As previously mentioned, every day of this journey, Elizabeth finds a quote to post on Instagram. Today's quote, from Proverbs 25:31, says "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." While Elizabeth maintains a positive mindset and is certainly clothed in strength and dignity, we struggled to do much laughing. Today, day three, was not easy. Because she had several appointments scheduled with a nurse and then the oncologist prior to her radiation treatment, the day has seemed to drag. Of course, not getting enough sleep last night because my cold interrupted her sleep may also contribute to her exhaustion. More than that, however, the reality that surrounds us as we walk the halls and sit in the waiting rooms of this remarkable place is far from uplifting. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a struggle. Everyone is battling something. We choose to continue to focus on the positive: the fact science has ways of battling cancer, of extending lives, of improving the quality of living. Just think, four months ago, the Mayo Clinic did not have this proton beam treatment center. Four months ago!
The oncologist spent quite a bit of time with us talking about Elizabeth's treatments, and the coolest part was seeing the map of levels of radiation she is receiving. If you can imagine a topographic map on the brain, you can start to imagine the different levels of radiation. He said that because her case is rather complicated, they were working on her plan until last Friday. The location of her tumor makes it a bit trickier. They want to protect her sight and hearing as well as her pituitary gland and her central nervous system. It took them two weeks after her mask was created to come up with a plan of action her oncology team felt comfortable with providing. Of course, we both expressed our gratitude at their careful scrutiny of every angle and possibility. Instead of 5 1/2 weeks, she will go a full six weeks because, the oncologist reminded us, research indicates that a full 30 days followed by chemotherapy is the best plan of action for her type of brain tumor.
Good things do happen in this place, though. As I waited for Elizabeth to finish her radiation, a woman came out of those same doors and rang the bell. She rang it long and hard, and everyone waiting for their treatments or waiting for their loved one to return cheered as though it were March madness. Mayo's March madness has something bigger to celebrate. The ringing of the bell indicated the end of long treatments for that person, and the entire room had much to celebrate. So today or tomorrow, will you take a minute to celebrate this stranger's completion of her treatment? Dance a little? Hug someone you love a little tighter? Each of those actions will help Elizabeth l
"laugh without fear of the future."
The oncologist spent quite a bit of time with us talking about Elizabeth's treatments, and the coolest part was seeing the map of levels of radiation she is receiving. If you can imagine a topographic map on the brain, you can start to imagine the different levels of radiation. He said that because her case is rather complicated, they were working on her plan until last Friday. The location of her tumor makes it a bit trickier. They want to protect her sight and hearing as well as her pituitary gland and her central nervous system. It took them two weeks after her mask was created to come up with a plan of action her oncology team felt comfortable with providing. Of course, we both expressed our gratitude at their careful scrutiny of every angle and possibility. Instead of 5 1/2 weeks, she will go a full six weeks because, the oncologist reminded us, research indicates that a full 30 days followed by chemotherapy is the best plan of action for her type of brain tumor.
Good things do happen in this place, though. As I waited for Elizabeth to finish her radiation, a woman came out of those same doors and rang the bell. She rang it long and hard, and everyone waiting for their treatments or waiting for their loved one to return cheered as though it were March madness. Mayo's March madness has something bigger to celebrate. The ringing of the bell indicated the end of long treatments for that person, and the entire room had much to celebrate. So today or tomorrow, will you take a minute to celebrate this stranger's completion of her treatment? Dance a little? Hug someone you love a little tighter? Each of those actions will help Elizabeth l
"laugh without fear of the future."