Hi, Everyone!

Many thanks to my husband for giving you an update, he’s so thoughtful and helpful. And a great date book!! What would I do without him!

Anyway, I did get a nice full update done this am, but it was time to go by the time I got it finished, and had no time left to even post it. So, here’s this mornings up date onhow things are going for now….

Well, I’m sure you are all anxious to know how yesterday went and how I’m doing today. Yesterday went really, really well! And today I’m slightly nauseous but not too bad. We’ll see how them meds do when they kick in.

I put the numbing med on like it was supposed to be done for my port, and never even felt the stick. That was SO great!!! No pressure nothing. I was really glad for that! If you ever have to have a port or know of someone that does, be sure to tell them to ask for the lidacaine ointment and proper instructions on using it! Makes the world of difference! Oh, my you wouldn’t believe!

Anyway, the chemo, went really well. With all the other things that go along with it, you are there for nearly 6 hours. But they feed you a nice lunch, so that’s a bonus There’s also lots of snacks, pretzels and other things, along with coffee, tea, water flavorings, and sodas. Really nice selections. So that’s good too.

First you have a blood draw to make sure your blood levels are high enough. My hemoglobin is a bit low, and I’ll probably have to have a consultation with the DR next week or so on bringing that up. I’ve always had a problem with it being low. And once the chemo starts attacking it, I will go below safe levels pretty fast. I eat lots of protein, meat & green veggies, so may need to either go on a med enhancer or just find something stronger to eat that boosts red blood cells more intensely.

Then you go talk to the Physicians assistant and DR if needed, she checks your blood and discusses any other test results you’ve had. I didn’t see him this week, I think he’s out on vacation. But, if not before, I’m sure we will talk about my blood count next week.

We go back to the infusion lab, where they hook up the saline drip, and a couple bags of one chemical concoction. A little later they bring another to infuse directly into the line with huge syringes. They want it in faster, for whatever reason Then they change to a third chemical concoction. I could tell you all about what’s in them, but that’s boring, just know it suff that will burn the crap out of your skin if it gets on you, so think what it might be doing to my veins and my organs as it gets processed. And we wonder why we get sick from the stuff! Hahahaha

During my infusions, I spent time with the Mind & Body gal who taught us (Marcus too) a little about using music and deep relaxation for pain, insomnia, anxiety, etc. I listen to a lot of soothing, easy listening music, but no one has ever really talked about the physical techniques of preparing your body to be more receptive to the music and flow along with the relaxation. It was really nice, and since I didn’t sleep all night Sunday (just a thing of mine, even when going on a trip, I never sleep the night before, I’m always still getting ready I actually did fall asleep, but not before I really fell the heaviness and soothingness effecting my body as I thought about it and tried to go to a warm loving peaceful place in my mind.

She asked if we got to a good place, and I told her it was kind of weird, I know I was someplace else, and it was full of colors, peaceful and beautiful, but that’s as much a I could describe of where it was. Maybe it wasn’t a place, just a state, or just some beautiful peace that God gave me, because it was certainly nothing on this earth. I do know there was water, but not sure if it was a beach or stream or something else. Interesting. Maybe I was just hallucinating! Hahahahah great hallucination if it was I’ll take it anytime!

Then I talked a bit with the nutritionist about my hemoglobin, then the clinical trials nurse about the study. Had some lunch, and read a bit. Then a gal came in and was looking thru the hats and scarves they had in a basket there on the desk. I decided to join her and talk to her, since no one had mentioned them to me before. They are all really nicely made, and I was so pleased with the choices! The turbans were mostly too small for me, but they were really nice, with some beadwork on the little roll piece in the middle of the front. I did find one that fits, but no beadwork. But it’s not like that is a problem. I used to make jewelry, and still have a couple thousand dollars worth of beads and supplies upstairs! I’ve got some beautiful amethyst stones that if I can find some smaller ones, they will look great! It’s a very lovely lavender. Plus I got a couple different varieties and colors of tie around ones. They are really nice too. I had been given some hats already, and unless I just don’t know how to wear them, they really didn’t impress me at all, and I was quite depressed about them. The one nurse said they worked with the group that makes their scarves & hats before they got their’s looking so good and now everybody loves them!

