The Laurie Project

I’ve been talking with Laurie this morning, and she’s not feeling well, and having trouble keeping her spirits up, too. She mentioned, offhandedly, that she wished she “had to go to work” like Caryn and I do–because at least it would get her out of her house and around other people!So I thought… well, this is the age of the Internet, right? We can all take Laurie to work with us! So I’m asking you, any of you, to take a few pictures today/tomorrow, or videos, or record some voice clips (I’m going to try to get all my co-workers to say “hi” to her), and write just enough to describe what’s going on (”Lunchtime! The breakroom is so damn dirty and loud!” …). Post whatever you get [on Facebook], or on Flickr or YouTube or whatever, and let me know so I can send everything over to her! …

The highlight of Laurie’s day today is getting to go to CVS with her nurse to fill prescriptions. We should probably all be counting our blessings… but why not share one or two with someone who’s lonely right now?

… Kathy.

Comment a link to your pics/videos here and we’ll make sure she gets them!

Laurie has long been a huge fan of Randy Pausch–I think she probably recommended his Last Lecture to everyone she knew.

I know she’s sad today to learn of his passing.  Me… I’m sort of not sad so much as pissed off.  This cancer thing–this has got to stop.

I also recommend Pausch’s last lecture to everyone–including you.  View Randy’s Pausch’s entire Last Lecture here or an abridged version here. Every word he says is relevant to every single one of us.

I’m sorry it’s been so long since we’ve updated you about Laurie. She is still at home. A nurse comes over and gives her IV chemo treatments now. She’s always in a lot of pain, but she does email us about once a week or so. These emails are the highlight of my week.

She’s been saying that she really wants to get away to the beach with her husband, even if it’s just for a few days. They need some time to enjoy themselves and get away from “reality” for a bit. If you want to help donate to Laurie’s weekend at the beach, please PayPal the money to laurie.bereza@gmail.com.

Also, I’m having a garage sale this weekend (07/19) to raise money for Laurie. Lots of wonderful people have donated items for the sale. If you’re in the Austin area, please do come check it out. I’m at 12212 Antoinette Place.

I know it’s been awhile, but we got an update on Laurie today. She’s home from the Mayo Clinic! She still has a lot of fighting to do. She’s still in a lot of pain. She’s got an infected wound that is requiring antibiotics. She’s on O2 because her lungs are being stubborn. She’s gotten more kidney stones. But she’s not in the hospital anymore. She has a nurse visit her regularly to help out.

Next week, they plan on some radiation “to blast some tumor cells they see growing in the old tumor bed that was around [her] uterus.” It’s scary, but they’re working on her cancer, now… and that is such GREAT news.

Laurie and Steve need a couple of things from us…. donations (even $5 helps!) and support. You have no idea how much it means for Laurie to get a card or letter or gift or… anything. She needs to know we’re pulling for her. My address is below. I will make sure everything gets to her.

Caryn
12212 Antoinette Pl
Austin, TX 78727

Laurie sends us emails every couple of days or so. This always makes my day.

She’s having some complications…. her O2 saturation is low because the bottom lobes of her lungs have collapsed. Her incision was leaking infectious fluid. She had a bad reaction to the meningitis vaccination they gave her. BUT…

She is able to email us. She’s a fighter. She’s hanging in there. She could use some encouragement. I’m trying to confirm an address and room number for us to send cards to… but for now, you can send items to me. I’ll make sure they get to her. Anything helps. A card to let her know you’re thinking of her would make such a huge impact.

My address is:

Caryn
12212 Antoinette Pl
Austin, TX 78727

I spoke with Laurie very briefly last night.  Her surgery went as well as could be expected, especially given that this is Laurie, after all, and she tends to be pretty complicated.  Apparently, it took several hours longer than it was supposed to, and she’s now sporting a 15″ incision.  Her oxygen levels are too low, and her blood pressure and her pulse are too high, but she’s still here, and that’s the important part.

Last month, we managed to raise $759.46 that we sent off to Laurie before her trip to the Mayo Clinic–that’s huge!  Thank you to everyone who donated and linked and talked about it.  We’re setting a lower goal this month–let’s see if we can raise $500, to pay for her medications and maybe take a bit of the burden off of her and Steve while she’s recovering.  I’d love to figure out another contest, but I’m sort of tapped out right now–I’m brainstorming, though.  I can come up with something!

I’m sure I’ll be talking with Laurie again soon, so let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to pass along for you!

