Author: eliswift4

       Some pretty major things have been going on with me since returning from our little jaunt down south.  I wanted to write a nice, upbeat post all about the glories of the Chilean lake district, but sadly, news relating to cancer trumps witty banter surrounding the differences between American highway rest stops and Chilean…

Well since I haven´t yet discovered the meaning of life or had any more definitive medical news regarding my treatment, I am going to dedicate my next blogs to discussing, not cancer entirely, but life.  And in particular, my favorite part about life…. the reason that any sane person would embark on a teaching career:…

Well…. I promise to write more once the news has sunk in.  I´m feeling a bit stunned, a little bit in shock, and not really sure how to react.  (Except with happiness, obviously.)  The Pet Scan came back and showed that the lesions in the lungs and liver are no longer there.  The original tumor…

Well, don´t go popping any champagne bottles out yet… but as Dr. Majlis so gratefully broke us out of hospital jail last night at 11:30, he did give us a bit of encouraging news to take home.  Yesterday was a marathon session of chemo drugs.  We started at 3:00 and dripped all three drugs in…

“Risin ´up, back on the street…..Did my time, took my chances. Went the distance now I´m back on my feet….  Just a man and his will to survive.” As I showered this morning, I belted out the words to the glorious 80´s power ballad above.   My goal: put on a brave, fighting face in order…

      Since my last post was filled with despair and misery, this post will hopefully bring you tidings of good cheer.  As much as there are bad days during chemo there are also good days.   In fact, they have been some of the best days I´ve ever had.  I´m sure that at the end of…

      Well it´s been two weeks since my last treatment and the emotional trauma and depression of last week seems like a distant memory.  It´s strange: physical pain or sadness is a hard thing to remember and describe accurately.  Perhaps this is why so many women willingly have more than one child… The way I…

It´s three days out since my last treatment and I gotta tell you… I am EXHAUSTED!  I´m guessing this is the cumulative effect of the chemo, but all of my energy seems to have been sapped away this time. The treatment went pretty similar to the other times, but it took a lot longer.  My…

I know I should be finishing Part II of my post regarding the Timms family adventure in Chile, but today is a treatment day. I always feel introspective on treatment days, which means it´s a great day to add to my blog.  So I hope you will allow me to indulge in a little perspective-sharing…

I guess it´s about time for the report on the family visit to Chile.  (I know you´ve all been waiting with baited breath)….. well… It went swimmingly and made me love both my family and the country I call home so much more.  Last summer Jon and I had the grand pleasure of hosting both…