You know, the old adage “No news is good news” is pretty much correct from what I’ve experienced in my life. And these past 5-6 months that I haven’t written to anyone, really have been mostly good times.

I did lose a close cousin to cancer, and a close uncle from other illness complications, but other than that, life has been treating me fairly well since Christmas. And then a very close uncle of Marcus’s passed away from bone cancer last week. That upset us a lot, since we both cared a great deal for him. Not a lot of great misery or mass stories to explain how things are going. Life was just kind of rolling along fairly level and while I wasn’t exactly having parties every week, I was managing to have a fair life from week to week and thought if life continued this way, I could tolerate things for quite some time this way.

Unfortunately, last Saturday morning, my life took a sharp turn for the worse! And worse it continued!

I started out Saturday by passing out, first thing in the morn. Then I had some funny feelings during the morning, and finally went to the ER because they wouldn’t quit. The funny feelings turned out to be heart pauses where my heart was actually stopping for seconds at a time. I’ve had them before, just never knew what they were called, nor what was causing them. Except the big ones that I’ve had in the past. Those were coming from having food or drink and/or an air bubble try to pass each other in my esophagus (I would often pass out from the major ones). I had a throat scope and a stretching of the tight spot in hopes of making it go away, but it didn’t do any good, if anything, it made me have more and they were worse. The throat specialist didn’t seem to think too much of them and didn’t really think they were any big deal.

At first on Sat. they thought the problem was a combination of meds, one of which tends to build up in the system and if continually taken with another, they can cause this type of reaction, so they thought they would just watch me for a day or so, and switch my meds, and see how it went.

Well, then the heart pauses got identified, and they said they needed to watch them a bit closer to see for sure what is going on, and after having a 7-second heart pause, they told me there was no point in discussing it, I needed a pacemaker! So off to Elkhart (next town over) where they have very highly rated heart teams.

Fortunately they are one of the highest rated heart hospitals in the state, so I felt pretty secure in their hands. So, Tuesday I got the pacemaker, and Wed I came home. I was also told to see my pulmonologist about my oxygen sats over night and during the day. During the day, my oxygen runs between 90-96% and at night it runs mostly between 80-90% and they say that is what is making me so tired. I’m hoping that this will really be a boost to my energy and enjoyment of life.

I now have this machine in my living room, with an emergency tank of oxygen. The machine extracts the pure oxygen from the regular room air. I only have to have it on at night, no carrying around a portable tank so, that’s at least one break! This is supposed to help me feel better during the day time, whereas I had been getting very tired so much of the time.

So, now in addition to my monthly Zometa treatments that cause me to have a major pain kickback for 3-6 days each month, I now have these new toys to play with! Isn’t life fun some weeks? hahahahaha it’s surely a good thing I can keep my sense of humor about all this.

Well, I guess that’s all for now, I surely hope I’ve made this eventful enough to make up for all the nice simple quiet months of much of nothing I’ve had for the past 6 months :)  If it’s alright with the rest of you, I think I’ll go back to having those dull boring months and leave the exciting stuff for someone else! Don’t forget, while we can always talk here, we do have my blog for lots of chit chatting at Special Pages By Sherry  where I hope to get some new pics of my grand babies up soon. They have really grown!

Blessings to you all, and may you all have a wonderful summer! Shoot off a firecracker or two for me this weekend, I’m sure I won’t feel like it at all, but I’ll hopefully get to see a few sky rockets if we drive to the right side of town

Sherry

WEll, so much for all the happy happy joy joy crap! I sent that off, posted in my little bloggy places where it belonged & here, went to the grocery & health food store to get stuff for my granola & cappacino, which I’m making enough to share for my Christmas presents for several people & family, then promptly, swiftly and apparently with grace and ease from Marcus’s viewpoint, slipped on the ice and nearly broke my hip.

And oh, yeah, it’s the hip with the tumor. No I didn’t go get it x-rayed, yes I probably should but morphine is kicking the crap out of it. If I wake up tomorrow afternoon, and can’t move it, maybe then I’ll call the ER, but I’ll only do so if it really looks like it feels (which is pretty bad, let me tell you!) DANG IT! DANG IT! DANG IT! DANG IT! DANG IT!

Good thing there is not a single plan for tomorrow! Nada, nothing, zip, zero! Obviously I may not know what I’m doing, but God does. He planned a day of nothing and content, just in case I fell on my arse and was unable to do anything. Ain’t He such a nice guy?!!? Don’t ask if that’s humor or sarcasm, might get me in trouble, you know?

Eric & family are in Houston for the weekend. Karen is working tonight, so will sleep part of tomorrow then more tomorrow night, and be fresh for Christmas dinner with Marcus & I on Friday. So, tomorrow, if I want to I can stay in bed all day, I can, and after tonight’s unsuccessful flying lesson, I just might decide to.

