Misc "Stuff"

The fundraiser this weekend went very well. Donations at the track $1621.00 and the Susan G Komen site shows a total of $6598.31. Another endurance race team, Code 4 Racing, helped us raise over $2000.00 (they had people donate per lap). The donations from Code 4 should show up in the next week.

Looking for female friends and family to sign up for Army of Women, http://www.armyofwomen.org/aboutus. By signing up you will help in research to figure out what causes breast cancer. Army of Women is looking for women that haven't had breast cancer as well as those that have had cancer. Please take a minute to look at the website and sign up.

Still not feeling 100% but I know it is coming.

Thank you for all of the donations we received for the Susan G Komen for the Cure.
Cheryl

Motorcycle Photos-Check It Out

Eddy and Zip just finished with the graphics on the bike for the endurance race. Photos are in the winner's circle, of course!!!

If you come to the race on Saturday, try to wear pink....yes, men and women!
Thank you,
Cheryl

Update

Unfortunately, I am still not feeling great from my last round of chemo. After each round of chemo I had very uncomfortable abdominal cramping but this time it is really painful. According to the oncologist the cause is from one of the chemo therapies, Taxotere (the T in my TAC treatment). Doctor's recommendation is to take NSAIDs and if that doesn't work go with the narcotics along with a stool softener and laxative. I'll stick with the NSAID (Motrin) but I am adding probiotics because I think my gastrointestinal track is pretty screwed up from the chemo.

My uncle, aunt and cousins came to visit yesterday for lunch. Tony and his wife, Mary, were out visiting from Utah and Kris flew in from San Antonio, Texas. I had grand plans of making lunch for everyone, celebrating birthdays and the end of chemo but had to scale back because I am just too tired. Suzanne, my sister, convinced me ordering good food would be a better idea and she was so right. I loved seeing my family and wish we could have had a longer visit.

Eddy left for the racetrack this morning to finish prepping the bike with the graphics (some kind of big pink ribbon sticker!). I sent him off with very bright pink t-shirts for the team, no mistaking our mission! Friday is practice for Eddy, Simon and Steve so they can all get used to Eddy's bike before the 4 hour endurance race on Saturday afternoon.

Donations are at $4600 plus dollars! Thank you everyone!!!!!

Time for a rest.

Cheryl

The SCAR Project: Surviving Cancer, The Absolute Reality

The link below contains some photos with real breasts, view at your own discretion. I found the pictures very moving but that is due to my close proximity to the situation.
http://www.davidjayphotography.com/TheSCARProject/

Fundraiser Update: We are 37% of our goal! Donations so far $3763.31. Eddy worked on the endurance race bike all weekend while I napped and worked on getting healthy. The body work should return from the painter today, then get graphics when we arrive at the track.

For those of you coming out to the race or already there, try to wear pink to show support for Passionately Pink, Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Thank you!

ER Visit and Hospital Stay

Ended up in the emergency room on Thursday evening with very, very low blood pressure, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain. Needed IV fluids and more anti-nausea medicine but my veins were not cooperating. The pediatric size IV was put in my wrist, which I must say is very painful. The fluids don't move quickly through something so small.....we spent hours in ER before they decided to admit me for "observation". Observation is a code word for waking you up every hour to check you blood pressure and take your temp. During my hospital stay I had several blood tests and ultrasounds (everything looks okay inside, yeah!). I am okay except for the bad reaction to the chemo. Just trying to recover some strength and energy.

I was released on Friday evening and able to sleep a full night in my own bed!!! Eddy's birthday was on Saturday....what a bummer of a birthday for him. We will have to celebrate later with cake and ice cream.

Don't forget about our fundraiser for Susan G Komen. Current donations are at approximately $2700.00 or 27% of our goal. Thank you for the support.
Cheryl

Chemo Graduate

I am finished and received my complete certificated from the oncology staff at the doctor's office! So excited but I know what the next few days will be like. Wish me luck.
Cheryl

Passionately Pink, Susan G Komen for the Cure

Hello!
We are up to $1450.00 in donations for Susan G Komen for the Cure!!! $1300.00 through the website and $150.00 in checks to date. Thank you all so much for taking the time to donate. For those of you that didn't see the post on 9/15 regarding the fundraiser, scroll down a bit and take a look.

My appointment was yesterday with the lymphedema therapist. We went over how your lymph system works and massage stuff to do, which will help with the swelling. I also got to sit in a special jacket that fills up with air to help move the fluid....very cool. For home work I have to work on massaging my lymph system until my next appointment on 10/2. I was sent home with a quilted sleeve to wear while sleeping and a hand mitt you attach with an ace bandage. This morning I woke up with one of the ace bandage clips attached to my head! Nice, made me laugh and is still making me laugh.

