Something.

Ha. Get it? Carol said "throw us something". Something. Ha. ...Aw forget it. This is me updating. This will be a bad update. I just got back from Massachusetts and I'm tired. I also have a party I need to go to in a few hours. So, quick is key.
Bon Jovi was great and I wish that I could run off with him. Janette has pictures and as soon as she emails those you can see them too. And for the record, Manny, Yes. Bon Jovi is still around. And we all hope they will continue to be around for a long time to come.
I just got back from Julie's bridal shower. A smashing success. And you should see the pile of gifts she got. Then she and Brendan (the fiance) took me out to dinner. We got a little drunk, excellent thing Brendan was driving. Left me and Julie to get tipsy and gossipy.
I think that's it. But oh, Janette? It doesn't count if Jess didn't update. You said the contest was between Jess, Ames and myself. You can't win by proxy.
That's all - Liz

Bon Jovi!!!

Party was great.
More on that later.
Right now, I'm off to see Bon Jovi.
-Liz

This time the late update wasn't my fault.

The site has been going through maintained and I wasn't able to update. However, it gave me time to think about what to write. Which, unfortunately for you, isn't all that interesting.

I've been going over all the things my doctor has told me about my recover and what to expect and what to look out for and what to be careful of and... It really is a lot to process all at once. Yet if I don't force myself to think about it, I find myself caught unawares.

For instance, yesterday I bought a whole mess of flowers for the deck. I spent an hour in the store picking out just the right mix. (This is harder than it sounds as mom only likes purple, pink and the occasional blue flower.) After insuring that there were no reds or oranges in the bunch, the store attendant helped me load them into my car. I got them home, and unloaded them into the garage. No problem...right? Not exactly.

Now I was over confident. I could handle the flowers. No problem. After church this morning, I started working on the flowers. Mom, Katrina and Chuck went to home depot to pick up weatherproofing for Mom's new deck furniture. By the time they got back I had my plants organized, the potting soil mixed and two hanging baskets spray painted to cover the rust. We were ready to go. While they had lunch, I started on the flowers. I got through 4 pots before my body started screaming at me. Bending over hurts, lifting hurts, moving to quickly leaves me out of breath. Not to mention it was hot. I ended up tired and frustrated and jumping into the pool with my clothes on. It was miserable.

That is how it went for the rest of the day. Work for maybe an hour, then jump in the pool for twenty minutes and float until my body stopped aching. You ask "how does this relate back to the good doctor's words?" Well, even though my immune system is finally back on track, (Thank God) he said it will probably take 3 months before my body is back to pre-chemo Elizabeth. Which explains why a job like potting plants took me three times as long as it should have.

I have to admit though, it was a pretty nice day all in all. Katrina, Chuck and Mom started on the deck furniture after they ate, and Dad (who does not pick up paint brushes for any reason) dragged the kitchen TV out on to the deck so that we could watch the World Cup final game. And don't worry, when I finished with the flowers I helped with the deck furniture. A little. OK most of my help consisted of yelling at mom for dripping the stain everywhere.

Well. I guess it's not so bad. I mean, I have to keep reminding myself of certain things. Always wear sunscreen, don't go outside without my hat. Oh...and to be grateful for the little improvements. I went for a walk with Katrina after dinner. It wasn't very long and we took a 10 minute break to chat with Amy and John, but still not that bad. Of course mom isn't particularly thrilled with Dr. Ahmed at the moment for giving me a recuperation time frame. She thinks that he gave me some sort of an "out" to be lazy for three months. But than again, I have a sneaking suspicion that she just wants to use my party as an excuse to spring clean the house and is trying to get me to help.

I'm not really sure if there is anything else at the moment. I am getting ready for my party. Trying to track down tongue depressors, hospital wrist bands and possibly a gurney. (giggles in delight) I'm also trying to find a job for the summer. Unfortunately, since I can't do more than a few hours before I get tired, this kind of limits the options. I'm hoping that by fall I will be OK to go back to subbing. That'd be nice. That and I have my last three courses to take.
You know. Restart my life. The one I had to put on hold. Student teach. Get my degree.

Ahhhh. Too much thinking. Head is going to explode. Aghh. Enough.
Ok. Not panicking. Taking deep breaths. I'm just going to focus on the party.

I think I'm done for this blog. I need sleep. However, Manny? I know what a mojito is, we have the Slivovica, but what is a Cuba Libre?
Ok, now I’m done.
Everyone better get their props or costumes ready for the party. (You too Diane, you may only be able to come for a few hours, but I expect at least a stethoscope.)
Later - Elizabeth

A short post ...as I am a little tipsy at the moment.

After the usual several hours of waiting, radio active sugar, waiting, donut machine, waiting in the donut machine, and yet even more waiting in the doctor's office...I was finally informed that our suspicions were confirmed. Fred is dead. There were no new growths or hotspots in the last 5 weeks and the CT scan only showed some scar tissue. Which will need to be watched but, in and of itself, is not so concerning. Now starts the every three month regiment of scans. And we discussed when the port can come out and he has opted to leave it in for a full year. Since the next several (18) months are the most common for reoccurance, this makes sense.
So with the official word of Fred's demise, I set out to celebrate. I had drinks. (Margarita's. Did you expect anything else?) And then Mom, Dad, Erica and I proceeded to burn every get well card that I had received while dealing with Fred. Up until now they had been hanging on the walls of my room.
That's all I have the energy for. More later. -Elizabeth

I know...It's late.

Don't worry. I'm going to bed shortly. I just figured I would give you all a heads up as to the exciting events of the fourth. Katrina and Chuck had their open house today. It was a grand success ...even with the thunder and lightening. And since all of their house warming gifts had a patriotic theme, they have now established themselves as the "official" family forth of july party place.
It was a great day and I managed to keep myself fairly well distracted by being social. I know, most people wouldn't be distracted by small talk, but I'm not most people. Conversation is work for me. Oh...and to why I had to be distracted? Well I have my final PET scan tomorrow/today....the fifth. It is actually not my final. I will be having a PET or CT scan for the next ??? years. At least 5. However, this is the one to make sure that not only did the chemo do it's job, but that it stuck. Basically, we are hoping to sign Fred's death certificate tomorrow.
I know it's going to be fine, but in typical Elizabeth fashion I am imagining the worst.
Anyway. I will let you know tomorrow night. Later -Elizabeth

So this was the picture we took after lunch at Caneel Bay.

I'll post more pictures as soon as I can. Especially the one of me parasailing. That's right. Parasailing.
Later - Elizabeth