Friday 11/28 - We have so much to be THANKFUL for!

We had an amazing Thanksgiving day! We all gathered at Wanda's to celebrate the fantastic news that she received just the day before!

Wanda had a Dr's appointment on 11/26 to discuss the results from pathology and have staples removed! And the news was AWESOME!

Wanda's doctor confirmed that the cancer he removed was - indeed- a different form of cancer other than breast cancer. Now, you may be thinking how can having two different types of cancer ever be a good thing? It means that it has not spread..it is simply two different types in two different places! Wanda's doctor has discussed her case with his colleagues and they are all amazed at her situation! Not a surprise for those of us that know her, though! This proves that she is the ultimate multi-tasker!

So, they will be meeting with the Oncologist next week and chemo will start very shortly. Wanda and Missi gave up their black Friday shopping for this year..they send their regrets to the retailers :)

Enjoy your families! Make sure you tell them how much they mean to you!

Update: Mon 11/24 - What a great weekend!

Keeping in mind that we are 18 days out of surgery, it was an AWESOME weekend around here!

Wanda made a trip over to Missi's Hair Salon for some TLC. She also had a visit with Billie and Allen Brockie and Debbie Martin. We followed that up with a big family dinner.

On Sunday, Rich and Wanda scooped up their Grandson's for a shopping trip to the toy store, lunch out and a day full of "boy time". I am sure Wanda slept well last night!!

We have a Dr. follow up on Wednesday for results from the surgery and pathology. We believe that visit will identify the next steps in treatment.

So, we would continue to ask you to be praying and sending positive thoughts for Wanda. We have so much to be thankful for with the miracles we have received and we are confident that the prognosis will be as positive as Wanda and all her Warriors are! We have said it many times...pray hard, pray often, pray with intesity, and pray in expectation of miracles!!

Thursday, Nov 20 UPDATE

First of all, thank you all for supporting Wanda! You have all been amazing and rallied around her with your love and support. There is NO DOUBT that love and prayer has the power to heal!

Missi and the kids were over at Wanda's today and were pleased to report that she is having a great day! We are going to try our hardest to get The Warrior herself to blog a little this weekend so you can hear from her.

We all have so much to be thankful for!

Call to Action: Give Cancer the Bird....

By now, many of you Warriors are sporting your official Wanda's Warrior bracelets! While it is a great reminder to pray for and send positive thoughts for Wanda, it also symbolizes GRATITUDE that Wanda has come through 2 Major Surgeries in the course of a month and is home recouperating!! We have so much to be thankful for!

During this time of year, there are so many families who are struggling just to meet their daily needs. We want to encourage you and your families and friends to show your gratitude for Miracles we have received with Wanda's treatment by supporting a food bank, homeless shelter or family in need...donate a turkey...serve food at a kitchen.....and come back to this blog and brag about it! Won't it be incredible to read how Wanda's Warriors have reached out to continue to help others?? We can't wait!!

The WARRIOR has returned from the battlefield!

WANDA IS HOME!! She got home from the hospital on Saturday!!

Lil' Colorado Warriors checking in!

Dear Aunt Rae, We had a sleep over with Nana and Papa last night...they took this picture for you...hope you like it...please know that we think of you every day and hope you are feeling better soon. Can't wait to see you...
Love,
Brayden and Reese

Wanda just keeps on movin' - Thursday 11/13

Wanda just keeps improving! We are all very, very encouraged with her progress.... including all those races in the hall. We fully expect she will be starting her new career with NASCAR after she gets out.

She is in the process of having all those tubes removed that help her do what she needs to do...and now she can continue the healing process. Rich called in this morning and the Dr's have been in to see her and she is having some x-rays to check on progress.


And..the big news for today...looks like someone might be getting some solid foods...yep..you guessed it - Cream of wheat! YUMMY!

Lastly, the Toborg's of Pollock Pines are packing up tomorrow (Friday) for their move to Riverside. Lots of activities...lots of opportunities for you to remember Wanda and her family with your prayers and good thoughts.

Tuesday, 11/11 MILESTONE—(ALMOST) REAL FOOD..

SHE DINED –WITH REAL TOOLS---ON FREE RANGE CHICKEN…………BROTH…………..AND VERY, VERY , YELLOW JELLO.. ON THE WAY ..SHORTLY (SHE HOPES) TO REAL FOOD….SHE SAYS THE BAG STUFF IS GETTING OLD.

TOOK FIVE LAPS AROUND THE HALLWAY, NOT QUITE LIKE A NASCAR GUY, BUT “LAPS” JUST THE SAME…ALMOST SPUN OUT AT THE RECEPTION DESK….SAVED IT AND WENT ON TO WIN THE 4TH FLOOR CHAMPIONSHIP.... UPDATE------
OUT! GO…”WACING WANDA”

Monday, 11/10 - It just keeps getting better!!

WANDA JUST NOW GOT BACK FROM HER FIRST STEPS SINCE LAST THURSDAY. SHE TRAVELED ABOUT 200 FEET! SHE IS SO HAPPY!!!!! TRIED TO DO THE"MOON WALK", SHE APOLOGIZED TO MICHAEL.

GO WANDA.

