Merry Christmas!!

(back) Erin, Rob, Alyson, TJ, James, Currie, Madison, Jake, Kristina, Mason, Terri, Bill

(front) Kate, Daryn, Isabelle, Tim, Parker, Graham, Sharon, Cassie, Will

Sharon & Tim are celebrating Christmas with 10 grandchildren and their parents in Sapphire, North Carolina. The weather is interesting with clear skies one day and drizzle the next. The children have enjoyed making ornaments, decorating the tree, playing with trains, sledding, decorating cookies, hiking and just spending time together. It's been an amazing week so far and it's just half way through!

Sharon's been tired yet enjoying the whole experience. Each day is a blessing.

It's a good life!

back to the mountains

Sharon was released this morning. They're headed back to Asheville for a relaxing weekend.

in Greenville for now

Sharon and Tim with grandson Jake in Ponce Inlet FL

Sharon's been at St. Francis since last week. She's resting up after a stint and her picc line were replaced. She plans to be released soon so they can get up to Asheville and plan for the big Wagner Christmas!

Erin, Sharon & Rob at Thanksgiving

Thankful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving sunset in Ponce Inlet, Florida

Sharon and Tim arrived in Daytona Beach Florida on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Their stay at the beach was filled with laughter, love, family & friends. They left the coast today for a visit in Gainesville with more family and friends. On Tuesday, they'll head back to the mountains.

Sharon and Alma on Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharon and Tim made it safely to Daytona Beach, Florida yesterday and are enjoying a relaxing vacation. Tomorrow they will celebrate Thanksgiving with a whole bunch of family!

We are thankful. It's a good life!

Sharon met with the oncologist today. Blood tests came back normal although the tumor is still around her artery.

The oncologist suggests that she get a second opinion at MD Anderson in Houston and is scheduling the appointment. The doc's eventual goal is surgery which is currently not an option in Greenville.

Sharon has been approved for travel. She and Tim will head to Florida on Tuesday for Thanksgiving at their daughter's home.

Back in Asheville

Sharon enjoyed a beautiful ride up the mountain today. She'll be spending time in Asheville and working with a PT on getting some energy. She and Tim plan to celebrate Thanksgiving with a few of their children in Florida.

Sharon moved back to the Oncology floor yesterday evening. Her heart is happy and now she'll be working on getting those muscles moving! Let's all wish for a soon release...

October came and went...

Sharon welcomed November with the Gators winning big over the Bulldogs.  She watched the game with Tim at St. Francis on the cardiology floor.  After 3 weeks in the hospital, doctors still can't figure out what's causing her nausea and lack of energy.  Her heart beat has been a bit strange hence the cardio oversight.

Keep those positive thoughts flowing.  

November brings a chance for thanks and we're thankful for Sharon!

approaching Halloween...

BOO!

Sharon is still in the hospital. She is cutting back on medications; her energy is improving as well as her nausea. Doctors are thrilled with her progress and, as doctors do, they want to find out what's behind it all.

leaves are changing in Greenville

Sharon is still "relaxing" at St. Francis and her energy has improved. There's still no medical explanation for the high temperature - it could be her body's way of fighting and pushing the cancer out of her body.

Some beautiful colors of Autumn can be seen from Sharon's 5th floor suite. Fall sure is beautiful!

Sharon's still at St. Francis and is feeling much better.

In the hospital

Over the past week, Sharon has been plagued with high fevers in the morning that roller-coaster throughout the day. She had a routine check up with the oncologist yesterday. When she arrived in Greenville, she was barely alert and could not stand. A blood pressure test showed it to be dangerously low and so she was admitted to St. Francis. Tests have been done but no results have been presented yet.

Sharon will spend the weekend in the hospital under close supervision awaiting the newest test results.

Moving back to the mountains!

Sharon's last day of radiation is today and they're all packed up and ready to move back to Asheville. The doctors have suspended any treatments for the month of October while she heals from radiation and detoxs the chemo.

On the radiation home stretch!

Sharon's last day of radiation will be either 9/24 or 9/25. The doctors are quite pleased with her reaction to the treatments. Because she's so tough and has her mind on the prize, they've decided to narrow and intensify the radiation treatment for the last week. It's going to take a major toll on her energy, but that's a small sacrifice for the ass kicking it'll do to the tumor.

The oncologists are in the process of creating her future treatment plans. It's believed that she'll remain on some sort of chemo, whether IV or oral, for the next few months. Detailed scans of the pancreas can't be done until swelling from radiation goes down in about 4 weeks, so they're going to keep aiming the big guns at it.

