Looking ahead to New Years!

As we look ahead a few months to New Years Eve, It is with much sadness that we have decided to take a "buy" this year and not hold our annual party. Our recoveries will require our full attention & energy for awhile I am afraid.

I know a number of you look forward to this and in some instances even change your vacation plans, so I wanted to let you all know now, so that you could make those travel plans and accept those other offers that might come your way.
I also know that a few of you have been wanting to host a New Years Party, but didn't want to infringe on ours, so this is your year! We can assist in the ball dropping department!

We hope to be back in full force for the following year and for those who were wondering what the theme was going to be, it was going to be........drums a rolling........... DRESS TO THE 9! (for 2009) Cheers, Sherie & Andy

Making Strides

I am joining The Sassy Striders of Skaneateles next weekend in downtown Syracuse to Make Strides against breast cancer.

When I called to join them I asked what else I needed to do, beyond getting breast cancer, and they said, "be sassy"! I said, "I can do that, I have 42 years of practice", but I wanted to do more. You know me, can't do anything half(rhymes with bass), so I decided to hand over some of my money and then Andy said put it up on the blog in case others want to do the same.

So, join us to Stride, if you can, and if you can't, well then just show me the money! any amount makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 2008-2009

click on the picture to make a donation! THANKS!!

Plastic Surgery Lesson & beyond...

Andy & I met with the new plastic surgeon yesterday, we liked him very much. He spent alot of time talking about all the options that are available following mastectomy, I have decided to go with the bi-lateral, and what the whole process would entail. We agreed upon the tissue sparing/expander/implant route for several reasons, none of which I will bore you with here, but can discuss further if any feels they need to know more.

So, what will happen is they will do the mastectomy and try to keep as much of my external breat skin as possible, and simultaneously, the plastic surgeon will be placing in these expanders (look just like implants), under the breast muscle to expand the muscle over a short period of time. They will essentially "pump me up" through the weeks until I get to where I want to be. This procedure takes about 3-4 hours and I will be in the hospital 1-2 days. In about 8-12 weeks, the insurance companies like to wait about the full 12, I will go back in for a one day surgery in which they will remove the expanders and place in the implants. 8-12 weeks after that I go back in for another one day surgery to recreat the areola/nipple (won't go into that here as it made andy sick listening), but they come out looking pretty real.

So, I am going to try and schedule the initial surgery for the beginning of November, as we have some family long weekends in October that I didn't want to cancel and because October is my favorite month and I want to enjoy it. So it seems by next May I will be ready for my bikini!

I was surprised there were so many steps involved and that it did take so long, but it is still shorter/less side effects/risks than having to do radiation and/or take hormones for the next 4-5 years. By doing the bilateral I virtually cut my chance of every getting breat cancer down to less than 1%. (sometimes you can develop another one is some of the skin left behind, but very rare)

So thank you to all the ladies who emailed me and talked to me on the phone about their experiences with this, it helped to hear your story and it was reassuring to know I was on the right track and would be fully well again soon. What incredible ladies you all are, I am prowd to join your ranks! I only hope I can make it throught the hazing.

Enough medical mumbo jumbo,
Theater: We got out to see Church Basement Ladies @ the Merry Go Round Playhouse last evening. It was a great show and we were laughing hard, poor andy, but he said it was worth the pain. (I wouldn't be a very good board member if I didn't tell you that the show has been extended to next saturday and tixs are still available, so give that box office a call, you won't be sorry.)

Music: I also wanted everyone to know that they should go out and purchase Jason Mraz's CD. If you like Jack Johnson, you'll love this guy, it has become my feel happy music of the moment.

TV: Amazing Race starts Sunday, set the dvr and don't forget to tape the show after it too because football usually runs everything behind.

Activities: Big trucks is tomorrow, for those who are local, so don't forget to go and support that. You don't need kids to have a good time either. I might add that the cub scouts will be selling popcorn, so make sure to bring some money and buy some!

