It was one month ago today that I was diagnosed with cancer. Some days it seems like it was yesterday and others it feels like I have been on this journey for months. Since starting this blog, I have felt securely wrapped in your prayers and positive thoughts. I have grasped that no one fights alone and that #TeamEliza is more than a hashtag; it’s my army for this battle.
Here is the latest:
Port procedure: On April 11th, I had my medi-port procedure to place a port under my right collarbone. This is how I will receive chemotherapy, lab work, and anything else that would require multiple needle sticks. One of the chemotherapy treatments I am on is too strong to go through any of my veins so this port is the safe alternative. It will also eliminate the risk of infection and it’s a one-time stick instead of repeatedly using my arm veins. Writing the positives about the port is a BIG STEP for me. We were not friends when this was first placed inside of me. I had a major fear of the entire concept and couldn’t wrap my head around a needle going into my chest. Out of all things to panic over, I didn’t think this would be it… but oh boy was it. However, I’m happy to report we have become better friends. Through the help of my friend, Mallory, who is an excellent nurse in Atlanta, we facetimed and did a “mock session” of her accessing my port and relieved a lot of my fears. The real test will be Wednesday morning and I am more than ready.
First chemotherapy session: After my port procedure I went straight to my first chemotherapy session. It is not recommended because it’s a long day but I wanted to start killing cancer the minute I was able. I am on three chemotherapy drugs. The first one drips for 90 minutes and I handled it very well (thanks to all of your prayers… and Dwight Schrute from The Office on my ipad). The second one is a little more difficult. The side effects are more intense with nausea, dizziness, slurred speech and foaming at the mouth (very attractive), but thankfully it’s only during the drip, which is 30 minutes. My third chemotherapy drips for 72 hours. Yes, you read that correct… 72 hours. I leave the hospital with a fanny pack full of chemo that drips into my port for three days. Thank God fanny packs are coming back into style! The side effects of the three-day drip are uncomfortable but manageable thanks to last week’s caretakers Tindal, Kelly and my amazing mom. After the three days I go back to MSK to disconnect from the fanny pack and receive any immune boosters that I need. Last week, I needed a shot to increase my white blood cell count. Shoutout to my little brother for letting me squeeze his hand (hard) throughout the entire process. The side effects of that shot might be my least favorite part of the process. It pulls healthy bone marrow from your toughest bones (think femur, pelvic and ribs), which causes horrible bone pain. I felt like Nancy Kerrigan on repeat. Silver lining: I only have to receive this shot when my white blood cell levels are low, so please pray that my immune system kicks in and it will not be a weekly shot.
First meeting with my oncology surgeon: Last week I met with my oncology surgeon, we will name him Dr. Steph Curry. He was very straight forward, but I respected his approach and he gained my family’s trust through his manner. He spent over an hour not only discussing my disease, but also learning about me as a person. He was excellent at answering any questions we had (surgical and non-surgically related). The game plan for now is that after four months of chemo we will sit down with my medical oncologist (Dr. Wayne Gretzky), as well as this surgeon to establish the best course of action. The two options will be another round of chemotherapy or to move ahead with surgery. Dr. Curry said the surgery would be as extensive as it needs to be to remove all the cancer, while doing his best to ensure I live a normal life. I could have taken his answer two ways: with fear or with hope. I’m choosing hope, because it is the only force stronger than fear and because I truly believe cancer is a chapter, but not my story.
Ascites: I am continuing to have ascites, a fancy medical word for fluid in my stomach. It’s one of the gross symptoms of any GI cancer. Thankfully, I am able to have it drained whenever I am feeling uncomfortable and it’s minimally invasive. Last week they drained 16 pounds of fluid off of my stomach… again. Yes, pretty uncomfortable but then instant relief! This really helps manage the backaches and makes it easier to get up and move around to keep my blood pumping. Once the chemotherapy really gets in and starts attacking those cancer cells (usually 3-4 treatments) the ascites should start to diminish on its own.
Visitors: The past week I had the most special visitors. First, the Wellborns (my Godmother and God sister) came to visit and help with my ascites procedure. Then, this past weekend Kayla and Trace (the bride and groom whose wedding I missed) came to visit along with all of our closest friends. The timing could not have been better. The Lord had blessed me with three great days in a row while they were in town. My white blood cell count being too low to go out to restaurants/public areas and me being weak did not keep us down. We had a “Toast to Eliza” for brunch because I am on a dry toast and clear liquid diet right now. Lastly, we had a special night in, which I dressed in real clothes and brushed my hair for the first time in a month. I even felt well enough to get up and dance to Glory Days with my mom.
