Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday DaDa! I love you!

Puppies!

Hi Everyone,
I had a little fun, and sadness yesterday. Since I have been sick, I have wanted to get a puppy of my own. I wanted a Teddy Bear puppy because they are cute and cuddly and can travel with you on the airplane. Well I got my wish, for a night. Chris and I went to a breeder and brought home a little gal named Annie with us. It just seemed like it would be too hard to handle, especiallly since Barney is so old, and this little girl was not even potty trained. Also, potty training a puppy in the winter would be hard business. It was so sad to bring Annie back home to the other puppies but I think it was the right decision. We got a lot of great pics though!
Enjoy!

Great News!

Hi!
I have the preliminary results of all of my tests at NMH yesterday. Here they are...
1. Bone Density: I am in the early stages of Osteoperosis called Osteopenia. I should be taking more Calcium and bone loss meds.
2. Doppler of Leg: My blood clot is gone! I am also finally off of Coumadin after 9 months! I can finally eat greens and Vitamin K. Yeah!
3. CT of Neck, Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis: Clean! And the mass (leftover scar tissue) in my mediastinum is smaller!
4. MRI: Bone loss and height loss at T12 vertebrae. Everything is stable.
5. PET scan: Totally clean except.....a little lighting up in my left ovary!!!! Initial findings are saying that there is ovarian function activity!!! Maybe that is why I am getting my period! I am so excited!!!!
These are just initial findings, but most of the time, they remain stagnant with the final diagnosis.
Life is wonderful and I am so thankful!
Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

Upcoming Scans

Hello!
Lots of news to report. My awesome friend Jenn had a wonderful belated birthday party for me last night. All of my great friends turned out, and we had a ton of food, drinks and good conversation. We also wanted a theme to the party, so we did a holiday cookbook exchange. Everyone had fun, and it was great to see my friends. Jenn's condo was decorated to the hilt! Her theme this year was snowmen, and she and her Mom brought over 20 boxes of decorations into the condo.

Tomorrow, beginning at 6:15am, I have ALL of my scans at NMH. I start out the day at 6:15 with a bone density test, and then my PET scan at 6:30. I have a CT of my neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis at 9:00. Then I have a break until 1:45 when I have a Doppler of my leg to see if my blood clot is gone, and an MRI of my spine to gage the compression fracture and the healing from all of the massive tumors I had.

Doing my scans like this equals a really long day, but I would rather go through the hassle of sitting there and doing all of the waiting in one day, rather that two. It is very frustrating, and I know Northwestern is one of the best, but when you have an entity so large, there is so much lack of communication betweeen staff members, and so much waiting.

Oh, and my little period friend has returned. If I am going to be infertile like all of the docs say, then why am I getting my period? It is driving me crazy! I am visiting a new OB-GYN at NMH, so that my doctors are all consistent within the system.

Hope you are having fun getting ready for the holidays and spending time with family and friends!

Love,
Sherrie

I think my movie works!:)

Hey Everyone!
I think I got my IMovie of my stem cell speech to work. Check it out at:
http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser2/iMovieTheater8.html
Sherrie

Hello!

Hey Everyone!
Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I cannot believe that there are Christmas lights up everywhere! I had a great time this weekend at my Auntie Sherry's house on Thursday, and then up to Door County with Chris that night. We had a very good time, but the diet must start tomorrow! I need to be at NMH at 7:30 tomorrow for a pulmonary function test. Maybe that will help uncover why I am having such shortness of breath. Here is a pic of Chris and I from Thanksgiving. The weather has been unseasonally warm and nice...around 60 degrees!

Lots of Medical News

Hey All,
Sorry my little movie didn't work for you! I've got to take my computer to the Apple store and see what I did wrong.

On the medical front: I was at Northwestern by myself from 10-5 today. The day started out with an echo-cardiogram of my heart, and a doctor visit with Dr. Winter. I ended up waiting over an hour for the echo, two hours for Dr. Winter and then two hours for a surprise sprial CT of my lungs. See, I have been having horrible shortness of breath for the last month, and Dr. Winter wanted to make sure that I didn't throw a pulmonary embolism to my lung (especially since I have a history of blood clots). Needless to say, everything looked clear, so I may need a pulmonary function test to see my lung capacity. Last week, I had a chest film done, and that was clear, so we know that there is no tumor in my mediastinum like before.

