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RaRa's Angels

Sherryl had a brief conversation with Nancy on Friday during her routine round of Zometa.  Her next appointment is scheduled for this Friday; she anticipates learning the latest tumor marker at that time.  Today, she went to her standing physical therapy appointment, which she always appreciates. 

Sherryl is still working on a scrapbook she'll present to Nadine in honor of her 10 years at Day Care.  As she leafs through photographs of children they have cared for over the past 10 years, she is enjoying many, many memories of the children, their siblings, and their parents.  She knows how very much "Dinie" will appreciate the scrapbook, too, once it is completed.  

On Sunday, Sherryl joined Janice on a trip to San Francisco to greet a team of friends as they crossed the finish line at the Susan G Komen for the Cure 60-mile walk.  The event reminded Sherryl of Pink in the Park as well as the closing ceremony at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, two special events that took place last year. 

Sunday's event also reminded RaRa of her angels.  She has many of them.          

Songs: Imagine & I Run for Life

During Friday night's broadcast of Stand Up To Cancer, Josh Groban and Monica Mancini sang one of Sherryl's favorite songs, Imagine.  Brief real-life stories are told during their performance.  If you didn't see it, here it is.  If you did see it, you already know it's worth watching again. 

At the end of the show, rocker Melissa Etheridge, who is also a breast cancer survivor, sang a revised version of her hit song "I Run for Life," a tribute to all those who run to raise money for breast cancer research and survivor support.  Her performance from Friday night's television special is not yet available on YouTube, so the second video below is another live performance of "I Run for Life."

The first will bring tears, the second will inspire hope.   

A Milestone & A Television Special

After 10 years working at Day Care, Nadine is moving on to another job, and Sherryl is in the midst of preparing a traditional farewell gift for Nadine.  Sherryl is planning to give the gift to Nadine on Saturday.      

Sherryl is feeling relatively well, and even mentioned over the weekend that she feels almost as good as she did before she was diagnosed with cancer.  But she has felt some fatigue over the past 2 days and is trying to get as much rest as possible.  She is scheduled to receive Zometa on Friday and she will meet with Nancy next week.

There is a television special on Friday night worth considering.  "Stand Up for Cancer" will be simultaneously broadcast on all 3 major networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) beginning at 8:00 p.m.  There is an all-star line up of guests and talent, and viewers may "make a donation of $1 or more to launch a personalized star in honor of someone who has been diagnosed with cancer."  

Please consider tuning in to watch this special event.  As we all know, every single thought and every single action makes a difference in cumulative efforts to find the cure.  Thank you for your ongoing love, support, hope, and prayers for Sherryl.  They're working!   

Sisters and A Promise

October 1st marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness and Research Month.  As we know, there are a tremendous number of organizations and non-profit groups that are committed to ridding our world of this horrible disease.  Sponsors for fund raising to aid cancer survivors, their families, and medical research range from large corporations to mid- and small-size businesses to community agencies and places of worship.  Statistical information from the American Cancer Society website (2007) is staggering:

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (12%). It is estimated that in 2007 about 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world. At this time there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States."   

When cancer is diagnosed in a family member, those statistics become all too real, and yet they disappear.  Cancer is not about statistics, it's about life-altering events for the person we love.  And it's about how we re-prioritize aspects of our lives to do everything within our power to battle the disease for and with our loved one.  Focusing on quality of life and harmonious experiences are at the heart of all we think, say, and do.

While we have included a number of breast cancer references and websites on Sherryl's homepage and in these Updates, the one that resonates so personally is the story behind "Susan G. Komen For the Cure."  The reason this story strikes such a personal chord is because it is a story about sisters.  Although breast cancer is not exclusive to women, in this case, the relationship between sisters has resulted in creating "the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures."  (Susan G. Komen for the Cure website, 2007).

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness and Research Month and in honor of our sister, Sherryl, we invite you to read the inspirational and poignant story about the promise Nancy Brinker made to her sister, Susan G. Komen.  To quote a colleague of Arleen's, who is an oncology nurse and breast cancer survivor, "We are all sisters in this world.  We need to take care of each other."  Amen.                                                                

Thank you, Team RaRa!

Sherryl was thrilled to reach her goals for the weekend.  She was able to (a) greet Team RaRa on Saturday at one of the Marin cheering stations, and (b) meet them as they crossed the finish line at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park following their 2-day 39.3 mile walk.  Thank you Janice Hayes, Kristen Davenport, Hillary Fredrickson, Ginny Hautau, and Missy Worthey!!! 

Be sure to check out the new photo album on the right side of this page to see special moments Sherryl shared with these very special friends. 

Appointment with Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Sherryl saw her oncology nurse practitioner today and learned that her blood test results are all "stellar."  She received a round of chemotherapy, too, which this time was combined with Avastin, as well as Zometa, a bone strengthening medication.  More chemotherapy is scheduled for the next 3 Fridays.