WEll, out of all this, the on gleaming ray of hope and sunshine—–it doesn’t hurt (at this point) to sit in my computer chair, hopefully tomorrow, it will be no worse, and we will still be a go for me to get more proof pkgs out. Got extra prayers tonight and first thing in the morning, ease of hip pain is sure where I’m needing them directed. The rest of my back could use a little help too, since it kinda wrenched me around.

Gracious, why now? Not why me, quit asking that question of God about 7 years ago. But, his timing seems to be off a bit so many times. I don’t understand it, just why now, I got stuff to do, Lord, wait just a few more days, then roll me up in a ball and smash me for all I care, I’ll have plenty of time to heal!!! Are ya listening? Yeah, I know, you’ll pick me up at the next corner and we’ll take a drive for a bit while you take care of things. He’s like that, you know?

I used to think it was the greatest thing in the world to have God for my co-pilot! I mean what more could you ask for than the creator of life and all that is in it, to be giving you directions, and reading the map and letting you know when you were on or off course. Until one day, someone pointed out that it really would work better if I tradded places and let God be the PILOT not the CO-PILOT. Boy, what a dope! That works a whole lot better now, and I don’t have to start the day out by asking God what the plan is, He already knows!!!

I love all you people, and I am so glad that when I woke up a little bit ago, I knew exactly what would make me feel better. Get this off my chest, back and mostly my heart & hip

God’s Blessings to each of you, and Hugs and Love from me and mine to you and yours.

It’s officially Christmas morning!!! May you all have the best Christmas you would like to have. I’m sure I will Thanks for listening, I’m going back to lay down.

Sherry

Hi, Everybody!

Well, all, it’s been that long again!!!! So long that I’ll have to write you a book to catch you up on everything that’s happened in the last month! I’ll try to skim over a few, so that it’s really not QUITE soooo long, but I make no promises

Since we talked last, I got a new medicine, Quadramet, actually a radioactive medicine given by IV. It is being studied for milder cases of bone mets (tumors on the bone from other types of cancer other than bone cancer) like mine. It’s been proven very successful in the severe cases. Now, they are studying to see what dosages work best for the lesser cases. My tumors on the bones, really are small compared to many, and while they do really hurt, the morphine has been controlling the pain. But who wants to live on morphine!?!? You walk funny, talk funny, think funny, and I mean more than NORMAL for ME!!! This medicine not only helps with the pain, it eats the cancer cells while it’s at it. What more could you ask for than a double hitter!?!?! I got my dosage about 5 wks ago. The told me that this medicine promises to have a reaction, which would be either 2-3 days or 2-3 wks out from taking it, and could be as mild as flu like symptoms, to severe enough to need hospitalized to control the pain. Oooooh, kinda scary! But it also came with the promise that it WILL cut down on the pain, so, I figured it’s worth the risk, I’m all about getting some of this pain.

My pain bout came about 2 wks out, and was very similar to the bout of pain I get from my first couple Zometa treatments, like a really bad case of the flu. Fever, pain, aches, the whole nine yards, but I survived it. That was followed directly by a nice case of acute bronchitis! Man! Can’t win for losing sometimes around me

I had already cut way back on my pain meds for my fibro and arthritis, but was up to 45Mg of Morphine 3 times a day. Not good. But, necessary. It’s sure been nice to be free of pain, most of the time. Every now and then I overdo it a little, or wait a little too long, and have to take a booster, but not to many times a week.

AND since the reaction bout from the Quadramet, I’ve worked down to 30Mg of Morphine 3 times a day, and skipping doses here and there, usually my midday one. The morning is pretty consistently needed because sleeping just isn’t nice for me, mostly because of where the mets are at. And the nighttime dose is usually just at the end of the limit for the morning dose. These doses are actually supposed to last 12 hours, but they hadn’t been, and now the Quadramet has taken away enough of the pain, that I’m soon going to be totally at 2 doses a day, 30Mg. And who knows how soon I’ll be cutting one of them back to 20 or 15 even Just keep praying for me and we will see God working some miracles here very soon.

BTW, anyone that’s a bit curious to know more about my type of cancer can find lots of info at http://www.mbcnetwork.org

Marcus & I are both doing pretty well, all things considered. We are staying SO MUCH WARMER this year. Please offer a prayer of thanks again for all the help we got on our house this fall. It has made this winter already so much more bearable, and it is just amazing. I know it has helped Marcus feel a lot better to be warmer as well, fibro really doesn’t like it when you get too cold, and we used to always be chilly no matter how much we bundled up, we just stayed that way. Now, I’m actually sitting here soaking my feet (got an infected toenail) and I’m not freezing. Couldn’t imagine doing this last year!!! I’d have had to sit in the bathroom with the door closed and a space heater on.

