I forgot to add if you would like to donate to My team for relay you can donate through my blog . All money that is now donated to it will go to Relay for Life . You helped me have a better life , now I want to help others .

    Thank you

         Hugs Liz

Sooner than later ......

 Hey how are all of you today ?

     I have had a pretty intense weekend last week . I walked at Tacoma's Relay for Life , as a survivor ! It is great to see all the people that came out . They were all dressed to the nines . The theme this year was the 60"s , everyone was feeling " Groovy " . Instead of flashing devil signs it was the hand sign for " Love " . Relay is one of those uplifting places . You get to see and hear different stories of pain an hope . Hope being the best medicine ...... BESIDES laughter =D. I encourage you all to attend a Relay for life , so you will know what I am writing about .
    
    This next year for Relay I hope to raise more than I did this year . ( side note : thank you Dunbars !)  I have a few ideas on how to raise more money , but I am open to suggestions . I was thinking of a raffle , maybe selling buttons at different big advents in the community ie; Norwegian fest  buttons that say " uffda " or " where's the ludafisk ? " . maybe ethnic fest ? " Kiss me I'm a Tacoman " , " I survived Asarco ! With no problems .... Squirrel !!!!" ( hehehe - that one is my favorite !! ) or " Welcome to the city of destiny !' What's that smell ? Well its the aroma of Tacoma "

  If you can think of fun buttons please share ! The money all goes to the greater good for all !


I hope that some of you might get some inspiration off of this . In the Northwest we have more cancer affect people than any other region in the states . Every thing we to to help goes into finding out how to solve the mystery of this life changing event .


     Hugs Liz

Life goes on

    I know I broke my promise to myself , it's not the 1st or the last I'm sure .

Its been 2+ years since I was a cancer ridden person . I thought I would of been back in the game . I guess I thought higher of myself then I should of . I have a good outlook but I still am super tired ! Grrrrrrr !!! I there for in the course of a week can drink my weight in coffee ( never thought I could say that ) . The jolt that the coffee gives me makes me function like a normal person at precoffee in the morning .

Starting to think about what I would like to do after all this . Lot of ideas flooding in , but when I think about it realistic-eee I think I would be bored , tired , to much work , to many people , to much money , have to stand for to long , or that's a LOT of school ! Top of the list of things I wouldn't mind being is Forest Ranger , candle maker , and taster . I plan on asking for lots of info on all of them . I have wrote the food network about having me on as a judge for iron chef but sadly no reply . =) I think I might have to start writing them twice a month .... candle maker i just think would be peaceful - you would buy a candle from me right ? The last and hardest the Park/ forest  Ranger . It would be 4 years of school , two years of outdoor training , first aid , cpr - already have , and I forgot the last one ........

I have been dating a fantastic guy named John ( I call him Pumpkin ;) . Going through all this I never thought I would get a date . I have bald patchy spots from the radiation and the chemo , but the plus I can have any type of hair I want . I have a few wigs annnnddd I LOVE them . Hehehe . He is the best , when I get tired he pushes me or drags me back home . He rubs my feet , He likes my bald spots ! He takes a bus to come see me . He pays to go see movies he knows he is going to hate just because I think they will be awesome !

I am lucky to still have friends , Here is a funny thing You never expect to lose friends when you get sick but for me that was not the case . At first I was kinda hurt but in the end I love the ones that stuck around to help or just share a joke or two .

I know all this is a little debbie downer of a add but I want to be honest with my feeling and my out look on this experiance in my life . I actually as of the last year have been the happiest I think I have been in a long time . I am surrounded by people who care an love me . It is a good feeling .


          I got a lot of love to give ~

                         Hugs Liz

One year plus One Month

Elizabeth was diagnosed Jan 4, 2010. Her tumor was removed on the 5th, she began radiation late January, and when completed went on to chemo. The rounds were three weeks of treatment with three weeks off to recuperate; after a year of chemo she was pronounced done. This means she now needs to rebuild her white cells and build up her immune system; rest up and take on the world. To that end she seems to be in good spirits; she still is uncommitted to what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but true to herself, she won't be pushed by her parents, sister or friends. She will work out what she wants to do and let us know when SHE'S ready.

