Blog
April 21, 2009
Wow, last night was incredible! After we finally got inside CIA, it was a magical evening and I am so very grateful to those of you who came, who saw, who laughed and who rocked out! Especially to Blanca for cutting 8 inches of her hair on stage last night!!! Pictures and videos from the event will be available very soon. A special thank you to the Changing for collaborating their single release party with The Elysia Skye Breast Cancer Organization. To support them, please go to http://www.massdistro.com/thechanging.html and buy the new single for only $1.19, which features Jonathan Davis from Korn on backing vocals. If anyone would like more info on laughaboutcancer.org, John Fugelsang, Cinnamon Stix or The Changing, just message me and I’ll be happy to put you in touch with them.
The hair we cut is being donated to BEAUTIFUL LENGTHS by Pantene who accepts 8 inch ponytails or longer. http://www.beautifullengths.com/en_US/
Coming up is CANCERPALOOZA at Molly Malone’s on May 19th from 8pm-9pm. This event benefits STUPID CANCER: I’m Too Young For This, which raises awareness regarding cancer in people under 40. The creator, Matthew Zachary, is also a cancer survivor and he and I have teamed up and will be doing projects together in the future. For now, i will be attending the event and hope you will too.
http://cancerpalooza.i2y.com/
Again, thank you everyone who came and donated, bought shirts and appreciated great music. We have a couple big projects in the works and every little bit helps.
Love and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye
“Die From Laughing, Not From Cancer.”
December 14th 2008
Seeing my arm for the first time after surgery
12 hours after surgery
Hi everyone! We are a little over a month out of my surgery and my arm is doing great. I have noticed that caffine, sodium and alcohol do make it swell. So, I am doing my best to limit those things in my diet. It is very amazing and calming to not have to worry about compression anymore. Even with all the activity I have started up again, my arm looks really great. It basically looks as small as when I would wear compression and then take it off (but without the lines from the spaghetti foam). The green dye that was supposed to last for months and months was gone in 2 weeks! My doctor said that’s because the surgery worked so well and my vascular and lymph system dumped it out very quickly, faster than most patients. We have our fingers crossed that it will be about 100% healed in the next 5 months. Patience is a virtue I am working very hard on adapting to my belief system 
I will add a gallery for all of this very soon.
Thank you again for your love and support! As far as fundraising went, we raised about half the money. If you have not yet donated, please do so on paypal to donate@elysiaskye.org or send a check to PO Box 4573, Valley Village, CA 91617.
Love and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye
11/8/08
Hi everyone,
i just got home from the hospital today and i can already see some results from my surgery!
im typing slowly with my left hand and rockin my painkillers, so bare with me here.
my arm is in a splint that i have to keep straight for two weeks. Certain everyday tasks are difficult, but my boyfriend KC and my roommate Paul are by my side to make sure i dont screw this up by trying to dress myself or anything CRAZY like that
i went in for surgery at 6am on Wednesday november 5th and was given the happy white sleepy juice at 8am. my operation lasted 10 hours! DrBlack spent an extra two hours in my hand trying to find my stubborn veins. He was able to make 12 successful anastamosis from my lymph vessel to my veins. By the end of surgery, my pinky and ring-finger had shrunk down to their normal size, matching my left hand! He expects my hand and wrist to look almost perfect in the next few weeks and the forearm and upper arm might take a few months to catch up.
i got to take a quick peak today when he swapped out my bandaging. My middle finger has also shrunk down, along with the right side of my hand and my wrist. The entire arm looked as though i had been wearing compression, but hadnt worn it in 4 days! Before this surgery it would have been twice as big, if not bigger and its only get better! i do have green dye on my skin that was injected before surgery to light up my veins, but now my arm is peeing it out and doc says it might last for a few months. It reminds me of when my cat preston fell asleep on a green sharpie.
Being in the hospital for 3 days made me a little stir crazy, but KC was by my side 24/7 making me laugh and tending to my every need and want. i had plenty of visitors and ate more chocolate covered strawberries than any post op patient probably should.
