FROM JUDY
APRIL 27, 2009
We went today to get the results of the CT scan and its effects on my body. Unfortunately, I did not get the results I was hoping to hear. The cancer is still there and the chemo has had little effect. The mass in my lung has reduced a little, but the other spots were unchanged. Actually, the one in my liver seemed to be a little enlarged. The two-medicine chemo they have given me has been very toxic, so we will change regimens. Once I have surgery tomorrow for my eye, we will wait until next week to schedule more chemo. This will hopefully get the chem0-toxins out of my system as well as the steroids that I have been on since December.
Once I’ve regained a little strength, we will try the different chemo, which the doctor said is less toxic. This new chemo will still be a three-week cycle. However I would have it one day in Week 1, the same day in Week 2, and then one week off. This infusion should only take 1-hour. My children have reminded me that I do not respond normally to conventional medicines, so we will try something a little different.
My eye surgery is tomorrow morning at AMC. Please pray for the doctors and my own restored vision. Also, please continue to pray that I can be healed of this cancer. The cancer is incurable, but we serve an Awesome God. I struggle to understand why I have to go through this, but He knows the Ultimate plan for me. Calls, cards and visits are welcome.
Love, Judy
APRIL 26, 2009
Hello my Family & Friends,
Thought I’d send you a quick update as of today. I got up yesterday and felt something different in my eye. I knew not being able to see that I felt possible another retina detachment happening. Went to UVA to see Retina specialist this am and sure enough another new area detaching. So I will have surgery on my eye Tuesday at AMC. This surgery will be more extensive than the last. He said this surgery would be 90% successful. I also go Monday, April 27th for answer to my MRI of my body as to how the chemo has helped. I pray it has destroyed the cancer cells. I do appreciate your prayers and support. The weather is getting warm and I want to be outside but I have nausea a lot. So I guess I’ll be midsummer getting into my garden. Thanks for your prayers.
Love and blessings,
Judy
UPDATE FROM JUDY
AUGUST 9, 2009
Dear family & Friends,
I had my 3rd Chemo today. My blood work was excellent and my doctor was very pleased with the treatments. I also went to see my doctor concerning my yearly Carotid Artery surgery success. My test shows that’s nothing has changed and my arteries are open as after the surgery 12/26/07. She was so very pleased.
Also my gas bubble in my eye from surgery disappeared yesterday, thank God, what we were waiting for.. I will go see Dr. Tiedemann on Monday to be able to go get a new eye examine for new lenses so I can see completely again. I have an appointment on Wednesday to hopefully get this done too.
I go again at 8:30 Friday, August 14th for my next Chemo. Please keep me lifted in prayer for my eye and the cancer in my body to be healed.
Thanks so very much for all your prayers, calls, visits and love.
Blessings to each of you.
Your friend,
Judy Via
FROM JUDY
JUNE 22, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
An update on my eye. I went to eye doctor yesterday and he was very happy with the healing of my eye. He said about another 30 days until I could see to go get a prescription for my glasses. He said the gas bubble is going down very slow but that’s OK as the retina is in place and healed. I can’t wait to see with both eyes again, WOW, your prayers are being answered so thanks for being prayer warriors for me. I have scheduled my next chemo for July 13th I would really like for my eye to be healed before I take chemo again. They will be starting a new less toxic chemo on me. Since they put me back on prednisone I feel good. My immune system is OK and I’m not sick so I can get out some and that helps me to get my strength back in my body.
Blessings and love to each of you
Judy Via
UPDATE FROM JUDY
JULY 30, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Went to eye doctor and he said the gas tear from surgery is getting smaller and should be ready for an exam within 2 months. I sure hope so I can’t wait to be able to see again. It’s been 5 months using 1 eye, but I’m grateful that I will see again one day.
I received my 2nd Chemo yesterday and the Dr. was very pleased that I had no sickness, no swelling, no weakness in lower legs from 1st Chemo. I take off 2 weeks now and start back with 3rd Chemo on August 7th with infusions only 1 hour. My son takes me and stays with me the entire time. Please keep praying as God is answering your prayers. Thanks so very much for your emails, cards and phone calls. I miss my work and friends so very much; its very hard being at home and still can’t drive. One day soon it will all happen when God is ready to turn me loose.
