Shaved John (Elise's Stepdad)

before

after

Jasper lookin at Grandpa hair.

Head shaving party

So they didn't shave all her hair off, I guess they leave that to the family to do, so tomorrow we are going to have a head shaving party here at the hospital.
We will however have to limit the amount of people in the room because it gets to be too much for Elise to handle. So we will most likely do like one person at a time shaving their head. We are trying to get a video camera, and I think we got one, so we can have video of it to put up here.
So far jasper, her stepdad John, my sister Carma(Kayla willing,lol), her friends Natalie, Jen, Jorj, John(her boss and friend) and I are going to shave our heads. If I left you
off the list I'm sorry, kinda warn out tonight.
-cameron

post surgery

I was told by the neurosurgeon that performed the biopsy that the surgery went fine, and that she would be sent down for a cat scan to make sure everything went well, then off back to the ICU after she is done in the recovery.
Hopefully she will be ready for visitors soon, I will post when she's ready.

Two tests will be done on the brain tissue sample, one could give us an answer within 48 hours but only detects certain kinds of tumors and the other one is the one I spoke of before that'll take a week.
That's all for now.
-cameron

Elise is in surgery

I'm in the surgery waiting room now, still waiting to hear.
On the question my Dad posed about me shaving my head, I plan on doing so unless Elise objects fiercely.
I was thinking that if anyone wants to shave their head in support, make sure you get a photo, if you can before and after photo's, then send them to me at:

cameron.the.pirate@gmail.com

I will post the pictures sent to me here.
For women, we are thinking of another option since it is pretty extreme for women to shave their heads, maybe like a lock of hair and take a picture holding the lock. If you got a better idea don't be afraid to suggest it via comment or email.

biopsy day

So today is the day, although they say results may take a week. The tissue sample they take will be shipped off to the Mayo Clinic with a stat order. Elise agreed to having her head shaved for the biopsy so if your visiting don't be surprised. She has been growing out her hair for five years so I'm sure she is a little sad but if you know Elise you know she can handle pretty much anything well. Actually I met Elise a month after she shaved her head, so it's not foreign territory for her.
Elise got a chance to see the blog and the comments yesterday and she is enjoying hearing from people, as am I because it lets me know you all are there reading.

Jasper's first Mariner's game.

Last night

So the steroid they were giving Elise makes her wired, as well as shrinks the tumor temporarily, so last night Elise couldn't sleep, and she was more lucid then I have seen her in a while.
We ended up chatting until 3a.m., she was back mentally to about 95% so I read her all the emails and well wishes and she really loved to hear them, in fact she joked she should of got sick sooner she loved hearing the kind words so much.
I'm tired so I'll try to put up a couple pics and then rest.*click on pic for full size*

Elise and Jasper last Fall when she took jasper for his first ferry ride

Elise and Jasper last August on a camping trip with me and Suanne.

Suanne and Jasper out hiking, picture by Elise

Me and Elise in 2002

That's all for now more tomorrow...
-cameron

the biopsy plan

Hi, This is Suanne, Elise's Mom, blogging for Cameron tonight. Elise is now at the UW Medical Center ICU, Room 515. She chowed down a Thai stir fry tonight for dinner, along with some green tea. The biopsy is tomorrow (Tuesday). Unfortunately, they won't know anything immediately after the operation because the pathology report will take more than a week to get back. The operation itself takes about 1.5 hours. Given the location of the tumor (in the middle of the brain), they can't remove it. So, the biopsy will help to decide on a treatment plan. After the surgery, the doctor expects her to go to a regular hospital room here at the UW Medical Center. Elise has had so many people express their good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers ... on her behalf, thank you.



Suanne and Jasper schucking corn last summer.