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

TEAM JLO HAS REACHED 10%

Good news folks. In just 8 days TEAM JLO has reached 10% of the $5000.00 fundraising goal. A continued thanks to all those who are sending prayers and good wishes to mom. She is feeling better after her first treatment, and handeling the treamtent like a champ. Aside from joint pain she's running on all cylinders and will be off to south jersey tomorrow to watch her grand kids for the day. She cant wait.

IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT TEAM JLO DONATE HERE

Below you will find a list of the newest TEAM JLO Supporters.

Shelly Thielmann & Charles Thielmann
Stephen Markowski
Charles Cardaneo

Thank You All,

Chuck Lopez

SUPPORT TEAM JLO

As you may all recall last April I ran in the 2nd Annual Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer 5K Run/Walk. Thanks to the support of all those who donated we were the single highest fundraisers with a total some where over $1200.00. To all of you who supported us, THANK YOU. Now I am back again starting eariler than ever on this years race. So TEAM JLO is looking for a few things in particular.

First, we have set a new high fund raising goal of $5000.00 for our team so if you click the "Support Team JLO" Link you will be able to donate to TEAM JLO.
SUPPORT TEAM JLO

Now, we are not only looking for financial assistance this year I want to put together the largest team in the history of this RUN/WALK. Have no fear, if you not a runner it's a great walk to take part in. In fact there are more walkers than runners. If you would like to JOIN TEAM JLO as I hope you all will please click the "JOIN TEAM JLO" link. It's important to remember that when your signing up and it asks you for your team, be sure to enter TEAM JLO in all CAPS. JOIN TEAM JLO

My mom and dad spent the day with me at this event last year and let me tell you how increadible it was to see hundreds of people all coming together for one common goal. Now, Philly's not all that far and it's an amazing day so come on out and take a walk in the park. You wont regret it.

Below you will find a list of names of those who have donated to TEAM JLO thus far.
Thank you all for your generous donations.

Ginette Bell
Michael Daher
Donna Cardaneo
Laura Ritter
Bill Orcutt
Denise Schatz
Laura Tarte
Michael Piegaro
Jennifer Williams
Billy Orcutt

Best Wishes and Happy Racing,
Chuck Lopez

Janice vs Cancer (Janice 1, Cancer 0)

From 9am-2pm on Monday October 15th, Mom had her first chemotherapy treatment for her second bout with cancer. This 5 hour stint at Dr. Canavan's office was nothing compared to last year when she was stuck for half a week at Rahway Hospital. Funny story... On Monday I was in a pretty somber mood just thinking about Mom and all this crap she's going through so I decided to give her a call during my lunch hour at work. The phone started ringing and I expected to hear that she was probably in a pretty bad mood and couldn't wait to leave. BOY WAS I WRONG.

Mom: Helllloooooo?
Andy: Hey Ma'.
Mom: Whaat? Andrew?
Andy: How are you feeling??
Mom: (mumbling) I feel prrreetty goooddd... they got me puuumped with Benedryl.
Andy: Haha... Great. So you're doing well?
Mom: Yeah I'm fine really. Sittin' here with Nanny. Dad's in the other room...I just feel like I've had a couple shots. I wish I did have a few actually.. Hahah

When I got home Mom was her normal self and had her second dose of chemo when Chuck and Lauren's dog "Kemo" came to pay a visit. Today after work I called home and expected worse, but again I was wrong. She felt a little sore and tired but all in all pretty good. Still cooking and doing her daily routine which as many of you know is a great thing for her. Her spirits are still great and is getting ready to make an appointment with her stylist Jeff in preperation for when her hair starts to thin again. So be on the look out for a couple of bald Lopez's running around in a month or two!

That's all for today. Stay posted for more on how to get involved with TEAM JLO. You can send any questions to lopezsupportpage@hotmail.com. Otherwise please post friendly comments on this site! They'll all be read by Mom at some point.

Best,

Andrew

The Strongest Woman I know

Just a few days after celebrating Mom's 6 months of being in remission, we received news that Cancer cells have once again started to grow in her body. Shock...Disbelief...Anger... Sadness... These words can barely even begin to describe how we all felt after hearing this news. In the words of Mom herself, "Crying isn't going to do any good. I'm just gonna have to fight it and beat it like I did the first time!" That's the spirit and state of mind that made her initial recovery possible, and is going to get her through it this time as well.

If there is any "good news" in all of this, it seems that the doctors have caught her cancer in very early stages and will be treatable with several rounds of chemotherapy. And unlike last time, Mom only needs 5 hours of chemo every third Friday as opposed to 2 days straight of chemo every third Friday. Also, she doesn't need to check into a hospital this time. I'm sure she's reeeeaaaalllllllllyyyyyy upset about not having to wear those drafty yet stylish hospital gowns.

More good news is that her cancer cells are not attached to any major organs. Rather, they are growing on lymphnodes located near (not on) her liver and colon. That fact alone makes a big difference.

Mom is the strongest woman I know, and she isn't going to let anything stand in her way of living a happy, normal, and healthy life. She remains inspired by her three grandchildren, her mother, sisters, cousins, friends, children, her incredibly supportive husband, and her new "Grand-dog" Kemo. More recently she tells me that she MUST be healthy for next October when Laura and I are engaged to be married (more news on that to follow!). Mom looks as healthy as ever, and with your good thoughts and prayers is on pace for remission once again. UPDATES AND PICTURES TO COME!

