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Not All Days Are Good

Sherryl had her second round of Chemo #6 last week and has subsequently experienced related side effects.  Leg pain, stiff knees, water retention, and fatigue are not a fun combination even by RaRa Resilience standards.  So, in addition to tears and lots of sleep, the walker was needed on Saturday and a cane on Sunday.  Sherryl did feel better Sunday evening, which she attributes to an 15-hour night's sleep.

Backing up to last week, Sherryl decided to be pro-active and ask for a particular test.  She has reasoned that nearly every part of her anatomy has been scanned; the only area not yet scanned is the brain.  So, although she is functioning physically and mentally well, Sherryl presented her rationale to her oncologist with a request for that particular test.  He agreed and the scan was scheduled for this past Thursday.  The availability of test results is pending.  Sherryl expects to get an update from her doctor during her chemo appointment this week.

Sherryl continues to push herself, even through bad days.  Sunday evening, she was baking a birthday cake for one of the children at day care and talking about Christmas gifts she has in the works. 

Resilience.  Here's wishing RaRa wakes up tomorrow morning to a good day.

~xoxo~

Tired, and Waiting for Results

Sherryl is still in the hospital.  In addition to the CT scan, an MRI was done yesterday.  Sherryl's radiology oncologist will arrive in Sherryl's hospital room some time this evening to give her the results.

She has not slept very well over the past two days, so medication is being adjusted accordingly.  As of early this afternoon, she'd had a little lunch, was chatty with immediate family and the nurses, and may sleep a bit before the visit from her doctor.

Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes.  They mean the world to Sherryl and to us.

~xoxo~ 

Hospitalized for Pain

Sherryl has been experiencing pain in the left thigh the past few days and has had a hard time walking.  The pain worsened, so she called the oncologist's office on Saturday and was told it may be sciatica.  By Sunday the pain was worse and became excruciating, so much so that Richard pulled out her walker.  She made an appointment to see her oncologist today and, during her appointment, a CT scan was ordered.

The doctor wanted her to be hospitalized for the test and pain management, so Sherryl was admitted to the hospital this evening.  Results of the scan are expected no later than tomorrow.  

It has been a busy summer and Sherryl's strength and spirits have been good.  She's worked at day care, enjoyed a week of vacation, and continued to spend time with the people she loves.  As she began treatment of the new chemotherapy, Gemcitabine or Gemzar, her blood cell counts dropped postponing the planned infusion schedule.  She was administered chemotherapy last week; fatigue is the most prominent side effect.

Sherryl also spoke her peace to the physician who told her they were "running out of options," so we'll be sure to explain the details of that story in the near future.

Good News ~ Tumor Marker is Down

Sherryl met with her oncologist today and learned that her tumor marker has dropped from 168 in February to 107 today.  This is great news!  Sherryl's oncologist also told her that she is anemic again, so a course of shots were prescribed to boost her red blood cell count.    

The timeframe for the next bone scan was also discussed today; the next one will probably be scheduled for 8 weeks or two chemotherapy cycles from now.  

Except for some fatigue, Sherryl is doing well.  Her appetite is good and she feels OK.  She experiences no nausea and, in general, is thrilled to be able to function fully under the current treatment plan. 

Sherryl needed to stop into the clinic yesterday and one of the nurses approached her to tell her she had a "message from a friend."  Nancy, who has moved on to her new job, had asked the nurse to tell Sherryl hello for her.  Sherryl was truly touched that Nancy had thought to send her that message.

Sherryl continues to work at Day Care every day and this weekend will entail attending Austin's last Little League game, a massage, and spending time with family.  

All things considered, life is pretty good right now and we're all grateful for it.       

~ xoxo ~

A Perfect Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was very special this year to us all.  Following a full day of love, laughter, and a lavish feast that began with tearful individual gratitudes and ended with amusing group songs, there was a slumber party at Sherryl's house.  The younger generations stayed and conversations, including those with RaRa, continued well into the wee hours of the morning.  Once everyone was asleep, Sherryl tells us she woke up once in the middle of her slumber and realized she was smiling.  She said she thought to herself, "Perfect.  What a perfect Thanksgiving."  And it was.

