I need your prayers....

Hello Prairie family,

Many of you know this already and I feel it is now time to include the rest of my extended family with the news I am about to share. A week ago Tuesday I was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer. I have undergone numerous tests and the cancer is contained to just a very large tumor in my left breast. This past Monday I had surgery to have a port put in so they can start chemo this coming Friday. I will have to undergo 6 sessions of chemo (one every three weeks) followed by breast removal/reconstruction, radiation and hormone treatment.

Although this is bad news it could have been so much worse. I feel blessed that my cancer is not an aggressive one and my course of treatment will bring me down the road to full recovery. I am asking for your love, prayers and support as I follow this path put before me. I have a very positive outlook and this little hiccup will not slow me down. I love you guys...

Lorrie

All the way Lorrie, you have us all. Our prayers are strong and work wonders.
If you haven't seen the prayer thread for Jamie Rundel here, please check it out. That little girl should not be here now. With a ton of prayer she is walking, and home.
Much love, Gin

Lorrie,
Thank you for sharing something so personal with all of us. I'm so thankful that the cancer is contained, and that it is not an aggressive type. Please continue to update us on how you are doing. You will be in my prayers. If you're feeling up to it on Friday, let us know how your first treatment of chemo goes. I'll be thinking about you.

I will still have to give you a hard time, however, for being a Packer fan. LOL!

Diva buddy, you know we're with you all the way. My prayers are always with you and your family.

Lots of prayers heading your way, Lorrie!

{{{{{{LORRIE}}}}} I am here for you, pick my brain if you need to.....

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and prayers. Our dear friend Marilyn has been after me to ask for your help, she's seen the magic you guys can do. Of course I will keep everyone up to date on my progress, good and bad. My chest is finally starting to feel better from Monday's "port placement" surgery. I'm tired of sleeping with my bra on... sorry Fife you had to hear that.

My first round of chemo is scheduled just before the noon hour on Friday. I have to have a test on my heart first, followed up by blood work. I guess they feel they need to have my "starting vitals" so they have something to compare it to during my treatment process. My sister Patty and her son Steven (age 19) will be coming along for the education on Friday. This helps put my worry wort Mom's fears to rest and gives her a piece of mind. The doctor doesn't feel I will get sick from the chemo, but I will lose my hair.

Thanks everyone ahead of time for all the prayers coming my way...
You guys are the best,

Lorrie


Rhonda, thank you for your offer... I will definitely pick your brain if and when I have too.

Lorrie,
One of my mom's close friends just had a double mastectomy this past summer. She said that the chemo did not make her sick, but she didn't have much of an appetite. She lost about 20 pounds. She did lose her hair. She said that when the doctor told her that this would happen, she went right out and bought a wig. I will keep you in my prayers. Breast cancer runs in my family, so my mom, sister and I always have it in the back of our minds. I'm glad that you have such a positive attitude and a great support system from your family. That will take you a long way!!

Marilyn gave you good advice. My prairie prayers here have helped so many times through their prayers when I asked. You have my prayers, Lorrie. I know you will come out of this just fine.

Lorrie, I'm glad that you posted here. I was going to do it but wasn't sure how upset you would be at me. You are forever in my thoughts and prayers. I'd be on the next plane to GB to do whatever I could if I knew you wanted me there. Until then, I'll be here praying. My church family is also praying for you.
Love ya lots buddy!!

Thoughts and prayers with you Lorrie.

I am so sorry to hear this Lorrie I feel terible about this. I will be Praying for you lorrie Keep us Posted.

I'll pray for you, Lorrie. But you are a winner and will pull out of it, my friend. I'm sure of it. Keeping a possitive attitude toward cancer is the best you can do. This fierce awful monster just HATES possitive attitudes.

Vanesa.

I'm so sorry to hear about this, Lorrie. I will definitely be praying for you.

Prayers being said for you. I know you will get through this just fine. God bless.

