Lance’s Halfway through Radiation

Hi Everyone.

Starting tomorrow Lance is starting his fourth week of radiation. He has a total of 6 weeks of radiation and has already gone through 3. He is tolerating his chemo pills extremely well and is breezing through radiation.  He has had few side effects from both but did start losing his hair where the radiation is targeted. Lance is completely ok with it and I gave him his first hair trim tonight in order to even it out. Overall, doing great. Spirits are high and Lance is still doing real estate. Hopefully, with the holidays we will slow down and enjoy more of the holiday season.

I am still overwelmed with the love and support that keeps pouring in for both Lance and I.  Saying thank you seems like not enough but again THANK YOU . We still need the prayers because we are dealing with something very aggressive and ugly but I have faith that we can get through this difficult time with everyone’s love and faith.

God Bless

Francine

So far, so good!

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters all over the world! 

Wow–it’s overwhelming to hear how many people are following Lance’s story and supporting him.  There are literally people all over the United States and in countries all over the world praying for Lance.  On behalf of Lance and Francine and both the Snyder and Costa families, I very sincerely and deeply THANK YOU!!!!! 

I know several people have said to me this week, “I heard Lance began treatment on Monday.  How’s it going?”  I realized there hasn’t been an update since.  So, I decided to jump online and bring you up to date.  

Praise God–Lance is doing wonderfully, both emotionally and physically!  So far he has he not had any adverse effects from the chemo or radiation.  Actually, there has already been an improvement!  The terrible pain he’s had in the left side of his face has finally has started to subside!    

One of my dad’s friends wished Lance a “strong start and a triumphant finish.”  What a beautiful sentiment and picture of hope and victory…A strong start he has had indeed!  Lance has been a champ.  We are so proud of him! 

Again, on behalf of Lance and Francine and both of our families, I wish you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving.

With much love and deep gratitude for each and every one of you,               Lance’s sister, ashley ♥

Today is a gift.  That’s why we call it the present. 

Going all in…

By Ashley (Snyder) Frankis

Today was a special day at our church and also in Lance’s life.

Today marked the end of a series in our chuch called:  CANNONBALL:  All in and making waves.  The idea is that we should dedicate our whole lives, our whole selves to God.  Everything–our time, money, priorities, and gifts; everything we should align with the purposes of God.  We are called to go deeper into the upward calling of Christ.

The thought of going off the diving board and doing a cannonball into the deep end might seem exciting, wild, and freeing; or it might seem scary.  But, regardless, it requires a decision to go forward, all the way; you can’t just do a cannonball part way.

Today marked the end of the sermon series, but the beginning of this new initiative and vision to go all in with God and to make waves, thereby affecting and impacting the lives of others.

I sat in church this morning thinking about Lance and how today marks the end of a period in his life and how tomorrow will be the beginning of his cannonball.

Since Lance’s ER admission on Friday, October 8th, he has gone through a multitude of tests and appointments and a very serious surgery.  There have been many questions, discussions, phone calls, visits, cards, meals, gifts, and prayers.  There has been so much, so suddenly, so unexpectedly, but SO COURAGEOUSLY!!

Lance has been REMARKABLE.  His attitude has been amazing; his disposition strong and courageous.  He’s had a quiet confidence and humble demeanor about him.  He has truly been filled with God’s grace and peace which transcends all understanding.  He is a living testimony and witness to the Living God.  Bless you, Lance, as you move forward into tomorrow–to day one of treatment.

We are right there with you, Lance, in person and in spirit.  We pray that God would continue to strengthen you, protect you, and heal you.

Tomorrow morning Lance will first take his oral chemotherapy and then go to Shadyside hospital for a 9:30am radiology appointment.  Family and friends, would you please sometime tomorrow morning find a quiet moment for Lance.  Lift him up in prayer.  Please also remember Francine, Mom, and Dad as they walk with him.  Let us then just be still, be quiet, stop thinking, and simply listen.

Word of God speak…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

Treatment will Be Started on Monday 11/15; met with Mario Lemieux last night

Everyone,

My treatment has not been started; only my fly fishing for Steelhead, Church / Mass during the week and weekend continues, real estate work picks up in a huge way, hanging out with family and friends, and all kinds of sporting events, wine making, getting ready for Holidays, and all kinds of other things. My originial plan was to eat Thanksgiving early, fly out that night for 1.5 days of traveling to the Seychelles. Once at the Seychelles, which is off of Africa half way around the world from Pittsburgh, we would fly fishing for 7 days and travel back 1.5 days which is 8 total flights there and back. Due to the treatment I have to delay this trip although I will stay involved with my friends going; I was going to write fishing articles, update Frontiers Travel marketing / pics, and review new gear we used as well as doing research for Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. Due to the treatment, I cannot go to the Seychelles for a while, but will fly fish for Steelhead in PA, NY, and OH as well as enjoy the whole day of Thanksgiving and spending time before and after Turkeyday with family and friends.

Lastly, I will be finishing our basement in the Winter, continuing my (2) fishing books; 1 for children and 1 for adults. If anyone has questions, comments, needs me to represent them as their real estate agent, call me or text me at 412.779.7076, or email me at lancesnyder@gmail.com. Yinz can do anything here on this blog, I just do not use this as much; everyone, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, gifts, advice, encouragement, etc. I am so ready to roll, confident, I will beat this disease and start having a family as soon as I can with my wife.

