Hi There,
Everything seemed good at my Dr visit today but they are slightly concerned about one thing. My white blood count, and absolute neutrophil level have been so low since my transplant. This occurs in less than 20% of patients. They took blood from me, so a pathologist could examine my blood to make sure that nothing else was going on that would contribute to my low counts. I really don't have any physical symptoms of the disease, and I feel great, so I am confident that all will be well!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Happy Sunday!
Hey There!
For those of you in the Midwest, what a beautiful weekend we have had! It is so nice to see sunshine, and wear sandals. I think the weather is supposed to change again this week, but we have been blessed!
Things are going really well. I have been kind of hiding under a dark cloud for a little bit (I think the Winter hangover could be to blame!) I think this boost of Spring is good enough to get a spring in everyones step!
Another very exciting thing...it is baseball season again! Here is a pic from the Cubs opening day!
Tomorrow morning, I meet with Jane Winter for a check-up. I think everything is going okay. I have been itching a bit (which is a classic Hodgkin's symptom) but it could just be change in weather. I am very concerned about my hormonal levels though. I have been off of Estrogen because we are trying to determine if I am really in menopause. The last time my levels were checked, they were very menopausal. Plus, I have been having symptoms of that. Let's hope they drastically change for the better!
Love,
Sherrie
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Prayer Request
Please help me pray for my Uncle Mike. After finishing chemotherapy in January, his brain tumor has re-occured. Please pray for him, and allow him to beat this all over again.
Love,
Sherrie
Love,
Sherrie
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Boston Marathon T-Shirt
Hi!
A friend of mine sponsored someone who is running the Boston Marathon. That person has my name on his T-Shirt, and is wearing that shirt as a tribute to my cancer. It's really neat!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Second Photo Shoot
Hey!
I had my second photo shoot for NMH today, and the pictures will be used for the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Survivor Walk which will be held at the lakefront on June 3. These pictures will be on banners highlighting the lake, and I guess I am going to be on them!
In May, the NM Faculty Foundation Magazine will debut with an article about my transplant experience, and how it relates to Celebrating Life and the survivor walk.
The photos from today should be posted on the following site: marcharris-photo.com/
When you get there, log on to "Clients." Then, add the password lurie. The pics are not up yet, but my name is. It is amazing how many survivors are out there. The woman getting photographed before me was pregnant, and the little girl after me (absolutely adorable!) must have been only 4 years old. It's exciting to see that even though I feel like a cancer minority because of my age, there are so many people out there like me.
Love,
Sherrie
I had my second photo shoot for NMH today, and the pictures will be used for the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Survivor Walk which will be held at the lakefront on June 3. These pictures will be on banners highlighting the lake, and I guess I am going to be on them!
In May, the NM Faculty Foundation Magazine will debut with an article about my transplant experience, and how it relates to Celebrating Life and the survivor walk.
The photos from today should be posted on the following site: marcharris-photo.com/
When you get there, log on to "Clients." Then, add the password lurie. The pics are not up yet, but my name is. It is amazing how many survivors are out there. The woman getting photographed before me was pregnant, and the little girl after me (absolutely adorable!) must have been only 4 years old. It's exciting to see that even though I feel like a cancer minority because of my age, there are so many people out there like me.
Love,
Sherrie
Friday, April 06, 2007
Happy Easter!
Hi Everyone,
Happy Easter! Today is a special day for me. A year ago today, I was told that although I wasn't in remission, my Hodgkin's Disease was on the run, and Dr. Winter wanted me in for a transplant a week and a half later. The rest is history. That, along with finding out I was in remission, was probably the happiest day of my entire life! Hopefully I will someday have more good days to top that, but for now I am so thankful to the Lord.
Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!
Happy Easter! Today is a special day for me. A year ago today, I was told that although I wasn't in remission, my Hodgkin's Disease was on the run, and Dr. Winter wanted me in for a transplant a week and a half later. The rest is history. That, along with finding out I was in remission, was probably the happiest day of my entire life! Hopefully I will someday have more good days to top that, but for now I am so thankful to the Lord.
Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
12 Hours of Travel and I'm Finally Home!
Hi There!
I just got back from a week in the Cayman Islands with my parents, and Katie. We had a very fun time, especially while swimming with Stingrays on Thursday. Notice how my hands are strategically placed on the Stingray. I am kind of a baby when it comes to touching marine animals. It is such a weird sensation to swim with them. They are like giant portobello mushrooms that glide around your feet, and forage for squid out of your hands. It was a very freaky feeling, but an incredible experience. Have fun with the pics!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Stem Cell Panel
Hi There,
I have been working on this short clip from a stem cell patient panel I was on two weeks ago. Hopefully it works!
http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser2/iMovieTheater9.html
I have been working on this short clip from a stem cell patient panel I was on two weeks ago. Hopefully it works!
http://homepage.mac.com/fundraiser2/iMovieTheater9.html
Monday, March 26, 2007
My Journal: The Picture Worth A Thousand Words...
