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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:26 AM CST
Dear Friends~
I hope all of you had a nice Christmas. Ours was very different. Sherilyn was with us during the Christmas eve service. We went to the children's service and I smiled watching all the children dressed like angels singing and knew Sherilyn was with the "real" ones. That made me happy. Christmas day I couldn't stop thinking about Sherilyn. She left us all with a very, very special surprise. With the help of my neighbors, Sherilyn built all of us a Build-A-Bear with a recorded message from her. Needless to say, we were all very emotional when we held the animals that she had lovingly chosen and recorded with such personal messages. About a month ago she had asked me to take her to the mall so that she could build them, but I knew she was too weak and asked her if she was up to it. She said no and I told her I didn't think so and that I would get some help. I called my friend Cynthia and she called Charla who immediately went out and got the voice recorders. That night Sherilyn got on-line and painstakenly chose each animal and each outfit and then recorded the messages. At this point she was in a lot of pain and could not write so I helped her with all of them except mine. She told me what to write for the script and then she read them off to record them. At this point I couldn't leave her so when she did mine, I went into my bathroom and turned on the fan and water so I couldn't hear her record mine. She was happy knowing she had done this for us. Then Cynthia & Annie built them. Later they brought them back to my house so Sherilyn could see them. This was a week before she passed and she was sleeping most of the day, but she held each one and hugged them and I have a picture of her holding each one. She told me to give them to everyone for Christmas :) This was Sherilyn...always thinking about others...we are all so honored to have this memory of her :)
We are heading to the Outer Banks, (Corolla) for 3 nights. It's going to be an emotional trip...but hopefully relaxing too. Sherilyn wanted her ashes thrown into the ocean there. I have never been without her (physically) and that part makes me sad.
Thank you for listening.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, December 24, 2007 1:50 PM CST
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dear Friends~
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas.
LIVE
LAUGH
LOVE
"Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David." ~Luke 2:11
f.r.o.G,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Angel Sherilyn & Nicollette
Monday, December 24, 2007 1:50 PM CST
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dear Friends~
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas.
LIVE
LAUGH
LOVE
"Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David." ~Luke 2:11
f.r.o.G,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Angel Sherilyn & Nicollette
Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:53 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Veronica's labs were GOOD!!! Praise God. We are thrilled. We celebrated at Mellow Mushroom for lunch (Tony, Veronica & me). Tonight Veronica & I celebrated at Stonewood Grill!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 4:20 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Veronica & Dustin are both home from NCSU, another semester behind them (YAHOO!). It's nice to have an (almost) full house again. Sherilyn will always be HERE with us.
Life doesn't slow down even for those who are grieving, at least not at this time of year. I guess that's both good and bad. Since Sherilyn passed November 14th, I busily planned her Celebration of Life, watched my baby sister, Coleen get married, and am now getting ready for Christmas. I have intentionally kept myself busy because I don't want to stop and think too much right now. I have a neighbor up the street who is dying from cancer and I am trying to be there for him, both spiritually and physically and, thankfully I am one of the few "outsiders" that he is talking to...he knows I understand. I am also helping our church bring up gifts to Duke Children's Hospital on Friday for Christmas. I had tons of unopened gifts, etc. that Sherilyn received and wasn't able to use. In addition, my kids & I have been shopping for small gifts for their stockings and many gift cards that they requested. It's just a small way we can help give back. We were at Duke for 3 of the last 5 Christmases and we truly appreciated the generosity of others.
Veronica is going to clinic tomorrow. I am concerned about her. She has been extremely tired, dizzy and off-balance at times, bruising and lately has been experiencing stomach pain. Dr. Rosoff wants to see us in the am. She is several months overdue for her checkup. Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She won't admit it, but I can tell she is very anxious about this visit.
We have been visiting the cemetary regularly. We even took advantage of the recent warm weather and had a picnic there :) I was babysitting my 5 month old neice, Sabrina Sherilyn (born on Sherilyn's 16th b-day) and my good friend Kris came along with us.
We are planning to go to Corolla Dec. 26th or 27th for the week, where Sherilyn loved to go. We plan to sprinkle her ashes in the ocean as Sherilyn requested. This will be a bittersweet trip as I have never been without Sherilyn, but also a much needed getaway from everything for me and my kids.
I will update with lab results tomorrow.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain." -Revelation 21:4
~Heaven for the Christian is best spelled H-O-M-E.~
(just like Sherilyn said, "I want to go home").
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 4:20 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Veronica & Dustin are both home from NCSU, another semester behind them (YAHOO!). It's nice to have an (almost) full house again. Sherilyn will always be HERE with us.
Life doesn't slow down even for those who are grieving, at least not at this time of year. I guess that's both good and bad. Since Sherilyn passed November 14th, I busily planned her Celebration of Life, watched my baby sister, Coleen get married, and am now getting ready for Christmas. I have intentionally kept myself busy because I don't want to stop and think too much right now. I have a neighbor up the street who is dying from cancer and I am trying to be there for him, both spiritually and physically and, thankfully I am one of the few "outsiders" that he is talking to...he knows I understand. I am also helping our church bring up gifts to Duke Children's Hospital on Friday for Christmas. I had tons of unopened gifts, etc. that Sherilyn received and wasn't able to use. In addition, my kids & I have been shopping for small gifts for their stockings and many gift cards that they requested. It's just a small way we can help give back. We were at Duke for 3 of the last 5 Christmases and we truly appreciated the generosity of others.
Veronica is going to clinic tomorrow. I am concerned about her. She has been extremely tired, dizzy and off-balance at times, bruising and lately has been experiencing stomach pain. Dr. Rosoff wants to see us in the am. She is several months overdue for her checkup. Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She won't admit it, but I can tell she is very anxious about this visit.
We have been visiting the cemetary regularly. We even took advantage of the recent warm weather and had a picnic there :) I was babysitting my 5 month old neice, Sabrina Sherilyn (born on Sherilyn's 16th b-day) and my good friend Kris came along with us.
We are planning to go to Corolla Dec. 26th or 27th for the week, where Sherilyn loved to go. We plan to sprinkle her ashes in the ocean as Sherilyn requested. This will be a bittersweet trip as I have never been without Sherilyn, but also a much needed getaway from everything for me and my kids.
I will update with lab results tomorrow.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain." -Revelation 21:4
~Heaven for the Christian is best spelled H-O-M-E.~
(just like Sherilyn said, "I want to go home").
Monday, December 3, 2007 8:38 PM CST
Dear Friends,
I just spent over an hour updating and my computer died...so hear goes again!!!
I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since Sherilyn went to Heaven. It's all surreal to me. I am glad to have had the extra time while Steve (Sherilyn's donor) and Carolyn were in Hawaii, to plan her Celebration of Life.
We had a family graveside ceremony in the morning on November 27th. It was a beautiful, sunny breezy day, barely a cloud in the sky...the little kids were running around and laughing...innocently unaware of what was going on. As Steve read scripture & prayed, we heard the beautiful melody of distant windchimes. My sister read a poem and we placed pink baby roses on Sherilyn's ashes alongwith a prayer blanket and a shell from her friend Kara (as they shared a passion for the beach). Steve noticed that the tombstone about 2 yards from Sherilyn's read "Annette Fox" and the woman died a day after Steve's birthday. Sherilyn's middle name is Annette and Steve's last name is Fox. The next day while Steve was reading Sherilyn's baby books and other books, he realized that he began his ministry at his Kansas church on Sherilyn's birthday. At this church, one of his members needed a bone marrow transplant and they had a bone marrow drive for her. This is why Steve was on the registry and later chosen as a "perfect" 12 out of 12 match for Sherilyn. I still have not met a single person who has been a "perfect" match. Steve said these are all reasurrances from God :) After the graveside ceremony, my family had a lovely lunch generously provided by my friends and set up by Nancy & Andrew Willis. Afterwards we went to the church and set up 4 tables with Sherilyn's personal belongings.
At 4pm her Celebration of Life Service began. The church was completely filled with family & friends. Sherilyn's best friend played the piano as people were seated & we walked in (I Can Only Imagine), followed by Carolyn (Steve's wife) singing an opening hymn. Then Steve read the obituary and prayed, we watched a 15 minute video of Sherilyn's life, Carolyn sang 2 more songs, the Millbrook High School chorus sang 2 of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, my minister Murray talked about Sherilyn and allowed people to tell memories. Then my brother and Tony's sister talked about sherilyn, the church band played a medley of 5 songs I had chosen & love, Steve gave the message, Murry read a poem that I had chosen as the benediction, we sang Amazing Grace and we led out of the church as they played I'll Fly Away. We met in the foyer to blow bubbles in Sherilyn's memory...a favorite pasttime. I know Sherilyn was looking down and smiling & was joining in with her beautiful voice as we sang. I was overwhelmed & honored by the amount of people that greeted me afterwards, including fellow transplant families that drove hours to attend. I was happily surprised at the number of Duke staff that attended (doctors, nurse practioners, nurses, transplant coordinator, social worker, & childlife coordinator). Afterwards, our church provided a delicious hot meal on tables with white linens and fresh flowers. It was truly a celebration of Sherilyn's life that I will always remember. We had pink flowers, pink programs & prayer cards laminated that were the angel picture Sherilyn had made for Steve and given to him for Christmas last year. When we turned into our neighborhood around 9pm, the entire neighborhood was illuminated with luminaries...all the way up my driveway, sidewalk and up to my front door. We were all so moved. (thank you Touchberry family for engineering this :)
Thanks to my good friend Pam and her coworkers from SAS, Steve, Carolyn, Nicky & I were treated to a very special 5 course dinner at the Angus Barn, a very could not afford. This was a gift I had received before Sherilyn passed for Sherilyn to enjoy, and I couldn't imagine using it with anyone else. The restaurant was decorated beautifully for Christmas and we really enjoyed the luxury. The next day we went to V's Teas & Treasures for tea & scones and then across the street to Mellow Mushroom in memory of Sherilyn. In spite of the circumstances, we enjoyed our special time with Steve & Carolyn. We laughed, we cried, and we talked alot about Sherilyn. I miss them already!!!
The day after they left, I woke up feeling horrible...body aches & terribly nauseous. I did nothing...napped throughout the day. That night was my baby sister Coleen's rehearsal dinner and the next morning a bridal breakfast followed by her wedding & reception. Her wedding was very small and held at a historic house completely decorated for Christmas. The minister talked about Sherilyn which noone expected and I teared up listening to him. Afterwards was the reception. We all enjoyed dinner and dancing with family & friends. Sunday we said goodbye to everyone.
Today I woke up today with no definite plans...no Sherilyn to take care of or family or friends to visit with...what would I do? I began writing thank you notes, had lunch with a friend, stopped by church, went grocery shopping, took a walk with a friend...and even had dinner with Veronica, Dustin, Nicky & Tony (at Mellow Mushroom, of course)...how strange this day felt...My minister asked me, "What now?" and I told him I didn't really know. My life/my job has been raising my kids and then caring for Veronica and Sherilyn...I knew no other life for the past 21 years...that I would get through Christmas and then figure it out.
I want to thank all of my neighbors and friends who have provided us with an abundance of delicious meals, breads, desserts, side dishes, drinks & paper products. We have been fed so well. I continue to enjoy the many, many cards and letters of sympathy and gifts. I will never be able to thank all of you for your overwhelming love and support for my family. I appreciate each and every one of you. We are truly blessed!
Please continue to pray for Veronica's health (she is so stressed with her upcoming finals), and for all of us to get through these days without our sweet, sweet Sherilyn.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Trusting God can turn a crisis into a treasure." (Our Daily Bread-December 1st)
Monday, November 26, 2007 9:20 AM CST
This is an article in today's (11/26/07) New's & Observer. It is a beautiful story.
http://www.newsobserver.com/138/story/792822.html
***********************************************************
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's "Celebration of Life" service will be THIS Tuesday, November 27th. This service is open to everyone who would like to come. I think a lot of people think the service was last Tuesday. Please pass on the word. We would love to have all of you come to honor Sherilyn and celebrate her wonderful & joyous life with us.
***********************************************************
Sherilyn's "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm at Grace Community Church, 6561 Meridien Dr, Raleigh 27616. (Our church is located off of Sumner Blvd. in the Sumner Business Park - off of Old Wake Forest Rd.)...look for signs for Grace Community Church. Follow Meridien Dr. around to the back and Grace will be on your left in a brick bldg. You can park in one of the many parking lots or directly on the road. Please go to Mapquest.com for driving directions.
We will receive & greet friends directly after the service.
I really look forward to seeing you there. I know that you will be lifting me up on Tuesday.
***********************************************************
Here is the link to Sherilyn's obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/newsobserver/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=98199694
***********************************************************
f.r.o.G,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Angel Sherilyn & Nicollette
Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:53 PM CST
This is an article in today's (11/26/07) New's & Observer:
http://www.newsobserver.com/138/story/792822.html
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's "Celebration of Life" service will be THIS Tuesday, November 27th. This service is open to everyone who would like to come. I think a lot of people think the service was last Tuesday. Please pass on the word. We would love to have all of you come to honor Sherilyn and celebrate her wonderful & joyous life with us.
***********************************************************
Sherilyn's "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm at Grace Community Church, 6561 Meridien Dr, Raleigh 27616. (Our church is located off of Sumner Blvd. in the Sumner Business Park - off of Old Wake Forest Rd.)...look for signs for Grace Community Church. Follow Meridien Dr. around to the back and Grace will be on your left in a brick bldg. You can park in one of the many parking lots or directly on the road. Please go to Mapquest.com for driving directions.
We will receive & greet friends directly after the service.
I really look forward to seeing you there. I know that you will be lifting me up on Tuesday.
***********************************************************
Here is the link to Sherilyn's obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/newsobserver/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=98199694
***********************************************************
f.r.o.G,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Angel Sherilyn & Nicollette
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 11:30 PM CST
Dear Friends~
It's hard to believe it's been one week since Sherilyn went Home to be with Jesus. It's mostly just a blur to me. Noone told me how much planning went into trying to make the perfect celebration. This has kept me very busy...which I guess is good. My sisters have kept me busy too...bridal showers & wedding stuff (my baby sister is getting married next Saturday.
It seems so very strange without Sherilyn being physically in my house. I think about her constantly...but when I feel really sad...I can't because I saw her suffer so much and beg to go to Heaven. So, although I am sad that she is not here (physically), she surrounds me in every way and I know she has won in the end and is perfect as God intended her to be. I know I will see her again and that keeps me going. Plus, she won't let me forget her.
For instance, the first night Veronica & Dustin were up in his room moving the furniture. Veronica came downstairs and handed me a little book that Sherilyn had made me in about 2nd grade. It had fallen out of an atlas when they moved the bookshelves. It was titled, "What my Mom is!" Apparently I am GREAT, GREAT, GREAT! even when I yell (hahaha) and especially great when I read to her at night because I leave with a smile on my face. Oh my, was I happy to see her pretty pictures and read her words that first night.
The second day we went to one of Sherilyn's favorite restaurants for my sister Coleen's 30th birthday. After we finished the waiter brought a plate of fortune cookies. We all took one but there was one left over, which I said must be Sherilyn's. My sister Katie said let's read Sherilyn's fortune...it read "Sometimes traveling to new places leads to great transformation." We were blown away. Then Veronica & I were walking in the mall and we walked by one of Sherilyn's favorite stores, Delia's (she loves their colorful t-shirts with cute pics). Veronica noticed a panda one hanging on the wall. Well, I have collected pandas since I was about 8 and all 3 of my girls love them as much as I do. The t-shirt had pandas all over it and above it, hearts with wings on each side. Veronica & Sherilyn considered this their logo. Veronica put in on her scrapbook page she made Sherilyn for her 16th birtday. I bought that shirt for Veronica :)
Then the next day my sisters were helping me with Sherilyn's obituary. Sherilyn had wanted me to use a picture of her with long hair. I had one she loved that was black&white but when we scanned it, the black background blended with her dark hair and it wasn't a good pic to use. So the only other photo I had other than digital photos was her picture from 10th grade, but she wasn't crazy about it. I told my sisters I didn't know if Sherilyn would like it if I used that picture. Coleen scanned it to show me how it would look in black&white. My scanner program saves the picture that you are scanning to the date you scanned it. Coleen noticed that it saved it to 7-11-2007 and said that's weird and tried to change it to 11-15-2007 the day we scanned it, but it just went right back to 7-11-2007 (Sherilyn's 16th birthday and Sabrina Sherilyn's birth). Katie immediately said, "Laura, I think Sherilyn is trying to tell you that it's ok to use that picture" and that's the picture we used. So you see Sherilyn is finding all sorts of creative ways to tell me she's okay and I should be too. This is what I hold onto when I look at her chair and she's not there or when it's bedtime and I'm all alone in my bed. That's all I can do right now...is hold onto her memory...because the nights aren't always easy. I either fall into a deep sleep or my mind wanders for hours and I can't sleep.
I hope all of you have a wonderful THANKSGIVING and remember to thank God for all of your blessings.
I love you all,
f.r.o.G,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Angel Sherilyn & Nicollette
***********************************************************
Here is the link to Sherilyn's obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/newsobserver/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=98199694
***********************************************************
***********************************************************
Sherilyn's "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm at Grace Community Church, 6561 Meridien Dr, Raleigh. (Our church is located off of Sumner Blvd. in the Sumner Business Park - off of Old Wake Forest Rd.)...look for signs for Grace Community Church. Follow Meridien Dr. around to the back and Grace will be on your left in a brick bldg. You can park in one of the many parking lots or directly on the road.
We will receive friends directly after the service.
A family meal is planned after that at church.
A private family ceremony is planned for Tuesday morning at 11 am, to inter her ashes at Raleigh Memorial Park.
***********************************************************
***********************************************************
Sunday, November 18, 2007 7:32 PM CST
***********************************************************
Here is the link to Sherilyn's obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/newsobserver/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=98199694
***********************************************************
Friday, November 16, 2007 9:39 AM CST
Dear Friends~
There is so much to say I don't know where to begin. I am at a loss for all of the love and support we have had since Sherilyn received her angel wings Wednesday. The love that is surrounding us surpasses anything that I can imagine and I know God has put all of my family, friends, neighbors, and so many others here right now to lift me and my family up. He continues to work His wonders. We are truly blessed.
The days leading up to Sherilyn's passing were very, very difficult. She was not awake much at all...only minutes here and there. She was so weak that she could just barely get up. The last few days she had stayed in my bed, but on the 14th she wanted to go downstairs. She wanted to walk downstairs, but I told her the only way was if she'd allow her dad to carry her. She tried to argue but was too tired and relented. She had been very restless the last 3 days and was talking alot in her sleep. It was as if she was reliving parts of her life. She said some crazy things, some that made sense and lots that didn't. She referred to things we had done, people she knew. At one point when she was half awake, she said to me, "I keep seeing puppies, Mommy, puppies everywhere in the meadow". She has always wanted a puppy but because she's been so sick and in the hospital so much, it's been impossible. I told her maybe God was giving her a glimpse of Heaven. She also said, "Mommy, do I have to go to school tomorrow?" and "Mommy, can we go to the Memory store tomorrow and buy stuff?". All of these remarkable b/c she was barely speaking. She would shake her head or mouth, "I love you" or shake her head but she was too tired to talk at all the last 3 days. Dustin came home in the early afternoon Nov. 14th and sat with Sherilyn until he left around 9pm. She was not awake at all while he was home. Tony brought her up to my bed soon after he left. Dustin called to say he was safely at his dorm and surprisingly Sherilyn mumbled, "Dustin, I love you" over the cell phone :) Both Veronica & Dustin had been coming home from school almost every other day to spend time with Sherilyn and she knew she was loved so much!
Sherilyn went to sleep in my bed and I sat at the computer for awhile. Soon after I tried to go to sleep, which was impossible the last months because Sherilyn was so restless and moaned and woke up often for pain meds, she said, "bathroom". I jumped up to help her but she was too weak and kept falling back to sleep. At one point, I almost had her sitting up, but her head kept rolling back and I couldn't support her head and her body by myself. I laid her back down and called my sister Katie at 1:26 am sobbing. We talked for about 15 minutes. Then I laid back down on Sherilyn's pillow. She was breathing very heavily because sitting up had tired her out. I was telling her to just breathe...to catch her breath...just imagine laying by the ocean. I told her it was ok to go...we knew she loved us and we all loved her so much that we were letting her go...we didn't want her to be in pain any more. That she would always be in our hearts and a day wouldn't go by that we wouldn't think of her. I had said all of this in the preceding days, but this time I kept chanting, "Sherilyn, God loves you, Sherilyn God loves you"...over and over again. Our minister had done this on Monday when he came over and Sherilyn listened and seemed so peaceful. I was listening to Sherilyn's breathing, which was getting more steady and then I didn't hear a breath. This wasn't unusual because she had been experiencing sleep apnea, but after a second, I realized she wasn't catching her breath and I yelled for Tony. He ran in and she had no pulse, but he said he heard a breath, but then she left us and finally won her VICTORY! She received the angel wings she had longed to have...and I imagine the puppy she never was able to have:)
I bathed her and we talked to her for hours. I laid one of her prayer blankets on her and we just hugged her. Tony on one side and Me & Nicky on the other. Later Tony went to NCSU to pick up Veronica & Dustin and we all stayed with her. My mother and 3 of my sisters came over (my dad was unaware on his annual fishing trip with the guys), my friends Cynthia & Kris were with me and my minister Murray were all there. Murray prayed with us and said everything I needed to hear. Around 11 her body was taken...they wrapped her up so tenderly in white linens with her beautiful, angelic face exposed...and everyone laid long stemmed roses on her (Cynthia, thank you for this memory). That will probablly be one of the most difficult memories for me, but also one of the most tender.
In the months before Sherilyn left us, I prayed to God that I would see a glimpse of heaven. Remember I said I had talked to my sister Katie around 1:30 for 15 minutes and that Sherilyn became an angel at 2:11 am. I called Katie around 3:30 and she told me she had seen a vision...Sherilyn's body was in my bed, surrounded by light, then the light left her body in the form of an angel as big as my bed, exiting through my ceiling into heaven and only darkness remained in my bed. How perfect this is to have this memory with me forever...shared by my sister, Sabrina Sherilyn's mom who was born this year on Sherilyn's 16th birthday. Thank you God for hearing my prayer.
After that my wonderful family, friends and neighbors took over. Meals, drinks, paper products were all provided, as well as beautiful plants and flowers. It was a beautiful, sunny warm day so they set up chairs outside and we sat for hours. Nicky asked if she could sleep with me and she said, "I know we're going to see Sherilyn tonight". I said, "huh?" and she said it again. And then I said, you mean we're going to dream about her and she said yes. That night I slept for the first time in months without waking up once...pure exhaustion had taken over my body.
Because Sherilyn was at peace with going to Heaven, she planned for it. She wants to be cremated, but also wanted a place for people to pray for her. She picked a spot, under a tree, at Raleigh Memorial Park to have her ashes buried and wants some of her ashes sprinkled in the ocean at Corolla (her favorite place) and some in her hometown, Lexington, Ky. Her bone marrow donor, Steve, alongwith my minister Murray will be conducting her "Celebration of Life" service. Unfortunately, Steve is in Hawaii and won't be back until next Wednesday and there is Thanksgiving.
**********************************************************
Therefore, her "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm at Grace Community Church, 6561 Meridien Dr, Raleigh. (Our church is located off of Old Wake Forest Rd. in a Business Park...look for signs for Grace Community Church).
We will receive friends directly after the service.
A family meal is planned after that at church.
A private family ceremony is tentatively planned for Tuesday morning, to inter her ashes at Raleigh Memorial Park, with lunch afterwards.
***********************************************************
I can't tell you how much we appreciate the love and support we have received these past many years.
Love & f.r.o.G,
Laura, Tony, Veronica, Dustin, Sherilyn & Nicollette
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
~2 Timothy 4:7-8
Friday, November 16, 2007 9:39 AM CST
Dear Friends~
There is so much to say I don't know where to begin. I am at a loss for all of the love and support we have had since Sherilyn received her angel wings Wednesday. The love that is surrounding us surpasses anything that I can imagine and I know God has put all of my family, friends, neighbors, and so many others here right now to lift me and my family up. He continues to work His wonders. We are truly blessed.
The days leading up to Sherilyn's passing were very, very difficult. She was not awake much at all...only minutes here and there. She was so weak that she could just barely get up. The last few days she had stayed in my bed, but on the 14th she wanted to go downstairs. She wanted to walk downstairs, but I told her the only way was if she'd allow her dad to carry her. She tried to argue but was too tired and relented. She had been very restless the last 3 days and was talking alot in her sleep. It was as if she was reliving parts of her life. She said some crazy things, some that made sense and lots that didn't. She referred to things we had done, people she knew. At one point when she was half awake, she said to me, "I keep seeing puppies, Mommy, puppies everywhere in the meadow". She has always wanted a puppy but because she's been so sick and in the hospital so much, it's been impossible. I told her maybe God was giving her a glimpse of Heaven. She also said, "Mommy, do I have to go to school tomorrow?" and "Mommy, can we go to the Memory store tomorrow and buy stuff?". All of these remarkable b/c she was barely speaking. She would shake her head or mouth, "I love you" or shake her head but she was too tired to talk at all the last 3 days. Dustin came home in the early afternoon Nov. 14th and sat with Sherilyn until he left around 9pm. She was not awake at all while he was home. Tony brought her up to my bed soon after he left. Dustin called to say he was safely at his dorm and surprisingly Sherilyn mumbled, "Dustin, I love you" over the cell phone :) Both Veronica & Dustin had been coming home from school almost every other day to spend time with Sherilyn and she knew she was loved so much!
Sherilyn went to sleep in my bed and I sat at the computer for awhile. Soon after I tried to go to sleep, which was impossible the last months because Sherilyn was so restless and moaned and woke up often for pain meds, she said, "bathroom". I jumped up to help her but she was too weak and kept falling back to sleep. At one point, I almost had her sitting up, but her head kept rolling back and I couldn't support her head and her body by myself. I laid her back down and called my sister Katie at 1:26 am sobbing. We talked for about 15 minutes. Then I laid back down on Sherilyn's pillow. She was breathing very heavily because sitting up had tired her out. I was telling her to just breathe...to catch her breath...just imagine laying by the ocean. I told her it was ok to go...we knew she loved us and we all loved her so much that we were letting her go...we didn't want her to be in pain any more. That she would always be in our hearts and a day wouldn't go by that we wouldn't think of her. I had said all of this in the preceding days, but this time I kept chanting, "Sherilyn, God loves you, Sherilyn God loves you"...over and over again. Our minister had done this on Monday when he came over and Sherilyn listened and seemed so peaceful. I was listening to Sherilyn's breathing, which was getting more steady and then I didn't hear a breath. This wasn't unusual because she had been experiencing sleep apnea, but after a second, I realized she wasn't catching her breath and I yelled for Tony. He ran in and she had no pulse, but he said he heard a breath, but then she left us and finally won her VICTORY! She received the angel wings she had longed to have...and I imagine the puppy she never was able to have:)
I bathed her and we talked to her for hours. I laid one of her prayer blankets on her and we just hugged her. Tony on one side and Me & Nicky on the other. Later Tony went to NCSU to pick up Veronica & Dustin and we all stayed with her. My mother and 3 of my sisters came over (my dad was unaware on his annual fishing trip with the guys), my friends Cynthia & Kris were with me and my minister Murray were all there. Murray prayed with us and said everything I needed to hear. Around 11 her body was taken...they wrapped her up so tenderly in white linens with her beautiful, angelic face exposed...and everyone laid long stemmed roses on her (Cynthia, thank you for this memory). That will probablly be one of the most difficult memories for me, but also one of the most tender.
In the months before Sherilyn left us, I prayed to God that I would see a glimpse of heaven. Remember I said I had talked to my sister Katie around 1:30 for 15 minutes and that Sherilyn became an angel at 2:11 am. I called Katie around 3:30 and she told me she had seen a vision...Sherilyn's body was in my bed, surrounded by light, then the light left her body in the form of an angel as big as my bed, exiting through my ceiling into heaven and only darkness remained in my bed. How perfect this is to have this memory with me forever...shared by my sister, Sabrina Sherilyn's mom who was born this year on Sherilyn's 16th birthday. Thank you God for hearing my prayer.
After that my wonderful family, friends and neighbors took over. Meals, drinks, paper products were all provided, as well as beautiful plants and flowers. It was a beautiful, sunny warm day so they set up chairs outside and we sat for hours. Nicky asked if she could sleep with me and she said, "I know we're going to see Sherilyn tonight". I said, "huh?" and she said it again. And then I said, you mean we're going to dream about her and she said yes. That night I slept for the first time in months without waking up once...pure exhaustion had taken over my body.
Because Sherilyn was at peace with going to Heaven, she planned for it. She wants to be cremated, but also wanted a place for people to pray for her. She picked a spot, under a tree, at Raleigh Memorial Park to have her ashes buried and wants some of her ashes sprinkled in the ocean at Corolla (her favorite place) and some in her hometown, Lexington, Ky. Her bone marrow donor, Steve, alongwith my minister Murray will be conducting her "Celebration of Life" service. Unfortunately, Steve is in Hawaii and won't be back until next Wednesday and there is Thanksgiving.
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Therefore, her "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm at Grace Community Church.
We will receive guests directly after the service.
A family meal is planned after that.
A private family ceremony is tentatively planned for Tuesday or Wednesday morning, to inter her ashes at Raleigh Memorial Park.
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More details will follow. Sherilyn's obituary will be in this Sunday's News & Observer.
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I can't tell you how much we appreciate the love and support we have received these past many years.
Love & f.r.o.G,
Laura, Tony, Veronica, Dustin, Sherilyn & Nicollette
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
~2 Timothy 4:7-8
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 9:03 AM CST
Good morning, friends...
This is Coleen updating for Laura....Sherilyn received her angel wings this morning at 2:11 am, at home peacefully in her sleep. She has a smile on her face we haven't seen in days. We are comforted in knowing she is at peace and is happily in heaven today. Thank you all for your years of prayer and support. Please give them the next few days - no phone calls or visits so they have time to spend with the family. Details regarding the service will follow. Thank you for caring.
Sunday, November 11, 2007 1:10 PM CST
Dear Friends,
When I told Sherilyn's doctor that she was the Energizer Bunny, he said, "Yes, and a cat with, not nine lives, but 100!" That pretty much describes my girl. We have been told so many times that she won't make it another 2 weeks and months later she is still holding on (Greg, she took that song seriously on the movie you made of her life :). Anyway, we are thankful and feel very blessed that Sherilyn is holding on. We don't really know what is keeping her going...especially since she is at peace with dying and going to heaven. It's not for us to know God's plan, but our human brains sure try to figure things out, especially when the ride has been a real rollercoaster.
Sherilyn wanted to go upstairs to my bed about 9pm on Friday and I stayed with her there until today around 1pm. I really didn't expect her to make it through the night. She is so weak and her breathing is so shallow and she hasn't eaten much more than a few bites a day for over a month. Yesterday when I took her to the bathroom she passed out when she stood up and I had to scream for help. I was able to hold on to her torso and head, but her poor little legs were just sprawled on the bathroom floor. Tony carried her to my bed and she didn't know what happened. With her low hemoglobin, it's not surprising she did this. She asked to get blood at home yesterday, but that's not possible...and she said she couldn't go to clinic today.
Then this am she woke up and had a much easier time getting up to the bathroom several times. Then she asked me to read to her so I read her about 15 more of our favorite children's books...she was alert for most of them. Then she said she wanted to go downstairs. She insisted on walking down. She got settled and I rubbed her legs and feet with lotion. She asked for apple slices and is drinking a milkshake now. She is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!
My sister Maureen took Nicollette to a Teen spa yesterday for her birthday and they were both totally pampered...she even had a makeover. Then they went to V's Teas and Treasures and had a tea party. Thank you V's Teas for my goodies...they are delicious as usual and your kindness is appreciated.
Veronica went to my youngest sister, Coleen's bachelorette party last night, alongwith my sister Katie. It sounds like they had a lot of fun :)
Thank you everyone who has been so kind and generous these past weeks:
Thank you Katie for picking up Nicky after school on Friday while we were at clinic and taking her to your house and feeding her and helping her with her homework. Nicollette happily surprised me with a A/B Honor Roll report card this period. I am so proud of her!
Thank you Ginger for the delicious chicken, broccoli casserole last week. We all ate 2 helpings and loved it!
Thank you Karen Cook for the delicous pumpkin bread and also the delicious ziti pasta dinner and coca cola cake you made for us previously. All were delicious!
Thank you Dianne Reass for picking up your bed that you let us borrow and borrow and borrow for the hospital and for when Steve & Carolyn came to visit the last 2 times. It was so wonderful to have the comfort of it:)
Thank you Charla for the muffins this am.
Thank you Nancy for the Willow Angel "Courage" and your visit.
Thank you Cynthia for taking Smokey to the vet and getting flea meds for us and food for Snickerdoodle. Thank you also for finishing up the project you had begun.
Thank you Mom for the Krispy Kreme doughtnuts and beautiful rose.
Thank you Aunt Shawn for the fuzzy socks for the girls.
They all love them.
In addition, I would love to thank you for the cards, prayers and uplifting messages on the CaringBridge.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, November 8, 2007 9:36 PM CST
Dear Friends,
After clinic on Monday Sherilyn slept alot Tues. and Wed., but didn't require much additional pain meds at all these 2 days. On the way home from clinic on Monday she could barely talk because she had gotten a massive amount of morphine, double dose of Ativan, & Benadryl, but she said she was craving Bojangles french fries. This was hilarious b/c she was pretty much out of it and hasn't had fast food in months. So we stopped and she ate a few french fries, a bite of biscuit and a peice of chicken. On Tues. she asked for a Five Guys bacon cheeseburger so Tony went and got it and she ate less than 1/4 of it. She is definitely still enjoying and craving her food. Today she woke up and stayed awake for several hours eating apples & gummy snacks & watching t.v. Veronica came home after classes yesterday and spent the night so she got to spend several good hours this am with Sherilyn. Then our Home Health nurse came and drew labs and called us with the results. Her hemoglobin was 4.2 YIKES!(dangerously low) so we went to clinic, but because it was late in the afternoon, 3:45 when we got there, they chose to give her only one unit of red blood cells and fluids(clinic closes around 8pm). As long as Sherilyn is having some good days and wants to get blood products, we will continue to take her to clinic, because we know we can control this and that she feels so much better after getting blood and fluids. We know that when she gets an infection, we will not be able to control it b/c she can't tolerate taking antibiotics and she has no white blood cells to fight with.
