BACKGROUND On March 13, 2023, Cathy had delicate surgery to remove a golf-ball size brain tumor from behind her right ear. Amazingly there were no residual neuro-deficits and life was looking up again after the previous month of clinical chaos, searching for answers to explain her extreme nausea and her eventual severe headaches and inexplicable falling. A few days after surgery, she was informed that she had glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that has a 95% death sentence sometime during the first 18 months following diagnosis. This Website was established to update Cathy’s multitude of family and friends on a timely basis. This Website is named “Serabu” which is also the name of her mission village in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Updates are anticipated each Sunday unless otherwise needed. I, Tom Lewis – husband, soulmate, and best friend – will be the main writer of these updates. You are welcome to text me feedback and/or suggestions at 901.569.3939.
Sunday Update, April 16, 2023
CLINICAL UPDATE Following a 30-day post-operative recovery period, Cathy began chemotherapy and radiation therapy on Wednesday, April 12th. It was a rough day. First there was chemotherapy, disguised as a casual pill-taking event. Then there was the claustrophobic newness of wearing a heat shrink mask that is strapped tightly to a table for 15 minutes of target radiation treatment. By early afternoon, the combination of chemical toxins and slight brain swelling from radiation took its toll. Cathy was violated for several hours of forceful vomiting and extreme nausea. It was so violent that her surgery wound ruptured slightly, allowing blood to spray out and mix with her heaving discharge. Her suffering was rescued around 5 pm by a too-late prescription of a miracle nausea medicine that she is now taking an hour before her daily chemo-appetizer. She also began a low-dose steroid that is helping to reduce her brain swelling. Thursday and Friday were better and yesterday was so much better that Cathy served as a Eucharistic Minister during evening Mass. And the last two nights have finally included some pretty good sleep. In total, Cathy is taking nine medicines related to this disease, some early, some late, some with food, some without food, some once a day, some 12 times a day. We had to produce a daily medicine map to keep it all straight. On balance, our life feels pretty good today.
LIFE UPDATE During most of her surgery recovery time, we took a road-trip titled “Cathy’s Journey Home”. Driving nearly 5,000 miles from Athens PA to Corpus Christi TX, through 14 states, encompassing 15 stops, we prayed and hugged our way with 1,000+ of our closest family and friends. Cathy described her Journey with humor, as her funeral before she died. Speaking of humor, we laugh a lot, especially at bad jokes, like, what is the number one cause of dry skin – towels! Cathy’s Journey overflowed with love and compassion. Some people traveled to join the Journey from far-away places like Alaska, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. Some traveled to participate at multiple stops. It was wonderful, inspiring, and hopeful. So many people around the world are praying for Cathy. Our Muslim friends in Africa are fasting as part of their prayers for Cathy. Two more stops remain for her journey: Epiphany Church, our home parish in Sayre PA on April 22nd and Serabu, for our 44th anniversary Mass on June 16th. Thanks, and God bless all our family and friends.
We are praying so hard for y’all. I’m so sorry we were out of town on your visit to Memphis. We love you very much.
The Williams
Met Cathy several years ago when she did cataract surgery on my husband. Not only was she an excellent surgeon, but a strong Christian! I felt we had that connection!!
We will be praying for Cathy and her family!! God Bless!!
Thank you. We love you; will keep praying for you and raand keeping me abreast of your progress!! Love, mary
Dr Cathy. Iwas sad to hear your health problems but thx be to God. For successful surgery. And things are looking up. May God continue to watch over you and the family
Met Cathy several years ago when she did cataract surgery on my husband. Not only was she an excellent surgeon, but a strong Christian! I felt we had that connection!!
We will be praying for Cathy and her family!! God Bless!!
Dr Cathy Schanzer took us when we were kids from Sierra Leone, she educates us, we are short of words. At this very moment our only hope is God who can do anything. We continue to pray for a divine healing ????
Cathy, I am praying for you. May our LORD JESUS bless and protect you with healing. I have thought of you often from meeting you at Total Health Wellness. You are a beautiful soul. Love, Reba
Thank you, thank you Tom and Cathy. You remain an answer to prayer for my Julian. Praying for you both.
The former Michelle Chadwick
Praying for Cathy! She is God’s perfect hands & feet! She has given new life to so many of our eyes! We are forever thankful to her & our God!
