Great News...

  I saw my wonderful oncologist today, (Dr. Sunkara), who I just adore and was very happy to learn that I'm doing well and my blood-work continues to improve.  I was there today for a Pre-Chemo appointment and will be having my Chemo tomorrow morning.

   Since we will be going out to San Diego for Thanksgiving, I was delighted to find out the I am doing so well, that I can now "skip" a chemo appointment or simply have it a week or so later.  I am also super excited because she also told me I can plan to go out there for a month or more, which is something I may do, IF we start to have another awful winter, new in New England.  After last year, and also still dealing with Fibromyalgia and Disc Disease, I truly HATE winter and each year seems to get harder and harder!  I have more pain, feel awful and can never seem to feel warm.   We've heard some "long range" forecast that say we are in for another Winter, just like that....UGH!

  So...now with a "Free" Round Trip ticket I have coming from Jet Blue Miles, I know I can plan to go out...and then simply stay for an few weeks or even a month.  Dr. Sunkara told me, she could also arrange for me to have Chemo out there, IF I needed or wanted to stay longer.  Yippee!

  Now, I am HOPING to search for a Rental for a month, in the San Diego "Downtown" area.  Ideally, if I can find a nice furnished 1-2 Bedroom, that's my goal.  I have excellent references and do own my own home, so IF you know any real estate agents of ANY rentals in January or February, Please Share.  Hoping I'll find a place with an extra bedroom or "sleeper" couch, so I can invite friends to come out and stay with me for a week or so.  That way Hubby and even Alex and Acacia.

   I'm so excited and will look up some "people" and places when we go out next month. I am thrilled that Alex and Acacia are coming with us and that I'll be having "Thanksgiving" with both my boys for the first time in a LONG time!

   I'm feeling much better now and back to created and have gone back to designing for the a2z Scrapbooking Store, which I Love.  I went to a one-day card-making retreat - ArtLoftRetreat down in RI, his past Sunday and I'm also off to the Simon Say Stamp "CREATE 2015" big event for 4 days, starting October 22nd.  One of my dear craft friends, from Virginia (Pat Crank) is coming too and we'll be sharing a room at the Hotel when all the classes and events are hosted.  I also have some old friends that live up in Montville (near Cleveland) and they too are coming down to the Hotel that Weekend, so we can get together, have dinner and hang out a bit.  I have not seen "Frank and Karen" in over 25 years..so this is a huge treat.  We have even lost touch for several years and I was lucky to find Karen on Facebook about three years ago.  We've been trying to plan some sort of get-together and has talked about driving to Upstate NY (the halfway point for us both) and meeting for a weekend..but 'driving is still way too exhausting for me.  I'd much rather fly anywhere and be there fast.   I can't wait to seem them and Pat, not to mention be part of this amazing event.

   That's my update and as you can tell I'm still in "Remission" and doing well.  Still have to have the one type of "Chemo" and talk lots of meds, so I'm not 100% yet and don't exactly feel like my "ole" self, but I hope in time that will come back!!

    Overall.....I feel like I've been Blessed with a Miracle to be doing this well in six month.  I still have what is consider "Incurable" but treatable Cancer, which I why I'm doing the Chemo and CT Scans every 90 days.  I have that coming up next and pray it is as good as the last time!  WOOHOO! Thanks again for all the prayers, cards, phone calls, emails and your wonderful SUPPORT!!

Another good month...

  I was so surprised when I popped in here to see that it's been a full month since my last post.  It's been busy month, but also a great month.  I've been feeling great and had my first "mini" chemo as I now call it, these preventative treatments.  I'm actually due for my second one and that will be tomorrow..time sure flies!!

   I've been back to card-making which I had MISSED so much...it's always been my form or relaxation and like a form of therapy for me.   I've also returned to my position on the a2z Scrapbooking Design Team, which I also love.  If you are a card-maker, then please join our latest challenge HERE, or if you love to shop for the latest and greatest from Hero Arts, then please visit our ETSY store.  I'm happy to share my Design Team Promo Code -- LISAH15 -- which will save you 15% on any and ALL orders of $25 and up (excluding shipping).  WOOHOO!

