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Home Sweet Home

Sherryl arrived home from the hospital Monday evening and is enjoying the comfort of her own bed.  She is cautiously moving about without her walker, and Richard took her out today for radiation treatment as planned.  She also spoke briefly with her radiology oncologist; radiation will continue daily for a couple of weeks.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being low and 10 being high, Sherryl describes her level of pain today at a 2, which is a tremendous relief from the intensity of pain she felt just a couple of days ago. 

She's already making plans for how she'll spend her time at home until she can return to work.  There won't be any painting projects, but there will be much thinking and planning. 

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes for RaRa.  We may use the same words to say it each time, but we can never thank you enough for your love and support of our sister.

~xoxo~   

Chemotherapy #5: Gemzar

Following the "we're running out of options" appointment Sherryl had with her doctor and the subsequent case review by the tumor board, Sherryl placed a call to her doctor and he called her back on Saturday morning.  Here is a summary of what he told her:

Overall, the disease is looking better.  There is a "slight" spot on the humerus of both arms and a very small spot on the clavicle.  The new chemotherapy that will be administered is Gemcitabine, also known as Gemzar.  Sherryl will receive 1 infusion per week for 3 weeks and then will have 1 week of no chemotherapy.  There was discussion, too, of the original fracture to Sherryl's back and a procedure that will strengthen that area in her back is being considered.  The cancer is "not worrisome," and all areas where the disease is present will continue to be watched closely.  A new tumor marker will be ascertained within the next week or two.

Sherryl told her doctor her energy is good now, that she was planning to take a week of vacation, and that she'd like to feel good while on vacation.  Her doctor agreed that the new chemotherapy treatment can begin after her vacation. 

So, Sherryl is currently enjoying a week of good energy and free time.  She's spending most of her time at home since nesting is one of her favorite things to do.  She has not forgotten the phrase "we're running out of options" and intends to have a very direct conversation with her doctor the next time she sees him.  Two words: Go RaRa!!!

Special thanks to all of you for your continued support and concern for Sherryl's health and well-being.  Her spirits are buoyed by your thoughts, prayers, intentions, and actions.  Whether you see her often or hardly at all, please do not underestimate the power of your love for Sherryl. 

And we hope you're enjoying your summer!  

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 ~

Sherryl's Back Home!

The news is good.  As planned the Gastroenterologist and Sherryl met around noon today for another endoscopy, this time they met in the operating room.  If the food could still not be dislodged, surgery would be performed immediately.  

But the endoscopy revealed the food was dislodged from the wall of the esophagus and was nowhere to be seen.  Sherryl spent time in recovery and was discharged home late this afternoon.  

The doctor reported there is a bit of scarring on the walls of the esophagus, which is probably the result of radiation treatment.  This tissue will be monitored in follow-up appointments over the next few weeks.  Changes in diet specify soft foods only for a while; there are no changes to her existing treatment plan. 

Sherryl has had a terrible headache since last night and only wants to sleep.  So, that is exactly what she's doing this evening: sleeping. 

We are all relieved this incident did not become more complicated, and we are all very glad Sherryl is home.  In addition to it being a long holiday weekend, it's going to be a relaxing and lovely weekend, too.  Thank you for your love, hope, and prayers.  We wish you a nice long weekend, too!   

Staying Warm

KRON 4 * reports 45,500 are without power in the Bay Area as of 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  In the North Bay, there are 19,000 without power.  While this reporting bureau does not specify if the numbers include both residences and businesses, Sherryl's house is counted in the North Bay statistic.  RaRa's "house on the hill" has been without power since 10:00 a.m. Friday morning. 

Sherryl, Richard, Nadine, Annie, and their pups are doing their best to stay warm.  They spent most of Saturday clustered in the living room with the hearth aglow, and they greeted the pizza delivery guy Saturday evening with a flashlight.  A call to the utility company this morning yielded no promise for restored power within the next several hours.  In fact, it may be a day or two before electricity is back on in the neighborhood.

Sherryl is noticing more sensitivity to a cold environment than she has felt in the past.  She headed out of the house this morning to both run errands and get warmer.  As of 11:00 a.m. today, she was warming up and had every intention of staying warm until power is restored at her residence. 

In the advent of this weekend's storms, we hope you are all safe, dry, and warm!

Update, 12:35 p.m.  Two days and two hours after the storm-driven power outage, electricity is back on at Sherryl's house.  Hurray!!!

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* Reference: "KRON 4 Continuing Coverage."  (January 6, 2008).  Retrieved from the World Wide Web on January 6, 2008 at http://www.kron.com/

Home Sweet Home

Sherryl is home, safe and sound.  Tests results indicated there was no viral or bacterial infection that caused the lower abdominal pain.  One 5-day antibiotic was prescribed upon discharge from the hospital. 