Dr. Schanzer is truly a God Sent partner in my family life. She and husband Mr. Tom Lewis became friends to us through a nursing student in one my microbiology classes I was teaching. Through that contact I was blessed to be a team leader of missionary work team to Sierra Leone and 25+ years later they adding value to the sight and health thousands of children of God in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. May God bless and lead Dr. Schanzer through life’s journey into Eternal Life with God our savior!
You and Cathy continue to be in my daily prayers. Your beautiful wife amazes me with her strength and unwavering faith.
God bless you both.
Continued prayers for Dr Schanzer and your family. Thanks for these updates. I wish I would have gotten to see her in Memphis but I was unfortunately out of town. Please give her my love.
Thank you so much Tom,Cathy ; we will continue praying for healing in your life. Thanks for keeping us updated on your continuing progress!!!
Tom, thank you so much for these updates. I’m so glad Cathy is doing better with her protocol! I continue to pray for her comfort and strength and for your strength as you help and protect your wonderful wife. You both know you’re in Pat’s and my thoughts and prayers very often every day. We love you both very much!
Dr. Cathy is a Heroin. Our prayers. Dr. Cathy has a purpose to fulfill on earth. May our Lord continue to keep you safe.
For what God can’t do, does not exists.
Don and I continue to pray for Cathy!! Appreciate the update. I’m sorry we missed seeing you in Lindsay.
I am praying for Dr. Schanzer!
Thank you for the information .
We are praying for our sister Cathy, that her treatments will eradicate her cancer. That she will have less violent reactions and that our Lord will comfort her. We love you both so much!
Cathy looks so radiant being a Eucharistic minister!
Today’s Gospel reflection tells us; when you belong to Christ, when you are under God’s hand, you will not be a prisoner to anything, nor sickness, nor death. There will always be an angel of the Lord who’ll come to your aid.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering, you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will. Be near Cathy in her time of pain, sustain her by your grace , that her strength and courage may not fail. Heal her according to your will. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
Always have faith in God, he has done it for us again, so let us give God the glory for our Dr. back to life, we are so much happy Daddy for answered our prayers.. and also uncle Tom, For all the updated version. Thank you Jesus ????????
I certainly concur with Provie, and add my own voice of love, care and concern for you both especially at this time! You are in my deepest prayers as the journey through this mystery of God’s inexplicable love continues! May our steadfast faith carry us through it all…
Thank you for the update Tom. Keeping Cathy & you in our prayers daily. Jesus, we trust in you !
Joan and I pray for Cathy at most every meal. It seems that this is just a bad dream that will pass on awakening. Cathy is such an inspiration to me. We love you and Cathy, Tom, and our faith and hope is that healing will come soon. What a blessing Cathy and you are. What an outstanding person, surgeon, clinician and so many other services Cathy provides. Quite the amazing example of God’s love in action. The world is a better place. I am a better man. I am so grateful that I know you both. Hope to see you soon. Your friends always- Joan and Norm Woodlief, MD
You both have sacrificed so much in ensuring that lots of people go home with smile on their faces but this update made us feel cold and low. However we continue to hold our selves in chains of love, hope and prayers for you Dr. Cathy❤️
It is a trying time for us all. P
As I was reading today’s gospel I thought of you Cathy (an amazing warrior like the disciples of Jesus). God is faithful! Just as he gave the disciples boldness and courage, so he will give it to you. And with such boldness you may just witness signs and wonders done through the name of Jesus. Praying for you & Tom✝️???? Lynn
Werner & I did Adoration on Divine Mercy Sunday. Many prayers offered up for healing & recoverary.
You are in our hearts and prayers. And God be with you in your travels. Our deepest affection, Steve Shappley
21st Century Global Missions
This is a new week, a new day. May God continue to embrace you Cathy, giving your soul and body Strength and Love. Praying for you and brother Tom. Thank you Tom for the update, I will continue to check.
You look beautiful, Cathy! The light of our Lord is shining brightly through you, just as it was when I was blessed to share Mass with you and Tom, the Sisters, and your dear friends in Nashville. What a special gift from God you’ve always been to me and my family, and that will only continue! Your courage, strength, trust, and tirelessness in serving our Lord are an inspiration to me and to all who know you! May our Lord fill you with His comfort, His merciful care, and His confidence in your healing. My prayers are with you, Tom, and your family every single day.