Laurie is scheduled for surgery today. Pretty major surgery. She said in an entry yesterday, “i’m sure it’ll be another night of no sleep, tears, and wishing i believed in god.” Well, I believe in God. So I’m praying enough for the both of us. I’m begging Him to comfort her and watch over her… and if it is His will (and I really, really wish it would be), could He please help her make it through this.I was telling Kathy this morning that I’ve lost a lot of people to cancer… but it’s always been a surprise. Sudden. By the time we found out, it was terminal. No question about it. Never before have I been given a day on my calendar to watch. A day where I wonder if she will make it through this one or not (and she will!). I feel pretty nauseous.

So I’m asking… if you pray, pray for Laurie. Pray for His comfort and her strength. Pray for the same for her husband. And if you don’t pray, we could really use any positive vibes you’ve got available.

- Caryn

So, I tallied up all 24 entries–not bad, guys, not bad! We’ve raised over $300 since April 1!–and wrote everyone’s name on a slip of paper.

I’ve put all the names in a little glass I had handy. I don’t really do hats, so I couldn’t draw out of a hat. Ahh well. I’m sure we’ll all live with the drawing-from-a-rocks-glass thing. Now I’m just waiting for Chet, my impartial third party, to get home to draw the winner!

And here he is, the man of the moment. He was so confused when I came at him with a camera and a glass full of paper. Hee. But he’s a good sport, and agreed to let me snap his picture as he drew the winning name.

We have a winner! Athena Alexander, congratulations–you’ve won a $25 Amazon gift code! Check your email for your prize!

I think next contest, we can do even better. Thank you to everyone who linked, donated, and bought from the store so far–please keep spreading the word, and please keep Laurie in your thoughts!

As of five minutes ago, I have in my possession a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com, home of books, movies, music and more. And somehow, through some remarkable feat of willpower, I have not yet spent it buying shiny new books and CDs. I am trying to unclutter my life a bit, and I do not technically need any more books or movies or CDs. But the only way to ensure I do not cave and buy things anyway is for you to win this gift code away from me.

So let’s play a game! Let’s have a contest!

Here’s how this is going to work: Starting right now–6:49 PM Central Time, March 29, 2008, and ending at, let’s say, 7:00 PM Central Time on Saturday, April 12, 2008, The Laurie Project will be tallying entries for this fabulous Amazon gift certificate. To earn one entry, post a link to http://www.thelaurieproject.org on your blog, or post a bulletin or announcement on your MySpace or Facebook profile. Comment on this entry only to let us know where it is, and please supply a valid email address (it will not be published with your comment) so I can deliver your prize if you win! Encourage everyone you know to link to The Laurie Project to earn an entry! One entry per person per blog. (If you have multiple blogs, you can certainly link more than once for more than one entry.)

To earn two additional entries (for a total of three entries if you link to us, too), make a purchase from our store or make a donation of $5US or more to Laurie before 7:00 PM Central Time on Saturday, April 12. Many of our items are under $10, and in addition to your hot new handcrafted goodie, you could win another $25 to spend at Amazon!

Don’t forget to comment on this entry to let us know you’ve entered to win, to make sure we have your email address to send you your prize! The prize is a virtual gift certificate, and will be emailed to you immediately following the drawing on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at about 8:00 PM Central Time. (Check back then for live updates!)

On your marks, get set, spread the word!

Laurie has not been doing too well.  The nesidioblastosis has left her sicker and weaker than she would be otherwise, and she is now facing surgery to have her spleen and pancreas removed.  The surgery will be in the next two weeks, and it’s expected she’ll need at least three weeks to recover.

She wrote me that the doctors told her there was a chance that because she is so unwell, she may not make it through the surgery.  At the same time, though, she is currently so ill that she can’t even pursue most of the treatment she needs so badly.  I am praying, and I hope you will too, that the surgery goes well, she makes a swift recovery, and she moves on to beating that nasty cancer as soon as possible.

Laurie has also been lonely, fighting all these battles far from home, and with limited energy to talk much to everyone far away.  I know she’d appreciate hearing from anyone who wishes her well.  Consider sending her an e-card, or a funny joke, or just a note that says you’re thinking about her.  You can direct any messages to Laurie directly at laurie@thelaurieproject.org.

And please, as always, take a look around our store! Check out this beautiful necklace, some original photography, or keep warm with this hand-knit shrug.  There’s plenty in the store for every taste and any budget–don’t miss your chance to own a one-of-a-kind piece of art for a criminally low price!