The beginning of the hair migration...

Well, my hair is beginning it's great migration...I'm thinking this means the chemo is working. That makes it worth it in my mind. I still shed a few tears in Brett's arms. A girl can't help but miss all that hair that we fuss around, fight with and complain about. At this point I still have a head of hair...it's just much thinner. That's OK. I keep saying this adventure makes me brave to do things I wouldn't have tried without it. Now we're on to cute hats and wigs. Tomorrow Tammi will help me shape a couple of wigs.
Brett is braver than normal too. I get a kick out of his new do. We decided we need to have a little fun in the midst of all this. In fact, I told him we both need to go for a ride in the convertible with the top down just to feel the wind on our bald heads...when it gets warmer! So, if you see a couple of nuts driving around bald...it's just us having a little fun!
Last week went well at the hospital. My port worked on the first try! I had the same nurse and I think she was just as ecstatic as we were.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has been so helpful. Just about the moment I thought "I should really make some holiday goodies for my family" delicious Christmas goodies walked through the door! And then to my Angel Crew: Thanks! You make the house sparkle when I'm at chemo and it's a joy to come home to. Thanks to all for the flowers, cards, e-mails and words of encouragement. You are all the wings I rest on when I'm a little tired. God is honestly our foundation and you have been His hands in many ways. Thank you.

Ode to hair....or lack there of.

Oh hair. So often we take it for granted. We curse it when it doesn't do what we want it to. We wish it was straight or curly, blond or brunette, not so grey or receding. When it goes away it's weird, and strangely emotional. Why? It's just hair right. Yes and no. It is just hair, and yes it will grow back. It's also part of our identity. It's part of how people recognize us. We cut it to suit our personality. So here we are today with less hair then yesterday. Sure it's temporary, and part of the healing process, still it's odd. Sheri calls it the great migration. It is what it is. Life goes on, hair or no hair. It's pretty trivial in the whole scheme of things. So we move on, with a little less hair, but still moving forward.

Last night we watched "Meet The Robinsons" with the kids. The motto from it was Keep Moving Forward. No matter how many failures, it's one step closer to success.

Brett (and Sheri)

PS....never take yourself too seriously, and laugh a lot. I think every one should have a mowhawk once in their life!!! Sheri agrees, but she's not signing up yet.

A Merry Christmas Blog..............

Well, here we are on Christmas morning, and we're blogging? Yep, This blog has helped us and our friends process, stay in touch, and well....feel better. If you haven't figured it out by reading our stuff here, God and Jesus are a big part of our foundation and beliefs. Christmas is a big part of that. His birth set the tone for His life, and eventual death, and resurrection for us. Believe. We're not in your face, right wing, evangelical freaks....just good old Bible believing, God fearing followers of Christ. Religion, it is not. It's not a building, or the people in it. It's the condition of the heart, and the surrender, and relationship with Him. That's it....too simple huh.
OK enough preaching. Christmas morning found lots of cool stuff under the tree. All cool and fun (we found a Wii, thanks aunt Patty and Uncle Jim, you rock!!), but stuff just the same. Sheri and I are thankful for each other, our beautiful children, and another day here together.....and many more to come! Merry Christmas. Keep looking UP!

Brett

Yesterday was a wonderful day with the La Mar family. The Christmas Eve service we went to as a family was beautiful and Bryce stayed in his spot for the whole service! (That means in several positions in the same chair. His teacher is probably laughing as she reads this! :0) )
This morning is our quiet family time and my side of the family will come over for sledding and Christmas dinner. We're looking forward to our time together.
Tomorrow Brett and I will go down for a Herceptin treatment. It's a week off of chemo to let my body build up it's white blood cell count again. I'm thankful for this because it should help bolster a little extra energy. I'll need that to teach kindergarten!
Yesterday was a little slow and I needed a some extra rest, but today I woke up with more energy. Ya just never know what the day will bring. We are taking it all one day at a time. I am very thankful for the chemo and Herceptin treatments. We are continuing to pray that God uses them to kill the ugly cancer cells in my body. Thanks for your continued prayers.
God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!
Sheri

Aly's 8th today

Eight years ago God gave us the greatest Christmas present ever.....a baby girl. My how time flies! She's getting so grown up, playing with make-up and shopping with Mommy, much to Daddy's chagrin. Happy Birthday Alyssa.....Mommy and Daddy's little girl, we love you.

