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Christmas Present

Sherryl's oncologists decided to skip chemotherapy both weeks that preceded Christmas Day.  As a result, Sherryl was not sleepy and was able to sit and enjoy family fun on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Chemotherapy resumed last week and, while she continues to feel tired, she also is feeling a little bit stronger. 

Christmas Past is special; it conjures up many fond memories.  Christmas Future is special, too; it holds promise for new and exciting moments to be shared.  But some years, Christmas Present is the one to be treasured.  This was one of those years for our family.  We hope you have treasured this holiday season as much as we have.

~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~

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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