Christmas 2008

Richard and I spent the week before Christmas suffering with the Noro Virus!!! Man.....that was a meaningful experience for a husband and wife to share. I am way too cute to have something as ugly as this virus. Richard, of course, handled it with grace while I had to whimper around for a number of days....whining and extending the virus further than most. It seems that with my diabetes any kind of "illness" hangs on with me. Noro and I got way too close, however...Both Richard and I were very glad to see her go!!!!


Our son Alex turned 24 on December 21st!!!! We were able to go over to Orcas Island (such a beautiful place) to visit him for the evening of his birthday. Since we had to bring Noro too, our visit was short.....but we had sosososo much fun with Alex. We were able to take him and his friend Will (a wonderful guy) out for a fabulous dinner at Deer Harbor and then just spend the evening with Alex....seeing his new computer shop and the house where he lives. He seems so happy and centered. He has a new job at the Orcas Market and is settling in to all those new responsibilities. It was a wonderful visit.

Christmas Eve and Christmas were very special. This year it felt sososo important to have a GREAT Christmas....which can often lead to a lot of stress. Being sick helped me realize, once again, the importance of relationships, family and friends.....and how trivial most of the things I worry about really are. We didn't bake cookies, go way out on food preparation, decorate beyond belief or buy tons of gifts. We just didn't have time. And....guess what? We had a beautiful time with our children and our families....even without all the silly trappings. What a wonderful lesson for me.....Again.......I am being blessed, constantly, by lessons and love.

Richard and I have spent a lot of time, during this Holidays, remembering all the beautiful people who have helped us during these past four months and even more time being thankful for so much. We both share a new warmth which is a result of the discovery of true family and friends. We often sit in awe of the light that has surrounded us. Sometimes I look at Richard and he seems to be glowing....I understand that luminescence as pure love....within him, of course.....but also given to him from others. He is at his most beautiful at these moments.

I know this is short....but we have very early bedtimes here....and Richard has already started the nightly routine. I love to join him and "snuggle" close......but I did want to at least check in and let you all know that we are doing fine and loving everything and everyone with passion. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that you are preparing for a special New Years celebration. I promise.....I will write more very shortly!!!!

I Believe!!!

I just read a beautiful entry from a mother on my on-line brain tumor, caregiver support group. Her son (in his thirties) was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2000. Today was the day of his six month MRI. She's been posting, prior to today, about her anxiety and fear regarding this test. Many have written her back, assurring her, encouraging her, sympathizing with her because waiting for the MRI results, I guess, can be excruitiating. She just wrote the group and told us that Kevin's MRI was clear...no reoocurrence of any tumor growth. I immediately was brought to tears....with joy for this courageous family...but also with such hope and belief for my own husband who is bravely, fighting this battle. I believe that Richard will be one of those survivors!!!! I believe, I believe, I believe.

Our days without Radiation and Chemo!!!

These past two days have been very interesting for Richard and I. Since chemo and radiation have stopped we seem to have sosososo much more time on our hands. We're also in the thick of the Winter Darkness here in Bellingham. That means that basically by 3:30 it is dark and pretty unsafe for me to be outside doing anything by myself. It's at this time of year that I always begin to feel a little claustrophobic! Obviously...I need to get ALL my inside projects lined up! I have many!

Richard is feeling pretty good. He still complains of being tired but he is working six to seven hours a day and seems to be plugging along. Work is so terrific for him. I know, that while he is there, he is surrounded by people that love him dearly and that they are watching out for him. Richard is so darn lovable. He is very close to many of the people at his job. I am so thankful that he is able to continue doing as much as he is.

I'm doing O.K. too!!! I'm settling into a new rhythym here and asking myself what my near future may look like. I think from the moment that I heard Gittle (our doctor) say the words brain tumor, life as I knew it, changed forever. I, myself, changed dramatically. I never want to forget the importance of this experience and I want to give it the attention it deserves. I've always had to learn things the hard way....well I believe this brain tumor has been the boulder that I needed to make some positive moves in my own life.

This is all still unfolding and I'm not sure, yet, what the changes may look like. I suspect that to most they won't even be noticeable but for me it is time to move in a more purposeful, thoughtful direction. I have learned so much since this all began....maybe I was learning all along...but this experience definately solidified a great deal for me.

People ask me what I have been working on, creative wise, during these past few weeks. I wanted to show you some pictures of some jewelry I've been doing. The colors, twinkle, and movement brings me great joy. With my eyesight, people who have seen the bracelets have asked me how I do it. Between my numb hands and my fuzzy eyesight it can be difficult...but with lights, etc. it works out and I'm having a blast. The model is Emily. She has beautiful hands and shows the braceletys off beautifully. I hope that you like them.

This is a busy time for all of us. I love the Holidays but it's so easy to get totally overwhelmed with all the shoulda, woulda, couldas. We have so much to be thankful for. This seems to be the perfect time to count our blessings. That's what's really important.

You are all very close. I love you!

Blessings,

Sherri

Holiday Break

Break time from the chemotherapy comes with the finish of the radiation today. It will be a relief to not have to time my day around the chemo / radiation routine. Dr Thompson told us that the effect of the radiation will continue for a couple weeks after treatment.. we'll see. In January, I will re-start the Temador for 6 months with the start of the Clinical Trial after a follow up MRI on January 2ed.

