Life Is Good!

Just a quick note to tell you our good news. When Sherida first started this journey, her cancer markers were 276. Just yesterday, she learned they had dropped to 56! This not that far above normal markers.


YOU GO GIRL! We all love Sherida/Leo whatever.

:)

Now This Is Good News

Good news! Sherida's cancer markers are down from 276 in January to 92 now. The normal cancer marker should be between 40 and 46. She is doing well. Leo is on a different nausea medicine that seems to be helping. Her appetite is better; in fact she can even munch down a taco. Further she is moving around more often and can even get along without her Ninja Turtle outfit for short periods of time. Thank you for your continuing love and support. :)

Good Deal!

I'm sorry I've not been more diligent in updating the blog. The truth is that Sherida is doing so well I spaced it. She is, for the most part, pain free. She spends most of the day up and about, unless there is a game on. On those occasions, she 'has' to lay down and rest. Isn't this great news? I think so too. For the forseeable future, she goes in once a week for a Herceptin treatment. When her back is more stablized, she may get rid of the shell she wears every day.

Thank you for your love and support for Leo. We are truly grateful to Father in Heaven for His goodness and mercy and are mindful how much he loves and cares for each of us.

Take care...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE

Kelsey is a menace to the oncology office!! She has Leo try on all of the stylish wigs while waiting for each treatment. We do, however, think this wig captures Leo's perfect image as a stunning female "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle"! This is why we chose The 'charming' picture below.

Help! Leo can't drink

I haven't posted much the last few days because Sherida is doing so well. When we visited her last weekend, we even shared a few good jokes. She is done with Radiation treatments (YES!). Next week, she meets with her doctors and will jointly decide on what's next. Before she became ill, she, Christy, and moi were dedicated diet coke drinkers. Christy quit and now Leo hates the stuff. What's left for me?

Anyway the radiation also burned her esophagus and consquently it hurts a lot to drink. Sooooooo, Ralph (Christy) took her to the hospital for rehydration (that's at least a 75 cent word). The esophagus should be healed sometime in the next few days. I just checked with the family and Leo is doing a little better.

You go Leo!!!

YIPEE SKIPEE!

This is so great! We called the folks last night. In the background, we heard Sherida
chirping in the background. We were so excited. She had been up most of the day and had had a GREAT day. Terrific? She said, "I didn't know I had a blog". Go Figure!

Have a swell day.

Almost a Breath of Spring

Excellent news this Friday! Sherida had her last radiation treatment as well as her weekly Herceptin drip. She says her pain is greatly reduced. The Radiologist Oncologist said that she would continue to see her pain lessen in the weeks to come.

Next week they take a blood sample to see how how helpful the radition treatments and the Herceptin are.

When the results are received, Leo will meet with her doctors to discuss other treatments.

We are so grateful to Father In Heaven for giving us this blessing. Sherida holds a special place in each of our hearts; but I am equally sure she holds a special spot in HIS heart too.

Have a smile this weekend and thank Heavenly Father for the blessings he gives you and yours.

:)

Happy Day!

Leo had a great day Friday! They gave her medicine to help with the nausea she is experiencing and that helped a lot. After radiation, she, Christy and Kelsey, grabbed a salad and munched away. All in all it was a great day.

More next week.

Too much running!

Let me catch you up. Yesterday, Monday, Leo was gone most of the day. She had to have radiation treatment; a bone density test, followed up by a lovely visit with her back doctor. Did he offer her kind loving words? No way! He insisted that she be up and about. No lounging for Sherida.

Today, Christy took Kelsey to Salt Lake City for a medial appointment. Desiginated helpers for Leo are Alayna and the lovely Kathy Pitcher.

Ouch!

Christy emailed that Sherida has been in surgery this morning. They are implanting a portacath. As soon as she comes out of surgery, she goes directly to the Oncologist for the first herceptin treatment. Afterwards, she get to go home for a well deserved quiet weekend.

Don't tell President Monson

1/13

We just got back from McKay Dee Hospital where Leo has recieved multiple tatoos! (She has requested that we do not tell Pres. Monson.) She has been "marked" carefully so as to be able to begin radiation Mon. She is scheduled to get a portacath inserted tomorrow for all of the iv's, etc. she will be getting.(Alayna):)

More good news

Sherida's Oncologist learned that her type of cancer IS receptive to Herceptin. Only 20-25 percent of patients with this type of cancer are receptive to Herceptin. Another blessing for our family.

Also, if you would like to send an email to Sherida, click on profile at the bottom right side of the blog. You will find an email address I created for her.

Visit with the Oncologist

Sherida visited her oncologist today. He gave her some very potent drugs to help with the pain. On Wednesday she goes to MaKay-Dee hospital in Ogden on Wednesday for "Mapping" to determine which areas of her body needs radiaion. Leo will have radiation treatments in Logan to try to shrink the tumor on her back. The doctor gave her 2 IV's (one to strengthen the bones so they don't fracture as much) which should help. He also gave her a shot of Tomixifin to slow the cancer down (cancer is Estrogyn based and apparently is receptive to Tomixifin). They cannot do any chemotherapy until the radiation is done, so Sherida has time to think about if she wants it or not. The doctor emphasized that this is totally incurable, but he feels they could make her more comfortable and possibly lengthen her time somewhat (several months). They have to be careful getting her up so fractures are minimized, but she has to get up regularly because this illness is prone to clots. By getting her up, it minimizes the possiblity of a blood clot.

Sunday

Sherida was able to get up a couple times today; but without her brace, it was very painful.

On Monday, January 11, she has an appointment with the Oncologist to determine future treatment plans. I'll let you know as soo as I know. Keep her in your prayers as I know you will.

Hello and Welcome

If you are here it's probably because of your love and concern for Sherida. We hope this blog will be a good way to update you about Sherida's health. You will note as we go along that Sherida may be referred to as either Sherida or Leo. Family members call her Leo. The parents call her Sherry. The rest of you, well, you know her name.

As you are aware, we have received most sorrowful news concerning Leo. We still do not know the specifics of her disease. Check back frequently as we plan to post regular updates.

We know that Sherida has Metastatic Breast Cancer. Currently,her greatest source of pain is in her back. Yesterday, she was fitted with a body cast to add support to her back. Christy says she is already walking better. She tried to sleep with her brace and had an uncomfortable night.

That's all for today. We will know more next week.