Laura's Journey
... On the road to living cancer-free

Karen's Story

I first met Laura when I interviewed for a position as her Program Assistant. I had worked at one time for her sister Tina and always wanted to work with her again. When Tina emailed me to tell me to apply for a job in her sister’s department, I grabbed at that, thinking Tina was so nice so her sister has to be nice too! And she was. When I met her at the first interview I felt an instant connection with her. She was so upbeat and easy going. I could tell she was genuinely nice. Nice from the inside and it showed in her face and demeanor. I prayed that I would get the job which I eventually did and so began a great working relationship and friendship.

I had been working with her for about two months when I came into her office with some documents that she had to sign. She was crying and I thought to myself "something bad must have happened." I asked her what was wrong and she tearfully told me that she had just been diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer. Well, this just about knocked the wind out of me. Many things went through my mind. I felt terrible for her and wished there was something I could do to either take it away or help heal her. The only thing I could do then was put my arm around her and tell her I would pray for her and also tell my mother, who is a mighty prayer warrior, to pray for her. I called my mother, who called her prayer chain to pray that God would heal her and above all give her peace of heart and mind. I also prayed, a bit selfishly, I think. I told God that He couldn’t take away the nicest boss I ever had away from me after looking this long. I pray daily now that God would heal her, give her peace of mind and the strength to endure the debilitating chemo treatments she must go through.

She has continued to amaze me with her positive attitude and the kindness with which she treats me even on the days that she doesn’t feel so good. Her crazy sense of humor shines through even on the bad days. Only Laura would send a cartoon of a dancing skeleton and say this was her after 6 months of chemo! She made me laugh. There are many other instances that she and I have shared that were so funny. The funniest things have happened as we traveled to health fairs or meetings. One time when we were in St. Paul, we were both tired after a long day and I remarked to her that we looked like "pinglings" as my niece calls penguins. We were waddling down the long hallway to our rooms. Our feet and backs hurt from all the boxes we had hauled back and forth. We both laughed so hard because we really were walking like "pinglings."

She is also a great mother. I hear her talking to her kids occasionally on the phone and I know from the way she speaks to them that they are loved. I met her son Sage and I can tell he has been brought up well. He has good manners and was extremely helpful when he helped us move our office items. I met her daughter once and she was outgoing and friendly and I feel on her way to great things.

I am continually amazed at the calmness and upbeat attitude she exhibits while going through this difficult time. I have never seen her wallow in self-pity. Oh, there are times when things get difficult with work and this illness but she seems to overcome in a short time and always has a smile. I think this attitude is one of her most powerful weapons against this awful disease.

I continue to commit her to God as I know He is the Great Physician and is able to do above and beyond what we ask. I pray that He will continue to give her the strength that she needs as she walks through this valley in her life and that she will triumph over this very difficult time.

Note from Laura

With friends like Karen, how can you go wrong? :) Karen has continued to amaze me, and bless me with her friendship, her kindness, and her strength. Thank-you Karen for being there.