Well, today was great news! I tried to be calm but it's hard not to be a little nervous about seeing the scans. By the time we got the news I wasn't sure how to be feeling....I was sure thankful for the results though! I believe we are on the right path and and taking it all one step at a time. I feel like seeing our scans was a short break time to lift our heads and say Thank you Lord!!! Then it was time to put our heads back down and get back to the good ol' grind of beating this cancer by jumping back into the chemo chair right after seeing the scans. So thanks for rejoicing with us in this journey.
A few details... Originally I had at least 7 cancer tumors on my liver the sizes of a quarter and a couple of real big ones. Today we could only see one the size of the end of your finger and one other real small one. The tumor in my breast was at least 2 centimeters in the beginning. The radiologist reported he had a difficult time finding where the tumor was. (He couldn't find it.) He did say it could be there but be the same consistency as the breast tissue...but even so, that's progress in my book! The tumors in my bones looked a little brighter today. Dr. Malhi explained that meant they are beginning to heal. Bones take longer to heal but when it appears brighter on the scan, that means the new cells are growing and the cancer cells are dying. Yeah!!!
It looks like we are on the right road to healing. Honestly, I know God is in control of it all and I am thankful to be in His hands. Regardless of the reports, I know that is a safe place to be. However we are extremely thankful for the good progress!!! We are continuing to pray for a BIG miracle of complete healing and thanking God for the progress along the way.
Keep looking up!
Sheri
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The reuslts are in!!!....................and
OK, before we spill the beans on Sheri's scan results, you need to know we are, and were prepared to praise God for whatever the results are. Our faith has brought us through this far. Many people have commented on our strength through this ordeal, it is not our strength you see, but His. OK I'll step off the pulpit now, it is important that people know where we stand.
The cancer is 80% gone! I asked Sheri's doctor on a scale of 1 to 10 how she felt about the results. "10!" she blurted with a huge smile. Did we mention how much we like Sheri's Doctor, she's very real with us, we appreciate that. Prayer warriors rejoice! A battle has been won, but there is still a war to win. I'll let Sheri blog more details tonight after chemo (I'm writing this from the chemo room, wi-fi rocks!). Thanks for all who support and pray for us, it works!
Brett
The cancer is 80% gone! I asked Sheri's doctor on a scale of 1 to 10 how she felt about the results. "10!" she blurted with a huge smile. Did we mention how much we like Sheri's Doctor, she's very real with us, we appreciate that. Prayer warriors rejoice! A battle has been won, but there is still a war to win. I'll let Sheri blog more details tonight after chemo (I'm writing this from the chemo room, wi-fi rocks!). Thanks for all who support and pray for us, it works!
Brett
Monday, February 25, 2008
Scans went well.......results on Thursday
Well we got through it. A CT, Bone, and Ultra Scan all in one day. It brought back some emotions from three months ago when we had the last scans. We traveled up to Leavenworth to the Hat Shop for a few new hats, so we had a little fun while waiting for the next appointment. No results today, we'll get results on Thursday from Sheri's Doctor. Again, we are anxiously optimistic for the results. In the end it's not in our hands.
Brett
Well, we made it through the big scan day. We celebrated with a Dusty's hamburger and chocolate & peanut butter shake. I haven't had one one of those in months! It was delicious.
As we left the clinic it had just begun to sprinkle with the sun still shinning. We looked for the rainbow but didn't see it at first, although we knew it had to be there. Then we saw it as we drove out of town. It was beautiful and comforting.
Thanks for all the prayers! We're praying with you.
Sheri
Brett
Well, we made it through the big scan day. We celebrated with a Dusty's hamburger and chocolate & peanut butter shake. I haven't had one one of those in months! It was delicious.
As we left the clinic it had just begun to sprinkle with the sun still shinning. We looked for the rainbow but didn't see it at first, although we knew it had to be there. Then we saw it as we drove out of town. It was beautiful and comforting.
Thanks for all the prayers! We're praying with you.
