A New Journey
Here is the good news for those of you who don’t already know: daughter Kate gave birth to Jack Tucker Leary eight weeks ago which makes Lori and me grandparents for the first time and very happy to be making young Jack’s acquaintance.
Here is the bad news for those of you who don’t already know: Lori has recently been diagnosed with cancer in the lymph nodes of her abdomen. Bad scary stuff.
In November of last year Lori had a hysterectomy to remove cancer in the wall of her uterus, and the excellent surgical team picked it clean. The cancer had not penetrated the wall of the uterus, and the ten proximate lymph nodes they biopsied came up clean. Within the space of eight days we went from Oh, No! to Phew! But as it turns out, sometimes a cancerous body can send out undetectable microscopic cells which take root and proliferate. Very rare, but it happens and chances are this is what happened to Lori. It is also remotely possible that she has a brand new unrelated cancer. The tests will soon tell.
Ahead lie biopsies and PET CT scans and lab work . . . and then a course of treatment, possibly radiation, possibly chemo, for now too soon to know. We have the exceeding good fortune to live in the San Francisco Bay Area which puts us right up the road from one of the great concentration of genius doctors in the world, at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. We spent several hours there today with Dr. Jocelyn Chapman who came into the treatment room, took Lori’s hand, and made her feel better just by being a caring human being. She also happens to be a medical whiz and will share Lori’s test results in eight days with a whole team of wizard oncologists who will decide what to do.
So . . . these days we count our manifold blessings and gird for what promises to be a trial. Chief among those manifold blessings are our children Kate and Tucker and husband Owen and girlfriend Lise and grandson Jack who have spent a bunch of time here in recent days providing the best tonic of them all – attentive, generous love. Wider circles of family and friends and neighbors have given us support in countless meaningful ways. You know who you are; we thank you and love you.
It feels a LITTLE odd to be using this travel blog format to share this news with all of you, but this is a new journey, perhaps not one we picked but certainly one that will disclose new territories to us. Plus, if we responded individually to everyone on Lori Hutchinson’s network there would not be enough hours in the day. So kindly forgive the mass communication, but you get it.
Feel free to respond to the blog as we post periodic bulletins and know that Lori will see and read every one of your replies. Feel free to send a card or something I can paste on the bedroom walls (Lori Hutchinson / 20735 5th Street East / Sonoma, CA 95476). Also feel free to say a prayer or send some good juju or to visualize healing or to do whatever your spiritual practice suggests. We can’t get enough of that.
Our niece Tracy will soon be competing in her first triathlon as a member of Fred’s Team – a bunch of athletic do-gooders who swim/bike/run to raise $ for cancer research and treatment. Somewhere on her person she will glue the theme of these reports to Team Lori – all of you: Kick Cancer’s Ass.
hutch adventure 2 
What wonderful (well deserved) outpourings of love you are receiving! Here’s more love and lots of healing light from me. Also, another wonderful, inspiring and easy-to-read book is “anti-cancer: a new way of life” by David Servan-schreiber… A physician and two-time survivor of brain cancer. Though this is not a journey you would have chosen, here’s hoping it leads to better, deeper, ever more wonderful phenomena… As hard times can do. Much love to you. Alexanne
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Lori and Bill- So truly happy about Kate’s new little bundle of joy (and yours too). What a miracle for the entire family. Peter and I will you keep you in our family’s prayers wishing for only the best outcome! Much love, Ann
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Bill,
Jody and I will continually keep you and Lori in our thoughts and prayers. While we have not seen each other much over the years, I know how strong you are physically, mentally and spiritually. Lori must have the same attributes or you two would not have enjoyed such a full and exciting life together. Take strength from all the people’s lives you have touched who care so much about you both.
Your friend,
Ken Dunn
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Hey Bill,
We are in Georgia visiting grandkids. You guys have a lot of fun to look forward to. Barb is a
cancer survivor, so I am an optimist regarding Laurie. Both of you are in our prayers. Let me know if there is anything we can do.
God bless,
Mark
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Bill and Lori,
Congratulations on the “good news”, and sending a hug and best wishes as you combat the “bad news”. Like everything in life, enjoy the positive things in life, but never be unrealistic. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. Learn about what you can do, and with your doctors and support system, delegate what’s appropriate so you can focus on the key issues you have to make decisions about. Sending you strength and a big hug. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help in any way.
Vicki
Victoria Willock
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You guys certainly are surrounded by a huge number of friends who are all supporting you in spirit. So do we, sorry we’re so far away. Keep up the good spirit and it’s wonderful to have your kids near you and little Jack to give relief and entertainment, and keep everybody’s mind focussed on new life and the future. We’re happy that you have a very professional medical team.
Love, Ems
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Well, that’s just super crappy. I DO believe that love and good thoughts help, so please tell Lori that we love her and to stay strong for the fight. I will have Sanjeev pray, he talks to,like, a million gods. At least a few of them should be paying attention.
I am spending a lot of time at UCSF ( actually will be there today) with a staff member who has CNS lymphoma. The docs there are some of the best in the country and they will take good care of her.
We’ve been taking a care pkg ( cookies, baked goods) everyday for the nurses station to thank them for looking out for him. Let me know if we could do the same for you.
I’m so sorry, Bill. It’s so hard to have someone you love so much having to go through this.
