Dear Guru, Family, and Friends:After much deliberation, I have decided not to go to MD Anderson in Houston. I will begin chemotherapy tomorrow and I am ready to be Warrior Woman (name given by my dear friend Stephen Pappas.) My hero is my cousin Dr. Alan Pawlow who was able to speak to my oncologist and then assure me that I am making the right decision by not waiting any longer to begin chemo. I feel a huge weight has been lifted and now I can concentrate on the healing. So once again thank you everyone for the wonderful energy and healing light you are sending me. My little fairy G-d child Zoe Jayne told me to kick the germs in the butt. So watch out cancer. I plan on winning this battle..
Tomorrow Roberta and Michelle will go to Chemo with me. Corey is eager to be with me too, but he will take the evening shift.
Thats about it for now. I will have Corey update in the next few days.
With love and gratitude,
Sharon
Monday, June 25, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
what's going on
I gave Corey the day off, so I am back. I thought that yesterday we would be completely settled and have made an informed decision about chemotherapy, but unfortuately, the day did not go as smootlhy as planned. I have been diagnosed with bile duct cancer that has spread as you know into the liver. Although there is a lesion in the pancreas, I am no longer diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Corey has worked with MD Anderson for me and although they have come up with the same basic diagnosis, they can not see me until JUly 3rd. Then they have to repeat the same tests. I just don't think my body can wait to begin chemo. I feel it will take them two weeks of testing and by that time my "numbers" could be a lot worse.
So I will probably start chemo on Tuesday. The cycle will be first week two types of chemo that will be given over a 3-4 hour time frame. I was told that my hair will thin (hmmm) and that I will probably feel pretty sick to my stomach for the next three days. The next two weeks of chemo consist of only one of the drugs and takes about one hour to administer.On week four I get a break (maybe a good time to travel) and then we repeat the cycle. So I figure if I have 3 or 4 bad days out fo 28, not so bad. After 8 weeks, another cat scan. I wonder if I''ll have to drink that barium again. ugh!
The chemo is held at the oncologists office. There's a big room where everyone is together. You can have up to two visitors during chemo. Many people seem to be eating lunch and there were a lot of McDonalds bags. (I guess they don't know that food could make them really sick)
So now that we know what is going to happen, I am asking that our conversations become more positive. Answering all the questions about the cancer. has been draining. At this point I want to focus on getting healthy and maintaining a positive attitude. Even if I did not answer everything you wanted to know, please try not to ask me.
i am so grateful I have been blessed by your love and friendship. Thank you my dear friends, and family for being here for me.
I will write one more time when chemo begins and then i think we can go back to life before the diagnosis.
Love to all,
Sharon
Corey has worked with MD Anderson for me and although they have come up with the same basic diagnosis, they can not see me until JUly 3rd. Then they have to repeat the same tests. I just don't think my body can wait to begin chemo. I feel it will take them two weeks of testing and by that time my "numbers" could be a lot worse.
So I will probably start chemo on Tuesday. The cycle will be first week two types of chemo that will be given over a 3-4 hour time frame. I was told that my hair will thin (hmmm) and that I will probably feel pretty sick to my stomach for the next three days. The next two weeks of chemo consist of only one of the drugs and takes about one hour to administer.On week four I get a break (maybe a good time to travel) and then we repeat the cycle. So I figure if I have 3 or 4 bad days out fo 28, not so bad. After 8 weeks, another cat scan. I wonder if I''ll have to drink that barium again. ugh!
The chemo is held at the oncologists office. There's a big room where everyone is together. You can have up to two visitors during chemo. Many people seem to be eating lunch and there were a lot of McDonalds bags. (I guess they don't know that food could make them really sick)
So now that we know what is going to happen, I am asking that our conversations become more positive. Answering all the questions about the cancer. has been draining. At this point I want to focus on getting healthy and maintaining a positive attitude. Even if I did not answer everything you wanted to know, please try not to ask me.
i am so grateful I have been blessed by your love and friendship. Thank you my dear friends, and family for being here for me.
