Week 4

This past week was the first week of Sharron's second cycle of treatment. She had another large dose of chemo on Friday and took it like a champ! During the treament her oncologist updated us on her progress and recent blood tests. Really good news! First of all, she responded so well to her first treatment cycle that the doctor recommended she only have IV chemo once a week rather than twice a week. Reduced chemo is great not only for fewer trips to the hospital but hopefully means less fatigue and increased appetite. Secondly, her red blood cell count is significantly higher (meaning more healthy cells to help fight off the bad ones) which means she no longer needs the red blood-cell stimulus injection she was taking once a week. Third, calcium levels in her blood are much closer to normal, meaning the calcium is staying in her bones where it should be. Lastly, her pain has gone down significantly (almost diminished) so she can go for longer intervals on minimal pain meds.
All of these factors together are outstanding news! We're not doctors but we attribute these things to Sharron's healthy body and lifestyle before the diagnosis :) Keep up the high-intensity prayers and well wishes, they seem to be working!

Big Thanks from Sharron

Hello all, we wanted to post a little message on behalf of our mom:

"I just want to tell you all how much I enjoy reading your comments! I look forward to reading them everyday. You all inspire me so much with your words of encouragement. I feel your positive energy and prayers, and I truly believe it is helping me on my path to healing - I'm feelin' the love! Thank you for taking the time to leave me little messages of support on this blog, and for updating me on your daily lives as well! In addition to the blog messages, thank you for the thoughtful cards and letters. (I find myself re-reading them often!) And a big special thanks to the St. Francis community for the weekly supply of fresh fruits and veggies.

I love you all,
Sharron"

Week 3

This was week 3, which means...end of round 1! It was an uneventful week for the most part. The past week was a "rest" week from treatment, so Sharron just enjoyed getting a pedicure, a couple more outings, including a trip to Roseville and the Fountains shopping center, and of course more visits from family and friends. She is continuing to get stronger and push herself in physical therapy, and assisted Val and Danielle with making dinner Sunday night. This next week will start a new cycle of treatment, so Sharron continues to make strides toward getting healthy and back on her feet.

Week 2

This was a good week for Sharron and her family. Sharron and Val's sister Annie had a Golden Globe party last Sunday night and were in positive spirits for her next treatment. This week's medication was called a "push", which is a shorter duration of chemo.  This was a smaller dose of Velcade over a 30 minute period.  Sharron responded really well and was feeling significantly stronger after Wednesday.  Her mobility is getting better and better, meaning less assistance from others, which is great progress.  A physical therapist has been coming to the house periodically and working with Sharron on exercises to keep her active. Her appetite is not where it should be but she is doing great at trying to find foods that appeal to her.  We're hoping to get a few more pounds back on her soon!

This past weekend, Sharron, Val, and John (Val's brother) took a couple of drives to get out of the house and enjoy the nice weather.  Saturday they went to the River Walk area and to Clarksburg to walk around a bit.  Saturday night they enjoyed a hearty steak dinner and the Cal/Stanford men's basketball game at the home of Debbie and Bill (Sharron's sister and brother-in-law).  Sunday they ventured out again, this time to Folsom Lake at Beale's Point.  It was a busy weekend but a great one.  Sharron really loved the change of scenery and getting some sun and fresh air.

This next week will be a rest week from chemotherapy.  We are hoping to accomplish some fun activities with her and enjoy her "week off"!

Sharron and Debbie on the beach in Santa Cruz

First Week of Treatment

Sharron began her chemotherapy treatment for multiple myeloma on January 7, 2009. A few weeks prior, she had a blood transfusion and an intravenous treatment of Zometa which would help to manage her anemia and high calcium levels. This medication should help minimize her pain because it pushes the calcium that was infecting her bloodstream back into her weakened bones where it belongs for strength. Her oncologist has prescribed a treatment plan that involves 3 medications over what will repeat as a 3 week cycle: Dexamethasone- a series of steroid pills, Velcade- an intravenous biological agent that blocks the growth of cancer cells, and Doxil- the intravenous chemotherapy drug that targets and kills myeloma cells.

Immediately following her first treatment at the Kaiser Oncology Infusion Unit, Sharron walked several laps around the room with her walker and minimal assistance. Her energy and attitude were high as she said “I think I feel better already!” She is on a steady amount of Zofran which is a medication that greatly minimizes the nausea that typically accompanies chemotherapy, so the biggest side effect she is experiencing is fatigue. With the increasing weeks of chemotherapy the doctors believe her pain levels should significantly decrease. This means that she will hopefully be able to take less pain medicine and feel more stable and mobile. Each day is different in terms of her energy and appetite, but on days when certain foods sound appealing we are trying to bulk her up as she has lost weight over the past few months. Everyone seems to agree that along with medication her diet, mobility, and attitude play significant roles in her healing. So with one week down we say- LET’S KEEP IT UP!

December 2008

We have recently received some information about Sharron’s medical condition and wanted to share it with you all, as you are an important part of our family and community.

After months of believing that Sharron had a pulled muscle, sciatica, and osteoporosis the doctors have given us a diagnosis of multiple myeloma- a plasma cancer. The prognosis is very difficult but it is a treatable cancer, and we are looking at several treatment options. Sharron intends to fight back, as others have, and eventually return to work!

Above all we ask for your prayers and thoughts during this challenging time. Treatments, care taking and recovery are all-encompassing at this moment, so we have limited time to take calls or receive visitors, although messages and notes are always greatly appreciated.

We are starting a Share the Care group in the next couple of weeks to help the family with errands, appointments, meals, etc. The foundation of this approach is to include everyone who wants to assist, when they can and so the primary caregivers don’t become overwhelmed with all the details of daily life. If you are interested in participating in any way, please contact carolynmblucher@aol.com and they will contact you with the meeting time and place.

Please know that sending your thoughts and prayers our way are very important to us and we thank you for all the years of love, friendship and support!

With Love,

Val, Sharron,
Danielle & Michelle