I’ve been adding goodies and interesting (hopefully) things to my website. I try to add something every day or at least work on something to get added. Many things take several days, because I just can’t work that long, but it’s getting better.

I’m still working on my cookbook too (the PBS one, for those from PBS). I’ve got some women working on the final copy and we are going to hopefully be done the end of the first full week of January. I’m hoping that works anyway.

Another project I’ve started, is taking pictures of my “hairdo’s” every day. Since my hats & scarves are really my hair, that’s what I call them. And I’m going to be putting them on the website very shortly. It will be called My Fashion Show hahaha Several people have sent me scarves & hats and this way they get to see what they have contributed to my self esteem by helping me always have a fashionable head dressing whenever I go anywhere It’s my way of thanking them all.

Well, I’ve bent your eyes long enough, and my fingers and arms for one day. I love all the support I have gotten from so many people, and all the prayers that I can feel being sent up on my behalf. I hope that in some way at some time in the future, God grants me the means to pay-forward all the blessings and prayers and care that I have been given in the last 8-9 months. You’ve all been such joys whenever I need you, and I’ve always found someone to show up in email or letters or PMs “just when I need them” God so very much does take excellent care of me, and I hope you are all letting Him take such excellent care of you by being obedient and faithful to His plans and the growth of His Kingdom

God’s Blessings to you all and My Hugs and Love to each and every one of you,

Till next time,
Sherry
sherry at nislycreations dot com
http://specialpagesbysherry.nislycreations.com OR
http://tinyurl.com/sstuff (Takes you to the same page, just shorter and easier to remember

Hi, Everybody! Sorry I didn’t get this out earlier today, some got it and some didn’t. I missed the email send and the post to here, so you are reading this a little later than some. But, it’s still just as enjoyable, I hope! hahahaha Well, where do I begin! Once again, I’ve waited so long to update you, that so many things have happened I’m not sure where to begin!

The first thing to tell you is that there is NO MAJOR BAD NEWS in this letter and only a tiny bit of down note, it is hardly worth calling bad news! Everything is good and upbeat. Things are totally going well for me, and I’m just very glad to be able to share it all with you. Much more than my medical situation is going on right now, and that I will share also.

First. They did do a second radiation for the small areas that are on my pelvis. The Rad Oncologist was hoping we wouldn’t have to, but the pain from them just wasn’t being controlled, so we went ahead and radiated the area where they are. The only side effects again are some fatigue.

I had another Zometa treatment this past week. And I’m so hoping that I don’t have a strong reaction to it again. This is the only piece of down news. I spent a bit over a week in pain and strong discomfort from the Zometa. They told me when I started that since it was a bone enhancing med, and would cause my bones to produce more, that my thighs particularly would be uncomfortable since they are the largest bones.

Well, they missed, or I did I think every bone in my body hurt!!! And of course, I didn’t call to get permission to up my pain meds, or get something stronger. I just kept thinking each day would be the last and it would be better tomorrow, but of course, it wasn’t. Finally the end of the week, Marcus told me if it wasn’t better by Monday I was GOING to call the DR. Well, it did finally quit, but I had a DR appt that Monday too, so all worked out.

It was much like a Fibro episode, only about 10 times worse, since instead of just the muscles hurting, the bones had joined in the act and we were just having NO FUN! But, I knew what it was, and it only lasted about 5-6 days, and it won’t happen again, because the DR said, “Ok, this pain is not getting under control with the meds you are taking. Let’s look at some alternatives!” and so we did.

Man, does it ever feel good to be nearly pain free! I haven’t been there in more than three yrs! I’ve got a long acting, slow release, pain med, plus my side meds for my other aches & problems. Then I have a fast acting version of the slow acting, for “breakthrough pain.” For these times when I’ve over done it, or had a treatment, or for whatever reason, the pain just gets worse than usual, and then I take the smaller dose, but faster booster pill. I’ve only had to take the booster pill once. I’ve been on this regime since Wednesday, and for these five days I’ve felt better than I thought I would ever again! I even got up today and unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, tho Marcus said I should save my energy for this evening (I’ll get to this evening later!!!) But, I felt good, and had some energy and just wanted to do something productive for once, and it didn’t hurt me a bit, and I still had plenty of energy for this evening.

I had PT today, and an eventful evening, plus a bit of exercise, so maybe tomorrow I will be reaching for the breakthrough pills, but if so, it was well worth it, and not bad for being day six with nearly no pain, just some residual aching! Can we all say Hallelujah and Praise the Lord?!?!!? Isn’t He so wonderful? Because you know that absolutely none of this is possible without His blessings, and all is planned according to His Will. So, He has either decided enough is enough, or that I deserve a break today (a much better one than I’ll ever get under those golden food arches or who knows, He may be priming me for even more important work.