As a family we have spent more time together this past year than the previous four. That was a blessing for Jim and I. As all parents know when their kids are adults there are times when parents are very low on the priority list. So we were grateful for this opportunity to have so much face-time.

So many in our community have come forward to help Elizabeth. Everyone has been so generous. The truth is we can never payback your kindness, but are ever so grateful for all that everyone has done. As Elizabeth reenters the "real world" again I hope to have her blog just a wee bit, but in the beginning we asked her to do this so everyone would know what was up without repeating the same story over and over. It was not her idea, and you can tell by the lack of posts that she is not really focused on this now. I did want to drop in to catch everyone up on what IS going on with her now.

In closing this post… many will ask what is the outcome? Well, we won't be told any outcome. The doctors won't give us any prognosis. So she has frequent blood draws and they check her blood for any signs of cancer; as long as the tests remain clear the appointments we be spaced further and further apart until they are quarterly. They think that will be the protocol for the rest of her life, as long as the tests come back negative. Your prayers, good wishes and kindness are always welcome. Thank you.

So it wasn't the day after .....

Sorry it took a few days , I had a social hang over ( I did to much ) . Thursday night was awesome ! I took my sister and my friend Jessica up to Seattle to see my other friend Jessica Rosa aka Boom Boom la Rue preform in a show . It was fantastic ! Good music , new moves mixed with classic moves , some skits to jazz others to rock . A classic can-can and a reverse strip tease . The show had it all ! I made them get there early so we could find parking and get a good spot . After we went around the block we found a parking place . I went to pay the attendant I was short like 4 bucks it was either give him a tip, he had no change he was waiting for his manager to bring him some , or ask him if I could be back with some change . He looked at me pulled out his wallet and paid for me . I was just floored ! I walked up to Jess and Sister and told them what happened and while I was telling them I realized I had my wig on . I am AMAZED at the power of hair . I look at them an I said " I think it is because I have like hair right now " yes I said it totally valley not meaning to . Jess started cracking up . She turns an looks at me flips her hair over her shoulder and says " Oh my god ! I'm so pretty with hair ! And I like get shit for free ! I'm like way hot ! " . I kinda blushed but laughed . It was pretty funny . I'm kinda use to the way people look at me when I have a scarf on , its more of the ugly duckling / poor you / i'm glad i'm not you / i use to be you followed by awkward stranger hug sometimes the other person crying and then the stay strong speech , yet when I wear the wig most just ask what I got my scars on my chest from . I have to admit I have made up stories . It makes it not as tedious to deal with plus it's entertaining for me =) . My favorite one i have told some one was I was stabed by my sister with a meat fork ! hahaha you should of seen her face . She looked at me like your sisters crazy then Sister at me around the corner and I interduced karyn . As I finished I pointed to my chest and then made the shhh sign . I've never seen someone scurry away so fast . Hahaha also the other funny part is that there is now someone out there who thinks my sister is fliping crazy . For some odd reason that thought warms my heart . =)

Well besides tormenting Sister , I have been baking cookies . Sister gave me a challenge . To bake ALL the cookies in the Betty Crocker Cookie Cook Book . Having grown up making cookies from that book I thought to myself well I think I have made almost all of them ... not even close I think I have made like 40 of the different kinds . So i added up the cookies 146 if I bake 2 types of cookies a week , then make the normal 12 to 14 different kind of Christmas cookies it should take me about a year . I will be smelling like a cookie for ever !!

A long but nice week

Well I think I found out why sick people need so many blood transfusions . It's not that we bleed out or that our blood is unhealthy . It's due to the fact that twice a week ( if your lucky ) you get a blood draw to mak sure you are healthy . Heathy enough to be treated . Well I know when I go in for a blood draw they take 3 different vials of blood . Plus theres the blood they draw out to make sure all the flush stuff is out and they draw only blood . Then they draw out for me about 9oz of blood . doesn't seem like much but think of it this way a pint is 16 oz hence the term a pounder glass . So in a given month they take over a pint !!! Then they tell me that I need 2 pints to balance back out . hahaha It's a goood thing I love the staff at T.G. !

