I’ve been keeping a secret… I was discharged Monday! I’ve just been enjoying my little family and resting as much as possible. Tomorrow, my little hideaway ends with going back inpatient. Ugh! Three days was just not enough, but it definitely recharged my mental health energy. Mental health days are imperative to an overall healthy human. Make sure you take days for yourself and refresh your inner being.
You have never heard me say this and likely never will again… I’m ready to get this inpatient stay started. This will start round two of this experimental chemotherapy regiment. It will be at half the dose as the previous cycle. Why are we doing the same chemo at half the dosage? Because the first cycle worked! And now we’re just trying to get me into durable remission so that I can go to transplant!
The first cycle of this experimental chemotherapy regiment effectively removed all the leukemia from my marrow. NO EVIDENCE OF DESEASE! That’s from two bone marrow samples now. I’m feeling greatly blessed and want you all to celebrate this huge turning point in my treatment. God is good!
Let’s celebrate but remain vigilant in praying, because the hard part is coming next. While half doses sound easier it’s mentally a real challenge. If this half dose treatment doesn’t keep me in remission, we are back to square one. I don’t want to be back there. Please pray this cycle keeps me in remission.
Once this cycle is about two and a half weeks in, we will be starting radiation to those pesky lymph nodes in my neck. Remember, the PET scan showed decreased activity, but not zero activity. This radiation will hopefully eradicate the remaining activity of the lymphoma.
With the bone marrow showing NED, and the lymph nodes radiated, we are hoping this will be enough to get me into transplant! Bone Marrow Transplant is my only hope for a cure and any kind of normal life expectancy. Please pray that things go as planned, with no secondary infections or complications, and I get to transplant.
Transplant is going to be hard y’all. I’ll share more about that process and the expected side effects once we get there. For now, just pray we get there and it goes smoothly.
Tomorrow is another day 1. (Hey Amazon peeps I see you. “It’s still day 1!”) Another day to wake up and embrace the next phase of this healthcare crisis. Another day to have a giant Q-tip shoved into the back of my nasal passage. (Thanks COVID.) Another day to hug and kiss my loved ones. Another day of chemotherapy.
Please also pray for my PIC line placement tomorrow. I’m a bit anxious about it, even though it’s done without sedation. They’ve told me that it is a bed side procedure. It sounds so scary to me! This is the access they are placing to replace my port which was removed after my sepsis episode.
Thanks for reading this far and celebrating with me, but I hope you don’t stop there. Please continue to pray, it’s about to get hard, and I really need you!
~Elizabeth
Let There be Fight 
Dear Elizabeth. We are so glad that you got to have some “secret” time with your sweet little family; and that this recent chemotherapy has had such a positive result. We pray that your PIC line procedure goes well and that the half-dose chemotherapy goes well without undesirable side effects. We continue to pray for a complete recovery.
We love you, and are proud of your fine efforts! 😘 ~ Aunt Janet &Uncle Jimmy
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have never heard of a person who is so strong… strong and positive thinking. You got this. Your 2nd cousin, Sharon
Oh Elizabeth, I do celebrate with you that you were able to come home even if it was only three days to spend it with your precious family. I definitely pray for the replacement of your PIC line that it goes smoothly and you will be peaceful about it. Pray for you daily and for all the upcoming treatments with the experimental chemo and radiation and possibly down the road the transplant. Stay strong, God is on your side we all love you and want to see you back home well and with your precious family. ❤️💐🙏😊
I’m thankful that you got to go home and be with your family Elizabeth. A break well needed!
I celebrate with you and of course with caution. However, the prayers are working and I look forward to a BIGGER celebration to come! I will continue to pray for you and all areas that you need sweetie. It’s an honor.
Thanks for sharing your progress. I always like to know how prayers are working,
Big, Big Hugs!
Angie D.
I have faith in the God our Lord Jesus Christ that he will heal you and keep stronger than you have ever been while you through the toughest thing for body to fight. Prayers going up for you and your family. We love you all. So glad you had that time together it helps you remember what you are fighting for.
always need secret time. Praying for all parts of therapy. I know whats ahead, stay strong my friend. God’s got this.
Karen
Elizabeth,
You are in our constant prayers. This report sounds very positive and we are praying for 100% success in keeping you NED with the 1/2 dose chemo. Praying that the radiation will also control the lymphoma. Wishing you relaxation and painless procedures for the PIC line placement and peace of mind and strength to endure. God will carry you through this and the transplant is just ahead. Know that we are on your team and ready to help with meals or in any way we can. Let us know how! Love you dear friend! Praying for Michael and Ryan too!
Love,
Don and Ruth Owsley
Dear Elizabeth it was a blessing to hear that you had some precious time with your Michael and Ryan.
As I am writing this to you I am listening to the hymn “Great is thy faithfulness “ .God’s Word and His promises give us strength and encouragement. To begin each day a new. God is faithful..
my husband plays golf with a physician Who had a bone marrow transplant Many years ago ..and he is alive and well … that is what I am praying ,trusting and
Believing for you my friend.
This is definitely a rough spot for you but You and your family are over comers. … with Christ, you will overcome the Shackles that have bound you for so long.
We love you In our prayers follow you every day
believing for you
Thank you for sharing where you are on today’s first day journey. Watching and praying sister! Thank you for finding joy and thanks in things many overlook. It is an encouragement and challenge to me.