It’s really funny to feel like one of God’s chosen messengers. I think of Jonah, who chose to live in a fish instead of obeying. While I think I’d rather forgo some of the trials I’ve gone thru in order to be a strong witness or empathetic messenger for someone, I certainly don’t think I would choose disobeying (and especially not living in the belly of a fish!!!) I can’t imagine it took Jonah long to discover that following the guidance of God is much better done willingly than by being “encouraged!”

I’ve been there too. I did learn a long time ago, thru experiences that when God wants you to go some place or be somewhere, or do something seriously enough. He WILL make sure you get it done. Of course, he can’t make you do it with grace and to His glory, but once you figure out what it is He wants, wouldn’t it be quite silly not to do the best job you are capable of, knowing that He will give you all the tools and knowledge that are required of the job? I actually felt like He might take a 2″x4″ board and get me struck in the head one time when He was having a particularly difficult time getting me to go & do what He wanted. I’ve learned to listen and learn a whole lot better since then hahahahaha

Oh, I did promise to come back and tell you about this evening, so I best do that before I totally run out of your time My oldest sister has lived most of her life in Texas and surrounding states, always down about the Gulf. And I have lived all my life up north, all but the first six months, in northern Indiana. Needless to say, we haven’t seen a lot of each other during our lives.

I am 54 yrs and if memory serves me right, prior to tonight, I’ve seen her only three times, the first two being when I was 13 & 15. The last being five yrs ago this past summer. And yes, you understood that correctly, I saw my sister tonight.

She just was blessed with 3 grandchildren in the last couple months, 2 from the same daughter-in-law, the 3rd from her daughter who happens to now live in the next town over from me. So, while she was off gallivanting around visiting new babies, she snuck in a little time for supper with my family and me. The only thing better would have been for it to have been this coming Friday night, when my oldest son will be here to travel to Iowa with us for my Father -in-laws 90th birthday party. But, I’ll settle for getting two of my children and my husband to be able to meet her and a short but wonderful and enjoyable visit with her.

I don’t ask the Good Lord for too many favors, but this is one I didn’t even feel qualified to ask for, but I got anyway. Isn’t it amazing, that even tho we don’t ask, He knows our heart’s desires, and fulfills them? I’m hoping this is a sign that I’ve been obedient to Him and have been a blessing to His Kingdom and glory. Maybe it’s what happens when we try harder to focus on pleasing Him and making sure we are following His leads and directions. I hope so, because it sure was a wonderful blessing for me.

I’ll close with a link to a booklet that my daughter & I have been working on with the pics of her daughter, Zylea.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/5vkyso

It’s at Walmart, and they will make you sign up or sign in to view it, but I think it will be worth the bother to you, and they don’t send you any spam or anything if you don’t want it.

Also, check back in a couple days on my website, and I’ll have some pics of my sister and I, and our families enjoying supper. Till then, may the Lord Bless and keep you and may He always strengthen and build you to suit His needs and may you always see the guidance and follow directions

Blessings, Sherry

Well, here it is Sunday morning, and I’ve been up for a couple hours now, but that would be because I slept nearly all day yesterday and still went to bed early last night. I don’t know what made me so tired, because I really did have a good week.

I went to my primary DR on Thursday, and he injected my right knee with cortizone & zylicaine. I didn’t feel too much difference on Friday, but Saturday and this morning, I can tell a lot of difference. It really feels good to not have so much pain. He says he thinks it’s more of a bursitis instead of so much from the arthritis that is causing the pain. He gave me a list of exercises, so while the pain med is working (supposed to be 1-2 months) we’ll see if I can get it into better shape.

Other than that, I’ve not been feeling too badly. I take my pain meds regularly and they keep the rest of my feeling pretty good. My mouth still has a little tenderness to it, mostly only irritated by slightly spicy things, but not bad even then. My sugar is getting under control much better, too.

Marcus got the ceilings painted yesterday. One gallon “just barely” covered it! In case you missed it in my previous messages, we have been tremendously blessed by our church and another organization, along with several members who did the actual work. We received a new furnace, a new roof over two rooms that had been leaking like a sieve, and a new ceiling. We went Friday and picked out the paint, and he started on Friday around the light fixtures so he could get them put up, then finished the rest of the two rooms Saturday. There’s a small couple spots that could have used a little more coverage, but hey! after what the ceiling has looked like for several years now, I’m not going to be fussy!!! I think it looks just wonderful, and can’t believe I’m looking forward to winter so that I can know what it’s like to be in a warm home again! The openness of the roof and ceiling in here really let out a lot of heat, as well as the furnace being so old.

God is so good to us, I can’t believe the number of things He has caused to happen around us, and the people He has sent into our lives. He has orchestrated so many things to happen at the right times and to think that we are just two little people in the whole world and He does this everyday in the life of every human across the globe. What a thought to realize how small and yet how important we each are to Him.

