When the Saints Go Marching In

Sadly, this will be the last post for this blog. If you have been following Sherry's blog you'll know she bravely and stubbornly fought against the cancer in her body. When she was told there were no treatments left that weren't already tried, she began a clinical trial. Unfortunately she was unable to finish it. Around the beginning of April, Sherry started, amazingly for the first time, experiencing symptoms of the cancer growing inside her. She had pain and weakness and a blocked biliary duct. The doctors inserted a tube to drain the duct and worked on getting her pain under control. After a few weeks it was evident that Sherry was getting worse and now hospice was her choice. She entered the Abington Hospital Hospice center at Warminster where she received the greatest care possible. She had her best friend Connie with her 24-7. After a week in hospice it was decided to move her with me. A home setting was what she always hoped for in the end. After only a few days Sherry was rapidly declining and we all knew the end was near. On Sunday June 13, 2010 at 4:28 pm Sherry left us. She was surrounded by the people who love her and she loved and she was painfree and peaceful. I am sad at the loss of my sister, who I loved very much. I know she is in a better place and I am thankful for that. If you read this, please just take a minute to remember her and blow her a kiss. RIP Sherry.

Where Is Spring?

As we have just faced down our third snow storm in February, I am sure everyone is wondering where Spring is. I know that 2 weeks ago I had green shoots on my early spring plants. I hope they survive!

As for me, I had my CT scan and it shows continued progression of this cursed cancer. Didn't anyone tell them I am a Libra??? Anyway, we have upped the dosage of the chemo drugs and aside from being always tired, I am weathering it well. Of course I have dry skin and constipation and sinus problems, but I can live with that. Not much else going on at this point. I will keep you all informed of my status!

It's Me ... again

It seems since Facebook evolved I am posting here less and less. For those of you who have looked here for updates, I apologize. There really hasn't been much to report since October. I continue to have chemo every other week, with a 3 hour infusion in the office and then home for 46 hours with the pump. My body is tolerating the chemo fairly well, with mild nausea, sinus congestion and being tired.
I will be having my 1st CT scan since the pump was started at the end of this month so at that time I will have more too post.
I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and enjoy a happy, healthy and fun new year. Thank you all for your support, prayers and love. It means more to me than I can put into words!
Sherri

October Update on Me

For those of you who read this post or talk to me, you know that I was evaluated for a Phase II Clinical Trial for a new drug for cancer. I did not qualify for the trial due to not having a microsatellite instability in my DNA. So as of today, I waded into unsure waters by going back on 5fu with the pump. Last year 5fu infusions left me dehydrated and in the hospital so the doctor stopped it. Since then, up to today I was receiving avastin, erbitux and camptosar. They weren't working. So back to square one, but very closely monitored! I will go to the office evry other week for an infusion of Leucovorin, Avastin and 5FU then before I leave the office the nurse will hook me up to a portable chemo pump that I will wear continuously for the next 2 days at which time the visiting nurse will remove the pump. I can't shower while the pump is connected, but I can live with that. I am happy that the Erbitux is done and so is the Benadryl that keeps me awake! So keep me in your prayers still because of as today this is the last treatment option available to me.

The picture on the right is what the pump looks like, it the size of a small baby bottle. You can clip it to your clothing or put it in your pocket or carry it in a fanny pack.

Sherri ( I have supplied links to the drugs I am on if you care to read about them)

http://www.chemocare.com/BIO/leucovorin.asp

http://www.avastin.com/avastin/index.jsp?hl=en&q=Avastin&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g6g-s1g3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorouracil

Undy 5000

This was the Undy 5000 in Philadelphia. It was a 5K run/walk to raise Colon Cancer Awareness. My team, Team Rainbow Sherbert, walked almost 2 1/2 miles and we raised almost $600.!

Undy 5000

This month, on September 27th I and members of Team Rainbow Sherbert will be participating in the Undy 5000. It is not too late to join us or support my team! Thank you!

http://support.ccalliance.org/site/TR?team_id=3780&fr_id=1180&pg=team

Has it really been 8 years?

May every man, woman, child, every citizen of the United States of America, and even all of the illegals take time today to remember 9/11/01. Talk about a day that will live in infamy. God Bless America and God Bless those whose lives were lost in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville PA. Nevber forget for if we forget it can and most likely will happen again!