February 2, 2007

Good morning, friends. I have been lucky enough to be able to come stay with Lisa in Tulsa since last Tuesday and I must tell you this place is amazing. So many stories of people with no or little hope that come here and walk away in remission. And then go on to live a long cancer free life. I have observed the staff from sunup to sundown and I have never seen anyone treated with anything but the utmost respect. You are never just a number.
One small thing that really puts a patient at ease is that the employees name tags only have their first name. Someone has put some thought into how to make a patient feel more comfortable.
When Lisa and I sit down to eat (the food is fabulous here!) its inevitable someone tells us their story of how they have been involved in deciding their treatment with their doctors. It seems every patient we have talked to is so very educated in their specific cancer.
Lisa has heard many stories of lung cancer patients that have been put into remission. It is all so very encouraging. I am so glad she has come here. In your prayers, please give Thanks to
God for Lisa.
It looks like we are coming home for the weekend. Yeah but I'm going to miss the food!:) But I'll be back up her to stay with her, I hope next week.
I also want to, once again, tell everyone how lucky Lisa is to have Johnny. he is wonderful. Our parents are just as wonderful, too. They allow me to be here with Lisa by letting me work from up here via a laptop. Our parents, David and BJ, have told me repeatedly, "Take care of Lisa first." We are blessed in many ways.
Another thing I have learned through all this; you can not be a wimp and have cancer. There is a lot of pain and illness associated with getting rid of this terrible disease. Lisa is a champion.
I had a patient tell us yesterday, "Life is like a roller coaster ride, you have to experience the lows to appreciate the highs." How true that is.
Love to all, Dee Anne