Donations are still pouring in, and i am extremely grateful for all of the friends family and strangers that have unconditionally given to my cause. i have big plans for my book and non profit, so check the website to find out more very soon!
i hope to see you this saturday night from 8-9pm at IMPROV OLYMPIC in Hollywood at the main stage. My good friend Phil Lamar (madtv, family guy, pulp fiction, kim possible) will be improving with the 313, detroit city natives rocking some long form for elysiaskye.org! Special guest Colton Dunn from MadTv will also be performing. You can buy tix ahead of time at www.iowest.com. Please pass this info on and bring as many people as you can please. The flyer is attached.
I love you and hope to talk to you soon. If you reply back, give me a few days to respond. im still learning this left handed thing. Also click the media section of the site to hear our new PSA that is playing on 5 different south florida stations!
Hugs and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye
“Die From Laughing, Not From Cancer.”
11/4/08
Even though, as a non profit owner I am not allowed to encourage either side of the election, i am VERY happy that Barack Obama is our new president elect! This means positive change for healthcare, middleclass and hopefully our troops will be back in the states by March!
I am also very excited to be having surgery first thing in the morning to correct my lymphedema. I’ll be at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance from Wednesday to Saturday. We did not quite raise the $30,000 we needed, the rough estimate we raied since we began is $12,000, which is still pretty great! That is almost half!!! There will be another fundraiser on November 15th and one on December 30th, and I believe we can still raise this amount. Dr.James Black has offered and promised to not send me to collections if i cannot pay the balance, but the hospital will not be so kind and I do not know yet what to expect from them regarding my copay. Regardless, I am not at all worried about it. My focus is on healing and spreading awareness about this new found cure.
Things are in the works right now for publishing my book. I am asking everyone to please send positive thoughts our way for a great deal and an educational book tour. I Got My Tits Done In Beverly Hills is a unique story full of lessons for young women and anyone in a relationship with someone who has cancer. Proving that anything is possible when you learn to have control over your body, your thoughts and your life.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported this cause. We will continue pushing the envelope with insurance companies so that cancer patients do not have to fight for rights that should be given to them.
Love and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye
11/1/08
October was awesome! We raised over $11,000! That also means we’re $19,000 short. On the bright side, the Kojis and El Cid fundraisers were amazing. Thank you again to Dana Gould, Matt Braunger, Mo Collins, The Gangsta Queen, Dave Hill and the Armando team at IO West. A special thanks to Michael at El Cid, Nick Morris at Kojis and everyone who has donated so far!
I had my pre-op consultation with Dr.Black and he promised he won’t be sending me to the poor house. Whatever we cannot raise will be billed and he won’t send me to collections. The hospital is another story, so keep those dollars coming and spread the good word please. Another fundraiser currently going on is the Pirate Painting by Sarah Kushner on ebay! She has donated this very beautiful painting with all proceeds going to our cause.
I will be unable to use my right hand for two weeks as of this wednesday, so for those of you who will be donating, please give me a couple weeks to send out my thank yous. I will be at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance from Wed the 5th to Saturday the 6th. Insurance approved 4 nights, but I’m hoping I’ll get out on good behavior My doctor said I won’t be in any pain, but I’ll be BORED. He wants to make sure I don’t move or use my right hand/arm for quite some time. For those of you who know me, that’s going to be a very difficult task, but I promise to be good and stay still until this is fully healed. If i i mess this up, that will be my biggest forgiveness lesson to this day! Fingers crossed! Well, atleast on my left hand.
Love and hugs,
Elysia Skye
10/6/08
Tomorrow night is the first official fundraiser for my surgery. The paypal donations and checks in the mail have added up so far to about $4000, which is great for such a short time, but not quite enough to get through November. I have been doing a lot of press, more than I’m used to. This month I am going to be featured in LA Family Magazine (my friend Mac Duffy set that up) and I’ll also have an article in Attribute Magazine (they found me from Dress My Nest!). I had an email correspondance with Stacey, the creator for Attribute, and I thought I’d copy my answers into this blog. You’ll see some of this info in the article, but here’s a sneak peak
Love and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye
S: What was your initial reaction when you found out you had cancer.
