Merry Christmas!

Hello There!
I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am so thankful this year, as my friend Kristin just got CLEAN SCANS for Hodgkin's Disease. That was the best present I could have asked for!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Sherrie

Something so important

Hi There,
I know that not many people check my blog anymore, as I have not had treatment for a few years now.

However, I want to let you know that I have made a very special friend named Kristin who has been battling Hodgkin's for over a year now. She went through chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant much like myself, however, she is still battling the disease and is about to have an allogenic bone marrow transplant.

Much like me, her siblings WERE NOT a match for her. She is having a cord blood transplant because time is a huge factor, but for just a little painless blood work, you can be registered on the National Bone Marrow registry. My disease may come back due to the strength of my cancer. But it is up to family and friends like you to help someone like me and my friend Kristin. Please refer to: http://www.dkmsamericas.org/ and see how YOU can save someone's life.
Love,
Sherrie

Goodbye to my port:(

Hi There,
Today is kind of a bittersweet day for me. I am having my port removed! I am so happy that there isn't any need anymore for it, however, that little port got me through the worst of the worst. The procedure is supposed to be easy, however, they need to remove the port from my chest, and then the line from my jugular vein and into my heart. I will be sad to see it go:(
Have a great Tuesday!

Wedding Picture

Hi There!
I spent the weekend with my family celebrating my brother's wedding. It was a very festive occasion and I have learned that folks on my side of the family really know how to celebrate!

I was at Dr. Winters last week, and she feels that because my port is unable to draw a blood return that she wants it out right away. This is kind of bittersweet as my trusty little port took me through 16 different types of chemotherapy over the years. I was trying to superstitiously hold on to it until my 5 year remission mark. Oh well, I am still striving for 2.5 years!

Also, my thyroid levels were tested and they think that because of the radiation I had to my mantle field, I am becoming hypo-thyroid. When I asked what the symptoms were, Elizabeth the PA said, "Weight Gain and Hair Loss"! Great news for me!

Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sherri

Scans

Hello,
I have great news to report! As of 1:00 today, I found out that I have been free from cancer for almost 2.5 years! I had a CT scan very early this morning. Even the scar tissue caused by previous cancerous lymphnodes have shrunk. I am very thankful! Please say a prayer for my friend Kristin who may be still battling her Hodgkin's Disease.

On a personal note I am getting ready for a fantastic fall weekend in Door County with my family. Next weekend is my brother's wedding so there are some exciting times ahead:)

Happy Friday!

Hi There!
I haven't touched base in a while. Happy Friday!
Last Sunday, my cousin Michelle ran the Accenture LLS Triathalon in honor of my Uncle Mike and myself. She did great by raising thousands of dollars for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Way to go!
I started teaching last week. My class, although very cute, are like glorified first graders! As a whole, the entire 3rd grade is very low academically so it should be a challenging year.
Have a great Friday!

Rest in Peace

My beautiful pal and buddy, my beloved Portuguese Water Dog Barney passed away today. He was the most wonderful dog, and I will miss him dearly.

Something Fun

Hi There,
I was out to eat last Friday, and I ran across Mark Grace, the famous ex-Chicago Cub! Here is a pic with him!

A Great Celebration!

Hi There!
Tomorrow, May 1 at 12:20pm will be my two year anniversary of my stem cell transplant and becoming clean! I am very thankful!
Love,
Sherrie

New Brochure

Hi There!
Here is another brochure from Northwestern that I am on:)

Helping LLS! Please donate!

Hi There,
Check out the message from my cousin, Michelle Keany, who is raising money for LLS Team in Training in honor of myself and my Uncle Mike.
Thank you Michelle!
Hi everyone! I have decided to tackle the 2008 Accenture Chicago Triathlon this summer! I will be raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Leukemia, lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. Primary lymphoma of the brain, although very rare, is a lymphatic cancer that originates and usually remains in the brain.

As many of you know, I lost my father Michael Stroden last summer. He was diagnosed with a brain lymphoma in August 2006. He underwent two difficult chemotherapy treatments and passed away in July 2007. My family was unfortunately prepared for this as my young cousin Sherrie had just successfully received a stem cell transplant to treat her stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma two months earlier. From this I have learned first hand the struggles and challenges cancer patients undergo. It is a horrific disease that claims far too many lives, both young and old.

I realize that you are probably asked to contribute to various causes. The fact that you are receiving this email is proof that cancer has touched your life. Your contribution will make a difference. New and effective drugs for helping cancer patients are not possible without our help. I hope you will join me in my endeavor.

I have committed to raising $2,000.00 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of my father. My own personal goal is to raise $5,000.00. I can only achieve this with your help. Remember all donations are 100% tax deductible. Thank you in advance for considering donating to this worthy cause. I know my dad would be proud!

Michelle Keany
http://www.active.com/donate/tntil/tntilmkeany

Katie

Hi There,
Here is a pic of Katie after she interviewed Miss Illinois for the Barrington High School TV station today.
Have fun!

Clean Scans

Hi There,
I had a clean CT, and the tumor that was previously in my mediastinum (now scar tissue) has shrunk significantly in my chest. Yeah! The problem is I am neutropenic right now meaning my infection fighting ability is very low again. I just have to keep washing my hands. Have a great night!

Sick! For the first time

Last Friday, I was telling teachers that I work with that since my stem cell transplant, I have not even experienced as much illness as the common cold. Well I should have knocked a lot louder on wood than that! Since Sunday, I have been stuck in bed with 104 fever and influenza. Yuck. My temperature dropped with a lot of Tylenol to 97 degrees and I am feeling much better. Hope all of you are taking your Vitamin C!

Something Interesting

Hey All!
Long time, no talk! I just wanted to share with you the latest brochure for the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern. I am on page 3! How exciting!
Love,
Sherrie

http://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/news/pdfs/CCCnewbrochure.pdf