So much support!

I have been an awful cancer hero of late!  No blog posts!  I got sick and I can't stop coughing 2 weeks later, and I've been tied up on a work project that has kept me from being the great support that I was during the first months.  Uuugh!  But the good news is Shermance is still on the right path!  Her attitide is AMAZING and the cancer is shrinking!  She also made it through the last round of the "red devil" chemo that started ok but progressively got worse.  Each round of the "red devil" (Adriomiacin/Cytoxin) was worse.  After the first round she was back to normal in about 2-3 days, on the second round about 4 days, By the third round it took 5 days and on the most recent round it took 9 days - the first few were OK, but after the white-blood cell stimulant (Newlasta) her whole body ached, she grew very tired, and she just felt awful!  The good news is she wasn't sick to her stomach and we are done with THAT awful poison.  The next chemo, Taxol, is supposed to be less hard on her.

Over the lapsed time, the support has continued to be amazing!  Her brother moved into the same neighborhood.  Before the family moved away, Shermance got to meet the girl who offered her hair for a wig for Shermance.  It was so sweet of her to dedicate her hair in honor of Shermance.

She's received multiple cards (great ones like the one that read: "CHEMO SUCKS!, but if it sucks the cancer right out of you it's worth it" (Thanks, Maureen) and another that read, "Manicures and Pedicures, don't you wish all cures were that easy!" (Thanks, Donna!!!! and I owe pics soon). We've had a few wonderful meals delivered (a lifesaver a few times), and so many other generous gifts: a head turbine from work, a hand-knitted head wrap, the best-ever vegan blueberry/banana muffins (suprisingly moist), a co-survivor bracelet(for me), a cursing cancer bracelet actually 2 of them , and a bracelet that says "God is Big Enough".  She received a wonderful Hawaiian healing necklace from the doc she works with.  Each day she feels so blessed and so supported.  At chuch her name is in the bulletin each week for prayers and we keep hearing of more people who are praying for her.  AMAZING!  Each of these has a story and I hope to share some of them later.

Lastly, I want to share two gifts that mean a whole lot to Shermance.  One is a hand-made breast cancer blanket from the Cindie/ys.  She kept warm with it during the last round of chemo and she loves it's cuddly feel.  And the hand-tied border it so festive!  That's a unique and cherished gift.  Today, she was surprised by another show of generosity.  She opened the mail to find a VERY generous gift card from her friends at the Texas Dental Hygiene Association.  Shermance had to miss the last Board of Director's meetings and they missed her energy and great attitude!  So they pitched in and all bought her a spa day at milk + honey spa.  WOW! Fancy and oh so appreciated.  She is so excited about the pampering!



Do you know the Muffin Man, who lives on Desert Candle?



From the Muffin Man



Milk + Honey













Independence Day!

The best part about the 4th of July, was that after a day of sleeping most of the day away, Shermance was back to herself!  She was done with the constant nausea, fatigue, and general moodiness.  Wahoo! A day worthy of fireworks!

The boys and I particiapted in the Round Rock Frontier Day Parade.  The night prior, Parker and I heped decorate the trailerwith crepe paper (aparently its streamers now since the teenager had no idea what crepe paper is), ribbons, flags, and in the morning balloons.  The boys sat on hay bales and waved flags through the route while chanting cadences:

"Everywhere we go,

people what to know,

who we are.

So we tell them,

We are Cub Scouts,

mighty, mighty Cub Scouts,

Pack 365.

Best Every Day!

There are many more verses that include thirsty, hungry, tired, as well as the 12 points of the Scout Oath.  We also sang Boom Chick Boom and a few others to keep-up the scout spirit.  Both the cooler weather and the ride on the trailer made this parade the best ever.  After cleaning up from the parade, we got a few of the hay bales to use in our backyard for our boys' new archery hobby...Then we bought some fireworks! Logan was super excited because we bought one of the "super packs".

Shermance and the boys originally didn't want to take advantage of the VIP tickets we had for the Austin Symphony and fireworks.  The boys wanted to stay in the 'hood and shoot fireworks with their buddies and Shermnce didin't know if she'd be up for it.  But while I was out running errands she texed, "I want grapes, cheese/Brie, and crackers to take on the picnic tonight." A few seconds later, "Mousse, too.  Chocolate Mousse!"  With that I picked up the required items and packed 'em with some drinks in a picnic basket and we headed downtown with a plan to cut out early from the fireworks to get home in time to shoot off our own fireworks.

Our VIP tix, afforded us front-row parking in the crowded downtown, with indoor bathrooms (so we bypassed the port-o-potties) and just a few steps to the front row of the symphony.  HEB, a sponsor of the event, handed out fans and glow bands that could be wrapped around like bracelets or chained together as necklaces.  There was no limit to how many we could take so Shermance loaded up...unfortunately she had one too many.  While she was linking together a huge necklace one of the glow bands broke and shot the chemical in her eyes...It caused a few scary moments when we didn't know how it would affect her, but after she rinsed out her eyes and we checked the contents of the sticks both on the box and online, we found it was non-toxic and the burning should subside.  She still had effects the next day with some blurriness and discomfort but she has since healed. 