What’s next: Wednesday I go back to MSK for my second round of chemotherapy. I will also meet with Dr. Wayne Gretzky to discuss adding food back into my diet… you have no idea how excited I am about that conversation!
Final thoughts: Throughout this past month, I have come to appreciate I am going to have really great days and pretty low times. This past weekend with my friends showed me to truly embrace the good days with good people… and that pedialyte and ginger ale taste much better out of a wine glass. I also realize that on my bad days, not being ok is ok. It’s not giving up, it’s your body beating cancer and you becoming stronger.
Specific prayer requests: For my white blood cell count to stabilize, for the ascites to diminish with the chemotherapy and for my small intestine and colon to be healthy. “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2
~Eliza
TEAM ELIZA 
Eliza, thank you so much for sharing your journey, complete with highs and lows, with all of us. God bless you, sweet girl. We are praying for you and pulling for you every single step of the way. XOXO The Sieberts
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Dear Eliza, enjoyed reading your blog. I am so impressed with your positive outlook and pray for you daily that God answers all your requests. Please know that there are so many people pulling for you as you walk this journey. It upsets me that you have to do it all, but I guess these things are out of our control and what we do control is how we handle it. You are the epitome of grace under your circumstances. If I can do anything for you or your family, please let me know. You got this!!!
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Good morning Eliza! I have had you in my prayers! I will continue to pray for strength and your White Blood cells to stabilize!! You can do ALL THINGS threw Jesus Christ!!! Stay strong and positive!
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Wow. I love reading this blog Eliza. You are such an inspiration and have amazing strength. Please know your friends in Gainesville are praying for you daily. I will think about you tomorrow as you begin your second round and pray for minimal side effects. You got this girl. Give your sweet mom a hug from me. Xoxo Kelly Robinson
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Praying daily Eliza, stay strong. Love you.
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You are on your way! That picture of you and your Mom❤️ SHEroes both of you. Fight on – we are praying and sending all our love.🙏
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Praying for all of you every day! Your attitude is amazing and we know you’ve got this!🙏🏼💖🙏🏼
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Prayers that your immune system takes the lead…and good-bye Ascites….Always in my prayers. You got this!!
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Who says you’re not a writer?! Beautiful post from a beautiful girl. Specific prayers life’s up for you. All my love, MamaC
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Each day brings you closer to closing this chapter! Prayers that the ascites are no more, overall GI health and much comfort.
Keep dancing, Eliza!!! We love you.
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First Treatment on the ROAD TO ALL WELL!!! you are a warrior and we are all with you!!! Prayers for you and For MOM. Love you bunches!!! 😀
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All of Austin,TX has you in it’s prayers!! You’re such a bada$$ warrior!! We love you!!
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Sweet girl, you are in my prayers every single night…and sometimes randomly during the day. I felt the same way you did after my port/my appendage was put in – it’s such an odd thing to have that foreign object right under your skin where you can see it. BUT, you’ll learn to appreciate it for those chemo sessions. You won’t have to worry about your arm veins collapsing, and no stick pain. Your faith, strength, positive outlook and sense of humor are allowing you to handle this with such grace, Eliza. You’re a rockstar! I’m praying for strong white cell counts and no more ascites!!
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Praying specific prayers sweet girl !
Miss you , ready to come back !!!! Hugs to you and your Mama ! ! XOXO
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Praying specific prayers sweet girl!
Miss you , ready to come back ! ( with a bake potato ) Hugs to you and your Mama ! XOXO
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TEAM ELIZA slaying cancer one brave step at a time!! We love you❤️❤️❤️
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You are amazing, so positive and strong! You will beat this! Much love and daily prayers!
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Your fortitude and unwavering faith in God is inspirational. All my prayers are with you as you head in for round two tomorrow. Cancer might be getting some idea as to who it’s messing with… and I’m certain it’s shaking with fear! You are FEARCE and beautiful. Inside and out Eliza.
I love you! Xoxo
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Love and prayers for you Eliza!! Your words convey such amazing courage and strength. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is something you have discovered at only 25. We are #TeamEliza!!
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Atta girl! 💪🏼 Your army remains by your side; while you’re receiving treatments and while you’re dancing! 🙏🏻 We love you, EP! ❤️
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Eliza, I completely understand your fighting the port……. One of the happiest days is the day that it is removed. But I’m glad that you’ve realized how helpful it is to avoid being stuck for the 17th time this week because your veins have collapsed elsewhere. Keep posting as you feel up to it. Every time you post (on the blog, on Instagram, etc) it gives all of your support team the opportunity to offer greetings and words of support. It’s so uplifting to read those words from those who are thinking of you, praying for you, reading about you. Go back and read the cards and wishes from others when you are feeling low. Sleep all you can because that’s when you feel most comfortable. Take advantage of those days that you feel good and celebrate them. I love that you’re celebrating drinking your pedialyte from a wine glass! That’s the spirit! Just remember Kimmie Schmitt – you can turn that handle for one more minute. You can do it! Just get through this minute – this hour – this day. You can do anything today! Fight, fight, fight!
