Update on Elysia Skye -- Nov 10 -- Surgery was a success!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Nov 10, 2009: I heard from Elysia today and her surgery was a big success. She is still in need of funds to pay for it though so please read on and donate if you can.

Since October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I went out in search of a lesser-known breast cancer-related cause to feature in October. I found the perfect candidate in fellow 29Giver, Elysia Skye. At 24, Elysia had to have a double mastectomy and a bunch of lymph nodes removed due to breast cancer. Today Elysia struggles every day with disabling lymphoedemia in her right arm. Now she needs to raise $30,000 to pay for a little-known surgery that can dramatically improve her condition. She has raised $10,700 so far.

Click here to donate directly to Eysia's Surgery Fund online. Please spread the word to friends you think may be willing to help. Elysia really needs our help! Checks can also be mailed to: Elysia Skye Breast Cancer Organization * PO Box 4573 * Valley Village, CA 91617

Here's an interview I did with Elysia on Oct 5,2008. You'll see that her hair has grown back in very nicely since her chemo :-)


Here's Elysia's full story... in her own words.

Click here to donate directly to Eysia's Surgery Fund online. And please forward Elysia's story and website www.boobiesintheskye.org out to friends you think may be willing to help. Elysia really needs our help to spread the word far and wide! Checks can also be mailed to:
Elysia Skye Breast Cancer Organization * PO Box 4573 * Valley Village, CA 91617

[Stacey]

Thank you for the reminder and for sharing Elysia's story. I posted about Elysia on my blog as well as reminding readers that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Great. Thanks!

[sharon]

Can we do pay pal?
-s

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

YES!! Just go to Elysia's website and click the DONATE BUTTON. You can donate via paypal then.

[sharon]

I did this by pay pal, easy and quick! Thanks Cami!
-s

[Elysia Skye]

Thank you Sharon! I am so overwhelmed with the love and generosity generated from this site.
You are amazing, and I am very thankful to be a part of this.
Love,
Elysia

[taylor]

Elysia,
I'd love to talk to you. I'm going to be 29 in Nov I have been going through the same thing as you for 2 years. I had the left removed, my reconstructive surgery looks terrible, I now have lymphedema in my left arm and I have very little range of motion. Some days life is harder than others and I'M getting married Saturday and am so distressed about everything. I did some chemo, all the radiation but I'm just tired and I don't want to do any more right now. My hair is back and with all I've been going through and how I'm feeling I just don't have any fight left to take the Taxol, Herceptin and Tamoxifin they want me to take. I'd rather live happy (even if it shortens my LIFE) than not be myself. You may understand or you may see things totally different than me, but our situations are very similar. I had 18 nodes removed 13 were positive. If you have it in you please be in touch. Or anyone else in this situation. Taylor

[sharon]

I copied this to Elysia's comments.
-s

[Svetlana Todorovich]

Hi Taylor
Congratulation on getting married .I wish you a very happy marriage.
I would love to talk to you. If you would I will send you information on CD and some supplements organically gown in the US that will help you remove the toxins that you have in your body,help you with digestion,balance your body's pH and help you in healing process.Very gentle and powerful.
Do you know that body can heal it self it if we remove the interference that prevents it from doing so?
Healing is inside job and happens naturally .
S.T.

[Elysia Skye]

I also agree with this :-) Healing is mostly done internally. It's hard to focus on it with life getting in the way all the time. There is a balance.
love,
Elysia

[Megan McGeary]

My heart goes out to you, Taylor. I wish you well and am sending thoughts of prayer and healing. With this huge community that surrounds you, I am sure you will begin to experience a change you never thought possible--
Many best wishes to you on your wedding

Megan

[Elysia Skye]

HI Taylor!
Congratulations on your wedding! That is so exciting. I am sorry to hear you're dealing with all of this as well. What city are you in? How are you currently treating your lymphedema? You look absolutely beautiful in your photo. Email me at [e-mail] so we can get into more detail about what you're doing and what you need. I am planning to be the trailblazer for lymphedema patients, proving there is a cure! Hopefully more doctors in the US will learn how to do this microsurgery. Otherwise your only choice is Japan or Italy.
However there are many alternative temporary treatments, but yes, they are exhausting and time consuming (much like chemo and radiation, but no nausea!).
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and hugs,
Elysia Skye