Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Gratitude...and an update


Hello, my friends. It's been a while since my last post bearing news about my breast cancer diagnosis. So much has happened since then. It's been rough -- still is -- but I can say so many good things have happened too...things I am thankful and grateful for. Because when I found myself in a truly dark place, I held on to the belief that I'd eventually see light and happiness again. And that when I was faced with my mortality, I learned to give up all control and be completely dependent on Jesus, the only one I truly believe can heal me. Every day continues to be a struggle but in the weeks after my diagnosis, I have been waking up thankful to God that I am alive and given another chance to be in the moment with my children and my husband, to make memories with them.

The photo collage of my girls and me...we took those photos last June 24, on the fourth day after my third chemotherapy. They took me out on a walk down our long driveway...we call our walks "mommy and daughters time". My oncologist put me on a dose-dense chemo treatment -- every 2 weeks beginning May 23. My hair started falling off on day 12 and I just went ahead and shaved it all off on a few days later. I didn't tolerate the first two chemo treatments well. I was fine the first two days and then I was pretty much useless starting on the third day. I had severe nausea, was barely able to get up and function and take care of my children, and I mainly subsisted on water and fruit juice. I barely ate that between my first chemo and third chemo, I had lost over 20 pounds. Then on my third chemo treatment last June 21, my oncologist lowered my dose by 20% (without reducing the efficacy of the drugs) to see if it would help manage the side effects and it seemed to do the trick. I have been able to eat full meals, spend more time with my girls, and go out on more walks with them like in the photos. I have gained a bit of weight as well. My fourth chemo will be on July 5 (on my birthday), followed by a mastectomy within 6-8 weeks, followed by 12 more weekly chemo treatments, and then hormone therapy for the long term.

My breast cancer was initially staged at Stage IIB, but a PET scan indicated it metastasized to my right pelvis. And so my cancer was upstaged to Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I had a bone biopsy done but it was inconclusive and my oncologist thinks another bone biopsy will simply yield the same result and so even without definitive result, he is continuing to treat my cancer as Stage 4...unless somewhere down the line we are able to determine if the lesion in my pelvis is not cancer. My treatment plan is palliative at this point -- the goal is to slow down the cancer's growth and keep it from spreading so I can focus on my quality of life.

And so it looks like things are not going to be back to normal around here for a while. I do wish to keep the store open, and continue to be part of the crafting community, no matter how small a part that is -- so I can still feel some sense of normalcy. The store is a source of income for my family; the bills don't stop coming just because I have cancer, and any kind of sale, no matter how small, helps.

The last couple of months we have been blessed so much with family, friends, and church family coming together to help us -- whether it's taking me to my appointments, watching and taking care of my girls for a few hours, bringing us food, donating gift cards and/or money to help ease our financial burdens, and so on. My family and I are not able to weather this time without the kindness and generosity of others.

Thank you to those of you who prayed, continue to pray, sent words of encouragements, mailed cards, and continued to support STAMPlorations up until the time I temporarily closed the store for orders. I have partially re-opened it, albeit it's set up in a way that orders can go out within a reasonable length of time and so that my husband can take over shipping when I'm unable to. If you have the time, please do check out our store. There are a few things in there that are available on sale, and I'll keep adding as I have the energy to do so. Please know that however way you support us -- through prayers, by helping spread the word about our small company, through our Meal Train page, by placing an order, or by donating directly I am eternally grateful for your help and generosity.

Faith has sustained me, and I continue to hope that the Lord will see me and my family through our cancer journey.

Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

With love,

26 comments:

  1. You've been in my thoughts, Shery. Love seeing these sweet pictures of you & your girls. I pray God gives you many wonderful moments with your beautiful family. None of us know how long we have, so must live each day to the full. Sending love, Greta

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    1. Thank you, Greta. Jesus is my source of comfort and I am ever grateful that He continues to give me time with my family.

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  2. Love getting an update about you! Hoping you can enjoy all your time with your family and friends.
    Carla from Arizona

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    1. Thank you, Carla. I hope to share our journey as I'm able, and I am thankful to friends like you who care :-)

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  3. Oh Shery - what a witness and encouragement your faith is. I will continue to pray.
    Hugs and prayers
    Maxine

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    1. Thank you so much for praying for us, Maxine! I believe in the power of prayer and have been so blessed so much by friends who keep praying for us.

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  4. I have thought of you so many times, and have prayed for you and your family. Jesus will continue to get you through this....I am so happy to have read that you are feeling better. I hope that you will, when you are up to it, let us know how you are doing every now and then. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

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    1. Your prayers help so much, Sharon. I will share more as I'm able - likely in again in August after my surgery - and I'm thankful for friends like you who are keeping us in prayer! God bless you and your family.

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  5. Hi Shery, I was thinking of you. I am glad you feel better. Keep your faith to Jesus and I am sure he will help you. Take care. I will pray for you. Sending you a huge from Greece.

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    1. Thank you, Mia. It's great to be able to eat like a normal person again ;o) Thank you for your prayers!

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  6. Thank you for sharing your update with us. I'm glad the doctor adjusted your chemo treatment and that it helped with the side effects. You and your family are in my thoughts!

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    1. Thank you, Denise. My girls were especially happy when I wasn't a vegetable the fourth day after my last chemo :o) I'm happy too because I miss eating lol

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  7. Thank you so much for the update about you! So glad the doc was able to adjust your chemo treatment and allow you to enjoy all your time with your family and friends.

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    1. Thank you, Meghan. Yes, adjusting the treatment really helped. I had lost a lot of muscle mass and really need to continue getting some sort of exercise (even if it's slow walking) daily.

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  8. Thanks for the update. I'm glad that your chemo meds were adjusted so that you feel better and can enjoy your walks with your girls. I will to continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, Dawn. Going out on walks with my girls (even in the hot California weather) is one of the things I look forward to every day and I am glad I'm able to do that.

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  9. Hi, Shery! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord bless you with his love and comfort. May He give your oncologist wisdom in his treatment and care for you as you go through this journey.

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    1. Thank you for praying for us, Joy. I am thankful to God for putting together a good medical team for me -- my surgeon and oncologist are the best in our area...everyone who hears about them tell me I'm in great hands.

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  10. Continued Prayers for you and the family!

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  11. Oh what beautiful photos of you and your girls. Thank you for the update as you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad you find comfort and strength in your faith and have a wonderful network of support.

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    1. Thank you for praying for us, Dana. I am very blessed indeed to have a wonderful support network.

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  12. It is so good to see an update from you, Shery. I have prayed for you and your young family many times, and I know God hears our prayers. The photos of you and your girls are beautiful! I'm glad to read that you have a lot of support and also relieved that you are able to enjoy more of your time now that your chemo has been modified. I will continue praying for you. Thank you for sharing what is ahead for you. Remember you are strong and can get through this. Sending hugs and comfort, along with my prayers.

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    1. Kitty, so many big and little miracles have happened since my diagnosis -- they're a testament to God's powers and how He hears our prayers. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for us. God bless you!

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  13. May the blessings continue, Shery! As always, sending prayers and love your way! Said it before and will say it again: your faith, perseverance, resilience and strength will see you through!
    Mega hugs~c

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