When we got home Sherilyn ate a few bites of scrambled eggs, bacon & biscuit and then didn't want it so I made her half of a peanut butter/marshmallow creme sandwich and she ate a few bites of that. She watched a little t.v. and is now sleeping in my bed.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, November 5, 2007 6:32 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Sorry for the delay...it is getting harder and harder to update as Sherilyn doesn't want me to leave her side. She is getting weaker and more tired and requiring more pain meds. Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday were nice as she was awake and talked some. Saturday we put up 2 Christmas trees. Thanks to Jill Touchberry and her sister Laura Boyce, a live tree was delivered to our front yard. We decorated this with colored lights and all of our angel ornaments and put it in the living room by the bay window...so Sherilyn can see it from her chair in the family room. Then Dustin and I set up our artificial tree (gift from the Actons after transplant) in the family room with the family ornaments and white lights. We wanted to go all out so Sherilyn could see lights everywhere. Our neighbors, the Goddards delivered a small, personal tree lit up with ornaments and garland to the front porch for Sherilyn. What a wonderful surprise. My dad put the tree in the stand and put the lights on for us. 3 of my sisters came over and made homemade cut out Christmas cookies, and cousin Sabrina Sherilyn. Veronica made the traditional Chex party mix and dates w/peanut butter & sugar. My friend Liz surprised us with a delicious Honey Baked turkey and sides, we made stuffing, green beans, squash, pumpkin bread and rolls and mom's pumpkin pie. Lori made us pecan pie and pound cake and one of Liz's friends made us a choc. chip cheesecake. We enjoyed every bit of it. Sherilyn ate a little bit of turkey, mac n cheese, pumpkin bread and a few bites of cheesecake. It was nice :)
Thank you Larry Greene, from TLC for checking my leaking roof and caulking it so I have a few more months before having to replace it. Thank you Charla for making Sherilyn's surprise possible and also for bringing treat bags to Veronica & Dustin's dorms on Halloween. What a kind thing to do!!!Thank you Suzette for sharing your puppy with Sherilyn. Thank you Dave for the huge assortment of breads, cookies, and pizza roll from Great Harvest...we are enjoying all of it and our waistlines will prove it. Thank you Tiffany for the Johnny Depp blanket and running out to get Sherilyn lasagne and salad from Olive Garden when she was craving it. Thank you Kris for running out to get Sherilyn some more Fuji apples and bringing her the peice of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory. Thank you Kara for coming to visit and for your letter. Thank you Avery for the cupcakes and for coming to say hi. Your friendships mean a lot to Sherilyn :) Thank you Bethany Carlson for the delicious stromboli, which we ate Friday, and the banana bread (which I froze for later). Thank you Tammy for the frasier fur candle (which smells wonderful) and cell phone ornament (Sherilyn loves it...so cute!)...perfect timing for our weekend. Thank you Greg for clearing my sidewalk and making my entrance presentable :) Thank you Cynthia & Annie for making Sherilyn's surprise. My memory isn't great these days with the schedule I've been pulling, and I know I am forgetting some of the wonderful things that have been done for me. Please know that I appreciate every one of you and am so thankful for all of you.
We went to clinic today and Sherilyn got platelets and some fluids. She is very weak and last night I didn't expect her to make it through the night. I called her dad and he came and stayed with us. Not only has her pain increased a lot and she is requiring massive amounts of pain meds, which make her very sleepy, but she is stopping breathing and waking herself up...it is very difficult to watch as her body is very jerky when this happens. It was a very emotional day at clinic because I think everyone knew we might not be back. Dr. Rosoff (Hem/Onc) and Dr. Martin (Bone marrow Transplant) came to say hi. I cried most of the way home. Going to sleep is the most difficult time because I hear her stop/start breathing every few minutes...but I just keep reading to her and holding her hand.
Please pray for her peace and comfort and for all of us to handle what comes next. She is ready to go to Heaven...the perfect homecoming God has prepared for and promised all who believe in Him.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, November 1, 2007 11:22 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn had a pretty good day yesterday :) She was awake most of the day and her pain seemed to be under better control. Her left arm is in a velcro splint, probablly due to the fall she took Sunday coming up the stairs from our garage into our house. She ate a few bites of Mellow Mushroom pizza my friend Lori brought over for lunch, apple slices, a few bites of a peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich, and some sips of a milkshake. We watched t.v. and I told her about the kids who came to the door and what costumes they were wearing. She enjoyed watching me make treat bags yesterday for the neighborhood kids and she wanted to see all of Nicky's treats when she came in last night. Then she asked me to sit with her and eat some candy so she could see & smell it. (twist my arm:) Last night we read books again before bed and worked on a little special surprise.
Thank you everyone for the special surprises brought over yesterday: Mellow Mushroom Pizza & salad (Lori), Chick-Fil-A salads for dinner (Bob), Halloween goodies (Marjee), beautiful angel (Bonnie), Halloween socks (Tiffany). We really enjoyed all of them. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people who care about us and love & support us. I know there are so many people who I have not taken the opportunity to thank. Please know that we appreciate everything you do and are so thankful for you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:25 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn's having a hard time. She developed really bad pain in her hands last night and I am having to give her a lot more pain medicine. They increased her Fentanyl patch to 150 (from 100) and upped the amount of liquid morphine that I can give her. Today at clinic her oxygen level was only 79, but showed no sign of needing oxygen so her doctor does not want us to give it to her at home-unless she feels as if she needs it and she doesn't at this time. Over the last day and a half Sherilyn has really gotten weak and frail. She was down to 96 lbs. last week but wasn't weighed today. It is very difficult for her to get up and around. We have been using a wheelchair for a couple of weeks now to & fro clinic. She has had temperatures on and off, but we have stopped taking temps. at home as it just alarms her. Yesterday she was burning up and hot to the touch. Doctors said it could be infection or the leukemia. Today her temp. was only 99.9 at clinic. She received fluids and platelets today. Her WBC was 8.3 (83% blasts), platelets 4, and Hemoglobin 8.9. Sherilyn has been taking the etopiside for a couple of days now, hoping to minimize the bone pain. Today her doctor told us he thought she would go in the next few days. Of course, 18 days ago he told us he didn't think she'd be here in 2 weeks.
Last night we continued reading our books...but she fell asleep at 12:30 while I was reading to her. When she woke up she asked me if I had read the whole stack. I told her I stopped when I heard her snoring :) Last night Sherilyn ate one half of a peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich and a few licks of frosting from a beautiful, homemade mermaid cake Roxie brought her (it was delicious!) Today after clinic she wanted barbecue and I stopped and got her some. She ate about 1/2 cupful, some apple slices, a mini Halloween cupcake her friend Avery brought her and some gummies. I am so happy she is getting some pleasure out of eating...for over 2 weeks she didn't eat anything except apple slices & sips of Kool-aid icee, so my prayers have been answered. I prayed that she would be able to eat. My sister Katie came over with Sabrina Sherilyn, Sherilyn's 3 month old cousin. Sherilyn wanted to see her again, but slept almost the whole time she was here. I sat next to her and held Sabrina since Sherilyn's hands hurt too much. She enjoyed the few minutes with her.
Thank you everyone for continuing to support our family. We appreciate every one of you and love you for caring about us. Thank you Barbara for the book & bunnies. Sherilyn loves the bunnies and loves the book which was a favorite of ours too! Thank you Ginger for the nice long walk tonight and the delicious veggies...just what I needed! Thank you Roxie for thinking about Sherilyn. She loved the cake and even ate some of the icing. I'll post pics later.
Please continue to keep Sherilyn and the rest of my family in your prayers. This is really a difficult time for all of us.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Sunday, October 28, 2007 10:43 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn has had a really good 3 days now. Friday and Saturday she was awake almost the entire day, watching t.v., talking to us and being happier than she has been in awhile. Yesterday she was feeling well enough that she told me it was ok to go to Coleen's bridal shower. So, Veronica, Nicollette & I went and stayed for about an hour and Nicollette came back later with my sister. It was really nice to get out for a little while and visit with family and friends. Noone was expecting me to come so it was a nice surprise.
Today Sherilyn went to clinic and received platelets (hers were 0!), one unit of red blood cells (8.6) and fluids and potassium (2.5). Strangely her white blood cell count dropped from 30 on Monday (bad) to about 9 today (much better)-although 97 percent of those were blasts. They don't know if it's a fluke, but decided not to recheck b/c we will be coming back Tues. for platelets since she was so low today.
For the last week Sherilyn has been eating mostly apple slices throughout the day and some kool-aid icee, only a bite or 2 of anything else. On the way home from clinic tonight she said she wanted lasagne! I told her I'd make her one as soon as we got home b/c I knew I had an individual size Stouffer's one in the freezer. I figured she'd change her mind after we got home or I'd make it and she'd hate the smell of it or maybe she'd eat 1-2 bites....surprisingly, she ate almost the entire serving!!! Well, it was like a bear going into hibernation after that...she slept for almost 3 hours. Now she is upstairs sleeping in my bed. I bet her tummy doesn't know what hit it...FOOD...YAH!!! She just piped up that she wants some Shelby barbecue. My friend Cynthia has brought her barbecue many times and it's her favorite. We've got to find a way to get some of that! I'm just so excited that she is wanting to eat:)
Anyway, it's been a really wonderful weekend. We had some great "mommy moments". Last night we were reading bible stories and old favorite children's books. It was 3:20am and I told Sherilyn I was getting really tired and she looked at me sternly and said, "Ya know I'm not going to be here much longer"....so we read some more.
God is so good!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, October 26, 2007 10:18 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn has had a pretty good day. We have managed her pain well, giving her a dose of quick acting morphine a few minutes before she needs to get up. She has been awake most of the day watching t.v. Dustin came home for a few hours this evening to visit with her. He wasn't planning on coming home until tomorrow, but she asked me to call him and see if he would come home and watch some t.v. with her. Veronica is home for the weekend too.
One of Sherilyn's favorite nurses, Stacey, who was one of her first nurses in 2003 came and visited today. Sherilyn was awake and talked to her and then she got sleepy. Stacey and I visited for several hours in another room. It was so good to see her and visit...Stacey made hospital stays much more bearable and we love her :)
Today Sherilyn ate apple slices and some kool-aid icee. Tomorrow is my youngest sister Coleen's briday shower and our neighbor's Halloween party. Then Sherilyn & I were planning a family Halloween costume party Sunday. Sadly, we won't be taking part in these events. The other night Sherilyn said, "I won't be able to wear my costume." I haven't even mentioned any of these for weeks since she has been feeling so bad. We would still have the family party on Sunday if she was eating, because that was most of the fun...planning all the themed foods. I had a costume party for her in 2003 with about 10 of her friends and we went all out making food and she wanted to repeat this. She's too weak to put her costume on and her feet hurt so bad. It's just one more loss in her life...you see planning things for Sherilyn is one way to keep her hopeful and give her something to look forward to. All she really looks forward to now is going to Heaven. I asked her if she would like to put up the Christmas tree this weekend and she said no.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Sherilyn's peace and comfort from pain.
This is my command-"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:52 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Yesterday Sherilyn was awake a lot of the day, mostly watching t.v. Veronica came home for a few hours to visit. Sherilyn ate a few slices of green pepper, some apple slices and then asked me to get her an Auntie Anne's pretzel (with extra butter & extra salt). So I picked up Nicky from school and headed to the mall, brought it home and she ate about 2 inches of it. This was probablly more calories than she had had in weeks. She had an okay night, woke up a couple of times.
Today was much the same, but her bone pain seems to have increased. Today, in addition to her hands and feet, her shoulders began aching. She seems to be comfortable sitting in her chair, but when she gets up to use the bathroom (and this is the only time she gets up except to go to bed at night) she is in excruciating pain...it hurts me so bad to see her in such pain. She ate some more apple slices today and asked me to get her a Bruegger's Bagel, which she ate 2 bites of. I went to the grocery to get her a few things today, but she didn't end of wanting any of them when I got home.
Murray (our Minister) came over again today and prayed with us and talked about Heaven. He told me Sherilyn squeezed his hand today...normally she just lays there with her eyes closed. I broke down as he was leaving and he just hugged me.
One of Sherilyn's teacher's, Bethanie Carlson, sent me this scripture and I wanted to share it b/c it spoke to me:
This is my command-"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:44 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
Not much to say. Sherilyn didn't eat yesterday, she is in a lot of pain...her feet hurt so bad she can barely walk, and she just wants to go to Heaven. Please pray for her peace & comfort.
Monday, October 22, 2007 9:36 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
We didn't get home from clinic until 9:30 tonight and I am exhausted! Sherilyn didn't want to go in the morning, so we waited until after Nicky got out of school at 3 and then went. Her nurses were efficient as usual and thanks to Brooke we got out when we did. She received one unit of platelets (7), 2 units of red blood cells (7.9), and potassium (2.3) dangerously low again! Eventhough I gave her IV fluids this morning, she was showing signs of dehydration. I think it's just catching up with her b/c last week when she wasn't eating or drinking much at all, her numbers looked fine. The last several days she has begun drinking much more. Today she surprised me by eating a little watermelon, about 10 "special" crackers made by my neighbor Charla, and then while at clinic she asked me to go to the cafeteria and get her an english muffin (which she ate almost half of). This is amazing! as she hasn't eaten solid food in almost 2 weeks. I have prayed that she would eat again and my prayers have been answered. Thank you God for small blessings.
While we were at clinic, Sherilyn got flustered and said to me, "I just want to go!" (meaning die) I really can't explain why she is still hanging on. My heart breaks every time I hear her say those words, but I also don't want to see her suffer any more either. Do I continue to take her to clinic twice a week? If we had not taken her on Friday, she most likely would have died over the weekend due to her low potassium. It's still extremely low today, what if we hadn't taken her today? I don't have the answers. I just pray I am doing the right thing. As long as Sherilyn wants to continue to get blood, we will take her to clinic, they will run tests and she will get what she needs. Only God knows when her time will come and until then, I'm going to hate the bad days and love the good ones.
Thank you for your continued love & prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. " -Psalm 23:4
If you believe that Jesus lives, you don't need to fear death
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:44 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
Not much to say. Sherilyn didn't eat yesterday, she is in a lot of pain...her feet hurt so bad she can barely walk, and she just wants to go to Heaven. Please pray for her peace & comfort.
Monday, October 22, 2007 9:36 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
We didn't get home from clinic until 9:30 tonight and I am exhausted! Sherilyn didn't want to go in the morning, so we waited until after Nicky got out of school at 3 and then went. Her nurses were efficient as usual and thanks to Brooke we got out when we did. She received one unit of platelets (7), 2 units of red blood cells (7.9), and potassium (2.3) dangerously low again! Eventhough I gave her IV fluids this morning, she was showing signs of dehydration. I think it's just catching up with her b/c last week when she wasn't eating or drinking much at all, her numbers looked fine. The last several days she has begun drinking much more. Today she surprised me by eating a little watermelon, about 10 "special" crackers made by my neighbor Charla, and then while at clinic she asked me to go to the cafeteria and get her an english muffin (which she ate almost half of). This is amazing! as she hasn't eaten solid food in almost 2 weeks. I have prayed that she would eat again and my prayers have been answered. Thank you God for small blessings.
While we were at clinic, Sherilyn got flustered and said to me, "I just want to go!" (meaning die) I really can't explain why she is still hanging on. My heart breaks every time I hear her say those words, but I also don't want to see her suffer any more either. Do I continue to take her to clinic twice a week? If we had not taken her on Friday, she most likely would have died over the weekend due to her low potassium. It's still extremely low today, what if we hadn't taken her today? I don't have the answers. I just pray I am doing the right thing. As long as Sherilyn wants to continue to get blood, we will take her to clinic, they will run tests and she will get what she needs. Only God knows when her time will come and until then, I'm going to hate the bad days and love the good ones.
Thank you for your continued love & prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. " -Psalm 23:4
If you believe that Jesus lives, you don't need to fear death
Monday, October 22, 2007 9:36 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
We didn't get home from clinic until 9:30 tonight and I am exhausted! Sherilyn didn't want to go in the morning, so we waited until after Nicky got out of school at 3 and then went. Her nurses were efficient as usual and thanks to Brooke we got out when we did. She received one unit of platelets (7), 2 units of red blood cells (7.9), and potassium (2.3) dangerously low again! Eventhough I gave her IV fluids this morning, she was showing signs of dehydration. I think it's just catching up with her b/c last week when she wasn't eating or drinking much at all, her numbers looked fine. The last several days she has begun drinking much more. Today she surprised me by eating a little watermelon, about 10 "special" crackers made by my neighbor Charla, and then while at clinic she asked me to go to the cafeteria and get her an english muffin (which she ate almost half of). This is amazing! as she hasn't eaten solid food in almost 2 weeks. I have prayed that she would eat again and my prayers have been answered. Thank you God for small blessings.
While we were at clinic, Sherilyn got flustered and said to me, "I just want to go!" (meaning die) I really can't explain why she is still hanging on. My heart breaks every time I hear her say those words, but I also don't want to see her suffer any more either. Do I continue to take her to clinic twice a week? If we had not taken her on Friday, she most likely would have died over the weekend due to her low potassium. It's still extremely low today, what if we hadn't taken her today? I don't have the answers. I just pray I am doing the right thing. As long as Sherilyn wants to continue to get blood, we will take her to clinic, they will run tests and she will get what she needs. Only God knows when her time will come and until then, I'm going to hate the bad days and love the good ones.
Thank you for your continued love & prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. " -Psalm 23:4
If you believe that Jesus lives, you don't need to fear death.
Monday, October 22, 2007 8:52 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn slept almost the entire day on Saturday. My brother Carl was here from Charlottesville, Virginia so I got to spend some time with him. It was a beautiful day outside and we sat on the front porch for hours and talked while Sherilyn was asleep. Veronica & Dustin both came home too.
My sister Maureen and her husband Alan, Megan & Patrick came by today to drop off more homemade goodies. This time she made lasagne, and picked fresh greens from her garden as well as her famous choc. chip, pecan biscotti. Boy did we all enjoy our dinner last night!!! Sherilyn was awake this time when they came over so she got to spend a little time with her cousins before she fell asleep.
Yesterday was a good day. Sherilyn was awake most of the day and watched movies with us. It was really nice. She even ate a few bites of watermelon and a kool-aid icee. She slept well last night...went to bed around 1am, woke up at 5am for pain meds, water, etc. and got up this am around 8am (early for her) but her bones & body ache and she can get more comfortable in her recliner downstairs.
We will go to clinic tomorrow. Today I will give her IV fluids and pray for another good, alert day :)
Thank you for all of your continued love, prayers & support.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:19-20)
Monday, October 22, 2007 7:49 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn slept almost the entire day on Saturday. My brother was here from Charlottesville, Virginia so I got to spend some time with him. It was a beautiful day outside and we sat on the front porch for hours and talked while Sherilyn was asleep. Veronica & Dustin both came home too.
Yesterday Sherilyn had a good day. She was awake almost the entire day and watched movies with us. It was really nice. She even ate a few bites of watermelon and a kool-aid icee. She slept well last night...went to bed around 1am, woke up at 5am for pain meds, water, etc. and got up this am around 8am (early for her) but her bones & body ache and she can get more comfortable in her recliner downstairs.
We will go to clinic tomorrow. Today I will give her IV fluids and pray for another good, alert day :)
Thank you for all of your continued love, prayers & support.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:19-20)
Friday, October 19, 2007 9:46 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Sherilyn had a much better day yesterday and seems to be feeling better today. She was awake most of the day and we all got to talk and spend some quality time with her. Veronica woke up here on her 21st birthday which was nice, but then she had to go back to school for an engineering test. Both she and Dustin are home this weekend. Sherilyn's neice Megan came to visit today and wouldn't you know it she slept through the whole visit. She came just to visit Sherilyn and will fly back to school on Monday. My brother Carl is coming to see Sherilyn tomorrow.
We took Sherilyn to clinic today and she received platelets, IV fluids, and potassium because hers was DANGEROUSLY low (2.2-normal range is 3.8-5.0). Strangely she didn't need red blood cells eventhough hers were 8.2 on Monday...today it was 9.1. She was thrilled about this. Unfortunately her white blood cell count was way up from about 9.6 to 22.9. The low dose Etopiside was keeping this at bay but she has stopped taking all of her meds. Duke Infusion delivered Dextrose/Saline IV fluids so that I can give Sherilyn this at home. She is still not eating so this will at least be a few calories for her. I really don't know how she has the energy. Last night she told me she was sooo hungry she just wished she could eat. She said she couldn't wait to go to heaven to eat watermelon, apples & green peppers. I asked her if she was going to move on to cheesecake after that and she said, "No, I just want fruits & vegetables." More than anything I wish it didn't hurt her to eat, b/c if it weren't for this I think she'd feel so much better and be so much happier. She came home from clinic and has slept ever since.
My wonderful sister Maureen has been feeding us. She made homemade minestrone soup, black bean soup, jalapeno spoon bread, and apple pie. Today she brought pizza & salad. My sister Coleen took Nicollette shopping today for a dress. Both Coleen & Katie took Veronica out last night for her birthday. I don't know what I would do without my sisters.
Last night Sherilyn & I stayed up and I read her bunches of her favorite children's books. Tony's sister Shawn brought a new title from one of our favorite children's authors so we decided reminiscing was in order. More happy memories :)
Praying for another good day tomorrow and some sleep tonight. Not sure about that one since she's been sleeping since 3pm.
"Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:19-20)
f.r.o.g,
Laura
Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:35 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
My good friend Kris brought over this lovely kitten for Sherilyn to hold. Sherilyn has always wanted an orange kitten, but our cat does not get along with other cats and that's why we recently got the rabbit. Well, weeks ago I was lying in bed with Sherilyn and she began crying that she would never have the kitten or puppy that she always wanted to get when she gets older. She knew she couldn't have children due to radiation, but has always wanted to have a room for her pets when she lives alone. Needless to say, I wanted to make it happen. So with the help of Kris, her friend Alice Henderson and the SPCA, we have Zoomer aka Pumpkin for a few days. Sherilyn held him for 3 hours the first night.
Sherilyn slept most of the day yesterday. 2 of her teachers from Millbrook High School stopped over briefly while she was sleeping to bring 2 big posters signed by hundereds of kids with a big bible verse in the center of each poster. When she woke up I showed her the posters and read to her and she was happy.
Sherilyn is not eating anything, just drinking water. I really don't know how she has the strength to get up at all. She still walks up the stairs at night. These last 4 years I have had to give Sherilyn meds throughout the day and I worry that I might miss one dose here or there and for over a week she hasn't taken one pill...only pain meds and nothing has happened. God is so good!
Veronica came home for the night and woke up here for her 21st birthday. She had to go back to NCSU for an engineering test but will be back on Friday. Veronica was in awe of the gifts from Sherilyn and they got to spend some good time together.
Before Sherilyn went to bed, she told me again to pray that she go to heaven. We called Steve, her bone marrow donor and he prayed with us and Sherilyn told him she loved him :)
Sherilyn and I were lying in bed last night and she said, "Do you think there is a test on the bible when you get to Heaven? and maybe that's why God hasn't taken me yet." I told her God would take her when the time was right and we hugged. She holds my hand all night and it's the most wonderful thing in the world. I am the luckiest mom in the entire world! I am so thankful that God has given me Sherilyn for these 16 years...I can't imagine a more perfect gift.
Thank you all for allowing me to share Sherilyn's life with you. Thank you for your continued prayers for Sherilyn's peace.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:22 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn slept most of the day yesterday. 2 of her teachers from Millbrook High School stopped over briefly while she was sleeping to bring 2 big posters signed by hundereds of kids with a big bible verse in the center of each poster. When she woke up I showed her the posters and read to her and she was happy.
Sherilyn is not eating anything, just drinking water. I really don't know how she has the strength to get up at all. She still walks up the stairs at night. These last 4 years I have had to give Sherilyn meds throughout the day and I worry that I might miss one dose here or there and for over a week she hasn't taken one pill...only pain meds and nothing has happened. God is so good!
Veronica came home for the night and woke up here for her 21st birthday. She had to go back to NCSU for an engineering test but will be back on Friday. Veronica was in awe of the gifts from Sherilyn and they got to spend some good time together.
Before Sherilyn went to bed, she told me again to pray that she go to heaven. We called Steve, her bone marrow donor and he prayed with us and Sherilyn told him she loved him :)
Sherilyn and I were lying in bed last night and she said, "Do you think there is a test on the bible when you get to Heaven? and maybe that's why God hasn't taken me yet." I told her God would take her when the time was right and we hugged. She holds my hand all night and it's the most wonderful thing in the world. I am the luckiest mom in the entire world! I am so thankful that God has given me Sherilyn for these 16 years...I can't imagine a more perfect gift.
Thank you all for allowing me to share Sherilyn's life with you. Thank you for your continued prayers for Sherilyn's peace.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 4:35 PM CDT
HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY NICOLLETTE!!!
Dear Friends~
These last few days have been so sad, yet filled with beautiful and amazing memories. Up until Sunday night Sherilyn was lying in her chair pretty much sleeping the entire day, with the t.v. off and the curtains drawn and the lights out. But Sunday night around 9pm she wanted to watch t.v. so Tony & I sat with her while she stayed awake. Around 11:00 or so she asked for a pad of paper & pen and she was busily writing. A couple of hours later she handed me & Tony the most heartfelt letters that you can only imagine. I'm pretty sure she wrote one for Veronica, Dustin & Nicollette too, but hasnt' given them to them yet. Then when she went to bed she told me again that she just wanted to go to sleep and wake up in heaven...so we prayed. But she woke up, took some pain meds, went to the bathroom, and we both went back to sleep...she told me to pray that she would go. She woke up several hours later and said, "Mom, go get dressed, I want to go shopping". I quickly jumped out of bed and got ready.
My beautiful, precious Sherilyn had lots of birthday money and wanted to go shopping for her siblings. She spent every bit of her money on them...it's going to be like Christmas beginning tonight with Nicollette's 13th birthday and Thursday is Veronica's 21st birthday. Sherilyn can barely walk, talk and is in pain and all she thinks about is her family. That's my Sherilyn...she has always been like this...it's part of what makes her so unique and special. She is my angel! She had so much fun picking out gifts and cards and writing notes to them. She found "Sister" picture frames and put her favorite picture of her in them. She had a frame made for Dustin that said "I (heart) Dustin Love, Sherilyn" from Things Remembered b/c we couldn't find a brother frame. Thanks to my friend Kris for helping us out on that one!
Today she went to clinic for platelets and some fluids. We also got the saliva samples and blood samples for the Family Genetic Cancer study completed and Fed Exed. I'm so happy to have gotten that done.
My friend Cynthia is here and we are off for a short walk while Sherilyn is sleeping and Tony is sitting with her. This is a luxury I don't get to do lately. The neighbors had a wonderful surprise party for Nicollette...everyone has been so wonderful to us.
Thank you all for allowing me to share Sherilyn's life with you. Thank you for your continued prayers for Sherilyn's peace.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:47 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
It's been an emotional weekend for all of us. I am so thankful that Veronica & Dustin had 4 days off to spend with Sherilyn. Tony took the next 4 days off and is staying here with us. Sherilyn continues to be in pain but it is controlled pretty quickly with a number of pain meds. She is sleeping most of the day, wants it dark & quiet and doesn't want to talk b/c it hurts too much. She has become so weak and fragile.
Yesterday she decided she wanted to ride around in the car so Tony & Dustin piled in the car with us and we drove for 2 hours aimlessly (we are pros at this as we did this a lot after transplant when Sherilyn couldn't do much else). We stopped and got her a blue icee (her favorite) and she drank about 1/4 of it. I stopped by our local pet store (Pet Mania) and asked if I could take baby bunnies out to Sherilyn in the car to hold. Sherilyn held 2 different bunnies and smiled for the first time in days...priceless. Last night I had to get up about 4 times to give her additional pain meds or b/c she had to use the restroom. Today she slept almost the entire day but Tony & I have been able to switch off sitting with her and holding her hand/hugging her. Early this afternoon she wanted ice cream from Jason's Deli so my sister & I ran out to get some. She took maybe 2 bites and it hurt her chest too much. I was so encouraged that she wanted to eat, but that's all she ate today. Tonight she surprised us by staying awake for a couple of hours and watching tv.
Today our minister, Murray came over and talked to Sherilyn and prayed. He was so comforting to us as he described Heaven for Sherilyn and told her what to expect in the coming days. He read the 23rd Psalm with her name in it and described each passage. He talked about the angels guiding her to her perfect homecoming. I can't tell you how wonderful and compassionate he was. I really think Sherilyn has been at peace since he came. Early this evening she was flustered and couldn't get comfortable and she said to me, "I just want to go to sleep NOW and wake up in heaven." My heart hurts so bad for her and I just sobbed and we just hugged and I told her I hoped she got her wish. I can't bear to lose her, but watching her suffer is even worse...I know she wants to go HOME to God and end her suffering and be normal again.
Over the last few days I have seen the love of my other children as each expressed their love for Sherilyn, by taking turns just sitting next to her and holding her hand and whispering to her. I sat by quietly, my heart physically hurting. I have cried so many tears this weekend and I know I will cry so many more.
Thank you all for allowing me to share Sherilyn's life with you. Thank you for your continued prayers for Sherilyn's peace.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:10 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
Sorry it has taken me so long to update, but it's becoming harder to know what to say. It's been a really rough week for Sherilyn. Although the pain in her face is gone, she is having a lot of difficulty/pain when eating or drinking. Dr. Rosoff thinks it may be either a cluster of leukemia cells causing the feeling of blockage or fungus, and that it won't go away. She has tried so hard and fought so hard these past 4 years 8 months, but she is so tired now. A few days ago she told me she wished she could be taken out of her misery, 2 days later she refused all her medications except the tiny pain pills, and hasn't eaten anything in over a day and prior to that was only eating watermelon, her favorite crackers my neighbor Charla made, a sip or two of icee, and bites of a frosty. She has lost another 4 pounds for a total of almost 12 these past few weeks. She is coughing a lot and said when she walks it feels like the bones in her feet are going to break and in her hands when she moves them a certain way.
Two of my sisters came to clinic with me yesterday so they could help me. Basically they sat in the waiting room all day because Sherilyn doesn't like to hear any noise, but they helped me with prescriptions and Katie sat with Sherilyn when Dr. Rosoff wanted to talk with me and Coleen stayed with me as it was another very emotional talk. Dr. Rosoff doesn't think she has long...he said she is really suffering and he is going to make her as comfortable as possible. He increased her pain meds, gave her platelets, 2 units of red blood cells, and IV antibiotics. He hugged me and said some really nice things to me and told me to call him. He was wonderful and very comforting to me and I really appreciate his love for Sherilyn (and Veronica) and compassion for me.
As you can imagine, this is a most difficult time for our family. I will not be answering phones or doing anything for the next days except sitting by Sherilyn's side. She just wants me to sit with her or sleep with her and hold her hand. Thankfully, Veronica & Dustin have been home since Wed. for their fall break and have been able to sit with her too. Tony has taken off the next 4 days and plans on spending the time with Sherilyn. He came after work the other night and stayed until 4:30 and then went back to work.
Please pray for Sherilyn's peace and for no more suffering. Please pray for me because this is all I know and I'm not sure how I'll go on without my precious, beautiful Sherilyn. I don't know how any parent handles losing a child, but God will know how to handle it and I know He will hold my hand and at the same time I know He will be holding Sherilyn's hand.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, October 8, 2007 7:53 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn is slowly getting over this infection, but the last 5 days have been difficult. She has been sleeping a lot and doesn't like much noise at all...she wants the curtains drawn and the lights out and it hurts her to talk. She is very down and has been crying a lot. She is getting IV fluids about every other day either at home or clinic to make up for the lack of drinking/eating. Thankfully, the pain in her face seems to be lessening and she is going longer in between pain meds, but she is having difficulty taking pills and eating. She has developed something in her GI tract possibly that is making it difficult for her to eat. She is eating minimally and only soft foods. She is throwing up in the mornings and has to sleep in her recliner the majority of the time. With the exception of the GI thing, she seems to be in less pain today, but not sure what's going on with that. I hate this new issue because Sherilyn gets so much pleasure out of eating and I love to see her enjoy and look forward to eating good foods. You can tell I've been cooking and enjoying the food too! :)
Today she received platelets and one unit of red blood cells. She lost another 4 lbs. She is barely eating these last few days. She had a fever of 101.? and cultures were drawn, but likely it is the leukemia. Today 98% of her blood is blasts (immature leukemia cells) and her white blood cell count is rising (19.6). We had thought the low dose chemo would have kicked in and knocked out some of the blasts, but it appears it is stronger or maybe she is developing resistance to is as she has had a lot of this particular chemo. We could start the other low dose chemo but it's biggest side effect is GI trouble and she developed that previously with this and she was miserable...she wouldn't eat at all. DID I SAY I HATE LEUKEMIA?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so hard to see her in so much pain and know there is NOTHING you can do to help and that it is only going to get worse.
Please pray for this GI issue and infection to clear up so that she can enjoy more happy days. Thank you for all of your continued prayers, love & support.
MY HAND IN GOD'S
by Florence Scripps Kellogg
Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair-
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, October 5, 2007 7:46 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
VERONICA'S LABS WERE GREAT!!! AND SHE IS OFF ALL MEDS!!!
On Wednesday night before Sherilyn went to bed I noticed that her face was already swelling, so I gave her a dose of antibiotics before bed and another one at 4am...I wasn't going to wait for the doctors to see her. I just happened to have 2 doses of Clindamycin prescribed to be taken before dental visits. This is exactly how her last infection presented itself and I didn't want it to get out of control. Last time her doctor put her on Avelox & Clindamycin and it controlled the infection. She was already on the Avelox due to her low grade fever and shoulder pain over the weekend. In the morning I called Tony and asked if he would call in a prescription for the Clindamycin so I could give it to her every 6 hours as directed. When we got to clinic her doctor put her back on it so I was one step ahead of him. She also got one unit of platelets and IV fluids (she has been sleeping so much she isn't drinking or eating much at all). We are also going to begin giving her etopiside (low dose chemo) every day opposed to every other day to keep her white blood cell count down. Dr. Rosoff said that when the WBC count rises too high you can begin having problems with the central nervous system.
Sherilyn woke up every 2 hours Wed. night for pain meds so Dr. Rosoff increased them. Veronica was with us so Dr. Rosoff asked her to go sit with Sherilyn and that he wanted to talk with me & Tony. I didn't know what to expect, but thankfully he just wanted to touch base with us. He said that Sherilyn was noticeably weaker and that he hoped the antibiotics would control the infection, but basically he wanted us to be prepared. I told him that every time she got an infection we faced losing her. He told us that he wanted her to be able to go to the mountains, beach, etc. and that he hoped she would be able to. He told us that if the time came and we couldn't deal with it at home, that we could come to the hospital and he would sit with her at the hospital for as long as possible. I saw a loving, compassionate side of him that I don't often see and that was very comforting. We talked about what ifs/how to deal with situations as well.
Sherilyn slept a little better last night. She only woke up at 2am and 6:30 am for additional pain meds. Because of the pain in her face, it's more comfortable to sleep in her recliner downstairs, so I moved her down there early this am and she is sleeping now. This infection hasn't seemed to be as bad as the last one, most likely because she was already on one of the antibiotics. The only difference is that it's her right side of her face & both eyes are swollen this time.
Dr. Rosoff thought Veronica looked great and since she is almost 6 months off therapy, he stopped her Bactrim and leukovorin. Hip Hip Hooray!!!! for GOOD NEWS! Big sigh of relief for all of us!!! Her platelets came up from 83 to 108 the highest they have been since treatment. THANK YOU GOD!
Thank you for all of your continued prayers, love & support.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Wednesday, October 3, 2007 10:01 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Thank you for the countless offers that I received for a wheelchair. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our trip to the mountains. Sherilyn woke up in a lot of pain on the right side of her face and slept most of the day. We didn't go to clinic because she received platelets on Tues. and her hemoglobin was 9.6. Her last infection was on the left side of her face and was quite painful. I know she is worried that this is what's happening on her right side. I have had to increase the pain meds a lot today and tonight she became very emotional and cried about a lot of stuff. It breaks my heart to see her in so much pain physically & emotionally. Tomorrow I will take her to clinic to see her doctor and he will decide if she needs to go on another antiobiotic. She is still on one of the 2 that she was on with her last infection. She doesn't have a fever. Yesterday her WBC count was 7.9 and her blasts were 86 percent. Veronica will also be going to clinic tomorrow for labs.