I was walking on the treadmill last night thinking about the last time I had gotten my period. Sorry if this is too up close and personal for some of you!:) I haven't gotten it since July '05 when I started chemo, and my OB-Gyn has told me that I am in irreversible menopause.

This morning I got a visit from my little friend. Full blown! They tested my estrogen levels today, and not all labs are back yet. However, the labs that I got back still kind of said that I am menopausal. But how weird is that! I guess if God wants me to have my own babies, he is going to make it happen!

On Wednesday, I planned a last minute trip to Seattle. Chris is working up there this week, and I am meeting him tomorrow for the weekend. I will be back on Sunday, and he will be coming to Chicago for my birthday and Thanksgiving.

Have a great weekend!
Sherrie

Stem Cell Speech

I am so excited! I figured out a way to publish my stem cell speech on the web. Here is the address. Enjoy!
http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser2/iMovieTheater7.html

Some News

Hey everyone!
Sorry I haven't been keeping up to date. I do have a lot of exciting news.
My best friends husband, Mike Frerichs, won the Illinois Senate seat in the 52nd district! He is the man who I spoke about stem cells for. There is a press release dealing with my speech that day.
http://mikefrerichs.com/press/10_31_06_stemcell.html

Also, we had our "Be-Dazzled in Barrington" fundraiser yesterday. We didn't raise as much money as we hoped, only around $2,500. Everything is a learning experience though, and hopefully I will be able to take my experience and plan something really beneficial in the future...Hmm maybe a Leukemia Lymphoma Society event???

I had a chest X-ray on Monday, because I have been having a lot of shortness of breath. I was very scared that it could be re-occurring tumor, or a blood clot. The film was clean! However, Dr. Winter wants me to have an Echo-Cardiogram next week. I have that scheduled for Thursday, and then an appointment with her to follow. I think everything is okay, but I am extremely cautious.

Tomorrow night, I am attending a St. Jude event downtown. I am so happy to be able to support children with illnesses, especially cancer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be-Dazzled in Barrington

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let you know again about the fundraiser I am hosting this Wednesday called "Be-Dazzled in Barrington." We are having it to benefit the Christian organization called World Vision, and mainly to raise money for children affected by HIV/ AIDS in Swaziland, Africa. We are selling CZ earrings, purses, T's and other fashion accessories. If you cannot make it to the event, and wish to donate money, you can send a check to me c/o World Vision. Also, we have a website which highlights directions, event details and committee members.
It is: http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser/PhotoAlbum2.html
Hope to see you there!
Sherrie

Little Lizzie

Hey all,
Here is a pic from my little Lizzie. I cannot believe that next semester is her last in college!

Post Press Conference

Hey Everyone!
The press conference I spoke at went fabulously! I spoke with Mike Frerichs and Senator Jeff Schoenberg from Evanston, Il. My interview with CBS ended up on the news, and the CEO of a stem cell research company called ICyt asked me to do a Podcast for his company, and relay my story. I am someone who has been affected by the stem cell situation in two instances, so it makes me happy to be able to talk and help others.
I went downtown to an infectious disease doctor yesterday to discuss my immunizations. I won't be ready to get them until May. However, I did get a flu shot. I think I am having a reaction to the flu shot right now because I woke up achey, tired, headache-ridden and crabby. I guess my chances of the flu shot actually working are very slim because of my immuno-suppression. That is why they wouldn't give me a pneumonia shot yesterday. Why inject the viruses if they won't work?
Last night, we saw my cousin Chris who is a fireman in Austin, Texas. You should hear some of the stories he was telling us. Yikes! Those guys see everything. It was good to see him though, as I only see him about once a year. He just bought a new house, so maybe I will go down and visit!
Have a good day!
Sherrie

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the whole world! I love you!

Press Conference Speech

Dear All,
I think I mentioned last week that I am speaking at a press conference this week (10/31) on behalf of my best friend Laura's husband Mike Frerichs. I believe his site is mikefrerichs.com He is running for State Senate in Illinois, and I will be discussing the importance of stem cell research. Also, please help me pray for Laura's Mom Chris who is having some heart problems right now. Here is a copy of my speech for Tuesday.
Have a good week!

