Sherk Update Jan 21st, 2023


Dear friends and family,

Living in a season of loss and love. 

Last week in our update we mentioned that Sharon was admitted into the hospital, due to a high fever. This week’s update is a follow-up and we have difficult news to share. Following numerous tests, on Tuesday afternoon, our oncologists (team), shared a painful reality with us. "The chemotherapy is not working." A CT scan revealed that the tumours in Sharon’s liver had not begun to shrink and in fact had grown. The best chemo regime was ineffective versus a very aggressive cancer. Shocked, we asked about future courses of action. "What are our options going forward?"

One option presented was a different type of chemo, a "second best" chemo product that had even more significant side effects than the one we were on. The oncologist was not hopeful nor sounded promising about the positive impact of this option. 

The other option presented was to pursue a palliative path of care focusing on pain and symptom management with the number one goal of keeping Sharon comfortable in her last "days" on this earth. As you can imagine, there were a lot of tears. There are no words to describe the emotional, physical, and spiritual turmoil we felt and are experiencing. We wanted to share with our boys (immediate family) the news and what was before us. We met via video call and this gathering was gut-wrenching for all of us. These are not the kinds of conversations we envisioned with our family. It was and is so painful. The next day we were able to meet with each one of our sons in person or by video. By late afternoon we had decided to opt for the palliative care path. For us it is about choosing to invest our time with family, choosing love and choosing to create memories. It’s choosing to have some great and good days (along with the bad ones). It leaves room for miracles to still take place. We go forward together – with fear and trembling, grieving while choosing to love one another and love God.

Sharon was discharged from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and within 24 hours saw our LHIN nurses and palliative care doctor in our home.

Thank you for your continued support, love and prayers.

With faith, hope and love!

Dean and Sharon


P.S. We are re-considering over these next days our needs and desires and will update the mealtrain with practical helps https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/l6525d Thanks for your consideration, but please do not feel obligated in any way. Your prayers are most important!

Comments

  1. Jeff LyleJanuary 23, 2023 at 2:53 PM

    Sharon & Dean, words are almost impossible to find right now. But I pray for you both and your family. I pray that you will find peace and strength during this most challenging time.

    Sharon, please know that you are loved and appreciated by more people then you can imagine, including me and my team in Waterloo. You are the most humble and reliable person i have ever worked with. We all miss you greatly in Grand River District, our arms are locked, fighting with you from a distance. May God place his grace and mercy upon you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rubus idaeusJanuary 24, 2023 at 4:43 AM

    Dean and Sharon, we are saddened by this news but we also know that you and your family will be embraced by the loving arms of our savior during thus most difficult time. Cleave to each other and our Lord as you navigate this difficult path. Know that you and your family are very much loved and although as a family we too are currently apart we unite with you and your family as we pray for Sharon and your whole family. With much love and prayer. Phil (The Chenier's, Joy-Elaine, Julia, and Phil)

    ReplyDelete
  3. SueJanuary 26, 2023 at 5:26 PM

    Dearest Sharon & Dean, our hearts are broken with you. Sending our love and prayers. May you know that you are loved and may you feel that you are held and carried.

    ReplyDelete

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