Please let me know if there is anything we can do, a late night dinner to go or whatever. I will be holding you both in my thoughts. Dana
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Bill and Lori, you are on a new journey – not the one chosen by you but one that will deepen your faith and your love. You are in good hands at UCSF and I have confidence the oncology team there will kick cancer’s ass! Thank you for posting on this blog as a way of keeping all your friends both far and near in touch. It is a gift to all of us who are pulling for you in every way possible. Love, Margie
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Thank you Bill and Lori for so generously sharing your lives with us here. Jeremy had told me the news shortly after I saw you and so I add my prayers and loving thoughts to those of all your caring friends and family. You are light and love and miracles and are likely to manifest same, no doubt! I’ll keep you posted on my visits to Sonoma and I’ll keep you in my heart till I see you again. Much love, Marion
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Bill and Lori…. What can I say.. Hearing this new is not what we were expecting. UCSF is the best, and if you do not know of Michael Broffman, Pine Street Clinic, he is well known for working hand in hand with Oncology patients. I have several friends who are still with us.. in fact one woman was pregnant and Michael Broffman attended her childs graduation from High School. He’s about working with your immune system, Chinese fashion, that works with the treatment UCSF will be giving you. We send our love, and prayers.. yes, I believe in them…. and also wanting to say YAH HOO for Baby Jack is the best medicine of all. We’re here…. let us know how we can help. xxxx Marty & Bud
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Lori siempre estas en mis oraciones y dios me escucha todo va a salir bien .tu eres una mujer fuerte y tienes una gran familia que te ama
Y también grandes amigos y entre ellos estoy yo .que estaremos día y noche orando por tu salud.dios y la virgen de Guadalupe siempre estarán con tigo.dios es amor y lo que le pidamos el nos los da pero tenemos que pedírselo con mucha fe y amor.I love Lori,Bill tucker and katy My other family.
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Lori we have you in our thoughts! Big hugs from Tom and Amy.
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We are so sorry to hear of loris medical problems. Maureen did her endocrine training at ucsf and my daughter worked there and both have nothing but good things to say about the place so you will get good care there. We are in Rome visiting churches and museums and lit a candle for Lori today. You are in our thoughts! Back at the end of the month and hope we can connect this fall. Xoxo john and Maureen
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Hello Bill and Loir:
It was with great mixed feelings that I read your message. Congratulations on the wonderful event of your first grandchild. How fabulous is that!
I hope Kate and baby are doing well. I know you are both thrilled.
My heart hurts as I see your words describing Lori’s condition. She, you both!, will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I love you both,
Lynda Paulson
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Hi Bill,
Glad to hear the good news, but also concerned about Lori’s condition.
Both of you as well as family are in our thoughts and prayers!
Blessings and peace,
Jeff Munnis
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Oh Bill!
I am so saddened to read this message.
Bless all of your hearts. I know only too well, that when a family as close as you all are has a loved one ill, it affects everyone, not just the patient.
Nevertheless, all of my thoughts and deep rooted prayers will be going out for beautiful Lori. I know how scared you must all be. Please stay focused and positive. Attitude really does play such a huge role in outcomes like these. She is so blessed to have such a strong, valiant support team and the gift of your loving family.
Please do not think for a minute to send me a thank you note! You just did. Just send me a picture of Jack Tucker Leary in the t-shirt when he grows into it! I want a chubby bunny picture with lots of pudge and rubber bands on those arms.
It must be such a joy for you and Lori to have his precious presence now more than ever. That would motivate anyone to fight!
Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. As you know, I am on the board of our hospital and know all of the really BIG wigs at Reagan UCLA. It would be an honor.
Randy and I send our love, heartfelt prayers and healing thoughts to Lori and the entire family.
Warmly,
Amy Commans
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Tears… of joy for your first grandchild and … tears of sadness to hear that Lori is going to be going thru some icky stuff…
I have many friends that have been diagnosed with that damn disease and are doing just fine. Just today one of my realtor colleagues is celebrating her mothers 14th anniversary of being cancer free… !4 years ago she was given 3 months to live…
You both will be in my thoughts. I visualize that you are already healed!! And your grandson needs his grandma!
Sending love from me and from Jim…
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Hello Bill and Lori,
Great to hear your good news, but so very sorry to hear your bad news.
Here’s some good energy coming at you from your Cork family!! We’ll have our fingers crossed for you, and hope that the next results are much more positive.
Love and hugs,
Mary and Sean O’D
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Lori, I am so unhappy to hear this news. From “home free” to this has to be a really tough one. Tom and I are thinking about you and send you all our love. Thank goodness you have such a wonderful family and so many friends that care about you. I hope your strength will pull you through this one too. We are certainly pulling for you. Love, Stevie
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You guys are allways in our hearts
Your joy is ours
Just as much we share the pain
Please keep us posted
Rosa
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Our prayers and relentless healing energy are with you. We are 2 minutes from your door. Need anything, anytime, —— house 707-996-9794 cell 707-484-9801
Steve, Gail and family
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Dear Lori, dear Bill,
it was so nice hearing from you again and reading about little Jack… When it came to the bad news, though, I sensed in a way what was coming… I could hardly believe what I was reading. Only a few weeks ago, here you were, we were playing cards, having diner and a good time…
I feel so sorry… There is hardly anything I can do… except thinking of you, wishing you all the best and strength and optimism and sending you my love.
Katja
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Dear Lori and Bill –
Lori, you’re so special to us. (Bill, we tolerate you.) You’re both in our thoughts and prayers. We’re awaiting, with great optimism, Lori’s follow-up doctor’s report this week.
I’m not very good at expressing mushy feelings, but please know that my feelings for you two are mushy to the point of ooze.
We look forward to seeing you both one of these days in Philly or Sonoma or, God forbid, Des Moines.
Abrazos,
Pete
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Bill, I am just reading this now and actually quite in shock. Please know that I will be including Lori and you in my prayers.
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