ThePurplePlace

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

I'm checking in!!

Hi Friends,
It's been a long time, since I updated my blog, but thought I would pop in and share an update and let you know I am here and doing well.
Today, out of the blue I received two beautiful handmade cards in the mail and they both were so nice and really put a big smile on my face. I can't say thank you enough to everyone who has taken the time to think of me and to those who have send me so many beautiful cards and hand written notes. I still have every one of the cards and notes and they are all special and mean so much to me. There is nothing nicer than a handmade card and having been a card-maker for a long time, I know how much I used to love to create and send them off to friends and fellow cardmakers. That is one thing I definitely miss about creating. It's kills me to "buy" cards and we all know they are not nearly as nice and those we can make.
Today I send thanks to Michelle.(Handmade by Michelle), a wonderful designer who I have known for many years and who has sent me some really lovely cards these past few years. A second thanks goes out to Donna (CraftyColonel), someone I have never met, but she found me via my blog and some old "business cards" I had packed up with goodie boxes and I was doing my "de-stash". It was such a nice surprise to find two cards in today's mail! THANK YOU both very much.
I also want to send a HUGE shout out and Thank you to Kathleen Darroch, who has been sending me her amazing cards faithfully for the last 4 1/2 years! Ever since I first learned I had this damn cancer. I know I don't say it enough, but I sincerely love the support that you have given to me. I really hope that some day we can meet up, so I can give you a big HUG and say thanks in person.
I have met so many wonderful and truly inspirational people in the paper-crafting community, and they are some of the nicest and kindest people in the world. That is the one part of creating that I really miss. I loved taking classes and traveling to events.
As for me, my favorite thing in life now, is spending time with my two grand babies and I am very excited to let you all know that my second precious grand-daughter (Hazel Rae) joined our Family in early July and is the newest little LOVE of my life. She and her big sister Harper are so much fun and truly make me so happy. This is a picture of the two of them and it's one of my all time favorite pictures. I fell in love with it so much that "Acacia" my DIL, had it made into a large canvas for me which was my "favorite" birthday gift this year.

Harper and Hazel

(July 2019)

Hazel at 8 weeks

September 2019

Hazel is now 11 weeks old and Harper is a little over 2 1/2 and she so much fun. "Nanni" takes her to Dancing Class now every week, it's our "One one One" time and she is loving it. This is picture taken on her first day. In case you can't guess, "Nanni" Lisa bought her this little set and of course I picked a shade of purple, since it's still my favorite color. Her's is pink, so I bought her a pink outfit too, but if you ask her what is her favorite color, she always starts by saying that "Nanni's" favorite is Purple. She also loves spending time going out with "Nanni and Papa" and we now take her pretty much every Saturday afternoon. We go out for a late lunch and to the Park or somewhere fun for her.

