Update on Katy, Portsmouth HS Grad Fighting Brain Cancer

Portsmouth HS and RWU grad Katy (Lennahan) Sleeper has been busy fighting brain cancer for the past five months. She now has a short break between round one of radiation and round two of chemotherapy. For Katy "break" takes on a new meaning, as she'll be very busy during this time. She's staying strong. You can read an update she wrote about her experience and progress below. (Previous posts about Katy: post 1, post 2.) 

Update from Katy:

What a long strange trip it's been - and I'm only halfway there!  It has been about five months since my diagnosis, and I have about five more months to go.  I have successfully completed two rounds of chemotherapy and about six weeks of radiation.  I (or my bone marrow, rather) now get to rest up for about a month to prepare for my next four months of chemo.  A break sounds really great about now, but that's just not my style.  Instead, I'm going to try to go back to work - this week!  No rest for the weary, right? I figure I won't know what I can do until I try.  So I'm going to try to go back (very) part time, and see how it goes.  And while I’m at it, let’s head back to the gym too!  Maybe just not all at once…

Around the end of October is when I will get my next MRI, which will hopefully show the big reveal - how well the radiation worked!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping simply for some progress.  I don't expect the cancer to be gone, but I am hoping to see a reduction.  From there I will hopefully have a better idea of what my future holds, including long-term treatment. 

In the meantime, I am trying to focus on my family and friends, who continue to be an amazing supply of love and support (for which I will try tirelessly to pay you all back in kind).  I have been able to get closer with my family and reconnected with old friends, and for that I am forever grateful.  I have some fun upcoming events that I am looking forward to enjoying, and hope to make the most of the next month.  What I really hope to take away from all of this is to cherish the present.  Sometimes we spend so much time worrying and planning for what lies ahead that we forget to live in the now.  So please, take that age-old advice and stop and smell the roses.

Family and friends are raising funds to support Katy during this difficult time. Support at any level is appreciated.