What have I been up to ? Thanks for asking ! =) I have been kinda on the down low . I have gone out a little but generaly this week I have been cozy at home in front of my faux fire place heater . I try an stay warm but sometimes I need help to warm the bones . Tonight though I am going out ! An old friend from Fenster is in a show tonight . I gathered up the troops and we are trotting off to Seattle for a fantastic show !! I am excited to get out of the house and city for a few hours . I will write about tomorrow after I wake up from my I had to much fun social coma .

the vampires give back

Today I have the pleasure of a nice relaxing day at Tacoma General . I sit in a over sized chair that makes me feel like I am 8 years old while I get transfused with new A+ blood . The nurses here take such good care of me . I've never seen a group of people as a whole have such a great over all attitude . I know how hard it can be to remain nice when dealing with the public . Everyone has a different way to say something wires get crossed and they still smile at you and say " We will figure this out and every thing will be right " . I like that they treat very person with the same amount of worth . I think that says alot about the group conscience .


I am getting two pints of blood today . I should of seen this coming my the bags under my eyes went all the way to my cheek bones . Last time they looked that bad was before i had my tumor removed . The last time I got transfused I did not feel that boost of energy that they all say you get . In fact I believe I went home an slept for 2 days . I am hoping for that feeling ! My fingers are crossed . It is a odd feeling to feel good so when it happens I try and make the most of it ! =) Like going for a walk or going out with some friends .


This last week was filled with small mini adventures for me . Might be part of the reason I am getting transfused today .... On Friday Sister and I went to a benefit that had a casino theme . After we ate we hit the tables craps blackjack texas hold'm and the one with the ball and wheel drawing a blank on the name . I am proud to say I lost all my money and had a great time doing it. It was the 1st time I have gotten dressed up also . I was lucky enough to have a friend with great taste and a shrinking waist give me some clothes that made me look hot hot hot ! I will be up front and say it was the 1st time while in treatment that I just felt like a normal girl . Earlier in my treatment I had bought a wig and I barely ever wore it due to the itchy factor . Well I had a lady give me a great skull cap that didn't make my head ubber hot or itchy I was in heaven . It felt good to have people say they liked my hair . Losing my hair I still believe has been the most dramatic part of this whole thing , and I didn't even like my hair ! It was thin and lifeless would not hold a curl , I couldn't even rat my hair to get a bump when it was short . THe glory of wigs has allowed me to have the hair I have always wanted . I like it . Easy too . I highly recomend for anyone .

Saturday Sister , mom and I carved pumkins . Ming was going to but she ended up only having a little bit of time so she hollowed out 2 pumkins in like 5 minutes ! I swear it was like watching Top Chef when they do the chop competion . That poor pumpkin didn't stand a chance , orange pulp flying , seeds shooting left and right , it was a frenzie . To say the least . I asked Ming what I should carve since she was leaving at least that way she would feel more apart of it . She said make a lil asian guy as she left . After the door closed I said to myself " An asian guy .... " So I made a Wang Chung of a pumpkin and callled him Mr. Ming ! The trick or treaters loved him ! I had a few ninjas comment on how that was the face of their master . So much fun !

On Satuerday night I went to a murder mystery party . I have never been to one . It was a lot of fun . I was able to be 2 characters . It was a fun group . Full of laughter an I was amazed how everyone was able to stay in their role . I think next time I might opt for a 5 hour energy before the next time . The last hour was tough for me . I started to get light headed and a little tingely . I wanted to eat but I was a little nauseated . I didn't have my meds on me either so I choose to try and tough it out . When I got home I ate a tortilla and felt better .

Sunday was a day to recope . I slept , did laundry , hung with Sister and just let my body take a deep breath and relax . Over all worth it =) . In the last few months I have made some new friends and the more I hang out with them the more I find things in them that I like and would like to someday see in myself or have be more prominate in my every day life .