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Eliza, I am Praying for your specific prayer requests, and for you to be strong and courageous. God goes with you every step of the way and he promises to never leave or forsake you. Lou
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I do not know you but I know your grandparents…they are amazing and I can see you have their strength, positive attitude, beauty, and courage. Prayers and peace.
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Eliza, I worked with your dad at GE for many years and we would often share stories about our kids ( mine are 25 and 23.) He is so proud of you and I now have an even better understanding of why, having read your blog. Your faith and courage are amazing and will sustain you through this challenge. Please know you have an enormous number of people who are pulling for you and sending strong, positive thoughts your way. Thinking of you tonight …
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Loving your amazing outlook and strength in this hiccup along life’s journey. Your blog is beautifully written and makes us all feel a part of this battle. It takes any army and you have a big one praying and pulling for you everyday. sending love and hugs to you and Mama Bear🙏❤️
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Hey sweet Eliza! You are such an inspiration! You don’t know me, but I was your Aunt Jane’s roommate in college and I love your Mama. I just wanted you to know that I am on your team and am praying for you. I am a missionary and have seen God do miracles all over the world. We serve a mighty God- He created the heavens and the earth and NOTHING is too difficult for Him. He has RECKLESS LOVE for you (check out that song on iTunes if you don’t know it yet!!) I just wanted to say hello and to encourage you to fight the good fight- of FAITH- it is really the only fight we are required to fight. Love you!
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Eliza,
Continuing to lift you and TeamEliza in my prayers. You truly are an inspiration and I appreciate your perspective to celebrate the gifts of this chapter in your life and find the joy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and allowing us to support.
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Eliza, I love getting to know you via your posts. You are courageous, strong, beautiful, human, and loved by very many. I am praying for your specific requests as well as for your family and friends. Like many others, I know you only through a friend of a friend of your sweet mom’s. But there is an army of us out here offering up support and love every day. In the hardest hours let yourself be carried on wings of love. Ruthann
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Eliza, you are truly an inspiration to all who love you! We are remembering you daily and praying that your body will soon begin to kick this disease and let you enjoy life to the fullest.Love to you, your mom and dad, and Thomas.
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Eliza, I am praying hard for you and on your specific request, I am adding for you extra prayers thrown in for good measure. I am so happy for you that you don’t have to get a lot of sticks that would be bad for you and me in your stead I don’t like to be stuck either. (lol) I feel as if I know you better every time I read one of your blogs it gives me better insight into how you think and how you feel about everything. Well, my new friend Eliza please hang in there and I look forward to reading your next instalment of what is happening soon. Tell then may God be with you and keep you safe and secure in your faith, your friends handy, your doctors strong and smart and keep your family sane and peaceful. Kat ❤
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Keep writing your story, girl. Eliza, you are an incredible woman proving that you can do unthinkable things. Stay strong and light when you can and when you can’t remember your tribe is with you watching and praying from all corners. Thinking about you often and sending lots of love from Denver! Kristen
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Think of you every day, Eliza, but for some reason extra this morning at the office! Miss you and sending you positive vibes and energy and sending lots of prayers up for you too – I really hope and pray that your painful bone marrow shots are not necessary for much longer, and that the chemo treatments kick butt on your tumor! Much much much love from everyone here – we all miss you and think of you so much!
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Precious Eliza, We are in awe of your strength and faith ! You are so full of life! We know you will slay this monster. All are praying for you at St Thomas Anglican Church in Alto Ga. Keep that beautiful smile lighting up your blog. Much love , Lou , Dave and Lillie (classmate of Thomas’ at LKV) Evans
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Eliza, seems like you are always on my mind. I’m praying as are so many others, and I know God will give you and your family the strength to fight this battle. I love reading your posts. They are inspiring and uplifting – you encourage others to fight their battles by sharing your own. Just know we are all thinking of you, praying for you, fighting with you and sending lots and lots of love! So from Loree Anne, Darby and me —-keep going girl – you got this!
Jennifer Darby Stancill
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You don’t know me but I heard about your story from a fellow survivor. I’m going through treatment as well now and just want to tell I’ll be praying for you every day! You’ve got this and more importantly, God’s got YOU! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Phil 4:13.
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