Treatment Number 12...NOT

That's right NO treatment for me.

I went to the hospital yesterday for my appointment with my oncologist and to have treatment. (I thought) When I went into the appointment room I first met with my nurse practitioner who told me that they were trying to get my CT Scan results (I had the CT Scan that past Monday). So we started going over my last 3 weeks and then she told me that I was going to be meeting with a Nurse Practitioner that specialized in pain management. I have been increasing my Neurotin and got to a level that it started affecting my cognitive abilities. I wanted off the meds or to try something different because I don't want to be living my life like a zombie. So that appointment was about switching to Lyrica instead.

During that appointment my oncologist popped her head in the room and said, "I have your CT Scan results." And then she said, "Everything looks great. Everything is stable. There are NO new tumors. This is great news." Then I started to cry. Everything is stable. OMG. It really is working. Finally something is working and I am doing great. This is all that went through my head. It had been a long week waiting to get the results. I choose to wait it out and have the conversation in person with my doctor. I am so glad I did!!!! I finished up the appointment with the other nurse practitioner.

My oncologist came back into the room and then proceeded to say, "I think it might be best to start doing your treatments every 6 weeks instead." "OK", I said. She said, "I don't want the neuropathy to become permanent and you are doing so well let's give your body a break." I said, "OK". She said, "Let's not do this treatment." I said, "What". She said, "Go home". I said, "What". She said, "Skip this treatment". I said, "Oh My God". She said, "I know I know your schedule." I said, "Yes my schedule." We all started to laugh!!!! She said, "It will be OK just skip every other treatment in your schedule." I said, "OK but what about the next scan and what if it starts to grow again and and and????" I was really concerned and scarred at this point. But then I realized how supported I am, how loved I am and how everyone in my life is holding for me to be "A Miracle". Especially me. This means that I will need to stop treatment eventually and continue living a normal life. I know that it is not totally gone right now but it will be and this is the next step in the process. So I went home.

And here I am updating my blog, by myself. This is all great news and I am so happy to have a week back to be able to play, work and be with my family on these sunny days of summer. Of course with lots of sunscreen! Hahaha. OK not that funny but very true.

Thank You to everyone that was supporting me this treatment and who I had to cancel.

My dear friend Max from Boston who comes every treatment to support and love not just me but my family as well. I am so sorry you can't get your hair cut this time. :) Thank you for all that you do. I will miss seeing you.

Thank you to all the neighbors that were going to deliver food.

Thank you Susan for arranging it all each treatment and

to all the neighbors that continue to deliver food

month after month aftermonth, without any hesitation.

It makes a huge difference

in my recovery process, Thank You!

Thank you to my MSIA Family that comes to give me Prayer Communion each treatment cycle. Thank you Alice for being my

Guardian Angel and for arranging it

and supporting me the way that you do.

Thank you to my Village of Angels!!!

My treatment support, Jann for loving me

just the way that you do.

Rose Angel for your words of inspiration and that

lovely rose I get before each treatment.

House Cleaning Angels assisting me so that

my surroundings are clean and fresh.

Thank you to everyone loving, praying, supporting

and holding that I will be "A Miracle".

God Bless each and everyone of us today and always.

Until next time,

Light, love and laughter,

Shari

Treatment Number Ten

For this treatment, things returned to "normal", in that my husband and daughter were here, Max was here, and other Angels came and went throughout the week.

Treatment was on Friday, May 22nd and my Rose Angel made another visit the day before with inspirational words to support me. We've added a new drug to the regimen; this one is intended to reduce the neuropathy and hand and foot syndrome (constant throbbing) that's been driving me batty from the beginning. I'm only taking one pill a day at the moment and it's too soon to expect results... but I had some lethargy and sore throat that are potential side effects of the new drug. Or maybe I just caught a cold. Time will tell.

Jade came again the day afer treatment for a visit and another cranial-sacral session. My thoughts seemed clear after the session... although I don't generally have discomfort or other side effects until later in recovery week. And as the days passed, my pain level seems lower than in previous treatments (blessedly), with just the usual general tiredness and afternoon lethargy. I am raising afternoon naps to an art form.

