Will anyone easily forget 2008?  Our country is in turmoil, we’ve marked 5 years at war, the stock market continues to fluctuate wildly, the housing bubble burst, OJ is behind bars, the global economy is on eggshells, major banks and institutions have gone bankrupt, Fidel Castro ‘stepped down’, we found ice on Mars, we’ve had unprecedented Presidential and congressional campaigns, and we’ve witnessed an historic election. 

Good news and bad news swirled around us, yet closer to home we felt and witnessed more personal ebbs and flows … What started out as an ominous prognosis for our friend Mona transitioned into an amazing and fantastic turnaround. 

When you read through the earlier postings of this blog/website, starting in late March/early April, everything was so uncertain.  Mona’s diagnosis was Stage 4 breast cancer with metastasis to the bones.  Now fast-forward 6 ½ months.  After chemo and surgery, Mona’s oncologist called on Tuesday with the pathology results...... There is no residual cancer ANYWHERE.  Nothing.  Not in the breast tissue, not in the lymph nodes, not in the ovaries.  Nowhere!

As we all sit down at our Thanksgiving dinner tables next week, surrounded by our family, friends and other loved ones, we all have a reason to give gratitude.  Some of the major events of this year may have affected some of us more than others, but no matter how dire our circumstances may seem right now, the Bauldry family’s journey provides hope for all of us.  Sometimes, life can really suck -  but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Mona, it’s to stand up, face the opposition head on, and fight like hell.

Mona sent me an email this morning with that great news.  Following her surgery, she’s had relatively no pain, just tightness and a little discomfort in the chest and a little struggle to get to a standing position.  She did have a rough first night after surgery and an allergic reaction to the antibiotics in the hospital.  She can’t drive for another 2 weeks, but she’s been up and around, went to the grocery store on Sunday, and is able to get outside and enjoy the warm Cali weather.   Baby steps Mona… everything is up from here!

Mona said “I cannot ever fully express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone for pulling together to support me throughout this whole experience.  Again, I am amazed to experience the power of prayer and positive energy and thoughts.  I am eternally grateful for all my family, friends, and friends of friends.  I am finally breathing easy for the first time in a whole year.  I am confident that my life will continue to be blessed and will do everything possible to share those blessings and pass them on”. 

Also - Mona’s plans for 2009: Get a motorcycle license and go riding with her dad on her own bike… and begin training for that Marathon in Paris in 2010.   Go for it Mona! 

Monday 11/10

We're all there with you today Mona!

I received a call from Lane at around 6:00 PM AZ Time.  I did not catch the call live, but the message was that everything went fine.  The surgeons said everything was fabulous – looked good from what they could see, but they said that we all need to stay tuned for a couple of days until the lab results come back.  Mona is doing fine in recovery, she’s smiling, talkative, is in low pain and her color is good. 

That’s all I know right now.  Will keep you all posted as I hear more.

Go Mona!!

Sunday 11/09

Monday 11/03

Mona's surgery is scheduled for Monday, November 10 at 7:30 AM

California Pacific Medical Center
California Campus
3700 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118

Ps.  And her birthday is November 9, the day before her surgery!!!

Wednesday 10/29

Mona provided me with another update on part of the surgery.  She will be able to use the "Becker adjustable implants" at the time of the mastectomy if all goes well. The alternative "on-deck" is to use the silicone only - it depends on a number of factors to be determined during the surgery.  The adjustable implant is 50% silicone and 50% saline.  The implants have an attached port that is used to inject saline over a number of weeks to get to the right size.  They can be "adjusted" larger or smaller for about 6 months, then the port is removed and the implant is self-sealing.  Those would be the permanent implants without the need for additional surgery. This gives her options to get used to the right size and make adjustments until she is happy and comfortable with the outcome.   

Thursday 10/23

I received this email from Mona today.  It's at it's best to just let you read it as is, in Mona's words:

We love you Mona...  I'm sure I can speak for everyone to say we're still all sending our best wishes, thoughts, energy and prayer in your direction, and on Nov 10, we'll be recruiting everyone we know to do the same. 

