LISA'S STORY
In May 2020 my wife Lisa was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian Cancer – we found it just in time, and after an initial 9 hour operation to remove much of her insides (including spleen and some of her liver) she then underwent 6 months of chemotherapy. On 25th December 2020 she gave me the GREATEST Christmas present I could have wished for, she was told she was in remission. The world was a beautiful place again.
In February 2022, the cancer returned with some aggression - she received chemotherapy, but it did not work: her CA125 cancer markers were increasing and her new tumor had grown 20 fold. Her Oncologist could do no more and as a last act of desperation, referred us to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. As you read this, please close your eyes now, take a deep breath, and imagine your reaction: you have just been told by the Oncologist, there is nothing more that can be done for your loved one - it numbs you and you want to crawl into a hole!!!!
Well, Dana Farber rose to the challenge; enter Dr Carolyn Krasner and Nurse Practitioner Alison Hamel - we love them both so much! Firstly, in January 2023 Lisa spent a week in hospital where they ran more tests - then – they placed Lisa on a new chemotherapy regime. Although her body is taking a pounding, she appears to be reacting well to the new chemotherapy.
I AM RIDING TO RAISE FUNDS BECAUSE....well, that's not strictly accurate! This week, I had to hold back the tears when I was told by a couple of dear friends that at least one of them would join me on the ride - just how amazing are they! I had expected to do it alone! So I declare, WE ARE RIDING .... because cancer victims don’t deserve the hand life has dealt them. I would happily swap places with Lisa if it meant she did not suffer all the pains from the tumor and the excruciatingly painful neuropathy. I am embarrassed to say that often, she is the one who has been the strong one and has comforted me, when it should have been me comforting her. But I cannot swap places, so, I want to do something that will help find the cure or help give a better quality of living to survivors.
Over the last 6 months, my cousin Dennis in England, my friend Evelyn in Long Beach, family friend Angelique in Long Beach, Lani in Texas (mother of Marci a work colleague and friend) and Linda in Texas (mother of Tara a work colleague) were all taken away from us too soon through Cancer - we can never replace you, it sucks and it breaks my heart to feel so helpless - we must do something to make a difference!