Alright, I have another super secret misson I am working on now, so I gotta get going. Hope everyone has a great weekend. It is alittle better for us knowing the Red Sox got the wildcard and are in the playoffs. (come on yankee fans, we let you have a big win last evening to get it)

Thanks again! I know the rules say I can't send thanks you's for all the food, cards, and gifts we are getting, but I want each and everyone one of you to know how much we are thankful for it all & how much it helps us get through this bump in our road. You're the best!
Sherie

Andy sleeps a whole night in his own bed! That's right, move over recliner, Sherie has reclaimed her man in bed. oh, that could be taken wrong, he's not that healthy yet!
It was just sleep and a little spooning. It was nice to have him back and by the morning we had the whole family there.
Our super triathelete is making his comeback now.
Yeah Andy!

Andy & I on top of the world, ok, Whiteface Mt., this past summer. We'll be there again soon!

realitively quiet day

Met with the oncologist today. He confirmed that should I go with the bilateral I would not need hormones, otherwise with doing just the left side, I would need hormones for 4-5 years.
Interestingly, he also went over research and the such and while I have 2 great relatives with breast cancer, mine is not considered heriditary. In order for this to be heriditary, it has to be present in every generation. So, nice to know my sister and Ruby are no more at risk than the rest of you. Statistics show 1 in 10 woman get this before the age of 80! Makes sense I should get it now, you all know I like to be ahead of the curve and the be the first when it comes to the latest trends. It was saddening to sit in the waiting room of the regional oncology center at Upstate today and see the number and variety of people coming and going, all who were dealing with some type of cancer. You'll all be happy to know after sitting in the waiting room and seeing that and then having the Doctor say, are you OK? I burst into to tears. So see, I am not a stoic rock, I do break down, I blame this one on Helen though, She got me going at the bus stop this morning and I was abit teary ever sense. That must mean my menses is around the corner too.

Continuing to do research and talking with others who have been through it. Next appointment is Friday @ 2:15 with the new Plastic Surgeon, what will I do with myself tomorrow with no Doctors appointments?

Andy had PT today and came home moaning and groaning. He is getting some reflexology done now, hopefully that'll straighten him out, if not, it might be time for the Boobie martini!

So, I am reading the Unlikely Lavender Queen, it is the book you too can receive and read if you go to the Mirbeau event next month, anyways she had a great line today I read in which she said in times of trouble, "just drink your way through them", so if the next time you talk to me I am slurring alittle bit, or more than normal, just know I am trying out that technique. (I don't want to limit my coping mechanisms, so it is always good to try new ones when you come upon them.)
Cheers

How about a boobie martini, it's my latest specialty drink?

follow up, research, & decisions

I had my routine post op follow up with the Surgeon today. The incisions look good, no infection, and healing well. The bruising is a lot better too. Agreed the left boob has to go, now onto the advantages and disadvantages of taking the right one too. It seems so drastic to catch this so early and have such a good prognosis and to be looking at a bilateral mastectomy, which when you first think about it seems like something only someone with "really bad cancer" should do, but that is why people are living, because we catch it early and have so many more choices to elimante the problem.

I did finally connect with my previous plastic surgeon and he is retiring and not doing new surgeries (not even for me & I thought I was special to him), so I got some referrals and headed back to talk to surgeon for his opinion. I have an appointment this Friday with a Plastic Surgeon who was on both lists and who is the guy my surgeon works most with. Sure, I could go and get a million different names from other people and drive myself crazy with this, but I value relationships between people and if these guys work alot together then I figure I am getting the best with them. My Surgeon, other than holding out on bad news, has been awesome through this all. He also reminds me of Kevin Youlkolis, the first baseman from the red sox, so I have some positive transferrence for him.

So, once I meet with the Plastic Surgeon and if I like him and we agree on what we are doing, they suggest having the surgery within the next month. They would do the removal and reconstruction at the same time, 2 days in the hospital and then out to be doted on my family and friends. I also have some videos to watch on reconstruction if anyone wants to join me for a movie night!
Enough boring medical stuff,

Andy saw his doctor yesterday and his chest xray was clear and his ribs are healing, he doesn't need to be seen again there. He'll continue PT and now it is just time that will complete his healing process. He is using the sling PRN now and it is amazing how much it is really more of a communicator for others to be gentle with him, because if he is not wearing it people just want to hug and touch him!

So, off to second grade orientation tonight. Probably see some of you there.
Thanks again for your your support through this.
Sherie & Andy

Some News & A Weekend Away

Here is the family at the Red Sox game this weekend!

