Update

I think I'm still on a birthday high!!!
Even though it's been gloomy and rainy here, I'm still feeling great.
I just thought I would sent out a quick note to update everyone on what's next for me.
I will be having my PET and CT scans done on Monday, October 29th, and then I will have my visit with the surgeon (Dr. Choti) and my preop appointments on Wednesday, October 31st.
My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th. It will be a different kind of Thanksgiving for me and my family this year...besides, I think that turkey is overrated! It will probably be a day of ice chips or clear liquids for me.
In the meantime, I am managing to keep myself quite busy. I am still filling in at work and will continue to do so up until November 16th. I do get tired after working, but am usually feeling pretty good by the next day. I haven't been as good about taking my long walks, because I have to make sure I don't get too tired out before work. I'm trying to get a regular exercise regimen going for the next couple of weeks and I hope to be able to get a little upper body strengthening in.
So, that's the scoop...
Love,
Erica

Thank You!

Hi Everyone!
I think I'm still recovering from my birthday bash. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed visiting with so many of you. Thank you for making my birthday spectacular!!

I received so many wonderful cards, gifts and donations to the melanoma research foundation. I really appreciate everyone's generosity and kindness and I really enjoyed reading all of my cards. Also, I received a beautiful bathrobe from Lord & Taylor, but unfortunately I don't know who to thank. If anyone knows, please help me solve this mystery.

I also want to send out a big thanks to my dear friends and family who made this party happen. You guys are amazing!!! I am so lucky to have so many supportive, caring and awesome people in my life.

This has been one of the best birthday's of my life. I just feel so happy and so fortunate to be able to celebrate life. Thanks again to all of you who help me to keep strong and positive and for continually providing me with support, love and laughter.

Love,
Erica

Enjoying Life

I am now seven weeks post op and have been getting out and doing things. Christian and I went on a dinner cruise on Nina's Dandy along the Potomac on Sunday evening. We had a really great time. It was fun to dress up and we even did a little dancing.

I worked two days last week and am working between 5 and 7 hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week. As always, it's great to be back at work!

I am looking forward to this weekend and celebrating my birthday with so many of you. If you have not received the evite, please send me an email at ejlipman@msn.com and I'll send it out to you.

Take care!
Erica

6 weeks out

Yesterday marked 6 weeks post surgery and I celebrated by working. It was my first day back since before surgery and though I was tired by the end of the day, it was great to work! I am filling in on a part time basis right now. It looks like the clinic is fairly busy, so I should be able to work a bunch of hours over the next couple of weeks.

I also began "jogging" over the weekend. I went to the high school track by my house on both Saturday and Monday mornings to do my walks. I walked for 6 laps and I was able to jog for 2 laps (not consecutively). Emotionally, it felt great to be able to jog, but physically it was very tough. My abdominal region didn't bother me, but my hips felt like I had never exercised before and my breathing was a bit heavy. I don't believe that I have ever been this deconditioned in my life. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's ok to take it slow and not to compare the shape I was in last year to the shape I'm in now.

I also wanted to mention that getting my Hickman line out last Thursday was uneventful and it's really great not to have to worry about it anymore.

Take care!

Erica

A New Game Plan

It's another marvelous day! I am feeling great and very encouraged after my visit with my oncologist yesterday. I am going to schedule my pancreatic surgery for the middle of November. I do not have to have any more treatments. In fact, I am completely done with the biochemotherapy combination. I didn't realize how much I was dreading this possibility until I felt such a sense of relief upon finding out I was done.

Yay for surgery! or something crazy like that. Such a bizarre world I live in these days where I'm actually excited about the prospect of yet another surgery. I will spend the next 5-6 weeks continuing to heal and hopefully getting back into work part time. I will have another PET scan and another CT scan done at the end of this month and I'll return to see my surgeon, so I can find out the specifics of this next operation.
I know that this surgery will be longer and it's more complex than liver surgery. Also, the recovery time will be longer, too. But, I guess that's what this fall and winter are for--rest and recovery!

I almost forgot to tell you about my most exciting news. I will be getting my Hickman line removed tomorrow!!! For those of you who don't know, this is an infusion line that was put in my chest in March, in order to do the biochemotherapy. I have had this line for the past 7 months...have had to cover it for every shower, keep the line pinned up to my shirt or strap every day and with the help of Christian, flush my line every night and change the dressing every week. Hopefully the removal of the line will be very uneventful. I'll let you know...
Thanks for keeping up with me!

Love,
Erica

Happy October!!

Hello!
It's my favorite month of the year! I hope you are finding your fall spirit just like me. I am feeling great and am out and about like normal. I return to see my oncologist tomorrow and am hoping to gain a sense of what comes next...or better yet, a new game plan. I saw my surgeon last week and seem to be healing quite well.

I am getting ready to celebrate my birthday this month (October 21st) and am planning (with the help of my family and friends) to have a party on Saturday October 20th. I have sent out an evite, but realize I do not have everyone's email address. I am of course extending the invitation to all of you who continue to read my blog. If you have not received an evite, please send me an email and I will send it out to you. My email address is ejlipman@msn.com.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks!
Erica