Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Tag Team Relay!

I am sure by now you are all wondering if everything is okay since I have not blogged in a few days.

I am happy to report that everything is going super! Momisan continues to get stronger each and everyday. Her nurse Nancy has taken very good care of her and all her wounds are just about healed. Mom’s physical therapist is another miracle worker. All those exercises she has her doing are really paying off. I have noticed that momisan moves much more quickly and does not seem so stiff and in pain. So thank you Nancy and Cathy for keeping her on the road to recovery.

Today I arrived at Casa de Longo to take mom to her one month follow-up with her radiologist. I can not believe it has been a month already!

We arrived at Medical City, early (we always do) and spent a few minutes catching up with everyone. They all said momisan looks great and they love the way the hair is starting to grown in – she looks smokin’ hot!

We updated some paper work and signed those pesky HIPPA forms again then proceeded to meet with Dr. Macko.

We filled the doctor in on all the “special” events that have taken place over the past thirty days and at the end of our recap, she looked at mom and said, “You’ve been through hell…but you look wonderful!” That’s the kind of stuff you like to hear.

Dr. Macko gave her the once over and took a look at her handy work after 25 radiation treatments. She said that the area was a little red, but all in all, momisan was healing nicely and it was time for them to part ways. Dr. Macko gave mom her walking papers today because the radiation treatment has done what it was intended to do. Sadly, we can remove one doctor from our “Dream Team” list. Their work is done and mom is a walking testament to that. Besides, they have other people to heal, so we wished them well and will pray that they will have many more success stories for other families.

That leaves TeamLoco in a little bit of limbo until April. So we have decided to celebrate how far we have come on this journey, by giving back.

We are organizing a Relay for Life Team that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. I have often said that even though this has been a difficult path to walk, we have encountered a bounty of blessings along the way and we wanted to honor those gifts by giving something back.

We are gathering members for Team Loco. Our team will participate in a Relay for Life on April 20th – April 21st in nearby Frisco, Texas. The Relay for Life is a magical evening that brings together cancer fighters, supports and caregivers so that we may celebrate, remember and hope.

During this event our team members will walk from 6pm (April 20th) – 6am (April 21st). There will be a special Survivor’s Lap that we hope mom’s therapist will have her ready for. (hint…hint…)

You can learn more about the event here: Frisco Relay for Life

You can show your support by joining Ida’s team and walking with us or by making a general donation to the American Cancer Society in her honor. Please visit our web site for more details or to donate and support Team LoCo: Team Loco – Proudly Supporting Ida’s Fight

I often find myself reflective in the evening, especially after momisan has received a positive medical update. I am amazed at how far she has come. It’s nothing short of miraculous if you think about. She is one in a million and I hope that her journey inspires just one other person to keep fighting.

It seems appropriate that on this leg of our journey, we take some time and give back. For all the support, love and prayers that we have been given, we should pay it forward to someone who might need it more. That’s why we formed a relay team – to celebrate all those blessings that the good Lord has bestowed upon us during this walk.

When we relay on April 20th, we do it for each an every one of you for supporting and praying for this family during the past year.

God Bless each and every one of you who have been there when we have needed you most.

…and please support Ida’s Fight at: Team Loco – Proudly Supporting Ida’s Fight

Val