So, I tried to post a new blog Saturday morning @ 4am before we left for Toronto, but I ran out of time and didn't want to miss the bus ride there, so you all had a weekend free of the Ramsgard news. Lucky you, cause it wasn't great news.

On Friday, I had my first appointment with the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Bogart, one of Syracuse's best according to the CNY magazine this month. I happen to pick him becaue he was one of my first new friends when I moved to Syracuse all those years ago. The meeting was good and he explained all there is to know about radiation as it relates to me, Andy was there taking it all in as well. He also happened to have the pathology results I was still waiting to hear about from the Surgeon, so he shared those with me. It apprears when they took the breast "lump" and that extra 1 cm around it in surgery last week, that the 1 cm around it still has DCIS cells in it, in 3 different locations, which means they didn't get it all as they had hoped. Not great news, but still needed further info. from the surgeon as he was the one in there and could interpret what these results met to me.
So, we went to Shell & Marc's for dinner and continued to await the call from the surgeon. Let me tell you, if you awaiting what you know is already bad news, good friends, homemade chips & salsa, and a few mojitos help alot! The call came @ 6:32pm. The surgeon said he had already spoke with Dr. Bogart and asked if I had more questions. So the answer to my questions were:

1. yes, it is true, they did not get it all and there was involvement in 3 areas which isn't great, but it is still treatable.
2. He said he alrady took quite a bit of the breast tissue and as such, doing another lumpectomy would leave deformity and still require radiation & hormones.
3. He recommends a left breast mastectomy & reconstruction with hormone treatment following. no radiation needed as they are taking the boob and there is no lymph node involvement, that was still clear!
4. He also said some people also opt for the bilateral mastectomy, what I now call the "Christina Applegate" if they feel they will worry about reoccurance too much in the other breast or have a strong family history/test positive for the gene thing. He said research does not indicate a direct correlation of DCIS occuring in the other breast just because it occurs in one. Also, with doing a bilateral I will forego the radiation and possibly the hormones (I have a call into my oncologist to find out the answer to this as the surgeon didn't know for sure)
5. He recommends talking to the Plastic Surgeon now to see what he thinks about one versus two as far as comsmetic outcome. I have a call into him now and lets face it people, at this point, the cancer is going one way or the other and what is really important after all this is a nice set of boobs!

So, I have been doing lots of research on this all and reading about what other people choose to do and why and trying to figure out what will be right for me and Andy. I also have names from several of you and friends of yours that I can talk to who have been through this and I plan on talking with them too. I obviously also need to talk with the Oncologist and Plastic Surgeon and I am optimistic that will happen today.

I meet back with the Surgeon tomorrow for follow up from the surgery and to discuss what I want to do. I have a scheduled mtg. with the Oncologist on Wed. and I still planning on going to that and seeing if he can shed any more light on all this. So that's all for me right now, let's move on to happy stuff...

Rex had a great 10th birthday in Toronto watching 2 Blue Jay/Red Sox games back to back Sat./Sun. they lost the first one, but won on his birthday with Dice K pitching. (It was our first time seeing him pitch and it was awesome. Rex also got the treat of having his name on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. It was a quick trip up and back, but very memorable & a nice distraction. We also got Rex a signed Jacoby Ellsbury rookie card, which made him pretty darn happy! Andy, on the other hand, not so happy as he had no recliner to sleep in and sleeping in the hotel room chair just wasn't the same. Poor thing, he was happy to be home and weathered the pain of the bus ride well. He'd do anything to make sure Rex had a great time!

Andy is off to an appointment today. He is having another chest xray and meeting with his surgeon for follow up on the lungs and ribs. There are still occassions I will look over and see he is still pretty uncomfortable, but he keeps it pretty well hidden most of the time.

Thanks to all for all the incoming cards/flowers/snacks/meals/gifts. It warms our hearts to know we have such giving and loving friends.
Sherie

October Meal Schedule...

-you can CLICK to enlarge calender-

updated Oct 1, 2008

Many of you have asked... so here you go!

The Ramsgard October Meal Schedule...

just email Helen

(helmike@verizon.net)

to get your day!

