Today begins the 4th week of Elizabeth's proton radiation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Fortunately, the side effects have been minimal. She has started to feel more fatigued in the afternoons, and late last week, she lost a swath of her hair just above her left ear. This was expected, especially, the oncologist warned, when you think about the powerful rays hitting her scalp each day. It hasn't had a negative impact on her; in fact, she feels pretty tough with a straight line biker cut! Her days are filled with texts, letters, posts, and visits from friends as well as focused projects she is doing for work. The days seem rather uneventful, but we are all quite conscious of the time she is away from her job, family, friends, and home.
Elizabeth's quote for day 16 is a Victor Hugo statement from Les Miserables: "The soul helps the body, and at certain moments raises it. It is the only bird that sustains its cage." What raises her soul, however, are the personal contacts she has had throughout this journey: the kindness of the radiology team, the thoughtful presence and careful care of the oncologist, and the smiles and gentle words from others who are on their own journeys here at Mayos.
A week ago, two of Elizabeth's high school friends surprised her by driving to Minnesota to spend the weekend with her. Spending time with them laughing, talking, and celebrating Saint Patrick's Day together made the time between treatments pass quickly. On Tuesday, her boyfriend made the journey from Columbus, Ohio, to Rochester, Minnesota ,to spend a few days with her. Carrying roses all the way from Ohio, he certainly made last week zip by. Brian returned home on Saturday as I drove up, and yesterday, Elizabeth and I were able to spend the day shopping at an outlet mall in Minneapolis before meeting one of her high school friends and one of my former colleagues for an afternoon of visiting and eating.
We feel like we are in the homestretch with less than three weeks standing between her and the end to her radiation treatments. We will make a quick trip home for Easter before Brian returns to Rochester for the final two weeks. Today, we hope you find joy around you, and that your own cage is sustained by your soul.
Elizabeth's quote for day 16 is a Victor Hugo statement from Les Miserables: "The soul helps the body, and at certain moments raises it. It is the only bird that sustains its cage." What raises her soul, however, are the personal contacts she has had throughout this journey: the kindness of the radiology team, the thoughtful presence and careful care of the oncologist, and the smiles and gentle words from others who are on their own journeys here at Mayos.
A week ago, two of Elizabeth's high school friends surprised her by driving to Minnesota to spend the weekend with her. Spending time with them laughing, talking, and celebrating Saint Patrick's Day together made the time between treatments pass quickly. On Tuesday, her boyfriend made the journey from Columbus, Ohio, to Rochester, Minnesota ,to spend a few days with her. Carrying roses all the way from Ohio, he certainly made last week zip by. Brian returned home on Saturday as I drove up, and yesterday, Elizabeth and I were able to spend the day shopping at an outlet mall in Minneapolis before meeting one of her high school friends and one of my former colleagues for an afternoon of visiting and eating.
We feel like we are in the homestretch with less than three weeks standing between her and the end to her radiation treatments. We will make a quick trip home for Easter before Brian returns to Rochester for the final two weeks. Today, we hope you find joy around you, and that your own cage is sustained by your soul.