Sharon Sherk Health Update



Preamble


I want to thank so many of you for your care and your concern for Sharon and our family.  I have sought the help of my tech savvy son Darryl to put together a blog…that will feature weekly updates of our story.  We will seek to post on Sunday evenings.  Caregiving for Sharon is a 24/7 job and privilege for me.  Coordinating communications…not so much. So this is our answer to not emailing hundreds of people with messages.  Thank you again for standing with us in a unique way…with your thoughts and prayers.  


Some background to our story…


Sharon has not been feeling well since our holidays back in mid August.  We now know why.

 

Back on September 30th Sharon was encouraged to go to Emerg by our family doctor.  After a battery of tests, including ultrasound and ct scan the Drs. came back to us with a prognosis that was scary.  They had also ordered a liver biopsy...which occurred on October 13th.

 

On October 25th, We met with the surgeon who ordered the biopsy. It was confirmed that Sharon has stage 4 secondary (metastatic) liver cancer. In subsequent tests it was confirmed that the primary cancer is in the colon. The surgeon said they couldn’t do anything surgery wise with the tumours in the liver. It is incurable.

 

We met with Oncology at GRH on November 16 and began Chemo treatments the next day.

 

Week 1&2 of Chemo: November 17th - 27th

 

The chemo cycle begins with a day at the hospital in the chemo suite followed by two days at home with a slow drip chemo bottle.  Sharon repeats the cycle every other week.  

 

This first cycle was “chemo lite”  but its impact has been brutal.  More down days then up days.  Symptoms Sharon has been coping with are nausea, pain, constipation, fatigue and weakness. 

We had a setback with a trip to emerg due to fever. Infection is an enemy. Turns out a simple UTI was the culprit.  But this could be a blessing in disguise because it allowed oncology and other specialists to see Sharon’s symptoms first hand. She was admitted into the hospital and has experienced the good, the bad and the ugly.  She really needs to gain some strength and get beyond a rhythm of pain and nausea. 

 

Having said that we are clinging to faith, hope and love…trusting God for a miracle.  Sharon is inspired by the verses in …

 

Lamentations 3:22-23


22 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

   for his compassions never fail.

23 

They are new every morning;

   great is your faithfulness.


Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated and are requested.  We need you during this most challenging time.  

Feel free to share this link with others who might be interested.


Love and hugs,


Dean & Sharon and family




Comments

  1. HollyDecember 1, 2022 at 7:08 PM

    For some reason, I can only sign in as Kailey. It's not Kailey, it's Holly. Thank you for the update, Dean. We are praying for Sharon, for you, and for your whole family. Much love, Holly and Steve

    ReplyDelete

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