A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words. . .

Post It

Do you have a face? Are you literate? If you are reading this, I'm guessing you've answered yes to both. So join us in posting personal messages to Liz!

Write a note.

Snap a photo.

Email it to us at lizsgirls@gmail.com

*****and we will post it here!******

Maybe it's just a word of encouragement. Maybe it's a memory. Maybe it's an inside joke. No matter what it is, Liz would love to see you and could certainly use your good wishes as she embarks on her chemo journey this week.

Here's hoping your photo session goes better than ours. . .(what is WRONG with my children???).




Looking forward to seeing you. . .

They're Back!

Paige and Erin serving up loads of carbs, Thanksgiving 2009.

So The Last Time. . .

us two sisters were together in California sitting at Mom's hospital bedside following her surgery, we got a little bored. So as Mom took a much-needed snooze, we decided to take an on-line career-aptitude test in an effort to amuse ourselves (which, frankly doesn't take much as we are the funniest people we know).

Paige was told she was perfectly suited for a career in criminal justice (good thing since that is what she does...) and Erin was told in no uncertain terms that she should avoid any career in which she is required to help people (fortunately, she has devoted her life to caring, teaching and nurturing her three children).

So by all means these two should be flying to Livermore to be Liz's first chemo-buddies! I mean, who better to shepherd our favorite Cancer patient through these wicked treatments than someone who sends people to prison for a living and her sister who should avoid any type of career that requires caring? Liz has every reason to be a little worried....

Liz heads to chemo orientation on Tuesday with treatment beginning in earnest on Wednesday. Erin will get to California this weekend and be there for those first appointments. Paige flies in the following Friday and will hang out during the second administration of Cancer-killing poison on that next Tuesday. We hope to squeeze in some shopping and eating in between doctor visits. No career-aptitude test would dare say we should avoid that!

Liz had her "port" placed just under her skin below her collar bone on Tuesday. It's cool and creepy all at the same time. Despite the fact that this was a minor surgical procedure, she is feeling good now and ready to get going! She had a surprise visit from her favorite surgeon, Dr. Fuchshuber, who told her she has angels on her shoulder. We think he saw all of you...cheering her on, pushing her forward, lifting her up. Go you!

We may not have an aptitude for "nursing" in the traditional sense, but we do have an aptitude for hanging out with our favorite people on the planet...each other....and the woman who made us everything we are. Whether she likes it or not. There is no on-line test that can measure that...

The More Things Change. . .

The More They Stay the Same. . .

And there's been a lot of change for Liz lately. And if change is the norm nowadays, then there is really nothing that has changed about that. Are you following me here?

Liz's body scan revealed a tumor in her Liver. That changes her treatment plan.

Radiation is now no longer an option. That changes her next step to chemotherapy administered in liquid form. She goes in this week to insert a port which will make this treatment easier.

Chemotherapy is set to begin on February 1st. That changes how often she will make the drive into Walnut Creek. She will now go on Mondays for two weeks in a row, followed by a third week off. This schedule will continue until around Memorial day.

Chemotherapy can have some wicked side effects. That changes the drugs she takes to stave off that possibility and magically changes the pharmacist into her new BFF.

What hasn't changed is the resolve Liz has to fight this thing. What hasn't changed is the love and support she has from people like you. What hasn't changed is the fact that she continues to need your prayers, your strength, your broad shoulders. What hasn't changed is the belief that the Lord will only challenge us with that which we can handle.

Maybe things haven't changed that much after all. . .

Jared Changes into Thirty Years Old

Cancer Haiku

Cancer go away
My sand is not yet empty
Life is still a BEACH!

Liz and Mark on the beach at Monterey, CA January 2010.

Scan Me.

Liz had her full-body scan yesterday. Nothing like trying to sit still while strangers take pictures of your insides...especially when you are not particularly good at sitting still at all. Ever.

Results are expected in a few days. We're ready for some good news. If no cancer is detected anywhere but the abdominal area, radiation (accompanied by an oral chemo-pill) is set to begin the first week in February. Her oncologist has her set up with medications to control any side-effects and her new inked-up stomach is ready to be zapped.

She is really feeling very good...too good to believe that all this fuss is even necessary. But alas, she knows there is a plan for her. Liz has never shied away from a challege (remember how crazy we all thought she was when she married Mark???). This is no different. There are beaches waiting....