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

One Week Post Op

9.18.08

Andy and I on the Erie Canal trip(8.08)headed for some then unknown trouble ahead

I removed all the bandages and took a look at the boob, it isn't that bad! As I mentioned before, the lymph node removal scar is the worst and I can't wear shirts that cover it because it rubs against it, so I am forced to wear tank tops and expose you all to the ugliness. Some may say it is my attempt at getting sympathy, but it really just feels better with it exposed and nothing on it. If you make note of the scar when you see me and seem interested in more, I am sharing the bruising and other scar that is hiding under my shirt, I haven't had any waredrobe malfunctions yet with nipple slippage, but there's always that chance I guess. Funny, no men have wanted to see it, I guess it's pretty nasty looking for those with a week stomach and apparently men can't get past their week stomach enough even if it means seeing my boob! Seriously, the scar on my boob is minimal and on the underneath, so once the brusing is gone, you'll never know anyone took a clump of cancerous cells from there. It doesn't appear that there is any disfiguration or big hole. So, now my daily breast care routine includes:

1. taking the pain meds, as it is still pretty sore

2. rubbing on arnica gel for the bruising & swelling (thank you Ali & your clotting disorder for the knowledge and prompt deliver of the arnica)

3. applying mederma on the scars to reduce the incidence of visable scars in 6-8 weeks

4. rubbing on lavender oil for healthy breast restoration, to fight off infection, and cause it just smells good

It is amazing I have time for any other part of my body, my family, or any of you, but I am good at multi-tasking and organizing.

I called the Doctor yesterday to find out if they had the final report on my node and tissue evaluation. They still didn't and said they hope to have it today and would call. I see the Radiation Oncologist tomorrow for the initial evaluation and anticipate I will start radiation treatments within the next week or two.

So, yes I am out and about again, so careful on the roads if you see me. I drove myself to a hair appointment on Tuesday and had a lovely time with everyone @ Bijou. Kim gave me a book, "Are you there vodka, it's me Sherie". Ok, it didn't say my name, but I substituted my name in cause it should say my name.

The Ciaccios made us come to them for dinner Tuesday. It was nice eating out and having company. Lori was very strict with me and wouldn't let me help at all. Ruby hit her eye against a table while there and we had to rush her to Dr. Ciaccio's chair (he's an ER doc) where he administered emergency TLC and a dab of opthalmic ointment. The next morning Ruby got up and stood in my nursing line to have her treatment and I think she now feels she belongs to our ailing family. Rex's rash has resolved, sio he's due for something soon!

I had lunch with my parents and sister yesterday, my parents are heading to a NASCAR race today and wanted to make sure I was able to manage without them. Dad mowed the lawn before he went, thanks Roggie!

Went to Rex's 5th grade orientation last evening and had a chance to see alot of you, you all look so good! Mr. B is pretty enthusiastic and makes me want to be in 5th grade, the kids are going to have a great year!

So, about Andy.

He is back to a normal schedule at work. No time for naps again for him. He is tired by the time he comes home. PT has been going well and he is not using the sling as much, even in public, so if you see him and want to give him a big hug or slap, make sure you do it on his left side.

He still is trying to sleep in the recliner, but has even had nights where he can't sleep in that. Good thing he is use to getting by on little sleep. He's still quite uncomfortable, but putting on a good face.

Well, the boss is calling now asking for me to do some work, so work I will. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from the Doc about my final results.

Got my tickets for the Breast Cancer event at Mirbeau, Did you?

Sherie

NEWS ALERT! sherie takes a 2 hour nap!

NEWS ALERT: Sherie Ramsgard takes a 2 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon! It is true, I just woke up after sitting down in the recliner 2 hours ago. Either sports central was really boring or I actual can nap.
And what is this smut, TMZ, that is on @4pm? I love it! I know most of you are probably watching the big O or Ellen, but this TMZ is where it is at, it is like the Courtney Cox show “dirt”, but it is real. Move over E!, you may be being replaced on Sherie’s favorite entertainment show.