   On top of being back to creating, I'm also delighted to be part of brand new Dachshund Rescue, based here in Massachusetts.  It's called Paw Affection Dachshund Rescue and was created by my dear friend, Arleen Guyan, who was also Zeva's Foster-mom for the first 9 months of her life. She has worked in Rescue for many years and having her own, is perfect for her and all the Pups she and the Rescue will help.  You can find our website HERE and a link to our Facebook Page--hop on over to FB and LIKE us!  I attended my first dog event with the group earlier this month and had a blast.  I'll be off the another one, this weekend, called "Woofstock Dog Festival" and I'm very much looking forward to it.   I also have a little Etsy Store where I am selling wonderful "doggie" items to benefit the Rescue.  100% of the money raised goes directly to Paw Affection, please stop by and do some shopping anytime!!  I want to again thank my amazing "Daughter" Meghan who hand-crafted all the wonderful dog collars in my store.  Meghan is also the owner of "Fold Leather Company" and I adore her and am so proud of her amazing accomplishments this year!  Love you Meg!!

   And speaking of "kids", both of my boys (men) are doing awesome.  Brian is enjoying his very busy life in San Diego and I'm looking forward to our next trip out to see him, which will be for Thanksgiving.  Alex is also doing great and he and Acacia will be flying out to Cali with us so that we can all celebrate Thanksgiving together.  This will be the first time, he and Acacia have been to an Diego and we are looking forward to doing some of the fun things the city has to offer.  We hope to get to SeaWorld, the Zoo and also down to Seaport Village, where I Love to shop.  

   So that's about it for me!  As you can tell, I had a great month and have enjoyed feeling better.  I hope that each and every day I continue to remain cancer free and that in time, I'll be able to stop the Chemo and also slowly taper off more of the meds I have been taking for the last six months. Hopefully, I'll be off the blood-thinners next, which should be soon!

  Wishing you all a wonderful Fall...and hoping you are all well and enjoying LIFE!!  Never take even ONE day for granted, causerie we really do not know what tomorrow may bring!  Cherish every day, something I'm finally learning to do!

  Hugz and love you all and thanks for the continued support, prayers and LOVE....

My Cancer is in Remission!!!

I went for my MRI yesterday and had my follow-up appointments today and I am so HAPPY to tell you AL that my CANCER is gone.  Both the lung tumor and the brain tumor are now basically tiny 'blips" on each image, the swelling in my brain is also gone and I am now pretty much  considered to be in "Remission"
I am SO very thankful and grateful.,...not only to my entire medical team, but to my family, my life long friends and all the wonderful gals/guys I have met though the world of creating.  Each of you has played such an important part in helping me fight and WIN this battle.   I love you all so much for the kindness you have shared with me and want you all to know how much it means to me.
I've been showered with good thoughts, lots of love, prayers and support and I am 100% sure that this has all played an vital part in me winning.   Yes, I still have to be followed and all my docs will continue to monitor me very closely, but I'm on the road to recover and it feels fantastic.  I see my local Oncologist (Dr. Sunkara) on September 1st, as my last follow up with her, but will NOT need any more chemo or radiation, at this time.  I'll also be scheduled CT Scans in six months and then will follow up with my Brain Team, at Lahey in Burlington and Peabody!
To say I am delighted is not nearly early...it's almost like I am living in a dream and this almost seems surreal..but its' NOT...its' TRUE and I could NOT feel more blessed or happy!
THANK YOU all for all you have done!   Every word has touched me greatly and I adore each and everyone of you for being here for me and I know you'll continue to support me as I continue to beat this!   I'm a HAPPY and very LUCKY girl!  I swore I would NOT let it win and I would NEVER give up!   Being upbeat and as confident as possible has also played a huge part in this!

BIG HUGS and LOTS OF LOVE!!

Some happy News!!

Hi Friends.....

