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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.   

PET Scan Results

Sherryl and Richard met with Nancy today as well as with Sherryl's oncologist.  The PET scan shows the cancer has progressively worsened, cancer cells are significantly active in numerous areas, and there is new disease present.  Active cancer cells were found in the skeletal system, specifically in the pelvis, hip, thoracic spine, right rib, pubic bone, and right leg. 

The new treatment plan will be as follows:  

Sherryl will discontinue oral chemotherapy.

An x-ray was taken today of the right femur (leg); Nancy will call Sherryl when results are known. 

Chemotherapy medication has been changed to Adriamycin, which is administered intravenously weekly; she received her first dose today.  This form of chemotherapy is not a drip.  It is given via syringe and is accompanied by saline.  Total time to receive chemo in this form is approximately 30 minutes.  Side effects might include some nausea and thinning hair.  It does not cause fatigue; fatigue may be experienced due to cancer.    

An echocardiogram (ECG) is ordered for this Wednesday as the heart will need to be monitored with this form of chemo.   ECGs will be performed every couple of weeks or as deemed necessary by Sherryl's doctors. 

In order to ease the process of drawing blood and administering chemotherapy through an IV, a port will be inserted next week in the top right chest area.  This procedure will be performed by 2 radiologists, will be done under partial sedation, and will last approximately 2 hours.

The tumor marker will be measured in 6 weeks.

Physical therapy to the arm will occur as frequently as possible to reduce the edema.   

There is also a lesion on the liver, but it is not positive for cancer.  The radioactive dye, injected for the purpose of the PET scan, was not drawn to the area which indicates no cancer cells are present.  This lesion was compared to one that appeared under Sherryl's arm several months ago but did not appear in a subsequent imaging test.

The spiked tumor marker was an indication of change.  Although old cancer cells are dying off, new cancer cells are immune to current treatment medications, an indication that the old treatment plan has run its course.

Sherryl has been experiencing some pain and muscles tightening in her back.  She was recalling that the news she heard today was very different than the news she heard following her PET scan in July.  Those results indicated only L1 was resistant to treatment, so 2 weeks of radiation treatment was prescribed.  And it was in July when she heard that her bones were getting "better and stronger."

After hearing the news today, Sherryl looked at her doctor and Nancy and asked, "So is this it?"

"Absolutely not!"  Both jumped to ensure Sherryl that this is only her third treatment plan, and that there are other patients who are on their eighth and ninth plans.  She was reassured that there are many, many treatment options and they will continue to evaluate what Sherryl needs on a weekly basis.  Each treatment plan is continued until it stops working at which time all factors are reevaluated, then changes are made accordingly.  

Sherryl is disappointed the news is not good, but she is relieved to know the results as it's sometimes more difficult to not know and have to wait.  When she got home today, Sherryl made a couple of calls, went back out to the grocery store, then came home again to rest.  She has not shed any tears today, but she knows they will probably come at some point.  Because even in her incomparable resilience, sometimes there are tears.     

Chest X-Ray Pending

Sherryl has experienced a lot of coughing over the past number of days and nights.  Her oncologist has ordered a chest x-ray, which will hopefully be done on Thursday.  Also on Thursday, Sherryl will hear the latest results of blood tests, which we have come to call "the numbers," as well as physical therapy.  Chemotherapy is scheduled for Friday.

We are awaiting the results of the chest x-ray and are hoping pneumonia has not returned.  Please continue to send good wishes Sherryl's way, and, as always, thank you for your love and support.    

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!

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!!!