Good Morning. Thank you all for joining us at this press conference supporting the Illinois Senatorial candidate, Michael Frerichs. My name is Sherrie Teuber, and I am going to tell you why it is imperative that you allow Mike to lead your community into the Illinois State Senate.
One of the most controversial debates known in the political arena today, are that of stem cell research. This is extremely problematic, as most people are misinformed about what stem cell research really is, and whom it affects. If Mike Frerichs is elected into office, he will see to it that this type of research is conducted, and scientists will be able to discover an abundance of cures for many dreadful diseases such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and various types of leukemia’s, lymphomas and multiple myelomas. Moreover, stem cell research will further enable the cures for autoimmune disorders, such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, scleroderma, and even complicated spinal cord injuries.
The most important thing to understand is what stem cells really are. According to a recent TIME magazine article, written by Nancy Gibbs, “Stem cells are nature’s master cells, which are capable of generating every one of the many different cells that make up the body. They have the ability to self-renew, which means that they are theoretically immortal, and can continue to divide forever if provided with enough nutrients. Because they are so plastic, they hold enormous promise as the basis for new treatments and cures.”
Where do these miracle stem cells come from, and why do their origins spark such a controversial debate in the political, moral and religious arena?
The first place where stem cells come from, are from embryonic stem cells. These cells are derived from a fertilized embryo, and have the magnificent power to replicate more than 200 various body tissues or cell types. These embryonic stem cells are THE MOST useful in replicating cells. The drawback is that there are not enough federally approved embryos to conduct research and cure diseases. Also, opposition cites that there is a life vs. death debate.
The penultimate place to find stem cells are from umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord stem cells are useful, and can turn into bone, cartilage, or heart muscle. The negative aspect with these types of stem cells, is that an umbilical cord is only a certain length, and doesn’t contain enough stem cells to treat an adult illness.
The last place where stem cells can come from, are from adult stem cells. These adult stem cells are generally the most plentiful, and when harvested peripherally from an adult’s blood stream, or bone marrow, they can cure disease, but unfortunately don’t have the capabilities to replicate as many cell types.
I am sure you are asking yourself why this issue is so important to me, as well as Mike Frerichs? Also, you are probably thinking that this issue will never affect you, or any of your family members. I am here to tell you, you are WRONG.
In June of 2005, I was a happy, healthy, social and Christian 27-year-old female. I inhabited, and worked in Chicago, and prided myself on living life to the fullest. After many obtuse medical issues such as an inability to walk, horrendous back pain, puritis, breathing troubles, and over 70 swollen lymphnodes in my neck, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Disease, which is a form of Lymphoma. I wasn’t afraid of the disease, but I was afraid of what the treatment would do to my fertility.
I went through in-vitro fertilization before I started chemotherapy, and was able to save 13 embryos. Those embryos will most likely be used, so someday, I can have children of my own. If I choose not to have all 13, I have mandated that they will be donated to stem cell research. My story doesn’t stop here.
After 12 weeks of chemotherapy and 10 radiation treatments, my womb was barren, and another biopsy was done in my cancerous areas. It determined that while the 10cm. tumor shrank in my chest, and the 70 cancerous lymph nodes in my neck had shrunk, I still had multiple sites of cancer riddled all over my bones: such as my spine, my skull, my ribs, my shoulders and my pelvis and hips. This happened just under a year ago. My doctors concluded that the only way to cure a disease as extensive and unique as mine was to proceed with a stem cell transplant.
I went on to have 2 cycles of chemotherapy, which didn’t work, and my disease became more extensive. Then, I had 3 cycles of another type of chemotherapy. On Good Friday of 2006, I received wonderful news! I still wasn’t in remission yet, but my disease was controlled, and I was due to have my autologous stem cell transplant on May 1, 2006.
I entered my hospital facility on April 25. The point of my transplant was to kill all cancer cells with extensive chemotherapy. This chemotherapy would not only kill cancer cells, but all of my bone marrow as well. I couldn’t survive without my both marrow, so after 6 long 6 hour a day chemotherapy sessions, stem cells that were collected from my bloodstream in January 2006, were installed back in my body as a rescue to bring my bone marrow and my immune system back to life.
Without my stem cell transplant, I would have not survived my disease. I would have died, but with the advancements in stem cell research, I am standing before you, cancer free, and full of health, energy, and a zest for living.
If it weren’t for candidates like Mike Frerichs, and his commitment to stem cell research, many terminal diseases could not be cured, and many would die. Think about what the positive repercussions of stem cell research would mean for you and your family.
I thank Mike and Laura Frerichs for allowing me this time to talk with you, and hope that on November 7, you make the best choice for Champaign county, and that is Mike Frerichs. Have a wonderful day.

