Weekend trip with Amber

-
Amber Lyons - now that your liver tumors have shrunk what are you going to do? "I'm going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!"

Well...this isn't actually how our conversation went, but it was similar. Amber's last scan showed 2 liver lesions and one had shrunk 50% and the other 25%. The rest of her body showed no signs of cancer - this is very good news! The surgeon she met with a Vandy feels confident he can remove the liver lesions, but they want her to be off her chemo for a month prior to surgery. So...she called and we quickly scheduled a fun and relaxing weekend in Orlando. We stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa. We enjoyed a relaxing weekend of shopping, hot tubs, massages, TV, reading and even a day at Universal Studios. Amber out-rode me when it came to the rollercoasters at the park. I started getting dizzy and just stood and watched her ride the last two. We rode the new Harry Potter ride twice, drank butterbeer (cream soda w/butterscotch whipped cream), and ate at the Three Broomsticks pub. We also enjoyed the rest of the park - Hulk coaster, Seussville, Simpsons ride, etc... but Harry Potter definitely has the corner on Universal's tourist market this season.
Amber's surgery is scheduled for March 10th. If you are reading this, I ask that you say a prayer for my friend that day.

Great weekend - fabulous friend! 

Comments

Anonymous said…
I have never posted a blog in my life but came across this article when trying to find out some info about lesions on the liver. My husband was due for an MRI today for the lesions but could not do it due to being confined in the MRI machine. I will pray Amber will be fine and she can have fun at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Lots of prayers for you Amber.

Carol
February 9, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Laura Thomas Hall said…
We had a great time at Universal. Amber's surgery will be in March at Vanderbilt.
I will pray for your husband Carol.
February 9, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Sherry M. T. said…
Laura, you are a true friend! I am amazed by the historical family photos and remember Amber through her growing up years, too, since she grew up next door to the McCaskill's as well. I have enjoyed the slides you have copied and preserved. That is wonderful for all of you. Amber is in our prayers daily.
March 2, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Living in Music City

-
Image
Nashville is a great city. Sometimes I take for granted what a wonderful city we live in, until I am talking to someone who is newer to our area. The cost of living is decent, traffic isn't too bad, people are kind and generous and you can see all types of live music pretty much any night of the week. My friend Katherine  and her daughter Macie enjoy going to the Opry. The other night they saw Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift for $40. Where else can you do that?! I think one of the reasons many celebrities like to live here is because no one really bothers them. They can shop, dine and head to the movies without being hounded by the paparazzi. Not that we don't notice when we see Nicole and Keith at the coffee shop, or Sheryl Crow at the store but we southerners are polite and leave them alone.   I was working on my box for our city swap and decided to head downtown to get some official music city souvenirs. I had a great day playing tourist while looking for the perfect items t
Read more

Dan Cole - American Hero

-
Image
We got a call Saturday night that you never want to get. My brother in law Dan had been killed in a flight accident. Dan has been a pilot and mechanic for the National Guard for about 20 years. Dan loved flying and knew his helicopters inside and out. Dan has served our country in Kosovo and Iraq. I guess when he came home from those tours we all just breathed a sigh of relief, but as we all know too well - there are no guarantees in this life. Dan is a few years younger than me, but I've known him all my life. He grew up on Hill street in Henderson; I grew up on North.  Our lives, like so many in a small town were always intertwined. We went to school, summer camp and church together and our parent's are good friends. We used to laugh about how Bryan and Deanna went away to college to meet new people and broaden their horizons...and both ended up marrying "townies". Dan was a great guy. He proudly loved and served his country, but he also loved and served his fe
Read more

Chemo #5

-
Chemo #5 is over and it all went well. My counts are down as expected, but I'm feeling pretty well. I'll have to take it easy the next few days but usually by Mondays I'm feeling stronger again. Lori took me to chemo, then we went to Bongo Java for lunch. I then came home and took a 2 hr nap. I got to have dinner with my friends Anna and Sarah tonight, it sure was good to get to see them again. We all worked together at Healthways years ago. I start back to work on Monday. I'm looking forward to being back with my friends. I hope they have patience with my "chemo brain" tendencies. I actually looked it up, because it has been frustrating for me. Mayo clinic had an article on it, so I guess I'm not imagining it. Of course I didn't have the best memory before all this began. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-treatment/CA00044 Next week I'll be at #6 and half way through with treatments! Keep those prayers going, they are keeping me strong an
Read more