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