Saturday, September 20, 2008

Look out little "c'...We are on to you!

I feel the healing breath of God throughout my body.  Today  I woke up pain free, again energized.  This is fantastic.  As I see my treatment being exactly that, a treatment, and know that this can be a positive healing avenue to disease tolerance.  Folks, I'm looking years out and seeing absolute possibilities.  I have NEVER been told my time is limited and that my care is only for comfort.  Oh no, I'm in the ring for the full count.  The drugs I'm getting are new to my system and have 100% chance of  "shock and awe".  It isn't time for me to retreat........stand with me.......we're heading for a VICTORY.  I'm praying for all of YOU every day.  Have a wonderful weekend and thank you.  Love,  Sheryl

Thursday, September 18, 2008

What a beautiful fun day!  Today I went shopping.  Now, most of you know that is not one of my favorite past times.  This was different.  It was about friendships.  Kristi invited 7 women to join her in a day of make overs, a fashion show, brunch and shopping at Neiman Marcus.  There were giggles and frank discussions about Spanks.  There is definitely something about a new tube of lipstick that makes a girl feel pretty.  (I had to pass on the mascara and brow liner,  don't want to waste my money when they will be out soon!)  I felt energized,  I hardly if at all, realized that I had chemotherapy yesterday.  Anne, one of my doctors called.  she just wanted to remind me that in no way is this a death sentence.  I am on two drugs that have never met my system.  They can contain or obliterate the cancer and then down the road I might need a maintenance level again.  She said don't limit yourself on time and performance.  My body will respond to this course of treatment and if not, we choose another.  My oncologist is also  optimistic that I can/will contain this mystery of a disease.  Thank you.  Truly, this is an answer to prayer.   Love,  Sheryl

One Beautiful Day..Oh, and Chemo Happened Too!

Everything seems wonderful in the world when everyone is off to slumber.  Oh wait, we're not there yet, Jonathan and Matthew are still at war with each other, I think there are even punches being tossed downstairs.  Congratulations pray warriors today we made it through round one...and such a fabulously round it was.  We went in together, as fighters, heads held high against the enemy.  There was style, there was grace, there was poison running through my veins.  It didn't knock me down, it lifted me up, taller than I've stood in a few days.  I feel absolutely fine, no noticeable side effects (excuse me while I wipe away the drool).  I truly feel great.   Tonight I went to Back To School Night (remember those?).  It was such a lift to see parents and the school faculty and staff planning forward with excitement, conviction and zeal.  Tonight I was a student among the parent community taking in that excitement, conviction and zeal.  God is Good.
Sleep  a good slumber tonight,  all is well.  Thank you, much gratitude and love.  Sheryl

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Chemo Eve.....

Hey, it's not like I haven't been here before!  I am all armored up and ready to go into whatever battle lay before me.  Okay, so that is my stronghold in thought.  Actually, I'm trying to figure out what to wear and I'm taking in homemade treats from my lovely neighbors, the Alexanders to soften up the nurses with needles.  I'm taking in fresh flowers to decorate my purple curtained walls.  And, I'm taking all of your great thoughts and wishes and prayers right there in with me.  I wanted to wear a ball gown.  I will do that one of these days.   News since this afternoon.  I am out of the Special Study Research Group.  I don't qualify after all because of an anti inflammatory they have me on.  This is okay, I won't experience some nasty side effects associated with trying the new drug.  It also eliminates such close cardiac monitoring.  So we are off to Chemotherapy!  And...who can hold them back? The Berndt Sisters are on their way West and will be here Wednesday.  Look out La Jolla.  Much love dear friends.

Last Contintued for Tuesday, Sept 16th.

Oops!  Please start reading my comments starting above  "Day with Oncologist".  Subsequently read bottom first, then next, then next, etc.  Sorry.  (Blog Fog).

This afternoon I am having an ultra sound of my heart in prep for Study Group.  This is called an echocardiogram.   It's just a picture of my heart working.  Thank you for your caring love, your support and your prayers.  I want to wish YOU a beautiful day!

It is kind of interesting how I'm looking at certain things these days.  For example inside the cut of a sushi roll, I'm starting to see dehydrated bone fragments,  green organ like things, lumps of muscle, rice that looks just like arteries and veins.  Items of all colors.  This is very similar to the scan of my T1 and T2 cross section of my cancerous vertebrae.  My diet is suppose to be bland, I guess I better steer away from the Johnny Dynamite Roll!  Jonathan and Matthew are doing very well.  They just want to know when I'm going to go bald and if I will please stay away from the school.  Blessings.

Tuesday Port Continued

Now, just to spice things up a bit, I am participating in a Pharmacological Research Study Group for a drug (another agent) called Lapatinib (an oral medication).  This is approved by the FDA, in combination, with other drugs.  This study is to determine the safest and most effective dose of Lapatinib, an ivestigational drug, when administered with Agent Carbo.  More on the study, if you want, another time.  Chest x-ray yesterday resulted in noting a fractured rib.  Additional x-ray and blood test information pending.  (more of today below)

Port Entry Continued. Tues, Sept. 16, p.m.

My right chest wall port (Smart Port (TM) CT Implanted System - just in case you would like to review some of my Fall Collection of Accessory Items- has been implanted, thank goodness.  At this time I would like to introduce my new chemo agents!  Paclitaxel (Taxol) is the first agent to be infused over a 1 1/2 hour interval.  Taxol treats many different kinds of cancer including lungs, ovary and breast.  This is the drug that takes me to that "bald is beautiful place".  Joining agent Taxol is Agent Carboplatin (Carbo) infusing in just 1/2 hour.  This agent also targets cancers in the lung, head, and neck. (more below)

PORT ENTRY AND CHEST CT SCAN..1//2 OFF TODAY SALE

Tuesday p.m.
Hi Dear Family and Friends,
     The stains from my recent lung biopsy HAS CONFIRMED a metastasis (moving into other organs) from my original breast cancer of six yrs ago.  I will start chemotherapy tomorrow, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. in the Rebecca and John Moores USCD Cancer Center (cancer.ucsd.edu).  I will receive chemo every Thursday for four hours in the infusion room at the Cancer Center until further notice. Watch my blog for updated photos of family and friends and as I progress through treatments!  (more below)

Monday, September 15, 2008

Visit with the Oncologist

On Monday, Sheryl met with the Oncologist. During the meeting she learned that the lung biopsy determined there was carcinoma in the lungs. The cells are being tested with staining to determine whether or not it looks like breast cancer. Those test results will be available on Tuesday. The doctor said the disease was in the spine, lungs & lymph nodes and she confirmed it had NOT spread to the brain. The cancer is deemed a recurrence and is stage 4. Dr. Barbara Parker (Sheryl's Oncologist at UCSD) feels it is a priority to attack the whole system with Chemotherapy ASAP, which will occur weekly beginning on Thursday. (Sheryl says she is having sweet memories of bald moments!) Sheryl is having a chest port implanted on Tuesday afternoon to make receiving chemo and any other injections or blood draws easier for the giver and the receiver!!

On Monday, Sheryl had an infusion of Zometa, which is like a big dose of Bonita, the osteoporosis drug that Sally Field promotes. This is given monthly and is supposed to stabilize the bones to prevent fractures. Radiation is set for Saturday at the latest. Stay tuned for updates on the exciting new cancer drugs that will be announced soon!

Sheryl is doing a great job of managing all of this. We continue to be amazed by her courage and attitude to fight this head on!