E: I took a deep breathe and decided to kick cancer’s ass. I was scared about what I would look like, how I would be able to afford treatment and time off work, if my acting career would be effected and if my boyfriend would stick by me. I quickly reminded myself that I am a determined person, I am a spiritual being and that I am a creator. I was going to be fine. I just had to remember to keep breathing, and try to laugh as often as possible.
S: Did you have a role model while going through treatment is was it the lack of someone your age to look to which led you to be that person for others?
E: My role model was my mother. She passed away when I was 12, and she gave me the strength to carry through any tragedy or trauma. She had MS and was a teacher and a healer. She was a loving mother, sister and friend to hundreds of people.
S: What has been the reaction to your video “Lose Weight with Cancer” and what led you to go there?
E: I have gotten nothing but positive reviews from men and women of all ages. There is something for everyone in this film. I was inspired while undergoing treatment, after losing my hair and 20 pounds. I was wearing a tight dress and a bobbed wig when I ran into an old friend who didn’t know I had been diagnosed. He hugged me in excitement, telling me I looked amazing! Asked if i had been working out and whatever i was doing, keep it up.
That was the beginning of the laughter that has continued every day. His name is Spanky. Of course!
S: Who were you before cancer-did you have the same outlook or did this experience totally change your perspective of the world.
E: My friend Jenn says I have always been a gypsy, so I haven’t changed so much as far as my positive outlook on life, but now I have stronger spiritual beliefs regarding forgiveness and manifestation. I believe we choose our lifes and every detail that comes along with it. I also have learned how to ask for help, how to receive, and the importance of treating yourself the way you want others to treat you.
S: What is the most touching part of your fund raising?
E: I am constantly overwhelmed at the generosity of acquaintances and strangers. People who have no idea who I am are sending paypal cash and checks in the mail. They have read my story and told me I am inspiring them! THEY are inspiring ME! My close friends are there for me over and over. I don’t take any of it for granted. I am loved.
E: Words of advice for other’s with cancer?
You have made this choice. You created this. Now you can un-create it. Reflect on how you emotionally handle stress and fear. If it hasn’t already, your attitude needs to change now. Cancer is curable, as long as your attitude is flexible. Laugh, love and receive.
S: How did you land on Style My Nest and how was that experience. Did you keep things the way they designed it after all?
E: I submitted my headshot and short story on an actors website based out of LA. I had a phone interview, an audition, a producers session and I booked it! The process was not much different than a normal acting job, but I did not go on the air as an actress. I was promoting my book and my organization. I have kept things the way Thom designed them, with a few additions of my old artwork. I can’t live without my Superman posters!
S: That’s about it…I can work wonders with answers to these questions.
E: You’re welcome. This has been fun! I hope we get to meet next time I go to south florida.
Additionally, 93 Rock.com is promoting my site with online banners and giving part of their Halloween charity to my cause. For more info, email Crystal Ganz at crystal.gans@coxradio.com
9/26/08
GOOD NEWS!
My surgeon, Dr. James Black called and spoke directly to the MD at Blue Cross who denied my claim and had the claim reversed. He told the man that this surgery has been done many times in the past and HAS been approved by Blue Cross before. SO now, they are giving me an out of network percentage. The surgery is billed to blue cross at $40,000 (not including hospital fees). Out of network cost is generally about 40% coverage, so I still need $30,000 plus to get through this. Hospitals can bill upwards of $40,000 just for the facilities and staff (not to mention I’ll be spending 3-5 nights there). Long story short, this surgery could wind up being $80,000+
So let’s keep the donations coming! It has been an amazing first week. I’ve raised about $4000 in 7 days! However, to get where we need by November 5th, we have to keep fundraising. My publicist Lon Haber is sending out a press release in efforts to get media attention. OPRAH, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!
I have been overwhelmed with the generosity, kindness and love of my friends, family and for the most part, complete strangers who have reached out to be a part of my cause.
Recently, my surgeon’s assistant met with the Japanese surgeon and Italian surgeon (the only other two people in the WORLD who perform venous anastamosis for lymphedema) and discussed the future of this surgery. This is amazing and I can’t wait to share my results with lymphedema PT’s and oncologists worldwide.
