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Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Sherryl seems to be metabolizing the new chemotherapy pretty well.  She had a good weekend.  Even before Friday, her resilience kicked in by way of humor.  We didn't know until last week that she gives names to each of her chemotherapy medications.  For example, Adriamycin was named Adrian.  And now that it has stopped working, Sherryl told us, "Adrian broke up with me.  We spent a lot of time together -- since before Halloween.  I really wanted that relationship to last."

The new chemotherapy is called CMF by both Sherryl and her team of providers.  We won't say here what Sherryl says the "MF" stands for because this is a family-oriented website.  Given that hint though, it shouldn't take very much imagination to figure out part of the name for this one.  Regardless of its name, Sherryl wants to become very, very good friends with CMF.   

From time to time, Sherryl speaks about the cancer cells that are still inside her body.  Last week she told us that she wants to "kick the cells' little butts."  Really?  Gives a whole new image to the detailed cell anatomy we learned in high school biology, doesn't it?

Sherryl just ended her first two-week cycle on CMF and now she'll go 2 weeks without any chemotherapy.  Overall, Sherryl is feeling great and went for a long walk both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Beautiful spring California sun shone as Sherryl walked and talked about life and those she loves.

We'd insert here the "Walking On Sunshine" video by Katrina and The Waves, but, because there have been so many other videos posted here from the same era, some of you might begin to think we "live" in the 1980s.  Nope, not us.  Much.  If you don't live in the 80s either, click on this link:  Walking On Sunshine.

This week, RaRa reminded us that laughter truly is the best medicine.

~ xoxo ~

Procedure on Wednesday

The procedure to insert a port into Sherryl's upper right chest area has been scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m.  Immediately following the two-hour procedure, she'll be administered her first dose of the new chemotherapy, Adriamycin.  Richard will take Sherryl to and from these appointments.

Sherryl continues to be in good spirits and, rather than staying home all day on Sunday, she made a trip to "Toys R Us" to buy gifts for 3 day care children who are celebrating birthdays soon.   

RaRa is always thinking of others.  Always.    

Gravenstein Apples & A Tooth Fairy

For over a dozen years, Sherryl spent every other weekend caring for an autistic boy.  And on those same weekends, Sherryl's good friend Bronwyn (AKA Mighty "B") cared for a developmentally disabled girl.  The four stayed at Day Care all weekend during those years where a family, who lived in a place called Hodge Podge House, was formed.  

As seasons cycled through the years, Sherryl and "B" would plan special outings for the children.  Going to the Gravenstein Apple Festival in Sebastopol became an annual tradition each August.  All had a great time.  The children are now grown, and the autistic boy Sherryl cared for is 18 years old and living in a group home with boys his own age.  Sherryl has visited him a few times over the past year.  (The image at left is not in focus; it's not your eyes!)

Although the era called "Hodge Podge House" has ended, Sherryl and "B" remain the closest of friends and the tradition of going to the Gravenstein Apple Festival continues.  So it was to Sebastopol Sherryl and "B" went this past Saturday, sans charges, to enjoy this year's festivities once again. 

They enjoyed all that was familiar: arts, crafts, food, wines and brews, games, entertainment and farm life activities.  And they enjoyed some brand new delights, too.  Of particular note was a new artist they met, Lisa Victoria, who specializes in creating illustrations of fairies.  In addition to her website, Lisa Victoria has an Etsy shop where some of her illustrations are available for purchase.  

Fairies are a new interest to RaRa ever since she took Austin and Haley for a walk a few weeks ago.  As they hiked around blackberry bushes and over a small stream, they came upon a single blue feather.  They were all quite intrigued by this discovery and, apropos to RaRa's creativity, Haley is certain they found a fairy's wing.  Haley has loved fairies most of her life, and this incident gives RaRa much license to inspire imagination in both Haley and Austin. 

So Sherryl departed from the apple festival with a new friend and with a new print she'll give to Haley at just the right moment.  The illustration she chose for Haley is called "The Tooth Fairy" and is pictured below.  On the back of the illustration reads the following:  "After a long night of hiding coins under children's pillows, the tooth fairy takes a well deserved nap on her tooth shaped bed."

