I'll try to keep this entry short since I have to be up early. I am still feeling great, which honestly really surprises me. I hope it lasts through the weekend so I can enjoy all the fun things I've got planned. Tomorrow I'm heading to Ocean City, NJ to help get the beach house ready for the season with my parents, Aunt Pat, and Kate. I am so excited to see them! It will be great to be back at the shore too since I missed out on last year's family vacation while I was studying abroad in Italy.
Tomorrow night I will hopefully be heading out with Chiya, Colleen, Justin, and two of Chiya's friends to downtown Newark. One of the two is Christy Weaver (Carolyn, somehow Christy and I have never met despite how close our families are!). It will be good to finally get to know her. I haven't really seen any of my friends yet since I got home (aside from Dan, of course), so it should be fun. Chiya stopped by this past Monday, but I barely remember the visit. I was pretty sick coming off of the oxycodone from my biopsy. She sat by me in bed for a while and kept me company though, which was really nice of her. I am lucky to have such a good friend.
Sunday evening my Dad is hoping to take Keen and I to see Dar Williams play at the Concert Under the Stars. I really hope I'm feeling up for that.
Today was another good day though. Mom and I went to Booth's Corner and bought all sorts of delicious food, but had no luck finding any wigs. I will have to try the other farmer's market at Hare's Corner (I think that's the name) down by the airport. That must be the one my doctors were referring to when they talked about a wig shop.
I am really eager to get going with this search for my new hair. Dan has offered to shave his head with me so that I don't have to be bald alone. That should be an interesting bonding experience for us. I am told it will be better to shave it before it falls out on its own so that I feel more of a sense of control. It is likely to fall out in clumps, too, which probably wouldn't be a pretty sight. Losing my red hair is probably the aspect of this cancer treatment that I'm most nervous about. But I suppose it's just hair. It grows back.
Aunt Kara also stopped by today. She brought Lindt truffles (my FAVORITE!) and told us all about the new boat she and Uncle John just purchased. She invited us down to visit sometime this coming week to take the boat out and enjoy some Chesapeake seafood. Yum :)
On that happy note, I'm headed to bed. I may not get a chance to post tomorrow since I'll be in Ocean City for most of the day, but I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend thus far. I certainly am! Thank you to all who have sent me cards and prayers in the mail. I am going to make a chain of the well-wishes I receive to hang around my bed so I can look at them on the days when I'm feeling really yucky. Hopefully I don't have too many of those though...so far so good.
Lots of love,
Lauren
6 comments:
Hi Lauren..Aunt Anna her in OHIO. Uncle Len and I were just shockec to hear of your diagnosis. Just read your journal entries and it sounded like my 83 year old ladyfriend who is on her second year fighting her cancer. Her 93 year old husband of 60 years and she are still hanging in there. We took them out picnicing on Tues and they loved it. If they can do it, I'm sure you can beat this with your beautiful, aggressive attitude. Good luck and God Bless..I've forwarded to all the family, so we're all with you in thoughts and prayers. Just a thought... have you considered donating your hair to a non profit place to have wigs made so that someone could look as beautiful as you with that gorgeous red hair?? I heard that it is possible.
Love and hugs to you and all the family and Dan, too. Aunt Ann & Unc Len
Hi Lauren, Uncle Ken here, First, Congrats on your graduation! Well done. Grandmom gave me the link to your blog site. What a great tool to keep up with your progress. I am so happy to hear that you are still feeling well. I have been thinking about you everyday since your diagnosis. Your confidence and strength are going to get you through this bump in your life. Take comfort in knowing that your family is there and everyone is pulling for you. Zach and Liz send their love and wish for your speedy recovery. I gave them the link to your site. Your such a champ. Hang in there. Lotsa luv and big hugz to ya.
Uncle Ken
Hey Lauren, Uncle Gary and Evan here. Just wondering how your doing. You sound real upbeat. We are constantly thinking of you down here in M-Town. I called your house earlier and no one was home. You guys must be in OC. We just got back from seeing the third Shrek movie. Molly laughed through the entire movie. The boys thought it was okay. Evan is standing over my shoulder waiting to type a message to you so I'm turning over the keyboard to him. Here he is.
Hi Lauren, you are one of the nicest cousins out of all 8. I miss you. Hope you feel better soon.
Love, Evan
Hope we see you real soon. Love, Uncle Gary, Aunt Laura and the crew.
Hi Lauren,
I love that you have an online journal, I have been checking every day to see how you are doing. I am glad to see that things are going mostly well, and that you are keeping your positive attitude and energy for life that everybody loves about you.
Sounds like you had some fun in there, too! Good to hear! My favorite part was the pink and green pill case because those are my favorite colors. I can just picture you smuggling ice cream into the movies, haha.
Hope your day in Ocean City was fun, and have a happy Memorial Day! I'm thinking of you every day - said a prayer for you in church this morning. Take care Lauren!
Love,
Janine
Hi Lauren: Aunt Joanne and Uncle Ken in Alaska. Congratulations on your graduation. Wow! A Loyola graduate and accepted into a law school to boot. How proud we are of you.
Naturally, we are shocked to hear of your cancer diagnosis. How dare it strike another member of our family? It is not kind. However, you can just tell that lymphoma flatly that you are far from alone in this battle. You have a wealth of family and friends who are supporting and praying for you. The power of prayer is joining your treatments to reduce those nasty cells into ashes.
I've made a special request to the Blessed Virgin Mary to place her hand on your shoulder to guide and comfort you. I'm confident she is there with you.
Grandma ML sent us your blog site. It is great that you are doing that. You are a fantastic writer. I still pull out and re-read your wonderful tribute to my brother (and your Grandpop) "Grape Soda and Grandpop's Garage." It is good to know how things are going with you and the family. Your blog is giving us the benefit of visits with Lauren. That is a treat for us. We realized that we have some things in common. We were pleasantly surprised at "Night in the Museum" which we thoroughly enjoyed. We enjoy The Pirates movies as well.
You are in our thoughts and prayers each day. You are so positive and brave. Know that we are there for you when the going gets rough as well. Recall the poem "Footprints."
Give our regards to your parents and sister.
God Bless You All
Love ya,
Aunt Joanne and Uncle Ken
Lauren, Christine, Jeff and Drew are signing in to cheer you on and to congratulate you on your recent graduation.
We love your journal and appreciate the challenge you are facing. It seems like no family is left untouched by serious illnesses. We are praying for you and look forward to your next journal entry.
We will be in touch again soon and look forward to discussing a meaningful and positive project that you may want to participate in...take care-
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