Happy Spring!

After ovarian cancer surgery, I remember looking at my body in the full-length mirror. I was stunned to see my scared abdomen; I was in pain, I had no hair, I was nauseous, and my abdomen looked like a road map. I felt ugly. I didn't see myself anymore.

I cried, and after a short pity party, I told myself I would cover up and ask God to continue to carry me through this. HE is.

Almost six months later, I am healing, growing hair, walking nearly five miles a day, and feeling great. I am living again. The new me looks in the full-length mirror now and is proud of what my body can do. The new me knows that every day is a gift, life is precious, and I am surviving cancer.

ME! SOUTH BEACH

FAITH over fear

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I asked EVERYONE for their prayers. I began my fight in May 2021. Today, I am feeling great and living again. I am overwhelmed and grateful to my prayers warriors; with big smiles on their faces, they give me a big hug and tell me they are still praying for me and won't stop! God blesses us with His angels.

Kevin, prayer warrior. Prime 112 Miami Beach

Grandma Wednesday.

Back to Grandma Wednesday, school pick up, and playtime!
Cancer didn’t bring me to my knees; it brought me to my feet.

MAVIS B, GRANDMA A AND HUGO

Two Letters.

A letter from my father after my final cancer scan.

Okay beautiful daughter, time to celebrate and give Thanks to our loving Heavenly Father. The objective from the beginning was to get those cancer markers in your blood down into the single digits and here we are. The watch protocol is just to make sure the ad guy stays gone, and I know he will. Your number is in the safe zone for good reason. I'm sure of it. I love you, and am deeply proud of you for the way you conducted yourself during the war against your alien invader.

A letter to my father.

Dear Dad,

You and mom have loved and prayed for me throughout my life and now through my cancer story. You stood up and were brave for me; you called every morning at 10:00 am and prayed with me; you lived this nightmare with me. You were the steady hand I needed to face my challenge and get through it, and I have. Your strong faith in God and loving heart brought me to a single-digit cancer number. God has me, and you believe in me; that is powerful. I am proud of you too, dad. Thank you for reminding me so often through scripture; Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14-27

I remain your healthy daughter again,
I love you,
Leslie


MY DADDY AND ME. OCTOBER 2021

Peaceful Sunday

My cousin and I were fighting cancer together. I said goodbye to Bruce this weekend; he lost his battle with lung cancer. He told me that our cancers were not the same; and that I was to stay strong. Bruce was a kind, generous man who loved the great outdoors; It's where God is. He told fantastic stories; he was exceptionally handsome and had no vanity; he was fun. Bruce loved his wife, family, nature, and people. Rest in peace; awesome cousin, thank you for the beautiful memories.

BRUCE JOHNSON RIP. 12/2021

Simple Sunday, 2022.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9

HUSBAND, FIRST SNOW, NEW YEARS DAY. MICHIGAN.

Mighty Monday

I have finished chemo treatments just in time for Christmas.
Seeing every day with new eyes and a grateful heart.

Hazel-10, Quinn-2, Felix-8, Grandma, Mavis-5, Boom, Hugo-6.

Mighty Monday

HIGH FIVE!!! Happy Birthday, Mavis B

Blooming and growing! You are God’s gift to this family.

Happy Birthday Mavis B, 5 years old today.

Grandma Wednesday

The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child.

Cousins- Eddie, Hazel, Quinn, Felix, Mavis, Leo and Hugo.

Thanksgiving table

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the doctor gave me a simple blood test to determine my CA125 number; Oh! What I am learning! This test measures the amount of cancer antigen in your blood. It monitors certain cancers during and after treatment. In some cases, this CA test looks for early signs of ovarian cancer in people with very high disease risk. I had no clue that I was in that category.

My cancer story began with a CA 125 number of 458; the doctors said that was high. The normal range is 35 or below. With every round of chemotherapy and surgery, my CA number dropped.

Friday morning, my cancer nurse, Connie, called, in her calm, kind voice; and said, "Leslie, your new CA125 number is a 14!" We wept together on the phone and thanked God. She suggested that I write 14 on a notecard and place it on my Thanksgiving table. I will be giving thanks this year with my family of angels by my side, and a heart overflowing with gratitude. Thankful for my prayer warriors.

MY THANKSGIVING TABLE THIS YEAR.

Mighty Monday

I am grateful for this special help setting our Thanksgiving table.

After six hard months of fighting cancer, I will receive my last chemo treatment on November 24th. I am so excited to cross this finish line and begin living again.

QUINN - FORK ON THE RIGHT.

MAVIS - MIM’S CHINA

BRAVE

When I received my cancer diagnosis, I knew I had to dive deep into my faith, and I did. What I didn't realize was how brave I was going to have to be. I received a wonderful gift right before my cancer surgery, "Brave Lion." Brave was with me after surgery, and she was a welcome addition to my strong team, doctors, family, and prayer warriors. Brave has become the support for my back when I sit up, the pillow for my stomach to soften coughs, and my comfort when I feel lonely and weak. My family has all needed some help while navigating my cancer, so I share Brave. She has spent over-nights with Hugo and has met his friends; Brave has received lipstick kisses from Mavis and lots of hugs from family. Extra help is a good thing, and I find my help and comfort in my love for Jesus, my people, and Brave Lion.

MY SISTER, JENNIFER, BRAVE AND ME.

POST SURGERY.

HUGO’S ROOM AND FRIENDS.

MAVIS B AND BRAVE.

Rocktober 1st.

My family is renaming October - Rocktober. On Rocktober 7th, I am entering phase two of my cancer story, I will be in surgery to beat this cancer. After five long months of two emergency surgeries, four chemo treatments, and one big wedding- it's the time! I have two teams of doctors working to make me whole again. The plan, the prayer — is that "we're coming for ya cancer!" I will be receiving debulking surgery, a failed stent removal, and a bowel reconstruction. Although I try and carry my illness with light and positivity, that doesn't mean it's not heavy. It is. I find my peace and purpose in God and in a grandson who believes he's a cowboy who will fight for me. Asking for continued prayers from all warriors as I continue my walk through this battle. I love you.

HUGO AND SHORTY

HUGO AND SHORTY

Mighty Monday!

This wedding happened, and I was there. My son’s wedding became my North Star the day I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My doctors and I made it our mission to get me there.

I experienced this wedding through new eyes; having cancer is teaching me to see life differently. I see things through the eyes of a child again. Everything is more beautiful, moments are more magical, color is more vivid, people are more precious, time is right now, and God never fails.

HAZEL, HENRY, QUINN, (Bubba the bunny), MAVIS, HUGO, TESSA, AND FELIX.

HAZEL, HENRY, QUINN, (Bubba the bunny), MAVIS, HUGO, TESSA, AND FELIX.