Mom at Andy's Big Night- Brings Ovarian Cancer Together

Last night my brother Andy reached a milestone in his career as a musician. To some a small event, to others in the professions huge. Mom and Dad have been to problably dozens if not a hundred of Andy's concerts where he performed. Last night for the first time and took the stage as the Band Director. Mom loved his performance and Laura his fiance couldnt get over how young he looked up there. It was a bit strange for me also to see my little brother do such an increadible job now that he too is a band director. So, to Andy, BRAVO!!!! on your first concert, and may you have many more just the same.
On another note last night. Mom was in her classic beret that she sports now that her head is well......bald. A woman behind her reached forward to politely ask, "I am sorry but do you have Ovarian Cancer". Mom replied with a "Yes". The women went on to tell of her mother who beat Ovarian Cancer. Mom ended with a "Thank You and "I am going to beat it too". So no where you go, theres someone who knows, someone who has felt its damage, but also someone who knows the fight that it takes. Mom has that fight. Bravo Mom!!!!!

Andy, I am very proud of you and you did a fablous job.....

Love, Your Brother....the other band director
Chuck

Hawks Come to the Rescue

As you all know by now TEAM JLO is in a full speed ahead fundraising mode. One of the newest components of our fundraising team now comes from mom's alma matter J.P Steven High School in Edison NJ. My wife Lauren is a teacher at J.P and took the lead to encourage the 10th grade class to sponsor TEAM JLO by selling ovarian cancer ribbons. This is only one of many other fundraising efforts that we're embarking on at this point. Very shortly we'll be reaching out to business for their support as well as seeking sponsors to cover the cost of TEAM JLO shirts that every runner on our team will wear. If anyone out there knows of any business that would be willing to sponsor us by purchasing the shirts please let me know ASAP. Let's get going and raise some money. CONTRIBUTE HERE

Thanks,

Chuck

GREAT NEWS!!

Back on October 2nd we found out again Mom's Cancers level's jumped up to 236. Most of us walking around have some levels in us and the norm range is 1-30. Just a few days prior to Thanksgiving we had found out that it was down to 23....Now,,,,,,,,,drum roll please........................................Yesterday we got word that mom's levels are down to 10. That's just increadible. We're so proud of her and how strong she is. I had made an error in the last post. This was mom's 5th treatment and still has one to go. In celebration of her new low number she went out for dinner with dad and bought Kemo a new toy. Well more from the home front soon.


Best,
Chuck

#6

Tomorrow marks mom's 6th chemo of this round. She continues to fight just as before and she's doing better than ever. Throughout this year however she'll have to have monthly maintaince treatments, but her motto is "whatever I have to do, I'll do". It would be amazing if we were all that strong. Well keep the prayers and good thoughts coming. More from Team Lopez Soon.

Charles

26% HAS ARRIVED

Thanks to our newest TEAM JLO SUPPORTER we have reached 26% of the $5,000.00 fundraising goal.

New TEAM JLO SUPPORTER
Karla Mirra


Thanks,
Chuck

p.s I have uncovered an issued with the fundraising site. For some reason I cannot get it to scroll thruogh all the supporter names on the TEAM JLO site. However the main event page has them all, as well as TEAM donation standings. You'll see how much of an impact we are having. You can CLICK HERE to see that info.

Please note that all donations to TEAM JLO must be made on the TEAM PAGE.

This time last year...

I know many of us would rather just put it behind us, but I think it's important to think back one year ago. And think about how mom was doing health-wise, how she was feeling, how she looked... It was not a pretty sight. Everyone of us wanted to think the absolute best outcome, but to be honest it was difficult (sometimes). The good news however, is when we stop remembering the past and start focusing on the present and seeing how well Mom is doing 1 year later. One year after all of those grimm reports, tests, and some jerk gave her only a few months.

At this point Mom is doing great. She just finished her 4th chemo and is set for 2 more treatments every 3 weeks. Aches and pains are really the bulk her side affects, but they don't slow her down for too long. Once she's finished with these next few chemo's the doctor has prescribed one chemotherapy a month for a whole year so that she can knock anything and everything out of her system. And at this point I don't even have to tell you her outlook. She continues with her steadfast ways, and won't let anything get her down... well maybe one thing.. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF WHEN YOU COME IN OUR HOUSE!!! That's about it though!

