Cheryl's journey to kick cancer's booty!

The Runnebaum family toasted 2023 as their “come back” year…but that could not have been further from the truth.

2022 started with their daughter Danielle suffering rare neurological conditions that are still not understood by doctors. Then in July, Cheryl lost her father. On August 12th, Cheryl was hospitalized with Pulmonary Emboli in both her lungs. She learned that her left lung was worse than her right lung, but both were filled with blood clots. To better understand what she was dealing with…think of a snowstorm, and picture that occurring in her lungs, with a layer of accumulating clots in the bottom 20% of her lungs.

During two separate hospital stays doctors ran numerous tests on Cheryl and discovered she has several blood clotting disorders, this is extremely rare! Cheryl has been diagnosed with Factor V Leiden, Factor VIII (Hemophilia), and Protein C Deficiency. Not only has she learned that having three blood clotting disorders is extremely rare but that also means it has not been studied, leaving Cheryl at a huge disadvantage in ways of treatment and cure. Typically when blood clots occur, there is a reason behind them, in Cheryl’s case the hospitals and specialists were unable to find the cause.

Plot twist…Danielle has been diagnosed with Factor V Leiden as well.

So, in true Cheryl style, she continued keeping on keeping on. In hopes of finding answers and getting better (Darn it!), in late November and into December, Cheryl AND Danielle went to Mayo Clinic. They were desperate to find treatment for both conditions. It was at Mayo they learned more about the rarity of both conditions and received advice on the next steps and plans in hopes something might work. To date, Cheryl has been on 3 different blood thinners in an attempt to thin her blood enough to help with lung function and decrease blood clots. It is a struggle for her every day, the breathing most of us take for granted she no longer does. The peaceful sleep we have at night she also does not have at night, instead wearing monitors to ensure her oxygen saturation does not drop too low in the night. It truly has been a challenge, but as you all know, Cheryl does it all with the laugh that you would recognize from across the room and the positive attitude she has brought to every tough situation she has ever encountered.

As mentioned at the beginning of this story, Cheryl's family started the new year with hopes of good health and a bright new year. Fate had other plans for them and on Cheryl’s birthday, she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer). Because cancer is common in Cheryl’s family, she was hoping to receive a bilateral mastectomy. However, because of her lungs, clots, and blood disorders; her body cannot handle the anesthesia for that surgery at this time. As you can imagine, this is heartbreaking. Although this surgery is not what Cheryl wanted it was what she needed.

At this time the doctors have no other choice but to remove the cancer and some lymph nodes. More surgeries will follow over the next 6-12 months to remove ovaries and possible bilateral mastectomy pending genetic testing. After surgery Cheryl will undergo several weeks of daily radiation, possible chemo, and hormone therapies. She definitely has a very long road ahead.

As with so few households these days they are now a one-income family. They are working hard to keep up with the mounting medical bills from the last year and new ones now arriving. They have even sold the Camero to help with cash flow. Material things are just things and can be replaced, Cheryl and her health is the main priority, and they are doing everything to put up the best fight possible.

Despite the health issues and personal loss, Cheryl’s positive mindset is strong. This summer will be a hard one and will include hospitals, recovery rooms, and treatments but the love of life and fighting spirit is absolutely inside of Cheryl. She loves to garden, hike and go kayaking and she will do those things again in the coming years we are certain of that! Cheryl has dedicated over 22 years of her life to educating and mentoring students and she hopes to get back to her passion in some capacity after she has KICKED CANCER’S BOOTY!

Please stay tuned and there will be continued updates on Cheryl’s progress. Cheryl and her family are so grateful for all of your prayers and support. They have shared with me that they have always known they have the best friends and family, but these past few weeks have truly been remarkable to help them see just how blessed they are.