Back to Cedar Sinai

February 23, 2009

April 1st— 2008 Cedar Sinai –My husband was healed from Cancer. Liposarcoma to be exact.

After radiation and 3 surgeries, we heard the words “Cancer free”

I will NEVER in my life… forget that day.

July of 2008 Peter was diagnosed with cancer again—- this time it was a totally different type of cancer— small cell neuro-endocrine carcinoma…..and it was aggressive. Extremely—- as his oncologist would say, it was “extraordinarily rare.”

So—after a surgery, a large biopsy, radiation again, and some very aggressive chemo—

Here I am again… back at Cedar Sinai… waiting.

I know where things are here…. and I began the day in the chapel. This place always feels SO safe to me.

Peter has been amazing—- he’s worked as much as he possibly could throughout both cancers. He has endured so much physically… yet he would simply say that it’s mostly been an inconvenience.
He never complains—

He’s had enduring faith in the God that he knows to be faithful.

And to me…. he has never been more beautiful.

I just wanted to take a moment to honor my husband today—-

For fighting the fight… for walking through the valley of the shadow of death– literally……with faith and dignity.

God has sustained Peter and I from the moment this began. He is our hope and our strength–always.

I sit here at Cedars with a quiet hope and faith—that I will hear those words again…..Cancer free.

I beLIeVe

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Courage & Beauty

February 19, 2009

I recent met LouAnn.

She is facing cancer… for the 2nd time.

She asked me if I would take photos of her…. it was my honor!

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What Cancer Cannot Do

It cannot cripple love
It cannot dissolve faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit

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One more lap…..

February 16, 2009

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the Pakulis family. As you know, Peter finished chemo over a month ago. Well, we wanted to share some great news we received today.

The most recent PET scan found an 85% reduction in the tumor activity of the sinus!!

We are so thankful for this!! The goal from the beginning was to decrease the tumor size and activity prior to surgery. So this has been accomplished!

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Surgery is scheduled for next Monday, February 23rd. It will be in California at Cedar Sinai once again. The surgery is still very involved… so your continued prayers are so deeply appreciated.

It feels like the final leg of a long race… and though there is still a major surgery on the table—healing feels closer than ever.

Again, we thank you for all of your wonderful love & support. For your longevity in continuing to pray for our needs throughout. For your amazing generosity and giving that has helped sustain our family. God has used your love and prayers to carry us through. He has been SO faithful every step of the way.

The scripture below is from Peter— it has been such a strength to him during this battle!

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Psalm 50:15

Bless you all—

Love,

Pati Pakulis

Senior Style…

February 14, 2009

Meet the Adorable Kristen Alexander….. she’s such a sweetheart! Our recent Senior Style shoot was a blast…. and I love the images that were captured of her.

She’s down to earth, has a great sense of humor and borders between adorable and downright elegant!

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This is one of my favorites. I love those baby blues!

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I love the confidence I see in Kristen in this photo. I know that whatever she pursues in this life, that she will be a success.

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And I love the sweetness I see in the photo…. I know she has a big heart!

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Thank you Kristen— truly—- for the wonderful honor to take your senior photos…

xoxo

pati