More San Francisco Pictures

Pictures from San Francisco

Greetings from San Francisco!

Hey Everyone!
I am in San Francisco right now. Chris and I flew up last night, and spent the night at my very good friend Barrett's house. He is working right now, and she and I are going to have a girls day in the city! Then, he and I will meet up at the hotel tonight. We are staying in Fisherman's Wharf at a very cute boutique hotel called Hotel Argonaut. It is considered a "luxury" hotel, but with AAA, we ended up getting the rates cheaper than the Best Western and Holiday Inn! I am very excited. My friend Chris is back from her honeymoon, and the pictures from the big day are supposed to post today. The site is elanphotography.com. Click on order prints. Then go to page 2. It is the "Christina and Vince Iovino wedding." I can't wait to see the pictures. The weather in California right now is so fabulous! I heard it is not so great in Chicago:( Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

Good MRI!

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that my MRI came back better than before! I still don't understand why I am having such bad back pain but Dr. Winter said there is improvement in the spine and bony areas. I am going to try and post a picture taken from my friend Glenn up in Door County last weekend. Let's see if it works!
Love,
Sherrie

Surprise MRI!

Hey Everyone,
I am at NMH right now getting a surprise MRI. I saw Dr. Winter today...My counts are very stable, but on the rise which is wonderful. However, last week at the wedding I was in, I wore heels (the first time in 1.5 years!). And then, I was dancing...Probably crazily and kind of tipsy as well! I also had a massage that week that really hurt...Anyway, my back has been really bothering me, especially in T12 where I have my compression fracture. So in 15 minutes, I have a 2 hour MRI on my Lumbar and Thoracic spine. I know in my heart that this is not a cancer issue, but perhaps an orthopedic issue. I hope I am just sore and achey.
If all is well with this MRI, I am headed to San Diego tomorrow until October 30. Chris and I are planning on going to San Francisco on Thursday, and then heading up to Napa/Sonoma over the weekend. I hope I can go!
Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

Let It Snow!

Hi Everybody,
Would you believe it's 30 degrees in Chicago & snowing this morning? What a surprise! We got up this morning & much to our disbelief, the snow was coming down. I'm sure it won't last, because tomorrow it's supposed to be 65 degrees. My parents really are in shock as they were down in Florida with my Grandma & Grandpa this weekend. My sisters Lizzie & Katie had Columbus Day off, so the family went down for a warm weather holiday. They had a wonderful time with Grandma & Grandpa as usual, and enjoyed the nice warm temperatures of 85 degrees, sitting at the pool in the sun and lots of good conversation.
They came back & said how truly blessed we are to have wonderful grandparents that are in good health. They have some health issues like all seniors, but all in all are doing great. Life is Good!
Have a great day,
Sherrie

New Pictures

Hey Everybody,
I have some new pics...The first group is from Door County this summer. The next is when Chris and I went to Temecula (The San Diego wine country). The third is from California Adventure and Santa Monica last weekend, and the last are pics from my friend Chris' wedding that I stood up in yesterday! You can totally see how fast my hair is growing also!
Love,
Sherrie

Katie's Homecoming Pics

Hey Everybody,
I am home from San Diego and have a full week of appointments, doctor visits, and seeing friends. My sister Lizzie, just took her LSAT on Saturday, so let's hope she did awesome! I know she did. Also, here is a pic from Katie's homecoming on Saturday night. She went with her friend Nick, and they looked really cute together! She looks so grown up!

Fundraiser Website

Hi Everyone,
Here is the website I am working on. My friend Barb, as well as my Mom and a lot of their friends are committing to raising funds for children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. The money we raise will be going to a Christian organization called World Vision. Please check out my site, and if you would like to donate or want to come to the fundraiser, let me know! (Girls in Chicago, you guys are not off the hook...You will be getting invitations in the mail soon!:)
Love,
Sherrie
http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser2/PhotoAlbum2.html

Hey!

