Friday, October 18, 2013
One more thing.....
I forgot to let everyone know that my first MRI was great. No signs of re-occurrence!
It's FALL and I'm loving this weather!
Sorry it's been almost a month since my last post. Time just gets away from me.
Scott and I are both doing well. He had a doctor appointment yesterday and it was routine. He's scheduled for his next MRI November 16. He is doing work with Atlanta Structural and handling all of the rentals. He plays cards as often as he can and has enjoyed this beautiful weather and riding his Harley around locally.
I'm back to work in full swing. This is our busiest season and I am staying busy with that and even working some overtime when I feel like it.
We are thoroughly enjoying the hot tub, new deck and screen porch especially with the beautiful fall weather we are having.
I am handling my medication very well. I do have a few side effects but am working through them. I am under doctors orders to eat whatever I want (don't hate me) and I have gained about 12 lbs. since my surgery. It is so nice to be able to eat a meal without having an attack and sitting and enjoying time with Scott.
Once I have finished my cycles of medication at the end of November I hope to be able to have the re-section done by the end of the year and then I will really be on my road to recovery.
I am trying to relax on the weekends and have spent time working on some of my beaded bracelets. I think every nurse, tech, doctor, etc. at both Emory locations have one at this point. I just give them away. Please let me know if anyone wants one.
Hope everyone is doing well. Please stay in touch.
Love and prayers,
Sheryl
Scott and I are both doing well. He had a doctor appointment yesterday and it was routine. He's scheduled for his next MRI November 16. He is doing work with Atlanta Structural and handling all of the rentals. He plays cards as often as he can and has enjoyed this beautiful weather and riding his Harley around locally.
I'm back to work in full swing. This is our busiest season and I am staying busy with that and even working some overtime when I feel like it.
We are thoroughly enjoying the hot tub, new deck and screen porch especially with the beautiful fall weather we are having.
I am handling my medication very well. I do have a few side effects but am working through them. I am under doctors orders to eat whatever I want (don't hate me) and I have gained about 12 lbs. since my surgery. It is so nice to be able to eat a meal without having an attack and sitting and enjoying time with Scott.
Once I have finished my cycles of medication at the end of November I hope to be able to have the re-section done by the end of the year and then I will really be on my road to recovery.
I am trying to relax on the weekends and have spent time working on some of my beaded bracelets. I think every nurse, tech, doctor, etc. at both Emory locations have one at this point. I just give them away. Please let me know if anyone wants one.
Hope everyone is doing well. Please stay in touch.
Love and prayers,
Sheryl
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday September 16
I thought I was going to bed but I guess not. A friend just paid Scott and I a very nice compliment and I realized I haven't post since I have gone back to work.
Being back at work is great. I really missed my co-workers and I really do love being a benefits counselor. Scott says I'm in my realm because I get to talk all day, but it's really the pleasure of knowing I helped someone make the right decision when it comes to the complicated world of health insurance benefits.
I have had a few tiring days but for the most part I've done very well. Of course we've had other things going on too. We've finished the deck project and planted some bushes and plants this weekend with the help again of my sister Teresa, brother in law Steve, and nephew Tyler. I don't know what we would do without them! Everything looks great and we have already gotten our monies worth out of the hot tub, I love it!
Scott is doing good and I am glad we are finished so he can rest. He did way more on the deck project than he should have but that's his nature and it kept him busy.
I thank GOD everyday for all of our blessings even on the not so good days. The love and support from family and friends is over whelming and continues to help get us through.
Being back at work is great. I really missed my co-workers and I really do love being a benefits counselor. Scott says I'm in my realm because I get to talk all day, but it's really the pleasure of knowing I helped someone make the right decision when it comes to the complicated world of health insurance benefits.
I have had a few tiring days but for the most part I've done very well. Of course we've had other things going on too. We've finished the deck project and planted some bushes and plants this weekend with the help again of my sister Teresa, brother in law Steve, and nephew Tyler. I don't know what we would do without them! Everything looks great and we have already gotten our monies worth out of the hot tub, I love it!
Scott is doing good and I am glad we are finished so he can rest. He did way more on the deck project than he should have but that's his nature and it kept him busy.
I thank GOD everyday for all of our blessings even on the not so good days. The love and support from family and friends is over whelming and continues to help get us through.
Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Short and sweet tonight but I'm tired and going to bed. In the words of my loving mother, at least for now.... "I'm out of here".
Love to all,
Sheryl
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Happy Thursday Everyone!
It's a beautiful morning! I've been up for several hours just doing misc. things around the house. It is wonderful to be able to do them again! I don't think I have ever taken anything for granted but I certainly never will again. Just having the strength to do housework, run errands, feel like eating, these are all normal everyday things but not to some and certainly not to me before and right after my surgery.
I return to work next Tuesday. I am looking forward to getting back in to the swing of things there and really want to have an awesome 4th quarter! My co-workers know what that means. I was having an awesome 1st quarter until I had to leave for surgery.
Scott and I still have our many endeavors, Scott does an awesome job with our Property Management Company and our rentals, he is doing work for his company Atlanta Structural, and still overseeing our "to do" list here. The hot tub should go in this afternoon.
The real estate market seems to be making a come back and I have been working on some things with that while I've had some down time at home. I am still actively working real estate and would love to help anyone wanting to buy or sell a home. I love showing houses and finding my clients the one that "fits" for them!
Please continue to keep Scott and I in your prayers. I feel those prayers everyday and know the LORD has more in store for us.
Love and prayers to all!
Sheryl
I return to work next Tuesday. I am looking forward to getting back in to the swing of things there and really want to have an awesome 4th quarter! My co-workers know what that means. I was having an awesome 1st quarter until I had to leave for surgery.
Scott and I still have our many endeavors, Scott does an awesome job with our Property Management Company and our rentals, he is doing work for his company Atlanta Structural, and still overseeing our "to do" list here. The hot tub should go in this afternoon.
The real estate market seems to be making a come back and I have been working on some things with that while I've had some down time at home. I am still actively working real estate and would love to help anyone wanting to buy or sell a home. I love showing houses and finding my clients the one that "fits" for them!
Please continue to keep Scott and I in your prayers. I feel those prayers everyday and know the LORD has more in store for us.
Love and prayers to all!
Sheryl
Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Beautiful Saturday Morning!
It's nice and cool here this morning. Scott isn't up yet and I've just been piddling around the house. We got the furniture moved back onto the screen porch so I can sit out there and enjoy GOD's beauty.
Scott's had a good week. He's been able to do a couple of Atlanta Structural jobs plus meet with contractors on some of the finishing touches on our screen porch/deck project.
Hopefully the hot tub will be moved out of the garage and onto the deck this week and we still have to pick some soft lighting to go under the deck rails. The hot tub is going to be wonderful, Scott's doctor has already told him it will be wonderful for him and I just love relaxing in the tub every night so the hot tub is going to be wonderful. We had some furniture given to us by a good friend and I bought new cushions so we can get those set up as well.
We are looking for a new grill. Ours is old and isn't going back on the new deck. Anybody have a brand they really like?
I've had a good week as well. This is my week to not take my meds so it gives my body a break from the side effects. I've had a headache every afternoon which I am sure is sinuses but other than that, it's been great.
I'm looking forward to returning to work in a week. I've found some clothes that fit and re-arranged out walk in closet (totally confused Scott) so I'm ready to go.
I've had time to work on some scrapbooking, made some more bracelets, cleaned and organized the house, (those of you that know me well, know that's constant with me), worked on some real estate marketing ideas, and also read my Kindle.
Life is good and GOD is great! Take time to appreciate what you have, love the people in your lives and thank GOD everyday.
Prayers for those less fortunate and our country!
Sheryl
Scott's had a good week. He's been able to do a couple of Atlanta Structural jobs plus meet with contractors on some of the finishing touches on our screen porch/deck project.
Hopefully the hot tub will be moved out of the garage and onto the deck this week and we still have to pick some soft lighting to go under the deck rails. The hot tub is going to be wonderful, Scott's doctor has already told him it will be wonderful for him and I just love relaxing in the tub every night so the hot tub is going to be wonderful. We had some furniture given to us by a good friend and I bought new cushions so we can get those set up as well.
We are looking for a new grill. Ours is old and isn't going back on the new deck. Anybody have a brand they really like?
I've had a good week as well. This is my week to not take my meds so it gives my body a break from the side effects. I've had a headache every afternoon which I am sure is sinuses but other than that, it's been great.