My Journal: The Picture Worth A Thousand Words...
Dear Alese,
You are amazing and you look as adorable as ever! I am so happy that you are feeling better! Love, Sherrie Teuber
Dear Alese,
You are amazing and you look as adorable as ever! I am so happy that you are feeling better! Love, Sherrie Teuber
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Playing Around
Hi There,
I was playing around with my scanner today and took some pics from yesteryear of my Grandma and Grandpa on both sides, of my Mom and Dad and some pics from when I was little...
Monday, March 19, 2007
Thank You!
My friend Alese, although not completely out of the woods, is doing so much better! Thank you Lord!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Prayer Request
Dear All,
Please pray for my friend Alese Coco (alesecoco.org). She is going through a horrible time, and she needs prayers from every corner of the Earth. Please be with her as she continues her battle against Hodgkin's Disease. She has fought so hard, and so long, and I know that she is going to be okay. Please help me, and everyone else believe that. You know what they say...When two or more are gathered in His name, His will will be done. She will beat this.
Please pray for my friend Alese Coco (alesecoco.org). She is going through a horrible time, and she needs prayers from every corner of the Earth. Please be with her as she continues her battle against Hodgkin's Disease. She has fought so hard, and so long, and I know that she is going to be okay. Please help me, and everyone else believe that. You know what they say...When two or more are gathered in His name, His will will be done. She will beat this.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Help another cancer survivor
Hi There,
With the spirit of luck, and St. Patrick's Day coming up, I wanted to let you all know of a young girl who is having tandem stem cell transplants at Children's Memorial Hospital (the sister to NMH).
She is adorable, and she is Irish! Her name is Meghan, and she was diagnosed with Wilm's tumor, which has metastasized to her lungs.
She is having a fundraiser in her honor at US Cellular Field, where the White Sox play. I wish I could go, but I will be out of town. If you are interested in seeing someone who is going through double what I went through, check out her sight.
It is: missionformeghan.org.
It might be a good way to volunteer, and help someone out who is very young, and is fighting very hard.
With the spirit of luck, and St. Patrick's Day coming up, I wanted to let you all know of a young girl who is having tandem stem cell transplants at Children's Memorial Hospital (the sister to NMH).
She is adorable, and she is Irish! Her name is Meghan, and she was diagnosed with Wilm's tumor, which has metastasized to her lungs.
She is having a fundraiser in her honor at US Cellular Field, where the White Sox play. I wish I could go, but I will be out of town. If you are interested in seeing someone who is going through double what I went through, check out her sight.
It is: missionformeghan.org.
It might be a good way to volunteer, and help someone out who is very young, and is fighting very hard.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Fun Day
Hi There!
Although I have been up since 4:50am, my Mom and I had an exciting day. We were in the city by 6:30 to meet with Dr. Winter and her fabulous PA Elizabeth. Although I had labs on Monday, my blood counts are still extremely low. You have two counts to ward off infections...Your WBC (White Blood Cell Count) and your ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count). Mine are remaining steady, but very low. A "normal" person probably has a WBC and ANC between 4.0-10.0. My WBC is around 1.8, and my ANC is .9. So I am very at risk for getting sick, even though I look and feel great!
I am so thankful because Dr. Winter also said that I can have full scans again in 3 months. That takes the edge of worrying about reoccurance.
I met with Robert, a photographer for NMH, and we took pictures for an article that they are doing about the cancer survivor walk, and my stem cell transplant. He had me wear pink for the occasion (How suitable!) I can't get the pics for three months, but when I get them, I will shoot them your way.
Also, I will send out invites to the cancer survivor walk. It is on June 3 at the lakefront and a big celebration.
My Mom and I were ladies about town today and hit every store/restaurant in a 500 mile Chicago radius. By 9:30am, it felt like it was already 4:00 in the afternoon.
Also, yesterday I got my first haircut. I got it shaped. It still kind of looks the same just a little more "shapley." I found the best hairdresser and our goal is to grow my hair out.
Have a fun weekend!
Sherrie
Although I have been up since 4:50am, my Mom and I had an exciting day. We were in the city by 6:30 to meet with Dr. Winter and her fabulous PA Elizabeth. Although I had labs on Monday, my blood counts are still extremely low. You have two counts to ward off infections...Your WBC (White Blood Cell Count) and your ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count). Mine are remaining steady, but very low. A "normal" person probably has a WBC and ANC between 4.0-10.0. My WBC is around 1.8, and my ANC is .9. So I am very at risk for getting sick, even though I look and feel great!