Hey Everyone!
Sorry long time, no post! I have just been running around Barrington. I started physical therapy again tonight because my leg is still not that great. I am still walking up every single stair one step at a time. Hopefully, my insurance will approve all of my visits!

I wanted to let you all know about a couple of websites. One is alesecoco.org, and the other is http://www.glamour.com/lifestyle/blogs/editor. These are the blogs from two girls I have been following throughout my entire illness. Alese is a doll, she and I have spoken on the phone, and she is dealing with her third bout of Hodgkin's. The other girl is a leukemia survivor who writes for Glamour magazine. She also wrote a book about her cancer experience called, "My So Called Normal Life." It highlights what it is like for a young person to have cancer. As if her poor family didn't have enough with her being sick, after a year or two after her diagnosis, her sister was diagnosed with Hodgkin's and then relapsed. She had a stem cell transplant, and is now doing great!

I have my very good friend Chris' bachelorette party tomorrow and then on Saturday, I head to San Diego for a week. When I come back, I am standing up in my friends wedding, and then I have Fall Fest in Door County the next weekend. I drop in to see Dr. Winter, and then I am back in San Diego for the rest of the month of October! I think if I have counted correctly, Chris and I will see each other 6 weekends in a row (and a few weeks). Not bad for a long distance relationship!

I posted a picture of my little baby sister Katie. She just got asked to homecoming this week. Awwww!

Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

More Good News!

Hi!
I just wanted to let you know that my results from my spinal MRI came back and everything is improving. The compression fracture in my T12 vertebrae is moving away from the spinal column, and returning back to normal. There are also no other lesions or tumors found, so that is good news! I wanted to post a very recent pic, so you all could see how fast my hair is growing in, but I couldn't get it off a certain website. If you want, go to whitesox.com/fanfoto. Then click on Saturday, September 9 and Gallery 4. There you can see a pic from the game Saturday night with me and my friend Jenn.
Love,
Sherrie

Hair Growth

This is a shot from three weeks ago. My hair is growing like crazy! I will send some pics from Cali when I get them from Chris.

Scanic!

Hey Everyone!
I just got done dropping Chris off at the airport. We have been together for 20 days now so it is very sad to say goodbye. :( I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow at 6:30am, I have my PET scan. I also have an MRI to see how my fracture is in the back. I just know that they will be clean but I will keep you updated tomorrow.

Love,
Sherrie

Tuesday, August 22

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to let you know that my final report with my CT scan was compared to the previous scan, and my liver lesion is gone! My CT scan was clean! This is very exciting news. I have my PET scan the day after Labor Day when I return from San Diego. I am having a very fun time with Chris and his family, although it is hard during the day when he is working. This past weekend, we took the RV and boat to the Colorado River boating. We had so much fun swimming, playing in the sand, learning how to play horseshoes and going tubing.

We have a fun week planned this week because we are going to the Padres game tomorrow night, and I have plans to see my friend Ashlee on Thursday. On Friday night, we are going with Chris' entire family and many friends to a YMCA fundraising event on the aircraft carrier called the Midway. And then on Saturday , we are going to Disneyland to celebrate our one year anniversary. Time flies when you are having fun! I will post some pictures soon!

Love,
Sherrie

Lizzie's Birthday

Here is a pic of my fabulous sister Lizzie at her 21st birthday party at Bordo's in Lincoln Park. She is going back to college for her senior year on Friday:(

Tuesday August 8, 2006

Hey Everyone!
Long time, no talk! I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow is my Day +100 days after my stem cell transplant. Can you believe it?
I was cleared to fly last week so I jumped on a plane and went to visit Chris in San Diego last Tuesday. We had a very fun time. When he was working, I had his car so I went to the beach and shopping on Coronado, Del Mar and at Fashion Valley.
This past weekend, we drove up to the wine country in Temecula and stayed in a beautiful suite at a B&B. On Sunday night, we went to see Olivia Newton John. It was so fun!
I flew home and drove up to Door County yesterday. I come home on Sunday for some tests at Northwestern, and then back to San Diego on Wednesday.
My tests next week consist of a CT scan of my liver to make sure the lesion has not changed. I am also getting a Doppler of my leg to make sure that my blood clot is gone!
Talk to you soon,
Sherrie

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Hey All,
Last night I went to my good friend, Barrett Bridenhagan's wedding in Door County. She and her new husband Mark, were married on her back lawn overlooking the water in Sister Bay. The reception was held outdoors at her uncle's home, two doors away. The ceremony and the reception were so beautiful and the weather was great! I went to the wedding with my parents and my sister Katie. Here are some pics of the night!