Brett

Good day, goofy port, icky cancer

We met yesterday with Sheri's doctor. The appointment went well. Dr. Malhi was very encouraged, the tumors are shrinking! We've felt this from day one, but didn't want to get too excited. We didn't want to blog it either for fear we were wrong. Dr. Malhi's smile while examining Sheri told us volumes. We were right!! Did we mention how thankful we are for her Doctor?

Now.....(I'm using my best coach talk here, we have many friends who are coaches, so they'll have to tell me how I do here!).....temper your cheers. There is a lot of work to be do. The home team just scored!! But we're only in the first quarter, so heads back down, and get back to praying. (please)

Anyway we then went on to more chemo. Sheri's port ( a surgically implanted I.V. inlet) stopped working. The nurses fussed, and fussed to no avail. So we went on with a regular I.V. After four hours of chemo, we had to go to x ray to find out what was wrong with her port. The nurse told us if it was blocked that we'd have to go back in and fix it surgically, which didn't please Sheri. In x ray the doctor fussed some more, and got the goofy thing to work! He saw nothing wrong on the x ray. Sheri's nurse was there, so she's learned how to get things perking next time. All in all, a very good day!!!

We must remember our fight thou...(back to coach talk...)...We've had friends taken by this B@S#%RD cancer....and it's not going to be easy. Don't stop praying. Don't look down. Keep pushing on to VICTORY! As we know people loose to cancer, people also WIN. We are choosing to focus on the W's not the L's. Keep fighting with us.

Brett

PS....While we're cheering, How 'bout 'dem COUGS! #6 in the nation! Glad we've got something to cheer about. And yes I like Paul Wolff as our new football coach. I graduated with Paul and worked a little with him while I worked in the athletic department....he's a true COUG!

Another Chemo Wednesday.........

Wednesday cometh! I'll take my PDA to the chemo room tomorrow, if you think about it, shoot up a prayer and send an e mail (sherilamar@gmail.com), it's fun to read them as the chemo drips in. I know I make it sound exciting...... but not so much.

Sheri is a stud! Cancer picked the wrong girl to fight with! She has been tough to keep down. My two commands to her are: "eat" and "sleep", that's her job right now. We pray the chemo is working! The doctors so far seem positive. We meet with Sheri's Oncologist tomorrow, Dr. Malhi. She is very humble, and willing to ask others for opinions, but confident in Sheri's treatment. We really like her for that. Tomorrow will be our first appointment with her since we started chemo. Things seem to be settling in a bit more. Sheri met with her boss today about going back to school after Christmas break. She's really looking forward to seeing her kids again, as they are her! Pray for her energy levels....so far so good.

Wednesday is a friend of ours funeral; Don Gibbs. Don fought a long hard battle with heart attacks, and cancer. A fight well fought my friend. Don was always good for a funny story and his patented wit and smile, and a cup of coffee. He always came in the lumber yard, bought a few things, told a story or four or five, and had a slug of our famous (not really, but he never complained) coffee, and left a smile on our faces. We will miss him. We're sorry we can't attend his service, but we have a date with the chemo chair. I think Don would understand, there's a fight to be fought!!!!

Brett

A blanket of white

The snow is coming down in buckets and it's beautiful! We rejoice in the small things and we love snow. There's just another reason to be happy!
Tomorrow we get to go down for another chemo treatment. I will be seeing my doctor after having some blood tests to see where my numbers are at. I'm looking forward to talking with her. Our regular slew of questions are written down for her. This is a education and we keep learning each step of the way.
You know, I'm feeling better than I expected. We can handle any of the chemo symptoms. I'm also thankful for how prepared the docotors and nurses are. Often they have given me solutions to anything that may come up so we know how to handle it and get on top of it quickly. Thank you for praying. I believe God is working through it.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the beauty of the season!
God bless!
Sheri

Mommy and Asissa (A-sis-sa) Time

Today Daddy and Bryce are making a boy trip to Wenatchee while mommy and Alyssa are doing some Christmas and Birthday cooking. Cooking is one of Alyssa's favorites and Bryce loves any boy time with daddy. The kids are doing well. We are just trying to make life as normal as possible for them. They are real troopers!
Tomorrow Alyssa will have a friend birthday party that Kami is helping me with. Thanks Kami! Her birthday is the 22nd of this month. She was the best Christmas present God ever gave us...It's been 8 years ago.
I'm so proud of both of my kids. This is an adventure for them too. They understand what cancer is, yet, they pray big and take one day at a time with us. They are such an inspiration and joy.
Thank you to everyone who has given them that extra hug of reassurance, a smile and more. Knowing they are ok gives me a peace in my heart. From my mommy's heart, thank you.
Thank you for praying with us that the chemo will do it's job in every area it needs to in my body. Thank you for every bit of love and support.