I am so thankful because Dr. Winter also said that I can have full scans again in 3 months. That takes the edge of worrying about reoccurance.
I met with Robert, a photographer for NMH, and we took pictures for an article that they are doing about the cancer survivor walk, and my stem cell transplant. He had me wear pink for the occasion (How suitable!) I can't get the pics for three months, but when I get them, I will shoot them your way.
Also, I will send out invites to the cancer survivor walk. It is on June 3 at the lakefront and a big celebration.
My Mom and I were ladies about town today and hit every store/restaurant in a 500 mile Chicago radius. By 9:30am, it felt like it was already 4:00 in the afternoon.
Also, yesterday I got my first haircut. I got it shaped. It still kind of looks the same just a little more "shapley." I found the best hairdresser and our goal is to grow my hair out.
Have a fun weekend!
Sherrie
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Such Exciting News!
I just got awesome, exciting news from downtown! My PET and CT are totally clean! Also, my right ovary has egg follicles on it! In December when I had my scans, my left ovary was functioning...Now my right is! Each ovary works every other month so these studies are telling us that both have some sort of function! Also, the mass in my chest keeps on getting smaller and smaller, and it is just a few mere cm.! I have been having a lot of hip pain which has concerned me, but the PET noted inflammation in both of my hips. Maybe it has to do with the weather or something! I am so excited and thankful!
Monday, March 05, 2007
PET/CT Scan
Hello There,
I have been up since 4:10am, and was at NMH by 6:20. I had my PET and CT scans. From what I can see, (based on my stellar radiology skills) my PET scan is clean! I kind of sensed that it would be, but you always have that doubt.
It is really interesting to see what an unclean lymphoma PET scan looks like. If you go to Google Images, and Google "Hodgkin's Lymphoma PET scans" you can see what I mean.
When you get a PET, they introduce radioactive sugar into your body based on your blood sugar level. Any organ that metabolizes glucose (the brain, heart, kidney's, bladder etc.) show up black on a PET. Cancer cells react in the same way, and they are also black on a PET. Luckily, my scan looked very "grey scale" which is great news! I know I have to wait for a radiologist's interpretation, however, I think I am in the clear!
I will be meeting with Dr. Winter on Thursday and hopefully having my "photo shoot" for the Northwestern Cancer Survivor's calender!
At night lately, I have been watching Joel Osteen videos. If you have ever seen him, he is a phenominal religious, as well as motivational speaker! I kind of think I want to take an overnight trip to Houston to see him. If anyone is interested in doing that with me, let me know!
Also, do you any of you have a racing heart after you drink alcohol? Even if I only have one or two drinks at night, I wake up in the middle of the night with my heart absolutely racing. It is a scary feeling because "alcohol pain" is a very common Hodgkin's Disease symptom.
Off to watch last night's Desperate Housewives!:)
I have been up since 4:10am, and was at NMH by 6:20. I had my PET and CT scans. From what I can see, (based on my stellar radiology skills) my PET scan is clean! I kind of sensed that it would be, but you always have that doubt.
It is really interesting to see what an unclean lymphoma PET scan looks like. If you go to Google Images, and Google "Hodgkin's Lymphoma PET scans" you can see what I mean.
When you get a PET, they introduce radioactive sugar into your body based on your blood sugar level. Any organ that metabolizes glucose (the brain, heart, kidney's, bladder etc.) show up black on a PET. Cancer cells react in the same way, and they are also black on a PET. Luckily, my scan looked very "grey scale" which is great news! I know I have to wait for a radiologist's interpretation, however, I think I am in the clear!
I will be meeting with Dr. Winter on Thursday and hopefully having my "photo shoot" for the Northwestern Cancer Survivor's calender!
At night lately, I have been watching Joel Osteen videos. If you have ever seen him, he is a phenominal religious, as well as motivational speaker! I kind of think I want to take an overnight trip to Houston to see him. If anyone is interested in doing that with me, let me know!
Also, do you any of you have a racing heart after you drink alcohol? Even if I only have one or two drinks at night, I wake up in the middle of the night with my heart absolutely racing. It is a scary feeling because "alcohol pain" is a very common Hodgkin's Disease symptom.
Off to watch last night's Desperate Housewives!:)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Hello!
Hi Everyone!
I have a lot of news to report, some good, and some not so good.
I have been having a lot of hip pain, and pain in my femur. I am having an MRI tomorrow, to rule out any lymphoma type of activity. Also, this Monday, I have my PET scan and CT scan at Northwestern. This I am praying will be clean, but I always error on the side of caution.