I pray that Sherilyn will be able to sleep tonight without waking up every few hours for additional pain meds. Please pray that Veronica's labs are good and that her platelets have increased.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 5:27 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's pain decreased a lot on Sunday and has improved each day. She is not needing pain meds in between much at all. On Monday we went to the mall and she went fall shopping. I had to get her a wheelchair after just a little while because she was out of breath, but that just allowed her to shop a little more. She had birthday money that she wanted to use to get some fall clothes and she found some cute stuff! Today we went to clinic for platelets and fluids. Her mouth has been bleeding again and we knew this indicated a low platelet count. She lost 4 pounds and the pants she tried on were falling off her. This summer she was wearing size 5/6 jeans and now she is wearing size 0. It was sad to see her trying on clothes and seeing her tiny little body. It was so hard for her to bend down and she needed me for support. At night she had bruises on her feet and ankles and said it was from trying on the jeans. We are going back to clinic tomorrow for platelets and blood so that she will be "tanked up" for our trip to the mountains. I am trying to get a wheelchair for the trip from Home Health but not sure if insurance will cover it. I have to get one because she can't walk for long and she wants to do the things she usually does at the mountains and that requires walking.
Please pray that she is feeling good and can enjoy this trip to the mountains. Every day I have with her is a BLESSING.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Saturday, September 29, 2007 1:31 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn has had a really good week. She went to clinic on Thursday and received blood and platelets again. She has been eating good most days and her weight has remained the same for a few weeks now. We have gone shopping a couple of days this week for short periods of time. We went to the fabric store to get fabric for a head band to match her Halloween costume and she chose fabric for my witch costume. Yes, she chose that...not me! But, before you say anything, she said I'll be a good witch...with glitter on my face :) when I asked if I had to have a green pointy nose. She loves to plan things and have things to look forward to.
We are planning a trip to the mountains (Blowing Rock) this weekend. I haven't said much about it because I know how quickly things can change. Sherilyn absolutely loves fall and the mountains. We are going to go to Tweetsie Railroad Friday am and then all the other fun things we do when we go to the mountains...Grandfather Mtn. (walking across the swinging bridge & seeing the animals, climbing the rocks at Blowing Rock & eating ice cream, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, eating mac and cheese at Macadoos, going to Mast General at Valley Cruix, shopping at Gap Outlet, window shopping on Main St. Blowing Rock and eating ice cream at Kilwins, in the evenings while sitting at the park. Just a few of our favorite things :)
Please pray that Sherilyn gets this trip...as yesterday she developed severe pain in her shoulder and hasn't been up for much of any activity. I'm giving her pain meds every 2 hours, in addition to the ones she is already taking regularly.
Dustin came home to spend the afternoon with Sherilyn and Veronica came home today to spend the day/night with her. She did not go to clinic this week because she had something to do at school and will go next week for labs. She is beginning to get into the swing of her classes and seems to be a little less overwhelmed with life these days. She has been very busy with her classes/homework and has been staying at school to work on these. Nicky went to her dad's for the weekend. It is a gorgeous day...I was able to take a nice walk in the sun early this afternoon and it felt awesome!!!! I hope all of you get to enjoy this day in some way. Just remember to love your kids and treasure every moment you have with them...they are our blessings.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 10:52 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn has had several really good days. Nicollette didn't have school on Monday so Sherilyn, Nicollette & I went out to lunch and driving around. We ended up at the Halloween store where the girls enjoying going each year and looking at all the decorations and costumes. Sherilyn has decided that she wants to have a little Halloween costume party the weekend before Halloween. We had one years ago and made lots of fun Halloween themed foods. Today we knew Sherilyn needed platelets because she began bleeding in her mouth again last night so I emailed her doctor and he said to come in. Sherilyn wanted to stop in Brier Creek on the way and eat lunch so we ate at a new restaurant called Briixx Woodfired Pizza. We split a Caesar salad and Marguerite pizza which were both delicious! The she wanted to go to Target to look for black leggings to wear with her costume and then to Payless for some shoes she wanted. I couldn't believe she wanted to do all of this...but was pleasantly surprised watching her have some much deserved fun.
Then we went to clinic and she got labs. We were surprised that she needed both platelets (4) and red blood cells (8.3). She got one unit of each and we'll go back Thursday for another unit of each. She didn't want to stay for 2 units today. We were there from about 1:30 to 7pm. After she got Benadryl and hydrocortisone, she got really hot & aggitated as she usually does. Then she had another minor reaction to the platelets (a little bit of swelling in her lips, itchiness) and they had to slow them down. She is getting this often with platelet transfusions.
Tonight she came home and ate and played on the computer for awhile. As I watched her sitting there at my computer desk playing and having fun, I thanked God for these happy days and prayed for another one tomorrow! More than ever, I know that every day is a blessing and the good ones are even more special.
I received an email that our Light the Night Team, Adams Angels raised a WHOPPING $25,085.00!!! Thanks to all of your support we will probablly be the #1 moneymaking team again for the 5th or 6th year in a row. Last year we raised about $14,000. Way to go Team!!! I believe we had about 80 people sign up on our team and walk this year. Thank you all for your very generous support...together we will make a difference.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers.
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:20 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
We enjoyed a quiet weekend at home-no clinic visits. Sherilyn had a great day on Friday...was happy and more like herself. Saturday was just the opposite-she felt bad all day and barely ate anything and slept a lot. She would ask me to make her something and then she would taste it or just look at it and say, "I don't want it". Finally, she just went up to bed at 6 and wanted me to lay down with her. She slept until almost 10 and then got up and came downstairs for a few hours. Then she stayed up until 4 am and slept until 1pm Sunday. Today she was a little better. She ate some and even drove around for a little while. Tonight I took a walk with my friend and when I came back she asked me if I would go to Krispy Kreme and get her some hot doughnuts, so my friend and I jumped in her car and got them. She ate almost 2! Nowadays when she wants something, I jump at the chance to get her her cravings.
I will draw her labs at home tomorrow and give them to the home health nurse when she comes. I have been giving her the low dose chemo every other day to try to minimize the side effects. It seems the day after she takes it that she is very nauseous and moody. I have been giving her extra anti nausea meds.
Veronica went to the mountains to visit one of her friends. She drove by herself for the first time and had a near bad accident, but God was watching over her. She was driving about 65 mph and a car tried to switch in her lane (she must have been in their blind spot) and she saw them coming and had to swerve to the right fast...she spun completely around and went off the road into an embankment, nearly missing a tree. The car never stopped, but a woman behind her stopped and asked her if she needed to call an ambulance. Veronica was fine, just really shaken up, some scratches on her car. A nice man stopped and got her car out and she got off the exit and went to a nearby Wendys to calm herself down. Thankfully Tony was at my house when she called and he was able to drive to her to make sure she was ok. Then she drove the rest of the way to Boone and had a good time. Thank you GOD! She goes to clinic on Thursday for labs.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers. Every day is a blessing!
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, September 21, 2007 7:45 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
On Wednesday Sherilyn woke up and was feeling good enough that she wanted to get out of the house. We made a brief stop at Ulta where she got some perfume she has been wanting and then to Crabtree mall to go to San Rio (aka the Hello Kitty store). After picking out some stamps, gel pens, a pink apron for me (Sherilyn insisted I had to have it :), and a Halloween HK, we stopped by the cookie store for a blue icee and a double choc. cookie. Sherilyn was worn out for the rest of the day, but it was fun to see her smile for a little while. Tony came late afternoon and stayed until about 9. I was able to get out for a little while with Nicky and take a walk. I had not been out of the house in 7 days, except to go to Duke or take a walk and was getting stir crazy!
Yesterday Sherilyn woke up feeling kinda blah, but ate and felt a little better. Her dad came back down and sat with her and I went out to lunch with my friend Kris and to the grocery store. Sherilyn took a nice nap and then we watched one of our favorite shows, Take Home Chef. After we all went to Mellow Mushroom with Veronica & Dustin and Nicky's friend Annie. Sherilyn stayed long enough to eat a salad and a bite of pizza and then wanted to go home. We had 2 cars so I took her home and everyone else stayed and finished. It was nice to be together even if it wasn't for long.
Yesterday Sherilyn's WBC count was 11.8 (70 percent blasts), hemoglobin 10.5, platelets 27 (high for Sherilyn). She is not bleeding in her mouth or eye anymore and her swelling is gone. She mostly complains about her stomach and bone pain all over...especially hard to get comfortable to go to sleep.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers. Every day is a blessing!
A quote from my daily devotional:
"Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful".
Jesus answered and said to the, "Have faith in God."
-Mark 11:22
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 7:18 AM CDT
Hi Friends~
Sherilyn didn't sleep good Monday night after getting home from clinic so late. She was very agitated and couldn't sleep and slept until noon. When she got up she was very nauseous and moody. She wanted a bagel w/cream cheese but as soon as I was about to give it to her she told me to get her the pink bucket. She had dry heaves and then a little panic attack...she said it felt like her heart was going to pop out of her chest and that she was out of breath. I gave her some Ativan and let her calm down. Then I packed the clinic bags...you should see what we bring to clinc for a day (2 pillows, fleece blanket, Pooh (from our recent trip to DisneyLand) a backpack with socks, soft t.p, wipes, etc. meds, magazines, snacks and then a cooler filled with waters, yogurt, sandwiches, etc. to keep Sherilyn comfortable for many hours. It's hilarious...it looks like we're coming to stay!
Sherilyn received 2 units of red blood cells and one unit of platelets. Her eye is still a little bloody but the bleeding in her mouth has stopped and the swelling in her face is gone. She is still bleeding into her urine and she will continue to need platelets often until this is resolved. We got home around 7:30 pm and she ate a good dinner...a ham/swiss cheese sandwich, an apple cut up in tiny peices and then a chocolate milkshake (I always sneak in a packet of weight gain in her milkshakes :) and she drank 3/4 of it. She woke up around 3 am needing pain meds but otherwise slept well. She was feeling good enough last night before she went to bed that she told me she wanted me to wake her up at 10:30am and she wanted a glass of ice water (ice always filled up to the very top) w/lemon and and apple cut up :) A girl who knows what she wants :)
On the way home from the hospital, Sherilyn took my hand and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I've been so grouchy lately." Can you believe it...I told her she didn't need to apologize, that if I felt like she did I'd be a whole lot worse...then she held my hand the whole way home. She really is a little angel (always thinking of others).
Thank you for your continued love, prayers & support. We love you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, September 17, 2007 10:29 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn woke up feeling nauseous, but her swelling had gone done almost completely. Her eye was still puffy and red and hurts her. She ate a bagel w/cream cheese which my neighbor went out and got for her :) Early in the afternoon, she got really tired and out of breath and came upstairs to take a nap. Then I made her english muffin pizzas for lunch and she ate a green pepper. Thank you Kris for grocery shopping for me...I couldn't have done it without you. Later my sister Katie & Sabrina Sherilyn came for a visit. Thankfully, an angel friend brought us an early dinner of ziti, bread, salad and a coca cola cake (perfect timing because we ended up in clinic again, but I was able to feed Sherilyn before we left). Late this afternoon Sherilyn started bleeding in her eye, gums and urine and needed platelets.
Thankfully my friend and neighbor Cynthia came up to my house and ate dinner with Nicollette and then stopped and picked up a prescription for me because my Dr. called me late this afternoon and told me I had a Strep B bacterial infection and needed to start Zithromax...absolutely no symptoms...just went for a normal drs. appt. on Friday. The first question I asked her was if I was contagious, but she said it originated from my GI tract and wasn't. Originally she put me on Cipro which was killing me so hopefully this won't make me feel so bad.
At clinic while Sherilyn was getting platelets, she got really agitated, her heart was racing, she was hot (temp. 101) and her throat felt funny, so they stopped them due to a possible reaction. Thankfully they were almost done...just a little left in the tubing. We waited around until she felt normal and then we left. We didn't get home until 9:30. I had to stop on the way home so Sherilyn could use the restroom and then she wanted to stop and get a hot fudge sundae (that's my girl :) We have to go back tomorrow for red blood cells. She's sleeping in my bed now and hopefully we will both get a good nights sleep. My sister went out and got a baby monitor for me so I can hear Sherilyn when she needs something when I'm downstairs and she's up, b/c it hurts her to call me. Thank God for all of the angels in my life helping me keep it all together...I couldn't do it without them!
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are praying for good days ahead!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, September 17, 2007 10:22 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn woke up feeling nauseous, but her swelling had gone done almost completely. Her eye was still puffy and red and hurts her. She ate a bagel w/cream cheese which my neighbor went out and got for her :) Early in the afternoon, she got really tired and out of breath and came upstairs to take a nap. Then I made her english muffin pizzas for lunch and she ate a green pepper. Thank you Kris for grocery shopping for me...I couldn't have done it without you. Later my sister Katie & Sabrina Sherilyn came for a visit. Thankfully, an angel friend brought us an early dinner of ziti, bread, salad and a coca cola cake (perfect timing because we ended up in clinic again, but I was able to feed Sherilyn before we left). Late this afternoon Sherilyn started bleeding in her eye, gums and urine and needed platelets. While Sherilyn was getting platelets, she got really agitated, her heart was racing, she was hot (temp. 101) and her throat felt funny, so they stopped them due to a possible reaction. Thankfully they were almost done...just a little left in the tubing. We waited around until she felt normal and then we left. We didn't get home until 9:30. I had to stop on the way home so Sherilyn could use the restroom and then she wanted to stop and get a hot fudge sundae (that's my girl :) We have to go back tomorrow for red blood cells. She's sleeping in my bed now and hopefully we will both get a good nights sleep. My sister went out and got a baby monitor for me so I can hear Sherilyn when she needs something when I'm downstairs and she's up, b/c it hurts her to call me. Thank God for all of the angels in my life helping me keep it all together...I couldn't do it without them!
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are praying for good days ahead!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Saturday, September 15, 2007 10:38 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's improving praise GOD! Last night she slept 6 hours without needing additional pain meds. When she woke up her eye was swollen shut and her left side is still swollen, but she took some pain medicine and went back to sleep until noon. She has eaten well today and even played on the computer for about an hour. Her face is very sore, but the increased pain patch/meds is really helping. She is on a lot of medicines and I am trying to spread them throughout the day so she doesn't get so upset. With the addition of 5 new meds, some every 6 hrs. some every 8, some 2x a day, etc. it has gotten as complicated as after transplant, so I'm making lists and crossing them off like before. Today she's been good about taking all of them...her mouth doesn't hurt as much as it has moved upward into her cheek and eye.
Please continue to pray for relief from whatever is causing the swelling/pain.
In spite of Sherilyn feeling horrible, we really enjoyed our visit with Steve & Carolyn. They flew back to Texas this afternoon and our house is feeling empty without them here :( We have truly been blessed with them in our lives!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, September 14, 2007 11:29 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Last night Sherilyn was waking up every 2 hrs. in pain and needing morphine each time to control the pain. She woke up and her face was more swollen and her eye was swollen shut, but her temp. was only 97.3-it had been as high as 100.9 yesterday. I called her Dr. and asked if I could bring her in for cultures. We spent most of the day at Duke. Her eye was bleeding so they gave her platelets. They are not sure if the swelling/bleeding is due to the high amount of leukemia (92 percent) or an infection. Dr. Rosoff told me he didn't know if they would be able to control either. He also told me she could be admitted but he didn't think she would want to. He said he didn't know if she would come home if she did get admitted. But he also said over 2 months ago that she could pass at any time and she is still fighting strong every day. She definitely wants to live! We know that God is in control and there is ALWAYS HOPE with Him.
He started her on Clindamycin and Avelox and increased her pain meds. She also began low dose chemo (Etopiside). Previously she was on a 14 day regimen of etopiside and 6 TG, but had major GI issues so we decided to try just the etopiside. She is also on a clotting medicine since she is not getting a very big boost with platelets, due to the amount of antibodies that are built up in her body. Right now she is on so many meds she gets very upset when I bring them to her, especially since it hurts so much to open her mouth. When we got to clinic she had not eaten anything today b/c it hurt but asked for an english muffin with butter. Thankfully, Susan, our Social Worker offered to go and get it for her b/c she didn't want me to leave her. She ate all of it and one half of a carton of yogurt. When the doctor saw her eating he said that was a good sign (that's my girl :). When we got home she wanted Los Tres so Steve went out and picked it up for her and she ate one half of a burrito and an enchilado w/pico de gallo. Then she fell asleep in my bed. I've had to give her pain meds every couple of hours and her face is still swollen. I pray for all of this to pass and for good days ahead. It's so hard to watch the pain and suffering she is having to go through and know there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it better.
Dustin came home for several hours this afternoon but went back to NCSU tonight. Veronica is home for the night. We ordered pizza and then played games with Steve & Carolyn. Sadly, they are flying back to Texas tomorrow. I only wish that Sherilyn had'nt been so sick when they were here. Today when I was at clinic Carolyn organized most of my kitchen cabinets. Wow, what a happy surprise that was :) Last night they took Nicky out to dinner and got to spend some one on one time with her...a very good thing for Nicky since all of my attention these days goes to Sherilyn.
Thank you for your continued prayers and love for my family. You lift me up when I can't go on.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:52 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
We had a really good time at the beach with my brother Carl & Cheree, sister Katie & Matt & Sabrina & sister Coleen. The first 2 days were rainy & windy due to Gabrielle but we played games and ate good food. On the 3rd day Sherilyn seemed to be a bit dehydrated so I gave her 4 hrs. of IV fluids and she perked up enough to want to go out to eat and walk on the pier. Then we came back to the beach cottage and ate brownies & ice cream and played cards. Although she had been in quite a bit more pain, she had fun and I am so glad that we went. We came home on Tues. b/c Sherilyn woke up in a lot of pain and was having issues with blood clots in her mouth/nose so I thought we better get platelets. Tony met us at our house and took her to Duke for platelets. I wanted to get the house in order for Steve (Sherilyn's donor) and his wife Carolyn. They flew in late Tues. night and are staying with us until Sat.
Sherilyn is in a lot of pain today. She has developed pain & some swelling on the left side of her face and intermittent headaches. I am giving her morphine every 2 hrs. It is really hard to see her in so much pain. This is causing her to be very agitated, she is not eating much and doesn't want to talk at all because it hurts. Her temp. is 100.9. Please pray for her pain to be reduced. She feels so bad that Steve & Carolyn are here and she's not able to enjoy there visit.
Thank you for all of you who supported Adams Angels in the Light the Night Walk. We had a huge turnout and may be the top fundraising team again this year...they are still counting the money. All of the t-shirts sold. We are so thankful for my neighbor Doug who provided us with the wonderful t-shirts at his cost and brought them to the printers for printing. Thank you so much Doug!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, September 7, 2007 8:50 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn went to clinic yesterday and received platelets and red blood cells. She was bleeding in her mouth after brushing her teeth and it wouldn't stop. She has pitichae (small red bumps/bruises from low platelets) ALL over her legs...I've never seen it like this. Her doctor told me that with it being like that on the outsife of her body, it was also inside her body. The conversation went downhill after that and I lost it right there. Thankfully Sherilyn sleeps through her transfusions. Her white blood cells jumped up to about 13 (95 percent blasts);hemoglobin 10.4;platelets 5. When we got home her pain increased and we had to double her pain meds until she went to bed. She has been having a lot of pain right after blood transfusions...probablly b/c there's no room for the blood due to all of the blasts crowding her bone marrow. Last night she said her feet, knees, legs and back felt like the bones could break in half. I emailed her doctor to figure out how to control the pain, especially because we are going to the beach Sat. or Sun. for a few days. 2 of my sisters and my brother and their families have rented an oceanfront cottage and have asked us to come. I haven't been able to commit b/c it's impossible to plan these days, but Sherilyn REALLY wants to go so we are.
****NEW LIGHT THE NIGHT INFORMATION***PLEASE READ!!!***
Thanks to all of your support, we are one of the biggest fundraising teams again this year, and they are providing us with a tent Sat. night. Meet us at the ADAMS ANGELS tent as soon as you arrive. DO NOT go to registration or turn in your money. All of this will be done right at our tent!!! They will take our money, give us our meal tickets and hand out t-shirts here.
Sherilyn and Veronica designed an adorable t-shirt with an angel on the front (Adams Angels). I'm not positive I will be at the walk, although I really want to be there. I'm going to decide Sat. depending on how Sherilyn feels and when she wants to go to the beach. Anyone who ordered a t-shirt and hasn't gotten it before the walk, will be able to pick it up Sat. night. The cost is $10 and I do have extras available the night of the walk. If you don't want a t-shirt, wear Pink or Gray. If I'm not at the walk, I'm sorry but know it's because Sherilyn wants to go Sat. am. We are coming home from the beach on Tues. because we are looking forward to a visit from Steve (Sherilyn's donor) and Carolyn. I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting our team. I appreciate all of your help in raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING BLOOD CANCERS!!!
Praying for our miracle,
f.r.o.G,
Laura
FYI-FOOD FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK:
Remington Grill will be donating their delicious food again for this year's incredible Walkers! Remember, all registered Walkers will need to check-in at the registration table to receive a food ticket. The menu
will include hotdogs, chili, cole slaw (and all the fixins'), chips and iced tea. Please be aware of this menu in case of any dietary concerns.
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT:
http://register.lightthenight.org/LTNRegistration/app?page=TeamView&service=page&urlKey=adamsangels_bicentennialplazamuseumofnaturalsciences
(Go to the bottom of the page and click on "join" Adams Angels at Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Friday, September 7, 2007 7:30 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn went to clinic yesterday and received platelets and red blood cells. She was bleeding in her mouth after brushing her teeth and it wouldn't stop. She has pitichae (small red bumps/bruises from low platelets) ALL over her legs...I've never seen it like this. Her doctor told me that with it being like that on the outsife of her body, it was also inside her body. The conversation went downhill after that and I lost it right there. Thankfully Sherilyn sleeps through her transfusions. Her white blood cells jumped up to about 13 (95 percent blasts);hemoglobin 10.4;platelets 5. When we got home her pain increased and we had to double her pain meds until she went to bed. She has been having a lot of pain right after blood transfusions...probablly b/c there's no room for the blood due to all of the blasts crowding her bone marrow. Last night she said her feet, knees, legs and back felt like the bones could break in half. I emailed her doctor to figure out how to control the pain, especially because we are going to the beach Sat. or Sun. for a few days. 2 of my sisters and my brother and their families have rented an oceanfront cottage and have asked us to come. I haven't been able to commit b/c it's impossible to plan these days, but Sherilyn REALLY wants to go so we are.
The Light the Night walk is Sat. night and I really want to go. Sherilyn and Veronica even designed an adorable t-shirt with an angel on the front (Adams Angels). I'm going to decide Sat. depending on how Sherilyn feels and when she wants to go. Anyone who ordered a t-shirt and hasn't gotten it before the walk, will be able to pick it up Sat. night. The cost is $10 and I do have extras available the night of the walk. If I'm not at the walk, I'm sorry but know it's because Sherilyn wants to go Sat. am. We are coming home from the beach on Tues. because we are looking forward to a visit from Steve (Sherilyn's donor) and Carolyn. I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting our team. I appreciate all of your help in raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING BLOOD CANCERS!!!
Praying for our miracle,
f.r.o.G,
Laura
FYI-FOOD FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK:
Remington Grill will be donating their delicious food again for this year's incredible Walkers! Remember, all registered Walkers will need to check-in at the registration table to receive a food ticket. The menu
will include hotdogs, chili, cole slaw (and all the fixins'), chips and iced tea. Please be aware of this menu in case of any dietary concerns.
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT:
http://register.lightthenight.org/LTNRegistration/app?page=TeamView&service=page&urlKey=adamsangels_bicentennialplazamuseumofnaturalsciences
(Go to the bottom of the page and click on "join" Adams Angels at Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007 8:56 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn has been feeling good and wanting to go out and do things. Yesterday we went to a couple of shops and had planned to go to lunch, but her stomach was acting up and she decided she just wanted to go home. Once at home she ate a barbecue sandwich and chips and green peppers (her all time favorite) every day I cut her up one and she eats the whole thing...she has liked them since she was very young :) Today we went to a few more shops and ate lunch at Olive Garden. Although she tires very easily and wants me to pay the check as soon as we get our food, she is having fun and smiling :) and eating good! Aunt Katie & Sabrina came over yesterday and stayed for several hours and Aunt Coleen came over tonight and brought dinner. I was happy to see that Sherilyn was up for visitors, because more often she is not these days. Her labs on Tuesday were: WBC=8.1 (76 percent blasts;24 percent lymphocytes), Hemoglobin 10.3, Platelets 5). No transfusions. Her teeth are bleeding tonight so I will call in the am and see if we can come in for platelets. We had planned on going to see a movie with her dad so I hope that doesn't change...but you never know...it's impossible to plan these days.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
FYI-FOOD FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK:
Remington Grill will be donating their delicious food again for this year's incredible Walkers! Remember, all registered Walkers will need to check-in at the registration table to receive a food ticket. The menu
will include hotdogs, chili, cole slaw (and all the fixins'), chips and iced tea. Please be aware of this menu in case of any dietary concerns.
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT:
http://register.lightthenight.org/LTNRegistration/app?page=TeamView&service=page&urlKey=adamsangels_bicentennialplazamuseumofnaturalsciences
(Go to the bottom of the page and click on "join" Adams Angels at Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007 10:40 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
We've been enjoying being home this weekend. The home health nurse will come Tues. and take her blood to Rex. Sherilyn will only be receiving platelets if symptoms occur (i.e. bleeding, bruises) so we may not have to go to Duke. Dustin came home Sat. to do his laundry and stayed and watched movies w/Sherilyn for several hours. Veronica left Sat. am with a friend to go visit a mutual friend at Appalachian State Univ....what a weekend to be there...with the huge ASU football win on Sat.
Sherilyn's been up and down both physically and emotionally. Her stomach has been acting up and she's eating less at meals. She got sick yesterday right after taking her am pills. Her pain is more constant and she is taking pain meds more often. I have transitioned her to a pain patch for continuous coverage. I changed her central line tonight...she hates that. I skipped the IV fluids today b/c she has been drinking well...but will do tomorrow. She hates being hooked up for 2 hours and she's tired of taking all of the pills. She takes 10 extra pills a day to try to get her electrolytes in balance (Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus) and they are horse pills. Today she wanted to drive around...just to get out of the house. We drove around and when she got hungry we stopped at Falls Tap Room and she ate some cheesy fries, a little Caesar salad, and about 1/4 of a turkey club. There was only one other family in there b/c it was in the middle of the day so I wasn't too worried about germs.
I was able to go to a couple of picnics in my neighborhood today and visit with friends. It was nice. Sherilyn didn't mind since I was just across the street. She wasn't up to going b/c she hates any heat at all. Eventhough it was perfect weather today. They even had fireworks tonight! Nicollette & all of her friends had fun running around and our having a sleepover tonight.
Last night when I was lying in bed with Sherilyn, she asked me if I thought she would be here for Christmas. I told her I sure hoped so, but that only God knew for sure. She said she really wanted to decorate the tree this year (and she wants a real tree b/c we've had to have an artificial tree since her bone marrow transplant) and bake a lot and make Christmas cookies. I told her we had to pray specifically for that. Sherilyn has always loved the Christmas season the best and all of our traditions.
She hasn't begun painting yet, hasn't felt up to it...last night she wanted to begin, but after we got the stuff out she said she wasn't up to it. She is enjoying the beautiful new bathroom...it just makes you feel good when you're in it...sorta like the Caribbean.
Thank you for all of your donations to the Light the Night Walk. If you ordered Adams Angels t-shirts, you can pick them up the night of the walk (Sat.). Please make $10/shirt checks out to Laura Adams. After paying for the cost of the t-shirts & printing, all proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I will have extras for sale the night of the walk. Thank you so much for supporting this cause which is so close to our hearts. We appreciate everyone of you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT:
http://register.lightthenight.org/LTNRegistration/app?page=TeamView&service=page&urlKey=adamsangels_bicentennialplazamuseumofnaturalsciences
(Go to the bottom of the page and click on "join" Adams Angels at Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:15 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Veronica's labs looked GREAT today! Thank God! Her platelets came up from 67 to 84 (normal range 150-450) and her white blood cells from 2.0 to 5.6 (normal range 4.5-12.5). She doesn't have to have labs checked again for one month. We were all very relieved.
Today Sherilyn's blasts were up to 77...and her pain is increasing. She received 2 units of red blood cells but didn't get platelets, eventhough hers were down to 8. They said she is not getting a bump at this point with transfusions and will be getting them only if symptoms occur ie. bleeding, bruising. At first Tony & I were upset, but Dr. Rosoff explained so that we could understand. He will not let her get anemic...it's just at this point platelets are the main reason we are having to come to Duke so often and platelets don't make her feel any better, so her quality of life will be better if we don't have to spend time at Duke. We also talked about infections and how she is developing them more often and will continue to until her body can't take it any more and says ENOUGH. They have been surprised at how long she has held on. Dr. Rosoff was amazed that she was eating so well...at first he came in and she was eating a bagel w/cream cheese and later a sandwich from Subway...that's my girl!!!
The plan now is if she develops a fever, I will give her antiobiotics at home...no more ER visits. This is a relief, yet also very scary. Today has been a very emotional day. Gotta go she's calling me.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:52 AM CDT
Hi Friends~
We got to spend the day at home yesterday YIPEE!!! Sherilyn didn't have a fever the night before or yesterday. Sherilyn was able to sleep in which she was very happy about. I have had to wake her up in the middle of the night to give meds. I also began IV fluids yesterday to help keep her hydrated. Sherilyn has had to take more pain meds than usual as her pain is increasing due to the high percentage of blasts in her blood.
The bathroom is almost finished. My mom brought over the canvas, all the paints and brushes and showed us how to mix the colors that Sherilyn wants to use. Today Sherilyn and Veronica have clinic. Tony is taking Sherilyn. She'll be there all day getting blood transfusions. I'll be bringing Veronica when she gets out of class. This gives me some much needed time to run some errands. I haven't been able to leave Sherilyn at all except to take my walks and then I have Nicky with her.
Please continue to pray for Sherilyn's pain to be controlled and for a relief from infections and for Veronica to remain in remission and that her energy level increases and her platelets and white blood cell count.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:06 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
We spent another day in clinic today while Sherilyn received IV antibiotics (Vancomycin & Gentamycin) and fluids. Again, no fevers at clinic...just at night. They started her on another antibiotic (Flagyl. She was sent home on oral Flagyl and Avelox. I will also be giving her IV antiobiotics 2 hrs. a day at home to keep her hydrated. She has been eating well. She likes for me to stop at Brueggers on the way to clinic so she can eat a bagel w/cream cheese w/her pills. Then yesterday Tony, Sherilyn & I ate at Mellow Mushroom on the way home. Today, Sherilyn and I stopped at Mad Hatters and got a barbecue sandwich...she is eating very well and even gained a few pounds back :).
None of her cultures have turned up positive, so the doctors don't know what is causing the fevers. It could be a small sore she has that is infected (we are treating with topical antiobiotic) or it could be the leukemia in general. Her blasts are multiplying quickly. Last week they were 18 percent...yesterday 45...and today 67! Her platelets were 13 and hemoglobin 8.6 but they decided not to transfuse her again today. We will go back Thursday for both platelets and red blood cells if she doesn't begin bleeding before then. Today the Fellow caught me off guard and asked me if we get into a critical situation would we want to take lifesaving measures. I told her YES at this point Sherilyn is having good days...we will reevaluate later if/when necessary. It's been a pretty emotional day.
The bathroom is coming along good. Generously, the owner of TLC Construction has offered to do the job for free...I just had to buy the products and Home Depot gave me 20 percent off everything! A friend donated tile he had from a previous job...it has been laid...tomorrow the grout will be done and the vanity installed. The paint Sherilyn picked is beautiful (deep aqua). The bathroom should be usable by Thursday :) Sherilyn is anxious to begin her picture. We decided that it would be a better idea if Sherilyn painted her mermaid picture on a big canvas so that I would always have it...so we are going to paint the edges and around the angel the same color as the walls so that it will blend in. Then she & Veronica & Nicollette can paint fish, seaweed, shells, etc. on the walls. It will be fun!
Please pray for all of the children...many kids we have met are having issues and need our prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:28 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
It's been a rough 2 days for Sherilyn. She developed a fever of 101.9 on Sunday night. We held out going to Duke until the morning (the first day of school for Nicollette...she was pretty stressed the night before with all of this going on). Tony & I spent all day at Duke. They took blood cultures, gave her 3 antiobiotics (Vancomycin, Gentamycin, Avelox), platelets, and a bag of fluids with sodium (hers was low). Her fever was gone at clinic, but as usual, last night she developed one again. I noticed she was wrapped in blankets (unlike Sherilyn who wants the house arctic) and her temperature was 102.8 so I gave her tylenol and rechecked it in about an hour and it was 103.6. I called my neighbor/friend Cynthia to come up and take her blood pressure which was a little low 98/60 and I called the on-call fellow. They wanted us to come in but Sherilyn really didn't want to go to the ER (always a TERRIBLE experience! and GERMY!). I had her drink tons and I was packing us to go to the hospital because Sherilyn had developed sepsis 3 times before with high fevers. My sister came to spend the night with Nicollette, and got gas for my car. I took her temp. again & it was down to 100.6. I called Tony who was on night shift in his ER and we both decided that all they were going to do at Duke was give her fluids (because she had already had all of the antiobiotics she could have for the day and monitor her blood pressure. I could do that myself and he told me to get her to drink Gatorade and eat potato chips. So I ran up to Kroger to get (at midnight...thank God for Kroger's being open all night). Before bed, her temp. was down to 99.5 so I called the ON call doctor and told her we were going to try to wait it out until morning. At 3:00 she was sleeping fine,her pulse down, so I got Nicky off to school and I'm getting ready to leave and take Sherilyn to clinic. Her temp. is 100.6 now. Please pray for us...any type of infection now with no white blood cells to fight is not good at all.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:47 PM CDT
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
***********************************************************
Hi Friends~
I drew Sherilyn's blood at home this am and a nurse picked it up and brought it to Rex Hospital. Then Tony came around 11 am and brought Sherilyn to Olive Garden for lunch and later to clinic for platelets. While Sherilyn was gone I was able to begin taking down the wallpaper in her bathroom. She has decided she wants to paint a mermaid mural on the wall...like the picture she donated to the Jimmy V Classic auction. It's one of my favorites!!! We have wanted to redo the bathroom as it is pretty grungy. I scraped off 2 layers of wallpaper with just boiling soapy water. Charla, my neighbor/friend came over after work and helped me finish the job :) My brother is coming on Saturday to put some drywall and sand it so it can be painted. We're going to paint the walls aqua/blue (underwater) and Sherilyn will do her beautiful artwork! I can't wait!
Veronica and Dustin have had 2 days of classes. Sherilyn, Nicollette & I went to visit them Wed. night. Veronica was busy doing organic chemistry homework...and said her brain hurt (lol). Dustin has classes with a bunch of his friends and is enjoying the social scene.
Nicollette had Open House yesterday. She is on the same Team as Sherilyn was in 8th grade...she relapsed half way into this year. Her science teacher gave me one of Sherilyn's old science projects that she had kept (because is was so awesome!). She thought I would want it...she hugged me and said she was praying. I'm confident Nicollette will be in good hands next year :)
Thank you for all of your faithful prayers. We appreciate and love you all.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:01 PM CDT
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAM'S ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser to find a cure!!!
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th
Place: Bicentennial Plaza, between Museum of History and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Detailed directions, map and parking directions: www.LightTheNight.org/nce
Time: 5:30-registration begins
5:30-6:30-registration, food, entertainment
6:30-Adam's Angels will have a table set up. Meet us there.
7:00-2 mile walk through downtown Raleigh
Conclusion-dessert and more entertainment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT (headcount for food). TO SAVE TIME, YOU MAY PRE-REGISTER AT http://teams.LighttheNight.org/Team Adam's Angels
(Make sure to click on "Adam's Angels @ Bicentennial Plaza)
REGISTERED WALKERS WILL RECEIVE AN ILLUMINATED BALLOON TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE WALK.
