As I have said before, I refuse to let cancer take my hair! An amazing opportunity has presented itself to me whereby rather than my hair going to waste and falling out in clumps on my pillow, on my floor, in my car, in my food, in my family's food, etc...I am able to shave it while raising money for a great cause! I will be shaving my head on March 17th when just days later my second round of chemo would have taken my hair anyway...talk about God's perfect timing!!
Na-na na-na boo boo cancer!
Please take a moment to watch the following video of a past St. Baldrick's event then please be so kind as to support me in my fundraising efforts to find a cure for childhood cancers! I will be among many other participants (including my husband and son) who will be shaving their heads to stand in solidarity with children everywhere fighting the battle with cancer!
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYelqv5557k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Please click on this link to go to my St. Baldrick's Day homepage!
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/LisaBakos
Thank you and God bless you!
Lisa
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Out of the mouths of babes...
Artwork by my kids Josef (9) and Jillian (15)
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2
Saturday, February 25, 2012
An Attitude of Gratitude...
I recently came across the following articles by Joyce Meyer and found them to be so pertinent in my life right now. I hope these words give you as much perspective as they have given me:
"In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul instructs us not to use any foul or polluting language. At one time, I didn't realize that this included complaining, but I have since learned that murmuring and complaining pollute our lives." - Joyce Meyer
First let me address the part about the foul and polluting language! I am certain those who know me well may think I'm not one to give speeches about using foul language, and they'd be right. I will admit there was a time, awhile ago ;), when, especially on the tennis court, I had quite the reputation for 'occasional' swearing...a type of tennis Tourette's one might say! Over time, with age and noticeably fewer partners to play with, I mellowed and it finally occurred to me I was PAYING money to play tennis, not getting PAID money to play tennis. I am thankful for the realization that, for me, tennis became so much more about lasting friendships than it ever was about fleeting wins or losses.
Enough about swearing, now let's talk about complaining.
"Complaining causes many people a great deal of problems in their lives and destroys the joy of anyone listening. I asked myself, how quick am I to become impatient and begin to complain when stuck in traffic or while waiting in checkout lanes in grocery stores or department stores? How quick am I to spot and point out the faults of friends or family members? Do I complain about my household chores rather than being grateful I have a home and family to care for?"
"I've heard the best antidote for complaining is thanksgiving. Truly thankful people do not complain. They are too busy being grateful for all the good things they have that they have no time to notice the things they could complain about."
"I will try going to bed at night pondering everything I have to be thankful for. It will be the first thing I do in the morning. I will thank God for "little" things or things I might normally take for granted: a parking place, waking up in time for work, a meal, my family, etc. I will try not to get discouraged when I fail, or throw in the towel and quit either." - Joyce Meyer
I will try with all my heart to live by the above words every day, but I'm sure there will be times when I will fail, when we'll all fail, and I pray we will always be there for each other throughout the ups and downs of life!
Disclaimer: Once I start chemo and I have ALOT to complain about, all bets are off! Ha ha ha!
As always, I remain so thankful for you and my gratitude is unwavering!!
This is a great song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U5P3n33eLE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
God bless and XO,
Lisa
"In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul instructs us not to use any foul or polluting language. At one time, I didn't realize that this included complaining, but I have since learned that murmuring and complaining pollute our lives." - Joyce Meyer
First let me address the part about the foul and polluting language! I am certain those who know me well may think I'm not one to give speeches about using foul language, and they'd be right. I will admit there was a time, awhile ago ;), when, especially on the tennis court, I had quite the reputation for 'occasional' swearing...a type of tennis Tourette's one might say! Over time, with age and noticeably fewer partners to play with, I mellowed and it finally occurred to me I was PAYING money to play tennis, not getting PAID money to play tennis. I am thankful for the realization that, for me, tennis became so much more about lasting friendships than it ever was about fleeting wins or losses.
Enough about swearing, now let's talk about complaining.
