Thursday we had a long day at Fox Chase, followed by a quick trip to the emergency room just to keep things interesting (more on that later – all is well now). We started the day with some preliminaries to make sure it was okay to proceed with Sherri’s first chemo session. This involved checking blood parameters and a review with the oncology team. We learned that a few small spots (< 1cm) showed up in her lungs on the CT scan results yesterday. This indicates possible spread, but does not change her course of treatment at all. So now it's time for science to give back for all that Sherri has given to science! This chemo infusion process is a highly choreographed sequence designed to get the bad cells, preserve the good cells, and repair the inevitable collateral damage. Guess that's why they call it a battle. Cancer cells want to be immortal, but even at the cellular level equality turns out to be a more successful system in the long run. Sherri received an initial "push" of two elixirs over about a 4-hour sitting period in the Infusion Room. A third elixir is being trickled in over the next 48 hours. There are some preemptive concoctions that are given to help with the side-effects. This first infusion is an educated guess on the levels that will work for her, then adjustments can be made to the doses of the basic regimen next time around. So far the side effects have been minimal, but some of the effects could be cumulative over time, and some take a little time to kick in. So about the emergency room. While administering the treatment at Fox Chase, Sherri started to notice some muscle twitching in her face. It wasn't alarming at that point, but after we got home it got worse and she started having trouble speaking. The oncologist said this was unusual, and wanted someone to look at her to rule out an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, Fox Chase does not take after hours emergencies, so they sent us to the local ER. A few hours, some additional blood work, and a head scan later, we were back home for a well-earned night's rest. So far on Friday Sherri is up and about and doing well.
Kick this Cancer in the Pancreas
Rumblings and Ramblings about Sherri's Battle | the StormBefore the Calm
Sherri, sending hugs, healing thoughts and prayers as you go though this. So sorry to hear about it. Love, Susan
Sherri will be in our prayers everyday!
Love love love to you all.
Don’t fear, because I am with you;
don’t be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
I will surely help you;
I will hold you
with my righteous strong hand.
Isaiah 41
“The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network offers one-on-one support for people recently diagnosed with PC. Speak with a compassionate and knowledgeable PALS (patient and liaison services) associate. Call as many times as you need and the same person will help you each time so you can continue your conversation.”
Monday – Friday 10am – 8pm
Toll-free 877-272-6226
Source: pancan.org
Still trying to get through to tell you what troopers you guys are and that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day
Dear Dave and Sherri…sending so much love your way! We join the throng of support which hopefully you feel holding you in a warm embrace to face whatever lies ahead.
Dave,
I can’t imagine, I don’t want to imagine, what this is like for you, but your writing says you’ve kept the grace and style you always possessed. My prayers are yours.
You might remember me as Blodge.
Send love and lots of healing prayers and wishes. Thank you for the updates. If there is anything I can do (true, from 3 hours away) let me know.
-Candy and Chuck
My heart, thoughts, prayers are with you all as these treatments progress. Be gentle and loving with yourselves.
Only fair that science should be especially kind and helpful to the scientists. May it be so! Love you guys. xoxo
Sherri & Dave,
I, like so many others, will be praying for you guys. I’ll be praying that science gives back to one of it’s kindest teachers. It is a battle-every step of the way. You guys are on the front lines, but there are lots of us holding you close in support. LYMI.
Sherri,
Bill B. filled me in on what’s going on with you guys. I think of you so often anyway — I can’t believe it was 4 years ago that we saw each other in Boston — but now you will be in my thoughts every day. Clearly you have a strong support system to hold on to. Just know that there are people everywhere who are sending powerful healing vibes and love. If you ever feel like reaching out to someone outside of your immediate world, to talk, write, share, rant — whatever, I am here. You have such a loving sweet, strong aura — I’m counting on it coming back at you from people and from science, hugely. Much much love and prayers for healing. xoxoox
So much for your whole family to go through! Sending you lots of love and wishes for the easiest possible road to recovery.
Dear Dave and Sherri,
Thanks for sharing all of this. It makes getting up to speed on the details easy. It sounds like you both have an amazing attitude and understanding of what is going on. That will come in handy as you take on this battle with cancer. Much love and frequent prayers to you both and your girls. Add our names to the list of folks willing to help out.
We love you guys, Gail, Brian and Emory
Just discovered your blog site in my backlog of emails. Thanks for the updates, and GO SHERRI !!!!!!!
Loads of love from us all
James, Missy, Meg & Ryan
Dear Sherri,
Sending you the magic from our early days together…..(and not so early days together)……
“May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on,”
-The Incredible String Band
(and me:)
Love you, my friend,
whit
Dear Sherri & Dave,
First, Sherri, I am so sorry that chance has selected you for this dreaded disease. My wife, Wendy, was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in October 2009 and, sadly, passed away 18 months later. Ours was a journey that took us from conventional therapy to alternative to experimental and all across the country. I would be delighted to share our journey with you (www.mylifeline.org/wendy) in more detail if interested. I can be reached at 610-761-8605.
You have likely been reading everything you can on the topic of cancer. Two things we learned at the Block Center near Chicago (Charlotte Gyllenhaal works there) that was reinforced over and over again, but was rarely touched on by conventional oncologists was the importance of diet and exercise. On the diet front, it was all about eliminating meats and dairy (tend to create an evironment that promotes cancer cells) and sticking to whole grains and vegetables. As for exercise, they recommended daily exercise with an emphasis on interval training that would be helpful in rapid recovery from chemo treatments. Dr. Block covers this all very convincingly in his book, “Life Over Cancer”.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay strong,
Malcolm