Monday, August 4, 2008

I am still high from the superb visit with Liz and David. I do not think I could have collected all my medical records in such a short time without Liz's help. It was hard work, but the rest of the visit was pure pleasure. Ben is still here, working away at the office and helping me at home. Again, a pleasure.

My boys are on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. They put in at Boundary Creek on Saturday and will reach Cache Bar just past the confluence with the Main Salmon on Thursday. I hope they are having great weather and a great trip. I sure miss being with them in one of my favorite places. Survey Creek will always hold a special place in my heart....

My plans for evaluations at Emory and MD Anderson are set. I am going to Emory tomorrow to consult with medical and radiation oncologists. I will be in Houston all next week for a battery of tests and to meet with a surgeon. What I don't know is the plan that the Home Team has for me. I would have liked to know by now, but I can also be patient. I have now had the maximum amount of radiation treatments possible and still be eligible for surgery. I have been granted a two week hiatus from radiation to explore the surgical option. This break is welcome not just because of the new opportunity; there is apparently a correlation between past sunburns and radiation. Kind of like an LSD flashback only no chance of fun. My back is blistered and itchy, relieved only by applying pure aloe.

Today I went to my first yoga class since the diagnosis. It was an easy and enjoyable class, but it was still challenging for me. It will be a long road back to fitness. Other than dredging up the sunburns of my past (think Callaway Gardens on July 4th), my only real problem has been fatigue. I will continue to exercise as I feel like it, but it is not my primary focus.

It feels good to be moving forward. Look for more good news soon.

Elyse

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Elyse,
Without a doubt, you are the most amazing, positive person I know. You remain so upbeat, and are an inspiration to all of us. I have learned so much from you, and appreciate your daily "life lessons". I look forward to hearing the comments from Emory and Houston, and look forward to spending Thursday with you as well.
With love,
Ann

Unknown said...

I know you probably don't find it funny, but you are cracking me up with the sunburn/LSD flashback. Thanks God that's been the worst effect from the treatments, and most of all, that you are done with them.'xo
Rachel

Anonymous said...

Elyse,
What a whirlwind of a weekend! I am amazed at what we accomplished. The next two weeks are finally set and I anticipate they will bring good news! Everyone here in Houston is so excited you are coming and gearing up for your visit!
Until this past weekend, I had never heard of Pomegranite Chip, never imagined how creative we could be with meatloaf leftovers (thanks Susan!)and never tasted at least two brownie varieties I found in your kitchen. I had also never considered a career in nursing (thanks for the back-up Leah!). That little experience certainly took our relationship to a whole new level! You were so brave! The situation reminded me of the "trust fall" from camp. I wasn't going to let you down!
It is so difficult for me to live far away from you during this time. I wish I could be there to take you to appointments, bake you challah, strategize, and just hold your hand. To all of your friends and family that have visited, cooked, blogged, sent cards, etc...I can't thank you enough. It has meant so much to Elyse and has definitely kept her going!
A friend of mine just called to say all MDA outpatient appointments are cancelled for tomorrow due to the hurricane that will probably miss us entirely! Good thing you stayed in Atlanta this week. Good luck with your appointments tomorrow. Thanks for such a wonderful weekend! I love you, Liz

Anonymous said...

Elyse,

It's so great that you have a built in support system in Houston. Good luck today at Emory. Thinking of you,

Judy

Anonymous said...

Good luck today. Just my luck I leave Texas and you come to Houston:)Well I'm sure the boys are having fun on the river and you'll be their next year. You are so positive. You make having cancer look like a day at the park although I know your working hard to fight it! Your my hero! Good luck and keep us informed of the visits. I'm praying for you and thinking of you all the time. Bridgette

Anonymous said...

Elyse:

I just found that you had been diagnosed with cancer and I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming treatment - knowing your personality, I know that you will come through this like a champ - As we have not had our annual lunch yet this year, I will be expecting you to be there soon.

Walter Cohen

Anonymous said...

Elyse,
We are so glad to hear about these wonderful opportunities to move forward. It's amazing. Vicki and Fred are here and we went to Yoga, too! (Vicki, not Fred!) Sent you healing thoughtstoday.
Love and prayers,
Ronnie

Anonymous said...

Elyse, am still in Washington State and just getting on-line to catch up with you. So happy about the good progress and great news. So very heartening.

Am enjoying the big sky, big mountains, big ocean. Vinson has come down with some strange and nasty allergic reaction which has taken us on a tour of the local emergency rooms. So much for shedding stress.

Sending you much love. Going to go do a little bike ride through the Skagit valley and think of you, Michelle N

Terri Meeks said...

Elyse,

We are home from vacation. It rained every day. Barry & I are excited about your upcoming tests and hope you will get the responses you are looking for. Let us know if we can help in any way.Thinking of you every day.

Terri