My Overwhelming week!

Here I am. I didn’t want anyone to think I haven’t been looking and reading this blog because I have…constantly. The only way I can describe this last week is overwhelming. That’s the word that keeps coming to mind. However, it has been both good and bad.

Bad…obviously no one wants to hear they have cancer…and then 5 weeks before you get married?? Wow…who knew.

Good…who knew I had so many people that loved and cared about me. It has been amazing to me all the comments, emails, phone calls, prayers and service that have already been given to me on my behalf. That’s the good part of overwhelming.

Good…Of course Shane!! Wow, what would I do without him this week, he has been my strength and support through all of this. He lets me cry when I want to and then makes me laugh and takes my mind off of it all when I need it. Thanks sweetie, I love you and am so grateful you are in my life right now and forever!

Good…My family. I have a very close family and I think they have taken this news as hard as I have. I have a niece that is just finishing up her Leukemia treatments so we thought for sure 2008 was going to be a great year. It still is but just a little harder. They have been there for me and have given me great encouragement.

Good…Brigitte for setting up this blog and passing out information to everyone. It has become easier for me to talk about this whole ordeal but wasn’t in the beginning. But this blog has been such a blessing to get the updates out to all of you that care.

If I don’t respond to every email and phone call please understand. It’s not that I don’t want to hear from you, because I do but this week in particular has been nothing but doctors, and recovering from my surgery. I appreciate and have read every single post on this blog and emails and phone calls to me and my family. They pass along every message.

Lastly I just want to say that yes I am going to beat this. All the doctors have been very encouraging and that makes me stronger and more determined to do this and move on with life. I am grateful for the friends and family in my life as I will need you over the next several months. Keep posting and know that I love to hear from you.

Sheri

PS Yes the wedding is still on for February 23…YEAH!!!

The Oncologist Appointment!

Yesterday Sheri met with her oncologist, Dr. Graydon W. Harker. He works at the highly specialized medical practice, Utah Cancer Specialists. http://www.utahcancer.com/specialists.asp



It's funny (not that any part of cancer is funny...) how she came across Dr. Harker. She received a call from her cousin, Travis Gunther, when he found out about Sheri's diagnosis and he told her that he works with Dr. Harker and would highly recommend him. Then, Sheri gets a call from the office of Dr. Harker to confirm an upcoming appointment. Turns out Dr. Erika Lloyd (the surgeon) had scheduled an appointment for Sheri to meet with Dr. Harker. Funny that they both put Sheri in contact with the same oncologist! Don't you think? And then, after Sheri actually met Dr. Harker she really liked him -- and loved it when he said, "I could treat you in my sleep I've done this so many times." That is ALWAYS good news when someone has that much experience and expertise, especially when it comes to your health.

At this appointment with the oncologist Sheri found out the following:

• the mass on her Thymus is 3 x 5 x 9 cm (convert: there are 2.54 cm in each inch)


• she is in Stage 2, Type A (Scroll down to diagnosis and Staging header)http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7085

Dr. Harker filled up Sheri's calendar quickly with more tests, so it will continue to be a week of doctor's vists for her.

• Today: EKG http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html


• 1/29: PET Scan http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=PET&bhcp=1


• 1/30 (day): Bone Marrow Biopsy http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bone_marrow_biopsy/article_em.htm


• 1/30 (evening): Chemo Prep Class


• 1/31: Diffusing Capacity Test http://www.drkoop.com/ency/93/003854.html

Sheri will have her first treatment of Chemotherapy on February 15th. Dr. Harker would like to do a port http://newscenter.cancer.gov/Templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=45035 so that treatments will be easier on Sheri and only ONE POKE (ouch -- I hate needles!) will be necessary for each visit. Only problem is, will it show on her wedding day??

Speaking of the wedding, tomorrow is Sheri's final dress fitting. YEAH!! So exciting. We may have to use a Sharpie to draw the neckline of her dress, then send Sheri back to the doctor to make sure the port can be inserted within the boundaries marked. (Gotta love Sharpies -- they really do come in handy for many, many things!)