The symphony was fantastic.  Lots of tributes. Several John Williams pieces.  One piece by a high school student who now goes to UT, and one slide show set to music for the Homecoming Project.  Our front-row seats were great and the kids liked seeing all the instruments playing together.  Logan liked listening for the flutes, since that is what he'll be playing in band this fall. The last song before the fireworks was the 1812 Overture.  It was beautifully done.  After the boom, boom, boom in the song the fireworks started.  We just turned our chairs and watched the display.  The symphony played a few encores as the fireworks kept on.  We ooh'd and ahh'd for about 20 minutes, and then packed up quickly, so we could shoot fireworks at home.  Since we had close parking we beat the traffic, and were home by 10:15.  Unfortunately the neighbors had already finished their fireworks and were inside...The boys were bummed. Really bummed. But tired, too.  We offered to shoot them off over the weekend, which consoled them enough to get them  to bed.
chem in eye

Another Case of the Mondays

Mondays are bad enough!  Mondays after chemo on Friday are horrible!  The Monday after chemo round 3 (June 2), was the worst.  Well actually there was some good news and some bad news.  I'll start with the good news.  The tumor is getting smaller.  When we measure the first time, the larger tumor was 26.5 mm and now it's at 17 mm and in a much more regular form.  In fact, it wasn't the size difference that interested Dr. Bombach the most, it was the density and the regulairty of the tumor.  It's 36% smaller, but the shape means we are really attacking the tumor. 

At that point Shermance was hoping the doctor to say, "in fact, it really isn't cancer afer all, so we can stop treatemnts".  Unfortunately that's not what he said...He said that surgery in December is about the right timing, but that's just for the double ta-ta removal.  Then came the bad news...radiation is required after the double masectomy.  Shermance wanted so badly not to have radiation and to be dont within 2012, but for the sake of longevity due to her age, the size of the tumor, and lymph node involvement she'll need 6 weeks of daily radiation before they can start reconstruction.  That means we have until February or March for reconstruction provided everything works as planned. 

We also had some bummer news from Tyree, a nurse in the surgeon's office.  She said it's going to get worse after each chemo treatment.  Uggh!  We've heard after the "red devil" on July 20th, the next rounds with Taxol would be easier.  We still hope for the best, but Shermance is really not looking forward to losing her finger nails and toe nails which is a possible side effect of the Taxol.

Waiting for Bombach

Prepping for the sonogram to measure the cancer

Shermance and Loraine - a happy surgeon's nurse



Sonogram scan that show the cancer at 17.5 mm by 8.1 mm



Original Sonogram that shos the cancer at 26.5 mm by 12.8 mm

Talking with Dr. Bomback about next steps

Happy Shermance

Another shot of "Cancer Eye"

These items were in draft for a long time.  Just adding in mid-September...
- The Carson's offered to bring by dinner when I saw them come out of the greenbelt a week prior.  A few days ater we received a card in the mail from Teresa (again with an offer for dinner).

- Shermance received the turbine I think from her co-workers (pictured below)

- Shermance received another head accessory, a knitted head wrap from a patient who made it (need a pic)

- The Petersen's bought over their world-famous vegan muffins, which were absolutely delicious.  He laughed when I asked, "Do you know the Muffin Man?"

- Bryan Frederiks gave me a co-survivor bracelet...I've worn it ever since.

Shermance got to meet the girl who offered to donate her hair.  It was the week after Collin moved in and Shermance walked over to Collin's house.

Shermance got a bracelot that reads, "God is Big Enough".

Shermance received a necklace from Doc and Xenia from their trip to Hawaii

Opal Divine*

Admittedly, I am WAY behind on posting updates.  I'm very glad Shermance added a post so you can hear directly from her.  For this post, I want to show some of the "bling" that makes Shermance very happy for her chemo treament and beyond.

The necklace pictured here was made by her good church friend, who is a charasmatic worshiper.  She sings with joy in her heart and lets the spirit move her.  Not only did she make this beautiful necklace, she also introduced Shermance to some friends, one of whom is a 13 year BC survivor and a personal trainer, who now let's cancer patients work out in her studio for free to keep them active - a key ingredient to winning the fight.  Another friend is a Zumba instructor, which is a aerobic dance that ironically Shermance and I had been talking about earlier that same Sunday.  It felt GREAT to be in church that day - so many hugs, and words of support.  Even the pastor talked to Shermance and offered to pay her a visit.

The earrings are fresh water pearls Shermance received as a birthday gift from her parents together with her Aunt to match a necklace/bracelet set we bought in New Orleans.  She prefers the dangly earrings to accessorize her head and the sparkles complement the sparkles on her bandana. 

The other necklace, with blues and greens in the stone and a sapphire above it, is an Australian fire opal from some famous "ridge".  Some say it has healing properties.  Honestly, it has amazing depth and color shifts.  While that's a good enough reason for her to have one, she was even more intrigued because the receptionist at the oncologist's office has a beautiful opal necklace.  Shermance comments on it each time.  When Shermance recieved this one as a birthday gift, she was very happy to show it off.  She wore it for her 3rd chemo, and several days aftwerards.  Unfortunately the healing properties weren't able to completely prevent nausea, tiredness or the irritability which unfortunately gets worse after each chemo. 