Tuesday 9/16

Mona called me today while I was at work.  It was nice to forget about the task at hand and focus on a very special friend for a short while. 

Our favorite lady has had a phenomenal number of decisions to make regarding proactive surgery.  She's consulted with her oncologist, and a couple of plastic surgeons on reconstructive options.  One of those decisions is to take advantage of a short window of opportunity for a certain type of surgery.  It seemed as though she liked the option  but the 'short window' means that if she decides to go that direction, she could be in surgery within the next two weeks! 

Of course she has her concerns.  She has never been under anesthesia before, she'll be out of commission for a while as she recovers, she wants to be happy with her appearance when all is done and over, but she seems quite ready to just move forward and put this chapter of her life behind her. 

This has now been a 6 month journey for the Bauldry's.  As I read back through some of the earlier posts and remember the early time where everything seemed so daunting and scary,  I marvel at the fact that it went to promising, optimistic, and then downright giddy in a short amount of time. 

But would we expect anything less from our favorite scrapper?

Let's all send additional thoughts, prayers and good energy in her direction again.  We've never stopped but a little turbo boost right now can only help.

Sunday 8/3

I ran across a slightly older photo today of Lane and Mona and Francesca.  I believe it was Christmas of '06 that it was taken.  I've posted it in the photo section.  To see it, just click the photos link in the dark red menu bar above.

Wednesday 7/9

It's been a while since I posted an update here on Mona's site.  Mona and I were just missing each other on the phone and unfortunately part of a message she left me was a little garbled (I have crappy cell service!).  Luckily Jim Powell has had better luck.  Here's the latest from Jim today:

"I just heard from Mona, and she is as upbeat as ever. She is going for an MRI today and has one more Chemo treatment remaining.

Mona has been very busy with Francesca's school activities wrapping up for the summer. She was down a couple of weeks with her back bothering her due to the earlier bone treatment. She said she has worked through those issues and is feeling great this week.

She has an appointment with the Surgeon next week and will plan on the surgery probably in late August. Mona said when she first got the great prognosis surgery was an option; after further consultation the reduced risk would be the surgery option.

She is so thankful to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep Mona and her family in your thoughts and prayers."

Tuesday 6/2

OK - First things first - have you read the post from 5/28?  If not, scroll down and read it now.  I don't want to take away anything from the 5/28 update.

This post is just to impart a little tidbit of info:

Have you heard about the IM initiative from MicroSoft?  MicroSoft will share a portion of their ad revenue with a social cause of your choice (Red Cross, Humane Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sierra Club, National Aids Fund, Nine Million, Unicef, Stop Global Warming and the Susan G Komen Foundation). For every email you send from Windows Live Hotmail or each instant message you send from Windows Live Messenger, you help support the cause you choose. 

The more messages you send, the more they give.  Since March, the tally is already up to $1.5 million.  Now the small things you do every day, like e-mailing and IM'ing, can make a big difference.  Hotmail is free and signing up is free, all you have to do is choose a cause and send-emails or Instant messages.  I thought it was pertinent to post here about it because of the Susan G Komen foundation for Breast Cancer Research.  Click here to sign up.

Friday 5/30

What a fantastic update this week!  It was the best news any of us could have received.  One thing to keep in mind is that we're not quite completely out of the woods yet... Let's keep those prayers, positive thoughts and good energy flowing. The 3:00 congregation should stay as strong as ever!

There is still a journey ahead, but we have some real confirmation now of what we've always known - that Mona is going to knock this thing DOWN.  She will claim her conqueror status (I like the word 'conqueror' because many other nouns might imply that Mona is a 'victim', which she never has been nor ever will be).

So please keep the good vibes a-coming!  Post your well wishes and thoughts and prayers on the forums for Mona and Lane to read.  Together, we contribute toward her health, and their wealth of friendship and kinship.

