Nov 24, 2009 10a

Vicky is doing great. She has recovered from the sinus/flu/allergy round and is enjoying feeling better. She has been busy at the college and is now getting ready to host the family Thanksgiving. We are all looking forward to a long weekend.

Oct 21, 2009 9a

Meeting with Dr. Stephens was very reassuring in that the number fluctuations were not in themselves cause for worry.  His positive outlook and ability to assure Vic that, "this thing will not get away from us" is always a boost to calm her concerns. To be on the safe side, we are going to re-test in January rather than wait the normal six month interval. If the numbers are still up he will order additional diagnostics to see what is going on. There is no way to value the blessing that this single doctor brings to our lives. Thank you for all the prayers that flew Vicky's way over the past few days. Each of you reading this are a part of her survival over this, now, six year journey. Thank You! 

Oct 14, 2009 1p

Vic is a little disappointed today as her six month labs came back with her CA27.29 at 32.5 which is higher than her previous numbers. Levels below 38 are in normal range but she always looks for a low 20's number which she has tested in the past. She meets with the doc next Tue so I am sure it will be discussed. A few prayers of reassurance will be greatly appreciated. I am sure she is fine and the number may be a bit higher from her cold and meds she has been playing with for the last few weeks.

She is really getting into the new job and has a great group of students. Of course, I have always contended that good students come from a good teacher. (just a bit biased here though)

Sept 9, 2009 10a

Vic is getting over a cold but doing great. She is fully engaged in the new job and seems to be enjoying it despite all the extra study time. Blessings abound.

July 22, 2009 10a 

WOW! You have all been great to help Vicky meet her goal for the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure - 2009". Her goal was $1,000 and this week she beat the goal (she tends to do that).

 The results are posted at: http://rfce.convio.net/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1090&px=1200103 

There is still time to contribute at the same web site. It is amazing how much support she receives from her friends and family. Thank You! 

She is doing great and anxious to start her new full-time teaching career. The LPN's that come out of her class are in for a treat. They have no idea how much she cares for their chosen profession. Over the next year, they will come to find out how much she will care for them as well. 

July 9, 2009 8a 

Vicky continues to do great. She is excited to take on a new job in August as the instructor for the LPN program at Frontier Community College, here in Fairfield. Her background lends itself perfectly to this position. We have had a busy summer and new pics appear in Vic's Pic's at the left.

Thank you for checking up on Vicky. Feel free to drop her a line at her email address: vic62837@yahoo.com 

April 27, 2009 3p

Vic's doc appointment last week went great. He is pleased with her lab numbers and simply thinks that she is being blessed. We know that she has specific purposes and she never shuns from the opportunity to help someone else. 

April 1, 2009 9a

Vic's latest labs came back last week and her CA27.29 marker was 24 which is good.  Since our last post, we took a quick trip to Florida with Keni for Spring break. Had a great time and the girls spent every possible minute at the beach. Vicky is busy wrapping up her first year with CNA students in her class and all is going great. Amazing how tans make everybody feel better.

February 24, 2009 10a

Vicky is doing great except for the local cold that has hit about everyone. Her involvement with breast cancer awareness continues with ongoing presentations to local organizations. Her "Health Careers" students are flourishing and she is encouraged as she watches them grow in their path towards involvement in health care professions. Her connection with the students extends far beyond the classroom. We talk often about how much fun it is going to be to watch her first class of students and see where they end up in the medical community. She is blessed with some of the brightest and best ... and so are they. 

January 23, 2009 3p 

Luckily nothing new to report. Blessings continue and Vicky is doing great. We had a great Holiday season and look forward to 2009. (posted a few Christmas pics in Vic's Pics)

October 13, 2008 10a 

5 Year Mark (just the beginning!)

Vic has reached the 5 year mark since her diagnosis and just gets stronger and more determined in her Life's path. Five years ago on Sunday morning we came home from church to receive the news that her biopsy had come back positive. Now, looking at her life today, she is touching the lives of more and more women who find themselves in the club that nobody wants to join, but find comfort in meeting "positive attitude" survivors like Vicky. She recently spoke at the Susan G Komen "Race for the Cure" in Evansville and here in Fairfield at the kick-off of this year's "Make a Difference Day" which will raise funds for local support and awareness of breast cancer. Nothing like being married to a celeb. 

September 24, 2008 10a 

Vic had her CA27.29 marker test yesterday....and yipee...it came back at 21.8 which is down a bit from 22.9 back in March.

All is well in Illinois.

September 22, 2008 11a

Vicky was honored to speak yesterday at this year's Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in Evansville, IN. She did a great job and her friends helped her raise over $600 for the event. Thank you to all that helped. During the day she bumped into many old friends from her days with St. Mary's. 

The Fairfield hospital sponsored a team so she had plenty of support for the 3mi walk. 

Keni joined us to make it a very special day. Vicky is doing great and enjoying "every today".

Pics and video in Vic's Pics.