For those who haven't seen me in a while, you might be surprised that my hair is growing back! They tell me it's unusual for this to happen during ongoing chemo, but that's no surprise to me, since I've had all the unusual side effects throughout my treatment history. *This* one I'm happy about. Pictures will be forthcoming!

All in all, a fairly low-key and uneventful week. Next treatment is scheduled for June 16.

Yay Team!

My next treatment (scheduled for April 28) was shaping up to be interesting to say the least. For starters, Tom and Daria were going to be away the Friday before treatment for 10 days in North Carolina to take care of our grandkids. A needed vacation for both of them and a lot of work. This was the longest I had ever been away from Daria since she was born. I missed my little girl very much. They had a great time away and we all missed each other very much.

The next thing that would be different about this treatment was that Jann was unavailable to go with me to treatment, which meant that I needed a ride to treatment and possibly home as well. In enters my dear friend Candy. She said, "Oh, I will come over the night before, stay with you and take you for treatment." What a blessing. Thank you Candy for a great night and all of your continued support. Next change was that Max would not be available to be with me at all this recovery period. Uh oh, now what? Yes, you guessed it, a revolving door of support. I arranged for different Angels to care for me all week long while I recovered from treatment.

The only thing that was the same about this treatment as all the others is that a rose and words of encouragement appeared on my doorstep the day before treatment... I so appreciated that one constant in a week of change.

Jann was with me after treatment for Tuesday evening. I am usually high after treatment from the steroids and this treatment was no different. We spent the night scrapbooking which was a lot of fun and kept my mind off of what would be soon to come.

Jade came on Wednesday and stayed until Thursday late afternoon. Jade was my doula when Daria was born, a message therapist, herbalist and a whole lot more. Jade had just recently taken a course on Cranial Sacral work so before she left on Thursday she gave me a session. Prior to the cranial-sacral work, I was feeling pretty low. Not feeling like doing anything, resting on the couch, feeling sort of blah. By 5pm that evening, an hour after she left, I was up and about and feeling great.

Thursday until late Friday afternoon was Jann's shift. When she came in on Thursday I had just had my session with Jade and she found me lying on the couch resting. We spoke for a while then I sat up and said, "I am ready to play, let's scrapbook some more." Since Jann had left her stuff her we did just that. We "scrapped" until dinner and then a while after dinner until bedtime. I was truly amazed by my energy and clarity. I did continue to experience some pain and discomfort in my body but my head and my thoughts were clear and I had great energy the whole rest of the week. I truly beleive that the session I had with Jade made a difference. I felt so grateful.

Then Friday afternoon Mair came for the evening. She stayed with me until I was ready to go to bed and she took care of Summer (our dog) for me. Put me to bed and locked the door behind her. I had a great visit with Mair becasue I was feeling like I could do anything.

My last 2 caregivers were my parents. They came Satursday morning and stayed until Sunday after dinner time. While my parents were visiting, there was more scrapbooking, puzzle putting-together, and my dad kept busy doing little jobs around the house. Handy to have a handyman in the family. Tom and Daria returned late on Sunday night and I was feeling fabulous!

Thanks to everyone who made my recovery week such a success.

Details from Treatment April 7: Part II

The most amazing thing about this week was that I felt up to participating in all these activities. I had to rest in between, and I'm very grateful that my parents and Tom and Max were available to help with all the preparations, but I made it! I even felt up to attending church on Easter morning.







By Saturday night, I had the energy to stay up late and make Ukrainian Easter eggs with Max -- she's been talking about it for years but this is the first time she's had the chance to share it with me. Not that I need any new hobbies, but I could seriously get hooked. Here's a photo of the process, and one of Max's favorite eggs.

Treatment and Activities in March 2009

Had treatment on March 13th, treatment recovery was rough this time. Very very tired and lots of discomfort. Most of the pain was again in my upper back. Although I did have throbbing in my legs. I am calling it fatigue now, just don't know where to put myself. If I could chop them off and hang them up I would be happier. Lots more throbbing in my hands and feet this time also. I am holding that over the next couple of days that will lighten up and go back to the way it was right before my last treatment, sort of unnoticeable. I am also thinking that some of the soreness in my hands and feet are because of the increase in the Nexavar. I am now on 2 pills every day. I am also experiencing again more itching in both my hands and my feet. Also experiencing some bowel upset, not sure what is causing that.