I'm looking forward to returning to work in a week. I've found some clothes that fit and re-arranged out walk in closet (totally confused Scott) so I'm ready to go.
I've had time to work on some scrapbooking, made some more bracelets, cleaned and organized the house, (those of you that know me well, know that's constant with me), worked on some real estate marketing ideas, and also read my Kindle.
Life is good and GOD is great! Take time to appreciate what you have, love the people in your lives and thank GOD everyday.
Prayers for those less fortunate and our country!
Sheryl
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
You're kidding right?
I'm not real good at expressing myself in writing. Words come out the way I talk and don't always make sense but I'm going to give this a try.
As most of you know in November of 2011 Scott was diagnosed with Renal (kidney) cancer. It had already spread to the bone in his hips. He had his right kidney removed and then for the next year underwent multiple treatments. His blog is scottsjourneyandrecovery@blogspot.com but he hasn't posted any updates in a while. 2012 was a blur but we made it through and he's a rock and is stable at the moment. He continues to do as much as he can, working, play cards, projects around the house, and riding his Harley whenever possible.
So now to me. Even before Scott was diagnosed I started having trouble with my stomach. I've always had a little nervous stomach and just kept thinking things would get better. I self diagnosed myself (bad idea) with IBS because of my symptoms. This went on for over 2 years (bad idea). My symptoms continued to get worse and I lost about 40 lbs. during all of this time. I had been scheduled for a colonoscopy just before Scott was diagnosed and I cancelled it thinking it would make my upset stomach even worse (another bad idea), then Scott was diagnosed and I just kept dealing with the symptoms.
Fast forward to 2013. In February I finally had the colonoscopy or at least tried to. They found a tumor in my colorectal area and couldn't get past it with the scope to complete the colonoscopy. Needless to say this was surreal to both Scott and me. I immediately switched all of my care to Emory Winship Cancer Center. That's where Scott is being treated and if you have to deal with Cancer I sincerely believe it's the best place in Georgia to be. So now we're driving to Emory for me and not Scott, he's the one sitting in the waiting room while I have MRI's, CT's, labs, etc. Again surreal!
Treatment Plan: I started radiation in late March. 28 treatments for about 10 seconds, 5 days a week. I was also taking an oral medication. Once I completed treatments I waited about 6 weeks to give my body time to recover before having the surgery to remove the tumor.
On June 19 I had surgery to remove the tumor. It was successful (all tumor removed) and nothing showed up in any of the 16 lymph nodes they tested. Now it's time to recover..... well not so fast. My surgery was major (over 7 hours) and that takes a lot out of you. My surgeon is Dr. Marie Russell, and she is awesome. Of all the doctors I have dealt with at Emory she is my favorite. All of a sudden you don't have energy for even little things. I spent 5 days in the hospital and then went home to recover. The type of surgery I had calls for what they call a resection of the colon and area that was removed. They need to give that area time to heal so they do what's called an Ileostomy. (I'll let you look that up if you want more specifics.) My type of Cancer also calls for additional treatments after surgery to give me the best chance of no re-occurrence. I started taking the same oral medication, Xeloda August 6, that I took during the radiation just at a higher dose. I seem to tolerate it well with very few side effects. I will take it for 4 months, 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Once I have completed the treatments I wait about 6 weeks (again to give my body time to recover) and then I have the surgery to remove the Ileostomy and connect my colon back. Boy all of that's a mouthful right....... Then I should really be on my road to recovery.
When you hear someone has cancer, unless you have been through it yourself or know someone personally who has, you really have no idea what they are going through.
The patient and their caregiver have to keep going..... work, shopping, cleaning, daily functions, family and friends, trying to be as normal as possible while dealing with everything that is involved with a serious illness. When both you and your spouse have Cancer, well you say a lot of prayers, know GOD has a sense of humor, and walk through it day by day.
While I was out of work and Scott was to be home with me.... let me back up for a second... my sister Teresa spent 10 days with us. From the night of my surgery until Friday June 28 when she went home, she didn't leave my side, she stayed with me nights at the hospital and came home with Scott and I to help take care of me. She was a life saver! She took care of things I couldn't during those first 2 weeks! I love you sis!
