Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Start..

So Friday November 13, I found out that the doctors were 99% sure that I have a cancerous tumor below my right knee. They believe I have what they call Sarcoma. So I had a surgical biopsy yesterday November 16, and they were right on! So they are going to send it off to a lab today and should get it back by the end of the week. So I am staying at the hospital tonight and I will get a chemotherapy port tomorrow during the day. So hopefully I will be attending church Wednesday night! They are expecting to start my chemotherapy next Monday.

Well, besides that, I have some pretty great news! They caught it super early. You couldn't just look at my knee and see somthing is wrong with it. Most people come in when it majorly sticks out. Oh, and the cancer has not spread to my lungs!! That's great news! I am also very young and EXTREMELY healthy.

So going into all of this, I am a little scared but mostly anxious. I know with all the great support I have been receiving, and the power of God with me at all times, at the end of this long journey I will be able to call myself a cancer survivor :)

Keep me in your prayers!

36 comments:

  1. Liz, you know you are covered in prayer and I am so proud of you! I think of you more like my own sister than my sister "in-law" and am here fighting with you! I love you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prayers coming your way from Australia!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Liz ... McK's friend here. I've been praying for you since Friday ... you are so strong, I'm so proud of you and I haven't even met you (yet)! I know McK adores you with every ounce of her soul, so I'm right there with her. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Liz! I'm also a friend of McK's, but I don't know you..until now. I can already see you are an amazing young woman, with a lot to teach the rest of us about how to handle the things the world throws at you with grace. God has a lot of plans for you in this battle, and I think he has some things planned for us too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Liz, praying for you. Your attitude is AWESOME!!

    God bless,

    gillian (McKenna's friend, man, McKenna has lots of friends, huh?)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Praying for you Liz! I, too am a friend of Mck's -- God Bless you on your journey! You have a wonderful attitude! Just know there are SO many people who you may never know praying for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey darlin Liz,
    You are a true inspiration and I am so proud of you and your very mature attitude! God is so awesome He has you in His loving embrace now and will never let you go. This might be a long journey but one I know you are strong enough to handle. I have seen such strength in you. I believe in you and I believe God can do and work amazing miracles. You are deeply loved!! <3 Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Liz,

    First of all, I just want to say that you are a very STRONG and FAITHFUL young lady!

    My son was diagnosed with leukemia on a Friday the 13th too! Not really something cool to have in common, BUT he defeated that nasty cancer and SO WILL YOU!

    Praying for you! Keep smiling, it makes the world of difference!!!

    Hugs, SMILES, & Prayers,
    Kristen Faulkner, another friend of McK's

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amen Sister!!! Im praying for you, God is faithful. He's there.

    This is going to be quite a story to tell your kids :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey Liz:Bob and I are thinking about you and praying for you.....you're right...you are super healthy and strong. Call us anytime. we love you. Ms. Teri and Bob

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, Liz - what a great perspective! Such good news that it hasn't spread and that it's been caught early - our small group will be praying for you, so keep us posted!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cheering you on from Oklahoma....

    ReplyDelete
  13. praying for you!!! If you ever want an email buddy or anything let me know!

    also, I already love you because you're 14 and yet you look older than me. heh. I'm 21.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! I'm simply amazed by your maturity and outlook in all of this. Pastor Sean had said in one of his messages "God doesn't let any hurt go to waste", and I believe you have encouraged a lot of people so far around you and through this blog by your spirit. :) We are praying for you. - Heidi Gin

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hola, I came because of McK blog.
    Im in Mexico, and You will be in my prayers, specially this sunday since we are having a healing service. i will put your name on the praying list at church

    hugs, blessings and prayers

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are such a light to everyone around you!!! I know that you are blessing people with your courage and love of God. You have such a discerning spirit Liz,I can't wait to hear what Father has to say to you!! I LOVE your song :) it reminds me of summer camp...call me or text me anytime.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just came over from Bethany's blog and wanted to offer up my prayers as well...sounds like you have a great attitude as you start your fight with cancer!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm another one of McKenna's friends and just wanted to let you know that you are and will be in my prayers every day!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey Lizzy!! Just found the blog. you are a great kid(even if you don't like onions) :). We love you and are praying for you. You are a great inspiration to all of us. I am always amazed at the way God works, I see Him at work with you and all that know you and even the people that don't know you. I think before to long the whole world is going to know who Elizabeth Byrd is!!!!!The prayers are soaring for you. Keep your eyes to the SKY!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I came here from your SIL McK and just wanted you to know prayers have been sent for you. If you're half as strong as your family, you'll kick this cancer in the butt. Best to you.
    ---Jen

    ReplyDelete
  21. Will be praying for you!