So, big day. I removed the bandages over the lymph node area. The incision is about 2 inch long, bigger than I thought it would be. No sutures, seems they used the super glue stuff. It is clear and no sign of infection. I covered it back up with a new, smaller bandage so as not to gross anyone out, although I will show you if you want to see it! I still haven’t changed the boob one. It doesn’t look like they took much with the bandage on, but I’ll wait a day or two on that one. The area is on the underneath of my girl, so I could easily pad it if I had to. I just have to keep telling myself an imperfect boob is better than no boob at all! And I just heard my plastic surgeon is retiring in December, so all you ladies I encouraged to get a boob lift, better stop procrastinating and make that call!

I am still trying to come up with a boob sling to wear in public so I can warn people to be gentle with their hugs due to the recent surgery to my left breast and also get the sympathy Andy gets when he wears his!
If I don’t come up with something soon, I may have to wear the tank top that exposes the lymph node incision and bruising around my arm pit.

Andy hasn’t napped all day today, he just stopped home for some medication and said his arm is killing him today. He has been in back to back meetings today and he is feeling it. Ms Maria is scheduled this evening for reflexology and/or cranial sacral work on both of us tonight.

Dinners have been great, we’ve had no repeats yet and a great variety of them. The kids have enjoyed trying them all and for the most part, are liking them.

We appreciate all of you working so hard to get us back on track. I suppose it is better than any of you having to throw the New Years Eve party this year if we weren’t better.

Sherie

UPDATES: via Sherie

After a quick out to Rex’s soccer game in the morning, in which he got 2 goals, Andy & I rested the rest of Saturday. We watched movies and read, napping also happened for Andy in between, but I can not force myself to do it. Lying still for as long as I did yesterday was a major feat for me though. I think we did 4 movies in a row. The Ohlin’s were having a traditional Swedish crayfish party and as we could not attend, they brought us all the makings for our very own party. We skipped the vodka shots, but we looked pretty cute in the crayfish hats and bibs!

We took a walk into town on Sunday late morning (the doctor told andy to get moving) after a scrumptious breakfast was delivered by the Harms/Datz family. It was so beautiful out we decided to remain outside and went and sat at the lake. We read and caught up with friends there, what a beautiful day.

My arm pit continues to be sore and swollen, it is turning a lovely shade of purple now, still haven’t checked out the boob area. There is some soreness/tenderness there now too, but no real pain.
Healing takes time, so I am just trying to lay low and let it happen. I meet with the Radiation Oncologist this Friday to talk about the radiation schedule. Follow up with the surgeon and oncologist are the following week.

Andy continues to have pain and is doing his best to stay active and move, but also take it easy. It is a delicate balance and just when he thinks he has it down, it changes on him. He is working on a presentation for work tomorrow, he is getting good at drawing with him arm in a sling! He is doing PT 2 times a week now and doesn’t follow up with his doctor until the following week.

Hope everyone else enjoyed this beautiful day!
We again thank you all for everything.

Sherie & Andy

UPDATES: via Sherie

So I did come home last evening. They let me go after I drank 2 glasses of water, ate 1 jello cup, and pee-pee’d 500cc’s! I asked what had to be done to go and that is what they told me, so I did it. The older lady in what was to be my room helped motivate me after she was moaning and groaning and called the nurse 5 times in the 1 hour I was there. I was home by 9:30pm. Unfortunately, by the time I came out of recovery I was no longer hungry and a bit nauseous, so no McDonalds either! My mom fixed me a nice bowl of oatmeal and a lortab and I was set for bed. I slept well in my own bed, left side prompted on pillows, Andy continues to hog the recliner for his night time as he still can’t lie recline flat.

Andy worked all day, My mom was here with me. She did laundry, cleaned the fish tanks, and reorganized the millions of cards and flowers you are all sending. It was starting to look like a funeral in our kitchen, so Helen suggested we spread the flowers out to the other rooms and Mom did a nice job hanging the cards up on the magnetic wall. In between all that she shopped for some kid essentuials, got my medications, and made me my meals. She said I make a better nurse than I do a patient. She said I was moving around too much and at one point said “I am going to kill you if you don’t lay down and rest!” Well, after having made it through surgery with such a great outcome I felt it was not my time to die, so I rested! Mom was also a great help the past few days, as she has been my whole life, so I would hate to see her go to jail for killing me.