2. DONATIONS MAY BE TURNED IN TO LAURA ADAMS (PRIOR TO, OR AT THE WALK) OR YOU MAY TURN THEM IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.
3. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US! REMEMBER, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ON-LINE, BEFORE THE EVENT, OR AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT THE EVENT. ANYONE DONATING $100 WILL RECEIVE A LTN T-SHIRT. EVERYONE RECEIVES FREE FOOD, BEVERAGE, & DESSERT. SAVE TIME BY REGISTERING ON-LINE, NOW!!!
Questions? email us at Lauraha65@nc.rr.com
If you can't come and would like to donate, you may do so by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
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Dear Friends,
Sherilyn had a really good day today. We went to the mall and she was able to spend some of her birthday money. She lasted longer than I thought she would. She ate pizza, Auntie Ann's pretzel, and lemonade. Yesterday I took her to clinc and she received a DLI (Steve's lymphocytes) and a unit of platelets. She had lost about 6 pounds since she came home from the hospital. Her blasts are still down to 17 percent of her peripheral blood and we will be watching them. If they begin to creep back up we may restart the oral chemo. Yesterday she was really depressed and just sad, but today was another day :) and a much happier one. She's talking about wanting to go to a movie later in the week. We're just taking each day as it comes and hope that it's a good one, because we know every day is a gift from God.
Thank you for caring and praying so faithfully for my family. Veronica left to stay at her dorm this afternoon. She & Dustin begin classes tomorrow.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Sunday, August 19, 2007 8:38 PM CDT
**********VERY IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT***************
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM "ADAMS ANGELS" FOR:
"LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk & Fundraiser
Saturday, Sept. 8th downtown Raleigh
Dinner and drinks provided/dessert after walk
Casual/fun 2 mile walk with lighted balloons
Help me raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by visiting my donation webpage: (cut & paste please)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnRaleig/2104_lha2007
Hi Friends~
We're just thrilled to be at home! Sherilyn is laughing and having fun amidst periods of pain (mostly due to stomach and GI sores). I have upped her pain meds in the middle of the day when she is experiencing most of the pain. Yesterday she enjoyed her visit with her Aunt Maureen and cousin Megan. We all enjoyed watching the video of Sherilyn's life.
Over the last month Sherilyn has been asking me some tough questions and then she says doesn't want to talk about it anymore. I knew the time would come when she was ready...she has always wanted to be protected and sheltered (from the storm). Well, a couple of nights ago she asked me the big question (Is it ever going to go away...do they think I'm going to die?) and thankfully God helped me choose the words I needed. She is aware now that the leukemia is not going away unless we get our miracle...but agrees there is ALWAYS HOPE. We cried and hugged for a long time. It was a very private and special time between us...eventhough it was very emotional and difficult talk. In a way I am relieved...no more secrets...
I'm just so thankful God helped me through this because I was really dreading it...but it wasn't so bad...the things she said to me will always make me smile :)
On a more positive note, Dustin moved into his dorm yesterday without my assistance. His roommate came over and they packed all of their stuff up and moved in with 2 trips. Veronica's roommate and her mom went over for the first run and the girls rearranged the furniture the way they wanted it and then Veronica & I went over later and brought more boxes of stuff. Her boyfriend is helping her move the big things today (chair, computer, clothes, etc.) I am so thankful for all the help as I don't like leaving Sherilyn for very long. Nicky stayed home with her yesterday while we moved things in. Veronica is excited but really nervous about going back after a year off due to treatment. I'm praying for a wonderful, fun-filled and most of all, healthy year for her (and Dustin, of course:)
Thank you for all of your love and prayers. We love and appreciate every one of you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Sunday, August 19, 2007 11:15 AM CDT
Hi Friends~
We're just thrilled to be at home! Sherilyn is laughing and having fun amidst periods of pain (mostly due to stomach and GI sores). I have upped her pain meds in the middle of the day when she is experiencing most of the pain. Yesterday she enjoyed her visit with her Aunt Maureen and cousin Megan. We all enjoyed watching the video of Sherilyn's life.
Over the last month Sherilyn has been asking me some tough questions and then she says doesn't want to talk about it anymore. I knew the time would come when she was ready...she has always wanted to be protected and sheltered (from the storm). Well, a couple of nights ago she asked me the big question (Is it ever going to go away...do they think I'm going to die?) and thankfully God helped me choose the words I needed. She is aware now that the leukemia is not going away unless we get our miracle...but agrees there is ALWAYS HOPE. We cried and hugged for a long time. It was a very private and special time between us...eventhough it was very emotional and difficult talk. In a way I am relieved...no more secrets...
I'm just so thankful God helped me through this because I was really dreading it...but it wasn't so bad...the things she said to me will always make me smile :)
On a more positive note, Dustin moved into his dorm yesterday without my assistance. His roommate came over and they packed all of their stuff up and moved in with 2 trips. Veronica's roommate and her mom went over for the first run and the girls rearranged the furniture the way they wanted it and then Veronica & I went over later and brought more boxes of stuff. Her boyfriend is helping her move the big things today (chair, computer, clothes, etc.) I am so thankful for all the help as I don't like leaving Sherilyn for very long. Nicky stayed home with her yesterday while we moved things in. Veronica is excited but really nervous about going back after a year off due to treatment. I'm praying for a wonderful, fun-filled and most of all, healthy year for her (and Dustin, of course:)
Thank you for all of your love and prayers. We love and appreciate every one of you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Friday, August 17, 2007 5:38 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
It's been a long 3 days, but WE ARE HOME finally!!!!
We got home about 3:30 this afternoon. Before we left they gave her 2 units of red blood cells, a unit of platelets and her 3 antiobiotics. Since nothing has grown from her cultures, I will not have to give her those 3 antiobiotics at home. She is just on her antifungal meds (Voriconzale) and Bactrim (to prevent pneumonia). She also came home on several new meds in addition to the ones she already takes and Fentanyl patches for pain. She ate a turkey sandwich when we got home and her stomach immediately began to hurt and she was crying...she is getting so discouraged because at this point, the most important thing to her is eating, and it hurts to. We think it's mucositis-a painful side effect of the chemo/low blood counts. The doctors told me this could be an ongoing problem due to the fact that her white blood cells may never come up because the leukemia is crowding the bone marrow. The chemo has done a really good job of lowering her blasts (immature white blood cells-leukemia) from 94 percent a little over 2 weeks ago) to 18 percent today in her "peripheral" blood. This is not to be confused with her bone marrow. The doctors say if they did a bone marrow aspirate today she would most likely have about 100 percent leukemia in her marrow. The peripheral blood is what spills out of the bone marrow. I am just thankful that the lower blast count has reduced all bone pain. Not really sure what we're going to do from here. We do know that we are going to do a DLI on Monday. After that we can restart the oral chemo for another 2 weeks...but I think we will wait and see what the blasts do because with the chemo we also lower the counts risking additional side effects.
Right now we are just very thankful to be at home with our family and our comforts. I will be moving Veronica and Dustin into their dorms at NCSU this weekend. Veronica is very anxious about this as it's been a really rough year for her as she was diagnosed last year on Aug. 21st and I know she is worried, not only about her health, but mostly her sisters.
Please continue to pray for my girls. I appreciate all of you so much!!!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 1:09 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
I was happy to see that Veronica had done an update for me. Thank you Veronica!!! Sherilyn was put on an self medicating pump for pain control (Fentanyl). They did an x-ray which didn't realy reveal anything and said if her pain continues they will do a CAT scan. The worry is that she can have a perforation in her intestine, requiring surgery. I pray this isn't the case because she is neutropenic (no fighter white blood cells or immune system). They didn't want her to eat at all but I fussed and they are allowing a clear liquid diet. They are going to watch her at this point, continue the 3 antiobiotics (Vancomycin, Gentamycin, Avelox) and watch her blood pressure. Her MO is usually fever and blood pressure drop (due to bacteria getting into the blood=septic shock). This is what happened in San Diego 3 weeks ago and 2-3 other times during her treament which required short PICU stays. When she came in last night her BP was 110/62 and today is has gone down to 99/50. Please pray that her BP stays stable and we can come home after a few days on antiobiotics.
Thank your for your continued prayers. Thank you also for all of the nice comments in the guestbook. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos of Sherilyn's life. They are priceless. Thank you soooooo much Greg & Janet & Rob for all of the time, money and efforts put into making this beautiful movie! WE LOVE YOU!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
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Hello everyone,
Last night around midnight Sherilyn had a fever of 101.3 and severe stomach pain. Mom rushed her to the emergency room at Duke. They were stuck in the emergency room until this morning around 10 and the experience was quite a horror story that I heard from Mom. The good thing is that she has already had a round of 3 antibiotics and she is now up on 5100. Her fevers are also gone :) Now we just have to hope that the doctors will let her come home soon and let Mom give her antibiotics at home!
I'm sure Mom will write a better update later. This is the first time I've ever updated the journal!
Veronica
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:29 AM EST
Hello everyone,
Last night around midnight Sherilyn had a fever of 101.3 and severe stomach pain. Mom rushed her to the emergency room at Duke. They were stuck in the emergency room until this morning around 10 and the experience was quite a horror story that I heard from Mom. The good thing is that she has already had a round of 3 antibiotics and she is now up on 5100. Her fevers are also gone :) Now we just have to hope that the doctors will let her come home soon and let Mom give her antibiotics at home!
I'm sure Mom will write a better update later. This is the first time I've ever updated the journal!
Veronica
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:57 AM CDT
Monday, August 13, 2007 4:09 PM CDT
I would like to share a beautiful video of Sherilyn's life that a good friend of mine made for us. It is divided into 4 segments. You can cut & paste the link into your browser at the top of the Home Page (just below the pic) or click on the Http: link at the bottom of this page.
UPDATE/CLARIFICATION:
Just found out Sherilyn's labs were so different because they did an automated blood count today instead of the usual and dr. ordered manual count. So that explains the difference from yesterdays labs. Still praying for a drop in blasts and our MIRACLE.
Hi Friends~
Sherilyn developed a low grade fever (up to 100.7) over the weekend and I was in contact with the on call doctor. He said she didn't need to come in unless it reached 101 or felt bad. She was mostly just tired. Sunday am her temp. continued to fluctuate, but I noticed petichae (indicative of low platelets) on her forehead, cheek, arms and chest, so called and were told to come in for labs. We ended up spending 8 hrs. in clinic as she needed 2.5 units of red blood cells and platelets. The clinic was unusually quiet and we had a very good experience. Sherilyn needed a couple of doses of Fentanyl due to bad stomach pains due to the sausage biscuit she ate on the way to clinic. Her stomach hasn't been right lately...nauseau and some pain...not sure why. Her labs revealed her blast count at 40 (had been 20 on Thurs.) so we were bummed about that.
The home health nurse came today to draw labs and we got a call that her platelets were only 7 (normal range 150-450). We were expecting to have to go to clinic today because her platelet count yesterday was less than 1!! The great news is that her labs showed she had 21 neutrophils!!!! lymphocytes, monocytes, and 1 eosinophil BUT NO BLASTS!!!! This is contrary to yesterdays 40...so needless to say...we are very happy with that. She finished her low dose chemo yesterday. We are praying for a miracle...a continued reprieve of blast cells and a continued growth of neutrophils. This was really good news to Sherilyn who has been down lately and not herself. I hope this will perk her up and give her some hope. We all need that.
Veronica is off to an all day concert at Walnut Creek today. She is excited about going with a group of her friends and has brought plenty of iced water bottles, sunscreen, etc. She is excited and ready to begin her sophmore year at NCSU that she missed due to being diagnosed last August. She really needs this as she hasn't been herself lately as she has been through a lot and is constantly worried about her sister.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, August 13, 2007 4:09 PM CDT
UPDATE/CLARIFICATION:
Just found out Sherilyn's labs were so different because they did an automated blood count today instead of the usual and dr. ordered manual count. So that explains the difference from yesterdays labs. Still praying for a drop in blasts and our MIRACLE.
Hi Friends~
Sherilyn developed a low grade fever (up to 100.7) over the weekend and I was in contact with the on call doctor. He said she didn't need to come in unless it reached 101 or felt bad. She was mostly just tired. Sunday am her temp. continued to fluctuate, but I noticed petichae (indicative of low platelets) on her forehead, cheek, arms and chest, so called and were told to come in for labs. We ended up spending 8 hrs. in clinic as she needed 2.5 units of red blood cells and platelets. The clinic was unusually quiet and we had a very good experience. Sherilyn needed a couple of doses of Fentanyl due to bad stomach pains due to the sausage biscuit she ate on the way to clinic. Her stomach hasn't been right lately...nauseau and some pain...not sure why. Her labs revealed her blast count at 40 (had been 20 on Thurs.) so we were bummed about that.
The home health nurse came today to draw labs and we got a call that her platelets were only 7 (normal range 150-450). We were expecting to have to go to clinic today because her platelet count yesterday was less than 1!! The great news is that her labs showed she had 21 neutrophils!!!! lymphocytes, monocytes, and 1 eosinophil BUT NO BLASTS!!!! This is contrary to yesterdays 40...so needless to say...we are very happy with that. She finished her low dose chemo yesterday. We are praying for a miracle...a continued reprieve of blast cells and a continued growth of neutrophils. This was really good news to Sherilyn who has been down lately and not herself. I hope this will perk her up and give her some hope. We all need that.
Veronica is off to an all day concert at Walnut Creek today. She is excited about going with a group of her friends and has brought plenty of iced water bottles, sunscreen, etc. She is excited and ready to begin her sophmore year at NCSU that she missed due to being diagnosed last August. She really needs this as she hasn't been herself lately as she has been through a lot and is constantly worried about her sister.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, August 13, 2007 1:42 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Sherilyn developed a low grade fever (up to 100.7) over the weekend and I was in contact with the on call doctor. He said she didn't need to come in unless it reached 101 or felt bad. She was mostly just tired. Sunday am her temp. continued to fluctuate, but I noticed petichae (indicative of low platelets) on her forehead, cheek, arms and chest, so called and were told to come in for labs. We ended up spending 8 hrs. in clinic as she needed 2.5 units of red blood cells and platelets. The clinic was unusually quiet and we had a very good experience. Sherilyn needed a couple of doses of Fentanyl due to bad stomach pains due to the sausage biscuit she ate on the way to clinic. Her stomach hasn't been right lately...nauseau and some pain...not sure why. Her labs revealed her blast count at 40 (had been 20 on Thurs.) so we were bummed about that.
The home health nurse came today to draw labs and we got a call that her platelets were only 7 (normal range 150-450). We were expecting to have to go to clinic today because her platelet count yesterday was less than 1!! The great news is that her labs showed she had 21 neutrophils!!!! lymphocytes, monocytes, and 1 eosinophil BUT NO BLASTS!!!! This is contrary to yesterdays 40...so needless to say...we are very happy with that. She finished her low dose chemo yesterday. We are praying for a miracle...a continued reprieve of blast cells and a continued growth of neutrophils. This was really good news to Sherilyn who has been down lately and not herself. I hope this will perk her up and give her some hope. We all need that.
Veronica is off to an all day concert at Walnut Creek today. She is excited about going with a group of her friends and has brought plenty of iced water bottles, sunscreen, etc. She is excited and ready to begin her sophmore year at NCSU that she missed due to being diagnosed last August. She really needs this as she hasn't been herself lately as she has been through a lot and is constantly worried about her sister.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, August 9, 2007 3:58 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn is at clinic getting platelets now. On Monday they were 4 (normal range 150-450) and today they were 2! She got sick this morning just before the nurse came to draw labs. Yesterday she woke up with a mouthful of sores and didn't want to eat much. She is using magic mouthwash to help with the pain. She has also developed a lot of bruises, a large one on her whole hand and knuckles is causing her some discomfort and she is using an ice pack for this.
Tony took Veronica to clinic this am and her labs had not changed much. Her WBC decreased a little and her platelets increased a tiny bit from 63 to 67. Hopefully she is holding steady :)
I took Veronica & Nicollette back to school shopping today. We went to the mall for clothes and Walmart for school supplies and toiletries for my 2 college bound kids. I think we're finished...which makes me very happy!
Thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate each and every one of you!!!
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 6:54 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
We had a fun weekend! Friday Sherilyn wanted to venture out (the first time since Calif. with the exception of clinic visits) so Friday we went to Mellow Mushroom, of course, for lunch and then to one store. On Sat. she also wanted to go out to lunch and then to another store plus Target. The oral chemo she is taking twice a day has really seemed to have given her more energy and less pain. She hasn't had to take any additional pain meds in between her am and pm doses for over a week.
The Home health nurse came over Thurs. am and drew labs. I REALLY would prefer to just do this myself (b/c noone is good enough for my girl) and hand her the blood at the door but unfortunately that won't work. Anyway, Duke called yesterday afternoon and we had to go in for platelets. We didn't know the results of any of her other labs until today. Drumroll, please.....Sherilyn's blasts decreased from 75 on Thurs. to 35 today!!! She is scheduled to be on the oral chemo for a total of 14 days. She has been on it one week today. I am really happy/excited about the drop. No wonder she is feeling better!
On Thursday Veronica goes in for labs again to see if her platelets have gone up or at least stabilized. Sherilyn may need blood and or platelets too on this day.
We are planning to walk the Light the Night walk on Sat. Sept. 11th in downtown Raleigh this year. This is a change from previous years when we have walked in Durham at EMC Corp. Our team name is Adams Angels. I have not had any time to fundraise this year, but thanks to the Dover Foundation in Shelby, NC and my good friend Cynthia Buckingham, we received a donation of $5,000.00. So this gets us off to a great start...since we've been the #1 fundraising team for the past 4 years. If you would like to donate, you can sign up at www.lighthenight.org under our team name and downtown Raleigh location. Any donation would be appreciated to help us find a cure for this horrible disease. I will put up a link in a later entry.
A friend of mine, Greg Mintel & his wife Janet, have been working on a movie of Sherilyn's life and sent it to me yesterday. It is the most precious gift I have ever received and I am so very thankful for all of the time and effort they spent on this project for us. Sherilyn was delighted to watch over 15 minutes of pictures of her :) I could watch it a million times and never tire of it :)
Please pray for a family friend of ours, Joel Prince, who was just diagnosed with Non-Hodgins Lymphoma. He and his wife just found out today. They have a beautiful little daughter and really need prayers.
HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY DUSTIN...WE LOVE YOU!!!
Thank you for your continued prayers,
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, August 2, 2007 10:34 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Tony took Sherilyn to clinic today. I was able to run some errands with Veronica & Nicollette. Dustin had the day off so he mowed the grass and did a few other things for me around the house:)
Sherilyn got 1 unit of platelets as hers were down to 7. Afterwards they ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory, another of Sherilyn's favorites. Sherilyn began the oral chemo on Monday and we hope it is working. Her white blood cell count was down a little and her blasts were down to 75. She has been very tired and nauseous in the morning, but it seems to subside later in the day. She has lost about 7 lbs. since we got back from San Diego (some of that is due to the amount of fluids she was getting while hospitalized). She's hungry all the time and eats but only small amounts...either she's too full or it doesn't taste like she expected. I feel like I'm fixing her something to eat constantly. She slept until 3:30 in the afternoon one day. On clinic days, it's really hard to wake her up.
We got good news regarding the Home Health nurse. Dr. Rosoff found 2 nurses from Horizon (the Home Health segment of Hospice) that will be coming each Monday & Thursday to our house beginning next week. The nurse will draw labs and take them to be processed locally. Someone will call us later in the day to tell us if we have to go to Duke for platelets or whole blood. This will cut down on our clinic time by several hours and we are very happy about this. The nurses will be coming by tomorrow to meet Sherilyn.
Sherilyn will continue this oral chemo for 2 weeks and soon after receive another dose of Steve's cells (DLI). We are hoping his cells will identify the chemo and attack. We are not giving up hope!
Please continue to pray for our family. Sometimes I feel like I just can't take it any more...the stress that is. Today after Tony left with Sherilyn I was all alone (everyone else was sleeping) and I just stood there thinking how alone I felt and worrying about the unimaginable. Then the emotions overwhelm me and I can't do anything.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress, be merciful tome and hear my prayer." Psalm 4
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 4:20 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Clinic was long as usual yesterday. Sherilyn received platelets. Her white blood cell count was up enough that she was able to begin oral chemo. She is taking Etopiside and 6-TG for 14 days. She continues on the oral antiobiotics and the IV Gentamycin for a total of 14 days. She will continue on Voriconzale for fungal coverage while on the chemo.
Our Social Worker that we have known for years is leaving Duke August 9th. This came as quite a shock...she has always been such a good advocate for our family, we will really miss her. She also told us that the ONLY pediatric Home Health nurse quit while we were in Calif. and it is no longer an option to have a nurse come to the house. Wonderful...just wonderful! I also found out that Hospice will only get involved if we sign paperwork saying no more transfusions...which means we would basically be giving her weeks...because you can't live without blood. Obviously it wasn't such a great day at clinic...in addition to the 5 hours that we spent there for a half an hour transfusion.
Sherilyn goes back to clinic on Thursday for labs and possible blood products. I asked the Social Worker what to expect now that we can't have a nurse come to our house. She said that we would be making more frequent visits to clinic for blood products, eventually she wouldn't be getting much of a boost from the products.
Please continue to pray for us.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Saturday, July 28, 2007 12:48 AM CDT
Hi Friends~
We were in clinic from about 9:00-2:30 yesterday and Sherilyn got IV antibiotics (Gentamycin) and 1 unit of platelets. She hasn't had a fever since she spiked on the 3rd day at the hospital in San Diego. She didn't need red blood cells since they tanked her up before we left San Diego. Her blasts were 94 percent of her peripheral blood. Thankfully she is able to be on oral Voriconazole and Avelox (antibiotics). I am giving her IV Gentamycin at home. She is on pain meds twice a day to relieve her bone pain which is getting worse. Her doctor said her bone marrow is expanding from the leukemia and causing the pain. I talked to her doctor some more about what to expect. He said that she would likely have several more infections like the one in San Diego and then her system would eventually shut down. I asked if she would recover from this one and have some good days and he said he thought she would. We cannot begin oral chemo until her white blood cells reach 10,000 and they are at about 8000 now. The oral chemo could hold her leukemia at bay...at least that is what we are hoping for. Sherilyn asked what her blast count was but didn't ask any more questions. Dr. Martin told us in his years only a few teens have actually talked to their parents about dying. Sherilyn continues to talk about her future and I don't think she understands the severity of the situation at this point. I'm sure there will come a time in the near future that she will begin asking more questions. At that point I just pray I choose the right words.
As you can imagine it was a very emotional day after a very long week and a half. Veronica was with me when I was talking to Dr. Martin and she too got teary eyed. We both got it together before going back into Sherilyn's room.
Veronica's platelets dropped again for the 4th time and I have to say I am worried about that. How couldn't I be. Dr. Rosoff started her on a folic acid which will help counter the effects of the Bactrim she is taking. Both girls take this drug to prevent pneumonia that leukemia patients can get, but it can suppress your bone marrow and lower your counts. He wants for her to come back next week for labs.
Sherilyn goes back to clinic on Monday for labs, a Gentamycin level and possible blood products. Please pray for Veronica's platelets to come up and for her to stay leukemia-free. Please pray that Sherilyn remains infection free and that she enjoys her days at home. I am praying that if God doesn't give her a miracle that He allows her to enjoy her remaining days at home, away from the hospital, and that she goes peacefully and without pain.
Thank you everyone for praying for my girls. We couldn't do it without the love and support of all of you. We love you.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:18 PM CDT
WE ARE FINALLY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, what a trip! I should have known with the way it all started...On July 15th (the night before we were to leave for our trip) Sherilyn woke up screaming in pain in the middle of the night. I called the on-call doctor and we doubled up on her pain meds. She slept, but when I woke her up at 4 am (to leave at 5am) she couldn't get out of bed she was in so much pain. I called the doctor again and thank goodness I had stronger pain meds from when Veronica was in the hospital. He told me to give her one. Make A Wish had a limo at our house at 5am, and although we weren't quite ready then, we made our flight. We got to California and had a few more glitches with our trip, but everyone was very nice and got things worked out. The 6 of us (dad included) spent 4 very fun-filled days in Disney Land and California Adventure. It was very hot during the day...we didn't know how intense the California sun was! We got smart the 3rd and 4th day and went into the park late afternoon, ate dinner and then rode rides. It was very nice not having to wait in lines for the rides! By the 3rd day, Sherilyn was willing to ride in a wheelchair and this allowed her to spend longer at the parks. Make A Wish had a nice lounge on Main Street USA and we went there each day so that Sherilyn could lie down and rest. We were able to get VIP seats for the parades and Fantasmic shows...which we all enjoyed!
On Thursday we took her to Children's Hospital of Orange County and she got 2 units of platelets...which took 5 hours. After DisneyLand we drove to San Diego and went to the zoo on Saturday and Seal Rock in La Jolla. All the kids loved Seal Rock, which is an underwater ecological preserve. We could see seals and birds nesting in the rocks of cliffs. You could play in the ocean and climb rocks. By the time we got to the zoo, Sherilyn was really exhausted. We took a tour bus around and saw 70 percent of the park and then walked to see the pandas and left. The next morning we were checking out of our hotel to spend the day driving the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping along the way to play, etc. I checked Sherilyn's temperature just before we left and it was 103.6 so we headed to Rady's Children's Hosp. in San Diego. She was admitted with temperaturs of 105 and stayed for 4 nights. It was quite scary the first day as her blood pressure dropped to 80/40 and they couldn't get it up. She was very close to being admitted to the PICU for septic shock. They were finally able to stabilize her around 3 am. She slept the first 2 days we were there almost entirely. She received massive fluids and blood products to bring her blood pressure up. The 2nd day one of her cultures turned positive for gram negative rod. She had been put on 3 antiobiotics, 2 of which are sensitive to this bacteria. She didn't have a temp. for the next 2 days and her blood pressure was stable. They were going to discharge her Wed., but on Tues. night she spiked a fever again and they added an antifungal med. We were all very disappointed that we weren't going to be going home, but glad Sherilyn was going to be watched for one more night in the hospital. Make A Wish made our reservations and we left Thurs. am and got to Raleigh tonight. Happily, a limo was waiting to pick us up to bring us home :) We are all so happy to be back home.
We have to go to Duke in the am to be seen and they will decide if she should be admitted. Veronica has been off treatment for 3 months now. She also goes in tomorrow for labs and to see her doctor. She has been very tired lately. Please continue to pray for Veronica that she stays in remission and gets her energy level back and that her platelets go up. Please pray that Sherilyn doesn't have to be hospitalized and that she can come home and spend some quality time with her family.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for my family. I know God listens to them all and I pray that it is His will to heal Sherilyn and Veronica. Please pray for the family of Parker Bocktrop as he died this week. He had AML, had a bone marrow transplant, relapsed, had a second transplant and his little body just couldn't stay in remission. He always gave me hope because he was in a similar situation as Sherilyn and chemo seemed to be working for him. Please pray for all of the sick children struggling with these horrible diseases.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Monday, July 23, 2007 12:33 AM CDT
This is Coleen updating for Laura...
The Adams are still in San Diego - Unfortunately, Sherilyn developed a high fever yesterday and they had to go the Emergency Department in SD. Sherilyn was quickly admitted and given multiple antibiotics. They considered moving her to PICU last night for high fever and low blood pressure, but were able to get her stabilized today and her temp and BP are okay right now. Fortunately, her blood cultures grew positive for something that is already being treated by an antibiotic they started yesterday, so we are hoping she will continue to improve. They will likely be in the hospital until at least Wednesday and then hopefully ready to come back home. Please continue to say lots of prayers for a safe arrival home ASAP.
Thank you all for caring!
Love,
The Adams Family
Sunday, July 15, 2007 8:32 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
After a big birthday bash on Wednesday, we've been busy getting ready for Sherilyn's Make-A-Wish trip to DisneyLand tomorrow!!! We are being picked up in a limo bright and early at 5:00 am.
My brother came to visit from Charlottesville for the weekend and stayed with us. He wanted to see Sherilyn and his new neice, Sabrina Sherilyn. She is absolutely adorable...we visited her in the hospital and yesterday at home. Sherilyn came home and said, "I just love Sabrina". We are looking forward to spending a lot of time with her while Sherilyn is home.
Sherilyn got to have another birthday at her dad's on Friday and see her Kentucky relatives. Today Tony brought Sherilyn to clinic and I was able to stay at home and finish packing, which was good since I had such a busy weekend with my brother and new neice.
Sherilyn needed 2 units of platelets (hers were 10) and 2 units of red blood cells (hers were 7.5). She had a reaction to the platelets and needed solumedrol and more benadryl. Her white blood cell count is up to 4.7. It appears her leukemia is taking off. We will have to visit hospitals in Anaheim & San Diego for labs and blood products (probablly twice while we're there). We come back from California late next Monday and will go to clinic Tues. We are going to start Sherilyn on 1 or 2 oral chemotherapies to try to get rid of some of the blasts and PRAY that she will get into remission. The doctors said this could slow it down...since her bone marrow was 86 percent leukemia 3-4 weeks ago, I'm hoping it will kill some of the blasts. Her counts are already about as low as they can get.
Thank you to everybody who helped to make her 16th birthday REALLY special! A special thanks to all the nurses on 5100 who made the most beautiful scrapbook pages ever and put together an awesome basket filled to the brim with crafts. Sherilyn is so excited about all the fun things she has to do when we get back. Thank you Heather for bringing the basket all the way up to Bisque Art while we were making our pottery. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
I better get to bed so I can wake up at the crack of dawn. Thank you for all of your love, prayers & support.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Thursday, July 12, 2007 4:21 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated...but I've been getting ready for a very special birthday party! I received so many scrapbook pages that I had to make 2 scrapbooks because they wouldn't all fit in one-even after I used 7 refill packs. I have been staying up really late to work on it because Sherilyn has been a night owl :) The last 2 nights Veronica stayed up late with me and helped put it all together. The scrapbooks turned out beautiful and Sherilyn was very excited when she saw them on the kitchen table this am. She has really enjoyed looking through them today. Thank you everyone who helped to make this so special for her.
Today turned out to be the perfect day! Sherilyn had found the perfect dress (brown polka dots with tulle lace at the bottom and shoes to match) because she wanted to get dressed up for dinner.
We started the day with lots of decorations...Veronica & Nicky stayed up late last night and decorated the kitchen, family room and hallway with streamers, banners, balloons, confetti, etc. It looked awesome. They had blown up balloons and filled the kitchen with them. We went to Mimi's for breakfast with Grandpa and then both he and Grandma came over for presents. Sherilyn got lots of spending money for our upcoming trip to DisneyLand, clothes, lots of Hello Kitty stuff, a beautiful homemade Hello Kitty blanket, new sheets (she wanted really nice sateen sheets like mine i/o of the jersey type sheets she has), and lots of purses :0 Her daddy got her a big Hello Kitty suitcase for our upcoming trip and she was very excited about that.
She tried to rest for a while this afternoon but people just kept coming over with presents and calling to say happy birthday.....it was crazy! Flowers and a huge balloon bouquet were delivered to her! Lots of love was showered on Sherbear today :)
Then we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner with family, and Sherilyn's best friend, Kara and her mom Kris. It was lots of fun. Then everyone came back to our house for the best cakes ever. The one in the picture is from Edible Art and if you've ever had a peice, you know what I mean. My sister made the cutest cake I've ever seen in my life. It was a beach scene with bears in bikinis(teddy grahams), beach balls, bears sunning on beach towels, palm trees, water, fish, etc. I will put a picture up soon so you can see it.
The final whoopie of the day was...my sister Katie delivered her first baby tonight at 9:39 pm and named her Sabrina Sherilyn. She was born 6 minutes before Sherilyn was and weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. Sherilyn is so excited and can't wait to meet her...and of course, is delighted to share her name :)
On the medical front, Sherilyn went to clinic on Monday and received platelets and another DLI. Her blasts were up to 52n her peripheral blood (they had been down to 23 on Sat. from the 46 the Thurs. before that). She hasn't needed red blood cells, but am expecting she might tomorrow at clinic. Veronica's counts all looked good and she doesn't have to come back for one month :)
We are leaving Monday am for Disney Land and San Diego for one week. We've been told a limo will pick us up bright and early at 5 am :) We are all pretty excited about going. It's been a whirlwind since we've come home from the mountains. I hope I can get everything together for this trip...it's all happened so fast! We could all use some R&R...doubt we'll get that on this vacation :)
Thank you everyone who sent scrapbook pages, cards, and gifts. I hope you know that Sherilyn appreciated all of them and that you helped make her day truly awesome! Thank you for your continued prayers for my family.
Here's some pics from Sherilyn's birthday (copy & paste):
http://www.geocities.com/lvdsns05/Lauraspage.html
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:15 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated...but I've been getting ready for a very special birthday party! I received so many scrapbook pages that I had to make 2 scrapbooks because they wouldn't all fit in one-even after I used 7 refill packs. I have been staying up really late to work on it because Sherilyn has been a night owl :) The last 2 nights Veronica stayed up late with me and helped put it all together. The scrapbooks turned out beautiful and Sherilyn was very excited when she saw them on the kitchen table this am. She has really enjoyed looking through them today. Thank you everyone who helped to make this so special for her.
Today turned out to be the perfect day! Sherilyn had found the perfect dress (brown polka dots with tulle lace at the bottom and shoes to match) because she wanted to get dressed up for dinner.
We started the day with lots of decorations...Veronica & Nicky stayed up late last night and decorated the kitchen, family room and hallway with streamers, banners, balloons, confetti, etc. It looked awesome. They had blown up balloons and filled the kitchen with them. We went to Mimi's for breakfast with Grandpa and then both he and Grandma came over for presents. Sherilyn got lots of spending money for our upcoming trip to DisneyLand, clothes, lots of Hello Kitty stuff, a beautiful homemade Hello Kitty blanket, new sheets (she wanted really nice sateen sheets like mine i/o of the jersey type sheets she has), and lots of purses :0 Her daddy got her a big Hello Kitty suitcase for our upcoming trip and she was very excited about that.
She tried to rest for a while this afternoon but people just kept coming over with presents and calling to say happy birthday.....it was crazy! Flowers and a huge balloon bouquet were delivered to her! Lots of love was showered on Sherbear today :)
Then we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner with family, and Sherilyn's best friend, Kara and her mom Kris. It was lots of fun. Then everyone came back to our house for the best cakes ever. The one in the picture is from Edible Art and if you've ever had a peice, you know what I mean. My sister made the cutest cake I've ever seen in my life. It was a beach scene with bears in bikinis(teddy grahams), beach balls, bears sunning on beach towels, palm trees, water, fish, etc. I will put a picture up soon so you can see it.
The final whoopie of the day was...my sister Katie delivered her first baby tonight at 9:39 pm and named her Sabrina Sherilyn. She was born 6 minutes before Sherilyn was and weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. Sherilyn is so excited and can't wait to meet her...and of course, is delighted to share her name :)
On the medical front, Sherilyn went to clinic on Monday and received platelets and another DLI. Her blasts were up to 52 n her peripheral blood (they had been down to 23 on Sat. from the 46 the Thurs. before that). She hasn't needed red blood cells, but am expecting she might tomorrow at clinic. Veronica's counts all looked good and she doesn't have to come back for one month :)
We are leaving Monday am for Disney Land and San Diego for one week. We've been told a limo will pick us up bright and early at 5 am :) We are all pretty excited about going. It's been a whirlwind since we've come home from the mountains. I hope I can get everything together for this trip...it's all happened so fast! We could all use some R&R...doubt we'll get that on this vacation :)
Thank you everyone who sent scrapbook pages, cards, and gifts. I hope you know that Sherilyn appreciated all of them and that you helped make her day truly awesome! Thank you for your continued prayers for my family.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Saturday, July 7, 2007 0:14 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn & I were able to spend 3 nights in Blowing Rock and we had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect for Sherilyn (we wore jackets almost the entire time). We went to Grandfather Mtn. and walked across the swinging bridge, and then went to the animal habitats and fed the black bears & saw deer, otters, a cougar, a bald eagle. We ate at Sherilyn's favorite restaurants, shopped at a few outlet stores, went to Mast General in Valley Crucis to get candy from the barrels, walked up to Main St. each evening after dinner for the best homemade ice cream ever and sat in the park and ate it. She really did a lot of walking and ate very well :) We had a beautiful room with a terrace overlooking water and a fountain with lots of pretty ducks. We ate outside at a really good italian restaurant one night and the ducks came up and we fed them...then we had to shoo them off so we could eat LOL.