"Complaining causes many people a great deal of problems in their lives and destroys the joy of anyone listening. I asked myself, how quick am I to become impatient and begin to complain when stuck in traffic or while waiting in checkout lanes in grocery stores or department stores? How quick am I to spot and point out the faults of friends or family members? Do I complain about my household chores rather than being grateful I have a home and family to care for?"
"I've heard the best antidote for complaining is thanksgiving. Truly thankful people do not complain. They are too busy being grateful for all the good things they have that they have no time to notice the things they could complain about."
"I will try going to bed at night pondering everything I have to be thankful for. It will be the first thing I do in the morning. I will thank God for "little" things or things I might normally take for granted: a parking place, waking up in time for work, a meal, my family, etc. I will try not to get discouraged when I fail, or throw in the towel and quit either." - Joyce Meyer
I will try with all my heart to live by the above words every day, but I'm sure there will be times when I will fail, when we'll all fail, and I pray we will always be there for each other throughout the ups and downs of life!
Disclaimer: Once I start chemo and I have ALOT to complain about, all bets are off! Ha ha ha!
As always, I remain so thankful for you and my gratitude is unwavering!!
This is a great song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U5P3n33eLE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
God bless and XO,
Lisa
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Silver Lining #9
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a huge animal lover...at one point in my life I had 3 horses, 3 dogs, 5 cats, a bunny, a bird, and 4 hermit crabs. I can tell you that those numbers have since dwindled, as old age has taken some to heaven...where I believe I will see them again one day.
Along the way, I have been fortunate enough to have cherished friends and fellow animal lovers care for my brood when we traveled, or occasionally when I wasn't able to care for them myself, for one reason or another.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a few particular people who have tirelessly and graciously cared for my two dogs and two horses as if they were their own over the last 6 weeks! Thank you Phyllis, Rachel and Rich. This prayer is for you:
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...." Philippians 1:3
XO
Lisa
Along the way, I have been fortunate enough to have cherished friends and fellow animal lovers care for my brood when we traveled, or occasionally when I wasn't able to care for them myself, for one reason or another.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a few particular people who have tirelessly and graciously cared for my two dogs and two horses as if they were their own over the last 6 weeks! Thank you Phyllis, Rachel and Rich. This prayer is for you:
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...." Philippians 1:3
XO
Lisa
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent, a 43-day period which is an allusion to the separation of Jesus in the desert to fast and pray.
After some time spent wondering what I should give up during the Lenten season, I finally figured it out - I will be giving up my hair...literally! But I refuse to give it to cancer! Instead I will be getting my head shaved on March 17th for the 5th Annual St. Baldrick's Event at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland.
Over the past four years, this event has raised over half a million dollars towards childhood cancer research! It's an exceptional achievement and I intend to be a part of it!
My personal fundraising goal is $1000.00. Will you please sponsor me by visiting the link below (cut and paste if necessary) and make a donation to find a cure for childhood cancers in my name? (note: I can be found by name under 'shavees' or as a team member of the Oakland Police Department)
I will be joined by some of my family members and friends. I promise...pictures to follow!
www.stbaldricks.org/participants/LisaBakos
Goodbye hair, hello hats!!
XO
Lisa
PS - I'm also giving up sodas! That's going to be harder than losing my hair!
After some time spent wondering what I should give up during the Lenten season, I finally figured it out - I will be giving up my hair...literally! But I refuse to give it to cancer! Instead I will be getting my head shaved on March 17th for the 5th Annual St. Baldrick's Event at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland.
Over the past four years, this event has raised over half a million dollars towards childhood cancer research! It's an exceptional achievement and I intend to be a part of it!
My personal fundraising goal is $1000.00. Will you please sponsor me by visiting the link below (cut and paste if necessary) and make a donation to find a cure for childhood cancers in my name? (note: I can be found by name under 'shavees' or as a team member of the Oakland Police Department)
I will be joined by some of my family members and friends. I promise...pictures to follow!
www.stbaldricks.org/participants/LisaBakos
Goodbye hair, hello hats!!
XO
Lisa
PS - I'm also giving up sodas! That's going to be harder than losing my hair!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Que Sera, Seroma!