The rest of Sherryl's weekend was busy.  She is taking full advantage of welcoming energy back to her side, and was out and about on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Some have told her she sounds great.  To others, she sounds just like she always has -- exuding happiness, connecting with every single person she meets, and loving life itself.

As scheduled, Sherryl had an MRI today; tomorrow brings a CT scan and physical therapy.  An appointment to learn test results is scheduled for Wednesday.  Given Sherryl's great response to all treatment to date, there is much optimism as we await the outcome.  In the meantime, she is determined to rebuild her strength and has vowed to walk as much as possible. 

You may have noticed the color scheme for this update page has changed.  And, in keeping with RaRa's resolution to do a lot of walking, the little icon located in the upper left corner of this page, which was once a photograph of California poppies, is now a photograph of shoes.  There's a reason for the color change, and the shoes are not just any old shoes.  'Tis the season, you know. 

New Addiction

Sherryl did not feel well today, nausea and fatigue have returned.  As she was told by one of the nurses, all side affects of chemotherapy are in full swing in the fifth month.  She's disappointed to have to reschedule a lunch date with Uncle Donnie, our father's lifelong best friend.  Hopefully the luncheon will be postponed by only a few weeks. 

Despite the side affects, Sherryl is getting used to the routine that encompasses each chemotherapy session.  She is given Benedryl by the nurses just before chemo begins, and she has grown to like very much the relaxation that ensues.  A few weeks ago, a masseuse rounded through the cancer center offering massages to those who wanted them.  This gesture of comfort is now a routine service on Sherryl's chemo days and she takes full advantage of it.  She told us last night that she has a new addiction. "A bit of Benedryl and a massage go so hand in hand.  I don't remember the last time I felt that relaxed.  It was so very wonderful.  I am one very, very relaxed chick tonight!" 

On Thursday, Sherryl spent some time at Day Care and was then able to get together with a good friend.  The nausea and fatigue began today, so she will rest this weekend.

This coming Wednesday is the last session of chemotherapy, then bone and CT scans are scheduled for the Monday and Tuesday following Thanksgiving.  Early indicators point to Sherryl responding well to treatment; the results of the scans will reveal more details.  If all goes as expected, the next phase in Sherryl's treatment plan is 6 weeks of radiation treatment.  The start date for radiation treatment has not yet been determined, but we are all hopeful Sherryl will be able to fully enjoy the holiday season.

Let's all help Sherryl feel better by sending her good, soothing thoughts as we listen again to one of her favorite songs. 

Sing Little Bird

Sherryl had an appointment with her oncologist today to learn the results of the CT and bone scans that were performed last week.  For those of you who like the outcome first, the news is good.

The CT scan shows there is no sign of cancer in major organs.  In addition, small nodules that appeared on the lungs in previous images and which doctors wanted to watch closely for signs of cancer, are gone.  Gone.  Isn't that the loveliest word when it comes to cancer?!

For the bone scan, progress is difficult to measure which could be due to Sherryl's system responding to the change from Femara to chemotherapy.  Sherryl has an appointment later this month with her radiology oncologist, so more details should be available then. 

Sherryl's oncologist is glad she is doing well.  He also told her that she may not have had pneumonia as previously suspected.  Rather, scar tissue resulting from radiation treatment to the spine may have appeared on a chest x-ray as a shadow only resembling pneumonia. 

Sherryl asked her oncologist about returning to day care.  He agreed with her plan to ease back into a routine since she is responding well to treatment.  She will continue chemotherapy for another 3 - 4 months, then more tests will be performed to assess response.

As for her spirits, Sherryl is doing very well.  She strives every day to gain more physical strength.  She is able to drive again and has enjoyed reclaiming some degree of independence.  While staying positive about today's looming test results, Sherryl was busy all Labor Day weekend.  She particularly enjoyed meeting dear friends for coffee and reuniting with some of our very entertaining cousins.  For the latter, we never foresaw in our youth engaging as adults in hysterical conversations that would reveal which of us are lactose intolerant and from which individuals on our shared family tree we had inherited that related gene. (!)   

Sherryl paid a visit again Monday to her new favorite store, Anthropologie.  This time she couldn't leave the store without two of those charming doorknobs -- the bird and a small, cobalt blue sphere. 

The news is good today.  Sing little bird.  Sing songs that will fill RaRa's world with joy.