Councilwoman says she’s beating cancer

By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com

Councilwoman Lesley Devine

Chemotherapy is helping Calabasas City Councilwoman Lesley Devine in her battle against cancer. The disease struck about 10 months ago in her pelvic area.

Despite her health, however, Devine has kept on top of city business, thanks to technology and a strong mindset.

Earlier this year, Devine missed a couple of council meetings, but in March she discovered that she could participate from her home in Calabasas by watching the proceedings live on cable TV and making comments and voting via telephone. She had to do it again last week.

"I’m under (doctor’s) orders to stay away from . . . people with colds," Devine said. Calabasas Mayor Michael Harrison and Mayor Pro Tem Barry Groveman both were ill at the last council meeting, so Devine could not attend in person.

Earlier this spring, Devine talked about technology and being absent from––but still participating in––council sessions.

"I told our city attorney, ‘This is very frustrating.’ He said that the law provides that (council members) can attend council meetings from home as long as they’re in Calabasas and as long as it’s posted. Well, my home is in Calabasas and we have a regular posting (of the meetings), and I posted my house as an alternate meeting site."

It satisfied the legal requirements. Last week, Devine watched the council meeting on CTV and made comments through a speakerphone. She plans to attend future council meetings in person, she said, as long as her colleagues don’t have colds.

Devine is optimistic about her progress in fighting cancer.

"I’m actually very thrilled, as I reported to my friends and city family, that my mid-term chemo tests were great and that my doctors were almost ready to use the big ‘R’ word—remission. I’ll be done with chemo in another few weeks."

Devine said that she must undergo another series of tests and that her physicians told her that they have every reason to believe that the tests will turn out favorably. "At that point, I just go in every few months for more tests," Devine said. "I even might get my hair back."

Her spirits remain high. Positive thinking, she said, is helping her. She’s also grateful for the support she’s received.

"This has been a very hard, long fight," Devine said.

"Anybody with a good joke is totally appreciated. And they should learn that for their friends, too. So many people in our town—and I’m sure this is true all over—are hiding what they’re going through, rather than allowing their friends to give them their good wishes and their jokes.

"A good laugh is worth a great deal of medicine," Devine said.

Her doctors told her that her sensitive reaction to raw fish (she must now avoid sushi, one of her favorite dishes) and susceptability to colds will diminish in a month or two as her immune system rebuilds.

Devine seems well on the road to recovery.

She was one of the founders of the city of Calabasas, having served on the council since the city incorporated in 1991. Devine is up for reelection next spring.

Asked if she’ll run again, Devine answered, "As long as my tests are as good as my last ones—absolutely. I’m already so much better . . . it’s just unbelievable."