Sending Much Love and Eastertide Blessings
What a blessing Cathy and Tom have been to so many, especially to me. I am praying for them every day.
Dr Cathy , peace be with you. As a Catholic priest of the Catholic diocese of Bo. , and once the parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish Serabu where you are ministering sincere medical eye care, true Christian charity to everyone in need and the church , peace be with you.
As your pastor and one of
the many children of yours, upon fervent prayer and supplication, reflecting on your humble personality, your good work , and the recent health and medical situation, I am now having a better and deeper understanding of Peter’s position in saying to Jesus: MAY THE LORD FORBID.
Also your faithful and inspiring reactions leaves no doubt for the centurion’s remark; DR CARTHY IS INDEED A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD.
I Rev. Fr. Matthew Nabie, I have no tribute to or for Dr. Cathy who will liveforever in our hearts.
In prayer and supplication ,I hang on the intuition of Thomas: UNTIL I SEE HIS HANDS WHERE THE NAILS PIERCE AND HIS SIDE I REFUSE TO :
FOR GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS. AND AS THE HEAVEN IS ABOVE THE EARTH SO ARE GODS TOUGTHTS ABOVE OUR THOUGHTS.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
REV FR MATTHEW NABIE.
So sorry for the challenging days that are hopefully behind you, Cathy. Our family continues. praying for you and Tom. You both have both given so much to so many.
The Pictor family
Thank you, Tom, for updates! It is with a heavy heart that we read Kathy’s struggles but that heaviness was/is lightened by gratitude for the chance of knowing both of you. You inspire us with your devotion to God and one another. May Christ, the Healer, grant you ease on this journey, and may you feel surrounded by Love that bridges all distances!
Prayers continue. Sending love, Tera and Sheperd
Thank you for the updates. Thoughts and Prayers for Dr. Schanzer . She is truly an Angel sent from heaven. She has touched so many lives and I love her dearly .
Sending our thoughts and continued prayers to you both.
Bryant and Lori
From Mustapha Soloku and Family,we came to know Dr.Cathy and her husband 2011 January 6 when Mustapha Soloku was three months old .Dr.Cathy has done so many things for Mustapha and me by bringing hope in the life of Mustapha Soloku.And today we say thanks to God because after God is Dr.Cathy and her husband .
My Faith is that God is going to perform a miracle of healing over your life because with God all things are possible.
Your Support, love and care for the life of people in Serabu is a big for us all we wish is Speed recovery it is well Mum ,You are heal in Jesus mighty name Amen
Deep prayers are with you, Cathy and Tom. You both are an amazing witnesses to God’s Awesome Love!
We hope all the healing energy that is coming in your direction will sustain you during this great suffering
that you are bearing. I am with you in Spirit on the journey. Janice
Today’s Gospel reflection tells us; when you belong to Christ, when you are under God’s hand, you will not be a prisoner to anything, nor sickness, nor death. There will always be an angel of the Lord who’ll come to your aid.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering, you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will. Be near Cathy in her time of pain, sustain her by your grace , that her strength and courage may not fail. Heal her according to your will. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen ????
Been praying and will continue to pray for Cathy and for you Tom.
Praying for you Cathy each morning at 6:15 mass at St. Louis Church.
Cathy & Tom, you are in my heart &
prayers and I remember all the fun
during one of our trips….treasured
memories????. Our Dear Lord has his
Loving Arms around you easing your
pain. As we were flying back, Cathy, you were across from me with your
Rosary in hand…I wanted to take a
pic but not wanting to disturb the
moment…I did not!! Rats!! The sun
was shining on your bowed head, a
lock of your hair framed the vision…
the perfect photo-op…but only in my mind! But there it is…treasured!
Thanks very much Dad for the update of April 23rd . Praise be to God ???????? all I believe with God all things are possible. Our heavenly father is going to give her speed recovery in Jesus mighty name Amen Amen. It is well Mom ????????❤️❤️
Prayers for our dear friend Cathy .
She performed my PRK surgery in 2007 in Memphis. Still have great eyesight. Thank you!!
Tom, how can we get updates on Cathy?