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