Test results

David and I were back into the oncologist's office today for results on the bile duct tests. There is an obstruction of my bile ducts. That was not really news to us because I am very yellow, as the doctor was quick to point out. The doctor said it's not necessarily cancer, but it needs to be taken care of so the bile can drain. My jaundice level actually doubled in one week, which is not good, but we still haven't identified a primary cancer yet.

To solve the bile drainage problem, tomorrow I am going into St. Mary's hospital to have a stent put in my side. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little scared about this. I check in at 11:00 and my appointment is at 12:00. After it's installed, I have a 4 1/2 hour recovery time, then I'll be released to go home. I'm not sure how bad it will hurt or how it will feel to have this tube in my side, but I will have pain meds. A nurse will come to my house on Saturday to check on how I'm doing, then next week I'll get a permanent stent. The good news about this is that my color should get better when the bile can finally drain. I have felt pretty sick, and I think when this little complication is taken care of, I will feel better.

I really need to thank you all for your concern and prayers. Really, everyone has been wonderful! The support of my family and friends means so much to me. It is nice to know that there are people cheering me on in this fight. Even people like the nurses and the insurance lady on the phone are bending over backwards to make this ordeal easier. Thank you so much!

Tuesday's update

Today David and I went to Reno for a bile duct test at 10:30. Once we got there, we were moved back to 3:30, so we had some time to fill while we waited. The test was an MRI, and it was not the worst test I've had, but I didn't like the whole narrow tube thing - I felt a little clasutrophobic. We have to go back Thursday to get the results of this test. Tomorrow is a day of rest for me, which I need. I hate to waste a day in finding out what's going on, but I could use the rest.

This whole thing is a huge emotional roller coaster. Some days I feel really good, like I am going to beat the odds and be cured; other days I am wondering if I will dance with my son at his wedding. Any little pain makes me wonder what the cancer is doing and if we're following the right course of action in finding it. I am still hoping to get into a cancer center, so hopefully that will work out for me.

I really don't like feeling helpless, but I so appreciate everyone's help!! Some women from church came yesterday to clean my house. I have had great meals brought in and so many people helping with what my kids need. I know there are many of you praying for me. It is so kind and I appreciate it so much.

Test Results

Today I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, neither of which are very pleasant. I, however, was very excited to get these tests and even happier to find that I don't have cancer in my stomach or colon. That is good news, because those are two more places that I know are cancer-free in my body. The last place for them to check is my bile ducts, which will happen tomorrow. They check this by injecting me with dye and then doing a CAT scan-like test. So it won't be the worst test I've had.

After the test today I was so hungry that I ate two tacos at Baja Fresh, plus some of David's food. It was more food than I've eaten in quite a while. I went and slept very soundly at my mom's house for 3 hours before we headed back to Fallon.

Also, I've had many people suggest connections they have with various cancer centers, which I appreciate. My goal is to get to MD Anderson treatment center in Houston. I have scheduled with them and I have to wait to hear from a specialist as to when they can take me.

Thanks to many prayers and blessings on my behalf, I am very optimistic about my treatment. Liver cancer is serious and can be fatal, but I am a believer in miracles and I don't think it's my time to go yet. Thank you to all - I appreciate your support!!

Mother's Day

While you are all enjoying your mother's day meals, I will be enjoying a liquid diet so that I am ready for my next tests (a colonoscopy and endoscopy) at 9:30 Monday morning. They are still trying to find the primary cancer. They haven't ruled out that it's in my stomach, but they haven't found evidence that it is there either. My theory is that the primary cancer is in my liver and that it has metastisized so that I have both primary and secondary cancer in my liver, and maybe it's not anywhere else. We'll see what the tests say.

Thank you to the many poeple who bring food to our family. What we do without your help? Thank you!!

Good News

Thursday I got in to an oncologist in Reno, without even knowing where my primary cancer is, so there's the first good news. They think it is stomach cancer that has metastisized to the liver. They thought they'd have to treat the first cancer, then get to the liver cancer treatments, but the doctor said I can treat both at the same time. Until they know for sure, the tests continue.

Still Testing...

Monday (May 4) I had a biopsy of my liver, hoping to find out what needs to be done to start my treatments. What they found out is that my cancer is not primary liver cancer. It has spread from somewhere else, but they're not sure where. I need to find out where it started so I can get to the right oncologist which means more tests. So I'm waiting, but not very patiently!

Doctor's Visit

Editor's Note: This is not Sheri Faught writing this, this is Julie Stockard writing what Sheri tells me to write. When life settles down for Sheri, she will take this over. Until then, I am including all of this with her permission (in the first person) to get the news out to the many people who are concerned for her.


I went to the doctor's office (Friday, May 1) for what I thought was possibly gall bladder problems. I was having a burning in my back and a pain in my shoulder, which I didn't think were related. I wasn't able to exercise like I was earlier and I was having a hard time eating. Instead of gall bladder, I found out that I have tumors on my liver! All over it. That was not at all what I expected to hear, and we're all in a state of shock. But I'm ready to get the tests done and get treating this! Thanks to helpful doctors, I will have more tests Monday to try to find what I need to get better.