Sheri
Friday, February 22, 2008
Scans on Monday....remaining flexible
Well Sheri's Doctor scheduled a CT, bone, and MRI scan for this coming Monday. On one hand we're excited to get an update, on the other: scans=bad news, in the past. All indications are that things are progressing as planned, but we hadn't planned to be here in the first place. So we go in Monday anxious and optimistic, it's a weird feeling, but we're learning to live in this new "weird world". Alyssa did great and found that Mommy's chemo isn't so scary, but kinda fun. They have a juice bar there.....Cool! Pray for good results on the scans. Specifically they're looking at Sheri's liver and bones. This is like getting a report card that you have no control over what grades you get. It is what it is. The results will give the doctors a clearer idea of our path for the months to come, including surgeries, hormone therapies, and maybe more chemo. My Mom (who's dealing with cancer herself for 16 years now) tells us to be flexible, don't get too hung up on today's results or schedules.....they will change. We know she's right, still you kind of get your heart set a certain way and...........I guess God pushing this wheelbarrow, not me. That's probably a good thing! Go Cougs.
Brett (Sheri editing)
We'll get the scan reports on Thursday when we go back in for chemo. There is a part of me that is very content to wait until Thursday. Part of me wants the results and another part of me is a little anxious about seeing them. I need to remember that we are half way through this journey of the original planned chemo dates. Most importantly, when you're in the wheel barrow, it's ok not to be in control. There's a lot better control from the back pushing so we are glad God is in control of that. (For those of you who haven't heard the wheel barrow story, Brett wrote about it when we first began our journey and blogging.)
I am thankful to be feeling great at this point. I've enjoyed working and spending family time at home. Yep, I need a little extra sleep, but that's very doable.
Taking Alyssa to chemo was fun. It's always a joy to spend time with our kids. She felt very comfortable and enjoyed herself. Nothing seemed to phase her. As I had my port hooked up she just chatted with the nurses about the fish tank she hopes to get someday. She's saving her allowance to get one. When we were done we went to the pet store so she could plan what she needed and how much she needed to save. She's very excited. Brett and I are enjoying watching her learn.
Keep looking up!
Sheri
Brett (Sheri editing)
We'll get the scan reports on Thursday when we go back in for chemo. There is a part of me that is very content to wait until Thursday. Part of me wants the results and another part of me is a little anxious about seeing them. I need to remember that we are half way through this journey of the original planned chemo dates. Most importantly, when you're in the wheel barrow, it's ok not to be in control. There's a lot better control from the back pushing so we are glad God is in control of that. (For those of you who haven't heard the wheel barrow story, Brett wrote about it when we first began our journey and blogging.)
I am thankful to be feeling great at this point. I've enjoyed working and spending family time at home. Yep, I need a little extra sleep, but that's very doable.
Taking Alyssa to chemo was fun. It's always a joy to spend time with our kids. She felt very comfortable and enjoyed herself. Nothing seemed to phase her. As I had my port hooked up she just chatted with the nurses about the fish tank she hopes to get someday. She's saving her allowance to get one. When we were done we went to the pet store so she could plan what she needed and how much she needed to save. She's very excited. Brett and I are enjoying watching her learn.
Keep looking up!
Sheri
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Alyssa and the Chemo room.....ye-ha!
Tomorrow we are taking Alyssa to Sheri's Appointment. She has been asking to go for a while to see what we are doing when we go. Tomorrow is Sheri's off week to get Chemo, but she does get another drug, so Alyssa will get to meet the nurses and watch mommy's IV and such. She won't have to wait the four hours it usually takes for the chemo though. She wants to ask Sheri's doctor a question........"when is mommy's hair coming back?" We are planning a bit of shopping after Sheri's appointment, so it should be a fun informative trip.
The remodel is progressing nicely, we should be mostly wrapped up next week. Maybe we'll post a few pictures when it's done. We find out tomorrow when Sheri will have her scans. We're anxious to see what they say. After so much bad news from scans earlier, it's tough to know how to feel. It seemed in the beginning there was no good news. Sheri's Doctor feels confident things will look good.