July 3, 2008 12 noon

All is great. We made a quick trip to Venice, FL again last week. Schedule conflicts pushed up our plans but we had fun anyway. We had planned to go again in September but Vicky is about to venture into a new position at the hospital.

recent press release follows: 

Fairfield Memorial Hospital is working with Frontier Community College and local high schools to develop a pilot program for high school students called "Health Careers." The program is for high school junior and senior students, and is designed to give them real world, career information and career exposure in various healthcare fields. RN Vicky Lemons is the Health Careers course instructor. There are 17 students from Fairfield Community High School and Edwards County High School enrolled for this fall with a limit of 20 slots available this first year. The curriculum will include the study of health careers, basic anatomy and physiology, training toward a CNA certification and hands-on clinical experiences with real patients. 

This will be a great position as it will eliminate call duty and put Vicky back into an office environment.  In addition to her role as instructor, she will be working within the hospital in CPR training and risk management. Her resume fit this position perfectly with experiences in each element. 

May 12, 2008 3p

Vicky is doing fantastic. Vic's doctor visit in April went great. Her tests and treatments will now be extended to a six month schedule. After reviewing her chart, the oncologist simply looked her in the eyes and said, "Your status is nothing short of a blessing from God". We are so blessed to have such a caring physician both here and in heaven. A miracle in progress. 

We slipped away to Florida again in April to visit Venice. 

March 28, 2008 4p

Latest CA27.29 numbers are in and at 22.9 Vic is pleased. I have added a chart of her past numbers at the left under CA27.29 Markers. She is doing great and extremely anxious for Summer to begin.

January 29, 2008 10a

Vicky is doing great. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and an amazing vacation to Florida this month. As a matter of fact, everything has been so great that I have been remiss in updating this site (sorry). 

Blessings abound and we appreciate each and every one of them. 

Vic does not go to the doc until April as she is on a six month interval now. Really incredible. 

Her work is going good and Kendall and I keep her plenty busy the rest of the time.

(New pics in Vic's Pics)

October 3, 2007 5p

Good Golly Miss Molly, Vic is happy today. She had her labs completed for her quarterly visit with the doc next week. Bone density, chest X-ray, blood panel...all Great. Plus, her CA27.29 marker came back at a low 17.2  Yep, she is happy.

On the job front, she managed to receive the hospital's "Employee of the Month" for September. 

What a great little star on this planet we call home. 

September 17, 2007 9:30a

Vicky had a great day yesterday with dear friends as they walked in the Susan G. Komen', "Race for the Cure" in Evansville. They left the house at 5:30a and the weather was perfect. The walk was a pleasurable three miles with tons of support at every corner and over 16,000 participants. . 

Of course, after the race a little nourishment and shopping was in order.  The support of great friends and family means the world to Vicky. Thank You so, so much!

August 28, 2007 9a

Vicky is doing great. She started working on her Masters in Nursing yesterday. Mostly online she will be busy every spare moment but she seems to like it that way. We were able to steal a few days to play on the river in Missouri. (pics in Vic's Pic's) 

July 5, 2007 8a

Great news: Vicky's latest labs on Monday came back and her CA27.29 marker was at 17.4
This marker test is the single point that is monitored quarterly to keep track of any activity. 

In March, the number was 22.7 which was good, but we will gladly take the lower number. 

Vicky is feeling great and busy as always. 

I posted a few pics under Vic's Pic's of our mini-vacation to Alabama. 

June 7, 2007 4p

Reviewed Vic's website today and realized it had been too long since an update was posted. Delightfully, there is nothing new to report. Vicky continues to be a miracle in progress and works as hard as ever each day. Her visit with the doctor last month went great. All the numbers are within their ranges and the doctor has become convinced that the meds are doing their job at halting any further progress. We know that we are so blessed that the right doctors came alongside Vicky to help her. Summertime will include a few mini-vacations to get us out of the normal routine but our real vacation this year will be this Fall to New England to check on the leaves. 

March 29, 2007 1pm

Vicky had her CA27.29 marker tested this week and it came back at 22.7 which is very good. She meets with the doctors in April for her six month checkup. We know that she is blessed, especially when we see the people in the news the last few days. Presidential candidate, John Edward's wife, Elizabeth, has now received the same diagnosis that Vicky received over three years ago. We hope and pray that her treatment plan is effective. Cancer management is becoming a concept that is very effective for many patients. Living alongside the disease can be accomplished. 

Thank You for all the prayers. Attitude and Faith are powerful medicines. 

February 20, 2007 11a

Vicky is doing great on the medical front. She is however very saddened today by the passing of her Grandmother, Elma Johnson. At the tender age of 94, Elma was a part of Vicky's life from birth to today and beyond. She will be missed but leaves a treasure trove of loving memories.

December 29, 2006 4:00p 

All is well here. Vicky had her marker test and Zometa treatment yesterday.  The test came back at 22.9 which is great. Everything on the medical front seems to be running smooth. 

We are sure that Jan1 will bring the usual resolutions but we are also sure that soon thereafter we will forget them. We wish a Happy New Year to everyone!

November 15, 2006 11a 

Vicky is doing great. She keeps as busy as possible. We are looking forward to the Holidays as they seem upon us.  

We have added a few pics to the Vic's Pic's and Kippy Pic's.