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Sherri Dobbs Medical Fund

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Set up by James Sexton Local 505 Brother

Like many people get when the weather starts getting colder, I got a bad cough in October of this year, 2023. After a couple weeks of this unpleasant hacking, I decided to go to the Urgent Care on Monday, October 23rd and was given an X-ray and told I had a little fluid under my right lung. I was promptly sent home with a steroid inhaler and a decongestant.

A week later, on Monday, October 30th, I called my Primary Doctor and told her I was still coughing with little relief and she told me to go to the ER. My fiance, James took me straight there, and the next day, on Halloween, I underwent my first thoracentesis, removing 1.1 liters of fluid from under my right lung. I felt much better and my breathing improved.

Nine days later, On Thursday, October 9th I had a follow up appointment with my Primary, and she gave me another X-ray and told me that the fluid was back and that I should return to the ER once again. Off we went for a second hospital stay, where the House Doctor promised to get to the bottom of this. The next day on October 10th I had my second thoracentesis and this time 1.2 liters of fluid was removed from under my right lung. This time they also did four- CT scans and several X-rays, with different doctors coming to see me. They did find a small nodule the size of an aspirin and said they would watch it. On Saturday, I was sent home from the hospital. They tested the fluid for cancer and after a few days' wait, I was happily notified that it came back negative. I was overjoyed.

Right before Thanksgiving I called my Primary to see about a follow up X-ray, but was told that she was leaving early that day for the holiday and she would be unable to read it until the following week. It now had been two weeks since my last Thoracentesis I was actually feeling pretty good, but still had to concentrate to catch my breath, and still feeling a bit more tired than my normal high-energy self, so I was shocked to get the call from my Primary telling me that it was bad, and the fluid was back. James and I headed back to the ER for the third time. . This time I was forced to wait until Friday, December 1st for them to do my third thoracentesis and remove 1.5 liters of fluid from under my right lung along with a biopsy of the nodule.

After a grueling wait, on Thursday, December 7th, I was called by a nurse on my way to work to let me know that the Pulmonologist wanted to meet with me to go over the test results, I was concerned, and she confirmed that there was a malignancy. I was terrified and worried, but waited to talk with the Doctor. Around 1pm, I received a call from the Oncologist, wanting to see me in his office at 3pm. James immediately came and picked me up and we rushed into the office to hear that I had asbestos cancer, a rare type these days called Mesothelioma of the lining of my right lung. We were devastated, feeling like our world was crashing down upon us, scared, and unsure of anything. The Doctor said the only "cure" was to have my entire right lung removed..."IF" I was a candidate, If I was not, they would give me radiation and chemo or immunotherapy but my life would be shortened, and I would die, My head was spinning and I was scared beyond words. How did this happen? I never lived in old decrepit homes, or worked in any places that would put me in harm's way for asbestos. James held me tight, unsure how to comfort me, we were both terrified.

On Wednesday, December 13th, James and I headed to UH to meet with my surgeon, Dr. Linden. He was confident and to the point. He informed us that they would NOT remove my entire right lung, only the lining. I would get to keep my lung!!!! I would also have immunotherapy or chemo afterward. We liked him from the start. He did not sugar-coat, saying the surgery was rough, but he had done a lot of these surgeries and never lost anyone. We came out feeling optimistic and much more at ease than before. He said it was not a cure, the cancer could return, but I would be checked regularly and they would do everything possible to keep it at bay. Right then and there he set the surgery date for January 2nd. We left feeling better than we had since the diagnosis

The following day on Thursday, December 14th I was scheduled in Radiology to have my 4th Thoracentesis, finally not having to spend 3 days in the ER, this time they removed a whopping 1.9 liters of fluid from under my right lung. I went from having trouble breathing and having intense pressure on my right side, to feeling my bouncy energetic self again. Sadly, it only lasted a few short days, and as I write this, I am scheduled back in Radiology tomorrow to have my 5th Thoracentesis.This week I also completed an array of tests including a CT scan with contrast, a Pulmonary Function Test, An Echocardiogram and today a Pet Scan to get ready for my surgery. My energy is low, the pressure is back in my side, and I have now coughed for 11 weeks straight. It is mentally and physically exhausting. I am anxious to spend Christmas with James and our families, but I also cannot wait to get this all behind me, as it has been daunting.

The only thing that has gotten me through besides my amazing Fiance, James who has been by my side supporting me through it all, is the love,support and prayers of my amazing support of family and friends, and for that I am truly blessed. When James came home from work and told me that his Foreman: Richard Sexton and Union 505 wanted to set up a Go-Fund-me account in my name, I cried. I worry not only about what will happen with the surgery, but also that I will be out of work for 4-6 weeks, or so. and the bills will continue to pile up. My sense of gratitude goes far beyond what a simple thank you can express. I am at a loss for words, and only can feel this emotion deep in my heart. I do not know what the future holds for me, but I will fight this cancer with everything I have. I am strong and will not give up. I have a lot to live for...James and I are set to get married on the beach in Destin Florida on July 28th, 2024...I plan to be there, happy and cancer free!

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Donations 

  • Rebecca Carter
    • $100
    • 8 mos
  • Todd & Dianne Warren
    • $100
    • 8 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 8 mos
  • Sally Moffitt
    • $25
    • 8 mos
  • Wendy McGlaun
    • $50
    • 8 mos
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Organizer

Sherri Dobbs
Organizer
North Royalton, OH

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