I would like to ask for prayers for another friend. She also requested that I send the word out.

LaVeta is ~80 years old, had cancer in 1993 or so, and was doing fine until a few years ago. She had a recurrence 4 years ago but never let that get her down. She worked as a volunteer at the hospital and was always such a bundle of energy and always so positive. She hugged everybody and made everyone feel so happy in her presence.

Now she has advanced metastases. Her chemo has caused partial paralysis. In a few short months, this dynamo has gone to barely being able to move and use a walker. Because of the paralysis she also has difficulty speaking.

The chemo has caused more bad side effects and doesn't seem to be able to slow the cancer down.

LaVeta is going in for a spinal tap Wednesday at 3pm. If you see this in time, please give special attention to this in your prayers. No matter what, please pray that her cancer slows down and, if miracles happen, goes away.

I am praying for a miracle, Meredith. I will continue to pray all day today for LaVeta.

chick

Meredith, I'm happy to pray for LaVeta. I love hearing about spirited 80 year old wwomen. They are such an inspiration. Was she ever in your exercise class? It wouldn't surprise me.

[ July 20, 2005, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Dotsie ]

I'm praying for a miracle for LaVeta.
smile

Meredith: I'm praying for LaVeta too. Please, keep us posted. Spreading happiness to others
despite her own problems... what a blessing she must be!

Thanks everyone. LaVeta wasn't in my exercise class. I know her through breast cancer support group.

Everyone loves LaVeta. When she came into support group this Tuesday with her walker, more than a few of us started crying. To know what she's gone through -- and she was still cheerful -- makes you realize just how precious life is.

What an inspiration. How's she doing?

Meredith, you lead the exercise group AND attend a cancer support group?

My sister who had cancer last year has continued with her support group too. I think it's a smart thing to do.

Meredith, how did everything go with Laveta ? Did she have the spinal tap?
chick

I need to call her -- usually, news goes through our support grapevine, but I haven't heard yet. And I'm telephone-challenged.

A GF just had a 2nd radical mastectomy yesterday (early stage cancer) and I'm visting her in a day or two. I forgot to post about her surgery, but I knew she would be OK. I've been keeping tabs on a different friend's husband who recently had hip replacement, and I'm visiting in a few hours. I want to visit LaVeta next week and will report back after then.

I hadn't attended the support group in 4 months because of work overload. I went this month, and try to go when possible because newcomers need to see that a cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence.

meredith, you do such heart rendering work. HOw do you stay so upbeat when you minister to so many sick people?