We'll blog when we know something new on the scans. Until then.........GO COUGS! Oh we got our new personized licence plates for the mustang! So when you see two balddies rumbling down the road with "YE-HA" on the plate....that's us! You gotta have some fun in life.
Brett
The remodel is progressing nicely, we should be mostly wrapped up next week. Maybe we'll post a few pictures when it's done. We find out tomorrow when Sheri will have her scans. We're anxious to see what they say. After so much bad news from scans earlier, it's tough to know how to feel. It seemed in the beginning there was no good news. Sheri's Doctor feels confident things will look good.
We'll blog when we know something new on the scans. Until then.........GO COUGS! Oh we got our new personized licence plates for the mustang! So when you see two balddies rumbling down the road with "YE-HA" on the plate....that's us! You gotta have some fun in life.
Brett
Saturday, February 16, 2008
How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
Thursday Brett ran an errand while I was in chemo. He returned armed with a dozen roses, chocolates, a couple of bears and the biggerst balloon I've seen. When you tap the baloon it sings the James Taylor song How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You. All I can say is Brett's dad trained him well. I'm reaping the benefits and feel completely spoiled. The nurses loved it too. They enjoyed dancing to the music and we all had fun with it, Brett and I, our nurses, and the other chemo patients. Brett has always been so thoughtful and loving.
Later we went on a double date with Edd and Sharon, Brett's mom and dad, out for dinner because they happened to be down at the clinic too. It's always fun to get together for dinner.
Bottom line...we made a Valentine's date out of a chemo day and had fun. Brett even broke the Mustang out of the garage for the event.
Thursday was also a little celebration because it was our half way point. Yeah! It looks like I may have some scans a little earlier than I had expected. I'm not sure exactly when, but I should find out next Thursday. There is a little anticipation that I feel when I think of what the results may be, but then I have to stop and remind myself that God is in control and I'm in His hands. That's a good place to be. I can choose to trust Him and rest.
Keep looking up and thanks for praying!
Sheri
Later we went on a double date with Edd and Sharon, Brett's mom and dad, out for dinner because they happened to be down at the clinic too. It's always fun to get together for dinner.
Bottom line...we made a Valentine's date out of a chemo day and had fun. Brett even broke the Mustang out of the garage for the event.
Thursday was also a little celebration because it was our half way point. Yeah! It looks like I may have some scans a little earlier than I had expected. I'm not sure exactly when, but I should find out next Thursday. There is a little anticipation that I feel when I think of what the results may be, but then I have to stop and remind myself that God is in control and I'm in His hands. That's a good place to be. I can choose to trust Him and rest.
Keep looking up and thanks for praying!
Sheri
Monday, February 11, 2008
Half way........time to remodel.
Well this Thursday will make the half way point of Sheri's Chemo journey. It's also valentines day, we'll be spending the day at the chemo room, in the fire red leather chairs there. We'll go out to dinner afterward to celebrate. Three more months to go. One more month until we do a CT scan to check our Sheri's liver and bones. Pray hard!
The rumors are true. I've started a remodel project. Before you get all bent, chill out, I asked first! Hold your judgement on me. If you know me very well, I get bored easily. I need something to do....like a project. Soooooo.......here we are! We've changed out our front door, and all the interior doors in the house, and all new moldings to boot. We actually bought and finished these doors a month before Sheri's diagnosis, so this was no wild hair. Our contractors are very cognizant of our situation. They arrive after Sheri leaves for work, and have cleaned up and are out of here before she comes home. She loves the new doors! In another week we'll have a brand new master bath, complete with his and her sinks (the old was just her!), and a new slate walk in shower. Life has changed for us, we know that. But I'll be damned if I'll allow cancer to rob our dreams! We wanted to do these projects pre cancer, now we are in spite of cancer. So there you go, like it or not we're moving forward. Happy half way!