Blessings & Love to each of you,
Your friend,
Judy Via
UPATE FROM JUDY
JULY 14, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Went today for my new chemo. Everything went well and he was pleased with my blood work. Chemo took only one hour and I was pleased, no sickness, no tiredness yet. Dr. Q said that this was a more non toxic chemo. I will take chemo again on July 20th and off for 2 weeks and back on for two weeks then an CAT Scan to see if is making any difference in the lung and body. I still have no pains or symptoms from this cancer in my body. I go to the eye doctor (Dr. Teiteman) on Wednesday about the gas bubble that was put in my eye in surgery. The bubble has to disappear before I can get a new exam and new lenses. I can’t wait to see completely and be able to drive again (going into 7 months) Please keep praying, God is answering your prayers, I have to remember its in his time not mine. So we talk a lot, God and me.
Blessings and love to each of you and thanks for your time and energy
Your friend,
Judy Via
March 1st, from Patty
This is a note that my sister is sharing with everyone concerned.
Thanks for your prayers! Patty Lafferty
Hello friends, family and prayer warriors,
Had my MRI on brain yesterday afternoon and results are in. Give him all thanks and praise as the radiation on my brain has stopped the growth of cancer cells as it was intended to do. They will monitor me and I’ll have another MRI in 3 ½ months. Dr. Schiff (head of neurosurgery)said no swelling of the brain and all looks well. He was very pleased with my results.
Thank you one and all for your prayers that were answered today. Please continue to pray that the chemo will stop the cancer cells from growing in my lung and body also.
Thank you thank you blessings and love to all
Your friend and sister,
Judy
NEW REQUEST FROM PATTY LAFFERTY
PHONE CALL, March 6, 2009
Dear Caring Prayer Warriors,
Patty Lafferty phoned this evening to ask for prayer for her sister, Judy Via. This is a result of the accident she was in last December, which led to the brain tumor diagnosis. Judy had a retinal detachment some time ago (prior to the accident) and since December she has been experiencing difficulty seeing out of the other eye. She was taken for emergency surgery today as the other retina has detached. There are 3 levels of treatment for it, an the first was done today. If it does not work,they will proceed to another procedure, and then there is a third they can do. This presents many problems, as you can imagine. Being unable to work or drive are just the beginning. Please be in prayer that what they have already done will restore her sight. God has already worked miracles for her, ask him to continue to heal her.
Patty again expressed Judy's amazement and gratefulness at the outpouring of love and prayers our church has directed toward her. She is thankful for all the cards.
UPDATE FROM JUDY VIA
Friday, March 6th at 4:30pm
Hello my Family and Friends,
I had eye surgery last evening. They couldn’t put a buckle in my eye as they wanted to because when the doctor at UVA fixed my double vision last year, it left a lot of scar tissue and the retina actually tore away at the top of this scar tissue. So they did another process of putting in a gas bubble to hold the tear in place until it heals. I slept in my recliner with head up last night and have been asked by Dr. Teiteman to do this until next Tuesday when he will see me again. He told me to PRAY that the gas bubble will hold the tear in place so it will mend. So my people, I ask that you pray this prayer with me. I have no pain from this surgery, but a lot of drops to be put in my eye though. I hope that the long-awaited vision will be forthcoming soon! He said that if this didn’t work he has another option,
But I pray this works. Pray that I will be able to sleep sitting up and my head doesn’t drop backward or sideways.
I hope each of you have a blessed week-end.
Judy Via
UPDATE FROM JUDY
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009
Hello my family and friends,
Just got through with the Eye Doctor ( Dr Teiteman, surgeon) He said the bubble I have in my eye has taken care of 70% of the fluid and he was pleased with the surgery thus far. It hasn’t healed the complete detachment as of yet but to keep praying for its complete healing. I can now lay on my side for 30 minutes and turn to other side for 30 minutes. Can’t lay on back. So I’m smiling as I get to lay in my bed tonight. I’ll set the alarm clock to be able to turn and keep this bubble moving around my retina to help seal the tears that are still there. God is answering your prayers so please keep me lifted up also that my Chemo on Friday will go well. He said that I should continue with my chemo even though I’m still having problems with my eye. With unable to see I feel some queasiness. Blessings and love to each of you for your continued prayers and support. Your cards and notes have meant so very much to me also. You are an awesome people and I’m so glad that you are in my life.
