Mary Elsner

Longfellow wrote, “Into each life some rain must fall.” Well folks, I’ve been blessed with a hurricane.  I have been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. They have confirmed via biopsy that the cancer has spread to my liver and images make them suspect some lymph and possibly some lung involvement.



I wish I could’ve told each of you in person. To give you a hug and let you know that I’m really okay. I’m not afraid of surgery and though chemo makes me a little nervous, I know that I will get through it. Folks have asked what the prognosis is. I don’t really buy in to chances and percentages. After all, when have any of you known me to follow the rules or to do what is expected.


I have met with a fabulous trio of doctors: the oncologist, Sam ,the poison man; the liver surgeon, Sean, the liver dude and colon surgeon, Elise, the guts doctor. No, I didn’t make this stuff up. They are knowledgeable, caring and get my need to learn things for myself. It is nice that they also get my dark and morbid sense of humor. They are currently determining which path we take first, chemotherapy or surgery. As soon as I know what direction we are going to go, I will share it here.


That is why I decided to start a caring bridge site. I want to share the process (minus the gore) and have a way to communicate not only the process but a little of what happens emotionally.  Thank you for taking the time to connect here. If all you do is read this one post, that is OK. If you want to reach out and connect that is great. If all you feel comfortable with is to read this and send some positive energy my way, that’s great too. I am truly blessed to have you all in my life. Each of you has left a mark and contributed to who I am. Thank you for drifting into my life.