Co-worker Hair Support

I thought I would post this picture of myself and 2 of my co-workers. They buzzed their heads in support of my baldness! I thought that was so nice and supportive of them. I kept telling them just to keep all the hair they can get but they insisted. I wish I had a before shot but for those that don't know them, they usually have a lot more hair then this. Thanks guys!!!

Check off #7

Treatment #7 has come and gone this week. It feels good to have one more treatment checked off.

Shane came with me to my appointment. He took the day off work to be with me. I don't think he was thrilled to watch chemo being infused into his wife but I told him he at least needed to experience this with me one time. He was a good sport even if the appointment took 2 hours longer then it normally does for some odd reason. We have been listening to a book on cd and were able to cover a lot of it during chemo time.

The bad news is as soon as I got home I came down with another fever (like the last treatment.) It lasted 4 hours and then went away. When I called my doctor this time he was pretty sure that I had some infection in my port and that my port would most likely need to come out. As much as I dreaded the port being put in me, the idea of it coming out early was NOT good news. I would either get the rest of my chemo through veins in my arms (my veins are small and floppy) or take the port out and put another one back in a few weeks (oh yeah, remember how much fun that surgery was...and I get to do it twice??) So the short of the long story is, they did more blood work the next day and as it stands today I will not have to get my port out. YEAH!!! It might just be a reaction to the chemo and not an infection. So they are going to watch me through my next treatment and see how it goes. I can put up with a fever for 4 hours.

Other then that the treatment and side effects have been right on schedule.

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

I've been trying to think of what to write about the SHAVE PARTY ever since Saturday evening when it occured. Well, honestly, even before that. For the past few weeks, in anticipation of the inevitable day, I would find myself thinking of ways to express that Sheri had to shave her head. And, you know what? Nothing! No words can accurately describe the day, the event, and more importantly...the anticipation of it all.

So, here is what I will say: Sheri had hair on Saturday...and then, after putting on her "Cancer Sucks" T-shirt and taking a few before-shots, Shane leaned over and gave Sheri a kiss, Sheri and Brigitte both started crying, and then the clippers were in action. At that point, Shane let out a little laugh and the whole mood changed. He truly made the experience better than anyone had envisioned. Shane is so supportive and obviously exactly what Sheri needs now...and forever!

As you will see from the pics below, the shave was not premature. Sheri's hair was falling out fast and furious and now, turns out, Sheri is one attractive girl who just happens to have had to shave her head due to cancer-schmancer! Could she maybe be mistaken as her younger brother Jeff? Hmmm...maybe. =)

Okay, but really, Sheri looks great with a shaved head! I'm sure she would prefer to have hair, but with a perfectly shaped head like hers, who knows, maybe she'll forever try to pull off the new look. Ya, you're right. I doubt she'll keep the look either. But for now...looks good!

Of course, boys will be boys, and Shane just HAD to shave a mohawk before finishing the entire shave. It was actually quite hysterical! He tried as hard as he could to convince Sheri to leave the hawk for the entire night of dinner and a movie. Turns out, the shave proceeded to completion before Sheri would leave the house!!

Since the shave party Sheri has said that the anticipation of it was worse then not having hair. She has a wig which you might see from time to time but she said she feels better just wearing a hat or bandanna. As she said 'If I have to look at my bald head, so should everyone else!'

HALF WAY DONE!!!!!!

I can't believe it, I am really 1/2 way done. In some ways it feels like I have been going through treatment forever and in other ways I guess it's gone by relatively fast...maybe.

My treatment at the clinic on Monday was same ol', same ol'. Nothing much to report. The physician assistant I met with did give me a surprise and told me that I only had 2 more treatments left! Can you imagine?? I didn't even let it get my hopes up because I knew he didn't have the right information. Sure enough when he read further he realized I have 2 more treatments until they start re-checking me and then 4 more treatments after that! Oh well, it was a nice fleeting thought.