I’m starting a new page on my site, that I invite you to share with me, each time you come to visit. It will be much like the Guestbook, but this will be a Thankfulness page. I’m going to try to write in it as often as I can, and encourage you to stop by and just write things that you are thankful for also. Maybe just a major thing or two in your life, maybe you will write all the little things too. Use it as much or as little as you like. I might not have it up until later today or maybe even not till tomorrow, but be sure to stop by and list things you are thankful for in your life. I know I’ll be glad to read them, and hope each of us can inspire the other to find hope and healing in the things of our lives that are special even tho they may be ordinary, to be without them would be so much more than we realize until we think about them.

May you each have a wonderful day, and prepare to meet the oncoming week with an attitude that says “I’m happy to be alive, and I’m not afraid to show it!” Be well, and happy. Keep your chin up, and a smile on your face and in your heart. God will take care of the rest of the things, you just take care of enjoying the life He has given you.

Blessings, Sherry

Just an added update. Went to church with our son & DiL to be present for our grandson’s dedication. Didn’t understand more than a dozen words that were said, and those only because they were said directly to us by someone that spoke English! Our DiL comes from Honduras, and her father is here for a couple weeks and he is a Pastor, so they decided to let him lead the dedication.

While I didn’t understand much of anything that was said, I could tell how sincere he was and how pleased he was to be able to be the Pastor for the event. I know it made his daughter very proud! The baby wasn’t bad, but they all cry when they are held out there in the open air for the dedication. I then got to hold him during the rest of the service, and that little guy just thought I was funnier than all get out! He laughed and smiled and cooed at me constantly! I was so amazed to see a 6 wk old smile so much! Then Marcus held him after I got tired and rocked him. He truly loved it. He didn’t want his bottle, he just wanted to relax in Grandpa’s arms and be held. Since we couldn’t understand any of the service, the other grandparents let us entertain ourselves with Joseph while they listened! hahahaha

Hi Everybody!

Well, I haven’t written since I was in to see the DR this week, so I need to get you all  caught up on what the future may hold for me.

Seems the medication for the metastisized cancer on my bones, has typically been given  for life. But, it’s typically been given to patients whose “life” was termed in set  number of years or months. Whereas, we aren’t attaching that to me, nor others in the  same situation, so now, they are trying to decide “How long DO we give this to these  patients?” I know the one medication is to be taken from 5-10 yrs. But, the one that  actually has radiation in it, and the one that goes with it, for the bones, has been  showing some really great signs of attacking the cancer itself, so they feel that while  it not only decreases my risks for fractures in those affected bones, it also increases  my chances of not having the cancer make a comeback. And anyone who has had cancer, knows  that there is always the possibility for that to happen.

This just seems to be one of those little silver linings that seem to make that dark  cloud that is always present in the future days and years of a cancer survivor seem just  a little lighter. I thouhgt that was some pretty good news to hear, after hearing I may  be taking this IV med for YEARS!!!! Something similar to the line of “a little bit of  sugar makes the medicine go down!”

Anyway, I was a bit concerned when I had the radiation that the DR didn’t have them  mark/map me out to radiate the spots on my pelvis. He (the Radiation DR) said that the  other meds would take care of those, but I was still a little uneasy. Then last week when  I saw the Medical Oncologist, he said the same thing that the spots were actually small,  and that the IV meds that I’m taking will take care of them, and if not, then later we  will decide if we have to do more radiation, but for now, let’s see if this works. So,  that was good enough for me to have both of them agreeing that it’s ok to take a “wait  and see” approach to some of it.

And I must say that if this is all the more side effects I’m going to have from the  larger doses of radiation as opposed to the several milder ones, I’m glad I got the  larger. I’m a bit tired, but not nearly as bad as chemo was. My skin is a bit dry, but  again, not any worse than it was with chemo. Some of the continued sore mouth could be  from the radiation, since I’m 5 wks out from my last chemo, I’m thinking the radiation  has to be causing it now. But, even if it is, again, it is STILL not as bad as the chemo,  so, basically, if one can get thru chemo, radiation is a piece of cake? Maybe, we will  see, since the say that some side effects and reactions do not happen until weeks out. I  will just continue to pray that the Lord has decided that I did such a good job of  withstanding chemo so well, that I deserve a break

I do have to start taking some pretty high dosages of calcium & Vitamin D, well, I guess  it’s not that high for the calcium (400mg), but 400 I.U. of D is kind of high for most  people. Just more pills for me to take. I feel like a I ought to rattle when I walk!

Wow! I just looked at my calendar to see what’s up this week, and except for a phone call  to my regular DR tomorrow to get some prescriptions straightened out with the insurance  company, and a cancer support meeting on Tuesday late after noon, I don’t have ANYTHING  else on my calendar except working on finishing up my cookbook! Halleleujah! I’m going to  make my deadline for sure! I’ve been focusing on being done by this next weekend, and it  looks like I’m going to be able to make it. That’s a real bonus to my spirits for sure. I  might even have trouble going to sleep in a while I’m so excited!