Some really exciting things are happening to me right now. I was emailed on Valentines Day by the head of media at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. They want me to do three things for them. The first thing is to be the subject of an article for the NMH faculty magazine. They want me to do a photo shoot next week, and be a calender girl for the NMH cancer survior calender. Also, they will use those pictures and make banners out of them for the NMH cancer survivor walk on June 3. This is a celebratory walk focusing on survivorship, and when people are walking the 4 mile walk by the lakefront, I will be on the banner cheering people on! I am so excited!
On St. Patrick's Day, I am going to be part of a patient panel, along with the top doctors in Chicago (the lovely Dr. Winter included) to discuss bone marrow transplants. I am so happy to get my life started, by helping others.
I also started a book about my cancer experience. Things are taking a little bit of time because I am not that motivated to write right now.
I hope all is well with you, and I look forward to seeing and talking with you soon. I recently changed my cell phone number so if you would like the new number, please contact my email for that information.
Love,
Sherrie
Here are some pics from yesteryear...When life wasn't so complicated. Sorry about the bad quality!
I have a lot of news to report, some good, and some not so good.
I have been having a lot of hip pain, and pain in my femur. I am having an MRI tomorrow, to rule out any lymphoma type of activity. Also, this Monday, I have my PET scan and CT scan at Northwestern. This I am praying will be clean, but I always error on the side of caution.
Some really exciting things are happening to me right now. I was emailed on Valentines Day by the head of media at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. They want me to do three things for them. The first thing is to be the subject of an article for the NMH faculty magazine. They want me to do a photo shoot next week, and be a calender girl for the NMH cancer survior calender. Also, they will use those pictures and make banners out of them for the NMH cancer survivor walk on June 3. This is a celebratory walk focusing on survivorship, and when people are walking the 4 mile walk by the lakefront, I will be on the banner cheering people on! I am so excited!
On St. Patrick's Day, I am going to be part of a patient panel, along with the top doctors in Chicago (the lovely Dr. Winter included) to discuss bone marrow transplants. I am so happy to get my life started, by helping others.
I also started a book about my cancer experience. Things are taking a little bit of time because I am not that motivated to write right now.
I hope all is well with you, and I look forward to seeing and talking with you soon. I recently changed my cell phone number so if you would like the new number, please contact my email for that information.
Love,
Sherrie
Here are some pics from yesteryear...When life wasn't so complicated. Sorry about the bad quality!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Dr. Fox
Hi There!
It is almost my one year anniversary of my femur surgery. Last February, I had a rod put in my femur because the disease was so bad in my left hip, they needed to protect the area. I have been having a massive amount of hip and knee pain as of late, and went to Dr. Fox today to get X-Rays and check it out. The X-Ray could show if any Hodgkin's Disease were back, and luckily it didn't. He put me on a prescription of Alleve twice a day. He said that for anti-inflammatory purposes, he thinks that the drug in Alleve is better than Ibuprofen in Advil. Also, with Advil, you need to take three pills, three times a day, whereas with Alleve, you only need to take two pills, twice a day. If any of you are having some aches and pains, I guess Alleve is the way to go!
It is almost my one year anniversary of my femur surgery. Last February, I had a rod put in my femur because the disease was so bad in my left hip, they needed to protect the area. I have been having a massive amount of hip and knee pain as of late, and went to Dr. Fox today to get X-Rays and check it out. The X-Ray could show if any Hodgkin's Disease were back, and luckily it didn't. He put me on a prescription of Alleve twice a day. He said that for anti-inflammatory purposes, he thinks that the drug in Alleve is better than Ibuprofen in Advil. Also, with Advil, you need to take three pills, three times a day, whereas with Alleve, you only need to take two pills, twice a day. If any of you are having some aches and pains, I guess Alleve is the way to go!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Doctor Visit
Hey Everyone!
Everyone here in Chicago is mourning the Bears loss in the Superbowl, and well as absolutely freezing! The warm trend for this week should be about 14 degrees! It is brutal.
I got some not so good news right now from the doctor. My hormone levels from last week came back, and they are again consistent with the fact that I am very post menopausal. I was getting my hopes up, and it is kind of sad. Who knows what advances they will make in the future though!
Stay warm!
Sherrie
Everyone here in Chicago is mourning the Bears loss in the Superbowl, and well as absolutely freezing! The warm trend for this week should be about 14 degrees! It is brutal.
I got some not so good news right now from the doctor. My hormone levels from last week came back, and they are again consistent with the fact that I am very post menopausal. I was getting my hopes up, and it is kind of sad. Who knows what advances they will make in the future though!
Stay warm!
Sherrie
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