We spent a day at Tweetsie Railrode, compliments of the hotel and rode rides, gem mined, and fed the animals. We drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the rhododendrums were in full bloom and gorgeous!
To top it all off, the entire trip was paid for by my friend's father. The first day we came back to our room, there was a silver tray with petit fours and a note that said dinner and any room charges were being taken care of by my friend's dad...Nicollette apparently knew all about it since she was on vacation with my friend at her dads. We were able to talk to him and thank him for his kindness & generosity. We were very touched when he told us that he and his wife had stayed there too on several occasions. She too suffered through cancer and eventually it took her life. He said he wanted to to it for my precious daughter. It sounds like he spoiled Nicollette rotten too...he said she needed a distraction and they were keeping busy because she was going through a hard time. Nicollette had a super time :)
The last night Sherilyn had an upset stomach and got sick. She had a difficult time sleeping after that so I packed us up and we left around 5:30 am and headed to Duke for labs. Surprisingly, she didn't need blood or platelets. Her blasts in her peripheral blood were up to about 46 percent. We talked to the doctors some more about alternatives and none of them sound promising at all. Also, her doctor told me he didn't think he was going to be able to arrange for blood products to be given at home b/c of insurance. This is a big disappointment b/c eventually she will need them every 2 days and that means about 6 hrs. in clinc. Sherilyn immediately gets upset when we go to clinic and says she wants to go home NOW...that she can't take it any more.
We're working on the paperwork for her Make A Wish trip to DisneyLand and San Diego planned for July 16-21st. She is getting excited about this and her upcoming big 16th birthday! I have been busy opening all of the mail that came while we were gone. Thank you everyone who sent cards and special pages for her scrapbook. It's going to be the BEST present ever!!!
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." Psalm 37:5
Monday, July 2, 2007 7:02 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
As you can tell by the picture, we are enjoying each day. Saturday we went to V's Teas & Treasures and had a wonderful time with 3 of my sisters, neice, mother and one of Sherilyn's favorite nurses Stacey. It will be a memory I will cherish forever.
Sunday, Tony & I spent the day at Duke with Sherilyn. She needed platelets and 2 units of red blood cells. We were there from 10:15 until 5pm. After about a half an hour Sherilyn got really flustered and emotional and said she wanted to go home. It was a long day. Dr. Martin came by and we were able to talk some more with him about what to expect. He told us that she would need platelets/blood about every 2 days because the leukemia is crowding out her bone marrow and not allowing red blood cells to grow and that her ANC (absolute neutriphil count-fighter white blood cells) would continue to fall. It is only 63 now so she doesn't have much to fight with. Her leukemia has become resistant to leukemia. We've been told she has weeks to months. He said most of all continue to do what you are doing and take one day at a time and live it to the fullest.
At this point Sherilyn knows that she is not in remission and that we are going to continue to do DLI's in clinic, but otherwise her doctor is arranging for her to get transfusions, etc. at home. She was happy about that.
We are working on her Make A Wish trip to San Diego/DisneyLand as soon as they can arrange it we are all going.
Our days have been so busy since Sherilyn has been home, going the things she wants to do, eating, playing games, crafts, etc. Before bed, Sherilyn hangs out in my room while I read and plays on the computer or sits on my bed and we talk. After she leaves, I can't sleep because my mind wanders all night long...things I want to do, memories I want to make, sadness for all that we won't be able to do...then I'll cry myself to sleep and wake up hours later and on and on. Yet there is a relief that I'm not going to have to see her go through the pain of another transplant and that she is at home with her family where she wants to be.
Veronica is at the beach with her boyfriend's family for the week and Nicky is out of town with a good friend too. Dustin is working at Harris Teeter helping to close up the store as it relocated.
Sherilyn and I are leaving for Blowing Rock in about an hour, for 2 nights. She has wanted to go and this is a good time since she just received blood yesterday. She is very excited and I can't wait to spend some time alone with her away from all this.
Please continue to pray for all of us for strength as we begin a different kind of journey.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147.3
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Friday, June 29, 2007 7:00 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
The news of the last several days came so unexpected that I feel like I'm in a fog and it's not even my life. I keep hoping that I'm going to wake up and it's all going to be a nightmare.
Happily Sherilyn came home yesterday and for one evening all was normal in my house. We watched t.v., ate dinner, Sherilyn played on the computer, and she and her sister had a spa evening...facials, pedicures, etc. There was laughter in my house again and all my babies were home :)
Today, we woke up early and went off to Duke for labs and a bone marrow aspirate. For those of you who don't know, it is a terrible procedure and she does then under conscious sedation (with Versed & morphine). They chose to use her hipbone rather than her back...which she had never done before. They actually use a sharp (corkscrew like) tool and then retrieve 3 syringes of bone marrow. Todays procedure took longer than usual. Her doctor called me this evening to tell me that her bone marrow was 86 eukemia. As you can imagine that number shocked me. His recommendation, alongwith the majority, is to let her live her remaining days at home...away from Duke and all the bad memories. He wants us to meet with Hospice of Wake Co., who he said has good experience with children. They are even talking that they will be able to do blood transfusions, etc. at our house. He's given us other options, but thinks that it will be unlikely that she will ever be able to achieve remission. He thinks if she ever gets admitted again for chemo that she may never come home again...her leukemia has become resistant to chemo and the risks of prolonged recovery are far too great.
We are weighing our options, but are leaning at living every day to the fullest at home with family. We haven't decided how/if/when we are going to let Sherilyn know. Right now we are telling her that her doctor is just giving her more time b/c he knows she needs it for her mental health. I pray God puts the right words in my mouth when the subject has to be addressed.
We are considering some trips...possibly her Make A Wish trip to San Diego/DisneyLand instead of the original trip to Hawaii. We went last year and had a blast and she's been talking about it ever since. She will have her line in which makes water rides, and some rides off limits. She is also very tired and would most likely need a wheelchair, but I told her it would be a great idea and we'd go back again later if she still wanted to.
We go back to clinic Sunday for labs and possible platelets/red blood cells. Then we are talking about going to Blowing Rock for a few days if we can find a place to stay. She wants to go to Tweetsie Railroad again as we have gone in between several of her treatments in 2003. She's still a big kid at heart and this is a small park and doable at this time.
Please pray for my entire family that we can all deal with this and that Sherilyn can and will live life to the fullest. We love you all.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
"He heals the brokenharted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:32 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
Also, I have only received a few scrapbook pages for Sherilyn's 16th birthday present. I really want to make this birthday special for Sherilyn. If you can, please send them as soon as possible so I can get working on this. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, send an 8 1/2 x 11 page with photos, memories, poems, inspiration or encouragement, drawing, or just an email or letter for Sherilyn's special gift.
My address is: 916 Salem Woods Dr. Raleigh, NC 27615
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:58 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:58 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:58 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:24 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
Also, I have only received a few scrapbook pages for Sherilyn's 16th birthday present. I really want to make this birthday special for Sherilyn. If you can, please send them as soon as possible so I can get working on this. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, send an 8 1/2 x 11 page with photos, memories, poems, inspiration or encouragement, drawing, or just an email or letter for Sherilyn's special gift.
My address is: 916 Salem Woods Dr. Raleigh, NC 27615
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:58 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I haven't updated because I don't really know where to begin. Sherilyn had a terrible weekend, barely getting out of bed, just not feeling good and lots of nausea and bone pain. I came home late last night after being w/her for 8 days. I didn't get much sleep last night. On Tuesday, her labs showed she had 5 percent blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood...only 2 weeks off chemo. and it's already back. We were hoping it was a fluke but today's labs revealed 12 percent blasts. Also, her ANC is not rising possibly due to the blasts crowding out her bone marrow so that the mature cells can't grow. Needless to say, I've been a basket case. I chose not to tell Sherilyn as she needs to be in her "happy place" as long as possible. I talked with the transplant team yesterday and they are planning to do a bone marrow aspirate on Friday to determine the percentage of leukemia. If it is more than 20 percent, they cannot proceed to transplant. We will determine if she will take a detour and get even more chemo in order to achieve remission next week after we get the results. Her doctor told me that her cytogenetics have revealed that her leukemia has mutated every time that she has relapsed and it may be becoming resistant to chemo. At this point, we are not making any decisions until the bone marrow tests come back next week. If they determine she can't make it to transplant, they said she would have 2 to 6 months. AML is a horrible disease and b/c it is in the blood, it is fast-growing and aggressive.
I have always prayed that if Sherilyn won't be able to make it through transplant, that God provides us with the knowledge so as not to make her go through with the transplant and all the suffering. I continue to pray that we get the information that we need to make the "right" decision. I had a long and very emotional talk with her yesterday, w/o telling her it was back and she wants to go to transplant. Her doctor said that at any given time that he doesn't believe we should go ahead, he will let us know.
Tomorrow I will be taking Veronica to her clinic appt. for labs and a breathing treatment. Then we will go up and stay with Sherilyn b/c Tony has to go to a class at his hospital. We are hoping Sherilyn will be discharged tomorrow as her doctors are talking about it. Her ANC was only 90 today, but we are begging for some quality time with her.
Please continue to pray for my girls and for Tony & I to make the right decisions.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:15 AM CDT
Hi Friends,
Not much has changed. Sherilyn continues to have intermittent belly pain, but is using the pain pump less. She remains on TPN (IV nutrition) but it has been lowered to 12 hrs/day from 24/hrs. They allowed her to eat soft foods yesterday and she ate some oatmeal, but was nauseous more yesterday. I think it's a result of all the antiobiotics on an empty stomach. The good news is her ANC is 100, which means she is making white blood cells (neutriphils-which fight infection). Once her ANC is about 250 they will talk about letting her come home!!!
I had a long meeting with Dr. Martin. Once her counts come up, she is going to go to surgery and have her double lumen central line removed and replaced with a triple lumen. We decided to do this now so she can recover at home and not have to deal with so much at once when she is admitted to transplant. She will be home for approx. one week. She will still have to go to clinic for labs & possible blood products and also all of her pre-transplant studies...pulmonary (lung function), echocardiogram (heart function), x-rays, and GFR studies (kidney) plus tons of bloodwork. On (Day -11) she will go to clinic outpatient for 2 days of chemo, followed by 9 days of chemo on the transplant unit and then receive an umbilical cord blood transplant. They median time for cord blood to engraft is around 40 days. Her bone marrow only took about 24 days so she will be immune compromised quite a bit longer.
It's going to be a long and difficult road for Sherilyn both physically & emotionally. Until then, we plan to live each day that God gives us and will enjoy them to the fullest. I know Sherilyn is in God's hands, and I'm trying not to worry, because I trust Him and His plan. Please continue to pray for Sherilyn's strength to go through this again.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 5:53 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn is hanging in there. Because of her belly pain/fevers that began Saturday, she hasn't been able to eat since then. They started TPN (IV nutrition) last night and are feeding her 24/7 in order to let her belly rest. She has lost some weight so they decided to go ahead and give her calories/lipids intravenously. She is hungry and wants to eat. Today she ate 2 popsicles and some lemonade without problems. She is on a morphine pump for pain, but isn't using it as much since her belly is resting. She hasn't had fevers for several days since the 2 additional antiobiotics were added. She is receiving platelets about every other day and blood every 2-3 days. The nurse coordinator from Transplant came in to talk with us today and Sherilyn was feeling down after that. She will have to have her central line removed (double lumen) and a triple lumen put in or an additional double lumen catheter on the other side of her chest before transplant. Once on transplant, she will have to have 7 more days of chemo which she has never had before to kill the bone marrow. She has heard bad things about one of the chemos (ATG) and is stressing about that.
Today was Sherilyn's bone marrow donor's birthday. Sherilyn wanted to send him a Build-A-Bear so the girls and I went and picked out the sound thingee and brought it up to the hospital and she recorded a message for him. Then she picked out a black bear and we had it stuffed, she dressed him as a cowboy, hugged him and made him a card and we sent it off to Texas. We talked to Steve and he loved his gift from Sherilyn.
My hardwoods are being installed downstairs today so my house is in total disarray and I'm at the hospital. We had planned on having the family room, stairs and upstairs hall done while at the beach to avoid this, but then Sherilyn had to be admitted. We were told this was the best thing to do to avoid allergens for Sherilyn on transplant, but I haven't been able to do it until now. I cancelled the stairs and upstairs until future notice because I'm not at home to handle all the mess and the kids didn't want to deal w/it without me being there.
Sherilyn's 16th birthday is July 11th and I am planning a special birthday gift for her. I would like anyone who would like to, to write down and send a special memory, poem, photos, drawings, bible verses/inspiration, or a letter/email to me on one or more 8 1/2 x 11 peice(s) of paper (any color) and I am going to put together a scrapbook for her. I thought this would, not only be really special, but also help her get through the rough times ahead of her.
Thank you for continuing to check in on us and for your constant love, prayers & support for my family.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:52 AM CDT
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn has been having stomach/digestive problems for several days and has been put on several medicines to try to help (including flagyl-an antiobiotic to help with infection). Yesterday she was in a lot of pain and they started her on pain meds. Thankfully it seems to be helping...it's so hard to sit there and watch her cry in pain when noone can figure out what is wrong. We seem to go through this problem every admission and it usually ends up being some kind of infection. They took an x-ray and we are waiting for the results. While I was with her yesterday she developed a fever of 103 and they began 2 more antiobiotics (Vancomycin & Gentomycin)- now she is on 4 antiobiotics. She also received platelets and 2 units of red blood cells.
The good thing is that she received the largest unit of Steve's cells to date on Thursday. Dr. Martin said this should provide her with some immune protection. We are so thankful that Steve gave more of his cells to help Sherilyn. There is still a small chance that Steve's cells will replicate and attack Sherilyn's leukemia. At this time the chemo/Steve's cells have wiped out all of her blasts (leukemia cells) in Sherilyn's peripheral blood. Thank you God for this blessing! She will have a bone marrow biopsy when she recovers from this round to see what her bone marrow looks like.
We finally moved into a big room last night. We spent the first 11 days in a tiny room with a fold out chair. Thankfully Tony & I will both be sleeping better in the cot that one of my good friends, has graciously allowed us to borrow whenever we need it. Thank you so much Dianne!
I'm going back up to Duke to spend some time with Sherilyn this afternoon as she asked me to. Tony will be there until early Tues. evening and then he has to go back to work.
We continue to thank God for every day we have together and for all of His blessings.
f.r.o.G,
Laura
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:05 PM CDT
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn finished chemo on Sunday am. Almost immediately she felt better physically and psychologically. We played cards and word games and colored lots of Hello Kitty pictures for the wall. She has been eating well and taking walks outside (without her IV pole). I've been getting her ice cream to eat while she is out there :)
Other than that, "boring is good", the doctors say. We're still stuck in a tiny room, but are hoping to get moved to a larger one this week when the patient in there gets discharged. There are 3 teenage girls (incl. Sherilyn) with AML on the floor.
Please continue to pray for Sherilyn and me. She has been having some very emotional crying periods and asking me lots of difficult questions. She keeps telling me she doesn't think she can do it...it's too long to be at the hospital and she just wants to go home. She's afraid her bunny won't remember her. It breaks my heart when she gets this way, but I know it's healthy for her to do this and ask lots of questions.
Her grandmother came up yesterday and brought her a craft, and some food and her Aunt Katie came Sun. and her Aunt Coleen is coming tonight with more food. I'm just praying for more good days...because that means less bad days of expected fevers/infections.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Saturday, June 9, 2007 1:49 PM CDT
Hi Friends,
Carolyn and Steve left early Friday morning to go back to Texas. We had such a WONDERFUL time visiting with them and getting to know them. I really didn't want them to leave...I felt like a peice of Sherilyn was leaving. They said they weren't saying "goodbye" but "see ya". I'm so glad that they were able to visit with Sherilyn for a little while before she was admitted.
The prayer service was beautiful...I was so touched by the number of people who attended. I only wished I could have talked to everyone that came before they left. Thank you everyone for coming and praying with us...you all mean so much to me.
Sherilyn has finished 4 of of 5 days of her chemo. She has only gotten sick the first day, but is very flustered from lack of sleep. That is the biggest problem...she can't get comfortable and when she finally does she has to get up to use the restroom (due to the massive amount of fluids she is receiving), she gets woken up for eye drops every 4 hours and has to get a blood pressure check every 15 minutes for 4 hours while getting Etopiside (one of her chemo drugs).
She is sleeping in the fold out chair right now for a change of scenery. Today she has eaten a half of muffin I brought her from Fresh Mkt. and a bite of banana and for lunch about 1/3 of a turkey and cheese sandwich on Asiago cheese bread (her favorite from Panera Bread). We even took a walk outside to the pediatric playground at clinic just to turn around and come back in because it was too hot. But it really tired her out and she is sleeping :)
Thank you for all of your prayers. God is giving me strength through all of your prayers.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Thursday, June 7, 2007 10:38 PM CDT
From Carolyn, wife of Sherilyn's donor Steve: Wow, what a privilege! Laura asked me if I would like to update her journal for Sherilyn's website. I am so blessed to be able to do this. Steve and I arrived this past Monday evening and were able to visit with Sherilyn before she was admitted on Tuesday. She is a precious young lady and we are so thankful to God for this opportunity to meet her and her family. She started chemo Tuesday evening and will finish this round on Sunday. We know she was so disappointed to not be able to spend more time with us before she had to go in the hospital, but we praise God for the time we've had this week. We were able to visit with her for a short time Tuesday evening and then again this evening. Last night Laura's church held a prayer service for Sherilyn that we got to participate in. We know that at that same time our church was praying for her also. I can't stress enough to anyone the importance of prayer for Sherilyn and her whole family. Your prayers give them strength. Steve and I look forward to the day when Sherilyn and her family can come to our "neck of the woods" for a visit! Please continue to pray for Laura, Sherilyn, Veronica, Dustin and Nicollette along with Sherilyn's father Tony as they face each day with it's victories and challenges.
Because of Christ,
Carolyn Fox
Saturday, June 2, 2007 9:54 PM CDT
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn's pain has not been as bad as it was 2 nights ago thank God. She is on pain meds as needed, but hasn't needed them until late this afternoon.
We are just trying to enjoy every minute we have at home. Sherilyn has been watching movies and playing games. We saw Pirates of the Caribbean. We are so thankful that Six Forks Cinemas continues to allow us private viewings of movies ever since transplant. Also, I forgot to mention that I bought Sherilyn a bunny about 3 weeks ago. We stop at the local pet store often and hold the bunnies and she just loved this one. So I said, "Does she need to come home with us?" I couldn't refuse that smile...and she knows it (hahaha :) Anyway, she named her Snickerdoodle and everyone loves her. We love to let her out of the cage and watch her run around in circles in the family room. Our cat, Smokey is still not so sure about her...she's curious and then bored by her.
We are happily getting ready to meet Steve (Sherilyn's bone marrow donor) & his wife Carolyn. They are coming in Monday.
We are planning a prayer service at our church, Grace Community, next Wednesday June 6th. We will be having barbecue afterwards. If you can, please let me know by signing the guestbook or via email if you will be coming so I can get an idea of how many people to plan dinner for. If you need any more info. just let me know. We hope to see you there.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Friday, June 1, 2007 6:19 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
We got to come home from clinic yesterday for a few more days. Sherilyn will be admitted Tues. Her blasts went down from 86 to 78 (good). This is the first time her blasts have gone down since she began her donor leukocyte infusions. Her hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets all went down. She received a platelet transfusion and had a reaction to it. She is already premeded with tylenol & benadryl due to past reactions, but they seem to be coming more frequently. Soon she will be needing platelet transfusion about every other day and red blood cells as well. On Tues. she will begin high dose Cytarabine (3x her previous amount) for 4 days and then a shot of Asparaginase, 4 days off and then repeat. After this course, she will have a spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy. She needs to have 20 percent or less leukemia in order to proceed to transplant.
Eventhough Sherilyn's counts are very low and she is neutropenic, her doctor understood her need to have a few more days at home and that she wanted to meet her donor when he comes on Monday. We are very happy about having a few more days together.
Sherilyn's mood was very down yesterday and she is tiring very easily. Walking up the stairs wipes her out. She woke me up in the middle of the night crying in pain. The high amount of leukemia in her body is causing bone pain. It began yesterday in her teeth and butt and has progressed to her back. I gave her tylenol and a heating pad and prayed for her. She is still sleeping now. Today I will call her doctor and see if he will prescribe pain meds to get her through the weekend and Monday.
Veronica had her pre-op appt. yesterday in preparation for her central line removal on Monday. We are so happy about this.
We will be having a prayer service at our church, Grace Community, on Wednesday night at 6:00 pm for family and friends. We would love to have anyone who can attend and join us in prayer. More details to follow.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Monday, May 28, 2007 9:30 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Well, our good times quickly came to an end at clinic today. Sherilyn's white blood count increased from 4.4 to 6.9 which isn't good when your blast count is increasing too b/c that means that much more of your white blood cells are composed of blasts (leukemia cells). 86 percent of Sherilyn's WBC's are leukemia now. Also, her platelet count continues to drop as well as her hemoglobin.
We all decided we couldn't put off a hospital admission any longer. We had hoped to get our beach trip in but it looks like it wouldn't be in Sherilyn's best interest to wait. I will be talking to Dr. Martin again tomorrow and determining if she'll be admitted at the end of this week or early next week. Her ANC (absolute neutrophil count-the part of her white blood cells that fight infection) is only 69 so she is extremely immune compromised. Dr. Martin said with numbers like this he would expect her to get fevers within the week (i.e infections) and would have to be hospitalized. She will be admitted to 5100 (Hematology/Oncology) for high dose chemotherapy. When she recovers from that (in approx. one month) she may be able to come home for 2 days and then on to bone marrow transplant for an umbilical cord blood transplant. Once she is there she will get 3 new chemo. drugs to completely knock out her bone marrow and then the long wait for her cells to grow...which will take longer than her first bone marrow transplant because of the amount of stem cells in a cord blood is smaller than from a bone marrow donor.
Other than the fact that Sherilyn's leukemia is multiplying so fast, is the darn timing of it all. Late last week I made plane reservations for Sherilyn's bone marrow donor and his wife to fly in next Monday to meet for the first time. I wanted them to meet before Sherilyn had to go to the hospital...so they could see her being "normal". I had a yard sale and made over $500 which wasn't quite enough and then Quest Academy had a bake sale and made the remaining money needed to buy 2 tickets. We made plans to go to Corolla and stay 2 nights, just the 4 of us. Now it looks like they will have to meet her in the hospital :(
At Sherilyn's request we had a cookout tonight. Her grandparents, 2 of her Aunts and future Uncle came and her dad. We cooked barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, beans, potato salad, & Kentucky Derby pie. It was nice.
Sherilyn and Veronica go back to clinic on Thursday. Sherilyn may be admitted. Veronica has a pre-op visit for getting her central line out on June 4th. Thank God I will only have one child with a central line after that. One less worry!
Please continue to pray that Sherilyn has the strength to get through this chemo. without any major complications so that she can proceed to transplant. This is going to be a long time at the hospital and it's going to be very hard on all of us to watch Sherilyn go through this again...once was bad enough and this time we have many more risks. I have to keep repeating this verse...
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthn you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Isaiah 4:10
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Sunday, May 27, 2007 9:02 PM CDT
Hello Friends~
We went to clinic on Thursday am. Sherilyn's blasts increased from 57 on Monday to 69 on Thursday. Her white blood cell count went up as well, therefore her absolute blast count doubled (not good). Both her platelets and hemoglobin were down. She goes to clinic in the morning to see her bone marrow doctor and to get labs.
Veronica's labs looked great. Her platelets are up to 107 as were her white blood cells and hemoglobin. She is scheduled to get her central line removed June 4th. She is so excited as she has had it in since the end of August. After this she only has to go to clinic once a month.
We got to Lake Gaston around 5pm on Thursday. The family that let us use their beautiful lake house generously provided us with complete meals, snacks, drinks, movies, magazines, a beach bag filled with beach towels, games, puzzles, disposable cameras, s'mores fixings, cards, and more. You see, her mother also had AML and had a cord blood transplant in May 2005 and sadly died from a virus in Feb. 2006. She, along with her sister and friends provided us with all the goodies. We had everything we needed and more! They even took us out in their boat as her sister has a lakehouse across the cove. We had a wonderful time! The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We ate delicious food, played games, swam, watched movies, and just had lots of fun. Both Veronica & Sherilyn even got to float in the water because they had a huge 4 man floating raft that they could sit on and dangle their feet in the water. We cooked hot dogs one night and then toasted marshmallows and made s'mores...so much fun! Thank you Tonya & Darrin and friends for making our trip so enjoyable and hassle free.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Sunday, May 27, 2007 9:02 PM CDT
Hello Friends~
We went to clinic on Thursday am. Sherilyn's blasts increased from 57 on Monday to 69 on Thursday. Her white blood cell count went up as well, therefore her absolute blast count doubled (not good). Both her platelets and hemoglobin were down. She goes to clinic in the morning to see her bone marrow doctor and to get labs.
Veronica's labs looked great. Her platelets are up to 107 as were her white blood cells and hemoglobin. She is scheduled to get her central line removed June 4th. She is so excited as she has had it in since the end of August. After this she only has to go to clinic once a month.
We got to Lake Gaston around 5pm on Thursday. The family that let us use their beautiful lake house generously provided us with complete meals, snacks, drinks, movies, magazines, a beach bag filled with beach towels, games, puzzles, disposable cameras, s'mores fixings, cards, and more. You see, her mother also had AML and had a cord blood transplant in May 2005 and sadly died from a virus in Feb. 2006. She, along with her sister and friends provided us with all the goodies. We had everything we needed and more! They even took us out in their boat as her sister has a lakehouse across the cove. We had a wonderful time! The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We ate delicious food, played games, swam, watched movies, and just had lots of fun. Both Veronica & Sherilyn even got to float in the water because they had a huge 4 man floating raft that they could sit on and dangle their feet in the water. We cooked hot dogs one night and then toasted marshmallows and made s'mores...so much fun! Thank you Tonya & Darrin and friends for making our trip so enjoyable and hassle free.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Monday, May 21, 2007 6:26 PM CDT
Hello Friends~
Although it was a long day at clinic, we left with smiles on our faces and high fives.
Sherilyn's blast count only went up from 56 on Friday to 57 today. We are praying that Steve's t-cells are replicating and kicking in...that is our #1 prayer right now. Her last counts were 5,8,12,26,56, and 57...so hopefully that is the case.
Surprisingly we were also told that we could plan on our annual beach trip which is scheduled for June 16-23rd, unless her blast count gets really high. She might have to go on low dose chemotherapy (outpatient) until then, if necessary. This was GREAT news for us!
Otherwise her white blood count was up from 2.4 to 3.0, her platelets were down from 62 to 50 and her hemoglobin was down. Both girls go back Thurs. am for labs and to see the doctor before we go to Lake Gaston for Memorial Day weekend. We are very excited about getting away for a family getaway. Thank you so much Tonya for allowing us to use your lake house! We can't wait!!!
Thank you for all of your prayers...God is always listening.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Saturday, May 19, 2007 8:58 PM CDT
Update:
I talked with Dr. Martin tonight and he is allowing us to go away for Memorial Day to Lake Gaston as we had planned. He is going to talk to Sherilyn's Hematology/Oncology doctor tomorrow and come up with a plan. We will discuss it on Monday when we come back from vacation. It sounds like he will be admitting her for chemotherapy soon after.
We are very excited to get to take this vacation. I talked to Dustin's boss and he is going to make sure he gets off as they had scheduled him to work the entire weekend.
All 4 kids went to their dad's for the day. Sherilyn & Veronica came back tonight...Sherilyn was very tired. I was able to clean up from my yard sale I had today and then went out to lunch with my sister and we even got a pedicure :) It was a very nice little break for me. I also baked pound cake and make homemade mints for my sister's baby shower which is tomorrow. I even took a 3 mile walk with my neighbor...it was a gorgeous evening!
We are so thankful for all of your prayers.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Saturday, May 19, 2007 5:22 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's blast count went up again from 26 on Monday to 56 on Friday. We go back Monday and her transplant doctor will finally be back at Clinic. I am pretty confident that he will admit her next week for chemotherapy. Her blast count has never been this high EVER so it's pretty serious.
I am really bummed that Sherilyn won't have more time at home and that she has to spend even more time at the hospital. If she is admitted, it will be one month on 5100 recover and then straight to bone marrow transplant for a cord blood transplant.
As usual, we were just getting used to being at home together.
Please keep Sherilyn in your prayers. She is really going to need strength to endure this long fight.
Love, Laura
Saturday, May 19, 2007 5:22 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's blast count went up again from 26 on Monday to 56 on Friday. We go back Monday and her transplant doctor will finally be back at Clinic. I am pretty confident that he will admit her next week for chemotherapy. Her blast count has never been this high EVER so it's pretty serious.
I am really bummed that Sherilyn won't have more time at home and that she has to spend even more time at the hospital. If she is admitted, it will be one month on 5100 recover and then straight to bone marrow transplant for a cord blood transplant.
As usual, we were just getting used to being at home together.
Please keep Sherilyn in your prayers. She is really going to need strength to endure this long fight.
Love, Laura
Thursday, May 17, 2007 7:26 AM CDT
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica is having a good time at the beach, resting & recovering. She will be coming home later today :)
Sherilyn continues to feel well, with the exception of intermittent bone pain (related to the blasts). We are enjoying every minute at home. Yesterday we ate at Mellow Mushroom for lunch and then went to Pullen Park. We rode the train and carousel and walked a little, until Sherilyn got too hot. Saturday she is going to Virgina to her dad's for the day.
Dr. Martin has been on service (bone marrow transplant) for the past 2 weeks so we have been in email contact. He told me that if Sherilyn's blasts continue to go up then she will be readmitted for conventional chemotherapy (one month inpatient) and when she recovers, proceed to a second transplant. This time it will be a umbilical cord blood transplant. Due to the size of cord bloods (the amount of stem cells), it takes twice as long for the body to grow cells. Sherilyn will be immunocompromised longer and prone to infections for a greater length of time compared to her first transplant. She could potentially be going back in in the near future. I am hoping they will give the DLI#3 a chance, but I understand that they don't want the blasts to continue to increase.
We are still hoping to go to Lake Gaston over Memorial Day weekend. Someone very generous has allowed us to use their lake house.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Monday, May 14, 2007 6:31 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
We got to clinic today around 9am and didn't get home until 6pm. and that was just for Sherilyn. Her labs showed that her leukemia had increased from 12 blasts to 26 in one week. This is not good. They decided to postpone her Pentamindine treatment until tomorrow and go ahead with her third DLI (donor leukocyte infusion). This is the largest transfusion of Steve's t-cells to date. We pray that the larger dose will cause the Graft vs. Leukemia Effect that we need to decrease her leukemia cells. If it doesn't, soon she will most likely, have to be readmitted for more chemo and a second, very risky, transplant.
Sherilyn's platelets were also low so she has to come back to clinic a 3rd time this week for counts. She is not at all happy about this.
As you can imagine, this news is sad and I am having a difficult time dealing wtih all of this. I really wanted some time together with my entire family at home. I want Sherilyn to take some vacations this summer and enjoy life as she should be.
As of this week, Veronica only has to come to clinic once a week. She left for the beach today and won't be back until Thursday. She is still feeling weak and tired, but her energy level should increase as her counts rise. She is now off all of her pain meds. It took her one month at home to wean off of them since she had been on them so long while inpatient.
Please continue to keep my girls in your prayers and so many others who are suffering and fighting for their lives.
Love, Laura
Monday, May 7, 2007 4:18 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
We had a wonderful time at the beach...we really didn't want to come back to reality...especially since both girls had clinic today.
Corolla was just what we needed. It was pretty chilly and windy, but we managed to walk on the beach and enjoy the sand between our toes. We even drove down Route 12 on the coast all the way from Corolla (just south of Virginia-Northern Outer Banks) to Ocracoke Island. We took a ferry across and spent the day on the island. We saw wild ponies, Ocracoke lighthouse, sat on the beach and stopped in town for slushies and ice cream cones. We ate out at new restaurants, did a little shopping, read and played games. Can you see why we didn't want to come home? Quite a contrast to the past many months.
Veronica's counts looked good today. Her red blood cells and platelets were down from last week, but she didn't need any transfusions. Her white count was up from 2.0 to 2.2. She comes back Thursday for labs and possible blood products. We are hoping her bone marrow is recovering.
Unfortunately I can't say the same for Sherilyn's labs. Her white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets have all dropped. Her ANC is only 578 so she will have to be careful of germs and cannot go into crowded places. Also, her blasts (leukemia cells) have gone up for the third week in a row to 12 percent of her blood. She is still feeling good and has even gained a little weight :) We are hoping that she will get a little bit of Graft Vs. Host disease...so that we know the DLI is working. Her doctor said this is about the time he would expect to see it because she received Steve's lymphocytes 2 weeks ago. She will receive a bigger dose in 2 weeks. Otherwise nothing has changed with the plan at this time. I am still praying that the DLI will work so that she can enjoy the summer and put off another transplant for as long as possible.
Dustin is now home for the summer, so I have all of my kids under my roof :)
Thank you for all of your prayers. We love you all!
In Love & Faith,
~Laura
Monday, April 30, 2007 4:15 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
We went to clinic today. Veronica needed platelets, but her white blood cell count is high enough that she doesn't need her GCS-F injections each day anymore! Otherwise all of her meds remain the same.
Sherilyn's labs didn't change much. Both her platelets and white blood cell counts came up a little, although they are both still low. The amount of blasts (leukemia cells) in her peripheral blood increased from 5 percent to 8 percent. Dr. Martin said she is stable at this time. He said that the DLI (Steve's cells) can work up to 3 weeks...so his T-cells can still work, hopefully causing the much needed Graft vs. Leukemia Effect. They will continue to see her once a week and will do a Chimerism test every 3 weeks before her DLI. If the percentage of her bone marrow decreases much, they will evaluate. He is still optimistic that the DLI's will keep the leukemia at bay and buy us some time. He said they want to find the isolated T-cell of Steve's that will attack Sherilyn's cells and that it will replicate itself.
I received an email from Disney saying that no more tickets to the Pirates Premiere will be given out. What a bummer! Our only hope now is Oprah...but that's like finding a needle in a haystack as she receives millions of letters. We are disappointed, but we'll get over it.
We are going to Sherilyn's favorite place Thursday for a long weekend. A very generous gentleman has allowed us to use his beach house in Corolla (Northern Outer Banks). We went once before when Sherilyn was recovering from her bone marrow transplant. We woke up to see a family of wild ponies in the front yard. We are really looking forward to some rest & healing. Me and my 3 girls are going, unfortunately Dustin will be studying for final exams.
Please pray for Joshua Thomas and his family. He earned his angel wings this morning. He also had AML, a bone marrow transplant at Duke, and relapsed.
Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Friday, April 27, 2007 9:26 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
We received good news from Dr. Martin tonight. It was after 10pm and I was out walking with my neighbor when he called...sure glad I had my cell phone with me! He said that Sherilyn's Chimerism test showed she was 95 percent donor! She was 100 percent after her chemo, but she still had some of her t-cells, so the DLI (donor leukoctye infusions) from Steve, that she is getting every 4 weeks will hopefully attack her cells and get rid of the leukemia (Graft vs. Leukemia Effect). We are very excited about this latest news!!!
We had a fun day today. We ate lunch at Mellow Mushroom and then stopped by Dustin's dorm at NCSU and brought him some pizza and snacks to get him through studying for finals. Then we stopped and got Dairy Queen. Later I took Veronica shopping...she was feeling energetic:)
Thank you all for the many prayers you have lifted up for my daughters. We love and appreciate every one of you.
Have a wonderful weekend!
f.r.o.G
~Laura
Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:08 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
I took Veronica to clinic this am and she needed both platelets and red blood cells. We didn't expect her to need them so we came totally unprepared for a full day at clinic, no snacks or reading materials. Thankfully I had stopped on the way to Duke and gotten Veronica a bagel w/cream cheese and o.j. We got home just in time to pick Nicollette up from school. She's had a little more energy this afternoon thanks to her tranfusions.
Dustin stayed home with Sherilyn. They watched t.v. and played Monopoly. Dustin doesn't have classes on Thursdays and worked in the afternoon.
Sherilyn and I went to her school on Tues. to talk about on-line classes. She only needs 2 credits to be classified as a Junior next year, so she is going to get credit for Health/PE if she keeps a log of daily exercise and reads her Health book and takes the tests. She's going to take English this summer and possibly Algebra II, if she is up to it. On the way home, she started to cry and asked me why this had to happen to her in the middle of they year...she just wanted to finish the school year. My heart breaks for her...everything she has missed these past 4 years.
Thankfully Sherilyn is feeling well and eating well. She's been taking short bike rides for her exercise. Today she and Veronica went out. Yesterday she went out with Dustin & Nicky.
Tomorrow we are going to go to Mellow Mushroom for an early lunch before it gets crowded.
I'm still not giving up on trying to get Sherilyn to the Pirates of the Caribbean Premier. Unfortunately, noone has called me with positive news, but a lot of my friends have written to Oprah....so we'll see. If it's meant to be, it will be.
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Monday, April 23, 2007 5:46 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
It seems as if we will never be allowed to be happy for long. This is such a roller coaster ride and we all want off NOW!
Today at clinic, blood tests revealed Sherilyn's leukemia is back. 5 f her peripheral blood was blasts (leukemia cells) and Friday we will know the results of her Chimerism test which tells how much of her bone marrow is the donor's and how much is hers. Sherilyn received Steve's cells (DLI) today (5 million of them) and they expect to see some evidence of GVHD in 4 days. She will continue to come back every Monday, but will now have the Chimerism test more often. If her tests show that the DLI is not working, she will have to go back in for more chemo and eventually a cord blood transplant. As you can imagine, this news is devastating. We did not expect the leukemia to come back so soon. I haven't told Sherilyn yet. I don't want her to lose hope or be any sadder than she already is (she doesn't read this CB). The rest of us know.
I am working hard to get her her wish to go to the Pirates of the Caribbean Premiere in Disney Land May 19th (and hopefully meet Johnny Depp). Last year we tried to get tickets to the premiere, but had no luck! A couple of weeks ago, she requested this for her wish after reading that 50 Make A Wish families would be invited to the event. Unfortunately, her wish was declined b/c the families had already been chosen. She was devastated. I have gone on a mission to get her there. I have emailed our local TV stations, newspapers, and Disney. I'm not giving up HOPE for her wish to come true. If anybody has any ideas, please email me with them.
Veronica's labs looked good and she didn't need any blood products. We were at clinic from 9-3 and Veronica just rested in a recliner chair while Sherilyn got her DLI.
Please continue to pray that Sherilyn's blasts don't increase and that Steve's cells attack the leukemia.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Monday, April 23, 2007 5:46 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
It seems as if we will never be allowed to be happy for long. This is such a roller coaster ride and we all want off NOW!
Today at clinic, blood tests revealed Sherilyn's leukemia is back. 5 f her peripheral blood was blasts (leukemia cells) and Friday we will know the results of her Chimerism test which tells how much of her bone marrow is the donor's and how much is hers. Sherilyn received Steve's cells (DLI) today (5 million of them) and they expect to see some evidence of GVHD in 4 days. She will continue to come back every Monday, but will now have the Chimerism test more often. If her tests show that the DLI is not working, she will have to go back in for more chemo and eventually a cord blood transplant. As you can imagine, this news is devastating. We did not expect the leukemia to come back so soon. I haven't told Sherilyn yet. I don't want her to lose hope or be any sadder than she already is (she doesn't read this CB). The rest of us know.
I am working hard to get her her wish to go to the Pirates of the Caribbean Premiere in Disney Land May 19th (and hopefully meet Johnny Depp). Last year we tried to get tickets to the premiere, but had no luck! A couple of weeks ago, she requested this for her wish after reading that 50 Make A Wish families would be invited to the event. Unfortunately, her wish was declined b/c the families had already been chosen. She was devastated. I have gone on a mission to get her there. I have emailed our local TV stations, newspapers, and Disney. I'm not giving up HOPE for her wish to come true. If anybody has any ideas, please email me with them.
Veronica's labs looked good and she didn't need any blood products. We were at clinic from 9-3 and Veronica just rested in a recliner chair while Sherilyn got her DLI.
Please continue to pray that Sherilyn's blasts don't increase and that Steve's cells attack the leukemia.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Monday, April 23, 2007 5:46 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
It seems as if we will never be allowed to be happy for long. This is such a roller coaster ride and we all want off NOW!
Today at clinic, blood tests revealed Sherilyn's leukemia is back. 5 f her peripheral blood was blasts (leukemia cells) and Friday we will know the results of her Chimerism test which tells how much of her bone marrow is the donor's and how much is hers. Sherilyn received Steve's cells (DLI) today (5 million of them) and they expect to see some evidence of GVHD in 4 days. She will continue to come back every Monday, but will now have the Chimerism test more often. If her tests show that the DLI is not working, she will have to go back in for more chemo and eventually a cord blood transplant. As you can imagine, this news is devastating. We did not expect the leukemia to come back so soon. I haven't told Sherilyn yet. I don't want her to lose hope or be any sadder than she already is (she doesn't read this CB). The rest of us know.
I am working hard to get her her wish to go to the Pirates of the Caribbean Premiere in Disney Land May 19th (and hopefully meet Johnny Depp). Last year we tried to get tickets to the premiere, but had no luck! A couple of weeks ago, she requested this for her wish after reading that 50 Make A Wish families would be invited to the event. Unfortunately, her wish was declined b/c the families had already been chosen. She was devastated. I have gone on a mission to get her there. I have emailed our local TV stations, newspapers, and Disney. I'm not giving up HOPE for her wish to come true. If anybody has any ideas, please email me with them.
Veronica's labs looked good and she didn't need any blood products. We were at clinic from 9-3 and Veronica just rested in a recliner chair while Sherilyn got her DLI.
Please continue to pray that Sherilyn's blasts don't increase and that Steve's cells attack the leukemia.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Saturday, April 21, 2007 10:41 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Veronica is FINALLY home!!! She was so excited about getting in the house, that she fell down coming up the front porch steps...I heard this yell and came running out...and there she lay on the porch. I felt terrible...but she was ok despite a bruise on her knee. Sherilyn & I went out this am and got balloons and a cake and decorated the front porch with a banner and balloons. Inside Dustin and Sherilyn put up balloons and streamers & confetti. Nicollette is spending the weekend at her dads in Virginia.
Veronica spent most of the day sleeping in her own bed. She is still in a considerable amount of pain. She wanted scrambled eggs, toast & strawberries for lunch and dinner :) so that's what she got :)
Sherilyn, Dustin & I spent a quiet afternoon reading and watching t.v. Later, Dustin went back to his dorm. I finished up the laundry and organized Veronica's meds and made a list for her daily meds since many of them she takes 2-3 times a day. I gave her a shot of GCS-F to stimulate her white blood cells.
Sherilyn continues to feel fine. She has some numbness in her right arm which is puzzling, but we will ask the doctor about that on Monday. Earlier in the week Sherilyn decided to get active...she rode bikes with Nicky, hula hooped and jumped rope. She called me at the hospital and told me what she did and my reply was you jump roped with a central line!!! She said, "It was fine, but my loop isn't a loop anymore and my lines have gotten longer". When I came home, it was the day to change her dressing on her central line. There was definitely no loop (slack to hold it safe) and it was red and the stitches weren't as secure. Needless to say, I told her no more jump roping. That sorta reminds me of one of her favorite books when she was little..."Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"...one jumped off and bumped his head.
Both girls go back to clinic on Monday. Veronica for counts and possible blood products and Sherilyn for her second infusion of her donor's cells. This should be a long day in clinic.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Have a wonderful weekend.
f.r.o.G.
~Laura
Friday, April 20, 2007 3:06 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
GREAT NEWS!!! Veronica's counts began coming up on Wednesday and she is going home tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has been at Duke for 40 days and she is so ready to come home. They stopped her pain pump today and she will be taking all meds by mouth. We are all so happy that Veronica is FINALLY done with her treatment and ready to begin to recovery back to her normal life. Praise God for getting her here.
Sherilyn goes back to clinic Monday am for her second infusion of donor's cells. This time she will be getting 5 million of his cells...last time she got 1 million. They are expecting to see some Graft vs. Host disease.
Veronica will be going to clinic a couple times a week for labs and blood products until her bone marrow is producing them on it's own.
I am just so excited that both of my girls will be home with us and Dustin is almost out of classes. We haven't all been home together in a really long time.
Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support.
f.r.o.G (fully relying on God)
~Laura
Monday, April 16, 2007 9:50 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Todays events at VT have really unsettled Veronica & me as we watched it unfold on tv. We are so saddened at the violence that occurred and mourn the innocent lives that were taken. I pray that the families of those killed & injured will look to their faith to help them through the coming days.
***********************************
Veronica's pain has increased dramatically and her doctor increased her pain medicines by 25 percent. She is still in ALOT of pain. It is so hard to sit by and watch her in so much pain when there's nothing I can do. Finally today her white blood cells rose from 0.1 to 0.3. We pray they continue to rise tomorrow and begin fighting her infection. Last night she spiked another fever of 100.9 and they drew blood cultures. Today she was fever free. I'm pretty sure it's related to her GI sores and it could potentially be due to her white blood cells coming in....we both hope this is the case!
My sister dropped Sherilyn off today for clinic and I met her downstairs. She received her breathing treatment and saw her transplant doctor. Both her platelets and white blood cells were low, but the doctor said he expected this with the donor leukocyte infusions. She will receive her second one next Monday. Thankfully she had gained about 2 pounds. Sherilyn visited with Veronica for the afternoon and then I brought her home and picked Nicky up from school and came back to the hospital.
Please pray for Veronica's pain relief and for her white blood cells to come in. Also, please pray for Joshua Thomas, who has relapsed from his bone marrow transplant and cannot go through any more treatment. A week ago his doctors didn't expect him to make it through the week, yet he is still here...and thanks to God there is always HOPE. Please lift Joshua & his family up in prayer.
f.r.o.G,
~Laura
Friday, April 13, 2007 2:30 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Not much news since I last updated. Veronica was finally put on continual pain meds, and in addition she can self-medicate if needed. This has allowed her to get up and take short walks. The doctors heard some crackling in her lungs, due to fluid buildup from inactivity, and started her on the incentive sperometer (blowy thing) to get her lungs working. She still doesn't have any white blood cells, which means no going home yet. She's been at the hospital 30 days now and she wants to come home!
Sherilyn continues to feel good. We've been talking to Steve, her bone marrow donor, about once a week lately. This always helps keep us connected to him and reminds us of our many blessings that he has given us these last 2 years. We are looking forward to many more!
Yesterday a couple of my friends took me to a tea room (V's Teas & Treasures...which I HIGHLY recommend!) for my birthday. It was so much fun chatting with my friends and forgetting my worries for a little while. We got to know the owner and we were all talking about our kids who are about the same ages. She told me she wanted me to come see something. She handed me a framed print of a guardian angel watching over 2 little children, that was for sale in her tea room. She told me she wanted me to have it. It is a beautiful picture done by a local artist. She said she couldn't wait to tell the artist about my girls, because every one of his pictures has a story behind it and she wanted to share my story with him. This is just another one of the many people who have touched our lives these past 4 years. Thank you Vivien, Kris & Cynthia!!!
I'm going back to Duke today thru Wednesday and I'm really hoping I will be bringing Veronica home with me next week!!!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend! and remember to hug & kiss your kids!
f.r.o.G (fully relying on God)
~Laura
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:37 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter weekend. I was home for several days and able to spend some good times with Sherilyn, Nicollette & Dustin. On Saturday my sister Katie came over and we decorated hard boiled eggs...there was a lot of creativity going on in our house. The girls made beautiful Easter cards and bunny pictures for the house and for Veronica. I made of my traditional Easter bunny basket cakes and an almond pound cake. I brought one to a neighbor down the street who is going through cancer and has 3 little kids. We all went to church, but not the sunrise service, since it was so cold. Dustin had to work right afterwards and didn't get to eat with us. The girls and I went to brunch and then up to visit Veronica at the hospital. We brought her cake and an Easter basket and stayed for a couple of hours.
Veronica continues to be in a lot of pain. She is on IV pain meds every 3 hours and yesterday they added another pain med 2x a day for constant relief. She hasn't noticed an improvement yet. Her white blood cell count is still 0.1 and she is on day 27 today. She is really getting tired of being here. Everyday we wait to see her counts hoping they will have come up overnight. One day soon we will be happily surprised!
I brought Sherilyn to clinic yesterday to see her doctor. Her labs looked good. She will come back next Monday for labs and her monthly breathing treatment and then the following Monday for labs and her 2nd donor cell infusion. Otherwise, we are thinking about school and taking a limited class schedule. I have to talk to her school counselor today. It's going to be a difficult transition because her school has block scheduling and she has only been to these classes for one week before she relapsed.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
f.r.o.G, (fully relying on God....I saw this on another leukemia patients website and loved it)
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:37 AM CDT
Dear Friends,
I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter weekend. I was home for several days and able to spend some good times with Sherilyn, Nicollette & Dustin. On Saturday my sister Katie came over and we decorated hard boiled eggs...there was a lot of creativity going on in our house. The girls made beautiful Easter cards and bunny pictures for the house and for Veronica. I made of my traditional Easter bunny basket cakes and an almond pound cake. I brought one to a neighbor down the street who is going through cancer and has 3 little kids. We all went to church, but not the sunrise service, since it was so cold. Dustin had to work right afterwards and didn't get to eat with us. The girls and I went to brunch and then up to visit Veronica at the hospital. We brought her cake and an Easter basket and stayed for a couple of hours.
Veronica continues to be in a lot of pain. She is on IV pain meds every 3 hours and yesterday they added another pain med 2x a day for constant relief. She hasn't noticed an improvement yet. Her white blood cell count is still 0.1 and she is on day 27 today. She is really getting tired of being here. Everyday we wait to see her counts hoping they will have come up overnight. One day soon we will be happily surprised!
I brought Sherilyn to clinic yesterday to see her doctor. Her labs looked good. She will come back next Monday for labs and her monthly breathing treatment and then the following Monday for labs and her 2nd donor cell infusion. Otherwise, we are thinking about school and taking a limited class schedule. I have to talk to her school counselor today. It's going to be a difficult transition because her school has block scheduling and she has only been to these classes for one week before she relapsed.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
f.r.o.G, (fully relying on God....I saw this on another leukemia patients website and loved it)
Laura
********Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Thursday, April 5, 2007 9:49 AM CDT
Dear Friends~
Veronica has been fever free for 2 days now...the antiobiotics are working! She continues to be in a lot of pain and is receiving morphine and ativan to control it. She still doesn't have any white blood cells, but hopefully in a week or so her bone marrow will start cranking them out. She is eating well.
Sherilyn is feeling much better. I came home yesterday afternoon and will be home until Monday. Dustin came home yesterday because he doesn't have classes on Thursdays but works at Harris Teeter near our house.
Sunday we were planning to go to the Sunrise service at Meredith College again this year, but might have to rethink that since it's going to be 27 degrees, and then go out to brunch. Then we are going to bring Veronica her Easter basket and visit :)
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We continue to be amazed at the love and support we have received these past several years.
In Faith & Love,
Laura Adams
I read this recently in "Our Daily Bread" and it moved me.
"God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary work".
Monday, April 2, 2007 7:31 PM CDT
Hi Friends,
Veronica continues to have fevers up to 103 degrees, in spite of all of her antiobiotics. So today they have added the Infectious Disease Team rounding on Veronica. They added 2 new antibiotics (but stopped Flagyl), and a antifungal medicine. They are talking about doing a CAT scan of her pelvis to check the GI sore that is causing her so much pain. Unfortunately, until her white blood cells come up, there's not much they can do for it. Sherilyn & I went out to get lunch today in between getting labs and her CAT scan, so Veronica ate a good lunch. Tonight she wanted broccolli w/cheese for dinner, so I picked up some at Krogers and she ate it all.
Sherilyn's labs looked good...no evidence of Blasts (leukemia cells). Her CAT scan looked good too. Unfortunately, she just called me from my sister's house and it sounds like she has the stomach virus. Her stomach is upset and she got sick. She's in bed watching t.v. Her doctor told us several kids on the PBMT floor have had it recently. I told my sister to make sure she drinks a lot of fluids. She had lost weight between last Tues. and todays visit...and I don't want her to lose anymore as she is already 10 lbs. lower since she relapsed.
Please continue to pray for my girls. Veronica is down and Sherilyn just wants me home. I'll be so happy when Veronica is done and we can all be home together.
In Love & Faith,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Monday, April 2, 2007 7:32 AM CDT
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica is continuing to have fevers on and off. Blood cultures are drawn at least once every 24 hours, but still only one bacteria has grown. Her GI sores have gotten worse and she is in considerable pain. They began giving her morphine, as needed, for pain. They also began a third antiobiotic (Flagyl) for this. Otherwise she is eating good and looking forward to signing up for classes on Tues. She has been readmitted to NCSU-Chem Engineering. She got her room assignment (with her same roommate :) and is staying in the same dorm as she moved into last year, but never stayed in because she was diagnosed before classes began. I'm so happy that Veronica is excited about getting back to NCSU and a normal life. This summer is going to be great...Veronica will have almost 4 months to rest & recover, Dustin will be home, Sherilyn will be receiving her donor's cells outpatient, and Nicollette will be enjoying playing with no homework or school projects!
My sister is bringing Sherilyn up today for her Monday clinic appointment for labs and to see Dr. Martin, her transplant doctor. She will also be getting a CAT scan to check her lungs, post infection. My sister will stay with Veronica & I'll go to clinic and meet Sherilyn for her appt.
Have a wonderful day and remember to hug your kids and tell them you love them:):):)!
Love, Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:51 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Veronica's fevers have continued today reaching 103 recently. One of her blood cultures grew positive for bacteria (Staphococcus) and she is being treated with the correct antiobiotics. She slept 17 hours straight and felt better afterwards, but is still hot/cold and has a rapid heartbeat/fever. She walked one lap around the unit and ate tuna fish, 2 peanut butter crackers and chicken noodle soup today. She was very, very thirsty and drank a lot too...all good signs. Overall, today she is much better than yesterday and I am very thankful for that.
Sherilyn continues to feel good afer her donor infusion on Tuesday. Dustin came home from NCSU to stay with her for the weekend since I am with Veronica. Nicollette is at the beach with a friend :)
Thank you for your continued prayers. God continues to hear our prayers and I know that every day with my children is a blessing.
Love, Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Friday, March 30, 2007 9:56 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Veronica developed the dreaded, but expected fevers late this morning. She feels really lousy, body aches, headache, and painful GI sores. She got sick this afternoon, but was able to fall asleep for a little while after that. At first they wouldn't give her any Tylenol because they didn't want to "mask" her fever and wanted to see where it was going, but she was so miserable, they finally gave her some and she was able to have a little relief and rest. Her fevers continued tonight so they began 2 antiobiotics (Vancomycin & Cephtaz). They drew cultures and are waiting to see if a bacteria grows.
Her white blood count is still 0.1 and expected to be down for another week or more.
My sister Eileen came up for an early lunch while Veronica was still feeling good. Later in the afternoon, Dustin came up with Sherilyn & Nicollette. They brought me a birthday cake and some beautiful homemade cards. Nicollette brought me a lovely orchid and Sherilyn made me some beautiful homemade tissue flowers, a fairy and decorated a vase for them :) It was a very nice afternoon and Veronica was awake while they were here. The nurses also brought me a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday. Later, my friend Melissa, who's son was on transplant with Sherilyn came by to visit. She and her family are here from California for his 2 year post transplant checkup (WAY TO GO PARKER!). She brought me a delicious birthday dinner! and some fabulous gifts. I really enjoyed our visit, although I liked the setting of our last visit a whole lot better at Atlantic Beach :)
Please continue to pray for Veronica and Sherilyn, that they may be healed of their leukemia.
Love, Laura
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6:12 PM CDT
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn spent most of the day in the clinic. She was premeded with Benadryl, Tylenol & Solumedrol before receiving her first DLI (donor leukocyte infusion). Thankfully she didn't have any reactions and slept through most of it. My sister, Katie and Veronica came down and sat with us and we all ate lunch together. Sherilyn finished around 3pm and Katie took her to her house. I'm with Veronica for the next 7 days at the hospital. Tony is back at work. Sherilyn will come to clinic every Monday to be seen by her transplant doctor to watch out for Graft vs. Host Disease and do labs. She will get the DLI's every 3-4 weeks, getting a Chimerism test done before each to determine the percentage of her bone marrow that is the donor's.
Veronica is doing great...just bored...and has a little nausea. She is so excited to be FINISHED with her chemo....now she is just waiting for her counts to come up so she can get back to her normal life!!!
Thank you for checking in and caring about my girls.
Love, Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 5:31 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Today I will be going back to Duke to stay with Veronica for one week. She continues to feel well and is eating now, with occasional bouts of nausea.
Sherilyn's bone marrow donor flew to Forth Worth, TX to donate his white cells. They took 200 million of his white cells. (We have 500 million in our body). He said it took about 4 hours and he was pretty tired, but his wife was taking good care of him :) They stayed overnight the day before and the day after the procedure to rest. We are so blessed that Steve has been so willing to do this for us, not once, but twice.
Tomorrow morning Sherilyn gets her first DLI (donor leukocyte infusion). Since I will be at Duke with Veronica, my sister Katie has kindly offered to bring Sherilyn in. She will sit with Veronica while I sit with Sherilyn to get one million of her donor's cells! Beforehand, she will get Benadryl, Tylenol and steroids. They want her to get some Graft vs. Host so they know it is fighting her cells, but not too much rejection, because then the problems can occur. Please pray that these infusions do the job. Her doctor said sometimes DLI's can work for months even years, but most likely she will need another transplant. They have a MUDD (matched unrelated donor on hold) as well as several umbilical cord bloods.
I'll let you know how tomorrow will go. It will be a long day for Sherilyn. Thank you for your continued love & support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
p.s There was a small article in the newspaper about me today. If you want to see it, here is the link:
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/557795.html
One of Veronica's friends mother put it in. Thank you Nancy for your kind words.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 1:58 PM CDT
Hi Friends~
Today I will be going back to Duke to stay with Veronica for one week. She continues to feel well and is eating now, with occasional bouts of nausea.
Sherilyn's bone marrow donor flew to Forth Worth, TX to donate his white cells. They took 200 million of his white cells. (We have 500 million in our body). He said it took about 4 hours and he was pretty tired, but his wife was taking good care of him :) They stayed overnight the day before and the day after the procedure to rest. We are so blessed that Steve has been so willing to do this for us, not once, but twice.
Tomorrow morning Sherilyn gets her first DLI (donor leukocyte infusion). Since I will be at Duke with Veronica, my sister Katie has kindly offered to bring Sherilyn in. She will sit with Veronica while I sit with Sherilyn to get one million of her donor's cells! Beforehand, she will get Benadryl, Tylenol and steroids. They want her to get some Graft vs. Host so they know it is fighting her cells, but not too much rejection, because then the problems can occur. Please pray that these infusions do the job. Her doctor said sometimes DLI's can work for months even years, but most likely she will need another transplant. They have a MUDD (matched unrelated donor on hold) as well as several umbilical cord bloods.
I'll let you know how tomorrow will go. It will be a long day for Sherilyn. Thank you for your continued love & support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
p.s There was a small article in the newspaper about me today. If you want to see it, it is one of today's guestbook entries by Dianne Reass. One of Veronica's friends mother put it in. Thank you Nancy for your kind words.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Sunday, March 25, 2007 4:50 PM CDT
Hello Friends~
Veronica finished her last chemo yesterday (YAH!!!) and her counts are dropping. She received 2 units of red blood cells today. She will stay in the hospital until her counts come back up. We brought her Mellow Mushroom pizza and she ate 2 peices, which was great because she has not eaten anything for 2 full days. She pretty much slept the whole time during her chemo. We brought her lots of snacks to motivate her to eat. Otherwise, she looks great and was her happy self!!!
Sherilyn continues to feel good, but gets tired easily. We expect to hear from her transplant doctor next week to discuss her plan.
Thank you for continuing to pray for my girls. We really appreciate all of your prayers and support. Have a wonderful week!
Love, Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. If you missed the bone marrow drive on March 17th, at Millbrook High School, you can contact the National Marrow Donor Program and they will send you a kit in the mail (to swab your mouth).
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:22 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
I took Veronica & Sherilyn to clinic this am. Tony was off work and met us there. Veronica's red blood cells were at an all time low of 6.6 (normal range is 12 ) and her platelets were 23 (normal range 150-450). She got her breathing treatment to prevent pneumonia in clinic and then was admitted. Once she got to the floor she received 2 units of red blood cells and platelets and began chemotherapy. A packed day for her.
Sherilyn only needed to get labs. Her counts were good except her white blood cell count was out of range (low). This just means she has to be more vigilant about being around germs. I brought Sherilyn home and will be home until Tues. and then I will be at Duke with Veronica and my sisters will take over caring for my kids.
Steve, Sherilyn's bone marrow donor, called me this afternoon and everything is on schedule for him to donate his leukocytes next Monday. We are waiting for the Bone Marrow Team to tell us the plan. We are anxious for Sherilyn to begin this process. We are so blessed that Steve is willing to donate again. His church in Texas held a prayer service last week specifically for Veronica & Sherilyn:)
Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for continuing to pray for my family.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 9:28 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
I've been enjoying my family time at home. The girls have kept me on the go. Veronica wants to make sure she enjoys every minute she has at home these 4 days in between chemos. Yesterday at clinic Veronica did not need platelets but her red blood cells were very low. Her energy level is low as she is feeling the effects of the chemo. She is not looking forward to being admitted on Thursday for her long stay.
Today was a gorgeous day and we wanted to take full advantage of it. Veronica, Sherilyn & I picked Dustin up from NCSU, with Mellow Mushroom in hand, and went to Lake Johnson to paddleboat. We all had so much fun!!! We especially liked watching the family of turtles, of all sizes, sunning on the logs. Afterwards, Veronica visited with her roommate for a few minutes, before we had to pick up Nicollette from school. She wasn't too thrilled about the fun we had without her :(
Nicollette and I worked in my flower garden, weeding and trimming, until we got it looking really good. It was so nice to be able to do something normal. We went out for a few hours tonight, had dinner with my sister, and visited my mom and dad. When we got home a "mystery mower" had cut my grass. My yard looked so nice!
We continue to feel God's blessings all around us. We are thankful to have so many wonderful people in our lives.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:39 PM CDT
Dear Friends~
Veronica finished her 2 days of chemo and was able to come home early Sat. afternoon. She slept pretty much the entire time in the hospital. We are so happy that she is able to be home until Thursday. Yesterday she was feeling pretty yucky but today she has been eating...the 4 anti nausea meds seem to be working.
The bone marrow drive was a big success! Almost 200 people were tested to be put on the National Bone Marrow Registry and many came out to enjoy the doughnuts and barbecue and just say hi. One man rode in on his bicycle and donated $100 for the NMDP. Millbrook High School donated $500 and several others who couldn't make it donated so that most people didn't have to pay the $25 processing fee. Dustin, Sherilyn and I were able to go for a while to say hi to everyone. Dustin brought some of his friends, who also signed up. Nicollette was at her dad's for the weekend. The newspaper article and tv segement brought a lot of people in. The newspaper article misquoted us on a few things (the girls don't have potential bone marrow donors lined up), I told the reporter that we were told both girls were a common HLA type and several potential matches were on the registry...but that doesn't mean one will be a compatible match after further testing is done. The TV segment was good (with the exception of me mentioning hospice)...which was totally out of context. It's frustrating when they interview you for an hour and then splice the peices together. We appreciate the people it attracted to the bone marrow drive.
Tomorrow we go to Duke for labs for Veronica as she will probablly need platelets.
I want to thank everyone who was involved in the bone marrow drive, especially my sister, Coleen who organized it. Also, my sister's Katie & Eileen who voluntereed the whole day. Thanks to Bethanie Carlson who organized the PTA to help at this event and all the wonderful moms and their daughters who gave up their Saturday to help. We appreciate the generosity of Krispy Kreme for donating 40 dozen delicious doughnuts and Red, Hot & Blue for donating barbecue, slaw, and banana pudding. Thanks to Dana King who allowed us to use the school and Theresa McLean for all of her help. Thank you so much we couldn't have done it without your help!
Here is the link to the newspaper article:
http://www.newsobserver.com/974/story/554100.html
Here is the link to the tv segment:
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/1238316/
I hope you have a great week!
Laura
Thursday, March 15, 2007 11:08 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
Veronica was admitted today for her final round of chemo. With this round, she begins with 2 days of chemo and can come home for 4-5 days before getting more 2 more days of chemo and staying 3-4 weeks at the hospital until her counts come back up. She is getting a new chemo that she has never had called Aspariginase and it is an injection. She is not looking forward to that one, but is excited she can come home inbetween rounds if she doesn't have a fever.
Sherilyn's liver numbers were still elevated, but lower than Tues. She is now on an oral dose twice a day, but each dose is half of what she was receiving for the 2 weeks prior to detecting the medical mistake. Overall Sherilyn is feeling fairly good. She doesn't have a lot of energy and not eating as much as before, but I have seen steady improvements.
Steve, Sherilyn's donor called me today and said that the NMDP called him today and he is scheduled to donate his white blood cells on March 26th. Sherilyn will then begin receiving them on an outpatient basis. Sherilyn will be switched from Hematology/Oncology Team back to Bone Marrow Transplant Team. We will meet with them the week after next to go over the plan. We are so thankful that Steve is willing and that God has answered our prayers. Not all of the doctors were convinced that we would ever get this far, so we are very blessed. The doctors told me they would proceed if she was 50/50 donor cells, but that they hoped for 80-90 percent. They also told me not to be surprised if they saw leukemia on the bone marrow tests. But God gave us 100 percent donor cells and complete remission!
***********************************************************
UPCOMING EVENTS...DON'T FORGET...PLEASE PASS THE WORD!!!
***********************************************************
The WRAL segment promoting the Bone Marrow Drive will air tomorrow at 5 pm. The N&O article will be in the Friday's North Raleigh News section. Please come out this Saturday, March 17th from 10am-3pm at Millbrook High School on Spring Forest Road. There will be Krispy Kreme doughnuts and refreshments throughout the day. To donate all you have to do is get a swab from your mouth and do some paperwork. You need to be age 18-60 and in good health. Thankfully, most of you will never face the challenges that our family is facing. But there are so many people in need of a transplant, but will never find a compatible match. PLEASE give HOPE to my children and others out there in need of HOPE!
Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 10:31 PM CDT
GREAT NEWS!!!
Both Veronica & Sherilyn are in REMISSION! Dr. Rosoff called this evening and said both bone marrows looked great! We'll talk in depth with him tomorrow about plans.
UPCOMING EVENTS...DON'T FORGET...PLEASE PASS THE WORD!!!
Yesterday WRAL came to my house to interview us for the upcoming Bone Marrow Drive. Tomorrow the N&O will be coming over to do a story for the Friday North Raleigh News. Please come and attend the Bone Marrow Drive at Millbrook High School this Sat. March 17th from 10am-3pm. There will be Krispy Kreme doughnuts and refreshments throughout the day. To donate all you have to do is get a swab of your mouth and do some paperwork and be age 18-60 and in good health. Please give HOPE to my children and others out there in need of HOPE!
Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 9:26 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
It's been a long day for us today. Neither of the girls procedures were even close to their scheduled time, so we spent a lot of time waiting (not a surprise). Both girls were really brave! Sherilyn was having a few issues and additiional blood testing was done. One of the issues involved her liver function and the numbers were very elevated. Come to find out that she was getting four times the amount of antifungal medicine (Voriconzale) that she was supposed to be getting for her weight in one day. This has been going on since March 2nd while she was in the hospital and ongoing at home. Neither the doctors, pharmacists, or Duke Infusion caught the error. Today while in clinic I asked the Nurse Practicioner to go check the dosage amount and we noticed this. Of course I was so upset as I always check her meds to make sure she is getting the right ones, but had no idea how to calculate the dosage. I know now and will be checking.
The other surprise is that Veronica will be admitted on Thursday to undergo her last treatment, eventhough her platelet count has not recovered. Initially, we were very mad about this because of what her doctor told us last week ("that another round of chemo could kill her"). He told us that he spoke too soon and that he had talked to his colleagues around the world and the Team at Duke and all thought she needed the last round to get the intended results. I made a few phone calls and was convinced that she should go through with the final phase of her treatment. We will all go to Duke on Thursday to consult about the plan for both Sherilyn & Veronica and then Veronica will be admitted. I'm not really sure how I'm going to be at two places at the same time while Tony works. Sherilyn can't be left home alone and I'll be with Veronica the majority of the time since Tony is continuing to work. Sherilyn really can't stay at her dad's because he lives 75 miles from the hospital and has a 2 year old in daycare and both he and his wife work at the hospital. I am not comfortable with her being home alone, being that far away, and she doesn't want to be away from her home. My family and friends are helping me brainstorm on this one.
UPCOMING EVENTS...DON'T FORGET...PLEASE PASS THE WORD!!!
Yesterday WRAL came to my house to interview us for the upcoming Bone Marrow Drive. Tomorrow the N&O will be coming over to do a story for the Friday North Raleigh News. Please come and attend the Bone Marrow Drive at Millbrook High School this Sat. March 17th from 10am-3pm. There will be Krispy Kreme doughnuts and refreshments throughout the day. To donate all you have to do is get a swab of your mouth and do some paperwork and be age 18-60 and in good health. Please give HOPE to my children and others out there in need of HOPE!
Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Saturday, March 10, 2007 7:42 AM CST
Dear Friends~
Praise God as He has answered our many prayers! Dr. Martin, Sherilyn's bone marrow doctor, called last night with GREAT NEWS...SHERILYN IS 100 PERCENT DONOR CELLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On Monday, they will be contacting Steve, Sherilyn's donor, through the National Marrow Donor Program, to proceed with the donor leukocyte infusions. Steve will go to the nearest NMDP facility and donate enough leukocytes for 3-4 infusions to give to Sherilyn. I called Steve and told him the great news and he was thrilled. Ironically, the NMDP had called him yesterday, not for this, but for his 2 year checkup :) We are so blessed that Steve is willing to donate again. We still believe that his cells will help Sherilyn fight this leukemia once and for all!