But, I need to go pretty soon, as it is after 11 and I’ve been finding that if I go to  bed before midnight, I can get up earlier (instead of sleeping 15 hours). Either that, or  I’m finally getting used to this new medicine and it’s working more correctly. It’s one  of those that definitely causes you to sleep, but not so much after your body gets used  to it. It replaces my sleeping pill completely, and is supposed to help me decrease my  anxiety and depression medications, which will be nice too. I’m all in favor of cutting  back the number of pills I take Besides if it helps to stablize my moods as it is  implicated to do, that’s a plus. I’ve been having more anxiety attacks since the  diagnosis of cancer, which is I’m sure not out of the ordinary, but that doesn’t mean I  have to like it, nor live with it

I’m working hard at getting my pains meds on a real steady schedule too. I’ve got a timer  program on my computer, and since I’m near either my desktop or laptop most of the time,  I’ve got it set, and then instead of turning it off, I just tell it to remind me again in  two hours. So, far today and yesterday I’ve done real good, and my back, pelvis,  shoulder, and knees, have been doing pretty good. We will see how well I can stick to it  all week! hahaha Don’t ask me what I’m going to do on days that I’m not just sitting  around all day, because I don’t have an answer yet!

Well, I guess that pretty much brings you up to date again, and gives you the latest  news. So, until next time, please keep me in your prayers, and don’t forget to write me  once in a while just for conversations

God’s Blessings upon all of you and your families. May He guide and directs us all to do  and say things which will benefit His kingdom and show His light shining thru us.

Hugs to all,
Sherry

Seems every letter I write is telling about a test coming up, or the results of one, or how this treatment is affecting me, or this drug reactions. My pains and troubles consume all my writings (which they do consume most of my days, but…)

I wrote this on one of the boards last night, and I thought, “You know, it really was a good weekend all around!” I should share a bit more of it with more people. Maybe you like to just feel some enjoyment with me in looking back at how relaxed and enjoyable the weekend was. So, here is my weekend reminiscent.

It actually started on Friday, when we went to the next town south and picked up some books that I don’t know what I’m going to do with, they didn’t turn out to be what I had in mind at all, but I’ll figure something out. Then we garage saled on the way home! We made a great deal for Eric’s wife, Ana, who wants to get back into nail care, which she did in Honduras before she moved here. Several boxes of nail color and nail care, now she needs tools, and with being Latino, she should have a good shot at bringing in, just by word of mouth, some good business in the Latin community. I hope so, it would be good for her, new friends, occupied time, a break from the baby, all good things.

Saturday was pretty rough, my med made me sleep too long (sleeping problems, another story) , and I was sooo hurting when I got up, that it took me two hours to get the spasms out of my back and be able to move. By the time I could move around, the day was nearly gone! So much for Saturday! hahahah

Sunday, I had the most delightful day! After getting the kinks out of my back(didn’t take near as long as Saturday, I took 2 pain pills right off the bat!) I realized that my Marcus was home from church, and had put the two slabs of ribs in the electric roaster. And now, it was time to put them on the grill.

He grilled them for just long enough to get a good flavor to them, then put them back in the cooker because our daughter had called and said she & her crew were going to be late.

Today our son-in-law was coming, AND bringing his sister with them. So, we all gathered at Eric’s new home, with his mother-in-law here from Honduras to help with their new baby. So, I had both my kids that live here, and both my grandbabies. What more could a woman ask for!

I only was able to eat one piece of meat, but at least I could eat that much and my mouth wasn’t too bad. SiL complemented son’s MiL telling her that’s the best rice he’s had in 10 yrs. (She never uses a steamer or cooker, does it the old-fashioned way). Marcus’s ribs were excellent. I got to help feed my granddaughter some table food, and we discovered that she ADORES cantaloupe! hahahaha

Eric took more pics of the babies, then later at home I worked on an album for daughter for her upcoming birthday (a birth to 6 mo 5×7″ album from Walmart.) only a bit over $10 for nearly 70 pics! Gonna be cool!

Got an unexpected email from one of hubby’s sisters who has never written me before, and that made me puff up with delight! And a really great one from my brother’s wife. She loves me so much and so does he.

Then as I was just about to eat supper, while Marcus was watching his race, a couple that we are good friends with showed up at the door. Their visit alone was gift enough for us, but they had just gotten back into town, and stopped at Wally world down the road, and got me a lovely little bouquet of flowers and some Russell Stover’s Sugar Free Pecan Delights! How totally awesome is that!

I had so many smiles and happy moments over the weekend, I think I must have stolen someone else’s! Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on such a wonderful weekend, Cozi. Maybe in a few weeks, I can make it a fully completely wonderful day, by being able to go to church with him in the morning. At least they put the sermons online so I can listen to them and Marcus always brings me messages from friends.

