Update 2

I'm getting out of the hospital today.
Ok. We met a radiation oncologist last night I will be starting 3 weeks of radiation - 5 days of 15 minutes each week and then in 4-6 weeks - to allow the tumor to shrink or vanish - another scan, and if they are still there, targeted radiation (maybe Gamma Knife). This is just for the brain stuff. My hair will be gone. The initial evaluation for the radiation will be tomorrow afternoon and I'll start the treatment on Wednesday.
Then I will start the intensive systematic chemo in 3 weeks for the heart, lungs, wherever else.

Unfortunately, fight or not, the prognosis is not great - I have an estimated 2 years or so. Remember, now, that they told my Mom 6 months and she had 3 good years - and I am so above average! But I am sorry. Sometimes you can fight and still lose. I'll do my best to make the record books. My oncologist, Jamie Rigden, has become a friend. She cried with me - We were so happy when we thought we beat it. She'll be a good partner for the battle.

I have plans to have a celebration for Leah's graduation on May 23 - (Ryan's Birthday, too) We will do a picnic on Saturday and a brunch on Sunday. The oncologist says we can work around this. My local friends will help me get it done so you don't have to pack a covered dish! We will have a get-together at a local casino Friday for all-you-can-eat crab legs and their super Buffet but that will have to be Dutch treat. I'll be glad to see you, if you can make it. I will still be up and around, although bald. I am kind of cute bald but I have some good wigs.

I have had a great life so far. I am so proud of my family - They are good people and all four kids have grownup to be fine adults (with 2 of them acquiring fine women as spouses). Plus I have the four cutest, smartest, sneakiest and most amusingly mischievous (the parents define it differently) grandchildren (Grand children are the best revenge!) I have been blessed by your love and friendship. So it goes...
How many people have lived in a tipi, flown in a fighter jet, lived in and visited Europe, raised hell, been an evil scheduler for a consulting firm of geniuses, and made some small differences in the world. I have some regrets, but no-one gets to be a grownup without those, alas. I wish I had been less selfish at times and kinder at others. I married Gene and have been blessed by that.

I have faith, so I am not afraid of being dead - the process of getting there, well not looking forward to that so much. In the meantime, I will keep living as much as I can and enjoying what time I am given. Keep in touch.

Lori Barringer