Update 9/18/2012

On Wednesday 9/12/2012 Elisa was admitted into the hospital due to some issues we thought were due to her last chemo treatment.  The Doctor admitted Elisa to run some more extensive test to determine the problem.  On Thursday, Elisa had a emergency colostomy due to a blockage in her colon caused by a tumor.  The surgery went very well.  Elisa was placed into ICU for precautionary reasons after surgery but had to stay for 4 days because of her white blood cell count was extremely low and blood pressure was unstable.  On 9/18/12 Elisa was moved out of ICU to a regular room.  She is doing great and her Doctors are very please in her progress.  As of today, we do not know how long she will remain in the hospital.  Her spirits are high and feels better each day.

She has her phone with her and is checking Facebook and email regularly.  She is slowly answering her emails and Facebook messages.  

I will update you in few days on how Elisa is doing.  Sorry if I haven’t posted anything earlier but it has been a rough 6 days.  Alan was posting updates on Facebook and I was emailing and calling family members with updates during the day and night.

Thanks agin for your support and prayers.

Terry

Camping trip - Labor Day 2012

Update 9/5/2012

I just wanted to post an update on Elisa.  She had a set back last week during her doctor visit.  The week prior, Elisa had a CAT scan.  As of now her tumors are not shrinking and one new tumor was located in the liver.  Over the past month, Elisa was on a new chemo regime that was easier on her body.  Which improved her bone marrow count and white/red blood cell counts.  With the results of the CAT scan, the doctor has changed her chemo regime, which started today.  This new chemo regime has some side effects but we are keeping our fingers crossed that Elisa will not experience any of the side effects. 

Her chemo session went very well today and did not experience any side effects but she could experience some of the side effects in several days or upcoming week(s).  Please continue to keep Elisa in your thoughts and prayers.  She is strong and determined to fight this disease.

I would like to apologize for being slow in updating the blog over the past few months.  I promise to keep you up to date on how Elisa is doing.

Terry

Update 8/8/2012

Elisa has been doing great since the last post.  So far she has not experienced any side effects from the new chemo.  The doctor told us this morning, he is very pleased with the new chemo regime.  Physical therapy is going great.  The shoulder is getting stronger each week.

Next month we will start a new year for the Relay for Life.  Please check the blog for details on the event or if you would like to receive the Team Elisa emails, please send me your email address.

Thanks again for all your support and prayers.

Update 7/19/2012

As you can see from the picture below - we had a great time in Florida camping with our very close friends at Top Sail Hill - Santa Rosa beach. Special thanks to Eric Holstein for taking our family picture on the beach. Elisa is doing good since the last update. We have been staying busy this summer with family and friends. She has felt good and is staying active. This week, the Doctor changed Elisa's chemo regimen. She started yesterday (7/18) taking a new oral chemo medication. Hopefully the side effects will be minimal for Elisa. This new medication has the potential for some rough side effects. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers while she is taking this new chemo medication. During our Florida trip, Elisa was experiencing some extensive liver pain. The doctor order another CAT scan of the liver. The scan revealed the tumors in the liver are shrinking. This is very good news. Elisa is remaining strong and determine to beat this!

Elisa at Santa Rosa Beach Florida June 2012.

6/11/2012 Update

It has been a few weeks since I updated the blog. Elisa is doing fine with chemo and her shoulder. Her shoulder is healing nicely. She is able to do a little more each day with her shoulder. She has an appointment with her orthopedic doctor this Wednesday. Hopefully the doctor will clear Elisa to start physical therapy when we get back from Florida. We are looking forward to our Florida camping trip - a week of fun in the sun.

05/22/2012 Update

It has been a while since I last updated the blog.  Sorry about that, but we have been very busy over the past month.  On April 27th, we participated in our first Relay for Life event (Team Elisa) at the Coweta County fairgrounds.  We had a great time!  It was wonderful having our family and friends supporting Elisa and other survivors during the event as you can see from the pictures and video below.  At the end of the event, Elisa tripped and fell on her left shoulder.  My mother took her to Fayette Community Hospital to have her arm and shoulder x-ray.  She did crack the bone just below the ball of the shoulder. 

Over the past several weeks, Elisa’s shoulder has been improving.  She is slowly beginning to do more with her shoulder.  Hopefully in the next few weeks she can take off the sling and start physical therapy.  Her oncologist did order a bone density scan to make sure the chemo was not making her bones brittle.  The results from the scan came back OK. 

Special thanks to Elisa’s mom (Pat Price) for taking and picking up Elisa at work over the past several weeks.

Elisa’s chemo treatment is going well.  She remains strong and determined.

Relay for Life 2012 - here is a video my sister (Darlene Bishop) put together .
Click here - Team Elisa

Elisa at the Coweta County Relay for Life event 4/27/2012.  Team Elisa.

Elisa and Alan at treatment on 4/25/2012

04/18/2012 Update

Elisa had a great time at Panama City beach over this past weekend. Special thanks to Chris Price and Nana (Pat Price) for giving us this trip to the beach. Elisa enjoyed her time on the beach.