So while I was going to be out of work and we were both going to be around the house, Scott and I decided before my surgery that we would have our much awaited new deck built. Most of you know we bought a 1978 2 story brick traditional 15 years ago that had had no updates done to it and we have spent most of the last 15 years renovating it. Completely renovated basement, new kitchen (for someone who doesn't cook much) but the kitchen is beautiful, opened up walls, hardwoods, slate in kitchen, renovated bathrooms, etc. etc. Our last big project was a patio with a beautiful stone seat wall and swing under the screen porch. Then last year (during Scott's treatments) we put a trey ceiling in our master bedroom and finished off with a sitting area (removed closets) and built in's for the DVD's and my scrapbooking and bead projects, finished off with a nice flat screen so we have plenty of floor space in the bedroom now. My brother in law Steve and nephew Tyler took direction from Scott and did an awesome job on that project!
So now back to the deck.... They started work on the deck the day after I came home from the hospital. Tore the old deck off in no time and started on the new. While we were at it Scott had the bright idea to increase the size of our screen porch. This is an awesome idea because we and the cats really enjoy the screen porch. Did I mention the deck is almost twice the size of the old one?
Now as most of you know Scott is a Structural Engineer , go Georgia Tech! and a bit of a control nut. I may have the only deck in Cobb County that is built strictly to code! The project has taken longer than anticipated (always with any renovation project) but it is almost done! We still have a few finishing things to do and we have had a brand new hot tub sitting in our garage for over a year that I can't wait to enjoy! Doing this project was a little stressful at times, all the rain didn't help and getting contractors, for screens, gutters, electrical, etc. to show up is always a challenge but Scott took most of it in stride. He was very hands on during this project and it kept him occupied while he needed to stay close to me. I will post pictures later.....
I return to work September 3. I am stronger than before my surgery, appetite is much better, and I am looking forward to getting back to my normal routine. Not sure when my last surgery for the resection will be, at the very end of the year or maybe even January. I will be out a couple of weeks with that and then really should be on my road to recovery......
So, there's a lot to read here I know. Some of this pertains to Cancer and some of the things a person deals with and some of it is personal regarding Scott and myself. If you want to share with anyone you think it might help please feel to do so.
In ending for now.... colon cancer is a very curable disease especially when caught early, do I wish I hadn't cancelled that colonoscopy in 2011? maybe, but then we might have been dealing with Scott and me at the same time and maybe that was more than GOD thought we could handle at the time. I do highly recommend NOT to self diagnose yourself, especially when symptoms of any kind linger for too long.
Questions, comments, please let me know.
Love and prayers to all,
Sheryl
As most of you know in November of 2011 Scott was diagnosed with Renal (kidney) cancer. It had already spread to the bone in his hips. He had his right kidney removed and then for the next year underwent multiple treatments. His blog is scottsjourneyandrecovery@blogspot.com but he hasn't posted any updates in a while. 2012 was a blur but we made it through and he's a rock and is stable at the moment. He continues to do as much as he can, working, play cards, projects around the house, and riding his Harley whenever possible.
So now to me. Even before Scott was diagnosed I started having trouble with my stomach. I've always had a little nervous stomach and just kept thinking things would get better. I self diagnosed myself (bad idea) with IBS because of my symptoms. This went on for over 2 years (bad idea). My symptoms continued to get worse and I lost about 40 lbs. during all of this time. I had been scheduled for a colonoscopy just before Scott was diagnosed and I cancelled it thinking it would make my upset stomach even worse (another bad idea), then Scott was diagnosed and I just kept dealing with the symptoms.
Fast forward to 2013. In February I finally had the colonoscopy or at least tried to. They found a tumor in my colorectal area and couldn't get past it with the scope to complete the colonoscopy. Needless to say this was surreal to both Scott and me. I immediately switched all of my care to Emory Winship Cancer Center. That's where Scott is being treated and if you have to deal with Cancer I sincerely believe it's the best place in Georgia to be. So now we're driving to Emory for me and not Scott, he's the one sitting in the waiting room while I have MRI's, CT's, labs, etc. Again surreal!
Treatment Plan: I started radiation in late March. 28 treatments for about 10 seconds, 5 days a week. I was also taking an oral medication. Once I completed treatments I waited about 6 weeks to give my body time to recover before having the surgery to remove the tumor.