I am happily doing well in my cancer battle, I'm not "cancer free" but my cancer has been "Stable" now with no new growths or tumors in the last three years, pretty much as close to remission as you can get, but it's rare for any Oncologist to "say" remission for any Stage IV Cancer patient. They prefer to say "NED" No Evidence of Disease or Stable, because we are not "currently" curable and they also don't consider it to be Remission until you've been totally clear for five years. I still have two tiny nodes (most likely just scar tissue), but also some "lingering" opacities in my right lung, so for me it's "Stable"...but I'll happily take then. When I was diagnosed in 2015, it was pretty rare for anyone with Stage IV Non Small Cell Lung Cancer to live for five years, and I also had a brain tumor and a pulmonary embolism, so my diagnosis was even more grim. It's pretty much a miracle that I'm here now and I'm so lucky and thankful for that. I owe it all to my first Oncologist (Dr. Sunkara) which I deeply miss. She moved away for a wonderful career opportunity, but we do keep in touch via email from time to time. She was the doctor who decided to try me on "Opdivo" Nivolumab which had just been FDA approved in late 2015. I was the very first patient at my hospital to go on this type of treatment (Immunotherpay) and I'm also the longest survivor. Many people are also doing well with these drugs (like Keytruda) which most people have now heard of because of the TV Ads. Yet, some have NO response to this treatment. I have since lost many dear "Cancer Support Group" friends and it's so hard to see that. There are so many new patients' whoa re very young. Late 20's and 30's and that breaks my heart. Sadly Lung Cancer has the terrible Stigma of being a smokers disease, but it's NOT/ Most the youngest and new patients. never smoked --IF you have lungs and breath YOU too can get Lung Cancer. It's is the leading Cancer Killer and kills more than Breast, Color and Prostate Cancer Combined. Something I try to spread awareness on every day.
I am now dealing with a basal cell skin cancer (all those years of fun in the sun) and now need to have MOHS surgery and reconstruction of my upper lip and lip in November and I'm not at all looking forward to that. It's a pretty complex procedure and will require two surgeries, one is the MOHS to remove the cancer and then the plastic surgeon will do the close of reconstruction. I've already been through the biopsy and then a treatment with a topical cream (kind of a chemo type cream) that I had to use to try and shrink it down some. If not, I may lose half my upper lip and that kind os scares me. I am so sick and tired or doctors and medical stuff and sadly, I will be under care forever with Metastatic Cancer. I also now broke a molar and need that pulled "under anesthesia" which is complex when you have other health issues and are on blood thinners. Hoping after those two procedures, I can stay away from hospital and doctors for awhile.
But...I am here and LOVING life, especially with these two precious little grand babies...I'm blessed and so thankful to have them in my life.
Hope you are all doing well ! Please take, be well and Cherish every day of good health!!

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Hello and Happy Spring!!

Hi Friends,
I know it's been ages since I have updated my blog, so when I came across it today, I thought I'd post a long overdue post to let you know how things are going.
As for me and my Cancer battle, I am very happy to have just celebrated my 4th Cancerversary, something that I honestly never dreamed would be possible when I was diagnosed back on March 27, 2015. To think that I then had a brain tumor, lung tumors and a pulmonary embolism and a very grim prognosis, I am deeply thankful and grateful to be alive and living life. I've come a long way and beat the odds for sure. I have never asked for a full prognosis, but I know now that I've done much better than most and I'm so lucky that my treatments have worked and are still keeping me stable. Sadly, I've lost some dear friends from my Support Groups and that's been bittersweet.
It's not always easy and my life will forever be changed but I'm still "Stable" and that pretty much feels like a miracle to someone who is battling Stage IV Metastatic Cancer. I am thankful for each and every day and cherish every one. This some something that many of us take for granted until the day comes that illness or a tragedy strikes us or one of our family members. It's a reminder that we ALL need to cherish every morning that we wake up -- for some tomorrow will never come and that's sadly a fact of life.
I continue to HOPE each and every day for a cure and know how badly it's needed. I still have two tiny nodes/tumors and areas of 'ground glass' in my right lung, which is why my status is "Stable" versus "NED" (No Evidence of Disease). Some day I do hope that my scans will show that I'm NED but for now, I'll take "Stable" and hope that I do not see any "progression" for a long, long time -- hopefully forever, if we find a cure. My next CT Scan coming up later this month and it's always a stressful time, which we in the Cancer world refer to as "Scanxiety".
The downside of the treatments are the long term (likely permanent side effects). I am struggling with relentless fatigue and horrible bilateral leg pain, whcih is most likely a form of Neuropathy often caused from the treatments I've had. Of course, I still also have Fibromyalgia and that has complicated some of my pain issues. My right hip is in bad shape and should be replaced, but having so much pain in my left hip (had the replaced just before my cancer diagnosis), I'm not eager to go through the surgery again. Ironically that surgery was only 4 weeks, before I learned I had Stage IV cancer and in some ways I feel like having it was a "jinx" -- How did the miss seeing the cancer during my pre-op testing and also on the chest xrays I had during and before the surgery? I've given up on trying to go back and figure it all out and I know the outcome can never change, but I really do not want to have to be tied up for 6-8 weeks again. Maybe after the new baby arrives, I'll consider it later, but for now, I'd much rather enjoy my time with Harper!!
As for HAPPY news! My precious grand-baby (Harper) is now two and is so much fun. My little LOVE who brings great joy and happiness into my life. She can now talk and I just LOVE it when she calls me "Nanni" or says Hi, Bye Nanni, or Love you, Nanni...she melts my heart. Here are couple recent pictures.