Sherryl is feeling more energetic as a result of skipping chemotherapy last week and is experiencing less pain so has begun to taper off Oxycodine.  She also learned that she is not at high risk for disease if she heads to cheering stations on Saturday and the finish line on Sunday in support of Team RaRa and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 

Sherryl's goal is to be at the finish line of the walk when Team RaRa arrives.  Please send good thoughts and healthy wishes to Sherryl so she is able to reach her goals this weekend.  Thank you!

Appointment with Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Sherryl's oncologist is currently on vacation.  In his absence, she has been working closely with an oncology nurse practitioner.  Recent test results indicate that Sherryl's "numbers" are all showing a very good response to chemotherapy -- so much so that, in conjuction with fatigue and low energy, she was able to skip chemotherapy treatment scheduled for yesterday.  You may recall her tumor marker changed from 113 initially to 34.4 on March 27.  It then increased to 51 prior to her lumpectomy and was back down to 37.4 yesterday.  All blood counts are where the doctors want them to be.   

Following 3 rounds of chemotherapy, Sherryl is losing her hair, so Nadine took her today to "A Lady's Touch" on 4th Street in San Rafael to buy a wig that was cut and styled just for RaRa. 

Unfortunately, Sherryl had a fever yesterday and has been coughing for several days.  In addition, she has all but lost her voice.  A chest x-ray was taken today and shows that Sherryl has Left Lower Lobe Pneumonia.  A 7-day anti-biotic has been prescribed, and her next appointment with her oncologist is Friday, July 6. 

Sherryl has been sleeping a lot over the past couple of weeks and is hoping to have more energy since she was able to skip this week's chemotherapy.  Her thoughts and love are with all of those who will be at "Pep in the Park" tomorrow! 

Special thanks to Deborah Read for her very creative artwork!

"Pep in the Park" for Team RaRa

ALL DAY CARE FAMILIES AND AVON WALKERS UNITE!

TEAM RA•RA is a group of amazing women who have been training for months to participate in the AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER on behalf of Sherryl to raise money for the Avon Foundation and to raise awareness on a national level.

• Please join Team RaRa for a fun morning of play and cheer to show your support for Sherryl and Team Ra-Ra on SATURDAY, JUNE 30 at GERSTLE PARK, 10am to 12pm.
• Wear your Clark Street Foundation T-shirt, bring your own lunch and picnic blanket, and get ready for some fun! Pink Lemonade will be served and bubbles will be provided!
• Bring a friend—all are welcome.

Transition to Oral Medications

Sherryl has transitioned completely from intravenous medication to oral medication.  Her doctors no longer believe pain medication needs to be administered by way of a catheter to her back, so the previously considered minor surgical procedure is no longer part of the current treatment plan.  While Sherryl has experienced some spasms in her back, she feels little to no pain when they occur.

Sherryl's appetite is good.  She recently enjoyed cheese (one of her very favorite foods!) and crackers, as well as some tasty drinks from Jamba Juice.  She has been able to get in and out of bed herself, and tries to take her walker for a daily stroll up and down the hospital corridor. 

Nights have been more restful for Sherryl, and, in the advent of chemotherapy received on Thursday, she is getting a lot of sleep today.  Doctors believe she will be ready to go home in the next day or two.

Sherryl continues to think about all those she loves, and is also thinking a lot about Team RaRa and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  Thank you Team RaRa!   

Minor Surgery Pending

Now that Sherryl's doctors have identified a specific spot in her back central to the pain that results in spasms, they have decided to surgically implant in her back a small catheter through which pain medication will be dispersed directly to the area.  The date of surgery is not yet confirmed but is expected to occur early this week.  A local, rather than general, anesthesia will be used.  This aspect of pain management is critical to regulating Sherryl's medications so she can be discharged home as soon as possible.

She is feeling relatively well today (2 on a scale of 1 to 10 for pain intensity), and reports that evenings and nights are the hardest to endure as that is when painful spasms occur most frequently. 

Although she did not get much sleep last night, Sherryl's spirits are good and her sense of humor is healthy.  Several things made her laugh today, and she continues to very much appreciate all of her nurses.

Sherryl also has on her mind those wonderful friends who are participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on her behalf.  To date, "Team RaRa" has raised 71% of its goal of $12,000 in pledges; all proceeds will go to The Avon Foundation. 

If you've not had a chance to visit the Team RaRa website, please click here.  Team RaRa is comprised of five lovely ladies: Janice Hayes, Kristen Davenport, Hillary Fredrickson, Ginny Hautau, and Melissa Worthey -- all of whom were an integral part of PINK IN THE PARK for Clark Street Foundation.  They are our heroes, and deserve tremendous support for the time and effort they are contributing to this fund raising event.  Thank you, Team RaRa!