As far as the recovery, it is not too bad. My boob feels fine, just a bit swollen. Where they took the sentinel lymph node however is sore and swollen. It was hiding behind my massive muscles, so they had to go a bit deep and it is right in my arm pit, so I can not lift my left arm or use it for much. Not to fret, together Andy and I have one full set of working arms! We are quite a pair right now. Can’t wash my hair, but Ruby said my braids were cute! The lortabs for pain are keeping me comfortable and nicely relaxed!

So, the Doctor said they are doing some more extensive testing today on the lymph node and breast tissue just to make sure they got it all. The initial testing yesterday was all good, but they like to look a little closer just to make sure and said they will have those results early next week.

Off to route on the Yankees, yes you heard me right, they are playing the Devil Rays who are 2 ½ games ahead of the Red Sox, so we want the Yankees to win this weekend!

Thanks for all those prayers and thoughts, they really helped keep me in a good place yesterday and continue to help me heal now. As the kids will be off at friends and family most of Saturday and Sunday, Andy & I will just be having crazy sex the whole weekend! Well, maybe not really, but in our lortab dreams!

Love ya all, Sherie and Andy

anyone wanna go??

I recently forward an email invite to Sherie regarding this event … “wanna go?”, I said…She said.."I am having a hard time thinking of myself at these things and being a survivor. However, dinner & drinks at mirbeau, free gift bags, and the Baldwins pulls me in.”

There ya go.. Survivor or not..some good reasons to go – right?? As well as education, information and hanging with the girls!

wanna join Sherie and friends??

Nourish Your Mind, Body & Spirit: presented by Carol M. Baldwin Foundation, Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Creekside Books & Coffee, Laura's List

Inspirational stories, spa pajama party, special guest appearance by the Baldwin family* cocktail hour * Spa tote/goody bag for each attendee sponsored by CNY Healing Arts (Dr. Robert Kiltz) *A copy of keynote speaker Jeannie Ralston's book The Unlikely Lavender Queen featured on Good Morning America *Vendors with inspirational products for women
Mind-body wellness experts from Mirbeau Inn & Spa that will lead transforming exercises for women *Motivational Humorist Yvonne Conte, with best seller Serious Laughter *Dinner provided by world class Mirbeau Giverny restaurant, wine donated by local Anyela's Vineyards, Espresso Bar by Creekside Books & Coffee *Signature pink ribbon dessert donated by Patisserie *Jennifer Tom, founder of Positively Pink Packages, a breast cancer survivor will help Laura lead "The Survivors Circle", for women to share inspirational stories of hope...

Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Skaneateles, NY
Thursday, October 23rd @ 5:00 PM

Tickets go on sale Sept. 15th. Evening event tickets available at Creekside; overnight packages sold at Mirbeau Inn & Spa.

SHERIE updates: via Andy...

Hello... Shelly here. I just got off the phone with andy… 8:00PM .Sherie got out of surgery at 7:10pm.

- (She started a bit late) something about the dye injection taking longer than expected.

- sentinel lymph node tested negative

–which was GOOD!

- the surgery went well – just as planned.

- at 8:30pm she is still in recovery… starting to wake up she has a sore throat but is craving a McDonald's milk shake and double cheeseburger… (andy says that will need to wait until tomorrow!)

She wants to come home tonight… so the plan is to stay for a couple of hours and hope they release her soon.

Nite, Nite Sherie…

we love you..

UPDATES: via Sherie

Andy has his first Physical Therapy session to get his shoulder moving as he has been in the sling for the past week for his broken collar bone, he survived. What he is not surviving is all the hilarious cards that you are all sending. He had to take an extra pain medicine yesterday after reading them all. Our kitchen island is filled with cards and flowers, thank you so much for all you well wished, Andy is feeling the love and laughter again.

I had my third massage this week in preparation for surgery tomorrow. Maria, the queen of Licensed Massage Therapist, said my body is relaxed and ready. She also gave me some lavender oil to help promote breast health and ward out virus and illness from being in the hospital. I feel good and smell pretty!

I have been listening to an empowering CD Shelly made me and eating lots, cause Ms. Bev said I would be hungry with no food after midnight! Apparently I can sneak in a few gin & tonics as long as its before 8pm.
All my lists are made and Mom and Dad are ready to fill in tomorrow with the kids and all their scheduled activities. Friends are helping with pick ups and drop offs from the kids different activities, dinners and goodies are rolling in, and lots of cards, emails, and comments on the blog fill my head with positive thoughts and energy. I even had some time to distribute popcorn to eager cub scouts getting ready to sell @ the P&C.

