"She believed she could, so she did!"

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
I have become dear friends with a woman whose 13-year-old daughter died of cancer just a few weeks ago. In her sorrow, she has reached out to me in selfless and caring ways. She sent me a package of some things that belonged to her daughter and one was a little sign, "She believed she could, so she did!" I hung it by my desk at work and see it every day. It seemed appropriate today as I returned to work for a full 8 hours. I believed I could, so I did!
Still at war -- the real kind with cancer chemotherapy. Today I won the battle. Tomorrow will be a new day. I will be ready.
Nowotwor -- Elizabeth

1 Down -- 15 To Go

Tuesday, July 26, 2016
This picture was taken before I actually started the chemotherapy treatment, but I was so ready to get things going AND I survived!! I admit that I was fearful of the unknown. How will my body react? Will it hurt? Will my port work properly? etc.
I had the most amazing nurse, Anabeth, who explained everything that she was doing and why. I really like that. She had me look at the needle before she accessed the port. I usually do not look as needles are being inserted in my body, but I was brave and it really didn't look bad, except that it is bent on the end -- on purpose.
Thanks to numbing cream, I did not feel anything when the port was accessed. She was able to get a blood return and that is a good thing. It means that they will be able to draw blood from my port to keep track of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, etc. It also means one less poke in the arm.
  The first infusion was a steroid, then anti-nausea medicine, and then after a saline flush, the highly anticipated Adriamycin, also known as "Red Devil" or "Red Death" due to the color and the effects on your body. Death obviously refers to killing the cancer cells and not me personally. :) I think it is one of the only chemo therapies that has color. It looks like cherry Koolaid. It took less than 15 minutes to infuse, so it is a potent little thing.

This is me getting the actual infusion. Piece of cake!

This is me pretending like it is not a piece of cake. :)

The pink mug in my hand is full of ice chips that I had to eat while it was infusing. This drug creates mouth sores, but by eating ice, the cold constricts the blood vessels and does not allow as much chemo to enter therefore cutting down on the amount of mouth sores. Brilliant, right?! Thank you to whomever thought that one up!

  After another saline flush, I received Cyclophosphamide which is a clear liquid. My brain told me that all the clear ones were just water so it was okay, and it was okay.

  Everything went picture perfect--no nausea, no adverse reaction, proper port function, etc. Honestly, I could not be more blessed. I know the coming days will bring a different story, but for today I have hope and health, and an amazing husband who was by my side the whole way today. Thank you, Mark! I love you!

  Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and held me and my family in your hearts. I return the love and prayers knowing that each new day is a gift from God. Enjoy!

Nowotwor -- Elizabeth

A New Battle Begins

Monday, July 25, 2016
Well, my friends, in keeping with the "Now at War" theme, a new battle begins tomorrow -- My first chemotherapy treatment!!
I had my blood work done in preparation for the fight and the surgeon has cleared me saying that my incisions have healed really well. My oncologist has also given the green light and so here we go.
A dear friend of mine is also a children's psychologist and she told me about a "self-soothe" box. So I have prepared a chemo treatment/self-soothe bag that is filled with one item for each sense. I have ginger snaps for taste, a book to read for sight, a little blue hippo stuffed animal (from another dear friend) for touch, music (that Morgan helped me get on my phone) for sound, and English lavender (brought back from England last week from another dear friend) for smell.
The other thing I will take with me that I can only hold in my heart is the love, support, and prayers of all my beloved family and friends. Thank you for being on this journey with me. I admit that I am a bit scared, but I am ready. Another dear friend assisted Mark in giving me a priesthood blessing, so with God on my side, how can I fail?
Nowotwor, Elizabeth

"How's Your Heart?"

Have you every wondered if you have a good heart? Well, there is a test for that.
On Friday, July 15, 2016, I had an echocardiogram. This is standard for the type of chemo that I will be receiving which can damage my heart. So this test tells them a couple of things: if my heart is strong enough to receive chemotherapy and it also gives them a baseline to go from in the future if I start having heart problems.
My oncologist told me today that everything looks great and he agreed that I can tell my mom "I have a good heart!" Haha!
In actuality it takes a lot more than an echocardiogram to determine if you have a good heart. One very telling test is how we treat other people. My grandmother always said that you can tell a person's character by how they treat children and animals. My grandmother had a wonderful character and a good heart. I'm still working on mine.
I was really nervous to have the "echo" because the placement of my port-a-catheter is right where the technician needs to press in order to get good ultrasound images. I am so grateful to Brad (the tech) who did my echocardiogram with such skill avoiding the port and my incisions. My hat's off to every person who has chosen to work in the medical field. You all have good hearts!!  -- Elizabeth

Bad News -- Good News

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Today I met with my oncologist and found out some important information.
My Oncatype DX test results came back and my score is 43 (range is 0-100). That means that my cancer is in the high risk of recurrence category, even with hormonal therapy. Anything over 30 is high risk. This is bad news. However, because it is in the high risk category the benefits of chemo will be greater that the side effects. This is good news. It makes the decision to continue with a chemotherapy plan that much easier. That being said, I will have my first chemo treatment next Tuesday, July 26 -- ready or not!
I have felt a little stuck waiting for this test result, so I am ready to move forward -- we are still at war!
Nowotwor! Elizabeth

Happy Hayden!

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, I attended the baptism of my little friend, Hayden, who became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Hayden, I just want you to know of the joy that has come to me from being a member of the same Church. It's teachings of Jesus Christ are what get me through every day, especially as I apply His Atonement to my life currently. The gift of the Holy Ghost that you received will also be a great comfort to you throughout your life. I am so grateful for the blessings that come to us through the Godhead. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost all love us very much! They are very aware of everything we go through and are ready to help us in every way they possibly can.

You are a precious daughter of God. You have always been so kind to me as your neighbor and friend. I pray that you will always feel God's love.

Love,

Sister Pierce

P.S. Thank you for sharing the beautiful flowers (and food) from your baptism.