Sharon and Tim plan to spend the entire month of October in Asheville. What a change! Hopefully Sharon's energy will return so she can hit the town with friends and family. November will be spent in Florida vacationing in St. Augustine and visiting family and friends throughout the state. December will find them back in North Carolina preparing for the BIG WAGNER CHRISTMAS!!! Every 3rd year, Sharon, Tim, their 5 kids (& spouses) & 10 grandchildren get together for a week in the mountains.

Keep the positivity flowing!! Remission is the mission.

Weekend in Asheville

Sharon and Tim are spending a relaxing weekend in Asheville. Back to Greenville on Monday for the final week of radiation!

Celebrating Sharon's birthday last weekend with son T.J. and granddaughters Isabelle & Alyson.

Smooth week

Only a week and a half more of radiation! Sharon is very drained and finds talking on the phone difficult. However, she's checking her email nearly every day, so send a message, share a story or just drop a line!

Chemo will continue indefinitely as of now. At the end of October, Sharon will have in-depth testing done to see the success.

We're pulling for full remission!!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy birthday, Sharon/Mom/Gram!!! We love you.

Sharon & Tim with their 5 children in May
Kristina, Rob, TJ, James, Bill

Back in Greenville

Sharon & Tim returned to Greenville yesterday to resume radiation treatment today. This kicks off week four of the second phase!

Labor Day weekend...

in Asheville! Sharon was released from St. Francis this afternoon. She and Tim are driving to Asheville to spend the long weekend at home. The radiation/chemo combo has been very draining and she's sleeping a lot. The body must repair itself even when kicking some cancer butt!

Sharon will be celebrating her birthday on Friday, September 5th.

It's a good life!

Resting at St. Francis

Sharon's in the hospital attending to the infection. The port was removed last night and some tests are being done to determine if it's causing the recurring infection.

Because she's so strong, radiation and chemo will continue while all the tests are completed! There's no stopping will-power, positive thinking, eastern medicine & western drugs! Sharon will prevail.

Cheering squad at the Cancer Center.
Kristina, Madison, Parker & Currie

Making history!

Sharon's cancer tumor levels dropped dramatically since the last testing. The blood test revealed a level of 89; normal levels are 0-50. She's making history - and the oncologist has never seen results like this! Keep up the positive thoughts because they're working!

Photo op at the Cancer Center - chemo sure is fun!

Shrink, tumor, shrink - and then disappear!!

Mod squad.

Sharon's "back to her roots" with her '60s, fun-lovin' hair-do!


The treatment is going well after round 2. Now that she's "marked" for radiation, the 11am appointment only last a few minutes. That gives her the opportunity to rest afterward and enjoy the second half of the day. She's going shopping this afternoon for some funky earrings to match the hair!

xo HUGS xoxo LOVE xo

Session 2, Round 1 - ding ding ding

The second session of attack began this morning in Greenville. Sharon started the chemo pump and daily radiation. This is a new chemotherapy drug that helps intensify the radiation. The goal is to continue thinning out the tumor and shrink it. It may last up to 6 weeks with Sharon and Tim occasionally spending weekends Asheville.

Let's KO this jerk of a tumor!

Relaxing in Asheville

Sharon was released from St. Francis yesterday in time to spend one night in the apartment! They drove back to Asheville to relax for the weekend. Then back to Greenville either Sunday or Monday to begin the regimen.

Delayed update...

Rather than begin the new chemo/radiation regimen on Monday, Sharon was admitted to St. Francis for observation and round-the-clock antibiotics. Her temp spiked to 104 and so the doctors chose the hospital. That dang infection!

Her spirits are up and her energy is rising.

Caterpillars on the milkweed plant in Asheville.

In Greenville, gearing up!

Sharon & Tim have made it safely to Greenville and are getting settled in the new apartment. You can contact them via cell phone and email.

confirmation!

Sharon met with the oncologist in Greenville today and he confirmed eradication of the infection!

Sharon & Tim will move to Greenville on Sunday, August 3. She'll begin a new IV Chemo drug on Monday that works well with radiation. Radiation begins on Tuesday and will be a Monday - Friday event while the chemo is 'round the clock. They may visit Asheville on the weekends...

Gram & Pop giving grandson Jake a little love

Infection eradicated!

The pesky port infection is nowhere to be found! Sharon's body worked well with the antibiotics and her white blood cells are now back to normal.