March 2019

First Birthday! She wore a "Unicorn Princess Dress"

Harper and Nanni !! Playing with SnapChat
I am also thrilled to announce that we are now expecting our second Grand-baby and Harper will be a Big Sister to another sweet Baby Girl, due to arrive on the 4th of July!

Big Sister Announcement!!

I babysit for Harper 3 afternoons a week and totally LOVE it and the time I'm spending with her. She's such a good girl and that's why it's easy for me, not to mention it pushes me to get up and get out those three days, which is so important. Some days it can be exhausting, but she's so worth it and I absolutely love the bond we share. Now I can't wait to meet her little sister, so that I can also watch her grow and spend time bonding with her. Harper has been a HUGE inspiration in my cancer battle and I know her baby sister will be an added LOVE to add to my life. Grand-babies are truly gifts and other than being a MOM to my two boys, being a Nanni adds even more LOVE and Happiness...it's awesome.
I just returned from a wonderful 10 day trip out to San Diego to see my oldest son and also attend the wedding of one of his childhood friends, who also lives in San Diego. I had a great time, as always, but it was harder to get around with the Neuropathy, but I took my cane and did well. I did really miss being able to dance at the wedding, but still enjoyed that warm wonderful weather and we spend a lot of time out and about eating and having fun!!
This is a picture of me taken the day of the wedding. I felt really good that day and had a lot of fun. It was really a fun-filled trip and I savor every one, because you just never know when and if I may be told, I'm not able to travel or fly. Hopefully that will not come for a very long time.

Here are a few pictures I took in San Diego, I stayed in a wonderful Airbnb up in Little Italy, which is one of my favorite areas. The building in the background of the first picture is where I stayed. It's new since my last trip and is really nice. There is a fun "Plaza" Piazza della Famiglia right outside and they host daily events.

Love seeing Flowers blooming!!

The succulents here are always blooming!!

Ironside Restaurant/Little Italy

Piazza della Famiglia Little Italy/San Diego

Seaport Village Looking over towards the Coronado Bridge
Well that's about it for me! Hubby is well and my precious little pups are also doing great. They are always be my side, especially when I'm not feeling great or resting.

Skye and Zeva

Wishing you all well and hoping everyone is Happy, Healthy and Living life!!
Hugz, Lisa

Monday, December 18, 2017

Christmas Wishes....

Just a little update to say hello to everyone and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and heartfelt wishes for a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

I also wanted to share a few new pictures of Harper who will turn 10 months old later this week. She is my little love and truly has been such an amazing and precious gift in my life. I am still spending three afternoons every week babysitting for her and feel so lucky and blessed that I have this to spend with her. She is a wonderful baby, very easy to take care of and I just love every moment I have with her.

Fall 2017

November 2017

(Picture from the Christmas Card her Mom and Dad created!)

December 2017

I have been extremely lucky in my Cancer battle and I am currently Stable, which is amazing for a Stage IV Cancer Patient. It will be three years in March since I was diagnosed and I am so happy to proud to be a survivor with this horrific illness. I am so thankful that my treatments have worked so well and hope everyday that they will continue to do so. I have my next CT Scan tomorrow and pray that this one will continue to show that my tumor is unchanged and that there are not any new signs of cancer. My Christmas Wish would be to find out the the tumor is now totally gone and that I am NED (No Evidence of Disease).

Tomorrow is also my son, Brian's Birthday, a day/date that has always been one of the happiest days in my life. I'm hopeful that it'll bring positive vibes for a great scan!