Brett
The rumors are true. I've started a remodel project. Before you get all bent, chill out, I asked first! Hold your judgement on me. If you know me very well, I get bored easily. I need something to do....like a project. Soooooo.......here we are! We've changed out our front door, and all the interior doors in the house, and all new moldings to boot. We actually bought and finished these doors a month before Sheri's diagnosis, so this was no wild hair. Our contractors are very cognizant of our situation. They arrive after Sheri leaves for work, and have cleaned up and are out of here before she comes home. She loves the new doors! In another week we'll have a brand new master bath, complete with his and her sinks (the old was just her!), and a new slate walk in shower. Life has changed for us, we know that. But I'll be damned if I'll allow cancer to rob our dreams! We wanted to do these projects pre cancer, now we are in spite of cancer. So there you go, like it or not we're moving forward. Happy half way!
Brett
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A Happy Birthday and Good Saturday
Wednesday we enjoyed having the family over for Bryce's family party. Bursting with excitment, he tried to patiently wait through dinner before he opened his presents. Of course he finished his dinner early...this is a rare thing for him. Then he and his cousins went to play while the grown ups finished. He would run up to me and whisper in my ear..."is it time yet?" He was ready for his special day. Presents and cake...OH Boy!
On Friday he had his first friend party. My good friend, Sandra, graciously helped me with the party and the kids had a blast. The best memory will forever be the upside down birthday cake. Yep, it slipped off it's base and together we caught it on it's way down. We laughed so hard. There was enough left that we added the candles, sang and served away. It didn't phase the boys.I think they would have gladly dove into the cake with fingers flying, but we were a little more civil and used plates and forks.
Saturday I usually sleep several hours. This Saturday I was more awake for some reason. I didn't spend most of the day sleeping. I still rested with several cups of tea, but I didn't end up taking a nap and that suprised me. It was nice to have a day to slowly putt around the house and rest in between. It made me feel a little more productive. That's a good feeling and much appreciated.
Well, Bryce and I are off to write thank you notes. I've promised he gets to go outside and play afterwards.
Keep looking up.
Sheri
On Friday he had his first friend party. My good friend, Sandra, graciously helped me with the party and the kids had a blast. The best memory will forever be the upside down birthday cake. Yep, it slipped off it's base and together we caught it on it's way down. We laughed so hard. There was enough left that we added the candles, sang and served away. It didn't phase the boys.I think they would have gladly dove into the cake with fingers flying, but we were a little more civil and used plates and forks.
Saturday I usually sleep several hours. This Saturday I was more awake for some reason. I didn't spend most of the day sleeping. I still rested with several cups of tea, but I didn't end up taking a nap and that suprised me. It was nice to have a day to slowly putt around the house and rest in between. It made me feel a little more productive. That's a good feeling and much appreciated.
Well, Bryce and I are off to write thank you notes. I've promised he gets to go outside and play afterwards.
Keep looking up.
Sheri
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Random Thoughts
So you know when you look in your closet and have that thought..."I need a new pair of shoes, or that new shirt just to spice things up" Well I kind of had that thought, except as I looked at myself in the mirror I thought..."I need some new hair, it would help make the outfit." Then I laughed at myself...it's fun to laugh. I don't worry, the hair will come back in due time. It was just a girl moment.
Then today I was downstairs looking for an extention cord in the store room. You know, that place you put everything you're not sure where to put otherwise? (We all have those secret places!) And I just prayed, "God would you please heal me?" Then I was aware that I'm truly in the palm of His hand. What a beautiful place to be. What a joy to have a great God who cares about us so much. It reminds me so much of the prayer of Footsteps in the Sand where God carries us through times like these. Thanks God! Tonight I had a good friend sing a song for me that confirmed that just as God takes care of the lillies of the valley, He will take care of us. God is good. I know He is with us each step of the way.
Thanks for all of your prayers. Just thought I'd share a few of my random thoughts.
Keep looking up!