This week’s messages were from our dentist, Craig Y. who as I told you the other day, squeezed me in for a full cleaning. Seems his hygienist and a couple of the other girls enjoyed my company so much that they commented to Craig. They were encouraged by my faith and my enjoyment of life through all of this and my ability to laugh in the face of it all.

I encourage all of you to look back on your day. What made you smile today? Did you have a special moment? Just a little one that made you feel good inside? Try to find one of those at the end of everyday, lots of them if you can! Remember, God is blessing us every single day. All we have to do is open our eyes to see them, catch them, enjoy them. God’s Blessings to each of you. Smile God and I both love you! Now, that’s something to smile about!

Sherry

Well, I got my blast of radiation on Thursday. So far, nothing too much out of the ordinary going on. I read somewhere that it is often a week or two before you have any side effects, so I’m not counting them out just yet.

I got an unexpected phone call on Tuesday from my dentist. I’d been in on Friday to have panoramic X-rays to make sure there are no openings in any of the teeth or gums that might cause problems with the one medication that is supposed to advance the growth of my bones so the cells that are being eaten by the cancer can be replaced as the cancer cells die. It seems if the gums and jaw bone are not all intact and well, this wonderful medicine can become extremely dangerous and actually kill the jawbone. Not a pretty thought! So, off to my favorite dentist to get checked out. He said, of course, that I was in desperate need of a good cleaning, but other than that, I looked ok.

Well, then he talked to the nurse at the cancer center, and since he couldn’t completely say that I don’t have any gum disease because the build up was really heavy, they decided I really should have my cleaning done right away so that it is nice and healed by the time I get my next dose of the medicine. So, I ended up at the dentist for a lengthy 1.5 hours getting my teeth cleaned Tuesday.

Then, I went in on Thursday to the hospital and had my radiation. They nudged and tugged and pushed and pulled until they got me in the exact line up that the wanted with the little red lines running exactly where they wanted them. They radiated the spinal area and the right femur, but not the pelvis areas. I’m not sure I agree with the DRs logic, but we will do it his way first.

He says that because the areas on the pelvis are much smaller, they will likely be taken care of by the chemo already in my system and the medications that I will be taking. That the risk to the bones is greater when it’s that small of areas, than waiting to see if the medications will take care of them. If they aren’t getting better in a couple months, then we will see about attacking them with the more aggressive radiation treatments. Like I said, we’ll try it his way first. And then we will re-discuss it if they aren’t better soon.

I’m not feeling too bad, I’m working with the DRs on getting my meds to try and get all the different pains under control, since in order to participate in the one drug study, my overall pain level has to be at a constant 3 (on a 1-10 scale). I think the research nurse is dreaming, as I just don’t think I will qualify for this study. The arthritis in my knee for starters, rarely gets down to 3, but we are working on it. I’m back on Celebrex in hopes of getting it under control, but that and this pain in my back just don’t want to give up and cooperate.

Well, I’m off to work on a photo album for my granddaughter & daughter, from birth to 6 months. Just got the 6 mo shots last week (a little late, as she was actually 6 mo on the first, but they were close I missed a whole set of shots, so I have to go back and work them in, and then I told her she needs to add the text if she wants it! Hahahahaha Walmart has a really nice photo album of 20 pgs and you can put up to 4 pics per page, so we can get a lot in there. I’m buying one for her since it’s less than $10, it’s a nice present. It’ll be an early birthday present for Karen, since her birthday is this month.

Hope everybody has a good holiday weekend.  Enjoy yourselves and find some time to relax. I’m hoping to.

Take care! Sherry

Well, this update is kind of hard to start, because I’m not sure how far back to go during these last two weeks to make sure you have enough information, yet, I don’t really want to end up with an entire book chapter! Tho, I’m sure you’ve noticed that that doesn’t always bother me. Hahaha

I told you about going back in after the CT Scan because the radiologist saw something, for a bone scan. I also mentioned seeing a lot of inspirational and motivational posters, paintings, and such. Well, guess God was giving me little hints to get my self-motivation and personal strength in tack, because I was going to need them.

Because, unfortunately, what I had hoped was just some arthritis, turns out to be cancer. The breast cancer has metastasized onto my bones in several spots. It’s spotty along 6-7 vertebrae about the middle of the back, some down towards the bottom, 2-3 spots on the left side of my pelvis, a couple on the right side, and a fairly good-sized spot on my right thigh bone.

Now, don’t jump to the first conclusion, I do NOT have bone cancer. This is still breast cancer, it has just found new homes. And we plan to send in some eviction notices really soon.