My wife is the most beautiful in the world, just turned 27, the smartest, works so hard as the best Pharmacist, helps me and her family, cooks dramatically; we have been married over a year (9/19/09), celebrated our 1 year anniversary in Italy, will do our 5th year in Ireland where we got engaged in Kilarny; I took her from our hotel through the city, through a park, along a stream, and dropped off at a castle and lake by a horse drawn carriage. We hopped in a boat and the captain took us out to an island where we walked in a circle and had lunch out of a wicker basket. I dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me; it was amazing as she said yes and we celebrated.

I am sorry this is so long, I finally updated this and will post a lot of pictures to the photo gallery and read comments and stories.

Lance Snyder

Lance’s Treatment Delayed

Hi Everyone,

Lance’s treatment is currently being delayed due to his enrollment in some clinical trials and to make sure that his wound has healed properly. We are meeting with the oncologist tomorrow to iron out all of the details and to get a treatment plan ready. Once we have the start of his new treatment start date, I will post again.

Thank you all so much for keeping Lance and our families in your prayers and for the kind words of encouragment as we begin our fight. We have a long journey ahead of us but your prayers and words have sustained us through this time and we are deeply grateful and appreciative.

Sincerely,

Francine

Arming for Battle

Dear Friends and Family,

Today is the day Lance undergoes final preparations for radiation and chemotherapy, which are scheduled to begin this Monday, November 1st. As I type, Lance, Francine, Mom, and Dad are at Shadyside hospital where Lance has already had blood work and is now having an MRI. The doctors need to have an accurate, updated picture of where the treatments need to be directed. Later today he will meet with his oncologist, Dr. Frank Lieberman.

Please take a moment this morning to quiet your heart and lift up Lance in prayer. Let’s flood the gates of heaven with cries for mercy and pleas for deliverance on Lance’s behalf.

And remember…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Prov 3:5-6

He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Prov 2:7-8

PRAISE TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN-THANKS TO THOSE WHO HEAL

With much love, many prayers, and an abundance of hope,
Ashley (Lance’s sister)

Lance’s Week Home

Hi Everyone!
Sorry it’s been a while for an update but Lance has definitely kept me busy all week! We have been entertaining, showing houses, going to the office, and had a haircut from SportsClips. It looks really great and he is thinking about keeping it super short for a while. He is back to working a bit (with me as a side-kick) and gradually working up more strength. His spirit and personality are back to our Lance and he is gearing up for radiation and chemo.

He will start next Monday Nov 1st (All Saint’s Day) for his first treatment and will continue for the next six weeks, five days a week. We feel so blessed with having all of our family and friends surrounding us and for such great medical treatment only 15 mins away.

We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the prayers, the comfort and the food!! We are so grateful and appreciative for everything. Please keep the prayers going, especially through his radiation and chemo. The power of your prayers is so amazing and we would be indebted for life.

Thank you so much,

Francine

Lance with No Staples

Lance's New Hat

Lance is Home!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Today has been a blessed day! Our Lance is home and doing fabulous! He is still resting up but healing great. He is so overwelmed by the pouring out of love that he has received from this blog as well as the cards sent to the house. He and I are so grateful that we have such amazing family and friends…we would be lost without all of you!!!  I will write soon again to let you know how we are proceeding along…..

Love to all!

(Name that thing on Lance’s head – send your suggestions 🙂  )

Up and Walking!

Hi Everyone! Lance has had a tremendous day today….he is very coherent, he is eating more and he took two laps around the hospital floor. He is truly turning a corner today and I feel so blessed to have been a witness to his transformation. he is still in recovery from his surgery, still in pain, but really pushing the limits to get better. Thank you so much for all of your support, messages of encouragment and love and for your sincere desire to help us.

Love

Francine

Brother Lance

On Friday, October 8th my brother Lance walked with his wife Francine to the emergency room at UPMC St. Margaret’s hospital.

Lance had a headache and some numbness in the right side of his body. For the past several weeks, he had been experiencing these symptoms.

The emergency room doctor did a CAT scan and found a tumor in his brain, on the rear-left temporal lobe, about the size of a golf ball.

Immediately, Lance was taken in an ambulance to UPMC Shadyside. Several days later, on Tuesday Oct 12th, he went into major surgery to take out the tumor. The doctors removed a great deal of it, but discovered it was malignant.

Lance will need to fight it in the weeks ahead with a course of treatment that will be prescribed to him by his oncologist.

My brother is a tough, well-loved young man. He is also gracious and friendly to his colleages and friends. There are many people who have been sending e-cards, or dropping by food at the house. Howard Hannah and Giant Eagle, my brother and Francine’s employers, have been very helpful. Friends of my Parents. Pastors and Priests. Nurses and Doctors.

If you would like to reach out, feel free to leave a comment anywhere on this website. Francine will relate your get well messages to Lance.

I am confident of one thing. My brother Lance is surrounded by love — he is in the hands of a caring, loving wife. He is the apple in the eye of my parents. He is the baby of the family, the well-regarded youngest, who will always be — no matter what — charmed and touched with luck.

Parker