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A Very Happy Fourth of July

Sherryl has been feeling better the past few days and her energy has been pretty good -- just in time to celebrate another Fourth of July get-together at her house.  The entire family was there.  After a yummy barbecue, we gathered on the front deck where we again watched in silence close to a dozen fireworks displays occurring simultaneously from Vallejo to San Francisco.  It's always a beautiful sight.  And the party continued into Sunday as several family members stayed overnight at Sherryl's house.  We love tradition, and sometimes the simpler it is, the more treasured it becomes.  Here's a musical reminder that it is the simple things in life that make it so precious.

~xoxo~

She's Painting Again!

There is a song on the movie soundtrack for Miss Potter called "I'm Painting Again."  It's the perfect music for Sherryl this holiday weekend.  In the past three days she has gone to a paint store, selected two shades of gray, and painted her laundry room.  With Richard's help, appliances were moved out and back as Sherryl worked her magic with rollers and brushes.  She needs only to add to two cabinets adorable pink knobs she found at her favorite store, Anthropoligie.

Health-wise, Sherryl is getting over a little cold but is feeling pretty well during these two weeks of "no chemo" in this cycle.  She stayed home most of the weekend and, in addition to thoroughly enjoying her home project, got plenty of sleep and played a few games of Scrabble online.  

All in all, it's been a lovely holiday weekend, and the week ahead brings more cherished daily routine for RaRa: working at day care and spending time with family and friends.        

                                       ~ xoxo ~

Adjusting to the New Chemotherapy

Sherryl is in Month #2, Week #1 of the latest chemotherapy.  So far, she doesn't like it because of the side effects.  Fatigue, puffy eyes, and some hair loss make for a combination that would challenge anyone's resilience.  She's missed a special event or two as a result, which is more than disappointing.  She pushes herself when she can, and she also rests as much as necessary.

It's too early to know whether or not this particular chemotherapy is working.  Sherryl has an appointment with Nancy next week; perhaps she'll learn more then relative to how her system is responding.    

Our family had a nice Easter, and we'll soon be celebrating Jonathan's birthday which was on April 9.  Mother's Day is right around the corner, too.  Spring is definitely here.  We hope you're enjoying this season of new beginnings.

~ xoxo ~

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sherryl has had two doses of the new chemotherapy.  Aside from feeling a little tired, so far so good.

In honor of St. Paddy's Day, here's a YouTube video that has been included in the past, but it's a favorite.  Erin Go Bragh!

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Happy New Year!

Times Square in New York City is famous for its New Year's Eve parties.  Even with the temperature below a freezing 32 degrees in The Big Apple, crowds amassed for this annual tradition.  Along with the commentary by famous personalities, there were three songs that bellowed through the streets of New York City once the stroke of midnight had passed. 

The first was a recording of "New York, New York" sung by Frank Sinatra and the third was a recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" sung by Izzy.  The middle song was one of RaRa's favorites and one we've included here frequently. 

As we wish you and your families a very Happy New Year, here is Louis Armstrong singing "What A Wonderful World."  And may RaRa continue to shine in 2009!

' Tis the Season !

The holiday season is upon us and Sherryl never looked better than she did on Thanksgiving Day.  Happy and chatty and spending relaxed time with people she loves.  A far cry from a year ago when she was too thin and wore a baseball cap to keep her head warm.  She has come so far, and we are all so glad she has! 

As the week progressed though, Sherryl did not felt so great and just seemed to feel out of sorts much of the time.  But it was her week off chemo (3 weeks on, 1 week off), and as of this morning, she was feeling much better.  If this particular chemotherapy continues with these side affects, Sherryl may discuss other options with her health care team.  Sherryl's next appointment with Nancy is this week, and she'll probably hear the most recent tumor marker.  We're all hoping the number is lower than it was when last reported.