Blessings to you and I wish you the brightest of holiday spirit and love.

BRRR!!!! Baby it's cold outside!!!

It is sosososo cold here!!! Winter is fast approaching (technically on the 21st...my sweet boy's birthday.....but it feels like it is here right now!!!!)! The best part about the cold is that my dog poop picking-up duty is much easier when everything is frozen (probably TMI...sorry).

I wanted to catch everyone up on some important happenings during these past couple of weeks. First....it was Dana's 25th birthday this past Tuesday. We all went out to dinner last weekend (during the big snow!!!) and had a fabulous meal at Nimbus. Then we came home and continued the celebration with a confetti, boxed, birthday cake (Dana's choice) and ice-cream. It was a special time for all of us. The meal was amazing!!!! Here's some pics.

This is a picture of Dana, his Mom and I. Isn't Dana the cutest thing? I am so proud of the kind of wonderful man he is. He has been an amazing support for his Dad and I. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

O.K. Here's precious Jason chowing down on a raw oyster!!!! Yes....I said a raw oyster!!! We all watched in fascination as he chewed this puppy with great delight! He's always willing to try anything!
Emily and Jason are such a great looking couple! And what's so great about them is that they are so nice! I'm always touched by their sweetness.

Yesterday we went down to Everett to have dinner with Richard's sister, family and friends in celebration of her 50th birthday. We had a wonderful time and dinner was yummy. I worried about Richard driving down there after a long week....but as always, he was a trooper, and we had no problems. It was a nice evening for us. I love these pictures of Richard showing off his bald head. It was darling watching him and his Dad.

This is a picture of Richard and Pam with Vicki and Don. These four have been close friends since childhood. I love listening to stories about their escapades. It was nice that they could all be together for Pam's birthday.

As Richard has told you, Monday is his last day of radiation. It's hard to believe that 6 weeks have already gone by. Last week we saw both the radiologist and the oncologist and have now been prepped for the next phase of Richard's treatment. He gets a month off....which we have been warned may still be difficult, physically, for Richard since the effects of radiation will continue for quite a while. But we're both looking forward to no appointments, no chemo., and of course, the holidays!!!

I will miss the Cancer Treatment Center (that is so wierd but I will!!!). They have been so wonderful to us. Last week I went in and watched Richard's treatment. That was awesome!!! My poor baby!!!! It looks so scary. They tried to explain everything they were doing and then took me to the master computer as they did the treatment. They have Richard on camera the entire time and he didn't move a muscle. I don't know how he has done this for six weeks with such courage and grace. He trully is my hero.

The treatments (both chemo. and the radiation) have had their physical affects on Richard. The nice part about the whole thing is that it's all been cummulative so it's been slow; however he has struggled. What I notice is that when he gets tired, usually in the afternoon, he becomes very quiet and listless. He seems to get easily confused and has difficulty putting his words and thoughts together. A couple of weeks ago I expressed my concerns to the radiologist and he increased Richard's steroids (which the doctor said was typically needed during brain radiation). That has helped immensely with all of the negative complications; although it has caused some issues with sleeping, anxiousness and the "hungry horrors"....but he's absolutely a total miracle.

Looking back, I am still so shocked that all of this has happened to us. We often find ourselves talking about how amazing all of this has been. But....there have been many blessings and so many very special moments...especially between my husband and I. I am so thankful for this time together. We are so aware of the preciousness of this awakening. Truly, I leave nothing unsaid. I never stop myself from touching him. I never hesitate to look deeply into his beautiful eyes and I never stop thanking the Universe for such a beautiful partner. On the day we were told about Richard's brain tumor my life totally changed. I am walking with a new view and with a new sense of my own clarity. That has been one of the many blessings.

I am thankful for all of you. I feel you out there! Thank you for standing beside us.

Blessings,

Sherri

Radiation Done!

Here it is, Thursday evening, and I am realizing that I have only 2 more radiation treatments left! How great this will be!. Not that they have been terrible, in fact, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well I have seemed to tolerate them. I have had moments of extreme fatigue, some Minor skin irritation, an hair loss at the sites, but generally it hasn't been bad. Everyone at the radiation center are SO nice, it makes it kind of nice going there just to see them.

After this phase, I will continue on the temador for a 6 month cycle. The dose will be determined by which are of the clinical trial I am selected for.. It will really be simple with the need to take only a few pills a day. I will find this out next week. It will be either 5 days of high dose chemo followed by 23 days off, or 23 days of lower dose chemo with five days off.. So this experience is in no way over, but the gravity has lifted, I have healed and I look forward to the future with optimism and strength.

I have so much thanks and appreciation for all the wonderful friends, family and co-workers that have been here to support me through this last couple months.. I would especially like to thank all the wonderful women that have been a pert of Sherri's art life and the Stampadoodle crew. All the members of the SAS group have been SO wonderful and generous I can hardly find words to express my gratitude. I do have a strong spiritual faith, and I know that you are all angels come here to lift my spirit and the spirit of those whom I love above this darkness that seemed to swirl in from nowhere. you all have been a light in the darkness for Sherri and I during this time.