Then after about a week I finally awake and most of it is all behind me. Sometimes it feels like it will take me forever to get there. Then I arrive.

Max was here to support us as always. She baked hamentashen with Daria (and she isn't even Jewish), cooked us the most delicious Corn Beef and Cabbage for St Patrick's Day (and we aren't even Irish), cooked, cleaned, did laundry and loved me just the way she knows how. Thank God for my Boston Angel, my friend.

Rose Angel strikes again. The quotes were posted on March 12 for those of you keeping track.

CT Scan for the end of this month and next treatment scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th.

Pre-Treatment Inspiration!

Shari's "Rose Angel" delivered her much anticipated rose today along with these beautiful inspirational quotes to help her get through the next several recovery days! Shari told me today that the Rose Angel's timing is impeccable. She loves receiving her rose and quotes. It brightens up her day.

All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it will prick you; grasp it boldly, and it's spines crumble.

The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is the way a man uses them.

Be kind - for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.

Think happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.

You can't prevent birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair.

Do not pray for a lighter pack; simply ask for a stronger back.

Thank you, Rose Angel!

By the way, please keep Shari in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow as she embarks on Treatment #7. We'll update more here after her treatment to let you all know how Shari is doing!

Best,
Shannon

Treatment #6 Update

Shari had her 6th Treatment on Friday February 20th.

The treatment itself was actually a relatively easier day in that the appointment was quicker then normal. Shari was home in record time that afternoon. However, by the time she did arrive home, the pain in her legs had already started. They massaged her legs that evening and the neuropathy and the pain went away. When she woke up Saturday morning, she was not feeling good at all. Shari had a terrible headache, pain in her legs, and exhaustion. Shari was going to be alone with Daria because Tom had to go to work. Max was arriving in the late afternoon, and Shari figured it would just be a low key day and she and Daria would both just hang out until Max arrived. But, that could not be the case. Daria wanted to be out and about and Shari was not feeling well enough to care for her. Tom called a friend to take Daria to lunch and out for awhile because Aunt Max was not arriving until later that afternoon. They had a great time and Shari had time to pull myself together. Max arrived and Daria came back home and everything was fine with the world.

This afternoon while she was resting, Shari got the phone call that her grandmother had passed away. We'll share more about this in a separate post, but the beautiful part about that was that within a 1/2 hour of receiving that call, all of Shari's pain went away and her headache subsided. Shari's Grandma was in peace and she was sharing her peacefulness with Shari!

During this recovery period, Shari's pain has been different this time. It has been concentrated more in her neck, back and shoulder area then in her legs. There has been some discomfort in the legs but not like previous treatments. Her head is much clearer and she feels much more present then ever before. She is tired and she needs to rest but overall she is doing well.

Shari's next treatment will be on Friday, March 13th (7th Round). She will then have a follow up CT Scan (sometime during the month of March) and the 8th Round of treatment is scheduled for April 7th. Shari will know more about the future gameplan after that April 7th appointment.

As always, please keep Shari in your thoughts and prayers and please keep seeing her as the "Miracle" that she is going to be!

An Update after Treatment #5

Hi everyone-

We just wanted to update you on Shari this week. Her recovery after treatment #5 has overall been decent, however, not quite as good as last time. The biggest challenge that Shari has had to face this treatment is battling a stubborn head cold that began the Monday right before her treatment, and she is still dealing with. At this point, the worst part of the cold are the coughing attacks that she is having at night and causing her to have very interrupted sleep and feel quite tired as a result. Please keep Shari in your prayers that this head cold goes away soon. 2 weeks is a long time even under the best of circumstances, let alone having to deal with the cold and her chemo side effects together.

Max was with the Olbrichs during this recovery period and, as always, Shari thanks you from the bottom of her heart Max!!!

Shari's "Rose Angel" did indeed come through once again for this treatment, bringing Shari her much anticipated rose and 7 individual quotes. How thoughtful!

Shari's next treatment will be on Friday, February 20th. We'll keep you updated!

Peace,
Shannon

5th Treatment and GREAT NEWS!!!!

