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Determined

The scan that was performed earlier this month revealed a small tumor in the hip joint, so daily radiation treatment to that area began last week and will end in two days.  In the meantime, chemotherapy has continued. 

Sherryl has been very tired the past few weeks and has spent much of the time in bed sleeping.  She continues to use a walker and, overall, she's feeling very weak.  Her radiation oncologist validated today that her body is exhausted, probably due to cumulative chemotherapy treatments.  Sherryl's oncologist is on vacation, so she'll see another oncologist this week.  It is not yet determined if she will be administered chemotherapy this week. 

Sherryl has sorely missed being at day care and has missed spending the holiday season with the children.  But the perkiness in Sherryl's voice is beginning to return, and she's determined to regain her strength.  Determined.  Resilience.

To join the little elf above in cheering her on, here is one of RaRa's favorite Christmas songs.   

~xoxo~ 

Feeling A Bit Better

Sherryl is feeling a bit better today.  She talked on the phone briefly to each of us, and she  had more waking hours today than she has any day since Thursday.  So, just as she's done before, she's coming out of the "chemo tired" phase and will be back on her feet again soon.  In the meantime, a scan is scheduled for Monday.

Thank you one and all for your ongoing love, prayers, and support of our sister.  Every thought you send makes a world of difference to her.  So, please keep them coming! 

~xoxo~

One Step Forward, Thirty-three Steps Back

The holidays have arrived and so RaRa's favorite elf is back to cheer for her and her amazing resilience.  Sherryl loved this elf when she saw it last year, so the season-loving character representing magic and joy has returned.

Although the elf is jumping with excitement, Sherryl is not.  Following a couple of good weeks, she needed her walker to get to the Thanksgiving table at Jonathan and Rachael's home Thursday evening.  When she got home that night, she went to bed and stayed there all weekend long.  She stayed in bed all day Monday, too.  As of today, she feels pain only from time to time, but she's "chemo tired," so much so that she doesn't even want to talk on the phone. 

So, while it felt like progress was made, her tumor marker had dropped, and she was able to work and play and get around, the combination of fatigue and need for a walker feels like a huge setback.  The number in the title, thirty-three, is the one Sherryl most frequently pulls from mid-air when she needs to use an arbitrary number in a sentence.  And since the number thirty-three is a lot higher than the number two (as in "one step forward, two steps back"), it works perfectly here.  Unfortunately.  

Last week, Sherryl's oncologist increased the dosage of the current chemo-cocktail and prescribed a stronger medication for pain she was feeling in her hips. In surfacing a pattern for the side effects of this particular chemotherapy, which is administered once a week for 3 weeks and then there is one week  of no chemotherapy, it is during the off week when the cumulative effects of the medication hit Sherryl hard.  She sleeps all day every day and her mouth is dry.  There is very little talking when she is awake, but she is aware of people and her surroundings.

Sherryl is scheduled to return to chemotherapy this next week, and another scan will be scheduled  within the next few days to determine whether or not there is a fracture that is causing the pain in her hips.

Sherryl did enjoy Thanksgiving and we were very grateful that our entire family was together for Sherryl's favorite holiday.  We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too.  

~xoxo~

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Sherryl's favorite holiday has arrived once again and she is happily spending the day with the entire family.  Sherryl has hosted our annual feast every year since Mom passed away and now, it is with great love and pleasure, that she is passing the proverbial baton to Jonathan and Rachael to carry on the tradition of Thanksgiving dinner.  Fun will certainly be had by all! 

Sherryl has been feeling pretty well the past couple of weeks and, in fact, her tumor marker has dropped a bit to 470.  Following a conversation with her oncologist, she believes that the dip in her spirits was due to the current chemotherapy as it is known to play havoc with emotions.  The doctor also prescribed Sherryl a medication to reduce water retention.  She says she doesn't mind pushing through fatigue, but there's nothing she can do in this case for a side effect that involves swelling. 

Sherryl also learned that the results of the brain scan were back.  Her doctor reported the brain and skull are fine.  Sherryl has identified a small spot on her chin that is numb, so the doctor took note and explained that, if there is metastasis in the jaw, that may be the cause.  He plans to watch it carefully. 

On this Thanksgiving weekend, we are so thankful for the people in Sherryl's life who love her so very much.  From longtime friends to nurses to daycare kids and parents to our aunts, uncles and cousins -- you all make such a difference to Sherryl's spirits.  We hope you are spending part of this holiday weekend with those you love, too.  From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

~xoxo~

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.