Wednesday 5/28

It's been two full weeks since the last update was posted out here, and I couldn't have a better one to post than I received today from the great lady herself...

Mona was scheduled for her 5th chemo treatment today, where they changed her medicine for the next four rounds, and she received the most incredible results from her recent body scan:

The cancer cells that had spread to her bones are dead, and the tumors in her breast have literally disappeared.   

Read that again! 

Mona will continue her treatments as the doctors stay on top of this to monitor her health.  Once the chemo is complete, surgery is still a choice, and there will be hormones and drugs to treat it as a manageable, chronic disease.  She will need to strengthen her bones and continue being proactive to stay in remission. 

As Mona continues on this journey, please do not stop sending your positive energy, thoughts and prayers her way.  She contributes a big part of her remarkable success to this power.  One day in the not far future, Mona's cancer battle will just be another distant memory.  Life continues to throw curve balls and Mona just keeps firing them out of the park.

 

Wednesday 5/14

We received a note from Mona today: Hi Guys - Attached are some photos of my new hairstyles - depending on my mood! - all business, sassy, sexy! Then I have the "No Hair Day" too! I'm having fun. 

Chemo #4 on Wednesday this week. Francesca is joining me this time. She wants to meet the doctor to make sure he is taking good care of Mommy. She is also curious as to what happens when Mommy gets her medicine that is going to make her better.  Lane will take her to the park and lunch once I get the "sharp pokey" in the arm. 

She is my most enthusiastic supporter - next to you guys and everyone else on the website. Thank you so much. The support is overwhelming and very touching. I can only read a bit at a time on the website because I get all choked up - which is not an easy thing to do to Mona. So thank you again.   I'm still going strong.

Pictures:

Sassy Short Do     Blonde Beauty   

Sexy Momma       Spunky Brunette

Tuesday 5/13

As I posted on Sunday, Carolin Brock and her daughter Jennifer participated in the SGK Race for the Cure this past weekend raising $4180.  Click the 3 links below to check out some pictures of the event…   Here are Carolin’s words on her experience:

I can't describe the range of emotions I experienced during the race - everything from pride as we walked behind one of our beautiful daughters carrying our team sign and the TV and radio announcers calling out our team name when we passed by their stations, to sadness every time I saw an 'in memory of' sign pinned to a racer's shirt, to hysterical laughter as we watched my daughter and her friends stalking people for coffee early, early in the morning (lesson learned for next year -- bring thermoses of coffee!!), to gratitude and empathy every time I saw a racer wear a pink shirt and hat signifying that she was a breast cancer survivor. 

I think what I gained most was what I learned from talking to the survivors I met as they shared their experiences about what helped them get through their battles with the disease and what were the hardest challenges they faced.  I know now that I will send Mona a card every week, and I will contact her at least once a week.  I will talk to her about her challenges face on.  A common theme from several of the survivors is that they were shunned by their friends and colleagues during their illnesses.  They would walk into a room and people would turn away, probably because they did not know what to say to them.  They felt isolated.  I know that none of us will let that happen to Mona.

Pictures:

Jennifer honoring Mona

Fit Ladies March

Carolin and Jennifer

 * * * * * * * * * * *

Also today from Jim Powell: I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful time of year.  I had not heard from Mona in awhile.  This weekend she called and for some reason I missed the call.  She left a lovely voice mail.  Mona has completed her third round of Chemo and was off to a birthday party for one of Francesca's friends.  They were later planning to attend an outing to watch fireworks.

Mona's voice was the exciting Mona that we have all grown to know, love, and allow to channel energies to ourselves.  That call gave my entire weekend a major boost.  Mona said she is doing great and wishes to thank all of you for your thoughts and continuous prayers.  She feels very strongly that our prayers are being answered.

We would also like to send out a special thanks to Jennifer Bunnell for putting her in her church knitting ministry.  Listed below is a note from Jennifer:

Don’t forget Dan Haigh's Global 3:00 O'Clock Prayer group… Check out the 3:00 Congregation and other great things Mona’s friends and family are contributing (on “Mona’s Place” forums).