On 4/16/2012 Elisa did not receive her chemo treatment because her low platelet count. The Doctor has rescheduled her chemo treatment for next week. Elisa is staying busy. We are camping at Chattahoochee Bend state park over the weekend with members of our camping group if the weather will cooperate with us. Then the next weekend, we are participating in the Coweta County Relay for Life event.

Remember to come out to the Coweta County Relay for Life event on April 27th to support Elisa and other survivors. Please click the American Cancer Society Relay for Life logo to visit our team site and to make a donation.

4/10/2012 Update

On April 2nd Elisa completed her 9th treatment of chemo. She did get her results from the latest CAT scan. The scan revealed the size of the tumors in the liver are reducing. The doctor is very pleased in her treatment. Elisa remains strong and her energy level is better after the last blood transfusion. Elisa is looking forward to a mini vacation this week. We are heading to Panama City beach for a few days in the sun. Just a few days of doing nothing other than placing our feet in the sand.

Remember to come out to the Coweta County Relay for Life event on April 27th to support Elisa and other survivors. Please click the American Cancer Society Relay for Life logo to visit our team site and to make a donation.

3/27/2012 Update

Sorry it has been awhile since I posted the last update. With the warmer weather and now being able to spend more time outside, it has been hard to get on a computer. Elisa had chemo on 3/19/12. Everything went great. She also had another blood transfusion on 3/21/12. To top off the week, we were able to go camping. We went down to West Point for weekend. We had a great time with several of our closest friends. Elisa's energy level is getting better since the transfusion. She remains strong and is looking forward to the Coweta County Relay for Life event on April 27th. Please click the American Cancer Society Relay for Life logo to visit our team site and to make a donation.

3/5/2012 Update

Everything went well during chemo treatment this week.  Elisa's energy level remains high since the transfusion a few weeks ago. 

She also received some more great news this afternoon.  The tumor markers have dropped to 378.

Coweta County Relay for Life

Please visit the "Team Elisa" Relay for Life team page.  The Coweta County Relay for Life event is April 27-28, 2012 at the Coweta County Fairgrounds.  We are recruiting for Team members to walk during the relay or for sponsors for our walkers.  If you would like to walk during the Relay - please let us know or if you would like to make a donation to help Team Elisa meet their goal for the American Cancer Society, please visit the Team Elisa team page.

Thank you.

Dress in Blue Day - 3/2/2012

Remember Friday, March 2nd is "Dress in Blue Day". Wear blue to raise awareness about Colon Cancer. Wearing blue on this day will celebrate the courage of those affected by this terrible disease. Together we can work toward a future free of colon cancer.

2/22/12 Update

Elisa is feeling better each day since the transfusion.  Her strength and energy level increases every day.  She did have chemo his morning.  The doctor told Elisa this morning, her tumor markers have dropped from 2,400 to 700.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers - keep it going - it's WORKING!

2/16/2012 - Blood Transfusion

Elisa had a blood transfusion this afternoon. Everything went very well. Hopefully in a few days Elisa will regain her strength and energy.

Update - 2/15/2012

Elisa wasn't able to get her chemo treatment today - her blood levels were too low.  Specifically her white blood cell count  - is dangerously low which is common side effect of chemo.  The doctor did prescribed a antibiotic to reduce her chances of getting an infection until her white blood cell count rises to normal levels. 

Elisa has a blood transfusion scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.  Hopefully this will boost her white blood cell count and restore her energy level.  She is scheduled for another chemo treatment next week.

Week 2/5-2/12

Elisa had another good week until Saturday night. Saturday night she experienced severe pain in her liver. Hopefully this will only last a few days like it has in the past. Elisa did have a few days this week with a very slight temperature but nothing like it was a few weeks ago. Her strength and spirits remains high. Elisa has chemo treatment on Wednesday.

Week 1/29-2/4, 2012

Elisa had a great week. Elisa had chemo on Monday. Worked from home on Tuesday & Wednesday and she went to the office Thursday and Friday. For the first time in awhile - Elisa did not experience any pain or fever this week. Her energy level and appetite were back to normal. Let's hope next week brings the same.

1/30/12 Chemo & CAT Scan results

Elisa had another round of chemo today.  Everything went great during treatment.  We met with the Doctor this morning to go over the CAT scan results.  The results did indicate some reduction of the tumors in the liver and other areas in the body.  Based on the tumor marker tests and now the CAT scan - Elisa continues to respond to the treatment.  So we must keep our faith, keep our spirits high and pray for a cure.  Most important - continue to fight this disease.

We met a gentleman this morning in the waiting room.  He told us his story.  He has the same type of cancer that Elisa's has.  He has just finished with chemo and is awaiting surgery to remove the tumor in the liver next month.  It was great to spoke with someone that has beaten this horrible disease and is a survivor. 

 

Also Elisa got some great news on Tuesday from the Nurse Robyn – Elisa’s tumor marker test results dropped to 2,000 from 8,000.

