again, Lisa

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. So much has happened over the last 6 months. My Father called a short while ago to let me know that my Mom is very near the end of her battle with cancer. It has consumed her brain & she can no longer speak. Hospice has been caring for her around the clock at home so she can die in peace. My sister is flying in from Orlando this weekend & we are driving up (Illinois) to see Mom Friday afternoon. We actually planned the trip a few weeks ago & I believe in my heart that Mom is holding out until I can be by her side. My Dad is crushed because Mom is his entire world. They have been married 45 wonderful years. I think he believed she would beat this until a few weeks ago even though the doctors didn't offer any hope from the beginning. Mom is the center of my entire family & this will be devastating for us all to go through. I know she is my rock & I will be lost without her. I couldn't have asked for a better Mom. I wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful advice, love & support throughout our journey. Although she is losing the battle, she won the war because she has lived her life to the fullest over the past year. We have been very blessed to have this special time with Mom. Please send your thoughts & prayers our way. We need all we can get to help us through this very tough time. Lisa ----------------------------------------------- My Mom passed away early yesterday morning (March 1st) about 6:20 AM in her sleep. She went the way she wanted to go. I am devastated that I didn't get to be by her side but, it really was a blessing because she wasn't afraid or in any pain. None of us thought she would go so quickly but, my Mom was a special lady & a lady always knows when it's time to leave. My Dad came in just after she passed & stayed with her until the funeral director came. He laid next to her & held her for two hours saying his special good-bye to Mom. They shared something so precious & knew a secret recipe to making a marriage last, an ingredient that illudes so many of us. It has been the absolute hardest day of my life & the worst was telling my children, one by one, as they returned home from school. It was especially hard for Ethan (5) because he knows what death is but doesn't grasp it completely. He kept asking through tears why he can't see his Grandma anymore. I wish I could help him to understand. We are still planning on leaving tomorrow to help with funeral arrangements and be there to comfort Daddy. I thank you all for the support & prayers. It is deeply appreciated. with love, Lisa

Darrel, SO sorry about the recent developments. You are a fighter though & can beat this! Your in my thoughts & prayers. Lisa

Thanks so much everyone, for all the well wishes & support You guys know your the absolute best, right? Love & hugs, Lisa

First, I wanted to apologize for not posting lately. I still come here often to read & catch up on everyone. I want you all to know you are in my thoughts & prayers. I have Systemic Lupus & I've been dealing with a flare that left me bed ridden. I am much better now though. Just trying to stay well for my Mom. My Mom's recent scans showed progression in the tumor near her Thyroid & spine. It has increased by 5.1 x 5.2 cm. Also, more cancer nodules were found on her thyroid. The rest of the tumors seem to be stable but they are not really focusing on those. If they can't stop the one in her neck it's all over. They started her on Carboplatin once every 4 weeks & Camptosar every 3 weeks, indeffinantly. So far, so good. She is handling it all pretty well. She amazes me with her strength & courage. In the midst of all this, my sponsor came through for me. My website, Common Bonds, has now been launched on it's own site instead of being a part of KatrinaTribute.info . The new URL is www.CommonBonds.info . I wanted to thank you all again for participating. The site continues to grow & the feedback has been wonderful! Big Hugs, Lisa PS. I'm the 'ugly' part of this post because the high doses of Prednisone made my face swell like a balloon

Here is a wonderful website that I wanted to share with you all (make sure you have your sounds on)..... http://www.thesurvivormovie.com/ ((((((((hugs)))))))) to everyone! Lisa

Driving Seriously, with 5 kids, our budget was already stretched as far as it would go before the hikes. It's hurting us & so many others I know. In one Tennessee county, they are closing school on Mondays & Fridays because the cost of gas for the buses exceeded what the budget would allow.

Been a rotten couple of weeks here in Tennessee, weather wise. We have had several tornadoes hit the state & 36 people have been killed . They are predicting more dangerous weather for us Wednesday. My 17 y.o. daughter & I are weather enthusiasts. We decided to video the nasty weather. Once we got outside on our covered porch, the wind stopped completely & we thought we missed the show. You can hear my daughter on the tape saying "Come on, show us something!". Well, she got her wish, not 5 seconds later. A huge bolt of lightening struck the tree just feet in front of us. It even arced over & gave us a little jolt. We are both OK but I think our storm chasing days are over Got great video footage of it though! I'm trying to figure out a way to upload it online. If & when I do, I will be sure to share.

Donna- I'm so, so sorry to hear of Warren's passing. You're in my thoughts & prayers. Lisa

Donna- So sorry to hear about the bad news. Please don't give up hope. Try not to focus on the numbers, doctors are wrong all the time. You just can't put a number on the human spirit & will to live. Focus on the incredible love the two of you share & savor every moment. You & Warren are in my thoughts & prayers. Big Hugs, Lisa

Cindy- I'm so thrilled about your great news! You should be celebrating, woman! Really, it does me SO good to come here & read this. It gives me & many others hope! Your news brought the first big smile to my face in days. Big Hugs, Lisa

Thanks everyone. It good to come here, knowing that everyone understands how hard this is. Still fighting this melancholy mood though. I have to force myself out of bed most days & my heart is my throat every time the phone rings. My own goofy health problems are not helping matters either. I seemed to have lost my thunder. If you see it please send it back my way! (sense of humor still in tact) Lisa

I went to visit her this past weekend (March 3,4,5). She looked better than at Christmas but said she "felt worse than ever". Only 2 Chemo treatments left & they will do scans to see where we stand. We are, of course, very scared & hopeful. Mom is afraid for the Chemo to end but at the same time is looking forward to it. She doesn't know at this point if she will go through anymore treatments, if they are recommended. No matter what she decides, we will be there for her every step of the way. It took me almost a week to feel strong enough to come here & post this. I felt sick on the drive home & thought I had the flu. It wasn't the flu, it was reality kicking in I guess. Each time I say good-bye to her, it could be the last time. I guess that is true for everyone on this earth but, it seems so much more real when Cancer is involved. I am angry that she has to suffer like this and I am powerless to stop it. It's very hard not to be overcome by the overwhelming feeling that all of our lives are about to change for the worse. At the same, time feeling very blessed that we have been given this time together & the knowledge that life is so very precious. Despite the melancholy mood, hope is still alive. I hold onto it like a child with a security blanket. I know in my heart, that no matter what happens, I will always have my Mother safe in my heart.

Thanks everyone You guys are the best! Warren- Thank you. Just pass the site around so it can continue on it's journey of love, compassion & hope! I also need contributions of stories & pictures, etc. Please feel free submit link suggestions as well (many are listed on the Information page). The slide show can be used for fundraisers too & I will be happy to send it to anyone who wishes to use it. Lisa

Common Bonds: Tribute to Cancer Patients, Caregivers & their Families. http://www.katrinatribute.info/index2.html (This is only the temporary home of the website. It will be moved to it's permanent home, sometime in the near future.) Special thanks to everyone who participated with pictures &/or ideas! Without you, none of this would have been possible. If you have lost a loved one from Cancer, please feel free to submit their picture & information for the Common Bonds Memorial Virtual Quilt. I would be honored to add them. I'm also adding a stories page very soon. Please submit your story & a picture to this very special project! There is no limits on story size. In addition, I am looking to add more information about fundraisers taking place. If you have an upcoming event, please let us know about it so we can get the word out! You can contact me here: ENLTich1104@aol.com God bless you all, Lisa