Chemo...and then....

Hi Everyone -  Deb Finnegan here to provide a quick update on behalf of Sheryl.  During Chemo on Thursday, Sheryl began experiencing severe pain in her right shoulder and her rib cage.  When the pain medicine administered during chemo failed to reduce the pain, Dr. Barbara Parker admitted Sheryl to the hospital on Thursday night to get the pain under control.  During that time Sheryl had a chest x-ray and an MRI scan of her spine.  Additionally, Dr. Mark Wallace got the pain under control with IV medications that Sheryl could self-dose.  The x-rays and MRI scan indicated there has been no growth in the tumors and there are no new tumors, which is good news! However, they also revealed that Sheryl had fractured 2 ribs on her left side, which was causing the pain in her ribs.  The shoulder pain is being attributed to pressure on the nerve endings.  Today Sheryl is moving off the IV meds into oral medication.  The doctors expect she will return home on Sunday - although Sheryl is campaigning hard for an early release on Saturday.  With her charming ways, she just might get her wish!  Sheryl thanks you from the bottom of her heart for all your prayers and well wishes.  I'm printing the comments you all are posting on the blog and am taking them to the hospital, so she can see them.  Sorry I'm not as funny with words as Sheryl is....she can't wait to be posting this news herself again soon.  Sending you all love and hugs from Sheryl.  -Deb

not the best of days..........chemotherapy tomorrow.

Today was not a great day.  Darn it!  Yesterday I felt the best I ever have.  I ran errands, went to a school function in the evening.  I told everyone that other than the label of the diagnosis, I felt 100 percent charged, energized and ready willing and able to kick this thing.  Today I woke up in the pain that caused me to seek a doctors counsel in the first place.  I went to have my blood drawn, a prerequisite to chemotherapy tomorrow.  By 11:00 I was back in bed.  I called the doctor and she had me come in immediately.  I had headaches today, something I hadn't experienced until now.  I went in for a chest x-ray, abdominal CT scan, chest CT scan and brain scan along with an EKG.  They wanted to test me for side effects (blood clots in the lungs and/or brain) of one of the chemo agents.  Good news, brain is still clear, rah rah shish boom bah!  No signs of clotting.

I will be updating my blog tomorrow with new pictures and doctors report.  Sorry about the bummer news overall.  Please refresh your prayer requests.  I'm counting on a great day tomorrow.  I still have so very much to be thankful for.  God Bless you and Thank You!

Love,  Sheryl

Walking the dog......

I experienced a little piece of heaven on earth (oh..other than the three pieces of pumpkin pie I had today...with heavy whipping creme) tonight walking my dog after dark.  It was quiet and still.  He seemed to stay in perfect step with me the entire time.  There was a slight breeze, almost warm.  Today was a great Monday.  Up early with the boys, seeing them off to school.  Ah, more quiet time.  LuAnn and I began little projects I've been wanting to get to.  Honestly, after the rush and blur of the first two weeks, I'm settling into a very nice, nurturing, comfortable schedule.  All of you have made it too easy on me!  We lunched at a French sidewalk cafe and shared personal experiences trying to interpret the meanings for us now.  We wondered through a couple local shops eyeing all the pretty things.  Tonight Todd took us down to the beach for dinner.  We watched the boys skin board over the waves.  Everyone's asleep.  Thank you for my day.  Thank you for your loving thoughts and prayers.  Goodnight.  Goodnight Freckles.  Sweet Dreams Everyone.  Love,  Sheryl