Off to my appointment.
Cheryl

Passionately Pink, Susan G Komen for the Cure

As a great majority of you know, Eddy races motorcycles with the American Federation of Motorcyclists or AFM for short, a California road racing club (http://www.afmracing.org/). The club races about once a month from March to October at three different locations, Infineon Raceway (Sonoma), Thunderhill (Willows) and Buttonwillow Race Park (Buttonwillow). Once a year there is a 4 hour endurance race along with the regular race weekend.

For this year's 4-hour endurance race at Infineon Raceway on 9/27, the team members decided to raise $10,000.00 for "Susan G Komen for the Cure". Simon, Steve and Eddy are all committed to helping end breast cancer forever with their donations and donations from family, friends, co-workers, corporate sponsors, friends of friends, etc.

I am deeply touched by the support from Eddy's fellow racers since I was diagnosed in February. There are always hugs and words of encouragement along with the little pink Cheryl stickers the racers run on their bikes. THANK YOU AFM RACERS!!!

For those of you that would like to be part of our fundraising effort, you can do so by going to Eddy's race website, www.finishesunlimited.net/racing and clicking the link to donate directly to our campaign (it links you to the Susan G Komen website). Not comfortable donating online? You can mail a check to us at 121 Via Hermosa, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Checks should be made out to "Susan G Komen for the Cure".

Thank you for helping us raise money for Susan G Komen for the Cure.
Cheryl

Lymphedema

Well.....more breast cancer fun. I now have a mild case of lymphedema in my right arm. Joy.

I know some of you are wondering "what is lymphedema"....here is your answer. Lymphedema is an accumulation of fluid that can collect in any body part, but most typically in arms or legs. It usually occurs when the lymph vessels or lymph nodes are blocked or removed. The lymphatic system is part of the body's circulatory system and a vital part of the immune system. The lymphatic system runs parallel with the veins and removes cellular waste, bacteria, proteins and excess water from the tissues. The lymphatic system is also the prime vehicle for the immune system, managing foreign bodies and immune cells.
When lymph nodes or pathways are insufficient, damaged or removed through surgery, lymph fluid cannot progress through the body. Thus, the surrounding tissue swells, thickens and becomes painful. Bacteria in this environment can multiply and greatly increase the risk of infection. Fibrosis (excess connective tissue growth) can occur causing stiffness, and limiting movement and range of motion.
With early identification and proper intervention the condition can be treated and controlled, allowing the individual to lead a full and normal life.

I see the occupational therapist on Tuesday and should have a much better idea of how they plan on treating the lymphedema. What I've read says there is a massage technique used along with wrapping the arm, then a compression sleeve and exercises.

Right now my hand and arm do not feel great. I've been elevating my arm morning and night for a couple of days, which seems to help.
Cheryl

Great Day!

I met the greatest group of women today! This morning there was a link on the Susan G Komen message boards regarding a bunch of breast cancer survivors riding from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Harleys. When I looked up the information, would you believe they were going to be in Santa Cruz today? I knew I needed to meet these powerful women. So I headed down to Santa Cruz Harley Davidson to show my support and in the process met amazing, kickass women!

Harley Davidson provides the motorcycles, gives each of the riders a Harley Davidson jacket and every rider raises $1500.00 for breast cancer. Great way to get the word out about breast cancer and have fun doing it. Take a minute to check out the blog http://ahthunderblog.amazonheart.org/.

Stand Up 2 Cancer

ABC, CBS and NBC are all doing a one hour program on September 5th called Stand Up 2 Cancer. The program will have no commercials and is designed to raise funds for the fight against cancer (http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/).

Time: 8 pm et/pt, 7 pm ct
Date: 9/5 (Friday)

Feeling a little better

Feeling a wee bit better today. The bones don't hurt as much, my muscles feel less shaky and I am not as tired. I still need to sit down every few minutes if I move around a lot but that is better than yesterday. I even put makeup on, earrings and polished my head.

Worked on business stuff like invoicing, filing and bills. I know there are estimates to type but I am waiting on Eddy to finish them. Business doesn't stand still just because you have chemo! I am greatful that I can work from home.....I can't imagine trying to head to an office everyday.

Time to put my head down for a bit.
Cheryl

Still Recovering

I am still recovering from the chemo. Not feeling great but pulling through. Had a rough day with the shakes and some chills, hope it is nothing. The bone pain is a bit more intense this time from the Neulasta shot.

Picked my first two tomatoes today from the Ace I planted late in the season. I plan on slicing them up in the next couple of days and eating them au natural. Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods especially home grown. Delicious!!!!

Our apples are finally ready to eat. Eddy is "sharing" apples with the three deer that come by in the evenings. We love watching them try to eat the apples....usually takes between three and six bites. The squirrels also love the apples and steal them at every opportunity.

Not much else going on here. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend.
Cheryl