    God Bless,

    Isabelle

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey Liz, not sure if you remember me or not but I am McK's friend Katie that used to live in San Antonio but moved away 3 years ago back to PA. My family is praying for you and we are in awe of your strength and courage. I know how deeply loved you are by your family and friends and that they will be with you every step of the way. Thank you for setting up this blog so we can go through this journey with you in spirit and prayers. You are an amazing girl! With love, Katie & family

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are amazing!!! I will keep you close to my heart. I work with your mom, and I adore her. I also have a blog so I will be following your journey. Many hugs...

    ReplyDelete
  24. ....everything God gives us by his awesome power of creation is meant to draw us nearer to Him. Even when we see something as destruction, to Him it is still creation. When we see it as "bad", to Him it is still creation. When we can't understand it, He sends His Holy Spirit to comfort us and draw us nearer. This is alot for a 14yo to carry. But if you continue to accept His invitation to be part of His awesome power of creation, and let Him use you to draw others nearer to Him, His Holy Spirit will share things with you that most adults never see before their deaths. He already has. You have been chosen.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Liz,
    Your courage and spirit blows me away. You are great example to the 8th grade girls at Kitty Hawk. God has great plans for you and I can't wait to see what they are!!!! We are praying for you daily as a family and you are always in our thoughts!!!! May God Bless You and Heal your body!
    The Shedd Family
    Bill, Sue, Danielle, Mikali, Nicole and Aleya

    ReplyDelete
  26. Liz,
    I too am a friend of McK and DJ's. Actually our families just met this year as we were adopting our children. We traveled together to Ukraine. Anyway, it is my pleasure to follow your journey as you fight this battle. You are a brave, courageous young lady who I know is an inspiration to so many. I have a 14 year old daughter of my own, Taylor. She is such a blessing to my life. I will continue to pray for you and your healing. May God bless you!
    Blessings,
    Meghan

    ReplyDelete
  27. Praying for you and knowing the Lord will lift you in strength and health!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've been praying for you and your family, Liz. You're such a beautiful, amazing, inspiring young woman. I look forward to being continually inspired by you and the journey you're embarking on.

    So much love,
    Brit (Mck's sister)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hey Liz, just stopping by to let you know you are in our prayers.

    Lyndi (another of Mck's friends)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Liz, I'm a brother in law of a teacher friend (Agatha) of your mom. My wife and I live in Phoenix, AZ and I am so touched by your spirit. Our own children are a little older than you ... but not much. Please feel our thoughts and prayers reaching out to you in love from Phoenix. We love you. Dave & Fran Ryan

    ReplyDelete
  31. Liz,

    We are spreading hot pink and your story everywhere we go! Megan is spreading the word and bracelets to her cheer sisters at Madison. Those pink bracelets will be all over San Antonio soon. That goes to show you how much you are loved. We will do everything we can to support you through this. You are like a daughter to me. We pray for you every day. YOU ARE GOING TO BEAT THIS! --You got strength yes you do--you got strength to get through! GO! LIZ GO! --Love, Coach Roberts & Family

    ReplyDelete
  32. We are praying every day. We love you very much and hope to see you again soon.
    Love Justin,Shelly and TJ

    ReplyDelete
  33. HEY LiZ!
    UGHH i MiSS MY WHiTE GURL(: l0l
    i SEE Y0U ARE D0iN BETTER AND THATS G00D..
    S0RRY i D0NT TEXT iTS CUZ i G0T THE F0NE T00KEN AWAY.l0l!H0PEFULLY i GET T0 SEE Y0U WELL ACTULLY ME & PRiSCiLLA ARE THiNKiN AB0UT G0iN T0 Y0U CASA BUT i DONT KNOW WHERE Y0U LiVE..S0 UMM i GUESS i WiLL ASK MARiHA WERE Y0U LiVE(: BUT UMM JUST KEEP 0N TRYiN(: i LiKE Y0UR S0NG iTS NiCE BUT iT KiNDA MAKES ME SAD l0l(: UMM I NEED T0 ASK Y0U A QUESTI0N...
    ARE Y0U G0NNA C0ME T0 SK00 0R ARE Y0U WITHDRAWN?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hey FUNyons(:
    I hope your doing great! I have had dozens of people ask me for bracelets(: I be looking AWESOME wearing mine:D hah, well i LOVE you and you know that. your wheelchair is fun to push(; im praying for you always!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Awh Liz! It's Me Melissa:)! Gosh! iMiss You So Much! Even Though We Talk A Little. iWill Never Forget You And Me Being Silly Last Year! Liz You Are The Bomb!:) And iKnow For A FAct You Are Going To Be nown At School For "Liz The Survivor!" Eveyone At School Is Supporting You! Even If They Don't Know You:). And I'm Sure Ton's Of People Are Praying For You, iAm!


    -Miss You! Melissa:D!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Heyy, i dont know you but i am 17 and go to Waller high school. Your mom works with my cuz i think and we heard your story and we bought 20 braclets and me and my mom wear them everyday and hand them out to our friends. You seem like an awesome girl so keep it up and Waller has got your back!

    ReplyDelete