Kinzie and I

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Hi Everyone!
I am back up in Door County. I had a wild week last week with doctor's appointments almost every day. On Saturday, we celebrated my Auntie Sherrie's 50th birthday. I also took a spill down our back stairs. Needless to say, I hurt my bad knee and twisted my right ankle. I think being clumsy just comes naturally for people in my family. Especially my Mom and I!

The pics shown are with my friend Erika's little beauty, Kinzie. Kinzie was born about 1 hour before I got my stem cells back on May 1. She and I have a little bond! We are both May babies now!

Enjoy the pics!
Love,
Sherrie

Wednesday July 19, 2006

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to give everyone a little update:)
Months ago, my fertility doctor told me that I was in menopause. A couple of days ago, I started spotting. I ran to my OB Gyn this week and he did hormone level tests to see if the menopause theory was true. He also ordered an ultrasound of my uterus due to the uncommon spotting. I had the ultrasound today, and everything is great, thankfully. The bad news is my hormone levels came back, and I am far along into menopause, and won't recover. I knew that this was the likely situation for me (considering I have had 15 different chemos in the last year) but it is just hard to hear it again! Luckily, if I need eggs, I have Katie and Lizzie to back me up! And, by the time I am ready to have kids, who knows what advancements will be out there!
I also received flowers today from my friends Maureen, Kara and Julie from college. I will take and pic for the blog! They are so bright and cheerful. They really made my day!
Love,
Sherrie

Tuesday July 18, 2006

Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to show you how cute my boyfriend is:) I think he likes to take pictures of himself when I am not around!
Love Ya,
Sherrie

July 11, 2006

Dear All,
I am sure that you have heard about the happenings in Door County this week. Well actually Ellison Bay which is the town 4 miles south of us, and where my Auntie Sherrie's family lives. At a resort called Cedar Grove in the middle of Sunday night, there was an explosion in one of the homes. They think it was the LP tank near the home. 3 people passed away. The explosion was so strong that it caused our favorite general store called the pioneer Store to plummet to the ground with the owner sleeping soundly on the second floor. Carol, fortunately was okay, but her livelihood is not. My grandparents were staying at the B&B next to the pioneer store and were evacuated at 3:00. Luckily they were accessible to our friends, The Tencate's so they were able to snooze there until Monday morning. The entire town is blocked off. When we went into town to retrieve my grandparents belongings, they were interviewed by news cameras. They are celebrities!

Sunday July 9, 2006

Here are pics of Chris and I from last week in Door County. As you can see, I need to change the settings on the camera, but I thought the pic looked sort of cool with the color in the background!
Love,
Sherrie

Great News!

Hey Everybody!
Great News! My liver biopsy came back negative for Hodgkin's Disease, but inconclusive as far as anything else is concerned. So Dr. Winter thinks that we need to wait 4-6 weeks and keep an eye on the spot. But it is negative for cancer and that is what I am thrilled about! Our prayers were answered!
I am up in Door County right now until the 17th. Chris was up for the 4th and had to leave yesterday:( My grandparents are coming up tomorrow for 2 weeks so that should be fun!

Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

Friday, June 30

Hi Everyone!
I had my biopsy today thankfully! The great news is that the lesion has not changed size, and the ultrasound they used to find AND biopsy the lesion showed that there are no other lesions on the liver. So that is really good news! However, I won't get my results until next week, especially with the holiday. I am going up to Door County tomorrow with Chris, my sister Katie, and her two little friends. Oh, I forgot Barney too. What a group! Talk to you soon!
Love,
Sherrie

Thursday June 29, 2006

Dear All,
I have been down at the hospital for appointments all week. It seems as though I am getting really good news from all of the doctors. I went to the radiation oncologist today, and as of right now the thought is I won't get radiation at all because there is nothing to radiate! I still have my liver biopsy tomorrow at 11:00am and the thought from all of the docs is that the liver lesion is nothing. My PET scan is negative except for this one little spot. How could the transplant take care of all of the disease in my bones, but then leave a tiny little lesion in my liver when I never had disease there before? That is the logical hypothesis.