While it will be a few years before Haley begins to lose her baby teeth, Austin has already lost several.  We're certain Sherryl will continue to keep in touch with her new friend, Lisa Victoria, and we're certain RaRa will foster sweet fairy dreams in Austin and Haley.

Home Again

After spending 3 glorious days at Lake Tahoe, Sherryl is home safe and sound.  On the drive back from Lake Tahoe today, we stopped at the outlets in Vacaville and thoroughly enjoyed meandering through some favorite shops.

Sherryl is feeling good, her energy is high, and she is looking forward to spending the rest of the week at home-sweet-home.

Our summer concert series for RaRa continues with another one of her favorite songs.  We heard a Stevie Nicks song playing in one of the outlet stores today, so here is classic by Ms. Nicks: "Landslide."

Summer Vacation

Sherryl's last scheduled radiation treatment took place yesterday. During her weekly visit with Nancy, Sherryl learned that blood tests show her blood looks good. She gets tired from time to time, but she is feeling great overall.

We're on a family vacation at Lake Tahoe this week.  Mom and Dad purchased a time share on North Shore in 1981 and we've spent nearly every summer here since then.  It's amazing to watch our children change from year to year; many fond memories have been made at this resort. 

When we were little girls, Mom and Dad took us on a trip to the snow.  We remember that we were in the Sierras, but we don't remember where we stayed.  Most of our memories come from photographs that were taken on that winter get-away.  There is one story that has been told through the years about that trip.  During a playful snowball fight we were all having one afternoon, Dad threw a snowball at Mom and it hit her in the eye.  Naturally, Dad didn't aim at Mom's eye, but there is where it landed.  Sherryl was so upset with Dad that she didn't speak to him for quite a while that afternoon.  In looking at the photographs though, it's hard to tell whether the snowball fight occurred before or after they were taken.   

Sherryl has not joined us in Tahoe every year, and last year she was not able to endure the long drive in the car.  She was reminding us today of a vivid memory she has of arriving at the lake about 12 years ago.  As she pulled into a parking space, she was greeted at her car door by nephew Justin who was handing her a bowl full of M&Ms.  This year, it was Annie, Austin, and Haley who ran to greet her.  We're all so glad to have Sherryl with us this year!   

The weather is balmy and fresh, and there is only a trace of residue in the sky from the California wild fires.  The lake is its usual deep blue, and we're looking forward to a relaxing stay.  Have a great week, everyone!

Credit: Image from Art.com.

Saturday Fun in Fairfield

When Sherryl learned she may have to undergo chemotherapy treatment again, she made a long list of things she wants to do before chemo begins again.  Going to the Jelly Belly factory with the kids in our family was one of them.

Sherryl spent this afternoon with great-nephew Austin and great-niece Haley at the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield.  They took a 40-minute guided tour through the factory, saw hundreds of bins full of millions of jelly beans, and visited the Jelly Belly art museum which showcases jelly bean mosaic portraits of famous people.  Then they shopped for coconut jelly beans for Annie, licorice jelly beans for Richard, and "belly flops" (jelly bean rejects that are too big or too small to become official Jelly Belly beans) for themselves.  The afternoon ended with ice cream and orange sodas in the Jelly Belly Cafe where even the pizzas and hamburgers are shaped like jelly beans.  Everyone had a great time, and the weather could not have been more perfect.  Good idea, RaRa! 

 

Eight Crazy Nights

Sherryl has had another great weekend, this time it included celebrating Annie's 13th birthday, spending time with family and friends, and running pre-Christmas errands.  She also won a raffle sponsored by Villeroy and Boch, a store located at the Petaluma outlets.  The prize is a lovely footed bowl, two mugs, two ornaments, a smaller bowl, plus holiday beverages and treats.  So she and Arleen went to pick up her winnings today.  What fun!

Tonight marks Night 5 of the Festival of Lights.  Happy Hanukkah, and thank you, Adam Sandler, for this great song!

Week 4 = No Chemotherapy

This is Week 4 in Sherryl's cycle of chemotherapy treatment, which means there is none this week.  She's glad to skip a week as the last few rounds have cumulatively "kicked" her and she's feeling some side effects.  The side effects resemble, to a degree, flu symptoms in that her stomach is upset and she feels achy.  She continues to push herself though, and she gets out and about as she wants. 

