Monday, August 20, 2012

Follow up on Spoiler Alert

This the problem with making promises.  Now I have to write today.  I said I would and there is no excuse not to.  I feel fine. I took a long walk with Sadie and our babysitter to the park, had lunch, took a long nap and now Sadie is back at the park with the sitter.

Her name is Courtney and I often refer to her as our babysitter instead of nanny because I feel that "nanny" has some socio-economic inference that we are upper, upper middle class.  We are not nor have we ever been.  I was raised by a single mom who was a teacher.  She relied solely on her parents if she needed help and they were no spring chickens.  So, we're starting to introduce her as our babysitter or sometimes even "niece" who's just helping out.

So back to our medical conditions.  That's what you want to hear, right?  Let me begin by saying that I often hear that Nathan and I are inspirations or the like to others.  However, I read the comments below before I started this entry and my heart leapt with hope.  Two individuals, "lowens" and "Staci" said that they had had the same stage IV breast cancer (bc) with the same grim diagnoses and now both are NED.  So thank you, thank you to lowens and Stac, whoever you are.

Since I have been such a terrible blogger, returner of phone callers, emails and texts, I am going to really draw the next few posts out. I'll just give a little at time.  To me, summer always has this way of being the longest and shortest season at the same time.  Trying to relax can be extremely stressful, especially when you have kids.

So let's see. Medically speaking...where did we leave off?  Ah, the last thing I revealed was that the original brain tumors had returned and they brought friends.  I believe it was twelve by the time we decided on whole brain radiation.  Besides those first couple of days of vomiting, my body adjusted very well.  Fatigue did set in quite quickly and I spent a lot of time in bed.  I didn't have the concentration to read nor the desire to, so I passively got sucked into The Food Network and HGTV.  I know they're all the rage but I could care less about cupcakes.  However,  I spent innumerable hours watching those folks bake their asses off.  And don't get me started on HGTV.

Sorry about the tangent but those were my life lines to some semblance of the outside world.  Moving right along, I brilliantly think it would be a grand idea to visit my friend Betsy at her parents' lake house in Michigan with another friend Laura two days after my last radiation treatment.  (If I can figure it out, I will add a video clip.)




We had a great three day weekend (as you saw by the video and photos above) but I paid the price.  Immediately upon my return I got sick.  I had a terrible cough, that everyone seemed to have and claimed it lasted a really long time), fever started and I felt cold when it was 85 degrees out and I had a ton of blankets on me.  All this eventually led to almost a week in the hospital.  What a fiasco.  Details to come.

Spoiler #2- in the next chapter my biggest complaint is Nathan and Sadie's trip to Color
ado.  At least, the neuro-ophthamologist was cute!  By the way, any time I see a doctor, his/her title begins with neuro.  I think when my hair grows back, I'll have to find a neuro-hairstylist.

P.S. Thanks to Bets for getting those pictures and the video up.
P.P.S. My cognitive abilities are slightly impaired (not joking).




31 comments:

  1. So far so good. The video was fabulous in that I got to hear you laugh. That is such good medical therapy-laughter.

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  2. You look most excellent on a John Deere!

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  3. So happy to hear from you! You look beautiful and I am so happy you got some friend time. I think of you and your family often, like friends I don't get to see but wish I could. Keep hope alive and believing this will be a distant memory soon! I've said it before, but I'll tell you again what my sweet Aunt said to me while I was going through BC treatment," Think from the end, Dear girl. Think from the end." This story will have a happy ending. xoxo

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  4. So great to see you having fun! You hang in there and live life to the fullest!!! Whether healthy or not, there is no guarantee what life has in store for us tomorrow. My mother fought stage 4 Cancer for Fifteen years! She proved every single one of her doctors and the statistics at the time of diagnosis wrong! She was determined to have a positive attitude and because of that she amazed the entire medical community that cared for her. Here's a joke that I know she would get a kick out of if I shared it with you... She would tell this joke to everyone in the medical community that cared for her... "what is the difference between an oral and rectal thermometer?" Answer... "the taste!:-D" It always broke the ice when tests, scans, or check ups were being done... Feel free to share that one with your doctors and nurses... I'm sure they'll laugh with you. Feel better, hang in there and give that beautiful little girl of yours a great big hug:-) It does the body good:-)

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  5. Wonderful that you are feeling better! Since NYC had some crazy hot days in the beginning of July, I was watched waaay too much TV too. But hey! It's all good during the "lazy, crazy days of Summer".

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  6. Your spoiler was worth it... and I'm sure you'll need a neuro-hairstylist in some time. And don't forget to visit the beautysalon "Beauty & Brains", you'll love their treatments too ;-)

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  7. Thank you for keeping us updated....Daily prayers I offer for you and your family...GREAT to see you laughing and having fun-IT IS THE BEST MEDICINE...
    Pittsburgh, PA :)

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  8. Elisa, you look f'ing amazing!!!!!! I could not wait to read the "spoiler" and am so very happy to see that you are feeling better. I do not know if you really have any idea just how important it is for those of us who have been following your family since the Daily News article, to actually hear from you. I cry with you, I laugh with you. Your family have become people that I care about. Please never stop letting us know the good, the bad, and the ugly! You have a lot of people pulling for you and we always will. Keep the faith!

    :) Chrisie

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  9. I agree with Kim. The John Deere suits you. You sure you a New Yorker? Oh wait, I've heard your accent ;) Are you going to Nashville for the reunion in October?

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  10. My prayers go to you and Nathan. It was awesome seeing you have some fun. I hate that you are having to go through with this. My Mother had lung cancer in 2002, breast cancer in 2005, and a stroke 2010. She is not as spry as she used to be she still feels blessed. Mother always says "If I cry about it,it won't help and if I laugh about it it won't hurt it." She is such an inspiration like you. Mother is 81 years old. Please stay strong!!!! Thank you for your posts.