The most excitement from this treatment came Monday night when I came down with a fever. Anytime you have a fever above 100.4 you are required to call in immediately. Since it was after hours I had to page a doctor. Many times if it's after hours they will just send you to the ER and a lot of times you are admitted to the hospital so they can watch you. Luckily the on-call doctor just had me start my anti-biotic and 2 hours later my fever broke. I didn't have any other symptoms of being sick so they think it was just a reaction to the medication. Hopefully it doesn't happen again! I was NOT happy at the thought of maybe having to be hospitalized or going to the ER, although I have heard but never confirmed that cancer patients get preferential treatment in the ER and get 'bumped' to the top of the line. Hopefully I never find out if that is true.

So the rest of the week has been the same old side effects. It seems like I get a little more tired after each treatment and the nausea lasts longer, but so far I am managing it ok.

You will want to check back here in a day or two. A new post is coming that most won't want to miss...yes the head shaving party is this weekend. I am trying to be logical and brave about it but needless to say it's not going to be easy.

Thanks to everyone for your comments, emails, phone calls, support and prayers. It really does boost me up and I appreciate it!!

FIVE...and feeling alive!

Okay -- but really, what else rhymes with five? Dive. Hive. Jive. Live. None of them really seemed to fit. I realize that 'alive' makes you think Sheri is not at all tired from her chemo this morning. And, the truth is, she really is tired (as with the other sessions.) But, cut me some slack. I'm working on my poetry skills!

Off my poetry, on to Sheri's 4-1-1.

Jude went with Sheri this morning for her treatment. They had to be there at 845am. Ugh! (NOTE: Sheri is NOT a morning person.) What? How would I know? Trust me...I know! =) This treatment and the previous ones were 'accidentally' scheduled for early morning. Sheri took care of that as quickly as possible, and the next treatment should be back to a comfortable 10ish time. Whew.

This past Friday Sheri was feeling a little sick. Ah oh! So, she stayed home from work to rest -- and pray -- that her blood counts would stay high and would not stop her from getting this treatment. The good news: Her counts weren't low at all and the treatment went well.

Update from the doctor: After 8 treatments Sheri will have another PET Scan to see if the cancer is gone. If it is, she will have 4 more treatments and then be DONE! That is great news!! If not though...if the scan shows that there is still 'activity'...she will have to have 4 more treatments, then another PET Scan, and then...4 more treatments. Ugh! That would make 16 treatments as opposed to 12. So -- everyone -- think 12!

The doc prescribed a new med for the back aches. We'll have to see if they work. Hopefully so!!

Eliza is done with her Chemo!

My niece, Eliza, is officially done with all her chemo and treatments for her Leukemia. 2 years and 76 days!! And to think I am complaining about 6 months! She has been such a trooper through this and I just wanted to Congratulate her on finishing. She is an inspiration to me!

Congratulations Eliza, I love you!

Modern Bride Magazine?

Not sure how many of you read the comments posted on my blog. I read them all and enjoy reading them. I received an interesting one the other day. Part of it went like this:

• Hi Sheri...I am writing an article for Modern Bride magazine about engaged couples facing serious illness. I have talked to a lot of couples who dealt with cancer together. Most of them waited until after their treatment to go forward with their weddings. I would love to be able to share the story of someone who opted to go ahead and have their wedding...I wish you the best with your treatment.Catherine

Interesting! So I contacted Catherine this week and did a short interview with her over the phone. We mostly talked about my decision to keep my wedding as is as opposed to postponing it or even moving it up and doing something smaller. Many of you know that was one the many hard decisions I had to make when I was diagnosed. Looking back I know I made the right decision and was sooo happy I didn't change a thing. I credit Shane for making sure I had the wedding I always dreamed of (I know he would have loved to just elope) and my doctors for working the schedule of treatments around my wedding.

Anyways, Catherine was really nice to talk to (I have to say that because she is probably still reading my blog!) No really she was very nice. She says the article will be published in the fall. I will keep you all updated if/when the article is published.

PS A new post 2 days in a row....what is up with that? I must be feeling good! I am actually.

PPS Brigitte will be back to posting for me next week. I miss her perspective on all of this and the funny things she adds in.