Lesley’s Story

Lesley's note originally shared on her Caring Bridge website February 2016.

It didn't take long for me to realize that it becomes a pretty daunting task to keep everyone updated on what's happening in real time. So we have established this website to make it easy for all of our friends and family and our network of support to keep up with what is happening.  On February 2, 2016, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of my breast.  It has been initially categorized as stage one, which is very good news. Although no one likes to hear their name and the word cancer in the same sentence, my tumor was found early and is very treatable.  I have every intention of living long enough to watch my grandchildren grow to adulthood and beyond;)

I feel very fortunate to be working with the caring professionals of the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL.  I have found them to be very compassionate and extremely experienced, knowledgeable and willing to help me in whatever way possible.  Gilbert and I have decided to do post surgical treatment in the most holistic and natural method we can.  We will be spending 21 days in W. Palm Beach, FL at the Hippocrates Institute for a very intensive and rigorous protocol of all natural remedies and dietary refinements.  

As we move through this journey we would be honored to have you join us.  I invite your questions which I will gladly answer if I am able.  I invite your encouragement.  I invite your support, especially of Gil who has the hardest part in all of this, as he is the one who must stand and wait, again. I realize there are many fears lurking around the word cancer.  Because fear lives in the dark, this invitation is meant to drag that fear out into the light and in so doing break it of it’s power.  I am choosing to focus on HOPE and the truth that we are the creation of a remarkable God made in His image, and that God desires our wholeness and our very best in all of life.  I invite you then to hold me in prayer in a place of light, the one true LIGHT of life and healing.  So often in the last several weeks I have repeated to myself a part of our liturgy that a friend reminded me of after my bicycle accident...”all day long God is working to do good in the world...”. Knowing that others are joining me makes all the difference in my ability to heal.  I give thanks for each of you who choose to join me on this journey.