Although it's been stressful doing everything by myself, it's great to be at HOME with everyone! Sherilyn doesn't think she should be at home yet, because she doesn't feel well. She's still in pain from the chest tube and lung biopsy and is nauseous and very weak. She's not eating much. Yesterday she wanted Mellow Mushroom takeout, but only ate one bite of her pizza and a third of her salad.
Veronica is getting used to the fact that she will not be finishing her treatment. She goes Tues. for a bone marrow biopsy under general anesthesia to see how much of her bone is bone marrow. Please pray that her bone marrow recovers some more. Sherilyn also goes for a bone marrow aspirate on Tues. Dr. Martin said they may see some leukemic cells, but that they will be proceeding with the DLI, regardless.
Thank you for your many prayers and support. God is so Good!
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Thursday, March 8, 2007 9:57 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Today has been a whirlwind of a day. I took Veronica to clinic this am and her platelets had actually dropped from 65 on Tues. to 62 today (normal range 150-450). As a result, her doctor told us that they would probablly not finish her treatment and just consider her done because with her platelet count taking this long to recover, any other treatments could kill her. He said this may be her new platelet count and if it remains at this level, she would have restrictions on some physical activiites...as he put it, jumping out of an airplane, playing football, etc. Veronica told him she could live with that :) She will go back to clinic for a bone marrow biopsy, under general anesthesia on Tues. to determine how much of her bone is bone marrow. After that they will make the final decision. Then the plan is to come back once a month for labs.
After the initial shock, I think we are all relieved that Veronica doesn't have to go through any more chemo. Maybe this is just her body telling her that it's done and it has rid itself of the leukemia once and for all.
After Veronica's appt., we went up to visit Sherilyn. They wanted to watch her oxygen sats a few more hours before deciding to discharge her. In the meantime, I was trained on using a new IV pump for at home. We moved some of the stuff out of Sherilyn's room and Veronica and I left. Sherilyn was discharged and got home about 4:30. I unloaded the car, took a 2 mile walk, did 6 loads of laundry, and organized Sherilyn's meds. The girls wanted breakfast for dinner, so thankfully Tony and Nicky went out and bought groceries. Sherilyn ate scrambled eggs, most of a biscuit and sausage and a few apple slices...her first real food in over a week. After dinner she got the hiccups and they lasted for hours...painful for her b/c of her chest tube. Then I hooked her up to her pump for a 2 hr. infusion. She is off to bed.
Two years ago today Sherilyn received her bone marrow transplant. We are so thankful for Steve's gift of life these past 2 years and we look forward to Sherilyn receiving his white cells again soon....we hope!
Thank you for your continued love and support.
In Love & Faith,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 6:41 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn's had a good day. They did an x-ray this am and then clipped the stitches and took out the chest tube late this afternoon and took another x-ray to make sure her lung was inflated. She was nervous but did really well. She has slept most of the day, requiring oxygen on and off last night and throughout the day. She walked 2 laps around the unit last night with the chest tube and plans to walk again later tonight without it :)
Veronica's platelet counts were not quite high enough to be admitted. She comes back again Thursday for counts.
The doctors surprised us today by taking 3 of Sherilyn's medicines off - 2 antiobiotics and her GCS-F (which stimulates the white blood cells), which is now in the normal range. She is on a clear liquid diet. Today she drank kool-aid, cran-grape juice and ate a popsicle. Tomorrow she may be able to eat solid food. The doctors are ACTUALLY talking about letting her go home this week because her counts jumped up so quickly! If she does, she will come back at the end of the week for a bone marrow biopsy.
Dustin is on spring break and tonight he brought Nicollette up to visit :) since he's leaving tomorrow to go to his friend's river house. Sherilyn was in a good mood because she had just gotten the chest tube out. I'm going home tonight and will be able to spend at least a day with Veronica and Nicollette before bringing Veronica up Thurs. for a "possible" admit.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Monday, March 5, 2007 4:35 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn continues to recover nicely from her surgery. It is easier for her to get up to the restroom and later I plan on getting her to walk a few steps. The surgeon came by and changed the bandage on her chest tube. Tomorrow they will take it out (YAH!!!).
Her white blood count has come up very quickly and later this week they will do a bone marrow biopsy to see if she is in remission. Today they took blood for a Chimerism test...which reveals how much of her bone marrow is the donor's and how much is hers. These tests will determine if she gets more chemo or receives the donor's white cells. Sherilyn & I have been in telephone contact with her donor and he is ready to donate as soon as the bone marrow doctors are ready.
Veronica comes in to clinic tomorrow for labs. If her platelets are 75 she will be admitted for her final round of chemo. The doctor said he expects her to be here a long time because of the amount of time it has taken her to recover from round #4. I still believe God knew I couldn't handle both girls :) I also believe He is responsible for Sherilyn's white blood cell jump. There are so many prayers being said for my girls. Thank you all for being there for us. We love you all.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Saturday, March 3, 2007 9:28 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn is out of surgery...all went well and she is back in her own room!!! She is on oxygen and has a chest tube. She was awake for a little bit and has gotten up once to go to the restroom (it required me, Tony and 2 nurses), but I think the first time is the hardest. She said it was even more painful than she expected, but she is getting good pain relief and sleeping right now.
It'll be days before we get the results of the biopsy. So far they have added Voriconzole, an antifungal medicine.
I am exhausted and am going to get some sleep while I can. Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love, Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Saturday, March 3, 2007 4:15 PM CST
SHERILYN UPDATE:
We just found out that Sherilyn's surgery has been bumped to between 7 and 8pm. The Anesthesiologist first came by this am at 7 and told me the surgery could be anytime, so I jumped out of bed and got dressed. Tony got here around 9am and we've been waiting all day. Frustrating, but not abnormal for weekends.
The great thing is that right now Sherilyn is feeling pretty good. This am she was really agitated and worried about the procedure, but is now relaxing watching t.v. and playing Nintendogs.
The BEST news of all is that Sherilyn's white blood cell count jumped up overnight to 2.2. 2 days ago it was 0.6, but today she has an ANC of 1700 . She has FIGHTERS. Thank you God...I know this is His work.
They nurse just came in and said surgery is on there way to get Sherilyn.
Thank you for your prayers.
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Friday, March 2, 2007 7:20 PM CST
UPDATE:
After talking to our Hematologist/Oncologist, surgeons, and our transplant doctor, we have decided that Sherilyn needs to undergo a thoroscopy (sp?) to get a wedge of her lung to biopsy. This is very risky at this point since Sherilyn has very low platelets and white blood count. Her doctor put it this way, We don't have time for a culture, we need to know exactly what fungus it is. "If we give her the wrong medicine she will die" and "If you want her to have a future...." Needless to say it has been a very difficult and emotional day for me. So, it looks like she'll go in tomorrow afternoon and they will cut a small incision between her ribs and guide cameras into the lung, cut a wedge, and place a chest tube. They said the chest tubes are very painful and will stay in for 3-7 days, best scenario. She will, most likely, go straight into the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).
Please pray for her surgery to be succesful, that is they get part of the diseased lung (they may go through the surgery and not even get the diseased part of the lung), and that she doesn't develop any complications due to her low counts or surgical infections. Please pray that they can relieve her pain and that she knows God is holding her in His hands.
Tonight and tomorrow she will be receiving massive donations of red blood cells and platelets. Please pray for no reactions.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Friday, March 2, 2007 3:54 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn NEEDS PRAYERS! She developed a fever this am which quickly worsened. Her doctor ordered another CAT scan which revealed a fungal infection in her lungs. This is extremely dangerous for Sherilyn with no immune system. She had a fungal infection in 2003 and it was life threatening. It took her many months to bounce back. I never wanted to see this again. The doctors are talking to the surgeons to see if she is even a candidate for a biopsy of her lungs to determine the exact nature of the fungal infection. Any surgery at this time is very dangerous. They have ordered a fifth antiobiotic to be given. The CAT scan really agitated her and wore her out and she is now sleeping comfortably.
Please pray for this infecion to be controlled before it gets out of hand. Please pray for my strength because right now I am so weary and scared for my precious Sherilyn.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Friday, March 2, 2007 3:54 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn NEEDS PRAYERS! She developed a fever this am which quickly worsened. Her doctor ordered another CAT scan which revealed a fungal infection in her lungs. This is extremely dangerous for Sherilyn with no immune system. She had a fungal infection in 2003 and it was life threatening. It took her many months to bounce back. I never wanted to see this again. The doctors are talking to the surgeons to see if she is even a candidate for a biopsy of her lungs to determine the exact nature of the fungal infection. Any surgery at this time is very dangerous. They have ordered a fifth antiobiotic to be given. The CAT scan really agitated her and wore her out and she is now sleeping comfortably.
Please pray for this infecion to be controlled before it gets out of hand. Please pray for my strength because right now I am so weary and scared for my precious Sherilyn.
In Faith & Love,
Laura
***********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Thursday, March 1, 2007 5:52 PM CST
Dear Friends,
My good friend Cynthia brought Veronica to clinic today and then up to "visit" us....Veronica's counts were not high enough to be admitted. God continues to look out for me. He knows how difficult it will be for me to watch out and care for 2 children at the opposite ends of the unit, especially while Sherilyn is so sick and Veronica would be on chemo. I am thrilled that she will be able to spend the weekend with her friends who will be home for Spring Break. Tonight she is eating dinner with her roommate.
Sherilyn continues to be in a lot of pain. She has been diagnosed with Teflitis (inflammation of the bowel) and cannot eat or drink anything until it resolves (weeks). Tonight she will begin TPN (IV nutrition). Yesterday was a terrible day for her as she couldn't get pain relief. Last night I requested a pain pump with continuous morphine administered by Sherilyn. Today she has had some relief with the pump, although she says it never goes away, she is at least sitting up and playing her Nintendogs game and watching some t.v. Veronica cut Sherilyn's hair today because her scalp is beginning to hurt. She didn't want to do it, but we convinced her it was best since it is so heavy and painful. Veronica has a good way with her. It was very, very emotional for Sherilyn and she cried throughout it. It was hard for me to watch without losing it. My heart is so burdened with sadness watching her suffer again and again and again.
Her hemoglobin was very low again today and she received 2 units of blood. After 1 1/2 units of blood yesterday and platelets her counts only came up from 7.4 to 7.6. Her bone marrow has really taken a hit.
North Ridge Elementary, the school which I and my 4 children attended created the most beautiful decorations for my girl's rooms. They are rays of hope...each strand consists of stars or sunshines with a "happy" message from each child. Today, Sherilyn and I read each message and I hung them on the wall. We have received many positive comments on them today from the staff. Thank you everyone...we love them and we love you too! Thank you for giving us "smiles" today.
Please continue to pray for my girls. God is watching over us and I know He is in awe of your faithful prayers, as am I.
Love, Laura**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12:36 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn's fever was back up to 101.6 last night and she was in considerable pain (tummy). They are giving her morphine for pain. The CAT scan showed some potential problems in her intestines and they are continuing to keep her from eating/drinking anything. They don't want to get a tear in the intestines, which would cause major problems. They could not do surgery to repair it with her low blood counts. So they may add TPN (nutrition) tomorrow if the pain continues. Today she needed both platelets and red blood cells as her levels were very low. Please continue to donate blood as the Red Cross is often not able to provide enough blood for the kids needing it and they get less than they need. Dr. Rosoff told me he was glad that her fevers weren't back up and the CAT scan didn't show any other issues.
He also told me that when Veronica was admitted the girls would be as far apart as possible....probablly opposite ends of the unit to minimize nursing mistakes. I told him there was only one of me and he said it wasn't negotiable. Veronica knows that Sherilyn needs me most of the time...and she will have to be strong...I just want to be with both of my sick girls...they shouldn't have to go it alone. Sherilyn is very down. Please continue to pray for her spirits to be lifted.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12:36 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn's fever was back up to 101.6 last night and she was in considerable pain (tummy). They are giving her morphine for pain. The CAT scan showed some potential problems in her intestines and they are continuing to keep her from eating/drinking anything. They don't want to get a tear in the intestines, which would cause major problems. They could not do surgery to repair it with her low blood counts. So they may add TPN (nutrition) tomorrow if the pain continues. Today she needed both platelets and red blood cells as her levels were very low. Please continue to donate blood as the Red Cross is often not able to provide enough blood for the kids needing it and they get less than they need. Dr. Rosoff told me he was glad that her fevers weren't back up and the CAT scan didn't show any other issues.
He also told me that when Veronica was admitted the girls would be as far apart as possible....probablly opposite ends of the unit to minimize nursing mistakes. I told him there was only one of me and he said it wasn't negotiable. Veronica knows that Sherilyn needs me most of the time...and she will have to be strong...I just want to be with both of my sick girls...they shouldn't have to go it alone. Sherilyn is very down. Please continue to pray for her spirits to be lifted.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 7:39 PM CST
Dear Friends,
I'm back with Sherilyn. She is still having stomach pain and receiving meds for it. They did a CAT scan tonight and we are waiting the results. She still can't eat until they look at the scan. The good thing is she wants to eat and is hungry. Her blood culture came back positive for bacteria and the antiobiotics are hopefully working on getting rid of it. Her temperature is down to 100.6. She is pretty down because of her pain and just being back here. Please continue to keep Sherilyn & Veronica in your prayers. Monday, February 26, 2007 9:24 PM CST
***********************************************************
Monday, February 26, 2007
SHERILYN UPDATE:
Sherilyn developed a fever of 103 today and is having stomach pain. They have made her NPO (no food by mouth) to help them determine what is causing the pain. They began 2 antiobiotics. She received platelets for the 3rd day in a row. She is receiving Benadryl before both the blood products and Vancomycin b/c she has had reactions to both, and she slept most of the day. Veronica and I visited with her after clinic, and although she wasn't feeling well, she had not yet developed a fever. PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR SHERILYN.
VERONICA UPDATE:
Veronica's platelets are coming up (from 33 to 52). They need to be 75 before she begins her 5th treatment. Her doctor told her to come packed on Thursday ready for admission.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Monday, February 26, 2007 9:24 PM CST
SHERILYN UPDATE:
Sherilyn developed a fever of 103 today and is having stomach pain. They have made her NPO (no food by mouth) to help them determine what is causing the pain. They began 2 antiobiotics. She received platelets for the 3rd day in a row. She is receiving Benadryl before both the blood products and Vancomycin b/c she has had reactions to both, and she slept most of the day. Veronica and I visited with her after clinic, and although she wasn't feeling well, she had not yet developed a fever. PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR SHERILYN.
VERONICA UPDATE:
Veronica's platelets are coming up (from 33 to 52). They need to be 75 before she begins her 5th treatment. Her doctor told her to come packed on Thursday ready for admission.
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Sunday, February 25, 2007 5:45 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn continues to be feeling well. Today she received platelets and 1 1/2 units of red blood cells. They premedicated her with Tylenol and lots of Benadryl, as a result of her reaction yesterday, and she slept through the transfusions.
Tomorrow I will be bringing Veronica to clinic for labs and then I'll be back at Duke with Sherilyn for a week. I will be finding someone to take Veronica to clinic on Thursday. It's possible that she will be admitted on Thursday if her platelet count is high enough.
Nicollette will be home in a little while from her weekend jaunt. Dustin came to visit Sherilyn yesterday while Veronica and I were there. Today he stopped by the house before work and we might see him again after work if we are lucky :)
Please continue to pray for Rebecca's family. Sadly, Rebecca passed away Friday night after her high school graduation ceremony. Please lift this family up in prayers as they remember Rebecca this Wednesday.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Love, Laura
**********************************************************
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, Kris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Sunday, February 25, 2007 11:51 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Laura has kindly allowed us to share this request with you.
As you already know, Sherilyn and Veronica are both fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A child's life threatening disease is devastating in so many ways. Having two children with leukemia is almost unimaginable. But like us, you too know of Laura's unfailing devotion to her family. Throughout this ordeal, Laura has done everything possible to care for her entire family.
During this challenging time, many of you have helped Laura and her family in so many ways. And you have often wanted to know if there is anything else you can do to help.
Here are some ways you could help:
1. Most importantly, continue to lift up this family and their needs in prayer.
2. Consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor at a bone marrow drive that is planned for Saturday, March 17th, at Millbrook High School. Watch for details on this site.
3. Recently, Laura's heating and air conditioning units had to be replaced. In addition, her duct work was old and moldy and posed an unhealthy risk to the girls' challenged immune systems when they are at home recuperating from their treatments. The girls' doctor strongly recommended that Laura replace the entire HVAC system and install special filters.
Unfortunately, this unexpected expense has cost the family $15,000. And due to the illnesses of the girls, Laura has not been able to return to work, creating a significant strain on her family's budget.
We would like you to consider assisting Laura and her family by contributing to a fund for the replacement of their HVAC system.
This request does not come from Laura, but from two of her friends, ris Johnson and Rebecca Adam. Our families will be contributing to this effort and we simply ask that all of Laura's friends please consider assisting the Adams family in their time of need.
A contribution of any amount will be of great assistance. And, while your contribution will not be tax-deductible, this request is needed.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it in the form of a check, made payable to Laura Adams. You can send it to:
Kris Johnson
8101 Mourning Dove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
Or, if you prefer, you can make a deposit to the Sherilyn Adams account which has been established at the North Ridge BB&T , located in front of Fresh Market. Deposits can be made at any BB&T branch. The North Ridge address is:
North Ridge BB&T
6659 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 716-9635
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Kris at 247-8131 or Rebecca at 848-5988.
We all know how overwhelmed Laura and her family have been over the past four years with the challenges they are facing. Your acts of kindness and support will truly help and comfort Laura and her family at this time.
With Love and Appreciation,
Kris Johnson & Rebecca Adam
Friday, February 23, 2007 9:20 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Today I was able to spend the day at home with Veronica. Nicollette is out of town for the weekend with her friend Annie and her mom, my friend Cynthia. She was really looking forward to going to the farm with them again...as she's gone several times before and has had a blast! Tonight, Veronica and I met my sister Katie for a quick dinner and a movie. It was good for all of us to have some fun.
I talked to Sherilyn several times today and she is feeling good. She did have a reaction to a platelet transfusion today and they had to stop it. She got nauseated, her throat began itching, she threw up and then itched all over. They gave her lots of Benadryl and she slept for 3 hours. She's had a minor reaction before but not like this.
Tomorrow I am going back to Duke to spend some time with Sherilyn. She didn't want me to leave on Thursday so I promised her I would bring her lunch tomorrow and hang out for the afternoon. Eventhough I know her dad is taking good care of her, I feel pulled in so many directions. I feel sad when I'm not at Duke with Sherbear, but I feel sad that I can't spend time with Veronica and Nicollette at home. We just need a suite at Duke so we can all be together!
Please continue to pray for Rebecca and her family.
Love, Laura
Thursday, February 22, 2007 7:32 PM CST
Hi Friends~
I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Sherilyn continues to be feeling well and recovering from the effects of her chemo. She is eating well and has been playing card games with me to keep busy. Yesterday her labwork showed that her peripheral blood count had a few blasts (leukemia cells) and I was pretty upset as she had not had any for 3 days. The doctors told me they would be concerned if it continued to show blasts. Today, there were no blasts!!! Praise God!
This morning I took Nicky to school and then Veronica and I headed back to Duke for clinic. Veronica's red blood cells went down a little from Monday and her platelets came up a little (from 26 to 33), so Dr. Rosoff did a bone marrow aspirate. Veronica was brave and did it in the treatment room with only morphine and Versed. The Team looked at the slide of her bone marrow and didn't see any abnormal cells. Praise God! They will send the bone marrow for further testing. Afterwards I wheeled Veronica up to Sherilyn's room for a short visit. We got home around 3:30 and Veronica was starving so the 3 of us went to Mellow Mushroom for an early dinner.
While we were at clinic I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Martin, Sherilyn's bone marrow doctor. He continues to believe that Sherilyn has a great chance with a second transplant and that she can be cured of her leukemia. With God's help and Dr. Martin on our side, I left today with renewed HOPE.
Please pray for Rebecca Simpson and her family. She had a bone marrow transplant for AML before Sherilyn and relapsed. After many months of treatments, her leukemia has recently come back and there is nothing else they can do. They do not expect her to live much longer. This is so close to my heart, my sadness is so heavy for Rebecca and her family.
Love, Laura
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:35 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn is doing good! She has been able to be unhooked from her IV pole for a few hours every day so she can move about the room and take a walk. She loves this! She is eating well.
Veronica and my sister stopped by yesterday after clinic and stayed for a little while. Her counts were about the same as last week, but the dr. said it was all her, not residual from the transfusions she had received. She will go back Thursday and most likely get a bone marrow aspirate then. I'll be taking her to clinic as I'm going home for a few days tomorrow.
Today we had a visit from my friend Kris who brought us Mellow Mushroom...yum yum! Sherilyn ate 2 peices of sausage pizza. Also, a fellow transplant mom came up to see us as her son is at Duke for his 2 year post transplant visit. He relapsed while on transplant from his first transplant and had to have a second one while we were there. It's very hopeful hearing he is so well!
Thank you for your continued prayers and love and support.
Love, Laura
Sunday, February 18, 2007 11:23 AM CST
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn is happy to be finished with her 5 days of chemo. Her counts are dropping quickly and today was the first day that blasts (leukemia cells) didn't show up in her labs. We need to continue to pray that the chemo does it's intended job and that none of the cells return or are hiding at the end of this months treatment (remission to be determined by a bone marrow aspirate).
She is feeling relatively good, a little pain persists from her surgery, and she remains nauseous at times. But yesterday and today she has started eating again. The Marinol is doing it's job (derivative of marijuana). Yesterday she had eaten a grilled cheese sandwich and a few fries for lunch and about 30 min. later she asked me to go to the cafeteria and get her Ben & Jerry's ice cream :)
Her fevers are gone and they discontinued her 2 antiobiotics. So now she is just getting 3 anti-nausea drugs and a few other pills. They are going to unhook her today so she can walk unemcumbered :) A huge pychological boost!
Veronica comes in to clinic in the am for labs and a possible bone marrow aspirate. Please pray that her counts have come up since Thurs. so she won't have to have that procedure. It's not a fun one, if you can imagine a corkscrew :(
My friend Dianne Reass (Veronica's roommate's mom) brought me a wonderful surprise yesterday afternoon....A COT to sleep on! Oh, how good it was not to have to sleep on the fold out chair again last night. We have to be quiet about it and not tell anyone else....All I know is my back is happy. Thank you Dianne :)
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Love, Laura
Friday, February 16, 2007 12:50 AM CST
Dear Friends,
I was able to come home Wed. afternoon and spend one night with Veronica and Nicollette. Thursday Veronica had clinic and she didn't need any blood products, but her doctors are still concerned that her counts aren't high enough to be admitted. Monday she will go back for counts and be prepared for a bone marrow aspirate if her counts haven't come up over the weekend.
At clinic, I was talking about the treatment plan for Sherilyn with the girl's doctor and he told me the plan was to get her into remission and use the donor's cells to cause a Graft vs. Leukemia effect. But shockingly, he told me, in his opinion, he would not do a second transplant on Sherilyn. I immediately said, "What are you going to do to save her life?" and he said the donor's cells. Of course, I went numb because we were told the chances of getting her into remission were very low and that the donor's cells would only help for awhile and that her cells would probablly continue to overcome his if they had once already. All I really wanted to know was when she got into remission and began getting the donors cells outpatient, would there be time to take her on a trip because she had never had the opportunity to take her Make-A-Wish trip. He said we'll make it happen. I said what about Veronica...she has to be able to come to...and he said we'll make it happen...we'll put a RUSH on her wish. This didn't make me feel good because I know what the criteria is for a RUSH wish. And I'm tired of people looking at me with those sad eyes and feeling sorry for me, hugging me and giving me that look like there is no HOPE. There is always HOPE. Sherilyn is strong and a fighter and I'm not going to let her down with an attitude like that!!!
So, I was bummed for a while, but got pep talks from my friends and family and then we went up and visited with Sherilyn for several hours.
Wed. night we were surprised to see Dustin and his girlfriend who stopped by after going to the NCSU game. Dustin stayed at home overnight because he doesn't have classes on Thurs. After we got home, he and Veronica headed up to NCSU so Veronica could visit her roommate. Nicollette and I got to eat dinner together and then headed to NCSU to get Veronica. I was supposed to be spending the night at home again but Tony called when I was driving and said he was sick (Norovirus). I got Veronica, headed home, made arrangements for Nicollette to stay overnight with a friend and get to & fro school, made alternative arrangements for her for the weekend because she was supposed to be going to her Dad's, waited for Nicky to take a quick bath, threw some of my clothes in a bag, got some clean linens, helped Veronica change her central line, dropped Nicky off, crying, at my friends and got to Duke a little after 10pm. Then I proceeded to change the sheets and wipe down every surface twice before falling into bed (I mean chair because Duke no longer provides cots for parents...a very sore (no pun intended) story, after midnight. So far Veronica, Sherilyn or I don't have any symptoms. I've been told that it takes about 20 hours from time of contact to begin symptoms and that the germs can stay on the surface for 2 days.
On Valentine's Day, my wonderful sister Maureen brought up homemade grilled chicken salad, muffins, burritos and lots of good, healthy snacks for me to keep on hand. It has been great to have healthy meals to grab. I'm afraid to get anything from the cafeteria because of the virus risk.
I hesitated to let Veronica stay home alone last night, but she wanted to be home (and I don't blame her). So I told her to sleep with her cell phone. I told her to call me in the am and she hadn't called by noon so I called and woke her up. She got quite comfy in my bed and must have needed the 12 hours of sleep she got. She called me later and she was making chocolate chip M&M cookies :) and having a good time.
Sherilyn is sleeping comfortaly after getting pain meds and Ativan :) No fevers today!!! She even sat up and read some more of her Valentine's and tried getting on the computer...but it frustrated her because it was too slow. The chemo is beginning to take a hit at her counts. Her platelets are way down and her white blood cell count is less than 1 (0.6), but her leukemia cells (blasts) are down to 6.
Last night I talked to another doctor and I feel much better about a second transplant. I was told since Sherilyn has relapsed so late and had almost 2 years in between relapses, that her organs are in good shape and that a second transplant is a very viable option.
Sorry for writing a book. Thank you for your continued prayers and acts of kindness.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 4:46 PM CST
Dear Friends~
It was a long night. Sherilyn began a new chemo around 6:30pm followed by 4 hours of another one she has had before. She got sick once and slept on and off for the night. In the wee hours this am she developed a fever of 102.4 and they drew cultures and began an antiobiotic. She continued with a low grade fever (100.8) today and they started a second antiobiotic. She slept most of the day because it was better than being in pain from her central line surgery. As for me, I didn't sleep much at all. Sherilyn needed me to help her get up every time b/c it was hard for her to get out of the bed by herself. Also, there was a baby in the room next to ours who cried most of the night. Today both the hospital phone and my cell phone rang off the hook and somebody was knocking on the door every 5 minutes. Tony relieved me and I left around 3:30 to come home. Tomorrow after I bring Nicky to school, I will take Veronica to clinic and then to visit Sherilyn. Friday I go back to the hospital for a week.
Today they told us again that Veronica may need a bone marrow aspirate next week to see why her bone marrow is taking so long to recover. Also, the doctor who rounded today told us that only 30 or 40 percent of children in Sherilyn's situation get into remission with this regimen and that we were treading on "dark waters". Of course, I got very emotional. Thank goodness Sherilyn was sleeping and didn't hear him or see me upset. She gets very upset when she sees me cry so I try really hard to keep from doing it around her and usually I'm really good at it, but sometimes it just hits you and you have no control.
Nicollette had a good night staying at my friend Cynthia's house. Cynthia fixed up her guest bedroom pretty for her and Nicky loved it. She even made a special Valentine's breakfast and had chocolates and bath goodies waiting for her this am. Nicollette is going to her dad's this weekend and both Veronica & Nicky will be staying at my sister's Sunday night. Nicollette really needs TLC these days as this is extremely hard on her.
Our pastor came by again today. We are very blessed by his visits and his prayers. Today I was supposed to be answering phones for the Mix 101.5 Duke Childrens Radiothon with a couple of my friends for the 3rd year in a row. My good friend, Kris came up to visit beforehand with Valentine decorations and a delicious gift of homemade goodies. I decorated the room while Sherilyn was sleeping :)
Please continue to pray specifically that this chemo regimen does what it is supposed to do and puts her into remision so that she can receive her donor's cells.
Thank you for your continued support.
Love, Laura
p.s. Thank you for all of the Valentine's and special notes and gifts that you sent for Sherilyn. She opened a few today and has another huge stack to open when she feels up to it. Thank you for giving her something to smile about today.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:55 PM CST
Dear Friends~
Sherilyn's surgery went well this morning. We had to wait in the recovery room for 3 1/2 hours until her room was ready upstairs on the unit. Sherilyn is in pain from her surgery and has the spinal headache that she always manages to get. They finally gave her morphine and that gave her some relief. Her chemo began tonight and it will last 4 1/2 hours. Our Pastor, Murray came by this afternoon and prayed with us. Sherilyn couldn't believe she slept through his entire visit. We are so thankful for his prayers. Also, a father of another girl with leukemia who had a bone marrow transplant, and is doing wonderfully, stopped by with a huge, pink Hello Kitty pillow for Sherilyn and a note. She was happily surprised when she woke up :) Thank you Meredith & Chris! Your caring and generosity mean a lot to us.
I talked to Steve, Sherilyn's donor this afternoon and told him how she was doing. He is such a blessing in our lives.
Thank you for your prayers and caring. We love you all.
Love, Laura
Monday, February 12, 2007 7:13 PM CST
Hi Friends~
Tony & I took Veronica & Nicollette to clinic today. Sherilyn had a pre-op visit and we talked to Dr. Martin, her transplant doctor. Veronica needed 2 units of red blood cells and platelets. Tony stayed with Veronica so I could take Sherilyn home to recoop for tomorrow's surgery and admission. Tomorrow Tony has to go back to work (he lives in Virginia with his wife and 2 year old son) and I'll be staying with Sherilyn. Veronica is going to my sister's house and Nicollette is staying with my neighbor (who also has a 12 year old daughter). I need a schedule for each of my kids...because I can't remember from day to day who's coming or going! Thank God for my friends and sisters.
Sherilyn has to be at Duke at 7:00 am and her surgery is scheduled for 9:00 am. It will take about 2 hours. They said it could take longer because she has had so many central line surgeries. She also has to get a spinal tap. My dad is coming with me tomorrow to keep me company and help me bring the loads of stuff up to Sherilyn's room.
The doctors are a little concerned that Veronica's bone marrow has not yet recovered. She has been home for 3 weeks and her counts are not near high enough for her to begin the next round of chemotherapy. They are hinting at a bone marrow aspirate to check things out. I think maybe God knows that I can't handle having 2 girls in the hospital at the same time and He's giving me a break for a week or so until Sherilyn gets acclimated to Duke again. Then I think the girls will be great for each other as they are very close.
The new plan is that Sherilyn begins chemo and is inpatient for about 30 days. Then they will do lots more tests. Please pray that this chemo puts her into remission. If she achieves remission, they will use Sherilyn's bone marrow donor's T-cells to produce a Graft vs. Leukemia effect. This will cause Graft vs. Host which they want a little bit of but not too much as it can affect her organs, etc. We hope that she can receive her donor's cells because this means she will get less chemo. Then they will watch and wait...buying time until another donor is needed, if necessary. They have several donors that match Sherilyn and also several cord bloods. They are in the process of contacting them. It can be a long process. Dr. Martin said her transplant could occur anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months from now.
Please pray for Sherilyn's surgery to go well and for her pain to be minimal. Thank you for all of your love and prayers. We appreciate every one of you.
Love, Laura & Family
Sunday, February 11, 2007 8:29 AM CST
Hi Friends,
We have been extremely busy trying to get ready to be readmitted to Duke for the long run. Sherilyn is very sad and I am worried about her. A lot of it is dreading being back at the hospital...as each day we get closer to it...she gets more depressed. Please pray for her strength and will to fight this again. We are all numb and I barely know which foot to put first. I'm trying to make lists and pass things along, but it's hard to stay focused. Sherilyn doesn't want me to leave the room she is in, but she wants me to get everything perfect for her to be back at the hospital. She is planning a Hello Kitty theme this time and is busy looking for things on-line. She has ordered pjs, sheets, and a blanket from some money she had leftover from Christmas and her Aunts are busy helping her with her other "wishes".
Today, we are having a family dinner at my sister's house. One of her favorite uncles is coming from Virginia to see her and she is very happy about that.
Valentine's Day is coming up and Sherilyn will be spending another one at Duke. It would be wonderful if she had a lot of Valentine's to open up. Although we don't have a room # yet, she will be on the 5100 unit.
The address is: DUMC/Patient Sherilyn Adams/5100 unit/Erwin Rd./Durham, NC 27710
And, we can't forget about Veronica. She will still be at home, as her counts are not high enough for her to begin her next round.
Our home address is: 916 Salem Woods Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615
Thank you for your continued support. Please pray for Veronica's counts to be coming up and continue to show no leukemia. Please pray for Sherilyn on Tues. am as she gets her braces removed (she can't have them during bone marrow transplant because of the possibility of bacteria breeding). This was one of the few "normal" things that she has done this past year. She had to put off getting braces for years because of her leukemia. And lastly, please pray for Sherilyn's strength to get through her central line surgery on Tues. and for her to handle the pain. She hates this surgery and getting used to a central line. She loves her sleep and she can't sleep on her tummy anymore with that thing hanging down.
Veronica's nose is bleeing badly so I got to go.
Love, Laura
Thursday, February 8, 2007 10:28 PM CST
Dear Friends,
We spent this afternoon at Duke for both Veronica and Sherilyn's labs. We also met with Dr. Rosoff to discuss Sherilyn. Veronica's clinic appt. Because her bone marrow is 90 percent leukemia, they will not be able to proceed with Steve's leukocytes, but have to begin chemotherapy immediately. We have talked to Steve (Sherilyn's bone marrow donor) and he is willing to do anything he can. We are so blessed to have him in our lives.
Sherilyn will go in Monday for a pre-op screening and will have a central line placed on Tuesday and then be admitted. She will be given aggresive treatment, being in the hospital for 30-40 days. They will continue to do this until another donor is found. Dr. Rosoff told Sherilyn that it was difficult before but it was going to be a lot harder this time to get her into remission and get to transplant.
Veronica's counts are not high enough yet for her to begin treatment #5, but the doctors are hoping for her to be admitted next week too. The problem is the girls can't share a room, because they are afraid of medical mistakes. Sadly, the girls will have to be in 2 different rooms without an adjoining door. This is going to be interesting for me as how do I decide which room to sleep in. I am so overwhelmed and saddened by all of this.
This am I arranged to get our family portrait taken. I can't wait to see them. Sherilyn is so sad that she is going to lose her hair for the third time as she just got it the way she wanted it. I thought a family picture to remember would be a great idea.
Thank you for all of your emails, calls and entries on the guestbook. Your love, support and prayers give me so much strength.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, February 7, 2007 8:53 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Dr. Martin called tonight to tell us Sherilyn's tests revealed 90 percent leukemia in her bone marrow. She will go back immediately and begin aggressive treatment. They said there is not time to wait for the donor's cells. They will begin a drug called Mylotarg, which is an antibody which attaches to the leukemia....after that I'm not sure what. She will ultimately get a second transplant.