TatWho???

Liz is Gettin' Inked Up!

That's right. Call it rebellion. Call it a wild hair. Call it...radiation, but Liz is getting tattooed tomorrow to aid in the radiation process. Tattoos are so hip nowadays, so why not? She's thinking she'll get a large rose wrapped around a Harley. Or how 'bout a Pegasus flying over billowing clouds and a rainbow? Or perhaps a sweet heart with {Mark} inscribed on the inside?

Or, maybe that's not quite what they mean. What they do mean is that radiation is most likely on the horizon and the marking of her skin will ensure she receives treatment in the same place every time.

Radiation is only an option, however, if we confirm that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Liz will have a full-body scan next week to check that out and if she's clear, it's full speed ahead to the radiation (accompanied by an oral-chemo).

She really liked her oncologist and has confidence in his plan for her (even if that plan is to pump her full of poison). If radiation is not an option, she will move directly to full body chemotherapy administered via a port that she will have placed to make the process easier. Radiation could last anywhere between 5 to 8 weeks for 5 times a week. The side effects are most likely minimal but the goal is lofty...to shrink whatever cancer is left to invade her organs.

We're praying that her body can tolerate whatever is next. We could use your help with that.

Maybe that tattoo should read {Fighter}. Or {Hope}...

A-T-T-A-C-K

Attack, Attack, Attack.

You know that cheer! It's our new motto. And we mean it.

Liz met with her oncologist yesterday and the game is on! While she is still not feeling 100% herself yet, she is ready for this new challenge.

We now know that what began as gall bladder cancer has spread to other organs which means that solely removing the affected areas is not enough. Liz must aggressively go after that evil invader with some radiation and chemotherapy. Her oncologist gave her lots of good information and details about what she can expect.

And she can expect a battle. Her doctor will be presenting her case to the "Tumor Board" (doesn't that sound like a hoot? wonder what you've got to do to get yourself a seat at that table??) on Friday. After staffing her case with other experts in the field, her doctor will have a better idea whether they will start with radiation coupled with an oral chemotherapy or proceed straight to full-body chemotherapy. Either way, she can look forward to more poking and prodding, including the placement of a "port" to assist in the administration of the drugs. A consult regarding that will occur next week. Can we get a "port" to administer other things? Like chocolate? I could use one of those!

She is covering all her bases and seeking a second opinion at UCSF to insure that her plan of attack is the best option. She will meet with her oncologist again on January 21st at which point we hope to have made the best decision possible to move forward.

We are praying that her body (which is really looking fantastic these days by the way...it's amazing how good one looks when she is not GREEN!) is strong enough to tolerate what's coming at it. If she can handle these drugs, then these drugs can tackle that cancer! She needs to stay strong, stay healthy, and fight back.

We are all so grateful for your continued strength and support. Her battle is made easier through your prayers, your faith, your love, your line of defense. She has an army to fight this with her thanks to you! Keep cheering her on! Attack, Attack, Attack!

Out With the Old. . .

Liz pulling an all-nighter with party-boys Carter and Aidan

What Did You Do On New Years?

Liz had a rager. Complete with wild bachelors dancing around in their PJs until all hours of the night, drinking themselves into (sugar)comas, and waking the neighbors with their maniacal hollering in the streets. Partying with the grandkids is not for the faint of heart...or in Liz's case, the faint of intestines.

Those intestines are recovering at what can only be considered a miraculous rate. She really feels great as evidenced by her day trips to her favorite haunts and shopping malls. No, that was not an apparition when you thought you saw her at Target. She was really there with Erin and grandkids in tow looking for those adorable Pottery Barn knock-offs. Who can resist a good post-holiday blow-out sale? If you do see her, you will be amazed at how healthy she looks. At this rate, she will make gall bladder surgery all the rage in 2010! Didn't you hear? All the cool kids are doing it.

She is ready to meet her new BFF this week: The oncologist. Her first appointment with him is on Wednesday and we are anxious to learn of all her options. She expects to get lots of information about radiation and chemotherapy. We expect that it is only a matter of time before we all get totally freaked out by how well she handles this next stage too. Bring it on 2010!