On June 19 I had surgery to remove the tumor. It was successful (all tumor removed) and nothing showed up in any of the 16 lymph nodes they tested. Now it's time to recover..... well not so fast. My surgery was major (over 7 hours) and that takes a lot out of you. My surgeon is Dr. Marie Russell, and she is awesome. Of all the doctors I have dealt with at Emory she is my favorite. All of a sudden you don't have energy for even little things. I spent 5 days in the hospital and then went home to recover. The type of surgery I had calls for what they call a resection of the colon and area that was removed. They need to give that area time to heal so they do what's called an Ileostomy. (I'll let you look that up if you want more specifics.) My type of Cancer also calls for additional treatments after surgery to give me the best chance of no re-occurrence. I started taking the same oral medication, Xeloda August 6, that I took during the radiation just at a higher dose. I seem to tolerate it well with very few side effects. I will take it for 4 months, 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Once I have completed the treatments I wait about 6 weeks (again to give my body time to recover) and then I have the surgery to remove the Ileostomy and connect my colon back. Boy all of that's a mouthful right....... Then I should really be on my road to recovery.
When you hear someone has cancer, unless you have been through it yourself or know someone personally who has, you really have no idea what they are going through.
The patient and their caregiver have to keep going..... work, shopping, cleaning, daily functions, family and friends, trying to be as normal as possible while dealing with everything that is involved with a serious illness. When both you and your spouse have Cancer, well you say a lot of prayers, know GOD has a sense of humor, and walk through it day by day.
While I was out of work and Scott was to be home with me.... let me back up for a second... my sister Teresa spent 10 days with us. From the night of my surgery until Friday June 28 when she went home, she didn't leave my side, she stayed with me nights at the hospital and came home with Scott and I to help take care of me. She was a life saver! She took care of things I couldn't during those first 2 weeks! I love you sis!
So while I was going to be out of work and we were both going to be around the house, Scott and I decided before my surgery that we would have our much awaited new deck built. Most of you know we bought a 1978 2 story brick traditional 15 years ago that had had no updates done to it and we have spent most of the last 15 years renovating it. Completely renovated basement, new kitchen (for someone who doesn't cook much) but the kitchen is beautiful, opened up walls, hardwoods, slate in kitchen, renovated bathrooms, etc. etc. Our last big project was a patio with a beautiful stone seat wall and swing under the screen porch. Then last year (during Scott's treatments) we put a trey ceiling in our master bedroom and finished off with a sitting area (removed closets) and built in's for the DVD's and my scrapbooking and bead projects, finished off with a nice flat screen so we have plenty of floor space in the bedroom now. My brother in law Steve and nephew Tyler took direction from Scott and did an awesome job on that project!
So now back to the deck.... They started work on the deck the day after I came home from the hospital. Tore the old deck off in no time and started on the new. While we were at it Scott had the bright idea to increase the size of our screen porch. This is an awesome idea because we and the cats really enjoy the screen porch. Did I mention the deck is almost twice the size of the old one?
Now as most of you know Scott is a Structural Engineer , go Georgia Tech! and a bit of a control nut. I may have the only deck in Cobb County that is built strictly to code! The project has taken longer than anticipated (always with any renovation project) but it is almost done! We still have a few finishing things to do and we have had a brand new hot tub sitting in our garage for over a year that I can't wait to enjoy! Doing this project was a little stressful at times, all the rain didn't help and getting contractors, for screens, gutters, electrical, etc. to show up is always a challenge but Scott took most of it in stride. He was very hands on during this project and it kept him occupied while he needed to stay close to me. I will post pictures later.....
I return to work September 3. I am stronger than before my surgery, appetite is much better, and I am looking forward to getting back to my normal routine. Not sure when my last surgery for the resection will be, at the very end of the year or maybe even January. I will be out a couple of weeks with that and then really should be on my road to recovery......
So, there's a lot to read here I know. Some of this pertains to Cancer and some of the things a person deals with and some of it is personal regarding Scott and myself. If you want to share with anyone you think it might help please feel to do so.
In ending for now.... colon cancer is a very curable disease especially when caught early, do I wish I hadn't cancelled that colonoscopy in 2011? maybe, but then we might have been dealing with Scott and me at the same time and maybe that was more than GOD thought we could handle at the time. I do highly recommend NOT to self diagnose yourself, especially when symptoms of any kind linger for too long.
Questions, comments, please let me know.
Love and prayers to all,
Sheryl
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