Laura Ross Cancer Journey

Such a simple thing will be missed so much. I often got up a little earlier than Laura. Almost every morning I would meet her at the bottom of the stairs as she came down... to kiss her and hug for a while before we started our day.

Please excuse the long post, but this needs one.

Laura Elizabeth Ross, 42, passed away peacefully at the CarePartners Solace Center on June 17th at 7:46... three days after my birthday, the day after my father's internment service at Bethel Presbyterian in Middlebrook, VA, and 13 days before our 11th anniversary on June 30th.

I was with her alone, although our Pastor, Marcia, and good friend, Alison, were close by. I appreciated them giving me space and quiet to be alone with Laura at that moment. I still felt the support.

As Laura passed, the sunset was streaming through the window, gently casting moving shadows on her face... the spirit in motion as Laura experienced her metamorphosis. For some time Laura was planning to write about her journey back to health, and had already picked the title "Metamorphosis." It was appropriate that I was wearing a shirt from the Butterfly Wonderland in Phoenix.

Laura was only at the Solace Center for just less than 30 hours, but while there was taken care of with compassion and kindness. I was happy to see her comfortable and cared for so well. While there we even had a harpist outside her room. Messino Cancer Center was also wonderful. Dr. Baru demonstrated his compassion for his patients as always. I am sure that Dr. Raab would have been there if she could.

Please do not just send condolences if possible. Instead...

Send me stories of when you met Laura, or something you remember that demonstrated her kind, sweet, gentle spirit. I want memories of her that I will always wish I had more of. You can also just post affirmations.... which Laura loved using as a way to put her into positive intention of mind.

Instead of sending flowers, go outside and smell the flowers in your own yard or better yet, anywhere. Laura always did... every time she happened upon some that captivated her attention. She found joy in simple moments like that.

If you want to give, consider donating to the Laura Ross (Memorial) Fund at our church, GCPC. Although we still have some outstanding bills, the remainder of the fund will help others that are going through the financial difficulites/uncertainties of medical care for cancer or other diseases. You can find the link and directions to the fund at laurarossfund.com.

I am starting a new project (benefitdiscs.com) that merges disc golf with charities/benefits/fundraisers for individuals and causes. In the disc golf world, when a person dies, often a few of their discs (putters) are passed from course to course by players leaving the discs in the last basket. Some discs travel for months/years and across the country. I had one with me that I played with in NC, TN, OK, NM, and AZ. I planned to leave it in Arizona when we started driving home, but it is still there in our car. My new benefitdiscs.com site has very little done on it... but I hope to launch it with a local "Throw Pink" tournament next month in July. My efforts will support the Laura Ross Fund and/or TNBC Foundation. Please contact me if you want to support that effort directly. Eventually, I will need matching sponsors for some of my ideas.

My life will never be the same. I (and all of us) have lost the most amazing, gentle, positive, passionate and influential person in my life. But, her influence will be with me for the rest of my days. I will see her in every monarch butterfly, and smell her in every fragrant flower. She will never be far from my thoughts. She was, and always will be my love.

Laura had to discontinue chemo for now, as it is affecting her liver too much. Today she had a CT scan to see where we are at. Managing pain and discomfort are most important, so we are moving to a Fentanyl patch to have more consistent pain management. In the mean time we had a nice visit from the best friend of Laura's mother. It was wonderful to spend time with Geri, including a trip to Biltmore. We also celebrated Jonathan's birthday!

It's time for an update. Laura has resumed chemo this week after a couple weeks to heal up after the first cycle. We hope this next one will be a little easier as her body gets used to the new regimen. This new chemo, Trodelvy, has only been given to a few patients locally ever... it is so new! In the meantime, Laura continues to play with our kitties, nap, and seek alternative therapies like acupuncture, physical therapy, and lymphatic massage.

She also got a new look from Judi with Secrets of a Duchess (possibly their last client), and our friend Tricia of Asheville Hair Design. Then... a little TLC from another friend, Alison. ;)

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Just wanted to update you on the latest. I know Laura will want to add more soon. We are back in Asheville after having an emergency in Arizona. Laura is best served by her oncologist here at home at Messino Cancer Center. She is currently on a new treatment... and is only the third patient to receive this new chemo at Messino! We are hopeful for a response soon. I know Laura will add more about her experience in Arizona, so I will let her speak for herself. ;) In the meantime, Laura is also receiving alternative treatments (such as acupuncture) along with chemo. Again... thank you for your continued support.
-Jonathan

After a very challenging and stressful week, Jonathan and I made an impromptu decision to take a day trip to beautiful Sedona which served as a much-needed mood uplifter. Sedona was epic, magical, and among one of the most beautiful displays of the natural world I have ever seen.

