The scan that was performed earlier this month revealed a small tumor in the hip joint, so daily radiation treatment to that area began last week and will end in two days. In the meantime, chemotherapy has continued.
Sherryl has been very tired the past few weeks and has spent much of the time in bed sleeping. She continues to use a walker and, overall, she's feeling very weak. Her radiation oncologist validated today that her body is exhausted, probably due to cumulative chemotherapy treatments. Sherryl's oncologist is on vacation, so she'll see another oncologist this week. It is not yet determined if she will be administered chemotherapy this week.
Sherryl has sorely missed being at day care and has missed spending the holiday season with the children. But the perkiness in Sherryl's voice is beginning to return, and she's determined to regain her strength. Determined. Resilience.
To join the little elf above in cheering her on, here is one of RaRa's favorite Christmas songs.
~xoxo~
Sherryl is feeling a bit better today. She talked on the phone briefly to each of us, and she had more waking hours today than she has any day since Thursday. So, just as she's done before, she's coming out of the "chemo tired" phase and will be back on her feet again soon. In the meantime, a scan is scheduled for Monday.
Thank you one and all for your ongoing love, prayers, and support of our sister. Every thought you send makes a world of difference to her. So, please keep them coming!
~xoxo~
The holidays have arrived and so RaRa's favorite elf is back to cheer for her and her amazing resilience. Sherryl loved this elf when she saw it last year, so the season-loving character representing magic and joy has returned.
Although the elf is jumping with excitement, Sherryl is not. Following a couple of good weeks, she needed her walker to get to the Thanksgiving table at Jonathan and Rachael's home Thursday evening. When she got home that night, she went to bed and stayed there all weekend long. She stayed in bed all day Monday, too. As of today, she feels pain only from time to time, but she's "chemo tired," so much so that she doesn't even want to talk on the phone.
So, while it felt like progress was made, her tumor marker had dropped, and she was able to work and play and get around, the combination of fatigue and need for a walker feels like a huge setback. The number in the title, thirty-three, is the one Sherryl most frequently pulls from mid-air when she needs to use an arbitrary number in a sentence. And since the number thirty-three is a lot higher than the number two (as in "one step forward, two steps back"), it works perfectly here. Unfortunately.
Last week, Sherryl's oncologist increased the dosage of the current chemo-cocktail and prescribed a stronger medication for pain she was feeling in her hips. In surfacing a pattern for the side effects of this particular chemotherapy, which is administered once a week for 3 weeks and then there is one week of no chemotherapy, it is during the off week when the cumulative effects of the medication hit Sherryl hard. She sleeps all day every day and her mouth is dry. There is very little talking when she is awake, but she is aware of people and her surroundings.
Sherryl is scheduled to return to chemotherapy this next week, and another scan will be scheduled within the next few days to determine whether or not there is a fracture that is causing the pain in her hips.
Sherryl did enjoy Thanksgiving and we were very grateful that our entire family was together for Sherryl's favorite holiday. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too.
~xoxo~
Sherryl's favorite holiday has arrived once again and she is happily spending the day with the entire family. Sherryl has hosted our annual feast every year since Mom passed away and now, it is with great love and pleasure, that she is passing the proverbial baton to Jonathan and Rachael to carry on the tradition of Thanksgiving dinner. Fun will certainly be had by all!
Sherryl has been feeling pretty well the past couple of weeks and, in fact, her tumor marker has dropped a bit to 470. Following a conversation with her oncologist, she believes that the dip in her spirits was due to the current chemotherapy as it is known to play havoc with emotions. The doctor also prescribed Sherryl a medication to reduce water retention. She says she doesn't mind pushing through fatigue, but there's nothing she can do in this case for a side effect that involves swelling.
Sherryl also learned that the results of the brain scan were back. Her doctor reported the brain and skull are fine. Sherryl has identified a small spot on her chin that is numb, so the doctor took note and explained that, if there is metastasis in the jaw, that may be the cause. He plans to watch it carefully.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, we are so thankful for the people in Sherryl's life who love her so very much. From longtime friends to nurses to daycare kids and parents to our aunts, uncles and cousins -- you all make such a difference to Sherryl's spirits. We hope you are spending part of this holiday weekend with those you love, too. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
~xoxo~
Sherryl had her second round of Chemo #6 last week and has subsequently experienced related side effects. Leg pain, stiff knees, water retention, and fatigue are not a fun combination even by RaRa Resilience standards. So, in addition to tears and lots of sleep, the walker was needed on Saturday and a cane on Sunday. Sherryl did feel better Sunday evening, which she attributes to an 15-hour night's sleep.
Backing up to last week, Sherryl decided to be pro-active and ask for a particular test. She has reasoned that nearly every part of her anatomy has been scanned; the only area not yet scanned is the brain. So, although she is functioning physically and mentally well, Sherryl presented her rationale to her oncologist with a request for that particular test. He agreed and the scan was scheduled for this past Thursday. The availability of test results is pending. Sherryl expects to get an update from her doctor during her chemo appointment this week.
Sherryl continues to push herself, even through bad days. Sunday evening, she was baking a birthday cake for one of the children at day care and talking about Christmas gifts she has in the works.
Resilience. Here's wishing RaRa wakes up tomorrow morning to a good day.
~xoxo~