Meeting with the radiologist went well today and treatment will begin in Greenville on August 3rd or 4th.

tucking in granddaughter Isabelle on July 22nd

Thank you, everyone, for your continued love and support!!

live, love, laugh

Sharon meets with the radiologist for the first time on Friday. An apartment has been secured in Greenville (thanks to Sharon's daughter-in-law) starting on August 4th. It's only 10 minutes from the Cancer Center, making it a haven for 5 weeks of daily radiation!

Sharon continues oral chemotherapy to keep breaking down the tumor.

The pesky port infection has been attacked with IV antibiotics for almost a week. Ratification is expected with this dose! Sharon's energy has increased and she says she feels good. It's obvious when her laughter is heard through the house!

Visualize Sharon at her highest and best self.

Victory!

Sharon's test results showed that the chemotherapy did exactly what it was supposed to do! The tumor is less dense and has remained local (at the head of the pancreas)! The next step is 5 weeks of daily radiation to SHRINK the tumor.

WHOO HOOOO! It's a good life!

No new news...

Because of a mix up between facilities, the doctors at the Cancer Center haven't seen the test results yet! Another appointment is scheduled for Wednesday.

The suspense is intense!

Enjoying time at home.

Sharon enjoyed the week in Asheville with children, grandchildren and friends visiting.

She experienced some discomfort and fever but avoided infection! She fought the fevers and was able to stay home rather than the hospital. She travels to Greenville on Monday to review the test results with the oncologists at the Cancer Center.

Sharon, we expect the best!!

Still relaxing in Asheville

Sharon has spent a wonderful week in Asheville. Tomorrow morning, she will have some tests done in Asheville to determine the success of the current treatment.

Bring it on - let's see how small that tumor is getting!!

On the road again!

Sharon made it in and out of St. Francis in record time! She's heading back to Asheville today to enjoy being home.

Sharon with newest grandson, Parker, born on June 2.

Keep shrinking, tumor!

Chemo session #4

Sharon was cleared by the oncologist yesterday to begin another chemotherapy session. The IV started this morning at St. Francis in Greenville. After the 3 day IV treatment, she'll be released on Monday to spend time in Asheville.

Kick some cancer butt!!

Relaxing in Asheville

Sharon made her way to Asheville yesterday for a couple days of relaxation. Tomorrow is a scheduled check up in Greenville and the start of the next chemo treatment.

Future looks bright!

A blood test for pancreatic cancer cells reveals that Sharon is responding very well to the chemotherapy! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!

She is also clear of infection and looks forward to heading back to Asheville tomorrow. She's scheduled for another round of IV chemo in Greenville on Thursday.

2007 Christmas with grandkids Jake, Will & Cassie.

The positive thoughts are working! Shrink, tumor, shrink!!

Early departure

Sharon arrived in Greenville a day (before her scheduled outpatient check up) because of a high grade fever. She was admitted to St. Francis and is in room 517. Her fever has reduced significantly and she's under observation.

Home already? YES!

What a great session in Greenville! With just a bit of experimenting, Sharon quickly stabilized with the IV treatment and was released from the hospital in record time! She is enjoying time in Asheville before an outpatient check up on Friday in Greenville. She should stay put for about 10 more days before the IV chemo starts all over again.

Thank you to everyone for your positive support and genuine love! Comments on the blog are very much appreciated. Voice mails are always received with a delighted ear.

Anyone wanting to bring food or hang out at the Wagner house while Tim runs errands, please call any of the phones or shoot Tim an email to schedule.

THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU

Receiving REMax award

Stay strong, Sharon. You are a winner!!

Chemo going well

Sharon is doing great with the newly designed chemo regimen. She's been resting well at St. Francis and plans to head back to Asheville after 2 more IV treatments.

Keep hydrated, eat eat eat &
shrink tumor shrink!!

All is stable... moving back up!

Sharon will be transferred this morning to the 5th floor (oncology) to begin the IV chemo. She woke up this morning feeling rested and ready to conquer the day!

Kick some tumor butt!

Back to Greenville!

Sharon arrived in Greenville this afternoon to begin a fresh session of chemo. Because of a fever and irregular heartbeat, she'll be watched closely tonight before beginning the regimen tomorrow.

Please take a moment to comment on the blog. Sharon loves reading about your love, support and encouragement! You can always publish your comments "anonymous" if you're shy. :)

Shrink, tumor, shrink!!

