Yesterday was a difficult day. The meeting with the oncologist provided a wealth of information, but still left big questions unanswered.
The results of last week's endoscopic procedures were inconclusive. The current plan is to proceed with the surgery next Tuesday with the understanding that the first step on that day would be to perform biopsies on lymph nodes from both the right and left sides of my chest. Apparently, these biopsies involve significant amounts of tissue, much more than can be obtained from the endoscopic procedures. If there is any indication that these nodes are infected, the surgery will be postponed. I know that I have already written about that possibility, but I have also become more aware of the consequences of that scenario. The discussions between the oncologist, surgeon and pulmonologist are ongoing, so my cell phone is glued to my ear and I wait......
I am so lucky to have friends who can provide knowledge and support during this difficult time. I cannot thank you enough.
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About Me
- Elyse
- After suffering from a persistent cough for months, and failing to get multiple physicians to pay attention to me, on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, I was diagnosed with bronchialalveolar carcinoma. Lung cancer. Genes (or whatever) trump a healthy lifestyle.
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June
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- Still Learning
- Maybe today is the new "normal."Radiation at 11:00...
- First Treatment
- New Schedule
- Treatment Plan
- I just viewed for the first time the Lotsa Helping...
- A Better Day
- Today's news was not what I, nor any of us, had ho...
- Well today wasn't too bad!As usual the waiting aro...
- A Change of Plans
- This weekend was quite pleasant, all things consid...
- It is difficult to understand why today was so muc...
- June 12, Part II
- Yesterday was a difficult day. The meeting with th...
- I am ready for this day to end.I was tired all day...
- The day started out slow....breakfast out to accom...
- Brent and John enjoyed their day on the river. Th...
- I enjoyed a series of pleasant visits from friends...
- Think hit in the chest with a baseball bat.Back to...
- What a busy day I had!First there was the run-of-t...
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9 comments:
Elyse,
I saw Robert A. this morning, and learned the news. What can I say? I know you will kick-ass on this just like you did in the Guardian Ad Litem case we had way back when. :-). Judy and I are thinking of you.
Each day is a gift. This medical stuff is just so out of our realm. John emphasized how good your medical team is. It was good to hear. I know how important the thoughts and prayers of friends are through these things.
You are loved by many.
Joe Rosen
Hi Elyse,
I know you were hoping & planning to have a clear course prior to surgery, but as you said in the beginning of the blogging, medicine is not an exact science. So now you wait it out for 5 more days and enjoy each moment as much as you can...one breath at a time. Call if you need anything.
Hi Elyse,
Just found out about your blog and it is great. I have a friend whose son had leukimia and she did the same thing and she said it helped the two of them a lot. I am so sorry to hear about this but I know if anybody can whip something like this its you. I will keep tabs here and I would like to come visit some day down the road when you feel up to visitors. Until then you'll be in my prayers. Best wishes.
As Tom Petty sings:
The waiting is the hardest part,
Every day you see one more card,
You take it on faith,
You take it to the heart -
The waiting is the hardest part
May your waiting be as easy as possible. It so tough to not be able to DO something, especially for people like you, who are used to DOING! So...do something fun! Be decadent and see another afternoon movie :-)
Oh yea, I can also quote your favorite politician, Gov. Arnie of CA - "You can do it!"
Stay strong and try to enjoy every minute of this time. My mantra for you - This cancer has NO idea who it is up against.
With loads of prayers for peace and strength for you, John and Brent,
Lorie
Elyse,
Please keep your spirits up and only think of what can be...not the unknown. I know how much faith you have in all of your docs, and know that you are now moving forward to cure your body. I wish I had a magic wand to make your anxiety go away, but I'm not a magician, or fairy godmother, and I'm not a doctor. So, just as a friend, I'll tell you that I love you and you'll be fine and don't worry....that's what friends are for! I am thinking of you and praying for you always.
Love,
Ann
Elyse,
When someone like me who hasn't seen you for awhile gets word of this, you know just how huge a circle of friends and community you have pulling for you! We will say a misrabeach for you, and emphasize the peace as much as the healing, because that uncertainty can eat away at you. You've never seen a rapid you haven't been able to take on--some days will be Class I's and II's, and others no doubt will feel like Class IV's, but we are all visualizing for you that after the muddy waters and challenging drops, you will arrive healed and healthy once again in beautiful stilled waters, in defiance of the complicated rapids. Our thoughts (and the type A part of my personality!) are with you, John and Brent. Carolyn and Steve Dinberg
Elyse, just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you every day. Sending love, Michelle
I am amazed Elyse at your strength and courage - you go girl.. keep it going.. Love - Steve
now your favorite stand-up wannabe keeping it clean..