Nadine spent a much deserved get-away weekend in Tahoe with girl friends, so Sherryl had some special one-on-one time with Annie.  (Speaking of Annie, check out the cover of SF Catholic News here!)  On Sunday, Sherryl and Annie met Might "B" and Zoe at Northgate Mall, and all went to see the movie The Nanny Diaries, which Sherryl enjoyed very much.  Today, Sherryl decided to spend most of her time at home resting and is very much looking forward to resuming the increased energy level she feels when she skips chemotherapy for a week.

She continues to work on restoring her strength; her physical therapist can already tell how much stronger she is than she was a month ago.

Further signs Sherryl is resuming her strength is showing through creative channels as numerous ideas are swirling in her mind.  For example, a new lampshade in the living room has her chomping at the proverbial bit to paint the entire room a different color.  There's no doubt that if chemo hadn't "kicked" her this time, cans of paint in the perfect color would have already been purchased. 

When Sherryl's creativity is flowing, she is most certainly in a good place mentally and emotionally.  Let us all continue to send her prayers, wishes of wellness, and good intentions so that she may have as much physical energy as she needs to make all her creative dreams become reality.

Oh!  And for those who may not have noticed, a new photo album has been added to this Update page.  As Summer 2007 draws to a close, we're reminded of that very special event we shared last spring and, thanks to those Daycare Moms who began Clark Street Foundation and who have become our heroes, what a very lovely day it was.  Check out the Pink in the Park Photo Album. 

Sing Little Bird

Sherryl had an appointment with her oncologist today to learn the results of the CT and bone scans that were performed last week.  For those of you who like the outcome first, the news is good.

The CT scan shows there is no sign of cancer in major organs.  In addition, small nodules that appeared on the lungs in previous images and which doctors wanted to watch closely for signs of cancer, are gone.  Gone.  Isn't that the loveliest word when it comes to cancer?!

For the bone scan, progress is difficult to measure which could be due to Sherryl's system responding to the change from Femara to chemotherapy.  Sherryl has an appointment later this month with her radiology oncologist, so more details should be available then. 

Sherryl's oncologist is glad she is doing well.  He also told her that she may not have had pneumonia as previously suspected.  Rather, scar tissue resulting from radiation treatment to the spine may have appeared on a chest x-ray as a shadow only resembling pneumonia. 

Sherryl asked her oncologist about returning to day care.  He agreed with her plan to ease back into a routine since she is responding well to treatment.  She will continue chemotherapy for another 3 - 4 months, then more tests will be performed to assess response.

As for her spirits, Sherryl is doing very well.  She strives every day to gain more physical strength.  She is able to drive again and has enjoyed reclaiming some degree of independence.  While staying positive about today's looming test results, Sherryl was busy all Labor Day weekend.  She particularly enjoyed meeting dear friends for coffee and reuniting with some of our very entertaining cousins.  For the latter, we never foresaw in our youth engaging as adults in hysterical conversations that would reveal which of us are lactose intolerant and from which individuals on our shared family tree we had inherited that related gene. (!)   

Sherryl paid a visit again Monday to her new favorite store, Anthropologie.  This time she couldn't leave the store without two of those charming doorknobs -- the bird and a small, cobalt blue sphere. 

The news is good today.  Sing little bird.  Sing songs that will fill RaRa's world with joy. 

Out and About

Sherryl's energy continues to be good and she has been taking advantage of that energy to go on daily outings.  In the past week, Sherryl has made numerous surprise visits to family and friends.  She enjoyed a bowl of clam chowder at Boudin in Corte Madera, spent lots of time shopping at Anthropologie (very possibly her new favorite store!) where good friend Erin has worked all summer (yes, the same Erin who works at day care), and joined grandnephew Austin and grandniece Haley to decorate cookies at Arleen's house.  With much inspiration and assistance from RaRa, cookie designs included spiderwebs (a blue one for Austin and a pink one for Haley) as well as a bat for "Uncle Justin."

At Anthropologie, Sherryl especially loved reading from cover to cover a charming pop-up book called One Red Dot and thoroughly enjoyed searching through bins of doorknobs and hardware.  She and artist-extraordinaire friend Ginny have loads of creative ideas for re-doing Sherryl's kitchen.  Here are a few of Sherryl's favorites from the bins.