Lisa Hosking: Survivor: December 4, 2007

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

December 4, 2007

Today I found out that my cancer is stage 2A based on several factors: no cancer was found in the lymph nodes, and the tumor is 2.1 cm (the range for 2A is 2-5 cm, so I'm just going to go ahead and call it stage 1B). The survival rate for stage 2A, which is considered early stage cancer, is 92%, and in my line of work that's an A! As far as I'm concerned, that sounds exactly like 100%, don't you think? In addition to the lumpectomy, my doctor also took out my gall bladder, inserted a port (for the chemotherapy), and did a biopsy on the cyst on my left ovary which was gloriously negative. Nothing but good news! Amazingly, it was outpatient surgery and I was home that evening. I returned to a home-cooked meal made by the kind-hearted staff at Mile High, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and lots of cards and gifts from my students. Yippee!

2 comments:

Tom, Sue and Gracie said...: Hey Lisa,

It was great to see everyone on your travels up north. Hope it was a good visit. Glad you told us about your blog. We will keep posted here. Also Tom and I have been praying for comfort and strength for you guys in the coming days. We love you all!!

Sue; January 6, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Claire said...: Okay, call me a loser friend for not staying on top of your life and then you send me an Oscar. What kind of schmuck does that make me? Hey, I think of you tons. And I love Googling you and you come up first:) I will email you today!!!!

Love, Claire; April 2, 2008 at 10:16 AM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Thanks

To my best friend in the whole wide world, Chris, whose British bulldog determination got me to the right doctor right away, and whose remarkable love I could not live without. I 've married him three times already and I'm so lucky to have shared almost 20 years with him. I know I have a true partner who will be my rock in the coming months.
To my huge family for instantly surrounding me with love and support. I am the luckiest sistah in the world. You guys so totally rock!
To my mom, whose strength has inspired me to conquer this disease. I will fight with grace and dignity in her honor.
To our good friend Ilt who came to visit us for Thanksgiving this year and who, despite his terrible fear of heights, traversed across a cliff eight years ago to sit next to me in the snow when I crashed a snowmobile into a crater and kept me warm while we waited for the resuce team to arrive. He talked to me about our days at Maine Teen Camp for over two hours. I was then, and continue to be, so reassured by his presence, his friendship, and his sacrifice.
To Becky Davis, a prayer warrior with an amazing heart. I am so thankful to her for starting an epic prayer chain and being the liason with all the people I love back in Mammoth. I am truly blessed to call her my friend.
To all my colleagues and friends at Mammoth Middle School who have pummeled me with love, prayers, and encouraging emails. I am so thankful for our Henderson getaways, lemon drops, dancing, Jimmy Buffet concerts, years of lounge laughter, the Disco Sistahs, and our shared passion for teaching. I count them as one of my greatest blessings
To Hanna and Lyle Minkler, who despite Lyle's own recent diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma, are a source of strength as our two families work together to fight this disease
To Vic and Charisse Martin who were here visiting from Mammoth the day we found out about the cancer and who were amazing with our kids while we went to the doctor. That night Charisse helped me make a Junie B. Jones costume for Hannah's book parade at school the next day. We are so thankful they were here!
To Eric Nelson whose combination of faith, skill and expertise allowed Chris and I make peace with our situation. He is truly a remarkable surgeon and friend.
To my principal and colleagues at Mile High Middle School who have donated dinners, sick days, advice, support, kindness, and even bus duty even though they have only known me since August.