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  11. Freakin amazing woman you are, Elisa. You just made my day.

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  12. Breast cancer has now invaded my family also...Cancer is not discriminatory when choosing it's hosts, is it? You are an inspiration to all of us that read your posts. It's not because we are all waiting for the "grim" details of your struggles--it's just good to know we are not alone...thank you for that.

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  13. Wonderful to see you smiling and laughing. So glad things are going well. I enjoy your posts and look forward to them. Don't worry about how often you post. :)

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  14. I am so happy you got away for a three day holiday! I wish I was the one on that rafter...it looks like a huge tumbling inflated mat! I was great to hear you laughing and see you smiling. I am also grateful that things are good for you and I want to hear more about your new babysitter! Nanny - au pair - who cares!!! It works right? I am praying for you and you truly are an inspiration. God bless you Elisa, you and yours are in my prayers. :)

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  15. I loved hearing about your childhood and your mom. It helps me know you more fully and not just you with cancer. Please don't feel pressure to blog. While hearing from you is always a blessing, none of your old/new friends wants to be a burden. I had the same thing happen to me after fun in Michigan with gal pals. TV choice - the Olympics. I now hate Bob Costas - blah, blah, blah. Serial sessions of Law and Order SVU repeats matched my mood or made it worse. My sister had whole brain radiation and I know it can be a bitch. But look at it this way. You just "skipped" a few grades and now you're where I am at 60. I remember nothing. It's okay. Sadie will be going to school soon and it makes me happy that you're here. You're one gutsy broad and you will see all of her send offs if bravery, guts, attitude, and prayer have anything to do with it. You and your family are loved by so many people that you've never met but consider you friends. Take care of our girl (you) and know that we are with you.

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  16. Y'all were having way too much fun in that clip. But that's the point, isn't it?

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  17. Laughter, smiles...I love it! You are beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing and keeping us up to date. So wonderful to hear your perspective - candid and real, just amazing!

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  18. I laughed so hard at your video. It reminded me of a Jerry Lee Lewis take! Great fun! Glad you could enjoy the day!

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  19. I was dx'd with MBC 3 years ago (bone mets). My friend K-Lo started this Brain Mets Sisters Thread: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/777599?page=55#idx_1640

    My friend Suzanne (young mom of 7)is doing well, she also has brain mets: http://raisingsaints.blogspot.com/

    Hang in there

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  20. You looks great! Keep up the fight! Praying for you and Nathan and Sadie. XOXO

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  21. Hope to hear some more from you. We worry when it goes on two months or more without a word as to how you are. God bless you.

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  22. From a farmers daughter who drove green "Deere" tractors, you look marvelous! Thanks for the update.

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  23. I think you have been a beautiful blogger. And I have been so touched to read about your triumphs and travails as a parent...as well as a cancer patient. So, to sum up, we stranger/friends are following your family's amazing story because it helps us connect your experiences as a woman, as a mom, as a wife with our own. for my part, whether you dedicate the next post to conquering one of Sadie's childhood fears, or whether you want to dedicate a post to your next treatment plan, your voice is captivating and unique. And you articulate many topics that so many of us relate to -- medically related, or not.

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  24. Hope to hear from you soon! We all worry when we don't hear from you months on end.

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  25. Hi there!! I am reading through the posts and I see those that trashed LENG, whom I notice never came back are doing exactly what they accused her of, asking for update. Gosh, y'all need to chill. Didn't anyone ever hear the saying watch who you point fingers at cuz their are 4 pointing back at you? Poor LENG! I think she just loved the Bonds like so many of us do and whoever those annonymous people were that bashed her should feel ashamed.

    Anyhoooooo, I don't care when you update Elisa. I will take what you give when you give it. Just know I think you are an awesome warrior and God bless you.

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  26. So very happy to read that you are doing well!!
    From a stranger in Oklahoma who thinks of and prays for you and your family often. :-)

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  27. I came across your blog after searching for families with multiple people in one family having cancer at the same time. My brother and mother both have cancer as well. I read your entire blog. Your stories are so inspiring and comforting. I can relate to so many of the things you shared. Thank you for sharing your story. I have hope for and your husband and my family as well. Prayers and positive thoughts being sent your way.

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  28. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2012 11:48 PM

    Hi there!! I am reading through the posts and I see those that trashed LENG, whom I notice never came back are doing exactly what they accused her of, asking for update. Gosh, y'all need to chill. Didn't anyone ever hear the saying watch who you point fingers at cuz their are 4 pointing back at you? Poor LENG! I think she just loved the Bonds like so many of us do and whoever those annonymous people were that bashed her should feel ashamed.



    Get a life. Your comment is the only negative one on this page.

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  29. So fun to see the photos and video ! Yes, it looked like you had a blast, but sorry you got sick when you got home. Hope things are buzzing along and you all enjoy the upcoming Fall season. ♥

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  30. Hello,
    I lost my mother to breast cancer and my baby sister was diagnosis 8 months later. I signed up for the sister study which will follow both of us for 10 years. Little sister is in remission at this time but took a toll on her body due to the chemo, has heart damage. I think of you and your family often. With October Breast Cancer awarness month we must find a cure.. Hang in there.

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  31. Hello! Just wondering how you all are...I visit your blog every month to check in. I know you can't post often. A few months ago, a routine colonoscopy revealed advanced polyps and at age 42, I'm headed for genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome (cancer). My husband and I have been struggling what this means for me and my health overall. Please know your are in my thoughts. Each of you continue to amaze me and I so wish I could treat you lunch. Your strength is evident and you will prevail. A in Washington, DC

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