We celebrated Annie's birthday last night and cannot believe she is 14!  And Austin's birthday is this coming Friday; he's turning 8!  How is it that children grow up and we don't age a day?

And speaking of the celebrations, special thanks again to Jo-Lynne of DCR Designfor the very cute elf and new holiday decor here at RaRa's Space.com.  RaRa loves elves, and Arleen thinks this one represents perfectly Sherryl's Resilience -- yes, with a capital "R."  Don't you agree?!

Oh, and about that Countdown to Christmas widget.  You'll notice the title above it says "Countdown to The Man Himself."  For years, RaRa has referred to Santa as "The Man Himself."  And, because the term is used by RaRa so often, many of the kids at day care have called him The Man Himself, too.  So, we must be accurate in things such as this at RaRa's MySpace.com!      

Halloween Treats & Traditions

Sherryl had a surgery follow-up appointment today and was told everything about her new port looks fine.  She'll return tomorrow for her third dose of the new chemo.  (The previous update indicating a first dose was actually the second, so we are now at dose number three.)  She'll also meet with Nancy tomorrow.  Sherryl says the pain in her back has reduced considerably and attributes this progress to the new chemotherapy medication.   

Halloween is only two days away, so Sherryl is spending this evening making turtles, the kind made from pecans, caramel, and chocolate.  And she'll deliver them to the staff at the Marin Cancer Institute tomorrow.  After her appointment, she'll return to day care to help dress the kids in their costumes, and will then lead them on their annual Halloween parade, a very short walk through the neighborhood.  And this weekend, RaRa has all kinds of things brewing.

Happy Halloween, everyone! 

"Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Hat Series, Witch Hat" by Melanie Vowles.  Image from Art.com.

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Easter Cookies and Miss Potter

Sherryl spent Wednesday evening baking cookies for the children at day care -- 4 dozen carrot-shaped cookies, that is, covered in orange and green frosting.  This evening Sherryl produced for an autistic teen she used to care for, Erik, and his friends, little chick cookies.  Yellow frosting, colorful sprinkles, and half a jelly bean for the eye yield a third dimension to these barnyard toddlers.  Holiday love in the form of homemade confections flow abundant from RaRa this week as she looks forward to celebrating Easter and Nadine's birthday with our family on Sunday. 

In recognition of spring's newborn fawns and chicks and lambs, we pay tribute to children's author Beatrix Potter.  Bunnies in jackets with brass buttons and forest characters with delightful names like Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Squirrel Nutkin came to life thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of this remarkable woman. Thank you, Miss Potter, for your charming tales and memorable illustrations.

Happy Easter, everyone!          

Apples, Sundaes, and Hairspray

What in the world do those three things have in common?  Here is the answer:

Today, the Sisters Three (Arleen, Sherryl, and Nadine) and Annie spent the day at Sherryl's house simply enjoying each other's company.  We played a very fun game called "Apples to Apples," a favorite of Annie's that clearly elicits her giddy charm. 

Although we had originally talked about going to Ghiradelli Square today to enjoy a trip to The City and to enjoy Ghiradelli's famous hot fudge sundaes, we decided to stay home instead.  As we savored our homemade sundaes, we watched the movie Hairspray, which we all enjoyed very much.  We talked of taking trip to Ghiradelli Square very soon.  Annie has never been there, so it is one of the things Sherryl wants us to do together prior to chemotherapy potentially beginning again. 

Spending time together as a family was the perfect way to spend this holiday Monday.  Sherryl has two more radiation treatments scheduled in the next two days, and she receives this Wednesday the results of the PET scan that was performed last week.  We remain optimistic that the results of the PET scan will be good.  Please join us in our optimism.

Happy New Year

Sherryl has thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this holiday season.  She was able to participate in all activities before and during each celebration.  She's been surrounded by family and close friends, and heads into 2008 with her usual optimism and energy.  It is our hope that 2008 will be very, very good to RaRa.  She does, after all, deserve it. 

Happy New Year one and all!