In the past few weeks, we've had a few additional TEAM JLO Supporters and I know Charlie is going to recognize them in a blog shortly. But I just wanted to ask that in this season of giving, only if you are able to donate just $10/$15 that would surely help us towards our goal. Times are tough, and money is tight (I'm finally starting to learn that with the purchase of my first new car), but life above all is most important. So keep the prayers and good thoughts coming!!

From our family to yours... HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

Andrew

WE MADE 25%

With the very generous help of our newest TEAM JLO supporter we have reached our Christmas goal of 25%. Now, I cannot tell you how great it makes me feel to see us all put together and get the job done.

Now, it's time to unveil our New Years Goal. TEAM JLO NEEDS to reach 35% by New Years Eve to reach our next goal. I know we can do it, let's spread the word. Great Job Everyone

New TEAM JLO SUPPORTER
Stanley Mackiewicz


Thanks,
Charlie

Johanna's Law Passed Today in Congress

I just received word from Robin Cohen from the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Alliance that Johanna's Law passed in the early hours of the morning today in the last session on the 109th Congress. This was a huge battle fought by a nation wide grass roots effort. Sheryl Silver, the sister of Johanna spearheaded this legislation and 2 years later finally got it through. Thank you to all of you who made calls to your representatives and senators. I know each call helped.

This was a new expierence for me in my life. I have never before had the oppertunity to impact or be involved with legislation, and I must say I loved it.
The picture attaced is a picture of Johanna Silver Gordon the woman whom this bill was named for. Click here for more info on the increadible legislation.

Thank you again
Chuck Loepz

TEAM JLO HAS REACHED 22%

With the help of our newest doners we are now at 22%. Great work everyone !!!!!!!

New TEAM JLO Supporter
William Heruska

Thanks,
Chuck Lopez

TEAM JLO HAS REACHED 21 %

With the latest donations we have now reached 21% of our 5,000.00 goal. I still want to hit 25% by Christmas, so let's get going.

New TEAM JLO SUPPORTERS
Doug Schneider & Harriet Sideris
Dana Neider

Thank You,
Chuck Lopez

Thanksgiving Was Great!!!!!!

As you can see Thanksgiving was just wonderful. We had almost the whole family together and man did we eat. The day began with Lauren screaming for me from the kitchen at 5AM. There we found our wonderful 1960's Oven decided that today of all days would be the one to stop working. We however were lucky, and just popped the bird in the oven at my rescue squad around the corner. The whole family pitched in and brought with them all sorts of increadible dishes and kudos to Shelly for that Pumpkin Crisp.....it was so good. We were also very blessed to have Laurens mom, grandmother, great aunt Lilly, and very funy cousin Paul join us. It really was a family affair. Yes, you guessed it we ended out the night with a rousing games of Holdem and Blackjack. Overall it was by far one of the best holidays of my life, mostly because my mom was there. She is doing so well and just finished her 3rd chemo yesterday. Her doc is excited about her progress and honestly would we expect any less of mom? I think not. I hope you all had just as an increadible holiday as we did.

Thanks,
Chuck

A TRULY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

IT'S AMAZING!! After only 2 rounds of chemo, Mom is back in remission!!!! I called her today to let her know I was on my way home from work, and she answers the phone saying that her counts were down again. When she was first diagnosed, she was originally thought to have needed at least 4 rounds of chemo with maybe even a little extra afterwards "just in case"... but whether Dr. Canavan is a genius, or it was Mom's strong spirit (most likely a combo of both), she's unbelievably back in remission.

This time we pray it will be for good!

Knowing Mom though, she'd probably yell at me for even saying that. It's been her motto since day one that you can only take one day at a time. "If I get it, I get it. I'll beat it like I beat it the last time". It's all about not worrying about tomorrow, while taking care of yourself today.

Please spread the word if you have not yet done so. If you have not yet spoken with Mom, believe me she is so appreciative of everyone's good thoughts, prayers and wishes. This year, Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning!

Best,

Andrew

TEAM JLO HAS REACHED 17%

Thanks to a generous donation by my good friend Kwi Brennan TEAM JLO is now at 17%. As a team goal I would like to reach 50% by December 25th. Let's get it going.