Sheri
Then today I was downstairs looking for an extention cord in the store room. You know, that place you put everything you're not sure where to put otherwise? (We all have those secret places!) And I just prayed, "God would you please heal me?" Then I was aware that I'm truly in the palm of His hand. What a beautiful place to be. What a joy to have a great God who cares about us so much. It reminds me so much of the prayer of Footsteps in the Sand where God carries us through times like these. Thanks God! Tonight I had a good friend sing a song for me that confirmed that just as God takes care of the lillies of the valley, He will take care of us. God is good. I know He is with us each step of the way.
Thanks for all of your prayers. Just thought I'd share a few of my random thoughts.
Keep looking up!
Sheri
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Big B's 6th today....Chemo tomorrow
On this day six years ago, a strapping young lad entered our world, the world hasn't been the same since! Bryce Edward La Mar. He was born on the same day as his great grandfather, Lonnie La Mar. Tonight the families are coming over to help celebrate with hamburgers (hanggubers as he calls them) and hot dogs. Bryce is very excited to say the least. What a joy he has been for Sheri and I, full of energy and always looking for fun. He helps keep things light and in perspective. Sometimes a good fire and movie is all you really need, ya know? Maybe a marshmellow thrown in for good measure. Happy Birthday Buddy, our big boy!!!!
Tomorrow is back to our new routine, chemo day. Sheri's taking the whole day off this time (usually it's a half day) because her Doctor needs to get home early. With the colds and chemo her energy was a little off this past week, but she troupered through just fine. Two more months until be go back in for some scans to see how things are in her liver and bones. Two months seems so far away sometimes. I'm not very good at sitting and waiting. One of the things that has been a struggle for me has been putting our lives on hold. We are both planners and doers, so waiting is difficult. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not whining (well maybe a little), it's one of those things I didn't expect to feel when we headed down this road. I'm sure God is molding me somehow though all of this, so that's ok. Pray for the chemo tomorrow, get that cancer boys!
Brett
Tomorrow is back to our new routine, chemo day. Sheri's taking the whole day off this time (usually it's a half day) because her Doctor needs to get home early. With the colds and chemo her energy was a little off this past week, but she troupered through just fine. Two more months until be go back in for some scans to see how things are in her liver and bones. Two months seems so far away sometimes. I'm not very good at sitting and waiting. One of the things that has been a struggle for me has been putting our lives on hold. We are both planners and doers, so waiting is difficult. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not whining (well maybe a little), it's one of those things I didn't expect to feel when we headed down this road. I'm sure God is molding me somehow though all of this, so that's ok. Pray for the chemo tomorrow, get that cancer boys!
Brett
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Keep'in on keeping on
At this point in our marathon it was another restful weekend. Saturday was a day full of naps. Today I expected to have a little more energy than I did but that's ok. I enjoyed the Super Bowl with Brett in the comfort of our living room. What a great game! Brett and I love the fact that a team given little chance to win made it to the top. (Sounds familiar, and we're headed for the top too. :) )
The kids played outside in the snow with some neighbors and then enjoyed warm homemade chili when they came in.
We are planning Bryce's 6th birthday for this Wednesday with the family and this Friday with his little friends. He is very excited and has been asking if his birthday is tomorrow for the last several days.
All in all it was a great weekend and we are very thankful.
Keep praying and looking up!
Sheri
The kids played outside in the snow with some neighbors and then enjoyed warm homemade chili when they came in.
We are planning Bryce's 6th birthday for this Wednesday with the family and this Friday with his little friends. He is very excited and has been asking if his birthday is tomorrow for the last several days.
All in all it was a great weekend and we are very thankful.
Keep praying and looking up!
Sheri
Friday, February 1, 2008
A quick lunch blog
I'm home for lunch and thought I'd let you know that I'm on the mend. My canker sores are begining to get better, the rash is beginning to go away and I just have a cough left that I think is getting better a little each day. Yesterday my white blood cell count was good so I should be able to fight the cold just fine. Yeah! P.T. L.! My red blood cell count was down just a little but not bad. All in all, things are well.
Thanks for the prayers and keep looking up!
Sheri
Thanks for the prayers and keep looking up!
Sheri
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