Sunday, October 23, 2011
Family Picture Added below
OK - so I added a more recent (Feb. 2011) family picture below. I hope you enjoy! :-)
Back from San Francisco
So we are finally home from San Francisco. We arrived home last night after 10pm. Everything went very well with Mom's procedure. She was bright and alert right after when Tanya and I got to see her. The doctor's said that it seems that her liver responded well - but again, we won't know how successful it was until after the cat scan in 4 weeks. While we were there, they also did a perecentesis (draining of excess abdomen fluid), which was fabulous, since Mom was so uncomfortable with the ascites. She looked like she was pregnant with twins, and could barely eat or drink a few bites before she didn't have any more room. They took out 4 liters (imagine two of the large soda bottles of fluid just floating around your organs in your stomach). So she was able to eat a meal comfortably for the first time in a while. Since the ascites began after the Microwave Ablation, we jokingly call Mom's belly, her ascites baby. This is only a temporary fix, as it will come back, since her liver disease has worsened from the Microwave Ablation. However, the Ablation did kill a lot of the tumor, which hopefully will keep it from spreading or growing past a 5 (which would kick her off the transplant list). We are grateful to all the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at CPMC for their wonderful loving care they always give. We are there so much, it is our second home.
On the downside, we were hoping to meet up with Mom's cousin, Mary K. and her husband Joe for a short visit before heading home last night. However, by the time they finally released Mom from the hospital, and we drove to Mary K's hotel - we couldn't find it, or reach her on her cell. Boohoo! We are hoping to get to see her soon.
Also, while I was gone, Esther had a bit of excitement. She decided to climb up the dresser in her room (a tall dresser), to get to Nathan's light (it's a Lightening McQueen light from the Disney movie "Cars"). She got halfway up, and the entire dresser tipped over right on top of her. It was very scary - but Ryan checked her out completely, and watched her all night - and she came out of it with only a swollen eye, which is gone this morning. Boy, with 5 kids I have never had a dresser fall on one of them before.
Well, time to go and finish getting the kids ready for church. Today is the big Children's Sacrament Meeting Program. Abigail and Lucy have both their parts memorized, and Nathan is excited to sing (and will need a little help with his parts still). Mom will be coming down for it, and then we will be heading over to Cheri's house - for a belated birthday party of Perelyhn. :-) Have a wonderful day. 'Til next time...
On the downside, we were hoping to meet up with Mom's cousin, Mary K. and her husband Joe for a short visit before heading home last night. However, by the time they finally released Mom from the hospital, and we drove to Mary K's hotel - we couldn't find it, or reach her on her cell. Boohoo! We are hoping to get to see her soon.
Also, while I was gone, Esther had a bit of excitement. She decided to climb up the dresser in her room (a tall dresser), to get to Nathan's light (it's a Lightening McQueen light from the Disney movie "Cars"). She got halfway up, and the entire dresser tipped over right on top of her. It was very scary - but Ryan checked her out completely, and watched her all night - and she came out of it with only a swollen eye, which is gone this morning. Boy, with 5 kids I have never had a dresser fall on one of them before.
Well, time to go and finish getting the kids ready for church. Today is the big Children's Sacrament Meeting Program. Abigail and Lucy have both their parts memorized, and Nathan is excited to sing (and will need a little help with his parts still). Mom will be coming down for it, and then we will be heading over to Cheri's house - for a belated birthday party of Perelyhn. :-) Have a wonderful day. 'Til next time...
Monday, October 10, 2011
Another Trip to San Francisco coming
So we saw Mom's hepatologist, Dr. Merriman, and he reviewed everything, and said that it was a good thing that we got that call, because it shows just how real and close this whole thing is. He gave us some bad news though - he is moving back to Ireland! We are so very sad to lose him. We understand his decision to be close to family while raising his little ones - but we will sorely miss him. He calls Tanya and I "The Sisters". He is so patient and kind with us, professional, yet jokes around and teases us. For example, the last appointment, he opened the door to come into the room, looked at us, opened his eyes wide and walked right back out. Then returned immediately, laughing. So sad for us to lose him. We are already planning on someday taking a trip to Ireland and ending up on his doorstep laughing!