Asheville at last!

Sharon arrived to Asheville today around 3:00. She'll be there until the fresh round of chemo in Greenville on Thursday.

Those wanting to drop by food (lunch & dinner much appreciated!) or who would like to spend some time at the house while Tim runs errands, please call the house or on either cell phone.

It's a good life!

Into the weekend...

Sharon has now had several consecutive days of feeling good! She'll be heading to Asheville on Monday to rest, relax and catch up on life.

Still in Greenville

Sharon is still at St. Fancis Hospital in Greenville and plans to be there until at least Saturday. The healthcare team is working on balancing her medications so that she is in little discomfort during chemo. When things are where they should be, she'll be able to administer most chemo at home!

She wishes she could chat on the phone more often with her family and friends. All calls and cards are very much appreciated even if not returned immediately. Please know that you are in her thoughts. Please keep visualizing Sharon as her highest and best self.

Sharon is healthy and filled with love & gratitude!!

Transferred to Greenville today!

Sharon transferred her care to Greenville SC today to work with an oncologist with more pancreatic experience. She was admitted to St. Francis Hospital, where her daughter-in-law Currie works, to begin chemo under a watchful eye.

The first IV chemo drug was administered this evening and she'll complete the regimen over the next few days in Greenville. She plans to be back in Asheville in the middle of next week.

Stay strong, Sharon, and keep drinking that H2O!

Home at last!

Sharon was released from the hospital around noon today. She's still very tired and needs to focus on hydration.

At 2007 Mimi Celebration with granddaughters Madison & Cassie

Drink, Sharon, drink!

Those pesky red blood cells

Sharon had a little dip in the red blood cell count yesterday so they took all the beautiful flowers out of her room! She was being watched closely as a lower cell count raises risk of infection. As of this afternoon, both the red and white blood cell count were closer to normal!

She has been able to drink and eat in moderation. Tomorrow morning, Sharon will be re-evaluated to see if she can head home!

Keep hydrating!!

At the Asheville Arboretum with grandson Jake

Fun weekend at St. Joseph's

Sharon spent the weekend in the Penthouse at St. Joseph's. Because of her difficulty keeping anything down, she's still being hydrated through an IV. When she can hydrate herself, she'll go back home.

64 ounces a day!! You can do it, Sharon.

Greenville in May with grandkids Graham & Madison

Friday night

Sharon is back at St. Joseph's for observation. Keep smiling and sending your love.

first IV session complete

Sharon finished the last of the 2 intravenous drugs yesterday and is at home resting. The oral medication begins next week.

Shrink, tumor, SHRINK!!

Treatment begins!

Sharon arrived at the oncologists office this morning where they hydrated her via IV during the consultation. She received her first intravenous chemo session. It went well! Tomorrow morning, she'll get a second intravenous drug and then finish up with 2 weeks of oral medication.

For some reason, Sharon's having a tough time staying hydrated. Does anyone have suggestions?

Also, if you have funny or lighthearted stories to share, please do!! We're always up for a good chuckle.

Everyone please visualize the tumor shrinking and then disappearing.

May 12, 2008 update

This blog has been created to share updates about Sharon Wagner's healing process. For those who need to catch up, Sharon began having painful stomach cramps in February 2008. She had several tests done that were inconclusive. When the pain did not go away, more tests were completed in March. In early April, it was decided that she had a stomach virus. Sharon was prescribed an antibiotic and sent on her 10 day trip to Hawaii for a James Ray conference.

The stomach pains only got worse in Hawaii. Upon return to Asheville, Sharon was admitted to St. Joseph's while even more tests were conducted. Finally, on April 28th, just one day after Sharon & Tim's 43rd wedding anniversary, an ultrascopic biopsy was preformed on her pancreas.

The biopsy results were presented on Tuesday, April 29th and confirmed pancreatic cancer. The cancer had been growing from 5-7 years. Pancreatic cancer is slow moving and is rarely detected before it becomes serious. It only accounts for 2% of all cancer cases - leave it up to Sharon to get the unique cancer!

Sharon is in good hands with a team of health care professionals. Oncologists in Asheville and Greenville are working together for the most effective treatment. An acupuncturist is helping Sharon heal her own body, eat and gain strength. People around the world are focusing on Sharon's return to her strong and healthy state by visualizing her at her HIGHEST and BEST self.





Outpatient chemotherapy begins this week. We'll keep you updated! Thank you for keeping Sharon in your positive thoughts and prayers.