UPDATE FROM JUDY
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009
Hello my Family and Friends,
Just got home from eye appointment. My doctor said the retina detachment is completely healed! He was so very happy. No more surgery! He told me no flying in an airplane or lying on my back. My eye will get better each day but will take months to see as I should. Thank God! He has answered this prayer for all of us, so please give praise reports to all your prayer partners. You are an awesome family and I give thanks for you and your continued support during this journey ahead. We are almost there....I will continue to hold onto the Master's hand.
Blessings and love,
Judy Via
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Email from Patty Lafferty
Judy has finished radiation for now. They will check it in 5 weeks to see if it worked or if they need to work on specific areas (her whole brain was treated the first time). She starts chemo on February 13. She has lost her hair due to the radiation. The doctors have told her that they cannot cure this cancer, but they can treat it and hopefully put it into remission.
4:45PM Friday, December 25th, 2008
Dear Prayer Warriors,
My sister, Judy Via, is at home now, recovering from brain surgery. She is in pretty good spirits. The doctors believe that they got all of the 2 1/2 cm. tumor out of the right side of her brain. She has 12-13 more smaller tumors all over her brain and the plan is to do radiation beginning Jan. 5. I will be driving her to UVA every Friday until that is finished. The PET scan that had been scheduled was postponed due to the urgency of the brain surgery. They will not need to do a lung biopsy now because they will use the brain tissue. She will receive more information when she goes to get the staples out of her head on Dec. 31. This information is correct as of right now, but things could change at a moment's notice.
Judy lives in Lyndhurst and is a member of Lynside Mennonite Church. She works in the Records Department for the Augusta County School Board Office. She is an EMT/Shock Trauma Tech and has worked with the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Augusta Ambulance, and CATS.
Thank you all for your prayers. Please continue to pray for her as she fights this battle with cancer.
In Christ,
Patty Lafferty
7:00 PM Monday, December 22, 2008
Patty phoned around 7:00 PM, on her way home from UVA. The news is that they were able to remove the target tumor from her brain, and they believe it is all out! They said it went the very best they could have expected. The Power of Prayer, no doubt!
Next step is a CT scan tomorrow to see what it looks like; but they don't expect results on that for some time. Patty will update us again when she has more information. Thank you for praying
9:30PM Sunday, December 21, 2008
Patty received the phone call with some details of Judy's surgery.
It will be done at AM tomorrow, Monday, December 22nd.
The tests showed a 2.5cm tumor on the right side of her brain, and it is shifting and causing the negative side effects that took Judy to the hospital on Friday. They will remove the tumor and it is expected to take 1-1/2 hours.
Pray for peace for the family as they wait, and for the best possible results. Pray for strength and peace for Judy and blessing on her that she is willing to be a "shining light" for Him even under these circumstances.. Praise the Lord, she is saved; there is much comfort in that for her loved ones.
3:00PM Sunday, December 21, 2008
The word this morning is that Judy will have surgery tomorrow (Monday). We have no details at this time; just PRAY for God's guidance for the surgeon and other medical people who are involved. Pray for a miracle; the situation looks bad to us, but God's perspective is not ours. He knows what the future holds. Pray for Judy's family, especially Patty as they deal with this difficulty a day at a time.
9:00AM Saturday, December 20, 2008
The news is not good, and Patty Lafferty is asking for continued prayer for her sister, Judy Via. The tests at UVA last night revealed that she has a large cancer in her lung that has metastasized into many small ones in her brain. They will do a PETscan to determine the exact size and location of these, and then determine what can be done.
Please add Judy and her family to your prayer list. After losing her husband, mother and another sister in recent years, Patty needs all our support and prayer to help her get through this difficult time.
5:30PM Friday, December 19, 2008
Patty Lafferty just received word from her niece that her sister, Judy Via is being taken to UVA by ambulance for swelling and blood on her brain. Judy was in an automobile accident earlier in the week, and the MRI showed no problem. However, today she was unable to keep her balance and the doctor sent her to UVA because he saw blood and swelling. He told them that it may be cancer and that the accident may have aggravated it.
Please pray for a quick diagnosis and healing of this mysterious ailment. Pray for the best medical people to take care of Judy.