Thank again to Kwi Brennan the newest TEAM JLO supporter


Best,
Chuck Lopez

HA HA...TAKE THAT HAIR

As you can see in this picture here mom is now just one of the boys. She called me yesterday morning to come over and "bic" her head. The pain of having hair outweighed the ideas of being bald. So, how does she like it you may ask? She loves it. She can finally sleep and wear hat's without pain. She told me she would love to walk around the food store without a hat on just to see people stare...What a nut case. You'll also see mom's fourth and much harier grandchild in the picture. That's KEMO and when Lauren and I got him last year mom thought KEMO was the best name for him. She loves this dog.
So, all's well on the home front and mom's kicking butt.......without hair that is.


Best,
Charlie

Hair, Hair, Everywhere!

Laura slept over on Friday night, so when we woke up, we went downstairs to say, "good morning" to the family. Mom tells me that she was trying to make us English Muffins, but couldn't because when she realized they were covered in hair once she started buttering them. She felt so bad, but it was really such a sweet thought to me. Even in the midst of such a chaotic time, she thinks of us. Anyway, I just thought that was a nice story.

Today was Mom's 2nd round of chemo and everything went swimmingly. Before she started the treatment, they checked her blood, and everything was good and healthy. I was told that she was a little bit more "loopy" cause of the meds for about 3 hours today. But it works out well because in the end, I'm sure Mom doesn't remember too too much of it, and Nanny and Dad get some free entertainment for a few hours.

So back to my original story about the english muffin, you can tell that Mom's situation has been getting pretty "hairy" (sorry... I had to), so to make things a little more manageable, Chuck shaved her down to pretty much nothing. She says her hair (or what's left of it) still is sore, but at least she doesn't have big chunks falling out everywhere. Those of you who have been talking to her know just how gross it has been for her, waking up to a pillow covered in hair. Not a fun time...

Other than that, everything is pretty calm around these parts. We anticipate that Mom will be pretty "up and at em" tomorrow because she generally gets one good day before she starts feeling sick and sore. Both Dad and I will be around the next few days to help out if need be. So for now, keep the TEAM JLO donations flowing and the good thoughts rollin!

Best,

Andy

WE'RE AT 16 %

Thanks to our newest contributor we are now are 16% of our $5000.00 fundraising goal. Keep sending the link out to all family and friends. We can get this done...

New TEAM JLO Contributors
Lori and James Ross


Thanks,
Chuck Lopez

TEAM JLO HAS REACHED 12%

Thanks to our newest contributor TEAM JLO has now reached 12%. Though this is huge, I want to see if we can all step up our game and get this total up through the roof. So, spread the word and let's rasie some money and raise awareness.

New TEAM JLO CONTRIBUTOR

Kathleen D'Ambra


Kathleen, thanks from TEAM JLO.


Regards,
Chuck Lopez

Doc says mom looks GREAT!!!!!

Mom had a check up today and the Doc says she looks great. Mom told me the doc said he's going to get her into remission again and keep her there for a long time. She goes back in next Monday for round 2 of Chemo. On the down side, mom's hair is starting the come out a bit, but she's taking it like a champ. I dont know anyone stronger than her.
We'll that's about it from out end. Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming.

Best,
Chuck Lopez

TEAM JLO HAS 4 MORE MORE MEMBERS

Team JLO would like to welcome our four newest members.

Tina Lopez
Meghan Ricci
Scott Ricci
Noah Lopez

Now, let's get about 50 more new members....Come on spread the word...

TEAM JLO GROWS

Thank you to the newest supporters of TEAM JLO

Robert Mckiewicz
Nick Afflitto


Also, I am very proud to announce that TEAM JLO is growing. The names below are the current members of TEAM JLO that will be either running or walking with us in April. I would encourage all of you to come out for the day. It's going to be an increadible event.

TEAM JLO MEMBERS

Janice Lopez
Gilbert Lopez
Charles Lopez
Lauren Lopez
Andy Lopez
Gil Lopez
Coleen Ross
Brian Ross
Jody Moody
Rebecca Wells

Thanks to all of you, now lets see if we can get about 50 or so more folks out there with us. REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE

Remember, when it asks you what team your on put TEAM JLO in caps.


Regard,
Chuck Lopez