Before Sherryl left the hospital this afternoon, one of her oncologists told her she is done with chemotherapy.  She is thrilled to know these semi-debilitating sessions are behind her "for now," and she is feeling the liberation of not being tied to the weekly visits and subsequent daily trips to get a shot.  That said, she also realizes she will no longer be seeing on a regular basis her nurses -- those who have cared for her with such compassion and kindness and for whom she now has such tremendous fondness.  So, there were a few tears today when good-byes were exchanged.   

Sherryl is enjoying tonight a light dinner, and is feeling cozy in her living room where Richard lit the first fire of the season in their fireplace.  She is glad to be home and has already begun planning the details of hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her home.  We are all very much looking forward to being together this year on Sherryl's favorite holiday.

Catching Up On Sleep

Sherryl's fever continued to drop today and has stabilized within a normal range. Early this morning, her fever was 100.1, and this afternoon it was 99.2 and then 98.0.  Sherryl felt wiped out all day, but was able to catch up on her sleep. 

Chemotherapy is scheduled for Wednesday, and Sherryl is planning to work at day care again this Thursday.  More fun plans are slated for Friday and the weekend, but Sherryl intends to be very cautious in resuming activities in order to avoid a relapse. 

With the onset of autumn, the temperature outside is dropping, too.  Sherryl is wearing warmer hats and has turned on the electric pad that kept her so warm last winter.  Soup sounds pretty good to her, too.  Warm and cozy is good.  Feeling loved is better.  Thank you all for loving Sherryl so much. 

Tired, But Better

Sherryl is feeling better today, and the last time she took her temperature it was 96.  She continues to experience symptoms that indicate her fever is breaking.  She also continues to experience a combination of fatigue and insomnia.  She stayed home all day today, and, except for a routine blood-draw tomorrow, will stay home again all day tomorrow.

The next round of chemotherapy treatment is scheduled for Wednesday.  Health care providers have told Sherryl that no chemotherapy will be administered if she still has a fever.  While clinical caution will prevail, Sherryl is hoping she will be able to receive her treatment.  There are only 5 more chemotherapy treatments remaining in the current plan, and she is looking forward to the last one around mid-November.  She also understands that more rounds may be needed in the future, but, for now, the end of this particular course in in sight. 

Sherryl sounds better today than yesterday, and, despite fatigue, her spirits are good.  Let's all send her sweet dreams for a very good night's sleep!   

Autumn Nesting

Sherryl has spent the past few days doing things around her house that she's not been able to do in quite some time.  All those household chores we sometimes dread doing -- laundry, dusting, and vacuuming -- are now welcomed tasks for Sherryl as they measure significant progress in how she's feeling and in the strength she is regaining each and every day.

She felt somewhat tired today, but fatigue did not stop her from wanting to finish what she started, including a few of the many, many thank you notes she intends to personally create for all of you.  And she wanted to bring out her seasonal decor: a sure sign her spirits are good.      

So as each of us moves about our homes these days making way for the season of thanks and giving, let us relish mundane tasks and routine rounds, and celebrate with RaRa her success in being right there with us.  Happy Autumn, everyone!

   

Home Again

After nearly 2 weeks in the hospital, Sherryl was discharged Sunday morning and is now resting comfortably at home.  Doctors have prescribed what they believe to be the perfect combination of oral medications to manage Sherryl's pain.  She is to call her oncologist if any concerns arise, and her primary physician is following all her care very closely.

Reminder for Visitors:  Please be sure to call Sherryl's home phone number and speak with Richard prior to venturing up the hill to see Sherryl.  Side effects to chemotherapy include fatigue and high susceptibility to germs and disease.  In order to preserve Sherryl's energy, Richard will determine on a daily basis whether or not Sherryl should have visitors. If you do not have Sherryl's home phone number, just send an email to Arleen at [email protected].  We all want Sherryl to feel better as soon as possible, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sherryl is alert and in good spirits, and, following the angst that dissipated once she successfully climbed the steps to her front door, is very much enjoying being home.  She continues to feel completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support she is receiving, and shared with us yesterday that a lyric to a song keeps repeating in her thoughts.  The lyrics Sherryl is recounting are:  "Human kindness is overflowing, and I think it's going to rain today." 

After a bit of Googling, we found the song.  It's by Randy Newman and, now that we've listened to it, we remember it, too.  While the song and melody that serve as context for these lyrics are not uplifting, that Sherryl remembered this song while in a hospital bed on a ward with other cancer patients underscores her constant focus on compassion for human beings.  She truly feels overwhelmed to be the recipient of the overflowing human kindness family and friends are directing toward her. An interpretation of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" can be found on YouTube; just click here to listen. 

Since it's Father Day, we're inserting here another video from YouTube, one of our dad's very favorite songs and a song that Sherryl has sung for years to the kids at day care.  Just click on the arrow below to enjoy the nostalgia with us.  And a very Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!