Important Update

I wish that this post was a continuation of  happy news, but unfortunately another challenge has been thrown Sheri's way.  Her father was admitted to Mercy Hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing. In addition to the acute situation, it appears he may have primary lung cancer.  There is a plan to undergo surgery once he can tolerate it; that will happen here.

Needless to say, this is quite a shock.  Sheri is trying to pinpoint what would be helpful in the way of support; once I hear from her I will let you know.  Thankfully, her last text to me said that Jim was doing much better and that there is a great game plan for whatever happens.

Please keep the entire family in your prayers.

~Bess

Begin With The End In Mind

When I first read Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I had a bit of an out-of-body experience.  I was immersed in a celebratory Outward Bound-esque trip in honor of my husband's 40th birthday. We were scuba diving and cave spelunking and exploring and otherwise testing our physical selves in Belize. I was in grad school at the time, and while I was able to leave a lot of my every day life behind me on this trip, my homework came along for the ride.

So maybe it was the intoxicating balmy breezes, or the exotic food, or the Mayan temples, or the serene ocean animals, or the bright display of color and sound, but I found the ideas in this book to be electric.  And although I don't remember every detail of this work (having passed 40 myself some years ago), a good bit has stayed with me.

Habit 2 is Begin With the End in Mind.  Covey explains:


Habit 2 is based on imagination--the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes. It is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don't make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default.


I'm pretty certain that Covey was not envisioning a battle with cancer when he wrote about this approach, and it certainly is not appropriate or fair to suggest that someone facing a physical monster just needs to "mentally create" wellness.  But when I read those words recently they made me think of Sheri  -- because she has been so purposeful in this process; so focused on getting where she needed and wanted to be; so clear about what is important to her. 

Once Sheri texted about her sweet boys, and said "I am fighting for them and it might sound weird  . . . but it is comforting to know that the person I want to be, for the most part, is the person I am."  And that is why we love her so much.  She is exactly who she is meant to be and that shines through even in the most challenging times. 

And she has reason to celebrate this week:

I am SO happy to report that this week marked THE END of her hard chemo treatments!!  

After so many weeks of hard work, after surgery and sickness, and after grappling with a "new normal," Sheri has completed this important part of her plan.  I am so proud of her and of her family. 

There will be a continuation of treatment that will not be as difficult as what she has just finished.She will have Taxal the next two Tuesdays, and then get a month off.  After a CT scan she will then have Avastin once every three weeks by infusion for the next year and a half to two years.  

The journey continues -- but every victory along the way is worth reflection  . . . and CELEBRATION! Congratulations, Sheri!

~Bess

You Can Leave Your Hat On

You know what is really sexy?  Someone who makes you laugh until your sides hurt, until you have to wipe the tears from your eyes. 

Sexy Beast

Not to suggest that Keith, embracing his inner Full Monty, is providing comic relief here.  Keith in the buff is very hot.  Add the hat, and sweet Jesus . . .  the effect is practically criminal.

Behold, ladies, the eye candy I have provided for you this Valentine’s Day.  You’re welcome.

And let’s get back to that first thought that funny people are just HOT.  Take Keith and Sheri. Either one of them alone makes for a raucous good time, where you feed off the witty energy like a starving person at the buffet, wanting more, insatiable.  Together?  You do not stand a chance to remain in any kind of sour, serious, straight-laced space.  Oh, yeah.  Do not think that this is some Mister Roger’s Neighborhood Comedy Hour.  Sheri and Keith are rated M for mature (or immature?). You will pick your mouth up off the floor.  And BEG for more. 

That’s what I’m saying. It’s smokin’.

There is just so much to be sad about in the world; so many things to be pissed off about – what a gift it is to have people in your life who make you smile.  That is why I am sending out the LOVE today to our funny Valentines – Sheri and Keith!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I am happy to report that Sheri was feeling good after her treatment this week.  AND . . . next week starts her last cycle!!  Loving that for sure!

Hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day.  Don’t forget  . . .  all you need is love. 

And a few laughs.

~Bess

You Just Might Find . . . You Get What You Need

We don't always get what we want, do we?  There may be a lot in our lives that we would consider less than ideal.  But as those wise life philosophers, The Rolling Stones, reminded us in song, if we just try  . . .  some times we will end up with what we need.

This week Sheri said she missed the ability to enjoy a good beer . . .  but then quickly countered that lament with the observation that Vicodin is a close second.  (Stella could be heard sobbing in the corner).  Cancer seems to impose constant sacrifice -- on levels big and small (or, not critically huge). What comes around the corner may be beyond our control, but we can be empowered in our response. Even just laughing through the "little" setbacks sets the stage for feeling good, and strong.

How amazing Sheri has been throughout this journey, in all the parts that she can control. Hey Cancer, you can take a lot, but you are no match for Sheri's vivaciousness, her humor, her laugh.  You have no idea who you are messing with.

This is the chica who had her treatment this week and then walked on the treadmill and lifted weights.  So fierce!!

I hope that I will have similar reports in the last weeks (!!!) of our treatment updates.

And I hope all of you are happy and well.

~Bess