YearbookStories

Madeline Nolan
DOL (date of LAM) January 11, 1999

Never would I have thought I’d be included in a collection like this. For forty-six years I was a very healthy individual. A routine physical in June 1998 led to the diagnosis of LAM six months later in January 1999. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe. I am married to Thom and have 4 children. The oldest is a girl Lindsay, followed by three boys, Tucker, Cooper and Ryker. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from seventeen to six. When told of my diagnosis the first words out of my mouth were “but I have four kids!” Well since that day we have all grown in many ways and life goes on.

I am a physical education and health teacher at Crosby High School in Waterbury, CT. My lung function still allows me to do my job and enjoy the students. They are very supportive, especially so that first year of knowing about LAM. I have a passion for UCONN Basketball, particularly the girl's team. GO HUSKIES!!

My approach to keeping the LAM in check is holistic. I continue to do a myriad of natural holistic therapies to help my body stay as healthy as possible. I’m hoping one day it will recognize that LAM doesn’t belong there and kick them all out. I DWELL IN POSSIBILITY.

The listserv is a continuous source of support. The friends I have made because of LAM are ones I deeply cherish. These last two years have been quite an adventure. May there be many more years of good health ahead for us all.

I need to say how grateful I am for Sue Byrnes and The LAM Foundation. I am thankful you were there for me from the very beginning when my world was falling apart. I have benefited so much from the LAM protocol at NIH and from associating with other LAM women.

Teresa Stoker
I am married to Allen. We have three cats, Cleo, Noir (with 3 legs), and Lucy. I was diagnosed with LAM in August, 2001. My first pneumothorax took place in February, 2001. After several months of complaining to my PCP about not regaining the breathing capacity I had prior to February, I had a second pneumo. This was followed by a chest tube, pleurodesis and 12 awful days in the hospital. My father died of a very aggressive bone cancer one week prior to my LAM diagnosis. Without the support of my husband, friends, and family I think I would have given up. I am stable with LAM for now.

I have a terrific job as CEO of a children’s psychiatric hospital. We serve the most damaged, abused children in Georgia. I have such a passion for helping these wonderful kids. I spend a lot of my time fundraising as it is a non-profit organization. My board is aware of my LAM diagnosis and is very supportive - I just feel that I have a lot of time left to continue my work with these children. I have too much to do yet to get side-tracked by this disease.

I have had to change my lifestyle to some degree. I can no longer enjoy activities like hiking, snow shoeing, and heavy yard work. I actually have someone who comes to my house every other week to help with the yard tasks I can no longer do. It’s kinda fun to give up the heavy, sweaty jobs!

I sometimes still think “why me?” Then I look back on years that have been rich with wonderful experiences, successes, love and growth.

Since my diagnosis, I have stopped to read a romance novel; taken hours to create a special dessert (chocolate… is there any other?); sat in a chair in my back yard and watched the cats play. I am grateful everyday for The LAM Foundation. Where would we be without the Foundations advocacy?

Susan Brantley Milligan
I was divorced in 1986. I have two perfect children: Sean and Julie and one daughter-in-law, Katie, also perfect. My significant other is Angelo Santoro, a civil engineer here in Cincinnati.

I teach orchestra (stringed instruments) in a large public school district called Princeton City Schools; it is on the northwest side of Cincinnati, is very diverse in its student and professional populations. I love it! My students are 10 - 18 years old, and if they “stick with” this crazy project called learning to play an instrument, I get to teach them for eight years! By the time they graduate, I get teary-eyed and proud and everything. It’s a great job, and one of my main priorities is to be able to continue the grueling schedule that comes with it (7:00 am - 3:00 pm, plus after-school meetings and rehearsals, evening concerts and Saturday competitions).

I am a violinist; play in two or three orchestras during the year. I sing in my church choir, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Hyde Park, Cincinnati. I love to read and cook and eat. I’ve done some pretty spectacular traveling in my life, but have to curtail that some now (flying with oxygen is such a pain in the butt)! But I have loved seeing and conducting in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Wales, and Ireland; and I’ve loved hearing opera and eating my way through all those places plus Italy, Santa Fe, San Francisco and New York.

I fill my days with all of the above, plus some quiet time for prayer, reflection, and just plain old vegging-out, which are becoming more and more helpful to me. I believe very strongly that I am blessed, having been given two of the most beautiful children in the world and having been able to see them grow into wonderful young adults. I’m not the least bit afraid to die. My greatest fear is of not living as well as my gifts demand.

I pray every day for strength and courage and the good grace to admit when I can’t do something. I am so grateful to The LAM Foundation for its ongoing work and the hope and help which that gives to all of us.

Editor's note 6-29-04: Susan had a double lung transplant on February 26, 2004 and is doing well.

Jean Liesner
My name is Jean (Heckman) Liesner. I live in Chickasaw, Ohio with my husband Frank and two children. I was born on February 18, 1950 in Mercer County, Ohio. I have three brothers and three sisters. I moved two miles away from home. All of my family lives in this area. I used to work at the post office/sports shop/hardware store. Hobbies include cross-stitching, reading and email.