Then we received a call at the end of last week, that the liver transplant team met again to review Mom's case, and decided she needed to do another Chemo Embolization. This is the one where they enter through her major artery in her thigh, and feed a tube up through the veins right to the tumor - then insert these Chemo Beads that act as little "Pac Man" guys, eating the tumor. There are very little side effects compared to other Chemo. Last time, Mom lost some of her hair, but not all of it. It has been growing back quickly, so it will most likely thin out again. So we will be heading to San Francisco again on the 21st of October. This will only be an overnight trip. Unless of course, we get the call that they have a liver again before then! :-)
Per a few requests, I have set up a donation account, and added a donation button on my blog (upper right side), so anyone can donate via Paypal with a credit card, bank account or Paypal account just with a quick click of the button. Please send a quick email, tweet or Facebook page notice for anyone who would want to donate any amount for Mom.
Again, we want to send out a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped through donations or supporting our fundraisers this far. Everything helps and will add up. Thank you, thank you!!!
Then we received a call at the end of last week, that the liver transplant team met again to review Mom's case, and decided she needed to do another Chemo Embolization. This is the one where they enter through her major artery in her thigh, and feed a tube up through the veins right to the tumor - then insert these Chemo Beads that act as little "Pac Man" guys, eating the tumor. There are very little side effects compared to other Chemo. Last time, Mom lost some of her hair, but not all of it. It has been growing back quickly, so it will most likely thin out again. So we will be heading to San Francisco again on the 21st of October. This will only be an overnight trip. Unless of course, we get the call that they have a liver again before then! :-)
Per a few requests, I have set up a donation account, and added a donation button on my blog (upper right side), so anyone can donate via Paypal with a credit card, bank account or Paypal account just with a quick click of the button. Please send a quick email, tweet or Facebook page notice for anyone who would want to donate any amount for Mom.
Again, we want to send out a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped through donations or supporting our fundraisers this far. Everything helps and will add up. Thank you, thank you!!!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Update again - with 2 fundraisers next week!
This is a recent email I sent out. So sorry I haven't had a chance to blog more. Someday.....
Hello Friends and Family!
As you all know, Cheri Newberry is on the liver transplant list due to liver disease and cancer. In order to get her active on the list, their financial counselors said that she had to have a minimum of $5,000 to $10,000 that her insurance won’t cover (this is if all goes well). This is required at the time of transplant (no billing and paying later). Mom has no savings, and barely scrapes by on a fixed income, so Tanya and I said we would cover this. However, since that time, we have each spent thousands on Mom’s required trips and procedures. We found ourselves broke and turning to credit cards. We decided we had to fundraise to raise the money she needs before she gets the call.
We had quite an awakening when, Sunday before last, we received a call that they had a liver for Mom. We rushed to San Francisco, got Mom checked in and all her tests done to prepare for the transplant. We were down in the O.R. with our scrubs on, getting ready to put her in the operating room, and received a call that they found carcinoma on one of the donor’s kidneys – so, they were not going to risk using that liver. It was disappointing, but also a relief, as we have not yet raised the money needed. We could get another call any day – and so, time is of the essence with our fundraising.
Thank you sooo much to all who helped donate and shop at our garage sales – they were a huge success, and we made a quarter of our goal.
We have attached an invitation for two fundraisers next week. We ask you to please forward this to everyone you know (friends, family, work and church associates, etc.) – so that we can have as large a turn out as possible! We have two other fundraisers coming up (a Spaghetti Feed and Bowling Night), but those aren’t for another month or two – and we are concerned we may get the call before then.
First, on October 13th (next Thursday) is an Open House to come and get your Christmas shopping done early – or shop for yourself. We have the following consultants that will be here from 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm:
Pampered Chef – Sarah Milton (Lots of new great things – I was surprised, as I thought I had all I needed)
Partylite – Tanya Haddock (Partylite fundraiser gives an unheard of 50% of the proceeds to Mom)
Park Lane Jewelry – Regina Anderson (Amazing quality, guaranteed – even if your kids break it, you’ll fall in love)
Flower Clips – Emeryl Logan (Buy pre-made, custom made, or make your own – your kids can make them too!)
Where: Debbie’s house: 3490 Santos Circle, Cameron Park.
There will be a door prize drawing for all who come, as well as an amazing basket for raffle (earn 1 ticket per order placed, and/or buy the tickets .50 each or 3 for $1). If you can’t make it, see the flyer for contact information for a phone order.