Two days later I woke in the middle of the night with unexpected severe abdominal pain which prompted a trip to the ER at the local hospital in Phoenix due to gallbladder issues. After further testing, labs, and examination it became clear that the next couple of weeks would offer a lot of uncertainty surrounding my medical care needs and we just simply couldn't be 2,000 mi away from home. So Jonathan and I made a last minute decision to leave our car in Arizona (for the time being) and take an immediate red-eye flight home to Asheville where I would have the support of my medical team here and could rest and recover properly. Upon arriving home fever set in quickly, probably due to the beginning of sepsis infection. I felt terrible. I started on a high dose of antibiotics and within 24 hours my temperature had returned to normal. Further testing revealed that I had significant pleual effusion (fluid buildup) around my lungs which was exacerbated by the high altitude travel.

Yesterday morning I received a thoracentesis procedure and I am doing better… but still recovering. While I can say that it was difficult to leave Arizona so unexpectedly, it has also been wonderful to be back in Asheville. The desert has a unique and lovely beauty, but as soon as I saw the emerald green mountains of North Carolina I knew I was home.

(The last picture is of Jonathan and myself at Mission Hospital for the thoracentesis procedure. We are both worn out…but doing our best to keep a smile.) I am grateful to be on the other side of the procedure and am healing up now. Thank you so much to everyone who reached out with love and concern over the last couple of weeks. 🙏💓

Wish us luck and pray a bit today for us. Laura has been admitted to the ER with gallbladder issues. Lots of pain, but morphine helps! Likely will have surgery to remove it, but not sure yet.

The last two weeks have been a time of challenges, but also many blessings too. Last Saturday, friends and family gathered as we all honored Jonathan's father, Bill Ross, for his beautiful memorial service. The next day, a benefit concert was held to help raise awareness for contributions for continued medical care in Arizona. I was not able to attend in person due to ongoing treatment here, but I was able to eventually experience it virtually. It was beautiful ❤️ . A huge thank you to Appalachian Consort, Billy Jonas, Asheville Vocal Ensemble, Holley Ross and students, Dominic Aquilino, Matt Edwardsen, Roberto Flores, Rachel Hansbury, Amanda Vollrath,
Virginia McKnight, GCPC, and A-B Tech... who all came together to make this possible, especially Leonard Hollifield and Joe Brumit. Also, thank you so much for all who attended, contributed, and for those who did much work "behind the scenes" too! It meant so much to us to have so many of our dear friends and talented musicians gathered together for this cause. We are beyond grateful! 🙏❤️ To see the concert visit:
www.laurarossfund.com/concert

And, here is the second half of the concert!. With Billy Jonas, Holley Ross and students, Asheville Vocal Ensemble (AVE), and selected professional singers from Asheville. You were all amazing!

https://youtu.be/ZuEN-MBzZos.

You can also find the concert at https://www.laurarossfund.com/concert/

Singers, Laura Ross Benefit Concert, p2, 2023-04-16

For those of you that missed the concert last night. Here is a recording of the first half with Appalachian Consort (https://www.appalachianconsort.com/). Members include Leonard Hollifield (guitar), Josie Moe (vocals, violin), Mark Clevenger (hammered dulcimer), and Lee Metcalfe (double bass).

https://youtu.be/Jq3zg06CGTs.

A big THANK YOU to Leonard Hollified for the idea of the concert and the beautiful music, to A-B Tech for use of the college facility, to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church for the reception and greet greeters, and to Dominic Aquilino for coordinating the singers!

You can also find the concert at https://www.laurarossfund.com/concert/.

March 28, 2023: After taking a short break from Facebook while I transitioned over to a new medical care facility in Arizona, I am glad to share that I have now settled into a nice routine as I continue to undergo cancer care treatment here. While it is still too soon to know anything in terms of the effectiveness of the treatment, I will say that I have found the Arizona sun and beautiful natural environment to be immensely healing. It has helped to lift my spirits during a very challenging time. Jonathan and I continue to be so touched and grateful by the outpouring of love and support from everyone. 🙏💜

April 8, 2023: After an initial few weeks of trial and error and some gentle changes to the treatment protocol, I believe we have finally landed between the right balance of treatment and complementary therapies, and what works well. I have days where I am quite tired, but my spirits are good. In the meantime, spring has arrived in the desert of Arizona. I have been told with the added rainfall it has been one of the most colorful and beautiful springtimes to date. ✨🌼✨

Jonathan and I have found a lovely new Airbnb accommodation on a homestead ranch located only 6 minutes from where I am receiving medical care 4 or 5 days a week. On the weekends, we have been enjoying some light hikes and low key sightseeing. Blood work continues to show signs of improvement. Jonathan and I continue to be so appreciative of all the love, support, and well wishes from our friends, family, and community back home ❤️🙏

April 3, 2023: Last week cancer treatment was delayed due to a dip in white blood cells and platelet levels. After a temporary pause (and adding in some new complimentary therapies), I received the green light to resume treatment and am doing quite well! The setback caused a change to my schedule, and the new day and time had me arriving for treatment at 7 AM. It turns out the morning offered a special surprise. ♡