So, I am good and feel no worry or anxiety at this point. I have great Doctors and nurses to see me through everything tomorrow. Andy will be with me the whole day and will let all of you know how everything goes as soon as it is over.

Thank you all again for everything,
Sherie

meals...yum...THANK YOU!

you can click on calendar to enlarge

meal schedule updated Friday 9-12-08

looks like the Ramsgard family has had some delicious

food offerings for the month of September - thank YOU everyone!!

sherie did request a few "no thank you" days so that they could eat left overs a few evening a month and not waste anything!

depending on how sherie is feeling.. we may add a calendar of October..
stay tuned! Thanks again! if you have any questions... or would like to

get your name on the calendar - please email Shelly or Helen.

ANDY updates - via sherie

Andy had 2 follow up appointments today. Dr. Pietropaoli, the top Orthopedic/sports Medicine guy this side of Auburn, saw him for his collar bone (In all honesty, Dr. P. is the Sports Doc.for the Auburn Doubledays, Syracuse Chiefs, & Toronto Blue Jays baseball teams, so our guy is in great hands!) It was a clean break and appears to be aligning nicely. He may have a small bump on his right collar bone once it is completely healed. He will start Physical Therapy @ Victory Sports this week to help get his shoulder moving again. His shoulder is a nice shade of yellow with hues of purple and red! I might add that his bones look sexy even on xray!

Dr. Wormuth, the ER/Thoracic surgeon saw him again today for his ribs and lung. It appears our boy broke 4 ribs, not the measly 2 we mentioned earlier (that according to Andy, gets him 2 more days in the lazy boy recliner). His lung is fully re- expanded and there is no blood or fluid leakage! He survived and worked it out without the dreaded chest tube they initially threaten. Yeah for Andy and a good set of lungs.

Overall,
1.Andy worked all morning, but was visible tired and ready for more pain meds and a nap after his appointments.
2. He has cut back on the narcotics, as they were making his head “foggy” and is using mostly the advil and muscle relaxant. He also got a pain patch today to try out, thank you Dr. Nathan for that suggestion!
3. He is driving around town, so be careful if you see him!
4. He re-visited the site of the accident over the weekend, the soy field is still matted where we landed, and he was very lucky people saw him flying through the air because he could have been lost in that field of soybeans for awhile. His skin has never looked better from lying in the soybeans!
5. He just had a reflexology treatment with our Maria and he is looking relaxed.

Everyone have a martini for him cause he can’t drink with all these meds.

Sherie

UPDATES: via Sherie monday 9-8-08

I called to clarify how things work on Thursday because a lot of people were asking questions about the timeline and it wasn’t making sense to them or me, guess I was zoning during the original explanation. So what they said today is: 10am – I am admitted to One Day Surgery Center @ Community. They send me over to Wellspring Breast Center, which is attached to Community.

At Wellspring:
*they will do more mammograms and locate the area of concern. They will do a needle localization where there put in a marker for the surgeon so he knows where to go and take the cells. (under local anesthesia)

*They will then inject some dye into the breast and locate the sentinel lymph node and remove that (still just local anesthesia) and send to lab for immediate evaluation.

Back to surgery center @ the hospital at this point where they will put me under general anesthesia
*they will start lumpectomy
*they will receive word from lab about lymph node findings and if they need to do more
*they also are immediately testing the tissue they are removing in the lumpectomy to test the borders. The *theory is to remove 1 cm. more around the area of concern and test the borders. If the borders are clear, *then they know they got everything. They keep doing that right there until borders are clear.

I will send Andy’s follow ups this evening once we get back.

Sherie

UPDATES: via Sherie

"Andy... just try and relax... just TRY it...just a little bit "

Sherie: I had pretesting on Thursday and I’m scheduled for surgery @ 10am on 9.11. (Thursday) I will have a sentinel lymph node removal first -where they test to make sure it hasn’t spread – may not know for a week. Then will have lumpectomy @ 3pm. If surgery is on time and I come out of anesthesia well, I’ll be home that night. If I need more time, I’ll be home next morning. My mom will be home with the kids, Andy will be with me.