Judy Via's PRAYER REQUESTS
Ridgeview Baptist124 Ridgeview Drive
Stuarts Draft, VA 24477
540-337-1025
Direct mail to P.O. Box 477, Stuarts Draft
http:www.ridgeviewministries.com
UPDATES ON JUDY VIA since December of 2008
Click here for contact information for Judy
Cards and phone calls mean a lot to Judy right now. She is stuck at home with limited vision (she is used to being very active). She is very swollen from the steroids and extremely weak. She is walking with a cane. She has told me many times how grateful she is for the folks at Ridgeview. She knows that we are praying and she has received a card from someone at Ridgeview every week. Wow! I'm proud of my church!
Thank you, Patty Lafferty
Judy Via
1485 Mt. Torrey Road
Lyndhurst, VA. 22952
Phone: 540-943-4970
EMAIL FROM JUDY
SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
Hello to my Family & Friends,
I went to see Dr. Carter (eye doctor) on Friday and he has scheduled surgery on my right eye for October 9th.
(This is the same eye that I have had 2 retina detachments in this year. I am seeing double is this eye)
I ask you to pray that surgery will be the answer to my eye problem.
Thank you so very much for your prayers.
Blessings & love,
Judy Via
EMAIL FROM JUDY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Thought I’d send out an update since I had my last chemo yesterday (Sept. 11th) for this round. The CT scan will be on October 2nd and we will know if this chemo has helped with the cancer in my lungs and body. If it has, he wants to continue the treatment for 6 more months. If it hasn't, we will try another chemo. The chemo I am now on has very few side effects and doesn't mess with my quality of life at all. My blood work was excellent yesterday. My platelets, white & red blood counts were all very good.
My new eye doctor from C'ville, Dr. Carter, called Thursday and said after looking at all my records and surgeries on my eyes, he felt he would like to perform surgery on my left eye to correct the double vision, therefore helping me to see better with corrective lenses. He's on vacation next week and I’am going on vacation the following week, so it will be mid-October before I will send out another update.
Please keep me lifted in your prayers for the right decisions to be made for my eye and the nasty cancer to be stopped, stopped, stopped.
Thanks to everyone of you for all your support and continued prayers for me in this journey I’m on.
WOW! It's September and it will soon be a year since I’ve driven (December 16th 2008). I keep saying, "Here I am, Lord, use me. But I guess I don’t see the big picture that He has for me for the rest of my life. In His time... I will just hold on to His mighty hand and give Him praise.
Blessings and much love to each of you!
Judy Via
EMAIL FROM JUDY
SEPTEMBER 6, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Just an update on my journey. I had an eye appointment on Thursday with a new specialist in C’ville. This appointment wasn't encouraging. I have 80-20 vision in that eye and he’s not sure there is anything he can do. He will contact me next week to let me know after he has gone over my last surgical progress in August of last year. So please pray that my eye can be corrected.
I had chemo on Friday and all went real well. My blood work is excellent, platelets are great. My doctor is very pleased with my progress and said I was his model patient so I would say that is good. I have another chemo Friday this one being the last before I get a cat scan to see if this chemo is in fact working.
God is good and he is in charge and I hold on to his promises. Please keep praying for a cure for all cancer for all people. I thank you for your encouraging words and prayers for my situation. God is answering.
Blessings and love to all
Your friend,
Judy Via
UPDATE FROM JUDY
AUGUST 19, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Here I am with an update on my chemo and eye.
I went to Dr. Teiteman on Wednesday and he was very pleased. He has ordered me a stick on lens for my glasses so I won’t see double. I pray this works as he said my eye will continue to heal as the days go by so it will be a cheaper way to do things until my eye is completely healed. I hope to get this lens tomorrow.
I received my last chemo for August today. My blood work was better than last month and last month was great. I’ll get my next chemo on Sept.4th . I feel great will try to make lime pickles tomorrow evening, made beet pickle with Michele’s help on Thursday. My girls need to learn to can veggies from the the garden.
Keep praying for my healing prayer warriors.
Thanks and have a great week
Blessings and Love
Judy Via
EMAIL FROM JUDY
Friday, NOVEMBER 18, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Went yesterday to see the surgeon eye doctor. He said the surgery had helped some, but I may always have to live with some double vision. He told me I might have to rely on my nose to keep the turkey from burning instead of my eyes. He gave me a new prescription for a new lens. I am so grateful that I have one eye and look forward to the new lens. I go this Friday for my new chemo so please pray for no side effects. Please continue praying for a cure for all cancer.
