And you thought I wasn’t posting today...
I publish my blog on Wednesdays and Wednesdays are also chemo days. So I will continue to publish on Wednesdays, but the blog may be a little late, depending on what time my chemo appointments are.
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It is time for an update.
I know I need to update everyone because I’ve recycled several old blogs and many of you have asked about how things are going and how I am feeling. Medically, things were running smoothy. My medical team was hitting the growth on my pancreas hard and it did itss work. However, on September 10, we hit a little snag. There’s a test called Carbohydrate Antigen (CA) 19-9 that counts wonky cells in your body. The normal count is less than 37 U/mL. On September 10, my reading was 3,682. Cancer cells were coming from somewhere else. More scans were done, and it was discovered a lesion on my liver had decided to show off.
This was terrifying, to say the least. However, my medical team is wonderful. Consults were made. Meds were changed. Instead of nine-hour chemo sessions every other week, I now have two weeks of chemo and then a week off. I don’t have to haul a chemo pump home with me. On a good news/bad news scale, the bad news is this new chemo makes me more nauseous. The good news is there’s meds for that and they work wonderfully. And the even better-than-that news is when the med team ran the CA 19-9 this week, it dropped to 1381. I may be sick as the proverbial dog, but things are looking up!
I will continue this regimen at least through the end of October.
I am so thankful for modern medical technology. I am so thankful for my husband who has been my absolute rock since day one. I am so thankful for my kids who call or text daily to check on me. I am so thankful for my brother, who is a cancer survivor himself, for being such a great cancer coach. I am thankful for my guild members who have “baby sat” me to give Bill a break, brought food, beautiful flowers, and helped in so many ways. And I’m thankful for all my readers who have messaged me offering words of encouragement and love and most of all prayers.
Cancer is not a sprint. It is a marathon.
And just for a chuckle — the funniest thing that has happened on this journey? I was in the middle of a PET scan at the hospital, and the fire alarm went off. Could only happen to me.
I also have an addendum to add to the blog I wrote about non-quilty, quilting tools. If you’re looking for some simple applique shapes, try cookie cutters:
They’re easy to trace around, and the shapes aren’t complicated. I have a biscuit cutter set which ranges from super small circles to large ones. It’s come in pretty handy through the years for tracing circles.
Until Next Week,
Love and Stitches,
Sherri and Felix.
16 replies on “Update and an Addendum”
We will continue to read and also to ask how you’re doing. Love you, my friend.
Love you, too!!!!
I’m a fairly new quilter and haven’t been on the mailing list long, so I find your recycled posts educational. Sometimes I look back at old posts if I think of a topic you might have addressed, but your recycled posts are new to me. Keep on keeping on!
Thank you Sue! Welcome to the quilting family! Can I ask a favor from you? If there’s a topic you’d like for me to explore and can’t find it in my past blogs, could you let me know? I’m always looking for topics!
Hey, sweetie. I keep up with you through Eric. He told me how sick you’ve been so I didn’t want you to feel like you had to answer me. Just know that I love you and pray for you every day. Your quilting guild sounds wonderful, and I thank them for helping you and Bill. I still enjoy your blogs even though I don’t know anything about quilting. So glad those numbers came down quickly. Take care. Your SC relatives send love and prayers to all. Aunt Linda ❤️🙏
Thank you Aunt Linda. You should know I have a series of blogs directed to beginner quilters you may want to take a look at…who knows? You may want to make a quilt! Love you!
Dear Sherri! I thought if you yesterday and was praying for you 💖 may the Lord continue to sustain you and heal you completely.
Thank you! Please keep praying.
Praying, wishing and hoping for all good reports. Keep fighting the fight my friend, you have so much to do yet. I’m proud of you. Trudi
Thank you so much Trudy!! Keep praying!
We are all glad to get an update and how you are truly doing! Keep us all posted from everything going on – from A to Z. I am always sending positive vibes and hope you find strength in all your blog buddies.
I have used holiday cookie cutters in the past, and I used a pretty large gingerbread man over and over again. I think the most common source is coloring books, and they aren’t just for kids any more! I was able to trace a stocking, make my ‘new and improved’ version, and then print it. I swear I changed the new and improved version constantly.
Best to you and your family. Big hug {{{ }}}
I promise I’ll keep you posted. Keep those positive vibes coming!!
I’ve used coloring books, too. They are also a great resource.
Sherri, so glad you have a great medical team as well as supportive family and friends who have your back. One day at a time.
You’re exactly right. One day at a time.
Sherri you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. So glad you have such a great support team. Sending hugs.
Thank you !