Help Elsa Beat Cancer

It is almost three months since the disease, Stage IV lymphoma, has entered into the lives of the Liu Family. On behalf of the Lius', we would like to extend our thank YOU for your continued prayers, love, and support in helping Elsa on her journey to beating cancer.  The last few months have been challenging to say the least. Not only are they faced with daily challenges emotionally, mentally and physically, but they are now faced with challenges financially. Elsa has been on medical leave, and Peter hasn't been able to work extensively as he's been the sole caretaker for their 2 kids as well as Elsa.  The short term disability that Elsa receives covers the family living expenses partially, but now the medical bills to cover the $7,900 annual out of pocket expenses are starting to come in and is putting additional burdens onto Elsa and Peter. Moreover, Elsa’s treatment plan most likely will cross over to the next year’s insurance cycle, which begins in July.   


At this time, we are asking for anyone who is able and willing to help, to please consider donating to help cover their medical expenses for the current insurance cycle.  Their needs are urgent.  Please share with as many people as possible, the family can use any help. There is no gift too small, and the Lius are GRATEFUL for whatever help YOU can offer.


We believe God has a plan in all of this.  Above all, for those who believe in God, please continue to pray for the family, pray for the treatment to be effective and; pray for strength for Elsa, wisdom for Peter to go back to work and for the kids to be strong. We know our God is in control in the midst of this; His grace is sufficient.  #FIGHTON

 

For those who are not familiar with the family or Elsa’s story, please read the background below:



Background:
1/30/2019   Peter took Elsa to the ER in the middle of the nite with unbearable pain from leg's muscle spasm; MRI/CT scan reveals she has a mass... in the next 7 days she went through different procedures and finally got a definite answer: she has stage 4 lymphoma; a 5.6cm mass found in her sacrum, inside her bone layers, and a few other lymphoma located throughout her stomach and leg.  She started 1st round of chemotherapy on February 12, and since then, she has had 4 rounds of chemo. 

Praise the Lord, she had a scan after the 2nd cycle and results were optimistic; however, treatments had taken a toll on Elsa physically, but she has continued to fight daily.  




Despite fighting cancer, Elsa went to the joyjar factory to support fighting Childhood Cancer.  




Cancer?
When I heard “Stage IV cancer”, all I could think of is “there’s no way, I’m too young, my kids are too young, I can’t die yet.”  What am I going to do?

Chemotherapy?
The first cycle made me so sick.  I threw up for 3 days straight and lost 9 lbs. Treatment takes ALL the energy out of me.   I went from working full time, volunteering in my kids’ classrooms, attending my kids’ after school activities, and managing the never ending house chores, to huffing and puffing just walking up the stairs.  I constantly had to stay in bed just to “rest” because I have zero energy, even just to put some laundry away.  I feel like such a burden to my husband and family. 

I have lost all my hair, nail beds are turning purple, stomach is constantly bloated, sometimes I can’t tell if I’m hungry or too full; sitting, standing, and/or walking hurts.  

It frustrates me because this disease is affecting my ability to spend time with my family and friends.  I really need to beat this so I can have my “normal” life back. 

In the meantime, I’m trying to live this “new normal”.  Learning the limits of my body, learning how to say “no” to things I love...  


#FIGHTON



Peter’s corner:

Thank you all for joining our fight.  When I first found out my wife had cancer, it was 3am and my mind was trying to grasp the words coming out of the doctor’s mouth.  

We came in to treat my wife’s pain in the leg and left with stage 4 cancer...  How does one react to something like that?  I like to be in control of our lives, knowing how to take care of my kids when they are sick, what medications for what illness.  But this, I only feel helplessness.  I try to be strong for my wife and kid, but to this day, after months, I still haven’t looked up what is lymphoma.  I really don’t want to know.  Stage 4 is already scary enough for me.  

Chemotherapy-all the side effects, nausea, stomach pains, being so tired you have to stay in bed for 3 days; so many pills that you have to write them down to keep track.  I wish everyday that I was the one that got sick instead of her; but since that wasn’t Gods plan, I will continue to support and love my wife the best I can.  

To love and to hold
In sickness and in health
Till death do us part

#FIGHTON



Our kids, 8 and 11, are joining in to fight this fight!!!   

Our two kids, how brave they tried to be, and how brave they’ve become.

Telling them “mommy has cancer”-those were probably the hardest words and saddest news to tell our kids.  

They initially seemed to take the news well, until a week later one of them started having bad dreams and finally told us how worried she was, afraid of losing mommy.  One night, the younger one, asked if he could hug mommy to sleep and started crying his eyes out, we asked him why are you crying and the response was “I don’t know”.  Maybe it’s really too much for them to process; it’s not fair for them to see how sick and weak I’ve become.  To them, mommy is supposed to be their super mom.  

All we can do is keep fighting until we beat cancer.  
We tell them we love them, we hold them close and hug them.  
We tell them we will “Never ever give up!”

#NEGU
#FIGHTON



Thank you for taking the time to read about Elsa's fight, for those who would like to follow her fight, please follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/elsa.tsui.391


We love all of you! Thank you for supporting The Lius.

Love,
Peter, Elsa, J & Z