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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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Procedure Went Well

Richard took Sherryl to the hospital this morning to have a port inserted into the right upper chest area as scheduled.  Although her mouth was dry due to fasting since midnight last night, her mood was chipper as she headed for the operating room.  The doctors' plan included partial sedation, full sedation if necessary, for the 2-hour procedure.  One of Nadine's friends who works in the hospital had told the surgery staff to treat Sherryl "like a rock star."  And they did. 

Sherryl tolerated the procedure well, and then headed to the cancer center to receive her first dose of the new chemotherapy medicine.  When she arrived in the chemo room, the three nurses who had each struggled on various occasions to find a vein in Sherryl's arm, were ecstatic to see that she now has a port.  It makes their job easier and they know having a port is far easier on patients like Sherryl. 

Tests results were revealed today, too.  The x-ray of her leg shows nothing is present on the femur.  And all blood tests look good relative to red and white blood cell counts, etc.  A new tumor marker will be ascertained in about 5 weeks. 

Once home, Sherryl felt groggy but good, so she spent the remainder of the day resting and sleeping.  She plans to return to day care on Thursday.   

Thank you all once again for your love, prayers, and support.  In case we have not said so lately, we are so grateful for you and your setting good intentions for RaRa.   

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.    

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! 

Hospitalized for Pain Management

While Sherryl has recovered well from surgery, painful spasms have been intermittent over the past several days.  Morphine, Dilaudid, and Flexeril are prescriptions she is currently taking, in addition to Femara.  She appeared to be making progress and, even as recently as Sunday, was able to move about the house with the help of her walker. 

Radiation therapy to Sherryl's right hip began last week, which involves her getting on and off a treatment table.  She monitors her progress based on the level of pain she feels getting on and off that table.  She definitely felt pain on Thursday, and was encouraged by not needing any help on Friday.  Monday was a very different experience.

Sherryl was able to get on the table for her treatment, but was unable to get off the table as she experienced excruciating pain in her hip and back when attempting to move.  Pain medication is not working as hoped.  While on the table, she was given additional doses of Morphine; excruciating pain continued and she was unable to get off the table at all. 

Since Sherryl's radiation treatment occurs at an out-patient cancer center, no staff (such as transporters found in the hospital) were available Monday night to assist her in moving off the table.  The doctor decided to admit her to the hospital for pain management and an ambulance was needed to move Sherryl from the cancer center to the hospital.  With Richard at her side, she was admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Room and was eventually moved to a hospital room in the wee hours of the morning.

As of this morning, she remains in pain despite increased doses of medication, and doctors are expected to (a) determine how best to manage the pain Sherryl is experiencing and (b) determine the root cause of the pain so it can be eliminated.

On a positive note, Sherryl's surgeon is extremely pleased with the outcome of the lumpectomy surgery.  Given that this is an aggressive cancer, the tumor margins were clear indicating the entire mass was removed.  Eight lymph nodes were also removed and the pathology report indicates cancer cells were found in those nodes.  Subsequent radiation treatment to the breast area will target cancer cells in surrounding lymph nodes.

Needless to say, the excrutiating pain Sherryl is experiencing in her right hip and back resulting in hospitalization is a huge setback and very upsetting to her and to us all.  We are hoping her doctors are able to identify immediately the cause of the pain and get it under control as soon as possible.

Special Request:  Sherryl received a few phone calls today and was not able to answer the phone in her hospital room.  In consideration of maximizing her treatment to reduce pain and increasing opportunities to catch up on sleep, we ask that there be no calls to the hospital at this time.  Thank you so much for understanding the reasons for this request. 

Appointment with Radiology Oncologist

As Sherryl continues to make good progress relative to healing post-surgery, despite medications for pain and muscle relaxation, she also continues to experience severe pain in her right hip.  Rather than speaking to her radiology oncologist by phone today as previously planned, Richard took Sherryl to see him this afternoon.  The original plan was to radiate the hip about a month from now simultaneous to radiation treatment to the breast following recovery from the lumpectomy.  Given the significant pain Sherryl is experiencing, radiation treatment to the hip will begin tomorrow. 

Sherryl is discouraged by this setback as it's difficult to realize progress when the pace is "two steps forward, one step back."  Her radiology oncologist provided optimism by pointing out that her body has responded extremely well to radiation treatment that has occurred to the pubic bone and back.  Those bones have healed, so the same success is expected for her hip.

Let's rally to eliminate Sherryl's pain asap!  Thank you all so very much . . .