Sheri

New Counter>>>>>>>

We installed a new counter you see above the picture. Thanks Heather! It started onWednesday night. It boggles our mind to think that so many are interested in our journey. Sheri hit the sack early tonight, feeling a bit achy and tired. We've been thankful for her not feeling too sick after chemo.

I'm beginning to run out of interesting things to write. Life is beginning to settle into a schedule with her chemo every Wednesday. We're learning what days she feels pretty good, and which ones she needs rest. Bryce and I are heading to Wenatchee tomorrow AM, that should lower the volume level at home for a while! Sheri really wants to return to school after the Christmas break. She'll go nuts sitting around the house. Teaching is a huge part of who she is, and she misses her kids. By next week we'll have a better idea of when to take the chemo, so she can take minimal time off. Right now it looks like Thursday afternoon, as she usually feels good the day after, but the two days after that are a bit rougher. So there you go a little insight into our lives and where we're headed from here. Pray, that's the best thing anyone can do for us, He hears us. Keep looking up.

Brett

Chemo

Well now you see our wonderful sky box view from the chemo room in Sheri's picture with her new quilt. The quilt came in handy in keeping her warm. They keep the chemo drugs cold, so when they go in you get the chills. Sheri enjoyed showing all the nurses her new quilt and the messages you all wrote on the back.

The chemo room is one of those places you'd hoped you'd never have to visit in your lifetime. I think they know that there, so they make it as nice as they can. They have a great juice and snack bar which the nurses showed me to right away. I joked that they'd regret showing it to me.....after all I am a big guy, who partakes in a snack here and there! The nurses are always cheery, combined with Sheri's perpetual cheeriness, and you'd have no idea that that place was a cancer ward. Thank you to the staff and volunteers there, you make the experience bearable.

Keep praying for the chemo to do it's job. So far she's felt pretty good. She gets achy, and tired a couple of days afterwards. Thank you for all the emails, cards, calls, and conversations. We knew we moved back here 15 years ago for a reason, this is one of them. We know people are concerned, thank you. Keep it coming, it is very encouraging.

Brett

Quilt of Love and Prayers

My church made a beautiful quilt for me. It is embroidered with our theme verse. This is the day the Lord has made. I will REJOICE and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24 Then many people signed it with words of encouragement and prayers. Wow, what a gift of love. When I was tired I wrapped up in it and could just feel all of the love and prayers from so many. Tomorrow I plan to take it to chemotherapy. It will keep me warm and encouraged.
It was suggested to me to bring it back to church next Sunday. I guess not everyone got to sign it. Although I'm already so blessed and encouraged by every word already. If you'd like me to, I will do this. Just let me know.
Thank you all for your prayers!
Love to you all.
Sheri

Celebrating the small stuff

Today my surgeon did a check up on my port. She was pleased with how it is working and so am I. On Wednesday we will go down for my second chemotherapy treatment. They told us it is possible for your body to try to build immunity to what they are giving me, so there may be a little different reaction to the same medication. After the second chemo treatment, they pretty much know what to expect. I'm looking forward to seeing what my body will do. This way I can do my best planning for going back to work after Christmas break. The nurses and doctor's have told me that getting better is my primary job...and I believe them! They also know I have a passion for kids, for teaching, for contributing...and for life. Please pray we find a good balance between it all. I need to keep myself active and I will need to rest. Finding the balance is what we are looking for.

Oh yeah, Brett's excited because my doctor said a little snowmobiling would be ok...we'll be looking for smooth trails and short rides. Yee Haw!

Marathon...........A word picture........

For some reason I like to speak in word pictures. I learned what they were from a study we did with our good friends Jim and Mary Ann Talley years ago. I've been using them all my life, but they gave them a name for me.

It's as if Sheri and I are in a marathon race. In the beginning there's all the hubbub of the start, all the spectators, banners and the like. Now we are on the race course, a mile or so in. The crowds are smaller, the pomp and glitter are over. Now the real work begins. Along the way, many will help us at water station (food, prayer, house cleaning), and cheering from the road sides. Thank you for that. We know God is with us in this race. I also believe He gives us a personal responsibility to fight and stay positive. The finish is still a long ways off, there is lots of work to do. Keep praying that the chemo does it's work, and that our chins stay up. There will be times we will grow tired and frustrated (mainly me!). Stick with us through this thing, we look forward to the finish line where we can celebrate with our friends!!