More great news for Sunday 11/9

Wanda has been moved out of intensive care into a "regular" hospital room, Missi said that she has even had some of the IV's removed and is looking better everyday! Today, she was sitting up more- and even got a back massage from her nurse.

What an amazing couple of days it has been. Your outpouring of prayer and positive thoughts have made their impact..and the fighting spirit of Wanda should be an example of courage to us all.

The road ahead remains a tough climb. There are battles yet to fight. But, for tonight, The Warrior herself is resting comfortably on the road to recovery. We are thankful!

Saturday - a GREAT news day!!

Just talked to Rich. Wanda has been sitting up today in bed and in a chair. Debbie and Lindsey Martin visited with her today and Rich said it was a great day. Of course, she has slept a lot too, which is good! Rich thinks she will remain in ICU for a couple more days!

Rich and Missi are hangin' in their. Those two warriors have spent every possible moment at Wanda's side since last Thursday. Missi will be home on Monday night, Nov 10 getting ready for the Toborg family move to Riverside on Friday, Nov 14.

Please continue your prayers for Wanda's recovery and what lies beyond.

Update, Friday, 11/7

Good afternoon!

Missi called and they have been visiting with Wanda today in ICU. Wanda is talking and is in relative comfort. Missi's message was "She is doing amazing!"

We are so thankful that she has come through the surgery and can be on the road to treatment. While there are rough days ahead, let's all take a moment and give thanks for this huge victory in the long battle. Prayer works - this is but another example of God's faithfulness to His people.

Updates will continue. Don't ease up on your prayers...but don't forget to focus on thankfulness as well!

Surgery is done

Missi just called and Wanda has completed her surgery. A very long 8 1/2 hour day for her!

The Dr. feels very good that they got all the cancer. His words are 99% of what was there!! Chemo will handle that last 1 % So, this is great news!!

She will spend the night in ICU tonight. Rich and Missi will get to see her in a couple minutes.

In these next few hours..and next few days...like I have said

PRAY HARD...PRAY OFTEN...PRAY with INTENSITY..and give thanks to God for this miracle! Glory to HIM who sustains us all - and especially Wanda!

Surgery Update - 6:05pm PST

Missi just called. The Doctor came out and talked to her and Rich. The surgery is going well, and Wanda is doing great. There is still another couple of hours to go. But there is an awesome team of warriors in the Operating Room with her..and right outside the operation room ;)

We will update as we know more...until then:

Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often * Pray HARDER * Pray MORE Often *

Surgery has begun - updated 4:25 pst

Missi called back to say that Wanda did not go in until about 1:00pm. The surgery is supposed to take 3-4 hours...so check back.

And, since you are thinking about her...Pray Hard * Pray Often * Pray Hard * Pray Often * Pray Hard * Pray Often *


------------

Just got word from Missi that Wanda was taken into surgery at 12:10pm.

Now is the time!

Pray Hard * Pray Often * Pray Hard * Pray Often * Pray Hard * Pray Often *

Surgery Tomorrow...

Warriors! Surgery is scheduled for 12 Noon at City of Hope in Duarte, CA.

PRAY HARD * PRAY OFTEN * PRAY HARD * PRAY OFTEN * PRAY HARD * PRAY OFTEN *

We will keep you posted as surgery ends, through recovery and beyond...check back!

Message from Kaye

Hi Rae, I just want to let you know how proud I'm of you and what an inspiration you are to us all. Mom always said think positive as is this just another bump in the road. As you know we had plenty of bumps on that Greenvalley road. We all are praying for you and I'll keep the cards coming. I have enclosed a couple pics of Chad & Jennifer's Wedding Reception. Take care and remember We Love You Very Much!!!!!!!! Love Kay & Kent

Let's make Wanda REALLY rich!!

"Rich is the person who has a praying friend."

-Janice Hughes

Home from Halloween in Pollock Pines!

Hi Everyone,
Rich and I just returned from visiting Missi, Jeff, Preston, Ashton, and Emily for the Halloween weekend and I must say it was the best medicine I have received since this whole thing started! Lots of fun watching the Doctor, the Fireman, and Little Red Riding Hood go "Trick or Treating" and just hanging out with my family... made me smile.
But now I am back home ready to take on a new week.
Tomorrow I will go to UCI for a second opinion before having surgery on Thursday. I have been very fortunate in receiving recommendations to amazing doctors which have made making our decisions for treatment much easier, but I've got to tell you, it is easier to bid a large project in the eleventh hour than to have to make a quick decisions about what treatment is going to be best.
For now I will have the surgery on Thursday and Missi and Jeff will update the blog.
It has been two weeks since my first surgery and if it had not been for the development of the ovarian cancer and another surgery I would be ready to go back to work tomorrow! I am feeling well and strong and I know most of it is from all the prayers, and positive thoughts that I received from all of you! THANK YOU!
I just want each of you to know how humbled and grateful I am by your response and support. I read every word posted-- sometimes with tears and sometimes with laughter. You will never know how much it helps. You are all the most amazing group of friends and family, and I am very lucky to have you all in my life.
As for my part, I promise to stay positive and have faith that I will beat this and all the time knowing I am not alone.
Love,
Wanda "Rae"