Sorry that I'm behind in updates, I try to keep up, but after a wonderful trip to San Diego, I ended up being pretty darn sick and was on basic bed rest for about ten days.  The good news is that I'm now feeling so much better and my docs think the illness was a side effect of me coming off of steroids.  I am now back on them on a low dose and think this is exactly what I needed. As for some more WONDERFUL news, I had three CT Scans earlier this week, to check on my Lung tumor to and make certain that this nasty cancer had not spread into my abdomen or pelvic region.  The results were excellent and I found out that my lung tumor is now GONE!   Yippee!   I'll be followed very closely, but for the next few weeks, I do NOT have to have any CHEMO!   Again a great thing.   I see Dr. Sunkara, my local oncologist on September 1st, and at that time, we'll decide what, if any more treatments will may take. I am also being scheduled for a Brain MRI (which for me, has to be done under sedation).  I'm one of those people who is so extremely claustrophobic that I go into an intense Panic Attack, IF I even try to have an MRI of my head with being "out".   I even failed miserably in an OPEN MRI, whcih was a horrible and very frightening experience for me.  I've learned to be able to now tolerate CT Scans, which as you may know are MUCH more open...more like an open do-nut versus that dreadful tube.  Even so, I have to take "Ativan" but it works for me and allows me to have that test, which is also MUCH faster and easier than any MRI. CT Scan do now show nearly enough detail of Brain tumors, although I had one in July which did show that my tumor had shrunk...again, YIPPEE!  Now it's time to have the MRI and get the absolute best pictures so we can determine how the brain tumor responded to the specialized radiation I had done back in May.   I will be admitting as a day surgery type patient to Lahey in Burlington sometime this week and have a follow up appointment with both my Brain Physician's - Dr. Omeara and Dr. Dempsey at Lahey in Peabody this coming Friday, August 21st. In the meantime I can't wait to feel a bit better so I can get back to creating...I MISS it so very much and am looking forward to that.    I also wanted to share some more exciting news about a new Dachshund Rescue that I am now a part of.  It's called Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue and was opened by a dear friend, Arleen Guyan who was previously with the rescue where I adopted Skye and Zeva.  Arleen is a gem and a wonderful assent to the Dachshund community.  He has fostered many dogs and is such a kind and caring woman. I've become very attached to here and am honored to be one of her volunteers.  I'll be attending events with her in the Fall, will help with Fundraising and also as of today have -re-opened by ETSY Store where I'll be selling goodies again to raise funds for this wonderful group.  You can LIKE us on Facebook at this link, or also visit our Website! I also am selling custom leather "dog collars" that were designed for me by Meghan Golden Eastman (my wonderful Daughter), who is the owner of Fold Leather Company.  These custom collars are designed a wonderful soft "Italian Leather" and the most suitably designed for small dogs like Doxies, Chiweenies, and Chihuahuas etc. .    All funds raised from the sale of the collars will go directly the Paw-Affection.  We will also be selling them soon in my Etsy Store, our eBay Store and also at the Dog Events we attend.  A list of the events were are attending can be found on our website.   If you would like to donate to this amazing new rescue, you can do so also on our website, using the PayPal donate link.  If you would like to buy one from me directly, please send me a message at leezza@gmail.com - or at Purple_Place@verizon.net and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.  Each collar is adjustable, with a hidden snap closure, please contact me for exact sizes, as they were designed for smaller dogs
  For a limited time, I will sell them to my online friends for a cost of only $22.00 which includes FREE USA Shipping!  If you would like multiple collars, please ask me about a discount!!

Paw-Affection Fundraiser Custom Dog Collars

All proceeds will be donated directly to: I am truly honored to be part of amazing new Dachshund Rescue and am confident that we will be placing lots of wonderful dogs into new loving and caring homes.  For information on working with us, adopting one of the Paws-Affection Dogs, please visit our site!   We are also looking for new Foster homes, Volunteers and people who want to adopt and help in any way you can!     Thank YOU!! Hugs and love,

A little Break!!

   After my good news, I have been taking things a bit slower and am taking a little break from my blog for the next couple of weeks.

   I am headed back out to San Diego for a wonderful little vacation and to spend more time with both Brian and Meg.  This is all about total rest and relaxation and I am really looking forward to this trip.

   I'll be back early the first week in August and hope to have more time them to post more often and keep everyone updated.  

   I had Chemo this week (7/21) and it went great, with not ill effects now that I have the Zofran to take. I think that is the perfect anti nausea med for me and hope it will continue to provide me relief from the nausea and side effects.

   Have a wonderful week and please know I'm thinking of you all and happy for all the continued support and caring thoughts that continue to come my way!