Blessings to each of you, my loving friends.
EMAIL FROM JUDY
Friday, OCTOBER 16, 2009
Hello my Family & Friends,
Just got home from seeing my radiation doctor at UVA. My MRIs showed that the cancer on my T-12 (spine) has been growing with/ some destruction to the bone. There is a new lesion on my T-11. This is very close to my spinal cord and needs to be stopped immediately, so I meet with the doctors on Wednesday 10/21 to setup dates to begin radiation. Dr. Larner said he would like to begin radiation on Monday 10/26 for 5 days and the following week for 5 days. He said that it may irritate my skin, but only a 10% chance of doing any nerve damage. So I have decided to do the radiation. Chemo will be on hold until the radiation is completed. My oncologist (Dr. Quesenberry) said he would like to change the chemo since it didn’t stop growth to the spine. We will decide what to do about that next month.
My eye is doing well and I go see Dr. Carter on Monday. I still see double but not as bad as it was before the surgery. I hope that glasses will take care of this with a new prescription soon. I would love to see by Thanksgiving so I don’T burn the turkey.
Thanks to all you prayer warriors God has answered so many prayers and I’m asking you to continue those faithful prayers for me and for all of those that are dealing with cancer. I believe God wants to hear from his children everyday.
I pray blessings on each home and person that this email comes in contact with.
Bless you, Bless you
Your friend,
Judy Via
EMAIL FROM JUDY
OCTOBER 10, 2009
Hello again Family & Friends,
Had my surgery on eye early Friday morning. The doctor said I had a lot of scar tissue in that eye that he had to work with, but he believes that the surgery was a success! He was pleased with the outcome. My daughter, Marlana, just took the bandage off and put a drop in my eye and she said that my pupil is much improved. I go back to him next Friday. Thanks to you and your prayers, I had no pain yesterday, just some pressure that Tylenol took care of. NO pain or pressure today! I go Monday & Tuesday for MRI’S on my spine. I have asked all of you to pray a lot for me this year and I ask that God will bless each one of you in a very special way.
Thank you, thank you! Know that God loves you and so do I, my dear brothers & sisters in Christ.
Judy Via
EMAIL FROM JUDY
OCTOBER 5, 2009
Hello Family & Friends,
Well, my CAT scan was last Friday and I had to wait until today to get results.
Dr. Q said that everything looked stable. My liver looked good. The lesions that were there haven’t grown they look the same some look like they have shrunk. He was pleased and said the chemo jymsor was working. They saw 2 new very small spots on my thoracic spine (T11&T12) so he wants me to see my radiation doctor about that area. I had chemo on Friday also which went well. I go see my radiation doctor on Oct.16th. I have another chemo on the 12th. I get surgery on my right eye this Friday (Oct.9th) I pray that Dr. Carter can make the adjustments so I can see completely again, so please pray that God will be in charge of this surgery for a quick healing. I dream of seeing again and driving. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers for me. Please, please keep praying as I feel great and I know our God is in charge of the journey I’m on.
Blessings & Love to each of you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM JUDY
DECEMBER 24,2009
Where did the year go? Suddenly it is December ......again - and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2009 is on its back!
A big "Thank You" to each and everyone of you, for any impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the e-mails I received.......without you, I'm sure that 2009 would have been extremely boring.
From my side I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.
May 2010 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures.
And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.
To those who need money, may your finances overflow
To those who need caring, may you find a good heart
To those who need friends, I am still here for you .
Thanks for being my friend!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
JUDY VIA
Dear Family & Friends,
Went yesterday to get new chemo. Took 4 hours to get a 10 minute infusion. WOW... a bad day for UVA employees. Everything went wrong for them. Even that I was a hard stick to get my blood work done. But we got it done and the chemo has caused no side effects thus far. God is good and He does answer prayers, so thank you for remembering me daily. My next chemo will be on 12/11/09 & then next year, every three weeks. Keep praying for all cancer to be healed for our loved ones and those to come.
I pray that each of you will have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.
Love to all
Your friend and sister in Christ,
Judy Via