I’ve already started two new treatments, since this requires and entire different strategy. I will not have to take anymore chemo (YAY!!!) But I will have a once a month infusion (bag of goodies, given intravenously) (Zometa) that is supposed to help strengthen my bones and help them repair themselves from where the cancer has attached to them. Then I will be taking a couple kinds of pills, the first one is prescribed to all women after breast cancer for 5 years (Aromasin, some may take an alternate but similar drug, there are several) this is to continue to fight any breast cancer cells that may decide to start growing.

I will be also be taking a type of radioactive pill (Samarium SM - 153) to fight the cancer cells and help with the pain from the cancer in the bones. And, of course, I’ll get a nice dose of radiation. I was quite suprised at this. Only one blast. Not weeks of everyday, just one shot. And as long as all goes as typical, usual, and expected, it will be the only radiation I receive.

If I understand the proceedures and plans right, we should see some major results in 4-6 weeks after the radiation. Of course, as with anything, there’s side-effects, the most thrilling one of all to me is probably a sore throat. Like I haven’t had enough of that one! But, that’s ok, there’s a whole shebang of others that I’ll pass on, if given the choice

A lot of fatigue and bone aches are in the upcoming weeks as the meds clear the bones of the cancer cells, but they were pretty quick to volunteer to prescribe me meds to keep it under control. I was surprised at their uninhibited offers, since my sister has been given practically nothing. I believe they told her to use Aleve. Glad I’m here not there! Altho, if I’d been there, they would have already found that it had spread to the bones, since she had a bone scan before she started her chemo. I wouldn’t have had to have any chemo if they’d done one on me first.

But, you can’t just go running a bunch of “maybe this will show something” tests, and I realize that. I don’t think the couple months has made any significant difference in the advancement of the cancer, altho it sure would have been nice to skip the chemo Ah, but yet again, I’ll consider it just an extra precaution that wasn’t that harmful for me and probably killed a few cancer cells still running around in the lymphatic system looking for a home.

I was kind of glad to hear my Medical Oncologist make one statement, since it really had been on my mind from day one. But, no one had ever addressed it, and I wasn’t really sure I wanted to. He said “When the breast cancer is as advanced as yours was, and with so much lymph node activity, we knew there was going to be more show up, we just didn’t know where. Now we know, and now we can treat it directly instead of generally with the chemo and hope we catch it before it gets out of control.” It had always bothered me that no one had ever really talked about it recurring elsewhere, since I knew it was fairly common when it reached stage 3 as mine had.

So, it was really comforting to know that this was really is good news. On the surface it doesn’t sound good at all, but really, we have taken some big steps forward in my treatment and prognosis, and it’s more of a “left turn” instead of going backwards. Kind of staying on the same level for the future evaluations, still having the same expectations of a complete recovery, just kind of an unexpected yank on the steering wheel to a different road.

One that I think will be a good one. Probably have some bumps still, but we’ve dealt with a few already, and I can surely take some more. From all accounts by other patients’ stories I’ve read and heard about, I think I’ve escaped some really bad bumps that could have been in the past couple months, so I’ll go ahead and graciously accept some more. Seems fair to me.

I hope I haven’t bored you to pieces with all the details, and maybe you just skimmed over some of them. But, that’s ok, I know you love me anyway. After all, you are still reading

May God find each one of you as special as He has made me feel. May you realize that the health, financial, emotional, whatever battles that you are fighting, are not just about the face value issue. God is fighting satan for your soul. The devil wants to discourage you, to make you lose faith, to give up. But, watch for His hand in your battle. Like the posters I saw the other day, coincidences don’t just happen, God knew I was going to need some good thoughts to get me thru the next week, and He planted them in all kinds of places.

I’m special. Somehow, for some reason. I don’t know what makes me special, but so many of you have expressed your care and concern for me. Me, just little? old, nobody me. You’ve followed with me weekly, encouraged me, prayed for me, thought about me, sent me messages, cards and presents. And why? What makes me so special that you care so much for me? I don’t know, but I feel very privileged to be able to call so many of you my friend and to know that at a minute’s notice, if I needed to talk you would stop what you were doing and stay right there on that phone! That’s really an awesome feeling to know that God and so many people have their ears & eyes tuned in on me, to make sure I make it thru this, and don’t have to do it alone. I hope you all can come close to understanding how much it means to me to have so much love and support. I just hope I get the opportunity to “pay it forward” and help others along their way.

God’s Blessings to each of you, and my gratitude and love,

Sherry

Btw, for those that might have missed it, we have a new grandson, Joseph Anthony! He was born Friday, August 15, 2008 at 2:30 AM via c-section. Much as Ana wanted, and hard as she tried, the baby would not move into the birth canal, and finally the DR told Ana that there was no choice any longer, that they had to do the c-section, and soon after, we had a healthy baby grandson! Isn’t he gorgeous! What a beautiful gift from God.

Here’s the website with new pics of him and everybody else :)http://anayeric.nedesign.biz/delivery2/index.htm