WELCOME!

July 30, 2007 by Donnalyn.

Relentless requests have finally brought me here with the help of my brilliant techie brother, Bill… Expect a slow start, and pls be patient…pictures and links will come next!Tried to be brief, but we pack a lot in…here’s what you’ve been asking for! Thank you for your interest! DL:)

As many of you know, its been an exceedingly busy year for Tom (his new name is “Floyd” Nightingale, by the way) and I…new terrain, lots of learning, and a few adjustments:) …In an effort to save time and build awareness for Leiomyosarcoma…here’s where we’ve been:

Oct 22 06 Hospitalized four days at Riverview w Severe Rt Flank Pain..what a way to come back from a Yoga teaching vacation in the Caribbean! Ouch!

Nov 21 06 Originally planned 10 hr Kidney AutoTransplantation Surgery at NY Pres/Cornell to remove IVC (inferior vena cava) tumor occurs..my Super Surgeons saved my life! Thanks, sister Julia for sitting by Tom the whole time! The Dogs were pissed…whadda mean you cant walk??? Was back at the gym in three weeks but it wasn’t pretty! Today proudly sporting the World’s Largest Torso Scar!

Jan 1 07 Happy New Year! You have Leiomyosarcoma! Huh? What? The worldwind begins…

Early Feb..LMS Cancer Coctail Party w a bunch of great girls at Nauvoo..ok, a little unconventional but 14 loaner wigs were collected from survivors that day and a lots of laughs were had.. and 50 girls showed up to learn more … we’re all about “passing knowledge forward”….everything happens for a reason..figures I get the “4 in One Million” diagnosis… Tom and Josh (our West Point Cadet Candidate) distributed Purple LMS Wrist Bands and LMS T Shirts were ordered..Highlight: Everyone FINALLY got to meet pal “GAY”-our talented email angel..

Feb-Mar 22 Days of General Radiation..Thanks sister Kathy, for showing the phyisicists how to nuke me from the control station! At least you redeemed yourself the same day by designing our new kitchen..you crazy girl! Radiation pals still report that they miss my hospital gowns and go-go boots…laugh and the world laughs with you:)..

End of March 5 Days of Cyberknife.. May have run 9 slow miles that last day of treatment but Matt McGovern knows what really happened to me at Pier 11..who says successful Wall St types are insensitive?? Matt..you’ll always be my radiation angel!

Mid March..was Survivor Guest Speaker on LMS and “Cancer as an Employee” for the American Cancer Society’s Human Resources Conference at Monmouth Univ…which by the way, won the NJBiz Healthcare Heroes Award 07…congrats Roseann and gang!

End of March- More Half Marathon for LMS awareness led by Dynamo Jeanie Coomber and the girls in Central Park, NYC…it’s nice to run vicariously thru great girls while you’re benched! We still carbo loaded with Marce and Cheryl like the last three years but went UpTown with Julie this year to her beautiful coop..sorry we busted your air mattress, mama…musta been the pasta!

March- DL’s LMS Research Foundation is created by pal, Jeanie and organization is managed by Ann, Susan and Maureen…you guys ROCK! You guys could change the world! You certainly helped mine:)..

Early April..One of our generous clients sends us to his cliffside home in St. John with 6 friends to celebrate the end of radiation.. Still wondering what was worse..the Rum or the Radiation?? Think it was Dr E’s G&Ts that won the trophy! We won’t tell anyone about your treatment protocols, Michael!

April- start treatments at the chemospa in Little Silver…the nurses are all amazing and the Dr has been told if he’s making me bald, he’s not making me fat! So far, Dr Laugh (no kidding) is still employed..he’s actually getting a bonus bc i’m still plucking my eyebrows and shaving my legs…where’s the justice in THAT?

May- attend Sarcoma Foundation of America Gala..in a wig and a Norma Kamali grass green dress (bad hair, good dress) with jenanddavelinn.com…check out my sarcoma sister’s site..you’ll be totally impressed! Did my first PSA film interview for the SFA in Manhattan..who knew growing a tumor could start a film career? Met Marisa Tomei’s parents (son has Sarcoma) and was entertained by an American Idol (brother lost to Sarcoma)…his name will come to me (chemo brain:))

June-volunteered to teach yoga, run a walking clinic and do personal training for any female survivor in Mon Cnty for http://www.teamsurvivortristate.org …an awesome organization that provides healthful alternatives for women during their cancer journey..spread the word!

July-Survivor Speaker for the American Cancer Society at the Villa dei Fiore estate on Nav Riv Rd…raising funds for Hope Lodge in Manhattan, subsidized housing for cancer patients and their families..we’ll be at the ribbon cutting in Sept!

July-Named Honorary Rotarian of the Year, Red Bank…awards luncheon had something to do with some community service projects that added up over the years:)….was completely honored to be recognized amongst prior winners like Tim McLoone, Ed McKenna, Steve Bidgood and Constance Selby.. but especially touched to be surrounded by so many friends that day..

July-Ocean Grove Biathalon for LMS! Run/swim done by top athletes (neph and godson) Chris and Scott…followed (very closely behind) by Tom and Matt…many LMS awareness T shirts were sighted in Ocean Grove that day! Great job, boys! Thank you! Remind Tom to take off his cotton LMS T shirt next time for the swim…totally blew his placement prospects!

Summer 07 Yoga on the Beach in Ocean Grove…Maria agreed to generously donate a portion of her yoga teaching proceeds to finding a cure for LMS…thanks Maria! We should all look so good!

August-Fighting thru chemo…won’t be running any 5 miles races like the Rumson Run in May at the back of the back with a wig and a port…Let’s hope this year of cut, burn and poison yields good results..so far my scans are clear, so we’re celebrating another 3 months..

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