Week 1/22-1/28, 2012

Elisa started this week with severe pain in her liver.  She did tell me, this pain was more intense than last week.  She also started experiencing another possible side effect this week- Elisa has had a low grade fever every day this week.  Her temperature ranges from 99-100.  We did contact her doctor when the fever started to ensure she did not have an infection.  She is able to control the fever with Tylenol.  With the fever – she felt “blah” all week.  Hopefully the fever will stabilize and return to normal soon.  As we all know, a fever will drain you all of your energy.   We found out at her last doctor visit, her white blood cell count is reducing which is normal during chemo.  This is one of the side effects of chemo.  Chemo destroys cells good and bad so we should have a better understanding what her white blood cell count when we meet with the Doctor tomorrow before chemo.  Hopefully her body continues to make white blood cells so they will not have to change her chemo regime.

Elisa had a CAT scan on Wednesday.  Hopefully we will get some good news tomorrow when we meet with the Doctor before chemo treatment. 

Elisa had a great time at Amber’s birthday party on Sunday at Jump2It in Peachtree City.  Watching Amber and all her friends play on the huge inflatables and later watching Amber tear open all of her birthday gifts.

Week 1/15-1/21, 2012

Elisa completed chemo treatment on Monday and everything went smoothly. Elisa’s mom (Nana) was with Elisa during her chemo treatment.  I am very thankful to have the help of family and friends during Elisa’s chemo treatments.  Thank you again!

Thank goodness she has not experienced any of the severe side effects from the chemo.  The only thing that really bothers her is sensitivity to the cold and this cold weather is not helping.  The pain in her side is slowly beginning to get better each week.  Hopefully this will go away soon.  I know Elisa is tired of this pain in her side (which it is not due to me J).  Elisa went to work on Thursday and Friday.

Elisa has a CAT scan scheduled for next Wednesday.  Please keep her in your prayers and keep your fingers crossed that the test results reveal the tumors are reducing.  I will post something as soon as we get the results.

Elisa is looking forward to her niece Amber 6^th birthday party on Sunday.

Week 1/8-1/13, 2012

Elisa had a good week. The pain in her side is slowly beginning to subside and is improving.
She is feeling better with each day. Her strength and spirit continue to strengthen. Elisa will have chemno treatment on Monday.

Tumor Marker Test Results - 1/5/2012

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

This morning Elisa got a call from Robyn (one of her Infusion Nurses).  The Doctor wanted Robyn to call Elisa right away to give her the news.

For the past week, Elisa has experienced some severe pain in the area of the liver.  On 1/3/2012 she met with the Doctor to determine the cause of the pain in the liver.  The Doctor ordered another tumor maker blood test to determine if Elisa is responding to treatment.  Oncologists use tumor marker tests to monitor cancer and to measure the progress during treatment.  If she is responding to the treatment, then the probable cause of pain in the liver is the cancer dying off and slightly irritating the liver.

 Tumor Marker baseline level – 16,702 (Nov. 2011)

1/3/12 Tumor Marker test result – 8,473

 Elisa is responding to treatment!

Chemo 1/4/2012

Elisa and her Sister in law Darlene Bishop.  Chemo went good today.  Thank You Darlene.

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we had a wonderful Christmas, we had our family and friends over throughout the day. It was great! Terry, Alan and I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year! I know that in 2012 I will beat this awful diease!! I also want to thank each of you for your prayers and encouragement, it really means a lot to me.

Elisa Update - 12/24/11

This week Elisa has been in moderate/severe pain on her right side.  Unfortunately this was caused on 11/28/11 during Elisa’s first chemo treatment; there was a malfunction with the infusion port.  The needle inserted into the port worked itself out somehow during treatment and caused extravasation of the chemo drug Oxaliplatin into the surrounding tissue.  Since this, Elisa has experienced moderate to severe pain in her right side from inflamed tissue caused by the drug.  Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to reduce the inflammation except for time which could take several months for the drug to work itself out of the tissue.  But she is working through the pain and not allowing it to bring her down.

Good news: Elisa has not experienced any bad side effects from the Chemo.  The only side effects she has experienced is changes in her taste and some neuropathy.  Her spirits remain high and is looking forward to spending time with her family and friends during Christmas.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.  Elisa, Alan and I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Terry

Elisa at treatment

12/19/11 Chemo treatment

Today was chemo treatment #3. Everything went great during treatment.

Over the weekend, Elisa started to experience some swelling in her legs. So the Doctor ordered a venous doppler study of her left leg to check for blood clots which is common for chemo and cancer patients. The doppler study did not locate any blood clots. Elisa is doing great after treatment this evening. She is beginning to experience some changes in her taste and neuropathy in her hands/feet.

Welcome

Welcome to Elisa's blog. This blog was started so Elisa could keep friends and family up to date during her treatment and progress. She looks forward to hearing from her friends and family during her fight of cancer.

There will be times when either Elisa or I will post updates.

TB