Thanks again everyone,

I made the decision as I was curling my hair this morning, that I am going to the beauty salon this weekend and getting a nice short hairstyle. Maybe a wash and go look will prolong how long I get to keep my hair. Not to mention the big clumps of long hair I won't find on my pillow or in the shower. And who knows... I have really thick hair, maybe it will just thin out. Either way I'm going for the sassy look !! Gotta stay one step ahead...

Lorrie,

Not to pop your bubble...but I had VERY thick hair and needless to say, the chemo was much stronger than the hair.....I lost it, every bit of it....I did go to a wig place and find one that I liked, they took samples of my hair and sent off the 'color' it needed to be....after that, I went and had my long hair cut to the same style as the wig......it was cute and easy to take care of....but when it began to fall out, it REALLY fell out, and I will tell you right now, no matter HOW prepared you are for it, it is DEVASTATING!!!!! Our hair is our crowning glory, and to see it wash down the drain is just AWFUL!!! And needless to say, after the wig came in, it was no where near my hair color, so I didn't buy it....I just wore scarves and hats, bandanas and ball caps....never had a bad hair day for 5-6 months.....And Lorrie....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Rhonda,

Thank you for your raw honesty, you didn't burst my bubble. I've heard from numerous people that they knew of people whom hadn't lost their hair. Pam's Tim is one of them, I am sure it depends on the chemo cocktail that they give you. I have prepared myself for the worse and when I see it really coming out, I am thinking of getting together with my girlfriends and having a head shaving party. Gotta spin it into a positive and get rid of it myself.

As for the whole wig thing, well that's just not me either. I will be just like you doing hats, scarves and turbans. Matter of fact I should have two really cute turbans showing up in the mail any day now. I think a woman whom is not afraid to show their battle for life and choosing the less modest route of not covering it up quite heroic. I see these women in the store from time to time and I admire their courage and spirit. My only regret is I have never told them this. Now that its me... I will take after them, great role models for me as you are my friend.

As you can see I can talk about my battle quite simple and without the "why me" approach. I've come to grips with it and I need to do this to get better, I can't be negative or it will eat me alive. People have been telling me they don't know how I do it, but you don't realize you have that inner strength until it is put to the test. I am sure we all have it inside us... it's our choice on how we use it.

Again.. I can't thank you all enough for what you've done for me so far, just being here and being able to talk about it makes the journey so much easier.

Lorrie

{{{{Lorrie}}}} My friend, I am here with you for support and anything you need.
I will keep you in my prayers. I work for a law office and one of the cases we are doing is against Pfizer & Wyeth for Hormone pills prescribed that gave women breast or ovarian cancer. We have several breast cancer clients and I have heard their stories. They are all well now, they have their hair back and everything. Please keep a positive attitude as much as you can.

Lean on Rhonda for support. She's been through it and will tell you like it is but seeing her will also give you strength, she's a survivor
We are all here with you Lorrie, you will be in my prayers. I also have a very close friend going through cancer.

Love you friend!

I Love Dean wrote:

I think a woman whom is not afraid to show their battle for life and choosing the less modest route of not covering it up quite heroic. I see these women in the store from time to time and I admire their courage and spirit. My only regret is I have never told them this. Now that its me... I will take after them, great role models for me as you are my friend.

As you can see I can talk about my battle quite simple and without the "why me" approach. I've come to grips with it and I need to do this to get better, I can't be negative or it will eat me alive. People have been telling me they don't know how I do it, but you don't realize you have that inner strength until it is put to the test. I am sure we all have it inside us... it's our choice on how we use it.

Lorrie, I LOVE your attitude!

Lorrie, you are a great lady.

Amen to that Rob.

I am so sorry this is happening to you Lorrie. You have my prayers and my support, all the way. Please feel free to come to us to vent here, if you ever need to, OK? I know we all want to be here for you in your time of need.

You sound like one tough cookie, Lorrie. Your great attitude is inspirational. (((((HUGS)))))


And good luck tomorrow with your first bout of chemo. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

I can only echo what's already been said. You, and your positive attitude really are an inspiration, Lorrie! You have lots of prayer support! And yes, please keep us posted as you're able.

Lorrie...I admire you a lot. I don't know if I could be capable of your strenght ...

Vanesa.