Sheri's sister, Christy, flew in from California last night so that she can be here for the Bridal Shower (which, YES, is still on) this weekend. Christy is all-too-familiar with cancer, as her daughter Eliza has Leukemia! Christy had t-shirts made for her and Sheri that has "Cancer Sucks!" on the front of them. And, seriously, it really does!! See her blog: "Brett & Christy"

#1 Item on the To Do List for today: Start addressing wedding announcements and get them in the mail!!

A piece of much-needed good news...

Today was Sheri's post-op appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Erica Lloyd. http://www.healthgrades.com/directory_search/physician/profiles/dr-md-reports/Dr-Erika-Lloyd-MD-6998DB76.cfm

The results found that the type of Lymphoma that Sheri has is 'Hodgkin.' We are so happy for this news, as we know it is the lesser-evil of the two Lymphoma Evils! And, it is one of the most curable forms of cancer!! http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7085 (Scroll down until you see the header: Hodgkin Lymphoma)

Sheri will start meeting with Oncologists tomorrow and will then learn more about her treatment plan.

Oh, more good news. Sheri got to remove the HUGE bandage from her neck this afternoon. I think surgeons get a little crazy when they start bandaging -- it makes you think the incision must be the size of Texas. Turns out the incision is MUCH SMALLER than Texas! Whew!!

Just a little (or big) side note: Props to Dr. Lloyd. She has been PHENOMENAL (to use an Aaron Jenne word) with Sheri! She has given much-needed personal attention and professionalism during this incredibly emotional time.

#1 on the To Do List for today: Practice saying "Thank you for the gift!" as the Bridal Shower is still on.

Cancer Shmancer -- it just SUCKS!!

On Monday, January 21st, Sheri was diagnosed with Lymphoma! For more information on Lymphoma click on this link: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7030

It all began with a massage. I know. It sounds CRAZY. But, it's true! Monday, January 14th Sheri got a massage and by the following day her neck (which the therapist had worked harder than normal) was swollen. By the following weekend Sheri thought that the swelling had gone down, but I (Brigitte) didn't think so! Wednesday she decided to call a doctor -- just in case. Thursday she went to see Dr. Coleman who quickly decided that something was wrong and ordered a chest x-ray. It came back abnormal and he told Sheri that he suspected cancer. I try to put myself in Sheri's shoes. I'm sure at the word cancer nothing else really registered. How is someone supposed to receive that type of news?? The whirlwind of emotions began and Sheri's life was changed. Seriously -- there is never a good time to hear the word cancer, but I'm thinking that 5 weeks before your wedding date has got to be the absolutely worst timing. (Oh -- speaking of that -- for those of you who don't already know: SHERI AND SHANE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! The date is set for February 23rd. They, and everyone who knows them, are more excited than words can describe.) So, later that day Sheri goes to St. Mark's for a CT scan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ct_scan Sounds simple enough -- lie down for an hour and let a computer scan your body. Right? Well, Sheri said that the "stuff" that you drink beforehand is NASTY!! Just so you know -- Sheri has a pretty sensitive gag-reflex, so a round-of-applause is definitely in order for the ingestion of the CT Scan Prep Beverage (not the official title of the "stuff.") The scan showed a mass growing on the Thymus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymus At that point they told Sheri that a biopsy was necessary in order to officially diagnose what was going on. Yesterday the surgery took place and the results found that it is indeed Lymphoma. At this point that is all of the details that we have. What type, stage, etc. are being determined and we should have those details by Friday. At that point she will meet with an oncologist and her treatment plan will be laid out.

Sheri is being extremely strong and is handling everything with bravery beyond imagination!! She is recovering from surgery at her parents’ house for the next few days. She was told to not take Advil (her fave drug -- of course!), but is thankful for stronger forms of pain medication. Her #1 To Do Item of the day is: try to not move head (as it is attached to the neck...which is where the incision is...which hurts!)