I also wanted to let you know that my friend Morfia who I had met during chemo and mentioned once during this blog passed away on Monday. She was only 33 years old. She had stomach cancer. I had only met her twice, but she impacted me and I think I impacted her. She was beautiful and very smart. I feel like the past few days I have been chatting with her in heaven. I just know that she is safe and happy and with God. I can visualize her and I know she is a perfect angel! My Mom and I went to her wake tonight and there must have been over 200 people there. It was hard to see her family, but when we saw each other again, we exchanged many tears and hugs. Her sister, Violeta told me that Morfia was working for me, and making sure that I am going to be ok. I just know that she was loved so much. Please help me in praying for her and her family.

Good Night!
Love,
Sherrie

Monday, June 26

Dear everyone,
Bad News! I went downtown today for my biopsy. I was all geared up in my gown and getting my IV set. The doctor came in and asked me when I last ate, or if I took an aspirin. I told him I was on Coumadin. No one ever told me to cut my coumadin so my blood was too thin for the procedure. Therefore we needed to re-schedule for Friday and there is no guarantee that my blood will be okay on Friday. Such a mess! And we have to run to Northwestern almost every day this week for other doctor appointments. I wish this cancer stuff was easy! That you all for the prayers and being so supportive!
Love,
Sherrie

Sunday, June 25

Dear All,
I just wanted to let you know that I am having my liver biopsy at 10:30 tomorrow morning. Please help me pray that it is negative for Hodgkin's disease!
Love,
Sherrie

Friday, June 23

Dear All,
I had a huge problem last night. I was on my way to pick my friend Barrett up for dinner in Door County and I hit a HUGE deer! Once the police and the tow truck arrived, they couldn't believe that I hit such a big buck. It already had points on it's rack, and was a monster! I felt horrible about the deer. And my car is totaled on the front, and I couldn't get out of the driver seat.

My liver biopsy is scheduled for Monday morning at 10:30 at Northwestern. I am scared about the results, but there are a lot of things it could be other than cancer. Especially since the cancer was eradicated in my bones, and it is much harder to get rid of there.

Sherrie

Monday, June 19

Dear All,
After all that good news we are back to questionable news. It was thought the CT was clean from Friday however after Dr. Winter compared the CT and the PET today, there was an abnormal spot on both scans. Therefore, I need to have a biopsy done on the spot on my liver this week. That means I need to leave Door County, run home and be in limbo yet some more. It is so scary; I just want to be done with all of this.
Take Care,
Sherrie

Sunday, June 18

Dear Family and Friends,
I got the results of my CT scans from Friday and according to Dr. Winter, they were clean! So I guess that means I am cancer free! Tomorrow, they will compare the results from the CT to the PET scan to see what the abnormality on the PET scan was. So hopefully we can hammer out the results.

Does anyone know where the liver is in the body? That is where the abnormality was located near. I am having some pain in my ribs on the right hand side of my body and it is freaking me out because that is where the abnormality was on the PET.

Now I have to work on not worrying about relapsing all of the time! I tell ya, this cancer thing is no fun. I am so glad that for the most part, none of you have ever gone through it so extensively, and I pray to God that you never will.

I have had a fun weekend with my family in Door County, and Chris flew in Friday. Being the world traveler that he is, he is already on his way back to San Diego with a business trip to the Bay area this week, and then to the California/ Arizona border for some R&R with his family next weekend. He is quite the road warrior!

Love you,
Sherrie

Thursday, June 15

We met with Dr. Winter today. My scans were clean except for one tiny little spot near my liver. I am having 3 CT scans tomorrow to rule out the disease. Dr. Winter thinks it is highly unlikely that it is the Hodgkin's because all of the cancer all over the bone was resolved. So now we have to wait a few more days for a total clean bill of health. I know that God was the force that brought me to where I am, and he will continue to keep me in his care and allow me to have a long and satisfying life. That is one of his promises and I am going to keep believing that! So hopefully my little "spot" is nothing serious and I can move on with my recuperation. It has been a long year!
Love,
Sherrie
PS...This is a recent snapshot of my sisters and I. My brother Gary must have been wailing on his guitar when we took this!:)