Community rallies for ‘Team Mom’

Tim Forsberg
Posted 9/30/14

Every journey begins with a step. Whether the path is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, all journeys through life begin with a moment that directs all future steps a person takes.

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Community rallies for ‘Team Mom’

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Every journey begins with a step. Whether the path is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, all journeys through life begin with a moment that directs all future steps a person takes.

About a year ago, Misty Lourenco’s path changed when she noticed a pain in her right foot.

An extremely active 38-year-old wife and mother of four, and the manager at the Governor Francis branch of Washington Trust, she did what many mothers do when hurt or sick; she put off having the symptoms professionally checked and chalked them up to any number of causes. The pain wasn’t unbearable, so she pushed on and waited to get better. But when the pain grew to a point where she could no longer bend her toes, she called her doctor.

After an MRI check of her leg in April 2014 came back looking clean, and believing the problem to be caused by inflammation, tendon issues or possible nerve damage, Misty wore an orthopedic boot for three months. The boot immobilized her foot to allow any possible internal injuries to heal.

When her symptoms didn’t improve, doctors changed Misty’s diagnosis to Tarsal tunnel syndrome, a compression of nerves in the ankle, which causes pain. She underwent surgery for treatment on July 8, and the mystery source of her pain was soon discovered.

“When he operated, he found a lovely tumor hanging out there, having a field day with my foot,” said Misty.

That “lovely tumor” is osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that starts in the bone. Affected bones then become fragile, weak and painful. According to the American Cancer Society, this type of cancer is most commonly found in children and teenagers but can occur at any age.

Misty’s prognosis is unclear. Those parts of her cancer that could be removed were taken out during her surgery. Unfortunately, further testing revealed the cancer had spread to her lungs. Beginning in early August, she started chemotherapy and recently completed her third round of treatment. On October 1 her lungs will be scanned again.

If the chemotherapy is working on her lung tumors, her leg will be amputated from the knee down. If there has been no change, the amputation will be delayed while alternatives are explored.

“I’m scared. I’m scared for my family,” said Misty. “But, if God forbid, I know they’ll be okay.”

Even in the best-case scenario, the cancer has spread to the point where Misty’s leg cannot be saved.

“I think I came to terms with that right away. When I found out how far the cancer had already invaded my foot and knew other surgeries were not an option for me, it was the first thing I came to terms with. I can live without a leg,” said Misty.

On medical leave since her surgery, she credits her employer, Washington Trust, and its employees for standing by her.

“They’ve been awesome,” said Misty of her employer. “They’ve been extremely supportive, just wonderful.”

Misty’s experienced some short term memory loss and tremors, but finds exhaustion to be the biggest side effect of her chemotherapy treatments. She’s able to function freely for a few hours, but then must rest.

Her diagnosis, however, isn’t keeping her far from her second family: the Warwick sports community.

Misty has been fully involved with the Warwick Police Athletic League’s (PAL) youth wrestling program for more than a decade. She’s dedicated five years towards assisting with PAL football and three years with the Warwick Veterans wrestling program. Misty also chairs the Rhode Island Wrestling Association. Her devotion to youth sports has given her the well-earned name of “Team Mom.”

“My best friends have come from the Warwick Police Athletic League,” said Misty. “Sports bring a community together.”

It was that sense of community that brought several hundred friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors to Warwick’s City Park on the beautiful fall morning Saturday. It was there that Misty’s community took over a million combined steps to let her know that she does not walk her path alone.

A benefit walk, sponsored by her friends and members of the organizations she loves, was organized and held at Warwick City Park’s walking trail loop. The goal was to raise funds to assist Misty and her family with the long and financially difficult road to recovery.

Over 230 walkers pre-registered for the “Walk for Team Lourenco,” including wrestling teams from as far as Connecticut. An additional 100 yellow race T-shirts, designed by Misty’s daughter Destiny, were ordered to accommodate same-day registrants. All of those shirts were eventually used while even more participants continued to register.

“This is fabulous, it’s a show of community,” said Rick Swanson, director of PAL wrestling and one of the day’s organizers. “Warwick is a great city, I love it, and I grew up here. People like Misty make it that way. Now she needs our support.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Misty,” said friend Melanie Morse Fraser. “For seven years through PAL, it’s like we’ve become best friends. This organization is full of awesome people.”

“Misty has done so much for this community,” said Kim Swanson, another event volunteer. “Anything that needs to get done she does it. Everybody is here for her, it’s really nice.”

Fundraising started well before any walkers completed City Park’s three-mile trail. Organizers established online fundraising sites. The Warwick Vets Football team raised funds through a 50/50 raffle during a recent game and sold “Team Misty” bracelets, which raised more than $500.

Students throughout Warwick’s schools also participated in fundraising activities to benefit Misty.

“We had a dress down day fundraiser for her at our school and others,” said Cindy Rix, an English teacher at Vets. “Misty is a role model, she’s at every event, she’s a super mom, and we’re really blessed to have her as part of the community.”

Just prior to the walk’s commencement, Mayor Scott Avedisian, also a walk participant, was asked to address Misty’s supporters.

“It’s a wonderful outpouring of support,” said Mayor Avedisian. “We all come together as a community. This is what is so important about this city. We talk all the time how it’s the second largest city in the state of Rhode Island. We’re really not, we’re a collection of small villages that come together to do good things for good people.”

Organizers put initial fundraising estimates between $10,000 and $15,000.

Misty plans on continuing her community contributions throughout her ordeal. Alyssa Flanagan, a senior at Vets High School, has dedicated her senior project to osteosarcoma awareness, and Misty is currently serving as her mentor.

“My brother is on the Warwick PAL football team, and I know she’s always there to help everyone out,” said Alyssa. “I thought that this project would be a great way to help her.”

Misty also plans to make the most of her time with her friends and family.

“I didn’t expect this many people. So many people from my school showed up, so many people that I don’t even know have shown up, I can’t believe the amount of support,” said Misty’s son, Davin.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Gil Lourenco, Misty’s husband, during the event. “The support that we’ve gotten from the day that this started, I can’t even talk sometimes because I want to say more than what I have.”

Looking back on her medical experiences, Misty has serious advice.

“If you have pain, please go get it checked!” exclaimed Misty. “Especially as a mother, you need to stick around for your family. Don’t put it off.”

Exhausted after a day that saw nearly as many hugs given to her as steps taken by walkers around the track, Misty wanted her supporters to know how thankful she was and then reflected on the lessons she’s taken from her recent journey.

“The most important thing anyone should learn from this is how important it is to give back to the community,” said Misty. “The support received by the community during times like this bring an awareness to osteoscarcoma and children’s cancer. I’m not a child, but childhood cancer is affecting me and could affect anyone at any time.”

For more information on osteosarcoma, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at www.cancer.org/cancer/osteosarcoma. To contribute to the Misty Lourenco Fund, visit www.gofundme.com/Misty-Lourenco-Fund or by mail to the Misty Lourenco Fund at 181 Carlton Ave., Warwick, RI 02889.

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