Sunday 5/11

Carolin Brock, Jennifer Gomolka and a team of 35 diverse individuals participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this weekend bringing in (as of Friday) at least $4000 for the cause.  Carolin's fundraising page shows $1125 in pledges and contributions; many in support and honor of Mona.

The team was planning to leave at 4:00am Saturday to get down into town in time for all of the events.  I know that Carolin was planning to wear a t-shirt with Mona's name and picture as she walked.   She said that the team really bonded together and that being part of it had been a very emotional and gratifying experience.  Next year she will try for a corporate sponsorship to match the individual contributions. 

We may get more information from Carolin on the weekend activities, which I will share here.  Way to go Carolin, Jennifer and the team!

Wednesday 4/30

Tomorrow is another scheduled chemo day for Mona.  Let's all send our energy her way hoping that her body responds strongly and the treatments don't sap her energy.  Go for it Mona!  As they say in good old 'Bama... Open up a can o' "whoop ass" and beat it down!

Thursday 4/24

A message from Dan Haigh, Susie Brookshire and Steve Amann:

The people who love and care about Mona, Lane and Francesca are a very diverse group from all faiths, backgrounds and upbringings.  We may all 'activate' our spirituality in different ways, through prayer, meditation, journaling our thoughts, communing with nature, through pure hope and wishes, or simply by thinking positively. 

Whatever you personally do to engage your spirituality, heart, mind, and soul has power and provides strength, and we would like to channel that power in a combined way to help our very dear friend.  Whether you are Christian or Muslim, Jewish or Buddhist, Agnostic or Atheist, of another faith or just simply 'spiritual' in your own way, our power together can provide strength to the Bauldry family.

Our suggestion is that we all participate, in our own way, at 3pm each day, and let Mona, Lane and Francesca know that you are doing this for them.

Why 3pm?  Dan Haigh offers a simple explanation on why that time is significant to many: "As many of you may know the time of 3pm is very significant in the Christian faith because it is when Jesus Christ died on the cross, and because of this event many Christians often pray at 3pm for special intentions. You may have seen my posting on Mona's website referring to the 3pm prayer. When Mona called to tell me of her diagnosis I told her that my family and extended family would include her in our daily 3pm prayer.  I also told her to remember that everyday at 3pm someone somewhere was speaking her name in prayer. Given the size of my wife's family and their dedication to prayer her name could potentially be mentioned literally all over the world and in many times zones at 3pm”.

Please understand, the 3pm activity can be different for everyone (in conjunction with their own faith and beliefs) and it can be as simple as spending a few moments in deep meditation, thought and/or prayer at that time of day.  The point is that we want the Bauldry family to see and read a long list of all those participating.  A new forum and topic has been created entitled “3:00 Congregation”.  Please reply to the topic and add any comments as to how you might be participating. 

Sunday 4/20

I just wanted to share an interesting "60 Minutes" piece with everyone.  If you watched the show last week, you may have seen a story about a potential new cancer treatment.  Click here to jump to the video.  (sa)

Friday 4/18

Mona sent a note today to say she's feeling great with no side effects (except for the hair loss) and that she has more energy now than before she started chemo. They are off on a family outing (first to the barber shop) and then on to Carmel to show Francesca where her Mommy and Daddy got married and where she was baptized (at the Carmel Mission).

Thanks to Jim P for sending this fantastic news flash earlier in the day: 

Mona had just returned from chemo and she is feeling very good.  The doctors are impressed with the reduction in size of the tumors.  So her body is responding to the treatment.  They have identified the numerous isolation points of the cancer that is in the bone.  These areas contain very small amounts of the cancer and the prognosis is that once the chemo rounds are completed they will zero in on those areas. 