My sincere thanks to everyone who has continued to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. You have all been so kind and supportive and that means the world to me. Harper has become my greatest Hope and Inspiration and I truly feel so lucky to have her in my life. Way back in 2015 when I first learned I had late stage cancer, I never imagined I would have a Grandchild, something I had dreamed of for a long time -- Now that dream is reality and she is truly a gift that I love with all my heart. I hope and plan to be here for a very long time, so I can watch this sweet baby girl grow up!

Hugs and Love to all,

Lisa

Saturday, July 29, 2017

My love....

....Well as it turns out, I never did get back into creating but that's okay -- I have a whole new "Hobby" and "Love" in my life and it's spending time with Harper.

I know I haven't updated in awhile, so I thought I posted a update. I am doing well in my Cancer Battle. I have been amazingly lucky and have now been "Off Treatment" for 11 months and remained Stable, something that is very rare with Cancer as advanced as mine is. It's almost like a miracle, and I feel so blessed. I am very grateful and thankful for each and every day that I am able to live life. I absolutely LOVE spending time with Harper and now babysit for her a few days each week. I split the shifts with her "Grammy", it and works out perfectly for us both. She has been such a JOY in my life and given me lots of hope and inspiration to continue to fight hard. I still see my Oncologist every six weeks and have scans every 12 weeks. My tumor is now tiny, and has been for many months, I had an excellent response to Immunotherapy (Opdivo) and as I said, have been extremely lucky. I get very anxious with every scan, but that is "life" with late stage cancer. You learn to take each day as they come.

Harper is now a little almost 5 1/2 months old and at her last check up (4 months) she weighed in a 16.2 lbs. and is doing great. She is still exclusively on breast milk and clearly is thriving. She will see her Pediatrician next on her 6th month birthday (August) and will then start of solid foods -- probably cereal to start with. So much has changed since I had my boys and many of the things we did, are totally "old" and "outdated"! Obviously we did okay, as our children are grown adults, but it is a whole new world and her Mom and Dad want to do everything that her doctor recommends! No need for any input for Nanni (me) or her Grammy! I am happy to follow their plan, as she is their daughter, after all - and they are doing a wonderful job with her. She's a very happy and healthy baby - exactly what we all want.

She already has her first two teeth (bottom) and the two on top should be popping through any day now. She's an early teether, but it's not uncommon for some babies. Her Daddy got his first tooth and six months, and by that time, she'll have four. She's a good baby and naps well, and is now sleeping through the night (most of the time). She was not one who quickly slept all night - she loves to eat. She is pretty easy to take care of, but does like to be kept busy. She loves her "bouncy" seat and has almost outgrown her "swing" which was well loved for many months. She also can sit up in a high chair, or in a chair propped up with pillows and likes little toys (blocks, rattles, teething toys). She also sits great in her new little walker, but really doesn't move too far, (yet). Jumping in his "activity center" is one of her favorite things. She also enjoys "Baby TV" from time to time and loves when we sing to her.

Around 3 months...

Around 3 1/2 Months....

4 months - First Tooth

June 2017

Teething...and loving

time in her "Bouncy" seat!!

5 Months....

5 months - See can easily roll over now!

My precious grand-daughter, Harper!!

5 1/2 Months (July 2017)

And that's about it for me -- This sweet baby is my little LOVE and has brought so much happiness and LOVE into my life. I have always loved being a Mom, now being a "Nana" is a whole new gift and I pray and hope every day that I'll be here for a long time, so I can watch her grow up.

Please continue to HOPE and PRAY for a cure for ALL types of Cancer -- it's such a devastating illness and takes far too many from our lives.

Hugs and love,

Lisa

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Pink and Polka Dots...

Pink and Polka Dots seems to be the theme of my cards for today, which were inspired by the latest challenge over at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog, where the theme this week is "Going Dotty".

It's been another fun day of coloring and creating in my craft room. All three cards above were created with digi images and colored with Copic Markers.
And I have one more created and inspired by this week's Challenge over at "Cas(E) This Sketch".