Tracy thanks so much for the update. We will have to all up our prayers girls, Joanne needs them now more than ever. I will light a candle for her tomorrow at the LaSallette Shrine here in Massachusetts. Please send her my love and prayers.

God Bless you Joanne! Stay strong you WILL beat this.
Love, Deb Kelly

Oh I am so sorry to hear this. We are praying... just know that. We are praying!

Oh I am so sorry to hear this, Well, just remember its just a set back thats all. You just have to fight a little harder. Lots of prayers coming your way.

The Lord does everything for a reason, and though we may not understand the "why" now, it will surface in time. I can only imagine how this setback has left Joanne. I am continually praying for you Joanne, in fact I was upset on my long drive this morning because I realized I hadn't mentioned your surgery in my prayers today. I immediately focused on a special prayer for you. I know the Lord will bless you and keep you. Stay strong, we are all right here beside you, if not in person, we are in heart! God Bless you, you're a brave woman!!!

you are in my prayers. God Bless yOu!

All of your CC sisters are pulling for you! We miss you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers daily.
You will beat this!!

Oh God, I'm so sorry that Joanne has experienced this setback. I am continuing to pray for her. Please send her our warmest thoughts, hugs, and prayers.

Sending prayers your way Joanne. I'm sorry things didn't go as planned. I hope your breast weekend ever was just that!

Tracy, it is so nice of you to update us the way you do. She is on our minds SO much, and it helps to know what's going on. Hugs to you!

Joanne, my heart goes out to you and your family. Strength comes in numbers and do you have a number of supporters!! You persevere my CC Sister! Hugs to you!!

So sorry to read the bad news, Joanne. My thoughts are with you.

Joanne, so sorry to hear about your setback. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers!

So sorry to hear of your setback Joanne. Hopefully, knowing that you have a loving family and friends (even those here on CC that you have never actually met) will help you find the strength to fight this. You seem to have a great attitude, which is half the battle! You are in my prayers.

Joanne, just wanted you to know my neice just beat pancreatic cancer. I don't know how but she's done with everything and just goes for check ups now. And working 7 days a week at two different jobs.

And that Lance Armstrong is back bicycle racing again. He is of course the 7 time winner of the Tour de France, the three week bicycle race and cancer survivor. His cancer spread from his boy parts to several golf ball size tumors in his lungs and even to his brain.

Then he recovered and starting winning the Tour de France. He's even conceived a child the old fashioned way too, not by artificial insemination. Miracle after miracle after miracle.

You are in my heart and prayers. It's gonna be ok.

Love Yah,
Kate

Joanne,

Will pray for you and keep you in my thoughts.

. . . lifting you up in prayer . . . lean on Him . . . many hugs and well wishes coming your way . . . stay strong . . . be blessed . . .

Oh NO! I know that you are probably not feeling very optimistic, but it can be beat! Attitude is half of the fight! God does have a plan, and even when we can't understand it, it is the perfect plan for you and your loved ones! Hang in there and know that your friends (even though we have never even met), are diligently praying for you and your family. Our heart hurts for the pain and disappointment you must be feeling, and we want you to know that you aren't alone in this battle.

Keep your chin and your dukes up and kick cancer's butt! We are in the ring with you supporting your every punch!

Lots of hugs and prayers -
Mandi

Lots of hugs and prayers and thoughts from your CC family. (( ))

Thinking of you and praying for you!

I've been away from CC for about a week, and this isn't exactly the news I was hoping for this morning... An extra uphill step for you Joanne. Though, I know I can't truly put myself in your shoes, I do feel that I'm on the roller coaster with you. An extra hug for you my friend. I am thinking extra, extra, extra positive thoughts for you!
CeRae

There's nothing worse than thinking there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and then to have it abruptly turned off! The setbacks are par for the course, I know, but it doesn't make dealing with them any easier. You're still in my thoughts and prayers. All the best.

**sighs** sniff.. sniff.. makes me sad, but i know at the end joanne you will be here posting your pretty cookies again soon. as aggressive as they say the cancer is, is as aggressive as your positive attitude and faith must be. cuz we all know you can beat this! you have so many people sending you positive energy, thoughts, love and prayers. be well....