Hi everyone!

Shari has some WONDERFUL NEWS to share with everyone. She had a CT scan last week and reviewed the results of that scan today with her oncologist while at the hospital for her regularly scheduled treatment. Here is what Shari has to report!

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I had my appointment today with Dr. Schuchter at 9am, Tuesday, January 27th. She reviewed my CT Scan from last Wednesday, and everything that they (the CT Scan radiologists) have been following has shrunk. The disease is stable, which is AMAZING in and of itself, but even better than that .... Dr. Schuchter said that "We have altered the course of the disease!" This is huge information. The treatment is working. The disease is shrinking and it is moving in the direction of being gone. I AM A MIRACLE!!!!! Celebrate with me, celebrate in the good news.

Thank you for all your good wishes, loving support and ongoing friendships. I know that this is my battle to win but I could not be on this path with out the love and support of all of the communities that love and support me and my family and for that I am so grateful.

Loving,
Shari
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Isn't that fantastic.... there just aren't words for how exciting this is. Shari knows that there is still a road ahead of her, but some validation along the way that this is the right treatment for her and that it is working is just what the doctor ordered! At this point, the plan is to do one more treatment (in about 3 weeks) and then do another CT scan to decide on the future course of treatment.

Shari did complete her 5th treatment today, and as of tonight was still feeling her usual, "high" self as she normally does on Day 1. As always, please keep Shari in your prayers as she gets through this tough first week after treatment and that the Atavan works as well for her this time as it did last time.

Shari's friend Max will be arriving tomorrow and will stay with them until Monday to support the family during Shari's treatment recovery. Thanks again, Aunt Max!

Feel free to keep the blog comments and emails flowing. Shari really loves reading all of your messages to her! You can also feel free to call her, but keep in mind that it will be very difficult for Shari to return calls during this first week.

Everyone lift a glass for our dear friend, Shari. This is a moment to celebrate!

Peace,
Shannon

Treatment #4 Update

Shari's last treatment occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The day before this treatment, Shari's "Rose Angel" struck again! Shari received her pre-treatment anonymous rose and 7 inspirational quotes, and she loved it! Thank you, "Rose Angel"!

During her treatment, Shari met with her oncologist, Dr. Schuchter. During their meeting, Dr. Schuchter did an exam on Shari. And, she felt no lumps or bumps anywhere in her groin and upper thigh area!!! Dr. Schuchter was VERY EXCITED by this and feels that this treatment is really working!

Shari and Dr. Schuchter on treatment day!

Shari was able to have a conversation with Dr. Schuchter about the next steps in her treatment plan during their meeting. Shari will be getting a cat scan and WHEN it comes back clear and the mass in her lung is gone, then they have decided that there will be 2 more rounds of the current treatment plan. This will then be followed by an undetermined period of continuing the oral targeted therapy drugs and the possibility of some type of maintenance chemotherapy program. Please keep Shari in your thoughts and prayers, and keep seeing her as "The Miracle" who has eradicated all of the cancer in her body!

Shari tried a new pain management drug during her recovery week this treatment. She had taken Percocet for pain management during the first and second treatments, however, after the second treatment, the Percocet made her quite ill and she experienced extreme nausea and constipation. Because of this, Shari chose to take no pain management drugs after the third treatment, and wound up in a great deal of pain, for an extra day longer than usual. This fourth treatment, they recommended that Shari try Atavan. The Atavan worked really well for Shari. She was in less pain during her recovery week, and didn't suffer from any of the unpleasant Percocet side effects.

For previous treatments, Shari's friend Max has come to stay with them during Shari's recovery week. Aunt Max had a retreat scheduled over the recovery week this time and wasn't able to come. Aunt Max was dearly missed as she is a enormous source of support for the whole family. However, Aunt Max will be back for next treatment cycle. Thank you so much, Max!

Shari also wanted to mention the amazing support she is getting from her neighborhood! Her neighbors in her development are sending them meals regularly. This has been such a gift for Shari and Tom and it makes their lives so much easier. So, a big huge thank you to the wonderful neighbors in Windsor Ridge!

Shari's next treatment is scheduled for January 27th. We'll have more updates for you soon!

Best, Shannon