I will write one more time when chemo begins and then i think we can go back to life before the diagnosis.
Love to all,
Sharon
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Visit to the oncologist
Hi, this is Corey. I'm writing for my Mom because she's a little drained at the moment. Today we visited the oncologist at Northwestern. Here's the skinny: we still do not know the primary type of cancer. It's possibly in the gall bladder or the bile ducts (which is in the same area). However, the treatment options are pretty much the same.
The doctor did a blood test and we will get results tomorrow. The test should show us how Mom's liver is functioning. She had the same test 2 weeks ago when we last saw the oncologist. If there's a change in the results that means that the liver is deteriorating and Mom would start chemo immediately at Northwestern and we would not go to MD Anderson in Houston, where Mom currently has an appointment scheduled for July 3rd. However, if there's no change in the test results, Mom will consider whether or not to go to Anderson. Whether to go to Anderson is a difficult decision and Mom is still processing today's information.
Mom is handling this pretty well, but it is a bit overwhelming. Actually, that's partly why she's been sending e-mail updates...so she doesn't have to keep answering the same questions and repeating the same story. We certainly realize that people are making inquiries because they are concerned (and we are appreciative for all of the love and support), but it's very draining nonetheless. She promises to write more when she gets more information.
Mom sends her love to all.
The doctor did a blood test and we will get results tomorrow. The test should show us how Mom's liver is functioning. She had the same test 2 weeks ago when we last saw the oncologist. If there's a change in the results that means that the liver is deteriorating and Mom would start chemo immediately at Northwestern and we would not go to MD Anderson in Houston, where Mom currently has an appointment scheduled for July 3rd. However, if there's no change in the test results, Mom will consider whether or not to go to Anderson. Whether to go to Anderson is a difficult decision and Mom is still processing today's information.
Mom is handling this pretty well, but it is a bit overwhelming. Actually, that's partly why she's been sending e-mail updates...so she doesn't have to keep answering the same questions and repeating the same story. We certainly realize that people are making inquiries because they are concerned (and we are appreciative for all of the love and support), but it's very draining nonetheless. She promises to write more when she gets more information.
Mom sends her love to all.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
The latest and greatest...
Hi, this is Corey. Some of you know me better as the first-born and/or the favorite child. Anyhow, I'm pinch-hitting for my Mom because she's a little groggy at the moment. Mom just got back from having a colonoscopy and she was put under for the procedure. I'm pleased to report that everything went well. They didn't find anything, which is certainly a relief. On Monday Mom is scheduled to have a test called a PET scan, which is sort of like a full body CAT scan. The PET scan should indicate exactly where the cancer is.
Mom had an appointment with an oncologist at the University of Chicago scheduled for Tuesday. However, she's cancelled that appointment, pending the outcome of the PET scan. We're still anxious to hear from Houston. Mom's case has been assigned a nurse named Sarah, who has been very good about giving us feedback. Unfortunately, she doesn't know when we'll be able to make an appointment. Sarah has led us to believe that we should know more tomorrow. We have our fingers crossed.
Otherwise, Mom remains in good spirits. She is extremely appreciative of the many cards and letters that you have sent. The outpouring of love and concern has been overwhelming and Mom, Michelle and I are incredibly grateful.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers.
Corey
Mom had an appointment with an oncologist at the University of Chicago scheduled for Tuesday. However, she's cancelled that appointment, pending the outcome of the PET scan. We're still anxious to hear from Houston. Mom's case has been assigned a nurse named Sarah, who has been very good about giving us feedback. Unfortunately, she doesn't know when we'll be able to make an appointment. Sarah has led us to believe that we should know more tomorrow. We have our fingers crossed.
Otherwise, Mom remains in good spirits. She is extremely appreciative of the many cards and letters that you have sent. The outpouring of love and concern has been overwhelming and Mom, Michelle and I are incredibly grateful.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers.
Corey
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