Brett

Sharing a Rainbow

This is a picture that a friend, Shelley, sent to me. Her mom took it of the same rainbow Brett and I saw over the clinic. I just had to share it with you. From the clinic, it looked like it ended right on top of the oncology department on the 4th floor!
I am feeling pretty well, just a little tired and achy. I figure this means the chemo is working. Thank you for all your prayers and please pray the chemo hits all the right spots in my body.

Life is Good

The seven hours of chemotherapy went well yesterday. I didn't have any allergic reactions. Yeah! And I feel amazingly well right now without any nausea so far. ...Just a little tired. I think that nap in the chemo room kept me up until 1:00am. But we'll work on that.
Thank you for praying while I was in the chemo room. I know God is answering in a big way. We'll just keep praying together that the chemo hits all the tumors in my breast, lymph nodes, bones and liver.
We're looking up!

Hey, Sorry but my blog and e-mail were down last night or this would have been out earlier...but it's working now! Yeah!

Have a wonderful day!
Brett and Sheri

And Brett says: Go Cougs! (Cougs 51 - Zags 47, at Gonzaga!!!!!)

Sunshine, Rainbows and Changes

This morning was just beautiful. Entering Wenatchee there was a magnificient rainbow. As we walked in the clinic, it looked as if the rainbow went over the entire clinic. I love rainbows. It was a wonderful way to begin the day.

Today we received Chemo training and looked at the results of the PET scan with our doctor. They found what they expected so that didn't change any of the chemo plans at this point. They did want to begin chemo tomorrow instead of today because I need to take some medication tonight that could help them in case of any alergic reaction. (I don't expect to be alergic to anything.) So we'll be back in Wenatchee tomorrow for our first chemo treatment. I'm kind-of excited instead of afraid. I want to get on with the healing process. I know they say it may not be curable but it is treatable. (I'm still asking God for a miracle though!) I'm ready to get on with it!

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive with prayers, hugs, meals, kids, cards, Christmas lights, and snow shovelers and so much more that the list could go on forever. Your love and support mean so much.

I am humbled and blessed by the number of people and churches praying for my healing. Thank you and please keep praying. I know God answers prayers and will be with us each step of the way.

We were very encouraged by Dr. Malhi this morning, she had visited with many other doctors about treatment plans. Her confidence and upbeat attitude helped ease the sometimes scary unknown future. Thanks Doc! She is cunsulting with some doctors from the "U", Brett says it's about time someting good came from there! Ha, Go Cougs!

Tomorrow is a new day, and the first day toward healing!

Sheri and Brett

Monday night blog (MNB)

Don and Diane Plew, who recently moved from Lake Chelan to Arizona emailed us today with the second half of the story we told earlier. Maybe now we know where we heard it.....it's a Plew thing.....11 years with our friend Kyle in youth group? Here it is, Don writes:

The story about the man with the wheel barrow...has another chapter. After every one refused to get in and ride, finally a little boy said he would ride. He climbed in the wheelbarrow and rode over and back. When he returned, the news reporters asked him if he was afraid? He said "no!" "Why, they inquired?" "Because the man with the wheelbarrow is my Daddy!"

That's us alright! Tomorrow is a big day, the first chemo. Sheri's appointment is at 9:30 with her Oncologist, Dr. Malhi. To the "WARRIORS" out there: Pray for Dr. Malhi's wisdom, we trust her. After that we go into chemo, probably 10-11am. Pray for the chemo to slow and stop (kill) the cancer and it's growth. Pray it effects the bad cells and not her good ones. Pray for minimal side effects.

We will take the laptop to chemo tomorrow, if you think about it, shoot an email or blog our way!


Our kids are into Christmas, and all the old shows we loved as kids that come with this time of year. Alyssa keeps singing a song from one of the Rudolph (something, something) movies that goes: "Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walkin' across the floor." Every marathon begins with the first step! Here we go....yeehaw!

Sheri and Brett

Early to bed

Sheri tucked in early tonight so you are left with me. I think the last week of early mornings to Wenatchee, not being able to eat before surgery and tests have thrown our schedules off! The kids too....their doing great, but they feel the stress of goofy schedules too. We are looking forward to meeting with Sheri's doctor on Tuesday to see the results of today's PET scan and discuss the pathway to healing. Pray for her doctors wisdom. Thanks again for all who write here and by e-mail (sherilamar@gmail.com). We can take my palm pilot to the clinic and read them there as we are waiting via wi-fi....it helps pass the time. We'll update you all as to the times of her chemo on Tuesday. This is a long road we about to travel......hope you packed a lunch!

Brett