Hospital Stay - Setback

1:45 p.m. - Sherryl "did something" to her right hip late Friday night when moving about the hospital room.  She subsequently experiences excruciating pain from muscle spasms whenever she tries to move her back, hips, and legs.  In combination with the limited range of motion in her left arm post-surgery, this incident has eliminated her ability to get out of bed.  Pain medication that has been administered to Sherryl this morning for the hip spasms has not alleviated the pain.   

During routine hospital rounds this morning, Sherryl's surgeon indicated the surgery site is looking fine; all is well on that front.  In light of the intense spasms in the right hip, Sherryl's surgeon contacted her radiology oncologist and an x-ray was ordered.  We are currently awaiting the results. 

Sherryl's spirits were good until this setback occurred.  It is highly doubtful she will be discharged home today.  More to follow . . .   

2:15 p.m. - The x-ray of Sherryl's hip show no breaks, chips, or cracks.  Pain is muscle-related so muscle relaxing medication will be prescribed and Sherryl will contact her radiology oncologist on Tuesday.  Physical therapy will be added to Sherryl's treatment plan today, and she is expected to be discharged home tomorrow. 

Sherryl is extremely relieved nothing appeared in this morning's x-rays.  She is very tired and is looking forward to getting more rest before heading home. 

9:10 p.m. - By late this afternoon, Sherryl was able to walk up and down the hallway of the hospital ward.  Her appetite is good, and visitors left early this evening so she could catch up on her sleep. 

Sherryl told us she's been having dreams wherein her abilities are similar to those of the Bionic Woman.  She said she's able to do anything and everything in her dreams; swimming under the Golden Gate Bridge and across the bay is the example she gave.

GO RARA!!!

Surgery went well!

10:10 a.m. - Sherryl's surgery went very well, her surgeon reported that the tumor and all affected lymph nodes were successfully removed. Sherryl is awake and will be in recovery for about an hour, then transferred to her room. More to follow . . .

9:00 p.m. - Following a recovery period that went very well, Sherryl was transferred to a hospital room early this afternoon.  Once in her room, she savored a few sips of coffee (!) and munched on half a graham cracker.  A few special visitors have filled her day and evening, and she is currently resting comfortably in a private room -- one with a lovely view of Mount Tam.

Sherryl's pain is being monitored and medication is administered as needed.  All the doctors and staff have been fabulous, personalized care is a strength for this group.  Ironically, her nurse today is a long-time neighbor; Sherryl and Nadine used to babysit her now-grown children.  It's always nice to see familiar faces in places that aren't especially familiar.

Sherryl's spirits are high.  She is tired but relaxed, and will probably learn tomorrow when she will be discharged home. 

Appointment with Oncologist

Sherryl saw her oncologist this morning.  The tumor marker number has gone up since last month from 34.4 to 55, which may indicate Sherryl's system is not responding as fully as before to Femara.  The oncologist speculates this number should drop after surgery and will therefore hold off on decisions relative to chemotherapy treatment.  Another blood test will be performed in 3 weeks.

Sherryl's surgery will involve a lumpectomy as well as removal of lymph node(s).  The surgical procedure will take about 2 hours and 15 minutes, followed by recovery time.

Richard and Arleen will be at the hospital with Sherryl early Friday morning, and Nadine will arrive following her commitments at Annie's school.  We know the rest of you will be with Sherryl in spirit! 

As always, Arleen will provide updates to this website as soon as possible following Sherryl's surgery and during her recovery. 

While Sherryl is disappointed the tumor marker has changed in the wrong direction, she is very glad surgery is proceeding tomorrow and is looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight.  There is great comfort in knowing so many people are cheering her on -- we all want her wish to come true . . .

"I just want to get this surgery behind me so I can get on with my life!" ~ Sherryl, Spring 2007

Let's get her there! 

Results of MRI #2

The MRI showed the metastasis in Sherryl's back is a bit "extended," which means it is a little larger than it appeared on the first MRI.  There is a chance it may have grown between the time the first MRI was performed and the start of medication.  However, the MRI also shows the area where the spine was treated looks better as a result of the radiation therapy.  The radiology oncologist will keep a close watch on the spine area. 

Sherryl's lower left leg has improved since she raised the related concern with her doctor.  At this time, her back aches a bit. 

Sherryl is scheduled to see her oncologist on Thursday and surgery (a lumpectomy) is scheduled for early Friday morning, May 25.  The anticipated length of stay in the hospital is one or two nights, then Sherryl will be discharged to home to recover.

As of today, Sherryl's website has surpassed 3000 hits -- more evidence of the love and support she is receiving from all her family and friends.  As we know, she intends to "beat this thing," and we cannot express the gratitude we feel for your following so closely with us the updates on Sherryl's health and well-being. 

Especially as Sherryl heads into surgery later this week, thank you so much once again for all your prayers and good wishes!