What ever will be, will be....
Unfortunately I developed a Seroma (pocket of clear serous fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery) so my surgeon had to reinstall another drain. This development will push my chemo start date back two weeks, so I will now begin chemotherapy on March 7th.
My surgeon scolded me for doing too much with my upper body...so for the next week at least, she told me to act like a princess...seems princesses heal faster.
That will also give me more time to shop for cute hats and scarves...but don't mention that part to my surgeon!
Que sera, sera!
XO
Lisa
Unfortunately I developed a Seroma (pocket of clear serous fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery) so my surgeon had to reinstall another drain. This development will push my chemo start date back two weeks, so I will now begin chemotherapy on March 7th.
My surgeon scolded me for doing too much with my upper body...so for the next week at least, she told me to act like a princess...seems princesses heal faster.
That will also give me more time to shop for cute hats and scarves...but don't mention that part to my surgeon!
Que sera, sera!
XO
Lisa
Cancer Brain
Now don't panic, I don't have brain cancer...but I do have cancer brain, a term usually referred to as 'chemo brain' - a phenomenon in which your brain is fuzzy, foggy, forgetful, and just about working at 25% capacity. But since I don't start chemo until February 22nd, I'm just letting you know - I have cancer brain.
Now I'd love to blame cancer brain for me not being able to help Josef with basic third grade math, but my family knows the truth - I couldn't help him with his second grade math either!
Sometimes I find myself staring at my iPhone not knowing which buttons to push, though I've had this phone for sometime now. Words With Friends is definitely out of the question, unless I don't mind losing by 300 points - which I do mind. Hanging With Friends, also out, as words with more than 3 letters escape me and anyone who plays this game knows you need 4 minimum to make a word. So I usually just pick People Magazine or TMZ...so my brain capacity for celebrity gossip is functioning at about 60%.
So if you get an odd email, card, phone call meant for someone else, or I call you by another name, just go with it...because I'm sure you were on my list of favorite people to contact sooner or later.
XO
Wait, what's MY name again?
Now I'd love to blame cancer brain for me not being able to help Josef with basic third grade math, but my family knows the truth - I couldn't help him with his second grade math either!
Sometimes I find myself staring at my iPhone not knowing which buttons to push, though I've had this phone for sometime now. Words With Friends is definitely out of the question, unless I don't mind losing by 300 points - which I do mind. Hanging With Friends, also out, as words with more than 3 letters escape me and anyone who plays this game knows you need 4 minimum to make a word. So I usually just pick People Magazine or TMZ...so my brain capacity for celebrity gossip is functioning at about 60%.
So if you get an odd email, card, phone call meant for someone else, or I call you by another name, just go with it...because I'm sure you were on my list of favorite people to contact sooner or later.
XO
Wait, what's MY name again?
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Is This Real Life?
Monday morning, I will be going in for surgery to install my chemo port. It is a device that goes under the skin near my collar bone and connects a catheter to a vein. This way, chemotherapy drugs and blood samples can be drawn many times, with less discomfort than a regular needle stick. Oh goody!
Sometimes, when I'm talking out loud to others (or admittedly, talking quietly to myself) I say "Is this real life?". I find myself feeling as perplexed as that poor kid David after the dentist on YouTube....oh how I wish it were just a tooth pulling!!
I'm going to ask my doctor if I can hook my port up to chocolate fountains and barrels of wine....
I hope I get the same drugs as David:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
XO
Lisa
Sometimes, when I'm talking out loud to others (or admittedly, talking quietly to myself) I say "Is this real life?". I find myself feeling as perplexed as that poor kid David after the dentist on YouTube....oh how I wish it were just a tooth pulling!!
I'm going to ask my doctor if I can hook my port up to chocolate fountains and barrels of wine....
I hope I get the same drugs as David:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
XO
Lisa
Happy Valentines Day!
"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever so believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Now that's true love!
XO
Lisa
Now that's true love!