On October 14, 1972, I married Frank and we are living happily ever after. Both of our children are adopted. After being married six years, we adopted Kris in September of 1978. Mike came to us four years later in August of 1982.

When the kids were small I did childcare in our home. I’m so glad I had a chance to spend so much time with them. When everyone was in school I went to work at our small town hardware store. It was great getting out of the house and being with people. The post office was also located in the hardware. Everyone in town comes to the post office to get their mail. It was a good place to visit with everyone. They started a small sports shop while I was there. There was always something interesting going on. In March of '95 I was diagnosed with LAM. I took a few months off and went back to work part-time. In December of 1998 I made the decision to quit because of a heart problem I have (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy). This disease has nothing to do with LAM. Between the two, I’m very short of breath and I’m on oxygen full time. I became a member of the nose hose gang.

I enjoy reading, cross-stitch, watching good movies and working on my computer. We bought a golf cart this year and I’m really enjoying it. I’m real popular with the kids in town. I throw my oxygen tank in the back and off I go.

I found The LAM Foundation six months after I was diagnosed. I live about two hours from Sue and Company. It really changed my life. It’s given my family and me a “Breath of Hope.” It's been so good to meet all the girls and be able to talk with them every day on the listserv.

I’m involved in the research at NIH and find it exciting. I look forward to my visits. I do believe they will find a cure someday. We will all be a part of that.

GOD has helped me to accept my new way of life. He is with all of us.

Jan C. Baldwin
I am married to Lee and have an adopted son, Jesse Mazur. Hobbies include walking, cross-stitching, reading and spending time with my family.

I have a new lease on life (double lung transplant) on November 11, 1991. I was diagnosed with LAM in November 1990, but was first stricken in October of 1978 with a right kidney removal. From there it was continuous lung collapses, pleurodesis, another partial kidney removal in 1987 and hospitalization until my transplant in 1991. During my worst times, I was divorced, raising my young son with the help of my father, sister and others. My son once said I was like a guest in his house because I was gone so much of the time. Six weeks after my transplant, I walked down the aisle with my son giving me away to my husband.

Since then, Jesse and I have traveled to Salt Lake City to the 1996 and 2000 transplant games. I speak on organ donation and spend my days appreciating all the little things I couldn’t do before...walking, visiting family and friends, and trying to help others as they have helped me. I am fortunate to stay at home and be with my son, as three years of his young life was spent with others.

I am continuously grateful for my lung transplant and Sue Byrnes for her unselfish time and effort to help us continue to “be” with this disease and become “empowered” with knowledge.