Thank you again to everyone who had contributed.
93 Rock in Florida has offered to put out a few PSAs on the station and are also planning to throw a charity fundraiser on Halloween. If you live in the Florida area, please check my events page for more information near the end of October. Thank you Crystal Gans of 93 rock!
Love,
Elysia
BLUE CROSS JUST DENIED MY ENTIRE CLAIM!
9/19/2008 5:38PM
My doctor told me that they usually do cover it up to 60%, but there is always a chance they wont so raise they money just in case.
So i am raising the money just in case, with the hopes they will cover 60% and if i raise all the money (which I WILL), i can use it to publish the information and spread the word internationally about this cure that nobody seems to know about!
I also wanted to donate to other women fighting breast cancer without insurance. So be it if i have to use all the money on this surgery, but for them to deem this surgery NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY who the hell do they think they are?! They pay for my physical therapy every week at $750 a treatment but something that will end this vicious cycle isn’t medically necessary? Between the weekly PT and my compression gloves ($550 a piece, need 4 a year) I will be saving them tons of money over my lifetime! They are so incorrect and I feel terrible for women being turned down for things like this who don’t have the energy to fight. It’s discouraging having the powers that be say NO when it comes to your health when you pay them out the ass every friggin month.
They messed with the wrong chick. I want to encourage doctors to learn this procedure and it doesn’t help when nobody can pay for it!
I have lots more to say about this. This is bigger than me and my arm. This is for the good of thousands of lymphedema patients.
and vote OBAMA for Christs Sake!!! (thought I’d throw that in there while I was passionate).
Love,
Elysia
donate@elysiaskye.org
bla blog boobs
Written by admin on September 7, 2008 – 9:52 pm –
Wow, after almost three years since my diagnosis, I finally have a non-profit! I know this website and company will continue to grow and I am very excited to be able to reach out to an unlimited amount of people. This organization is not just for people who have cancer or who’ve had cancer. This is also for people with family members who have cancer, or if you’re dating or married to someone with cancer, or have a good friend with cancer. I have met so many interesting, kind hearted brilliant people in the past three years who have inspired me and given me permission to share their websites and stories. The only way to get what you need or want is to ask for help and make it happen (unless you have tons of money and can hire someone else to do it for you…that’s not what I did unfortunatly).
If you are going through this site and have ideas on how to improve the site or want to know something that is not up here, please email me anytime. Coming soon will be special events for fundraising, a sexy cancer calendar, and one day a creative cancer center for patients and survivors to continue working, playing, writing and being artistic throughout their recovery. It will also be a holistic healing center and a merch exchange (wigs, lymphadema products, etc.) free of charge to patients currently being treated. Eventually I would like to create a grant program called “my insurance doesn’t cover this and I think it’s bs!” where we can assist cancer patients in getting treatment and products they need that we do not provide and the government doesn’t feel are “necessary”. This would include everything from spa treatments to reconstructive surgery. Thank you Dr.Christine Horner for working with Clinton to ensure implants are taken care of. However, tattooing and lymphadema treatment are still only partially covered. This is not fair, and I’m not moving to Canada (no offense Canada but I’m pretty fond of California). Although the 2008 election might inspire a move out of this country – OK I can’t get into that 
This is a happy blog!
Currently I’m thrilled to have finally met someone who believes he can cure my lymphadema in my right arm between 60% and 95%! This costs roughly $20,000 and I will need to take a month or more off work (so, more like $25,000). Because my blue cross PPO only pays 60%, i need to raise between $10k and $15k before November 5th. Please see the events/fundraising section of the site to see where we’ll be raising these funds.
Lastly, thank you so much to David Phillips (Arkany web design) for working pro-bono to get this site up and going before my surgery. Another thank you to Amanda at Eagle-Eye edits for your help with my book, “I Got My Tits Done In Beverly Hills” and thank you to Lon Haber for being a very talented and eager publicist, jumpstarting this journey with me. And of course, love and gratitude to all of you.
Sincerely,
Elysia Skye
The night before my first surgery
COMING SOON!!