Best wishes always,
Andrew

R-E-M-I-S-S-I-O-N

Yes you read it right, as of yesterdays doctor's visit mom is offically in remission. We are all so excited, but I dont think there has ever been a better Mother's Day gift. Mom is off the wall about the good news, and is looking forward to great health ahead. As her doc said, with Cancer your never sure how long remission lasts or maybe if it will last forever, but I know if we all keep praying and hoping she'll be just fine. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes that contine to come. We hope you all have a great Mother's Day weekend. We know we will. (even though it's bound to be a bit soggy)


Thanks
Charlie Lopez

JANICE 6- CHEMO 0

So, it's been over a week now and mom is done with her chemotherapy (hopefully for good) but for now. The doc's are happy, and she feels great. She'll be following up with her specialist and getting another CAT, but we are all just so excited to that she is doing so increadibly well.

Last Saturday mom pushed through the day to get though Andy's recitial, while I think it was more difficult for her to let Lauren and I take care of the reception she did a great job. And on that note, Andy was just increadible. I am so proud of him.

Finally Lauren and I have some long awaited news. Yes we're parents. We have an almost 3 month old little puppy ( actaully the most adorable puppy in the world) and his name is......drum roll please.................. Kemo. Yes, it's really a name, it's Hawaiian, but mom loved it. She thought it was great. She actually had a hand in picking the name. Once I can get him to sit still I will get some pictures of him up. Currntly he's passed out on the couch, nobody told me puppies were so much work. But we love him and mom loves him along with everyone that has met him thus far.

To look ahead I am running an Ovarian Cancer 5K this weekend, and if you would still like to donate please click here .

I'll let you know how it goes. Since my puppy has arrived some allergies have come with him, so we'll see what kind of effect he'll have on my running. I'll be in touch soon.


Thanks
Charlie

A Wrap Up of Relay

Through the contributions of many, my team (The Rutgers University Glee Club) was able to surpass our fundraising goal of over $1000 and topped out at a little over $1100 towards RELAY FOR LIFE. As most of you already know, the Relay happened this weekend, stretching from 6pm on Friday afternoon into Saturday morning at 8am. Many thought that I would be walking straight through the entire time, but that was not the case. The idea was to be on a team so that atleast 2 members from each team had to be on the course at all times. Overall, I probably walked a good 7 or 8 hours and I had an absolute blast. When we weren't walking, we were either watching some awesome live bands, playing games or listening to survivors tell their miraculous tales. And if anybody caught a glimpse of the schedule online, NO I did not participate in the 5am drag queen competition!

By hour 14, members of my teammates and I were hurting and delerious with exhaustion, but we knew we had been a part of something amazing, and that was all we needed! In the end, my team was ranked 6th out of 32 teams in the amount of money we raised, and through your generous donations, I was ranked 5th out of hundreds in the amount raised by an individual. Thank you all and please don't stop learning, asking questions, getting involved and donating money towards the search for a cure. Please support my brother in his quest to raise money for the Sandy Rollman 5k. If you aren't able to donate, please consider joining Chuck in the race just as I have.

AND LASTLY, you all are aware that Mom is doing amazingly well. But what you may have forgotten is that tomorrow (April 10th), mom will have been SMOKE FREE for 4 months so please call her and let her know how proud you are of her. I know she'd love to hear from you.

Best,

Andy

OVARIAN CANCER 5K-

Friends and Family,

As you all problably know by now my mom Janice is currently battling
ovraian cancer. Actally she is more like kicking the crap out of ovarian
cancer, but all that aside if you know mom you know she's tough, and you
know she'll fight the good fight.

You in past all have received a donation request from from me when I was
running for breast cancer. Well as you now know my cancer focus as
changed, and though breast cancer still needs support I am focusing my
sights on fighting ovarian cancer and rasing money for the cause.

This coming April 29th I will be running in the Sandy Rollman Ovarian
Cancer Foundations 5K Teal Run. Many of you have already offered
donations for my brother Andy's upcoming event, so please do not feel to
need to give again. If however you do feel the need or have no yet
donated this is a great time and a great place to start.

Cut and Paste the link below, and you will be taken directly to my
donation page.
Please take the time to consider giving anything you can spare to help a
great casue that is now so close to all of us.

MAKE DONTATION OR SIGN UP HERE

Another way you can help in a big way is to send the page link to all of
your friends, family and collegues to ask them to help too.

If you consider running with me it would be great to have you on TEAM
LOPEZ.
So, let's get out there and as my mom is doing, KICK THE CRAP OUT OF
OVARIAN CANCER!!!!!!

Best Wishes,
Charles Lopez

More on Relay for Life and how to get involved

If you have not read my article on Relay for Life, please check it out below. But for those who have, you can visit my personal donation website at https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=128228&lis=1&kntae128228=D5804FFB60714B29BE2474CFA279AFC8&supId=123431369

If you are interested in donating any amount of money to help me reach my goal of $1000 towards cancer research please do so soon as the actual really is only a few weeks away. Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support.

-Andy

A young man was walking along the beach when he came upon a site of thousands upon thousands of starfish washed upon the shoreline. One by one he immediately started throwing them back into the ocean. And soon another man came by and said, "Are you crazy? There must be a million starfish out here. There's no way you can make a difference." And just as the young man threw in another starfish he said, "Well I made certianly made a difference for that one."

IT'S A MIRACLE

Mom just called me with the best news we have had since this whole cancer nightmare started. She was at the specialists office today and all she could say what "It's a miracle". She said she would have never guessed that 3 months from her first visit mom would be doing so well. From all CAT scans it seems as if the chemo is working like a charm. The next step for mom is to finish her 2 last rounds of chemo, then another scan. At that time the doc said they'll either do another round of chemo, or stop treatment for a while.

Please keep your prayers coming, someone up their must be listening. PRAY PRAY PRAY.

The doc said to my mom...you must really be a fighter.......man if she only knew the half of it.
So, I hope you enjoy the great news as much as we did, and again please keep the prayers coming.

Thanks
Charlie