Want a clean and dirty joke courtesy of Zack my 14 year apple does not fall far from the tree son..
Clean
Young James took a bath with Bubbles.
Dirty
Unfortunately Bubbles lives next door to James
____
Sorry must do an obligatory lawyer joke..
Three men are traveling in the countryside when their car breaks down. They go to a farmhouse to seek shelter. The farmer only has two spare beds, but says that one of the men can sleep in the barn.. The first man is a rabbi and he volunteers to sleep outside. However a few minutes after he leaves, there's a knock at the door. It's the rabbi. It turns ou there's a pig in the barn and the rabbi does not feel comfortable sleeping there as it is against his faith. To get around the problem the second man, a Hindu, volunteers to take the rabbi's place. He leaves for the barn but once again after a few minutes there's a knock at the door. It's the hindu. It turns out there's also a cow in the barn and the hindu doesn't feel comfortable sleeping near it. The third man happens to be a lawyer, and he says he doesn't have any religious hang-ups and walks out to sleep in the barn. A few minutes later the rabbi and the Hindu hear a knock. The rabbi opens the door.
Stsnding outside are the pig and the cow..
---------------------
Now some topical stuff from latenight..
The country of Abu Dhabi has announced it is buying the Chrysler Building in New York. Why not? The Saudis already own the White House.
Today, they unveiled John McCain’s new campaign song: “Viva Viagra.”
The New York Times reports that Clinton associates are keeping an enemies list of people considered “Clinton traitors.” Ironically, both Bill and Hillary are on each other’s list.
Beautiful day here in New York City. So beautiful, the NBA was rigging volleyball.
If you’re looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift for an older dad . . . how about Barbara Walters?
President Bush is traveling in Europe. He’s now in Venice, Italy. When he saw the street waterways, he said, “Don’t worry — FEMA is on the way.”
Hillary has been staying at home and canceling all her public appearances. As a result, Bill has been staying at home and canceling all of his private appearances.
Angelina Jolie said, in an interview, that being pregnant is great for her sex life. Then she said what’s really great for her sex life is being Angelina Jolie.
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Forbes magazine’s celebrity 100 list came out today. The world’s richest celebrity is Oprah. I was hoping I’d be on it.
Then I remembered that I’m not rich . . . or a celebrity.
When President Bush heard gas was an average of $4 all over the country, he said, “But how much is it in the city?”
Hillary Clinton’s camp says she is not actively seeking the vice presidential nomination . . . passively-aggressively seeking it, yes . . .
Officials are saying they found a pipe bomb in a dead chicken. So it sounds like al-Qaida is starting to have some serious budget problems.
They say it is either the work of some terrorist organization or Carrot Top.
Top Ten Signs an NBA Game Is Fixed
10. Game begins 20 minutes before visiting team arrives
9. Tip-off always goes to the player with the largest salary
8. At the end of the first quarter, the score is 179 to 2
7. Missed three-pointers count for two points if they're "pretty close"
6. One of the Laker Girls looks suspiciously like Pete Rose
5. Whenever he's open, referee takes a shot
4. Scoreboard has disclaimer: "All Scores Approximate"
3. The team loses even though it led in points, delegates, and the popular vote
2. Jack Nicholson scores 25 points from his seat
1. The Knicks win
Another hot day in New York City — 89 and insufferable. Like Regis.
It’s so hot, I’m driving home last night and the navigation lady says, “Wanna stop for a beer?”
NASA has announced a plan to take a trip to the sun. So apparently, the search for bin Laden continues.
John McCain just announced he wants to do a series of town hall meetings where he meets with the public. It’s all part of McCain’s “Speak up, I Can’t Hear You” tour.
NASA has announced plans to send a probe to orbit the sun — where it will be forced to withstand temperatures of 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. When he heard about it, President Bush said: “Why don’t they just go at night?”
According to MSNBC, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have consulted a psychic about the birth of their twin girls. The psychic predicted Brad and Angelina’s twin girls will grow up to be very hot.
A new study just came out, it says that most computer-support workers would take a pay cut to work from home. Their exact quote was, “We miss living in India.”
According to a new study, the average American will live six months longer than the last study. Finally some good news for John McCain.
Apparently Barack Obama is “e-mail buddies” with Scarlet Johansson . . . This is making me question Sen. Obama’s judgment. If he has Scarlet Johansson’s e-mail address, why is he wasting time running for president?
President Bush in on a tour of Germany, France, Italy, and a bunch of other countries that hate him.
While he’s gone, America is safe and sound in the more competent hands of Barney the White House terrier.
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