	Yearbook Stories Madeline Nolan DOL (date of LAM) January 11, 1999 Never would I have thought I’d be included in a collection like this. For forty-six years I was a very healthy individual. A routine physical in June 1998 led to the diagnosis of LAM six months later in January 1999. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe. I am married to Thom and have 4 children. The oldest is a girl Lindsay, followed by three boys, Tucker, Cooper and Ryker. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from seventeen to six. When told of my diagnosis the first words out of my mouth were “but I have four kids!” Well since that day we have all grown in many ways and life goes on. I am a physical education and health teacher at Crosby High School in Waterbury, CT. My lung function still allows me to do my job and enjoy the students. They are very supportive, especially so that first year of knowing about LAM. I have a passion for UCONN Basketball, particularly the girl's team. GO HUSKIES!! My approach to keeping the LAM in check is holistic. I continue to do a myriad of natural holistic therapies to help my body stay as healthy as possible. I’m hoping one day it will recognize that LAM doesn’t belong there and kick them all out. I DWELL IN POSSIBILITY. The listserv is a continuous source of support. The friends I have made because of LAM are ones I deeply cherish. These last two years have been quite an adventure. May there be many more years of good health ahead for us all. I need to say how grateful I am for Sue Byrnes and The LAM Foundation. I am thankful you were there for me from the very beginning when my world was falling apart. I have benefited so much from the LAM protocol at NIH and from associating with other LAM women. Teresa Stoker I am married to Allen. We have three cats, Cleo, Noir (with 3 legs), and Lucy. I was diagnosed with LAM in August, 2001. My first pneumothorax took place in February, 2001. After several months of complaining to my PCP about not regaining the breathing capacity I had prior to February, I had a second pneumo. This was followed by a chest tube, pleurodesis and 12 awful days in the hospital. My father died of a very aggressive bone cancer one week prior to my LAM diagnosis. Without the support of my husband, friends, and family I think I would have given up. I am stable with LAM for now. I have a terrific job as CEO of a children’s psychiatric hospital. We serve the most damaged, abused children in Georgia. I have such a passion for helping these wonderful kids. I spend a lot of my time fundraising as it is a non-profit organization. My board is aware of my LAM diagnosis and is very supportive - I just feel that I have a lot of time left to continue my work with these children. I have too much to do yet to get side-tracked by this disease. I have had to change my lifestyle to some degree. I can no longer enjoy activities like hiking, snow shoeing, and heavy yard work. I actually have someone who comes to my house every other week to help with the yard tasks I can no longer do. It’s kinda fun to give up the heavy, sweaty jobs! I sometimes still think “why me?” Then I look back on years that have been rich with wonderful experiences, successes, love and growth. Since my diagnosis, I have stopped to read a romance novel; taken hours to create a special dessert (chocolate… is there any other?); sat in a chair in my back yard and watched the cats play. I am grateful everyday for The LAM Foundation. Where would we be without the Foundations advocacy? Susan Brantley Milligan I was divorced in 1986. I have two perfect children: Sean and Julie and one daughter-in-law, Katie, also perfect. My significant other is Angelo Santoro, a civil engineer here in Cincinnati. I teach orchestra (stringed instruments) in a large public school district called Princeton City Schools; it is on the northwest side of Cincinnati, is very diverse in its student and professional populations. I love it! My students are 10 - 18 years old, and if they “stick with” this crazy project called learning to play an instrument, I get to teach them for eight years! By the time they graduate, I get teary-eyed and proud and everything. It’s a great job, and one of my main priorities is to be able to continue the grueling schedule that comes with it (7:00 am - 3:00 pm, plus after-school meetings and rehearsals, evening concerts and Saturday competitions). I am a violinist; play in two or three orchestras during the year. I sing in my church choir, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Hyde Park, Cincinnati. I love to read and cook and eat. I’ve done some pretty spectacular traveling in my life, but have to curtail that some now (flying with oxygen is such a pain in the butt)! But I have loved seeing and conducting in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Wales, and Ireland; and I’ve loved hearing opera and eating my way through all those places plus Italy, Santa Fe, San Francisco and New York. I fill my days with all of the above, plus some quiet time for prayer, reflection, and just plain old vegging-out, which are becoming more and more helpful to me. I believe very strongly that I am blessed, having been given two of the most beautiful children in the world and having been able to see them grow into wonderful young adults. I’m not the least bit afraid to die. My greatest fear is of not living as well as my gifts demand. I pray every day for strength and courage and the good grace to admit when I can’t do something. I am so grateful to The LAM Foundation for its ongoing work and the hope and help which that gives to all of us. Editor's note 6-29-04: Susan had a double lung transplant on February 26, 2004 and is doing well. Jean Liesner My name is Jean (Heckman) Liesner. I live in Chickasaw, Ohio with my husband Frank and two children. I was born on February 18, 1950 in Mercer County, Ohio. I have three brothers and three sisters. I moved two miles away from home. All of my family lives in this area. I used to work at the post office/sports shop/hardware store. Hobbies include cross-stitching, reading and email. On October 14, 1972, I married Frank and we are living happily ever after. Both of our children are adopted. After being married six years, we adopted Kris in September of 1978. Mike came to us four years later in August of 1982. When the kids were small I did childcare in our home. I’m so glad I had a chance to spend so much time with them. When everyone was in school I went to work at our small town hardware store. It was great getting out of the house and being with people. The post office was also located in the hardware. Everyone in town comes to the post office to get their mail. It was a good place to visit with everyone. They started a small sports shop while I was there. There was always something interesting going on. In March of '95 I was diagnosed with LAM. I took a few months off and went back to work part-time. In December of 1998 I made the decision to quit because of a heart problem I have (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy). This disease has nothing to do with LAM. Between the two, I’m very short of breath and I’m on oxygen full time. I became a member of the nose hose gang. I enjoy reading, cross-stitch, watching good movies and working on my computer. We bought a golf cart this year and I’m really enjoying it. I’m real popular with the kids in town. I throw my oxygen tank in the back and off I go. I found The LAM Foundation six months after I was diagnosed. I live about two hours from Sue and Company. It really changed my life. It’s given my family and me a “Breath of Hope.” It's been so good to meet all the girls and be able to talk with them every day on the listserv. I’m involved in the research at NIH and find it exciting. I look forward to my visits. I do believe they will find a cure someday. We will all be a part of that. GOD has helped me to accept my new way of life. He is with all of us. Jan C. Baldwin I am married to Lee and have an adopted son, Jesse Mazur. Hobbies include walking, cross-stitching, reading and spending time with my family. I have a new lease on life (double lung transplant) on November 11, 1991. I was diagnosed with LAM in November 1990, but was first stricken in October of 1978 with a right kidney removal. From there it was continuous lung collapses, pleurodesis, another partial kidney removal in 1987 and hospitalization until my transplant in 1991. During my worst times, I was divorced, raising my young son with the help of my father, sister and others. My son once said I was like a guest in his house because I was gone so much of the time. Six weeks after my transplant, I walked down the aisle with my son giving me away to my husband. Since then, Jesse and I have traveled to Salt Lake City to the 1996 and 2000 transplant games. I speak on organ donation and spend my days appreciating all the little things I couldn’t do before...walking, visiting family and friends, and trying to help others as they have helped me. I am fortunate to stay at home and be with my son, as three years of his young life was spent with others. I am continuously grateful for my lung transplant and Sue Byrnes for her unselfish time and effort to help us continue to “be” with this disease and become “empowered” with knowledge.