Andy: had follow up with Doctor on Thursday. The extra air around his lung is going down, but still there, no blood! They will do another chest

x-ray and follow up on 9.8. No chest tube was needed as it seems to be resolving on own. Remains in a sling and a lot of pain, but comfortable with meds. Hopes to be back to working a bit more on Tuesday, but clients keep cancelling his meetings on him so he can’t work! Following up with Dr. Pietropauli on 9.8 for his collar bone.

Thank you to everyone for all the meals and snacks thus far. All the calls, emails, and cards too. Andy asks that you send more serious cards as the funny ones make him laugh and that hurts.

If anyone has any questions on any of the SurvivorMan or Myth busters, let Andy know, he saw every episode while in the hospital!

how can I help??

yes - this is sherie and andy... basking in the last days of summer (before the triathlon of course ). They sure do have a knack for always enjoying life...always creating fun for others... and always always being there to lend a hand when one is needed.

now it is our turn - they may need a bit of help here and there over the next few weeks.."how can I help??" I (Shelly Kennedy) have been asked that so many times this week... I really haven't been sure what to say. I called our good friend Helen (Glowacki) and she was already on task - had a list of people wanting to help clear into next week... so we thought together..."how can we put this energy to good use"

so... here it is. our attempt at organized LOVE.

I started a blog for them.

I'm hoping well wishers will post prayers, jokes, stories - whatever.

Please add comments ( just click the "comment" button below ... it is easy!)

I'm also hoping that sherie and andy will post as well - keeping us all updated on their new favorite Fall TV shows and of course their health progress.

The RULES: 101 ... please.

OK.. so, not to be picky.. but let's face it... we are trying to HELP...

so here are some things to think about.. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

It’s a good idea to use disposable dishes (so the family will have no dishes to clean up) or containers they can leave outside the door for you to pick up later that evening. Disposable is BEST… but if you just can’t do that… then please make sure your dishes, platters, bowls (EVERYTHING!) is clearly labeled with your name!

The family loves to eat:
andy and sherie eat anything, kids are a bit more picky, but easy to supplement. nothing will go un eaten.

foods the kids really LOVE:

pasta, pizza (Marks), steaks, roast beef, grilled chicken and pork

The family loathes: lamb - (but andy does like it).

The family can’t eat: no food allergies

The family likes to snack on:

popcorn, we have enough, lightly salted

almonds & cashews, cookies, brownies ,

The family eats at: 7 pm,

so please drop off sometime between 5:30 and 6:30.

there will be a cooler on the front porch for drop offs.

sherie takes her coffee..
* iced mocha mint, no whipped cream, and for a special treat..
iced hazelnut with small pump of hazelnut flavoring

andy takes his coffee:
* plain, no flavor, with cream

If you decide to say "HI", be sure to excuse yourself quickly so the Ramsgards have lots of time to themselves to enjoy your kind offering! Be considerate of the date you are scheduled to make your delivery. (email me at shelly@drooz.com, or Helen at helmike@verizon.net if you'd like to help) If for some reason you can’t drop off as planned – please try to give a few hours notice so we don’t have a hungry family waiting at their kitchen table!

FORBID CLEANUP: Either make sure plates and casseroles are disposable, or include a note insisting that your friend leave the (still dirty!) dishes in a basket outside the door for you to pick up.

MAKE QUICK DELIVERIES: Because we want the Ramsgards to savor this moment of comfort with the family (instead of feeling pressure to entertain friends) it would be greatly appreciated if you would drop your goodies/baskets at the door. If you do stop to share a quick bit of news from the outside world, do it briefly—then escort yourselves out…. (they love you…they love company…but they need rest too!) Homework, baths, and bedtimes await!

NO THANKS REQUIRED! Perhaps most important, insist on a “no thank-you notes” policy. I have sent a quick e-mail to Sherie saying that Emily Post had phoned (from the great beyond!) to inform us that the proper etiquette in this situation was to ignore any impulse to write thank-you notes and to use the time instead to cuddle with the kids or sip a glass of wine.

Thank You to everyone who wants to help

and to those you have already jumped right in to make Sherie & Andy's days a bit easier...