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Lisa Dapas

Pennsylvania

Interests: Art, interior design, flowers (but not gardening), beauty, humor, and books. Talking with friends. Staying strong while getting over a recent diagnosis of oral cancer. Unless otherwise stated, all photographs on the site are ones I have taken.

Recent Activity

It's been nearly 9 months since my mother passed away. She died on April 30th of last year, 10 days after the last blog post. Her memorial service was held shortly after in the Unitarian church in Geneva. The service was beautiful, incredibly powerful, and soberingly sad. Given the occasion,... Continue reading

Posted Jan 28, 2012 at Pull Up a Chair

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As of her last post about a month ago, my mom was considering whether or not she should undergo chemotherapy. After radiation therapies and multiple surgeries had failed, chemotherapy stood as the only remaining medical option that could possibly hinder the cancer's growth. Unfortunately though, considering the rapaciousness of her... Continue reading

Posted Apr 20, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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To chemo or not to chemo

I had planned to do a blog post two weeks ago. The afternoon of my biopsy result seemed like the perfect time. I would have had a chance to talk to my doctor and I could fill everybody in. I don't know what I anticipated hearing. I do know it... Continue reading

Posted Mar 14, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Palliative care

Here is Marc, in uniform, talking to the owner of the apartment we liked best on our last house hunting trip to DC. It's got great views, lots of light, and plenty of room. The downside is that it's a fourth floor walk-up. I came back from the trip not... Continue reading

Posted Feb 24, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Marc and I are in the DC area while he does Navy Reserves. Have a good day with your Valentine. Thanks for the roses, Lou and Connie! Continue reading

Posted Feb 14, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

2

Yesterday I posted about the serious issues that come up in my support group. I also mentioned I was going to seriously try to have a good time at a party last night. It was my first time at a party since my final round of surgeries. I knew most... Continue reading

Posted Feb 12, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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I first wrote about my support group here in July. 72 miles away, 19 older men, two younger men, and me. There are breast cancer support groups everywhere, but the closest oral cancer group is in York, PA. Oral cancer support groups are hard to find. My group is usually... Continue reading

Posted Feb 11, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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If this life be not a real fight, in which something is eternally gained for the universe by success, it is no better than a game of private theatricals from which one may withdraw at will. But it feels like a real fight. William James Lately things have felt like... Continue reading

Posted Feb 6, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Marc and I just got back from a long weekend in DC. He had a commitment for Reserves and we decided to do a little house hunting in DC as well as spending a night with friends in the area. Many people have asked when we are going to leave... Continue reading

Posted Feb 2, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Matthew took this snapshot of me the other night on a Skype call. With my hands over my cheeks to slim them a bit, I look just like my old self. I love how Skype lets me talk with Matthew and Natalie. They can understand most of what I say,... Continue reading

Posted Jan 25, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Lucky me! I just got the new Ashro catalog in the mail. Along with the catalog was a card with the words: Okay, Lisa....Queen up! Love, Marvin and B.J. Along with the card was a fabulous caftan and scarf. I love feeling like a queen! I know the scarf is... Continue reading

Posted Jan 21, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Trip to Cape-come-what-May

On the beach in Cape May for our 25th anniversary: I wish I could say that my life of increased ambiguity (since my Clint Eastwood post) has been one that I've been able to wholeheartedly embrace and accept. Some things are difficult for me to come to terms with. It's... Continue reading

Posted Jan 21, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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Today it's my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. We are headed over to Cape May to stay in a bed and breakfast for the night. More news soon. Thanks for the flowers, Jeff and Joanna! Continue reading

Posted Jan 18, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

2

Channeling Clint Eastwood

If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster. Clint Eastwood My biggest compliment in the hospital came from a cute younger Italian doctor. His name was Tony. "Mrs. Dapas," he said, "you are one tough chick - you know that?" I don't know what was happening when he said it... Continue reading

Posted Jan 14, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

10

Channeling Clint Eastwood

If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster. Clint Eastwood My biggest compliment in the hospital came from a cute younger Italian doctor. His name was Tony. "Mrs. Dapas," he said, "you are one tough chick - you know that?" I don't know what was happening when he said it... Continue reading

Posted Jan 14, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

10

The flowers above were in the chapel at the hospital. I would walk down to the chapel every day at least once. It was a departure from the rest of the hospital, with dark wood-paneled walls. It was very quiet, and very cool in temperature. My room so often was... Continue reading

Posted Jan 12, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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The past week was a long one in the hospital. I often had a hard time working with the wireless system there so I didn't post or email much. This is me walking the long hallway to my "office", a pink bench at the end where I would go when... Continue reading

Posted Jan 6, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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I have a new lap top (which I LOVE) and am feeling well enough to blog again. I've had a lot of family support, but very little sleep. Nights are long when spent in a hospital. I had the foresight to ask for pastoral care before my surgery. At least... Continue reading

Posted Jan 1, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

20

Cancer-Free in 2011

We rang in the new year in style from the intensive care unit of the Jefferson hospital. We toasted to a cancer-free 2011 and beyond (pictures will be uploaded later this afternoon). We drank champagne from Solo cups and we donated a bottle of sparkling cider to the hospital staff.... Continue reading

Posted Jan 1, 2011 at Pull Up a Chair

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I was asleep when the house phone rang at 2:07am this morning. Dad answered the phone. He knew who was calling. He knew something was wrong. No one calls a house phone in the middle of the night unless there is a problem. Dad and Natalie came into my room... Continue reading

Posted Dec 29, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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It's been a long day. Dad, Natalie, and I left the house around 5am and sped to the hospital to see Mom before she left for surgery. Thankfully we were able to spend some more time with her before she went into the OR. It was difficult for Mom to... Continue reading

Posted Dec 28, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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Last week, two days before Christmas Eve, I found out that the results of my new biopsies were positive for cancer. I had thought that the result might not be good. My tongue had been hurting again in a couple of spots. I spent a few days dealing with feelings... Continue reading

Posted Dec 27, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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Matthew, Natalie and I stayed up until 3:30am to watch the lunar eclipse the other night. Matthew's flight was so late getting in from Chicago that it was after 1:00am when we got back from the airport. By that point staying up another hour or so was easy. December 21st... Continue reading

Posted Dec 23, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

When I was thirteen I thought my mom was a most embarrassing person. Not to mention clueless and lacking in style. There may have been moments when I enjoyed her company, but in general, I was a disagreeable know-it-all with my mom. An ungrateful daughter who kept her room a... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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Staples out update

I wrote nothing last week. It was hard to type with the big bandage and wound vac on my arm and I was feeling a little down and worn out after the second surgery. I was feeling better by yesterday. Here I am getting ready to leave for my doctor's... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2010 at Pull Up a Chair

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