I was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in July 2008.  I really didn’t have any symptoms until right before I was diagnosed.  My cancer had spread from my ovaries to my bowels, omentum, diaphragm and onto my lungs.  I had a complete hysterectomy, debulking procedure, and a  colostomy.

Sherri lives with her loving husband, Tom, in Bethlehem, PA. She enjoys spending time in the garden and starting her own plants from seeds. She also enjoys spending time traveling with her husband, spending time with family and friends, and going to the local baseball team games.

After my surgery, I had several courses of chemotherapy. Over the last several years, I have had several courses of chemotherapy as needed to keep my cancer maintained. In 2009, I had my colostomy reversed. Over the next year, I developed a fistula on my ureter and got repeated urinary tract infections and fevers and spent quite a bit of time in the hospital.  In 2010, I had surgery to fix this problem.  I had a resection of my ureter with a bowel resection. My doctor used part of my bowel and rebuilt my ureter.

Since that time, my cancer has spread into my lungs and my upper spine, and I was having difficulty breathing since my lungs began to collect fluid. I had to sleep downstairs in a hospital bed and use oxygen and use a wheelchair for long distances. I had bilateral catheters put into my lungs in order to drain them at home on an as needed basis.

This has given me some freedom back. At the present time, I am receiving chemotherapy and monthly injections to help with the disease in the spinal column. Thanks to the good Lord and my wonderful doctor, I continue enjoying life and travel when I can. I have learned that cancer is a chronic disease and becomes a lifestyle. It is up to the indvidual how we choose to live it.