Second, on October 15th (next Saturday) from 10am-5pm we are doing a car wash at Luke’s Wild West Grill (on Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights). At Lukes Wild West Grill, 7040 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights (corner of Sunrise Blvd and Sungarden Dr. 10:00am-4:00pm
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
1. Send this out to everyone you know, encouraging them to come to one or both fundraisers.
2. Offer to take the Partylite fundraiser kit to your friends, family and work (we have a great reward program to all who do this).
3. Come and work at the car wash, bringing hoses, bucket, sponges, towels, soap (just email and let us know so we can plan accordingly!!)
4. Come to the Party and Car Wash – get shopping done early, and a clean car!!
5. If this doesn’t work for you – we accept cash donations!! You can create your own fundraiser, by “passing the hat” at work, school, friends, Facebook, etc.
With the false alarm, we have gotten desperate (if you can’t tell)! Thanks for all your love, help and support! It takes a village to get a liver transplant!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Love,
Cheryl, Tanya and Debbie
Hello Friends and Family!
As you all know, Cheri Newberry is on the liver transplant list due to liver disease and cancer. In order to get her active on the list, their financial counselors said that she had to have a minimum of $5,000 to $10,000 that her insurance won’t cover (this is if all goes well). This is required at the time of transplant (no billing and paying later). Mom has no savings, and barely scrapes by on a fixed income, so Tanya and I said we would cover this. However, since that time, we have each spent thousands on Mom’s required trips and procedures. We found ourselves broke and turning to credit cards. We decided we had to fundraise to raise the money she needs before she gets the call.
We had quite an awakening when, Sunday before last, we received a call that they had a liver for Mom. We rushed to San Francisco, got Mom checked in and all her tests done to prepare for the transplant. We were down in the O.R. with our scrubs on, getting ready to put her in the operating room, and received a call that they found carcinoma on one of the donor’s kidneys – so, they were not going to risk using that liver. It was disappointing, but also a relief, as we have not yet raised the money needed. We could get another call any day – and so, time is of the essence with our fundraising.
Thank you sooo much to all who helped donate and shop at our garage sales – they were a huge success, and we made a quarter of our goal.
We have attached an invitation for two fundraisers next week. We ask you to please forward this to everyone you know (friends, family, work and church associates, etc.) – so that we can have as large a turn out as possible! We have two other fundraisers coming up (a Spaghetti Feed and Bowling Night), but those aren’t for another month or two – and we are concerned we may get the call before then.
First, on October 13th (next Thursday) is an Open House to come and get your Christmas shopping done early – or shop for yourself. We have the following consultants that will be here from 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm:
Pampered Chef – Sarah Milton (Lots of new great things – I was surprised, as I thought I had all I needed)
Partylite – Tanya Haddock (Partylite fundraiser gives an unheard of 50% of the proceeds to Mom)
Park Lane Jewelry – Regina Anderson (Amazing quality, guaranteed – even if your kids break it, you’ll fall in love)
Flower Clips – Emeryl Logan (Buy pre-made, custom made, or make your own – your kids can make them too!)
Where: Debbie’s house: 3490 Santos Circle, Cameron Park.
There will be a door prize drawing for all who come, as well as an amazing basket for raffle (earn 1 ticket per order placed, and/or buy the tickets .50 each or 3 for $1). If you can’t make it, see the flyer for contact information for a phone order.
Second, on October 15th (next Saturday) from 10am-5pm we are doing a car wash at Luke’s Wild West Grill (on Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights). At Lukes Wild West Grill, 7040 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights (corner of Sunrise Blvd and Sungarden Dr. 10:00am-4:00pm
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
1. Send this out to everyone you know, encouraging them to come to one or both fundraisers.
2. Offer to take the Partylite fundraiser kit to your friends, family and work (we have a great reward program to all who do this).
3. Come and work at the car wash, bringing hoses, bucket, sponges, towels, soap (just email and let us know so we can plan accordingly!!)
4. Come to the Party and Car Wash – get shopping done early, and a clean car!!
5. If this doesn’t work for you – we accept cash donations!! You can create your own fundraiser, by “passing the hat” at work, school, friends, Facebook, etc.
With the false alarm, we have gotten desperate (if you can’t tell)! Thanks for all your love, help and support! It takes a village to get a liver transplant!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Love,
Cheryl, Tanya and Debbie
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