Our next Chemo is July 20th - please keep Shermance in your prayers.  If you can reach out to her ahead of Friday, please do.  All phone calls, emails, IMs, cards, or any other means of communiation are uplifting.  She needs the strength to face the devil again - the red devil, the patients' term for the Adriomiacyn chemo.  It's the naty one that must be very carefully adminstered through a syringe and is the cause of the hair loss.  We only face the devil one more time before we switch to another medicine in August.

She will fight this each day with all her strength.  She will win!

* Note: Opal Divine is also the name of a locally owned restaurant/bar.  The wife of the owner is actually a breast cancer survivor.

Note from Shermance

Good morning, all my friends. I feel I must pick up on Dale's slack, lol. Poor man has been so busy with work and me, there has been no time to update everyone with his usual witticisms. So you are stuck with me, again.

My third round of chemo really hit me hard. It wasn't being a little tired that bothered me, but the low level nausea that was present all the time. I think that is what contributed to my depression, because you guys know how much I love being energetic. So I was depressed, sick, and tired and moped that I felt like death. Then I woke up Thursday AND I WAS BACK! Enough energy to strong arm and boss the whole family like a drill sergeant. And boy do they love that.

Last monday we went to go visit the surgeon to find out how thing were looking. He sat and looked a long time. Not only has the tumor shrunk, but it seems to have morphed into some odd shape. He was very interested and wants to see us back in August. I tried to get a better grasp on timing for everything, like doing the surgeries and reconstruction in December and I wanted to know how much time I should take off. Then they were like, "oh hon. Things have changed.". So now I can do the mastectomies in December, but apparently, because I had the tiny, tiny lymph involvement, now I have to do 6 weeks of daily radiation. That sucks. Then he said the reconstructs comes after that. Although I've talked to several people who put their spacers in at the time of radiation, and it worked fine. So I guess we need to talk to the plastic surgeon to get a better grasp on our options.

So work has been great. We had been off for two weeks and I must say I really enjoyed hanging around the house. Getting back to work only took a little while to get back into the swing of things. And honestly, I wonder how I get any work done with all the talking that I do. Whether it is a new patient, which most still are, or one I've seen before, everyone wants an update on how I'm doing. Everyone. And it warms my heart, the generosity of spirit that they all show. One sweet lady gave me her "God is big enough" bracelet and held me and said a prayer for my healing. How can you feel sorry for yourself when so many people show such love?

I think Dale wants to update you further, with all the things he's been noticing and taking notes on, you know him, but I wanted to catch you up with me.😜.

I am really, really good right now, very positive and happy and energetic. I go to Tae Kwon Do and run and race everyone. Life is good. And while I don't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can at least see a tunnel now. I only have one more of the frigging awful A/C treatments that make me want to die, and I can deal with ONE MORE! Then the 12 weeks of weekly Taxol chemo treatments should, please God, be a little easier on my body. But we will just wait and see. The first treatment they say should take 6 hours because everyone reacts differently, but this is the one that could cause neuropathy in my hands and feet, and may cause me to lose my finger and toe nails. Good times. All can be delt with and is temporary. I got to be a crew leader at VBS a few weeks ago and the theme for the weeks was, "no matter what happens, TRUST GOD.". At that is where my life is now. Trusting in God, and praying that I have the strength to do what is needed of me. All your notes, and prayers, and gifts really, really mean the world to me. Your support is what gets me thought. Thank you, my friends.

I love you all!!

It's What Get's Her Through It!

Your continued support, prayers, cards and messages of love and caring are what gets her through the tough days.  Unfortunately, the effects of the chemo are cumulative and this round is worse than the last (in most aspects).  The good news is she hasn't been as nauseous, but shermance has experienced more tiredness and irritibility this round.  When she leaves the house, visits with friends and neighbors or goes shopping, she's made sure she less worn out.  At other times she just doesn't want visitors, to look at food or even to be touched.

On Saturday, Shermance had visitors from high school, whom she hadn't seen in 25 years.  They reconncted through facebook and both Tamara and Shantel have kept up with the blog to check on Shermance's progress.  They wanted to reconnect with her, but also show their support.  They are very nice Christian women and they each brought her something special.  Shantel brought a book she received from directly from the author about his amazing recovery from a cancer that was supposed to be terminal. Tamara put her elementaty educator skills to work and made the neatest message jar decked out in all pink with Shermance's name on it and a bright pink flower on top - complete with lots of bling.  Inside, folded messages provide inspiration on the tough days!  It's a great idea and beautifully executed.

That night Shermance was feeling ok and willing to be social for a few hours so we spent the evening around the Cobiar's pool (including "Carmel" who jumped in after a bit of hesitation) and grilled some massive steaks, hamburgers and sauages.  I think I'm finally over my grill envy and we really enjoyed meeting their respective moms and checking out their view overlooking the lake at Round Rock West Park.  Shermance was a trooper and held up for about 4 hours before she really felt the need to go home.