She will then start a bone density therapy that will strengthen her bones.  The good news is it is not in her brain, liver, or lungs.   Her chances are now at a 50% remission stage which is most improved from last week’s 27%.

She and Lane have worked with Francesca keeping her involved.  Once the hair goes she intends to shave it off.  Her hair is starting to fall out so she let Francesca pull a little hand full out.  Mona said if her little hands can easily pull it out it is time to go, so she is going to let Francesca put it in a pony tail and cut it off.  Then they are going to Lane's barber and cut off the remaining.  Mona is always creative in doing neat things and I am sure she will look great with her creativity regarding her hats and things.

Her Father has brought down his juicer and she is doing all the good veggie juices.  She is very up-beat and told Lane that her goal is to run a marathon, so Mona is progressing well.

Mona and Lane are extremely grateful for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Way to go Mona!!!  We're not surprised in the least that you are already way ahead of schedule...

Wednesday 4/16

Tomorrow, Mona will be undergoing her second chemo treatment. Whether you may be a prayer person or a “positive thoughts good energy” person, please ramp that up a little higher tomorrow on her behalf! She's going to get through this, but anything we can offer to add an extra boost will help.

Friday 4/11

Many of us received an email today from Jim Powell that read:

“Today's call from Mona was sorrowful. She has completed a battery of tests and her cancer has progressed to stage 4 and has spread to her bones. The doctors have told her that the success of the treatments at this stage in not good. This is about as tough as it gets. Mona and Lane are now revisiting their strategy to look at other options such as Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, MD Anderson etc. She request that you please continue to pray for her. Please include her in any prayer circles that you may have access”.

I later received this email from Mona:

“I've got the fight of my life right now, but I do not feel alone. All of you are in it with me. As Cheryl Edwards told me yesterday, I'm not a 'fighter (it's too nice a word)', I'm a 'scrapper'. I'll fight like hell for me and my family.

Success rate for my situation for 5 years is 27%. I WILL BE ONE OF THAT 27 out of 100. I will BE the exception to the rule.

Lane is again looking for the best care for my new and current diagnosis. We could be headed your way to Mayo (to use those extra rooms) or to Texas' MD Anderson (at Paul Laverty's) or to Germany (know anyone there?). I know everyone has air miles and hotel points that they have offered.  I am not alone.

It just feels so good to be 'family'“.
 

We love you Mona!  You're a conqueror.  You always have been and always will be. 

Sunday 3/31

Mona says that she’s doing just fine.  She also said that Lane is her bulldog - working on finding the best facility and doctors.  They are looking into Stanford and UCSF right now. 

They won't know what stage the cancer is in until further tests like MRI, PET and CT scan, and are waiting for the insurance approval for these tests.  She’s finding the waiting to be the hardest part. 

Since finding the first lump in December and then a second one in March, and then coupled with her family history of cancer, Mona says that she has had a good amount of time to resolve herself to the facts and that “It was only a matter of time.  So, mentally and emotionally I'm okay.  It is what it is”. 

She also stated that she’s “approaching the disease and treatment like a project - a series of steps, periodic status reports, milestones and a ‘Go Live Date’”. And “I've got lots of family and friends that are very supportive and will definitely help out with Francesca as needed”. 

Plan A is to start chemotherapy in about 2 weeks. 4 rounds - 1 every 2 weeks followed by another 4 rounds every 2 weeks of a different chemo drug, then surgery, then radiation.  That plan may change based upon the results of the MRI, PET and CT if the cancer is found in other parts of her body. 

She also said “I'll update folks as I can.  And prayers really help”… “Everyone has just been so supportive and helpful right out of the chute.  I already feel enveloped with love and good thoughts.  I know I'll get through this”.

She also has a great attitude about the side affects of chemo.  She had her hair cut short (and you just know she looks fabulous!).  She really likes it and thinks that she should have done it long ago.  She said that “Francesca, Lane and my sister, Gina (breast cancer survivor) will shave my head the moment the hair starts to go - proactive - no waiting around.  Over and done immediately”.