XO
Lisa
Saturday, February 11, 2012
People Come in to Your Life...
People come in to your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime!
I have had a wonderful share of each kind, and each one has been a blessing I will always cherish.
Strange how life unfolds...I always thought I was close to God, a spiritual person. But it wasn't until I got sick that I realized I had so much more to learn as a Christian, so much more to absorb, and so much more to give.
Thank you to a special new friend and an enlightening and enjoyable discovery....Daily Post-it notes from God! Author, illustrator, and inspirer, Chris Shea:
(Picture God's sticky notes lined up along the sidewalk outside your house, each with a loving thought about you. They stretch out as far as the eye can see!)
"You know, don't you, how many loving thoughts I think about you?
Love,
G."
"If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand."
Psalms 139:18
Sign up to receive the Daily Thought - a dose of inspiration sent every day to your email. Go to www.lifesighs.com
I look forward, every day, to receiving these post-it notes from God. It is easy to see when some people are meant to come into your life for a reason AND a lifetime!
God bless,
Lisa
I have had a wonderful share of each kind, and each one has been a blessing I will always cherish.
Strange how life unfolds...I always thought I was close to God, a spiritual person. But it wasn't until I got sick that I realized I had so much more to learn as a Christian, so much more to absorb, and so much more to give.
Thank you to a special new friend and an enlightening and enjoyable discovery....Daily Post-it notes from God! Author, illustrator, and inspirer, Chris Shea:
(Picture God's sticky notes lined up along the sidewalk outside your house, each with a loving thought about you. They stretch out as far as the eye can see!)
"You know, don't you, how many loving thoughts I think about you?
Love,
G."
"If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand."
Psalms 139:18
Sign up to receive the Daily Thought - a dose of inspiration sent every day to your email. Go to www.lifesighs.com
I look forward, every day, to receiving these post-it notes from God. It is easy to see when some people are meant to come into your life for a reason AND a lifetime!
God bless,
Lisa
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Queen Mother (and Father) of all Silver Linings!
I am blessed with the greatest husband in the world...he has been and done everything for me and our children. He's continued to excel at his job, while taking on all my duties as a mother.
Don't mean to brag, but it has to be said!! I have been overwhelmed with his love and support for me and our family!
He is the queen mother (and father!) of all silver linings...I wish everyone who has to battle cancer had a Steve!
He has 'loved me through it' and I know he will continue to do so. God bless my husband.
Please listen to this song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iey3eFrDMXA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Don't mean to brag, but it has to be said!! I have been overwhelmed with his love and support for me and our family!
He is the queen mother (and father!) of all silver linings...I wish everyone who has to battle cancer had a Steve!
He has 'loved me through it' and I know he will continue to do so. God bless my husband.
Please listen to this song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iey3eFrDMXA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Silver Lining #8
Wow! I never knew I had so many wonderful cooks as friends! Here I thought this might be an opportunity to lose some weight....but instead I can see with all the amazing food being delivered by such amazing friends, that 'gaining' rather than 'losing' might be the outcome now.
Actually, you are starting to make me look bad when I have to field questions from Steve and the kids like "Mmmm, we never get food like this!" and "Gee mom, how long will your cancer last so we can keep getting these great meals!". Ha ha ha.
So come on girls, maybe you could burn a meal, mix in a few hairs every now and then, or bring a brussel sprout casserole sometime.
Seriously though, thank you for your thoughtfully prepared and delicious dinners and desserts...it has allowed us to gather as a family and give thanks for dear friends and neighbors like you.
XO
Lisa
Actually, you are starting to make me look bad when I have to field questions from Steve and the kids like "Mmmm, we never get food like this!" and "Gee mom, how long will your cancer last so we can keep getting these great meals!". Ha ha ha.
So come on girls, maybe you could burn a meal, mix in a few hairs every now and then, or bring a brussel sprout casserole sometime.
Seriously though, thank you for your thoughtfully prepared and delicious dinners and desserts...it has allowed us to gather as a family and give thanks for dear friends and neighbors like you.
XO
Lisa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)