Mystery Balloons

  Thank you to the mystery balloon giver! You have brightened my day so many times during my cancer journey.
In the early stages of my treatment, every morning as I would leave my house on treatment day, there was a balloon attached to my mailbox. I would jump out of the car and take a picture. It make me smile and brought me hope.
  I don't know who you are, and obviously you wish to remain anonymous, which I totally respect. This move on your part allows me to do a couple of things. 1) It encourages me to be kind to EVERYONE because I might just be talking to the balloon giver and I would only want to be exceptionally nice to them. 2) It allows me to let God bless you for your kindness and His blessings will far outweigh any gratitude I could every extend to you. And I do indeed pray that God will bless you.
  I recognize that there was sacrifice on your part to buy the balloons, and place them on my mailbox so early in the morning before I left for work. God bless you! It truly made a difference in my life. I repeat the sentiment from the balloons to you as well "You're So Special!" Thank you again for arming me with hope during my battle.
Nowotwor - Elizabeth

11 Down - 5 To Go

My friend Deb and me at 11th treatment

November 29, 2016
  Thanks to everyone who reminds me that I have not posted in awhile. :)
  The week before Thanksgiving I was battling a sinus infection and doing everything possible to avoid going to the hospital - the last place you want to be when your immune system in compromised. Fortunately, the antibiotics worked perfectly and I am feeling much better. My white blood cell count was 15 today. (The high normal is 10.)
  Let me mention briefly how wonderful Thanksgiving was. Erin and Seth joined Mark, Morgan, and me for a wonderful homemade Thanksgiving dinner at our home. The family said it was delicious, but I only tasted cardboard. I had cardboard tasting turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes covered in cardboard gravy. Followed later by Mark's famous homemade cardboard pumpkin pie. I will only say that when things taste like cardboard you don't go back for seconds. :) The beauty is that by Sunday, my taste returned and I had a wonderful meal of leftovers and they were indeed delicious, especially with a fine dose of gratitude for the ability to taste. I think I have always taken that sense for granted.
  Now to my 11th treatment-- my friend Deb brought me to chemo today. There was a backup of patients so we waited 4 hours before they started my 2 hour treatment. The nurses were amazingly patient with all of us patients. (See what I did there? haha) I really appreciated Deb's companionship in that she was the caregiver for her roommate and my dear friend, Emma, for several years until Emma went to live with God after a valiant battle with cancer. We both miss Emma, but I am astounded by Deb's resilience and faith and her Christlike ability to reach out to me with love and service. She is truly one who has walked the difficult road of caregiver and yet stays on that road and helps the next person along the path. Deb, you are in inspirational example to me and I know that God is preparing a beautiful mansion for you in heaven. Thanks for being my friend!
  I would also like to point out the beautiful scarf I am wearing. It was handmade by a former BYU roommate of mine, Marsha. She lives in Tennessee and we have one of those magical friendships that no matter how long it has been since we have talked or seen each other, we can pick right up where we left off and never miss a beat. Neither of us gets offended if we have not talked in awhile and I appreciate that because I am a terrible correspondent. Anyway, Marsha sends me a package every week with the most thoughtful gifts. They are simple, but thoughtful. I appreciate knowing that she loves me, prays for me, and is thinking of me. After she saw my wig, she chose this beautiful, soft yard to make me a scarf to go along with my wig. Beautiful choice, don't you think? It is especially warm on my neck now that I don't have my big blanket of natural hair to cover to my neck. I never knew how much your hair keeps in your body heat. Hats off, or should I say, hats on, to every man or woman who is bald. Winter's here and it is cold. BRRRR!
  Deepest gratitude to all of you who love me and pray for me. May God bless you in your own personal trials. We are all in this together. Keep up the good fight. Nowotwor!! - Elizabeth

Meet Izak - My New Little Hero

November 15, 2016
Meet Izak! He is such an inspiration to me -- my new little hero! While I was having chemotherapy, this cute little guy came bouncing into the room. His mother is one of my nurses and they had just stopped by for a moment. Izak had just had his 6 month follow-up appointment about his cancer. He has a rare form of cancer too long and complicated for me to even spell or speak. The tumor had settled in his ankle when he was six years old. It was treated with chemo, but it unfortunately came back a second time, treated with radiation. He is now 8 years old and has been through more than a child should ever have to endure. Unfortunately, the follow-up he had today will turn out to be a third battle for him. Izak, I am so sorry! You are a strong young man. You inspire me! I love you, dude! Thank you for answering my questions about losing your hair and how it grew back the same color - curly at first and then back to normal. Thank you for your wisdom when I asked you for advice. You said, "Sleep alot. I did and it really helped me."
Izak, you are a warrior! Fight the good fight, buddy! Nowotwor! - Elizabeth

8 Down - 8 To Go

Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Interestingly on the 8th, I finished my 8th treatment and have 8 more to go. 8 must be lucky number today!
I have reached the half-way point and it feels great. Overall I feel really good. I am so blessed. My white blood cells crashed last week so I have to get Neupogen shots twice a week for the remainder of my treatments, but that's okay. It will be a great blessing to my immune system during the cold and flu season.
I want to express deepest gratitude to Erin for taking me to my chemo treatment today. I know that was hard for you but it meant so much to me. It must be very difficult to watch your mom go through cancer, but honestly, I am so glad it is me and not you. I truly don't know how mothers watch their children endure such a trial. Any mother would take it from their child in a heartbeat. So, I really am glad it's me. Erin, I am fighting a good fight for my family. We are winning!