North Bay Woman Magazine
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/395614
22 NORTH BAY WOMAN | F A L L 2 0 1 4 become more aggressive in her bones. And in March of this year, she received the grim news that it had spread to her liver. As Mike put it, "It seemed like a fog, some- times it pushed out to sea and things seem clear and bright. And other times it comes back in and things are darker and greyer." On new medication, including one that made her hands and feet sting and burn, she signed up for her fifth Avon walk with her crew "Team4Ever," a name symbolizing her stage 4 cancer and her hopes that metastatic disease can be forever treatable. The night before the walk, family and friends and the walking team gathered in the Fuchs's family room for dinner. This time, Mike spoke – about his desperation, his fear, his hope. At the end of the night, Mike's sister, Cindy, who had flown in from New York, whispered in his ear: "We're so lucky and we're so not. We're so lucky to have each other and this great pool of love and support. But we're so unlucky that we need it." The next day, although Lis's hands and feet were burning from the chemotherapy pills, she finished all 39.5 miles. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, she and Mike held hands. A True Friendship Through her medical challenges, Munster has been at Lis's side. They've tried experi- mental treatments that didn't work. They tried drugs that seemed to stabilize her. They've worked with geneticists who are still trying to find the common link among her relatives with breast cancer. "Lis is just someone with endless courage and endless confidence in getting through the next day," Munster said. "She's fully aware of the gravity of her disease, but she has this unique and rare ability to enjoy the day at hand and not worry about Above: At Lis Fuchs's birthday party from left to right; sons Paul, David and Andrew holding dog Keeper, Lis, Mike with dog Rufus. Bilgart Design 415.847.3585 • bilgartdesign.com Interior Design | Kitchens | Baths www.clearlyorg.com Tel : (415) 444-5596 | toni@clearlyorg.com Closet Creator | Professional Organizing Services