Wednesday, August 20, 2008

More Good News

I have to admit that my faith was hanging by a thread. But the good news was delivered this afternoon. The biopsy I had yesterday showed no cancer. At stake was whether, despite the otherwise successful response to treatment, cancer had spread to the bones. I am greatly relieved, ready to move forward. There is still a question floating around about an abnormality in my clivus. No, not that clivus. That clivus is fine, thank you. It is a bone at the base of the skull. I have had more tests than I can count over the last 10 days. This problem was never a great concern, and while it would have been nice to get a green light instead of a yellow light, with the blessings of my doctors, I am now ready to take the discussion about surgery to a final conclusion.

Tomorrow I will get radiation and the 7th of 7 chemotherapy treatments. I will probably get radiation on Friday, as well. But the more radiation I get, the smaller the window for surgery. So, the discussions and decisions contemplated over the next few days are critical. I have some serious work ahead of me; so what else is new?

My relief should be palpable.

10 comments:

Team Dream said...

Elyse--

I know of no one less likely to wither in the face of hard work than you. I hope you took a little time to enjoy today's news. Now keep the faith, make the best decision for you, and know that we're all here cheering you on. Go girl!
xoxoxo
Amy

Anonymous said...

Elyse,
When an entry starts "more good news" it is automatically cause for a small dance and celebration, along with a collective sigh of relief, which I think could be heard all around! How happy we are for you!!! Now continue to go forward with your resolve to fight this thing and make the decisions you have to make. I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed and you in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Ann

Anonymous said...

Oh man! Reading your posts just amaze me. When you say that the testing is unpleasant but that you've become immune--I can only imagine. I never realized the work involved in caring for yourself when faced with a disease like this. It is a job in itself to be educated and informed. Emotionally you must be drained. Yet you persist. It appears all this work is paying off and your so close to victory. You amaze me really. I was so excited to hear your news today. I love you a ton!!! I'm sending all my good wishes to you as you make your decision! Big hug. Bridgette

Steve Beagle said...

Ali - a speechless wannabe comic - go ahead ruin my fantasy. I am all for it. Put me out of my misery thankyou. I am so optimistically, happily apprehensively ly ly ly ly for you... this was the best scorecarded round yet and ask me if I am surprised? Of course not.. not from the strongest fighter I have ever met in realtime..

Virtual hugs, prayers, love, zen vibes.. Steve

3 of my favorites - encapsulating your news from the man himself..

''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''

"Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, lose their arms and legs in car accidents; people die every day. Same with fighters: some die, some get hurt, some go on. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you."

"Only a man ( insert Elyse ) who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.."

____________________

Well now that I picked myself off the floor as I am a soon to be 47 year old out of shape loser who can't do an Irish jig for more than 10 seconds without getting winded ..we go to today's topic..

Goodwill to all men..

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes...

If you think there is good in everybody, you have not met everybody.

If you can't laugh at yourself, make fun of other people.

Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.

I'm not prejudiced. There are plenty of people I hate equally.

I love mankind.. it's people I can't stand.

______________________________

and albeit a slow rerun week f
or the late nighters.. I will go with a few recent but dated topicals..on the olympics, W and the erection as they say in Japan oops I mean the election...

President Bush arrived in China for the Games. He spent most of the day driving around looking for a Panda Express.

A lot of people don’t realize this is a first for President Bush — entering a foreign country where he was invited.

I think President Bush was trying too hard to impress the Chinese president with his knowledge of the Chinese culture. Like when they met, he said, “Snatch the pebble from my hand, Grasshopper.”

After vigorously denying it, John Edwards has finally admitted his affair. The National Enquirer was the only publication writing about it. You know what this means? Elvis is alive! Bigfoot is real!

Here’s something to be aware of in August: Psychiatrists usually take the month off for vacation. So that means there’s nobody around to write a prescription for Britney.

The Beijing Olympics — two weeks of competition to see which country has the best pharmacists.

Sometimes I feel President Bush is in over his head. He’s at the opening ceremonies, and he’s trying to pretend he knows what he’s doing. So he turns to the president of China and he says, “I love your Chicken, Gen. Tsao.”

The Olympics started today. They’ve got the pollution problem in China, and in an effort to improve the air quality, the Chinese government is firing anti-smog pellets into the sky. The pellets are made up of ground up political dissidents.

Barack Obama has been emphasizing that Americans can save gas by properly inflating their tires.

John McCain has been encouraging his supporters to change the tennis balls on their walkers.

Stoners everywhere will be happy this weekend. “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” comes out. Actually, "Pineapple Express" comes out.

President Bush has become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Olympics in a foreign country. He said he‘s been looking forward to it ever since he learned that in China people are not allowed to make fun of political leaders.

Today is the 8th day of the 8th month. It is no coincidence that the Chinese started the Olympics today — and at exactly 8:08 p.m., Beijing time. The Chinese believe that the number 8 is lucky. Of course, they also pay $6,000 a plate to eat tiger penis.

For China, the Olympics are an opportunity to try to change the world’s perception of them. They put on quite an opening ceremony. They say it cost $300 million to produce . . . and it might have been even more expensive if they didn’t have slaves.

China has ordered restasurants to remove dog from their menus for the duration of the Olympics. That’s not good news for some fast food restaurants like Dog O Bell . . . McDognalds . . . and Ken-Puppy Fried Chicken.

On that note - say goodnight Steve

Terri Meeks said...

Yeah! Barry & I are so happy for you. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Terri

Anonymous said...

I read a quote this weekend by a celebrity -- I think it was Christina Applegate -- who said something to the effect that you have to fall apart to be able to put yourself back together in a fashion that will allow you to face your new challenges when you go through something like this.

I am relieved beyond words.

xoxo,
Patti

Anonymous said...

Woo Hoo!!! Celebrate the good news! It is awesome that you got good news twice in one week. This cancer has NO idea who it is up against. I am praying for strength for you during today and tomorrow's treatment and clarity going forward in your decision making. And lots of kisses from the pups!

Big Hugs,
Lorie, Lex and Justin

Unknown said...

dycKeep the good news coming...We know you can!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Elyse:
What a relief to read your blog today. I'm overjoyed your treatment is working and awed at how well you are coping.
Hope to hear more good in the days to come.
Love, Ellen

debbi chartash said...

Elyse,
You know that there are 135 angels thinking of you right now. We would love to see you at the closing ceremonies, so keep up the good work. We will be thinking of you and my friend Debbie Bernes. You both have so much spirit, it is incredible.
Love, debbi