The Boxer

This is Patty Maloney, blogging for our warrior princess DonnaLee again.

DonnaLee hopes you all had a happy Thanksgiving. She said she doesn’t need to let you all know the importance of friends and family, as we are feeling it more than ever this season. She wanted me to convey that she can feel the love and prayers everyone is sending her way, and that she loves you all SO much.

DonnaLee had a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise, for which she is grateful - she got to go home from the hospital!

Though I don’t have a full report on DonnaLee’s health status, I do know her doctors are still fighting for her, trying to find out the cause of why the hemoglobin and platelets are breaking down instead of just treating the symptoms. In the hospital, she had felt scared and anxious the longer she was there. But DonnaLee is all in to keep fighting, especially since her doctors and friends and family are willing to continue to fight (and boy does she have a family of fighters on her side!). Does this surprise any of us who know DonnaLee so well and have seen her beat back cancer time and again?

Once at home on Thanksgiving, the “A team” - her daughter Taryn, and Taryn’s boyfriend Cody and dad Chris - got DonnaLee set up with a bed and nightstand on the ground floor, so she can navigate easier. Then DonnaLee’s cousin Lisa and Josh arrived from the west coast later that day. DonnaLee has had lots of company, which has made her a bit more tired than usual. So she asked you to please excuse any radio silences.

Coming up: lots of doctor appointments. DonnaLee’s a little anxious to find out how she’s been doing without the constant monitoring she had in the hospital. There may be decisions ahead that she doesn’t feel ready to make. Such as would she need to go back to the hospital (certainly hope not!)? Or does she need home care services?

Finally, a shout out to all the fellow warriors keeping her in the fight. DonnaLee says you know who you are and you have the battle scars to prove it.

Love and blessings to all!

Don’t Stop Believin’

This is DonnaLee’s friend Patty Maloney guest blogging for our warrior princess.

As you know, DonnaLee’s cancer has been progressing, and in the last week, she’s been facing new challenges. DonnaLee is in the hospital right now, dealing with multiple health issues, including a low platelet count that had caused uncontrolled bleeding in her mouth. Luckily, that is under control at the moment.

I visited DonnaLee earlier today, along with Mary Cox, and as usual, DonnaLee had a roomful of company - we joined her family in celebrating DonnaLee’s half birthday today! Her children Taryn, Emily and Ian were there, along with Ian’s wife Chelsea, Taryn’s boyfriend Cody and her dad Chris, and DonnaLee’s granddaughter Addison.

Despite being weaker, DonnaLee was in good spirits overall and at times optimistic. Does that surprise anyone who knows and loves our warrior princess? That quick wit and brilliant smile are still in full force.

Still, DonnaLee is also realistic. She is uncertain what the immediate future holds for her, or if she will even make it home from the hospital.

Now the hard part: DonnaLee wanted me to let each and everyone of you know how much she has appreciated your love and friendship over the years, and that she wishes she had more time to spend with us.

Most important, DonnaLee would like you to keep her family in your thoughts. As hard as this is for her, DonnaLee says it is even harder for them. I could see that myself today. Our warrior princess has never let cancer stand in the way of her commitment to living life to its fullest and being totally present for her family - and that has not changed.

I may be sharing more updates if DonnaLee asks me to. I know you all share in my hope that DonnaLee will be able to be in the comfort of her own home again soon.

And, please share your thoughts and messages of love and hope for her! DonnaLee isn’t up to the task right now of responding to all messages. But I know she will read each and every message, and the support will help to buoy her spirits.