Angela

Hi dear friends!
Well, as you heard from Tracy, I've had a bump in the cancer road, but I just have to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start again! I admit, I went briefly to the "dark" place on Tuesday, but I have been working hard to reach the light again, and today is a new day! I will begin my chemo this Friday morning, and my family is still here so they will all troop off with me while I'm "hooked up." I will have to have a "dense dose" of chemo which means I'll be getting chemo every two weeks for 2 months, then they will switch the drugs and I'll be in every week for 12 weeks. I know...it's a long road, but I'll just have to take it one step at a time. In preparation, I'm getting my hair cut tonight. I know it's strange, we've all never seen each other, but still we are all like sisters. So, to let you know, I've had long hair my whole life. My family teases me that I look exactly the same now, as I did when I was 6! LOL But it's true. I have long brown hair and bangs, and I know it would be too traumatic (Iwould scare even myself!) to start losing THAT MUCH hair. They told me yesterday, that by the second treatment, I would start to lose it, so I might as well get mentally ready now, and it will be "easier" (HA) to lose short hair than long. I'm going to donate it to Locks of Love, and let someone else get some use out of it! (I'll try to attach a pic of me from when I made my dh take me to the Flour Pot Cookie Boutique two summers ago) So, I will keep fighting this fight of my life, because that's what I want....my life! And with all of your help, through the many kind words, prayers, and well wishes, I know I can do it. I might need some pats on the back along the way though, so be prepared! I really do need all of you!
Love,
Joanne
P.S. My daughter is making me a BLOG, and when it's ready I'll post the address here!

I am another Joanne and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

For those of you who are concerned that this Joanne might be me, it isn't. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am Joanne Lima from Tampa, Florida.

Joanne, I wish you a speedy road to recovery.
Joanne Lima

Joanne - I know we haven't met... But, I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face after reading your post. You are right, it will be the fight of your life, and for your life. But, it can be won. You ARE NOT fighting a losing battle, no matter the setbacks.

You are beautiful (on the inside and out) and I know exactly what you mean about losing your hair. Luckily, and maybe it could happen for you too, my mom NEVER lost her hair during chemo. However, I think a new hairstyle to go with your new attitude and outlook, could be just what the doctor ordered. I, too, have really long hair (don't worry cakers - or cookiers (new word ), Joanne and I take exra caution to keep the hair from our goodies! Get a really fun and funky hairstlye that makes you feel the extra umph and like a movie star. Hell, go have your nails and toes done and get a massage. Make it a spa day just for you. Pamper yourself and prepare the outside for the beauty that shines from within!

P.S. Everyone (and I know quite a few survivors) that has lost their hair during chemo, has had a BEAUTIFUL, full head of hair that most of us only dream about. Maybe a little silver lining on a grey cloud!

Hang in there, and I will keep praying for your strength and perservence to fight the fight. Remember, if David can beat Golith, you can beat this moster, too.

Let me know if there is anything I can do. By the way, sucking lemons can really help with the nausea, so stock up before Friday. It sounds like you have great family support, but you also have a wonderful community here waiting to fill any need you may have.

Lots of hugs - Mandi







lots of spelling errors - it is early and I was typing TOO fast!

Joanne914, just want you to know that I will be thinking of you daily & keeping you in my prayers. It is so sweet of you to donate your hair to Locks of Love. God Bless you and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Joanne,
It was so touching to read your post this morning. You are one courageous, positive, beautiful lady! Your awesome attitude will get you through the next several months, then you'll be on the road to recovery and getting back to your "normal" life. As we all sit at our computers reading these posts and looking at others creations, it is such a reality check to know that one of "us" is going through such a tremendous fight. It makes me appreciate my life even more than ever, because you never know when your life is going to take a turn for whatever reason. I'm sending you positive thoughts, prayers, hugs, and pats on the back. Hang in there and have a speedy recovery, my friend.
Be well,
Tricia
(Pebbles13)

A good friend of mine beat testicular cancer, another good friend's mom beat breast cancer, and my aunt is fighting (and winning) a genetic type of lung cancer (she's not a smoker); you can beat this. Your overall positive attitude towards this is good to see, and will help you keep the strength to beat this! Your selflessness in donating your hair to Lock of Love is awe-inspiring! Like mandifrye said, you are beautiful! Buy some beautiful scarves and wear them with pride, knowing you are not giving in! We are all here with love, hugs, prayers, happy thoughts, and hope your recovery is a quick one!

Joanne - I know you and zip e-mails back and forth, but I had to post here how amazed I am by you! I sincerely wish I had half of your courage and strength! You truly, truly inspire me! Although we have not met (yet!), I look forward to hopefully doing so someday and I am so proud to call you my friend!

Remember that both of my friends much preferred how their hair grew back after chemo! The lack o' hair will be only temporary and hey, bald IS beautiful! (Okay, now I am praying that anyone else who may read this knows you have an incredible sense of humor or I just looked absolutely horribly insensitive, which is not the case).

I will say that along with your great outlook, I do wish in general I also had half your sense of humor!

Your friend,
Tracy

You are a true inspiration to us all Joanne. Thank you for your update. We are all thinking of you so often and wondering how you're doing. The blog is a great idea. Sounds like you have a wonderful family and tons of love and support surrounding you. Take care my CC sister. hugs

Shel

Joanne,
I am continually blown away by your sense of humor and strength. Even in such a troubling time for yourself, you have found a way to give to others! You are truly an inspiration to us all!!!
Hugs to you and your family!!!
Jodie