We are devastated and brokenhearted. Please pray for our strength to endure this long battle.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, February 7, 2007 7:14 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn was very brave through her bone marrow aspirate. When she woke up in the recovery room she was crying because of the pain, but after a couple of doses of pain medicine, she was ready to leave and go eat since she had missed breakfast & lunch. Sherilyn, Tony & I went to eat at, one of Sherilyn's favorites spots, P.F. Changs. This particular P.F. Changs (Southpointe) has quite a bit of history with us. We went there on 12/6/04 the day we found out Sherilyn relapsed from her inital treatment, and on 3/8/06 on Sherilyn's one year anniversary of her bone marrow transplant, and numerous other times when we were celebrating getting out of the hospital for a round of chemo and Sherilyn had finally gotten her appetite back. She always wanted to go to P.F. Changs. She would tell me to call my sisters (3 of whom worked in RTP) or Stacey, a favorite nurse, to meet us there. It's amazing how the last 4 years of my life are filled with dates and milestones revolving around leukemia treatments. Yesterday, February 6, 2007 marked 4 years since Sherilyn was diagnosed with leukemia.
We don't have any results from yesterdays tests and probablly won't for days. We do know that the doctors have written that Sherilyn has had an "AML relapse". On Monday, Dr. Martin (Sherilyn's transplant doctor) told us Sherilyn would have to come back to clinic once a week for labs to monitor her blood count. When they receive her donor's leukocytes she will come to clinic and get transfused. That is really all we know for now.
Sherilyn was still in a lot of pain last night. Her doctor said she could stay home for 1-2 days. Today I will spend a quiet day at home with my 2 girls. I took Nicky to school this am. She keeps asking me what's going to happen, "Is Sherilyn going to have to go back to Duke for 30 days again?" The poor child has had more to deal with than anyone should ever have to. Thank God I have friends who have said Nicky can move in with them if we're back at the hospital. We had spent a really nice day with Dustin on Sunday and I hated to have to call him at school and tell him the news. There's just no way to understand the sadness and pain our family is going through.
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Monday, February 5, 2007 2:50 PM CST
WE NEED PRAYERS!
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn went to clinic last week for labs and, at first, all looked great. When they looked further into her differential (white blood cell make up) they noticed some unusual cells and they did further testing (A Chimerism test). The doctors were Shocked to see that Sherilyn's bone marrow was made up of 82 percent donor cells and 18 percent her own cells. After transplant we want her to remain
100 percent donor cells forever. So it looks like hers are fighting there way back. Tomorrow she will go to Duke for a bone marrow aspirate so that the doctors can determine what the 18 percent are....are they leukemia? are they her old cells....neither are good. This news is devastating to all of us.
The plan of action is to get more info. from the test tomorrow. Duke will be contacting the National Bone Marrow Donor Program to get in touch with Steve Fox, her wonderful donor. I have already talked to him today and he is willing to do whatever he has to in order to help. They will take some of his white blood cells (leukocytes) and transfuse them into Sherilyn 3-4 times weeks/months apart, hoping to cause a Graft vs. Host effect, killing her bone marrow. In the meantime they will be trying to locate a second match and willing bone marrow donor. If Steve's leukocytes don't work, they will begin chemo and perform a second bone marrow transplant.
Sherilyn is devastated, and of course, very scared. Please pray for her tomorrow as she undergoes this painful procedure. Also, please pray that Steve's white blood cells cause the effect that is needed for Sherilyn's bone marrow to remain healthy for life and that she doesn't have to have a second transplant. Please pray for my family....we all need strength. The last month and a half have been especially difficult for all of us.
Veronica received platelets today and will go back to Duke on Thursday again. She will most likely have another week at home and start her next treatment later next week.
Love, Laura
Monday, February 5, 2007 2:50 PM CST
WE NEED PRAYERS!
Dear Friends,
Sherilyn went to clinic last week for labs and, at first, all looked great. When they looked further into her differential (white blood cell make up) they noticed some unusual cells and they did further testing (A Chimerism test). The doctors were Shocked to see that Sherilyn's bone marrow was made up of 82 percent donor cells and 18 percent her own cells. After transplant we want her to remain
100 percent donor cells forever. So it looks like hers are fighting there way back. Tomorrow she will go to Duke for a bone marrow aspirate so that the doctors can determine what the 18 percent are....are they leukemia? are they her old cells....neither are good. This news is devastating to all of us.
The plan of action is to get more info. from the test tomorrow. Duke will be contacting the National Bone Marrow Donor Program to get in touch with Steve Fox, her wonderful donor. I have already talked to him today and he is willing to do whatever he has to in order to help. They will take some of his white blood cells (leukocytes) and transfuse them into Sherilyn 3-4 times weeks/months apart, hoping to cause a Graft vs. Host effect, killing her bone marrow. In the meantime they will be trying to locate a second match and willing bone marrow donor. If Steve's leukocytes don't work, they will begin chemo and perform a second bone marrow transplant.
Sherilyn is devastated, and of course, very scared. Please pray for her tomorrow as she undergoes this painful procedure. Also, please pray that Steve's white blood cells cause the effect that is needed for Sherilyn's bone marrow to remain healthy for life and that she doesn't have to have a second transplant. Please pray for my family....we all need strength. The last month and a half have been especially difficult for all of us.
Veronica received platelets today and will go back to Duke on Thursday again. She will most likely have another week at home and start her next treatment later next week.
Love, Laura
Thursday, February 1, 2007 10:25 PM CST
Hi Friends,
We have been thrilled to be back home in our own house. The cumulative effect of the first 4 rounds of chemo have really taken a toll on Veronica. She is very tired and her bone marrow is reflecting this. Yesterday she wanted to go to the mall, but when we got there, she could only walk halfway into the store and was too tired to go any further so we came back home. Today at clinic, her platelets were down to 8 (normal range 150-450) so she got 2 units of platelets and one unit of red blood cells. We were at clinic for over 6 hours. So much for enjoying the Snow Day with Nicollette & Sherilyn. It is so frustrating to have to spend the few free days that Veronica has at home back at Duke. The total transfusion time was less than 2 hours, but the waiting and inefficiency is what takes so long!!! She has to continue her shots until Monday and then we go back to Duke again and her doctor will decide after they run her labs.
Tomorrow Veronica is going to the beach with Sean, as his family has a beach house at Nagshead. She is looking forward to the R&R and a little bit of normalcy.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support.
Love, Laura
Thursday, February 1, 2007 10:25 PM CST
Hi Friends,
We have been thrilled to be back home in our own house. The cumulative effect of the first 4 rounds of chemo have really taken a toll on Veronica. She is very tired and her bone marrow is reflecting this. Yesterday she wanted to go to the mall, but when we got there, she could only walk halfway into the store and was too tired to go any further so we came back home. Today at clinic, her platelets were down to 8 (normal range 150-450) so she got 2 units of platelets and one unit of red blood cells. We were at clinic for over 6 hours. So much for enjoying the Snow Day with Nicollette & Sherilyn. It is so frustrating to have to spend the few free days that Veronica has at home back at Duke. The total transfusion time was less than 2 hours, but the waiting and inefficiency is what takes so long!!! She has to continue her shots until Monday and then we go back to Duke again and her doctor will decide after they run her labs.
Tomorrow Veronica is going to the beach with Sean, as his family has a beach house at Nagshead. She is looking forward to the R&R and a little bit of normalcy.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support.
Love, Laura
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:49 AM CST
Dear Friends,
VERONICA IS HOME FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The doctors decided all the dust had settled from the new HVAC systems. We ALL couldn't be happier to back in our own home. We all slept so good last night.
We spent a long day at clinic yesterday. Veronica needed platelets, but surprisingly, her red blood cells were high enough. She continues to need all of her meds including the GCS-F shots to stimulate the white blood cells. She goes back Thursday again for labs and to see the doctor. At this point he'll probablly tell us when she has to go back for round #5 (THE LAST ONE!). I hope she gets at least another week and a half at home. We all need it and I want her to get some strength and weight back before she gets hit with chemo again.
Thanks to my great friend, Kris, we had a wonderful, healthy dinner last night. I don't know what I'd do without all you who have helped us out over the last many months. I love and appreciate all of you!
Love, Laura
Sunday, January 28, 2007 10:05 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Veronica was finally discharged after 37 days at Duke! Unfortunately, she couldn't come home (at least to our house). Let me explain. I had my 2 HVAC units replaced last week because they were over 26 years old and not working properly. As a result of the units being taken out and the ductwork being replaced, too much icky stuff was stirred up, like mold, mildew & spores. Her doctor told us something called aspergilla living in there could kill Veronica and that she might not even be able to come home at all before her next treatment. Fortunately, because I had Hepa filters and UV lights installed, to filter and kill bacteria, her doctor may let her come home some time next week. The doctor will let us know tomorrow at clinic. I should have had this work, plus the carpet taken out of my house before Sherilyn came home from transplant, but I just didn't have the time or money. I just figured I needed to start some of these projects now for both my girl's health. The HVAC install date was later than anticipated b/c of Christmas/New Years.
Our life has been insane since she got out. She was going to stay at my sister's, but at the LAST minute, she got the stomach virus, and we had to go to plan B. My only other sister living in Raleigh was leaving for London and had someone coming to pet sit while she was gone. We ended up crashing there for 2 nights and took her to the airport. My other 2 sisters live in Benson and Apex and we didn't want to be that far away. Veronica was going to stay at her roommates house, but after she got there and stayed awhile, she didn't feel well. Her roommate's mom cleaned her house with almost no notice and was so gracious to take her in, but she just wasn't feeling right and wanted to be with me. On Friday, I ended up taking her to my sister's in Apex (they were in California) and we stayed for one night. My sister's have cats and dogs and my allergies were so bad....I didn't get much sleep at all. Tonight, I took Veronica to my sister's in Raleigh (who had the flu, but has been better since Thurs. night) and so I am finally home with Nicky & Sherilyn.
Talk about STRESS!!! Trying to manage my family from different locations, plus take care of Veronica's nursing needs. She still requires 2 shots a day, plus multiple meds several times a day, central line changes and daily flushes.
Then one of my brand new HVAC units stopped working and my house was freezing when I came to pick up some more clothes. I had to call and wait for a tech to show up and fix it. Thankfully my dad showed up at the perfect time and took care of this for me.
Tomorrow both Veronica and Sherilyn had appointments at Duke. Veronica will need platelets and red blood cell transfusions, which will take at least 4 hours. Sherilyn needs immunizations and to see her Transplant Doctor.
Please pray that Veronica gets the rest she needs, because it is stressful moving every few days, and pray for my children whose lives our turned upside down. And, please pray for my strength and sanity, because I am hanging on a thread.
Love, Laura
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:30 PM CST
Dear Friends,
After spending 3 long hours at the Duke Eye Ctr. today, meeting with various Retinal Specialists, the final conclusion was that the macular hemorrhage in Veronica's left eye would eventually clear up. This was after the second doctor told Veronica she would most likely need surgery to remove the blood, sending her into a major panic mode. Needless to say, when the final "top doc" gave us the news, we were elated to say the least!!! If they could only eliminate the middle man, we would never have spent the last 36 hrs. worrying. But I guess that's the nature of a teaching hospital...you work up from the Medical Student to the Intern, to First and Second Year Resident, to the Fellow to the Attending.
Veronica ate pizza tonight and is sleeping now. This has been a very stressful few days...actually 34 days so far! She has been extremely emotional lately and needs for her counts to come up so she can get HOME!!!
Thank you for your continued prayers and entries in the guestbook. Thank you to everyone who sends cards. Veronica really loves opening up her mail and decorating the hospital walls with them!
Love, Laura
Monday, January 22, 2007 7:02 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica is having a rough time. I'm worried about her ...her spirits are really down. She needs to come home and recharge badly!
An Opthamologist came to see her today and examined her eyes. Unfortunately, she has a macular hemorrhage in her left eye. This explains why she was seeing a red spot which has become a permanent gray spot. The doctor said this is the worst possible place to have it because it's in the center of the retina. It is a result of her low platelets causing the blood vessels to bleed into the retina. He said they would never operate on her given her platelet count and neutropenia (low white blood cell count). Once her platelets come up, it most likely clear up, but it can take awhile. The problem is that she will begin her next treatment before it has the time to clear up. When she begins chemo, her platelets get dangerously low. So it might get worse before it gets better and there is the chance that it won't get better. Now she will also be followed by a Retina Specialist. Also, they will increase her parameters for receiving platelets, i.e she will receive them more often. Currently, she is transfused if she is below 10. A normal platelet count is 150-450. She was down to 2 this past week!!!
Today, I talked to her doctor and literally begged her to let me take Veronica out for a car ride for her (and my) mental health. Thankfully, she agreed. I've asked before and they didn't let me (I think this doctor bent the rules for us) after realizing that Veronica really needed to get out for awhile! We drove around and got some lunch. When we got back to the unit, the eye doctor really put her in a bum mood and then she had to do a one hour breathing treatment under a tent, which she hates. Overall, today was not the best day.
Please pray that Veronica's mood gets brighter and that her eyes will not get worse.
Thank you for your continued love and support,
Laura
Saturday, January 20, 2007 2:35 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica is finally eating and able to keep it down. She began with oatmeal and proceeded to tunafish, pumpkin bread and even a Krispy Kreme doughnut (which took her 1 hour to eat)...if only I could do that!!!
She hasn't had a fever for an entire week :) :) :)
They have taken her off of 2 of the antiobiotics, but she remains on 3. She still doesn't have any white blood cells (0.2) and she continues to need red blood cells and platelets. She is having difficulty with her vision in one eye. Some of the long term side effects of the chemo drugs can affect the eyes. She is worried about this.
Today, her Aunt Coleen came to visit and brought homemade tuna pasta salad, which Veronica & I happily ate. Veronica is sitting up and making jewelry now.
Please continue to keep Veronica in your prayers.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 4:37 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Veronica continues to get better each day. She is still getting sick, but they are adding a fifth anti nausea medicine today. She was able to eat mouthfuls of oatmeal yesterday and today, only getting sick once in the evening. Although she was nauseaus most of the day. She is walking once each night. They took her off of one of the 5 antibiotics today and a few other meds they made IV meds vs. pills to help. She really, really wants to go home.
Sadly, a 19 year old girl whom we had met at Duke, (Nicky Parker), died Saturday. Like Veronica, she had completed her first year at NCSU. She was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma this summer. She lived in Zebulon. Please keep her family in your prayers as they deal with the pain of losing their only child. Erin, the other 18 year old teenage girl with AML, was discharged on Friday and is done with her treatment. Erin came up to the room yesterday to visit us after her clinic appt. and told us she was still feeling horrible. They are testing her mother for a possible future bone marrow transplant (and she just finished treatment). Now Veronica is the only teenager on the floor.
Thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate every one of them.
Love, Laura
Sunday, January 14, 2007 9:20 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Sherilyn and I enjoyed spending the day with Veronica on Saturday. She continues to have fevers, but, thankfully, is off the oxygen. She is still only drinking a few calories a day and is still nauseaus and sick during the day. She is walking more each day :) Today is day 25 and still no white blood count. Last treatment Veronica went home on day 27. I will be going back to the hospital tomorrow. Hopefully her counts will soon come up and attack the infection in her lungs so she can get better and come home!
Sherilyn has final exams this week...a new experience for her. She is anxious for Friday to be here, which is exam make up day.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Love, Laura
Thursday, January 11, 2007 9:29 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Not much of a change today. Veronica continues with fevers and nausea. She got sick when she woke up but later ate part of a smoothie. They were able to turn her oxygen down today. She walked some tonight and continues to use the sperometer. She's tired of being sick!
Today Nicollette showed me a poem she wrote in school. It broke my heart. It reads:
In times like these,
I am sad
While my sister lay in a hospital bed
Getting medicine, shots, and spinal taps
All we have left is hope
For the very very best
All around me I see sad faces
Especially my mom
Who is broken to pieces
Every night a different Aunt stays with us
Just so we won't be so alone
So sad am I without my sister
All I want is a night without sadness
Until my sister comes home
All I have is HOPE
Hope for the very best
Thank you for your continued prayers for my family.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:48 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Veronica is about the same today. I talked to her early this afternoon and she was not feeling great...tired & nauseous. She had a fever of 102.5. I talked to her later tonight and she was feeling a little better, but not as good as she felt yesterday. Her white blood count is still basically 0.
She was happy to see Gus, the big golden retriever who comes and visits patients. He gets right up on the bed with Veronica and lies his head on her lap. He is adorable. Last time I saw Gus, he didn't want to get off the bed and his owner had to pick him up :) If I could have a dog like Gus, I'd be happy.
I enjoyed my day at home. After doing laundry, paying bills, and grocery shopping, I was able to take a nice walk in the sun with my friend. In spite of the cold, it was wonderful to get outside and move. At the hospital the last 8 days, the only exercise I got was to walk down the hall to do laundry.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love, Laura
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 4:53 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Veronica looks better today. She ate some yogurt this morning and kept it down. She hasn't had a fever since about 1 am (103) and hasn't gotten sick :) :) :)
Last night around 9pm they did a CAT scan of her brain because she was having headaches and seeing gray spots in one of her eyes. The preliminary results are normal. We walked another lap last night and she ate some Jello and kept it down.
This afternoon the doctors turned her oxygen off and she handled it well until she fell asleep and then needed it again. She is sleeping now.
Over the past 3 days, I have seen an improvement every day. Her labs showed she had 0.1 WBC count. Hopefully her cells are beginning to come in to fight whatever's going on in her lungs.
Thank you for your continued prayers. God hears them all.
Love, Laura
Monday, January 8, 2007 5:50 PM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica continues to have major problems with nausea. She can't keep anything at all down. The doctors really don't know what is causing this. Because her fevers are continuing, they are not 100 percent sure that what they saw on her lungs on the CAT scan is a fungal infection, although they are treating it with strong antibiotics, as if it is. Today, they added a 5th antibiotic, treating the lung issue as though it is considered atypical. They said it could be bacterial, viral, fungal or atypical and they will be adding new meds daily to rule each out. They continue to do cultures each day. She is on 3 anti nausea medicines and GCS-F to stimulate the WBCs. She is also on protonix for her stomach issues, potassium 2x/day, calcium and magnesium 4x/day b/c her electrolytes are off due to the massive amounts of fluids she is receiving. She is also receiving Benadryl every 6 hours because she has a reaction to one of her antiobiotics and gets Ativan to help calm her down. It's non-stop meds all day/night, but the nurses do a wonderful job juggling them all since most all of the drugs are given every 6 hours.
Last night I got Veronica to walk one lap around the 5100 unit. Although she had to stop and rest it's better than Sunday when she could only walk 2 doors down and blacked out. So far today she has walked one lap without stopping. I plan to get her up again when she wakes up.
When she's not getting sick or sleeping, she is actually feeling better she said. They will probablly be adding TPN (IV liguid nutrition) very soon. They try to avoid this because it is hard on the liver/kidneys. We hope it will only be for a short period of time since her WBCs should be coming back in the next 8-10 days.
Please pray that the doctors can figure out what is going on and treat it. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Love, Laura
Sunday, January 7, 2007 4:14 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Thankfully, Veronica is holding her own. She continues to have intermitent fevers, but is going hours without any fevers at all. Hopefully this means she is on the correct medicine to fight the fungal infection in her lungs. She needed to go up a little on her oxygen this am because her SATS weren't high enough. She continues to have minor blood pressure issues which are being controlled with boluses of fluid and blood products. The chest x-ray showed a pleural effusion (fluid between the lung & chest cavity). Her doctor said if she didn't get any better in the next 48 hours, they would be adding another antifungal medication, repeating the CAT scan, and if necessary, doing a biopsy of the fluid in her chest.
Veronica had a good evening yesterday. She sat up and watched TV, although she hasn't eaten any solid food because she is still getting sick. We haven't attempted any more walks today and when Veronica used the sperometer (thing she blows into to exercise her lungs) she said she felt like she ran a marathon.
Two of my sisters visited over the weekend and today Sherilyn and Emily, Veronica's roommate and her mother came for a nice visit. Veronica really wanted to see Emily. Veronica asked them to bring yogurt, Jello and lemonade so hopefully she will be able to eat it and keep it down. Her taste buds are completely gone and everything tastes like cardboard she says. She is resting peacefully now.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Love, Laura
Saturday, January 6, 2007 7:31 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Veronica continues to need the oxygen, but she hasn't gotten any worse. Her fevers are intermittent. She only reached 103 once today and is currently without a fever. Her blood pressure got low again today requiring another bolus of fluids. She also received platelets today as hers were extremely low. Her doctor told her she needed to get up and walk at least 5 laps around the unit each day or use the sperometer (breathing exercises) 10x/each hour. She decided to try a short walk today, but only made it 2 rooms down the hall and she blacked out and turned green. Me and the nurses scooted her in a chair back to her room. That's when we discovered her BP was low again. After the bolus, her BP has been fine.
She hasn't eaten solid food since 12/31, but today she drank a Gatorade and half of an icee and some cranberry juice.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 11:30 PM CST
NEW UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE: FRIDAY 1/5/07 MIDNIGHT
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Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
___________________________________________________________
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells
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9:00 pm UPDATE:
Unfortunately, the results of the CAT scan were not at all what we expected. The doctors are pretty sure that she has a fungal infection, not a pneumonia in her lungs and this is the source of her continued fevers...103 now. This can be very serious. Sherilyn had this and spent a lot of time in the PICU fighting for her life. The doctors think that they have caught it early and it is only located in the lower lobes of her lungs. Sherilyn's was dissemenated throughout her lungs and infected her central line, requiring immediate removal of the line. She will begin Voriconazole (her 4th antiobiotic) for this tonight and has been put on a pulse oxygen probe for the night.
Although she has been more alert today, she is delirious and even hallucinating at times. (It's actually been a source of laughter to us) She said she was watching "Cars" with her eyes closed at one time.
She needs all the prayer warriors we can get.
And, remember to "Leave a light on for Veronica".
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NEW UPDATE: FRIDAY @ MIDNIGHT
Veronica had to go on oxygen as she was having difficulty breathing. It might also explain the hallucinations (maybe she wasn't getting enough oxygen to her brain?). She said she feels much better now. Apparently the fungal infection in her lungs is affecting her breathing.
She began the medicine for the fungal infecion, but only gets it once a day. It is hard on the liver. It may take several days of this medicine before Veronica gets some relief.
I better get to bed, it may be a long night.
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 11:30 PM CST
NEW UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE: FRIDAY 1/5/07 MIDNIGHT
___________________________________________________________
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
___________________________________________________________
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells
___________________________________________________________
9:00 pm UPDATE:
Unfortunately, the results of the CAT scan were not at all what we expected. The doctors are pretty sure that she has a fungal infection, not a pneumonia in her lungs and this is the source of her continued fevers...103 now. This can be very serious. Sherilyn had this and spent a lot of time in the PICU fighting for her life. The doctors think that they have caught it early and it is only located in the lower lobes of her lungs. Sherilyn's was dissemenated throughout her lungs and infected her central line, requiring immediate removal of the line. She will begin Voriconazole (her 4th antiobiotic) for this tonight and has been put on a pulse oxygen probe for the night.
Although she has been more alert today, she is delirious and even hallucinating at times. (It's actually been a source of laughter to us) She said she was watching "Cars" with her eyes closed at one time.
She needs all the prayer warriors we can get.
And, remember to "Leave a light on for Veronica".
___________________________________________________________
NEW UPDATE: FRIDAY @ MIDNIGHT
Veronica had to go on oxygen as she was having difficulty breathing. It might also explain the hallucinations (maybe she wasn't getting enough oxygen to her brain?). She said she feels much better now. Apparently the fungal infection in her lungs is affecting her breathing.
She began the medicine for the fungal infecion, but only gets it once a day. It is hard on the liver. It may take several days of this medicine before Veronica gets some relief.
I better get to bed, it may be a long night.
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 9:22 PM CST
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
___________________________________________________________
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells
___________________________________________________________
9:00 pm UPDATE:
Unfortunately, the results of the CAT scan were not at all what we expected. The doctors are pretty sure that she has a fungal infection, not a pneumonia in her lungs and this is the source of her continued fevers...103 now. This can be very serious. Sherilyn had this and spent a lot of time in the PICU fighting for her life. The doctors think that they have caught it early and it is only located in the lower lobes of her lungs. Sherilyn's was dissemenated throughout her lungs and infected her central line, requiring immediate removal of the line. She will begin Voriconazole (her 4th antiobiotic) for this tonight and has been put on a pulse oxygen probe for the night.
Although she has been more alert today, she is delirious and even hallucinating at times. (It's actually been a source of laughter to us) She said she was watching "Cars" with her eyes closed at one time.
She needs all the prayer warriors we can get.
And, remember to "Leave a light on for Veronica".
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 9:22 PM CST
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
___________________________________________________________
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells
___________________________________________________________
9:00 pm UPDATE:
Unfortunately, the results of the CAT scan were not at all what we expected. The doctors are pretty sure that she has a fungal infection, not a pneumonia in her lungs and this is the source of her continued fevers...103 now. This can be very serious. Sherilyn had this and spent a lot of time in the PICU fighting for her life. The doctors think that they have caught it early and it is only located in the lower lobes of her lungs. Sherilyn's was dissemenated throughout her lungs and infected her central line, requiring immediate removal of the line. She will begin Voriconazole (her 4th antiobiotic) for this tonight and has been put on a pulse oxygen probe for the night.
Although she has been more alert today, she is delirious and even hallucinating at times. (It's actually been a source of laughter to us) She said she was watching "Cars" with her eyes closed at one time.
She needs all the prayer warriors we can get.
And, remember to "Leave a light on for Veronica".
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 9:22 PM CST
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
___________________________________________________________
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells
___________________________________________________________
9:00 pm UPDATE:
Unfortunately, the results of the CAT scan were not at all what we expected. The doctors are pretty sure that she has a fungal infection, not a pneumonia in her lungs and this is the source of her continued fevers...103 now. This can be very serious. Sherilyn had this and spent a lot of time in the PICU fighting for her life. The doctors think that they have caught it early and it is only located in the lower lobes of her lungs. Sherilyn's was dissemenated throughout her lungs and infected her central line, requiring immediate removal of the line. She will begin Voriconazole (her 4th antiobiotic) for this tonight and has been put on a pulse oxygen probe for the night.
Although she has been more alert today, she is delirious and even hallucinating at times. (It's actually been a source of laughter to us) She said she was watching "Cars" with her eyes closed at one time.
She needs all the prayer warriors we can get.
And, remember to "Leave a light on for Veronica".
Love, Laura
Friday, January 5, 2007 11:05 AM CST
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
Laura
12:10 pm UPDATE:
Dr. Rosoff, Veronica's main doctor, came by this am and decided to order a CAT scan of Veronica's sinuses and chest. She has been sneezing, sniffling & coughing since yesterday and he heard some crackles in her lungs. He said, "I am concerned, but not worried." He also said that this is par for the course. He also ordered her to begin GCS-F which stimulates the production of white blood cells.
Friday, January 5, 2007 8:57 AM CST
Good Morning Friends,
Veronica had another rough day yesterday. Her high fevers persisted throughout the day and her blood pressure was low enough to merit the doctors checking in on her frequently. At one time they had to give her a bolus of fluids (bad of fluids over a short period of time) hoping to bring her BP back up. It seemed to do the trick and she hasn't had any more problems with BP. In addition, she received another red blood cell transfusion. Her fevers continued through the night, but she was able to sleep, in between the doctors checking her, the nurses bringing in her frequent oral meds and IV meds and the aids who check her BP and temp. She has a low grade fever this am and says she feels like a rag doll. Thankfully, she appears to be stable at this time.
Please keep the prayers going. Also, my neighborhood and friends started "Keep a light on for Veronica". Everyone who would like to can keep one of their "Christmas" candles burning in a window at night until Veronica is home and finished with treatment.
Thank you for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you.
Laura
Thursday, January 4, 2007 2:16 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Praise the Lord...Veronica has turned the corner! It has been a really rough 36 hours. Veronica's fever stayed around 103-104 and wouldn't come down with Tylenol. She was weak, dizzy and constantly sick. Her blood pressure was getting very low, bringing back, not so good, memories of Sherilyn going to the PICU for low blood pressure due to septic shock (bacteria in the bloodstream). Since Veronica has 2 bacterial infections and no white blood cells to fight, the antibiotics had to do all of the work. They finally kicked in early this morning and she is currently without a fever.
Today I pray for a quiet, restful day for Veronica. She needs some rest and NO MORE infections! Hopefully in a few days she will begin eating or drinking fluids (other than water).
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are feeling God's continued presence in our lives.
Love, Laura
3:00 PM UPDATE:
I spoke prematurely. Veronica's fever began creeping back late this morning and is now 103. Thankfully, she has been able to get some much needed sleep. She even drank a small can of grape juice. The doctors are checking in on her regularly and monitoring her fevers and low blood pressure. Please keep the prayers going!
Thursday, January 4, 2007 2:16 PM CST
Hi Friends,
Praise the Lord...Veronica has turned the corner! It has been a really rough 36 hours. Veronica's fever stayed around 103-104 and wouldn't come down with Tylenol. She was weak, dizzy and constantly sick. Her blood pressure was getting very low, bringing back, not so good, memories of Sherilyn going to the PICU for low blood pressure due to septic shock (bacteria in the bloodstream). Since Veronica has 2 bacterial infections and no white blood cells to fight, the antibiotics had to do all of the work. They finally kicked in early this morning and she is currently without a fever.
Today I pray for a quiet, restful day for Veronica. She needs some rest and NO MORE infections! Hopefully in a few days she will begin eating or drinking fluids (other than water).
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are feeling God's continued presence in our lives.
Love, Laura
3:00 PM UPDATE:
I spoke prematurely. Veronica's fever began creeping back late this morning and is now 103. Thankfully, she has been able to get some much needed sleep. She even drank a small can of grape juice. The doctors are checking in on her regularly and monitoring her fevers and low blood pressure. Please keep the prayers going!
Thursday, January 4, 2007 9:52 AM CST
Hi Friends,
Praise the Lord...Veronica has turned the corner! It has been a really rough 36 hours. Veronica's fever stayed around 103-104 and wouldn't come down with Tylenol. She was weak, dizzy and constantly sick. Her blood pressure was getting very low, bringing back, not so good, memories of Sherilyn going to the PICU for low blood pressure due to septic shock (bacteria in the bloodstream). Since Veronica has 2 bacterial infections and no white blood cells to fight, the antibiotics had to do all of the work. They finally kicked in early this morning and she is currently without a fever.
Today I pray for a quiet, restful day for Veronica. She needs some rest and NO MORE infections! Hopefully in a few days she will begin eating or drinking fluids (other than water).
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are feeling God's continued presence in our lives.
Love, Laura
Thursday, January 4, 2007 9:52 AM CST
Hi Friends,
Praise the Lord...Veronica has turned the corner! It has been a really rough 36 hours. Veronica's fever stayed around 103-104+ and wouldn't come down with Tylenol. She was weak, dizzy and constantly sick. Her blood pressure was getting very low, bringing back, not so good, memories of Sherilyn going to the PICU for low blood pressure due to septic shock (bacteria in the bloodstream). Since Veronica has 2 bacterial infections and no white blood cells to fight, the antibiotics had to do all of the work. They finally kicked in early this morning and she is currently without a fever.
Today I pray for a quiet, restful day for Veronica. She needs some rest and NO MORE infections! Hopefully in a few days she will begin eating or drinking fluids (other than water).
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are feeling God's continued presence in our lives.
Love, Laura
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 12:52 AM CST
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 9:02 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica developed fevers above 104 yesterday and they continue today. She is feeling really lousy. Her white blood count is 0 and is not expected to come up for 2 weeks. She began 2 antibiotics yesterday and they may add more today. She is on anti nausea meds and Benadryl around the clock because she keeps getting sick. She has lost 2 more pounds. Today she will get platelets and, most likely, red blood cells because these too are low. They have drawn blood cultures twice to see if any bacteria will grow. I will let you know when we get the results.
Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She really needs them now more than ever!
Also, she loves getting mail. Her address is: Veronica Adams/DUMC, Room 5124, Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
Love, Laura
1:25 pm
UPDATE:
Veronica's blood cultures were positive for Strep Veridans (sp?). She is currently on the correct antiobiotics (Vancomycin & Cephtazidime) for this bacteria. They will be watching her closely and adding additional coverage if needed. Also, if her high fevers continue, they may begin her on GCSF, which stimulates the white blood cell production.
2:00 pm
UPDATE:
Another doctor just came in and said that Veronica's urine culture came back positive for bacteria and they will be starting her on a third antiobiotic (Tobramycin). No wonder her fevers are continuing.
Thanks for your continued prayers!
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 11:40 AM CST
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 9:02 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica developed fevers above 104 yesterday and they continue today. She is feeling really lousy. Her white blood count is 0 and is not expected to come up for 2 weeks. She began 2 antibiotics yesterday and they may add more today. She is on anti nausea meds and Benadryl around the clock because she keeps getting sick. She has lost 2 more pounds. Today she will get platelets and, most likely, red blood cells because these too are low. They have drawn blood cultures twice to see if any bacteria will grow. I will let you know when we get the results.
Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She really needs them now more than ever!
Also, she loves getting mail. Her address is: Veronica Adams/DUMC, Room 5124, Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
Love, Laura
1:25 pm
UPDATE:
Veronica's blood cultures were positive for Strep Veridans (sp?). She is currently on the correct antiobiotics for this bacteria. They will be watching her closely and adding additional coverage if needed. Also, if her high fevers continue, they may begin her on GCSF, which stimulates the white blood cell production.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 11:40 AM CST
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 9:02 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica developed fevers above 104 yesterday and they continue today. She is feeling really lousy. Her white blood count is 0 and is not expected to come up for 2 weeks. She began 2 antibiotics yesterday and they may add more today. She is on anti nausea meds and Benadryl around the clock because she keeps getting sick. She has lost 2 more pounds. Today she will get platelets and, most likely, red blood cells because these too are low. They have drawn blood cultures twice to see if any bacteria will grow. I will let you know when we get the results.
Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She really needs them now more than ever!
Also, she loves getting mail. Her address is: Veronica Adams/DUMC, Room 5124, Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
Love, Laura
1:25 pm
UPDATE:
Veronica's blood cultures were positive for Strep Veridans (sp?). She is currently on the correct antiobiotics for this bacteria. They will be watching her closely and adding additional coverage if needed. Also, if her high fevers continue, they may begin her on GCSF, which stimulates the white blood cell production.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 9:02 AM CST
Dear Friends,
Veronica developed fevers above 104 yesterday and they continue today. She is feeling really lousy. Her white blood count is 0 and is not expected to come up for 2 weeks. She began 2 antibiotics yesterday and they may add more today. She is on anti nausea meds and Benadryl around the clock because she keeps getting sick. She has lost 2 more pounds. Today she will get platelets and, most likely, red blood cells because these too are low. They have drawn blood cultures twice to see if any bacteria will grow. I will let you know when we get the results.
Please keep Veronica in your prayers. She really needs them now more than ever!
Also, she loves getting mail. Her address is: Veronica Adams/DUMC, Room 5124, Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
Love, Laura
Monday, January 1, 2007 9:44 PM CST
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!!!
Dear Friends~
Veronica is feeling pretty good. She was taken off her anti-nausea meds prematurely and had to be put back on them and fluids were added because she had lost about 9 lbs. since she was admitted Dec. 21st.
She had a good day yesterday and was able to keep some food down. Sean, Veronica's boyfriend, planned a very nice surprise New Year's Eve celebration last night and they rang the new year in in style.
I was able to spend a quiet evening with Nicollette & Sherilyn. We enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show in our neighborhood.
I continue to thank God for His many blessings. He has taken very good care of us these past 3 years. I also want to thank everyone for all of your unwavering support, generosity, prayers and thoughtfulness over the past several months. From phone calls, cards, meals and meal cards, care packages and much, much more, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has done so much for our family this year. I would love to send a personal thank you note to each and every one of you, but that is impossible under the circumstances. Please know how much all of you mean to us! We couldn't get through this without you.
Thanks for caring! Wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy 2007,
Laura, Veronica, Dustin, Sherilyn and Nicollette
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