I called my kids last night to tell them how it went after supper, but I was trying so hard to fall asleep, they kept asking me what I’d just said? And I had to tell them I didn’t know, I had no clue! Hahahah then they’d tell me I was starting to slur again, and I’d perk up a bit for a little more. Finally, each of them said they had enough and I should just go to sleep! Hahahaha and I did fairly early last night, but not before I had a little treat of a tiny container of ice cream from my Dad. Being from him made it extra special.

He doesn’t know what I’m going thru, he has dementia and we all felt it better if my sister and I were just “sick” not telling him any more than that. This weekend is the first I’ve seen him in over a year because I was the one that put him in the nursing home in the first place, and he was really mad at me for it. It didn’t help that two of my sisters told him a bunch of lies and no one else would say it was because the doctor insisted, just that Sherry was the only one that could get him out, and they didn’t know why he was there! No balls, tell him he’s sick and the DR said he has to stay people! But, no, they’d rather let me be the bad guy, so he was mad at me for a long time, and I just didn’t wan to risk upsetting him, because I also knew how much it would upset me. But with no idea what this chemo might do to me, I just knew I had to go out to see him.

It was a good visit, and then the next day, he and his girlfriend stopped by and he stayed for a long time, and he asked if I would come out once a week and bring him to my house to stay for a few hours. Neither of the other girls that are close come out to see him, and all his siblings have either stopped or slowed way down. I’m going to spend some time seeing if I can’t get him involved in some of the activities out there. He doesn’t do anything except sit in his room.

Well, the meds seem to be calming my stomach down, they said I should wait at least 45 min after taking them before eating. So, I’ll go give it a try and see if it is successful! I have some appts today and tomorrow, but not too long ones, and then resting for the rest of each day and all day Thurs & Friday

Seems like all the prayers that have been pouring in for me are really keeping me on the good side of the treatments. And I thank you all for thinking of me and writing me periodically. It’s really funny how there must be a spiritual influence on how many letters or PMs I get a day. Just enough to keep my spirits up, but not so many that I’m over whelmed. So, if you’ve wanted to drop me a line, and haven’t because you thought I was getting to many, please take a minute and do so. I love hearing back from you all, even if it’s just a short note. If the spirit nudges you, listen, you might just have the words I need today, to make it thru.

May each of you have a splendid day, and feel as well for your circumstances as I do. We each have our own burdens to carry, and while not everyone shares them, I know you have them. For every person that I talked to or hear from, I say a return prayer, that God is blessing you in the manner that He has been taking care of me, and that you are open to His arms a gifts to your life. Even if we don’t recognize them as gifts, if the come from God, they come with a purpose and reason in the great tapestry of life. Find the meaning for everything that happens in your life. He lets nothing come to us or thru us without there being a related event directly or indirectly affected by that event. Look around you and see who you can help with your experiences or troubles or knowledge. Give a smile, and inspiration, or even just a hello. You might just make the brightest spot in their day, and all the difference in the world to them.

God Bless and keep each of you, and know that I appreciate the friendship and sharing from each one of you. If you find something funny, inspirational, or just good reading, or the internet or somewhere else, please feel free to send it to me. I’d love to have it. I’d like my meditation book to be full. The nurses enjoyed looking at what I have so far, and thought my map was the most awesome thing they’s ever seen anyone do! Thank you each for being part of my life at this time.

Love and hugs to all, Sherry!!

Oh, and if you have something that emails send it to sherry@nislycreations.com If it’s needs snail mail send it to

SHERRY L. NISLY
318 S 10TH ST
GOSHEN IN 46528-3514