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POSTED ON 9 / 05 AT 12:12 am
Madison has started a blog to help fans keep in touch with everything Jeff & Sheri.
Visit his page at www.madisoneasterblogspot.com
POSTED ON 8 / 28 AT 9:49 pm
Thursday, August 28, 2008Day four of chemotherapy—I was told to expect the worst between days 1 and 4 after my treatment, so I chose to wait and give everyone an update tonight. On Monday, Jeff and I went to the oncology clinic and had my first round of two of my chemotherapy drugs administered. I experienced a slight headache and a few waves of nausea, but otherwise did pretty good. On Tuesday, we went back for the third drug (they administer them at different times so they can be alerted to any reaction that may occur). About an hour after the treatment, I felt several waves of nausea, a headache, and some chills and fever, and decided it would be best to lie down as soon as I got home. After several hours of chills and fever, it passed and I felt a little more like myself. On day three, I awoke at 7:30 a.m., began washing clothes, working in the office and then I walked a mile on the elliptical. I had an enormous amount of energy and prepared for the weekend. Tonight we sang in Richmond, IN. It was a very warm congregation and everyone was so kind. I told Jeff I wanted to sing every opportunity that God gave me and I’m very grateful for each one.
POSTED ON 8 / 13 AT 4:49 pm
Tuesday, August 13, 2008Today, I received some of the best news I’ve had in a month! I met with my oncologist and from all of the bone scans, ct scans and echocardiograms—everything came back clear—no tumors, no metastasizing, no visible signs of cancer anywhere in my body. Praise the Lord! Thank you to everyone who has prayed, called and sent cards, may God bless you with the same love you’ve shown to me. At this point, we are going to undergo chemotherapy as a measure to prevent cancer recurrences. Please keep the prayers going as you well know, chemo can take its toll on a body. I haven’t missed any of my dates except the week of surgery and I hope to be strong enough to continue to travel full time. My aunt traveled with the Lewis Family during her treatments and has been a huge encouragement to me throughout this battle. I’m wise enough to know cancer nor its treatments are easy, but I choose to believe that God is faithful and I am determined to do everything I can to stay strong and healthy during this process.
POSTED ON 7 / 17 AT 9:05 pm
July 17, 2008
I've been quiet lately. I find that I hear much better when I'm not talking. Now more than ever, I simply want to hear God's voice. There have been many decisions for which I needed direction and many voices speaking encouragement, and I've enjoyed listening.
On Tuesday, July 8, I underwent a mastectomy. With my family history, we thought this would be the best course of action. In hindsight, I am certain we made the right choice. I am healing well, and have received so many, many phone calls, emails and cards--may God bless each of you for your deep concern and prayers you are offering.
I am physically healing as the doctors expected and emotionally fragile as you can well assume. I had a "crash and burn" moment just last night. All the "what ifs", "why me's" and "it's just not fair's" fell into Jeff's arms and he held me while I cried. This morning, I am grateful for a caring husband, and incredibly understanding children, in addition to encouraging news from my oncologist.
We are in a state of grace when I report that we have chosen to have chemotherapy as a preventive measure, in doing all that we can to become 100% cancer free. My treatments will begin in the latter part of August, and continue through mid-December. Please continue to pray for our family as we walk through this journey into healing. According to the oncologist, I should have more than one reason to celebrate this Christmas!
POSTED ON 7 / 08 AT 2:58 pm
I watched the sun rise this morning! It’s one my favorite ways to celebrate life—I usually do it on vacations or just after a battle…times that I can truly appreciate it. Yesterday at 4pm, I received a call from my newly acquired surgeon informing me that I had breast cancer. I have breast cancer. I feel almost as if I should type it 100 times to remind me not to do it again, just like in grammar school—I will not talk in class (that was always my sentence of choice!) I cried until it hurt and then, I cried more. Morgan was sitting with me when I got the call. Jeff, Madison and everyone on our bus quickly came to the front lounge and along with me were broken. I wanted to say “I’m sorry” but I stopped myself because I knew they’d remind me that it wasn’t my fault. Jeff called my mama, my brother and several of my closest friends because I couldn’t speak.
I found the lump last October, scheduled a mammogram, received the news that it was normal and lived with a false security until last week when an online nosedive into the percentage of reliability of mammograms sent me rushing to schedule another check up. The nurse asked if I had a surgeon and I waited for the appointment. Wednesday, I drove down only to find out that he had been called in on an emergency surgery and I would have to reschedule the appointment for Monday.
On Thursday morning I woke up praying, “God, you’re going to have to get me through this weekend, I can’t do it on my own.” I opened my Bible to a random page and the first words I read were in a passage from Mark 5 “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” I shared that all weekend, not specifying my need, but simply to remind myself and my audience that God IS faithful. Monday morning the surgeon examined me by sonogram and asked if I minded if he did a biopsy because it didn’t look normal. I wanted a cyst. I wanted it aspirated. I didn’t want a biopsy, and I certainly didn’t want to wait another 48 hours for test results. Nevertheless, I waited until yesterday, and then again, heard things I didn’t want to hear like breast cancer, mastectomy and lumpectomy/radiation. We had previously gotten a call from Charlotte that Greg’s daddy, Jerry Ritchie had passed away after a long battle with cancer. Jeff briefly worked with Jerry in the early 80’s and we, of course, loved him because he was Greg’s Dad. We had planned to be at the funeral today…
I wonder how many times in my life I’ve used the word planned? My schedule doesn’t have an opening for cancer. I’m a scheduler and a very good one at that, but even I can’t schedule life onto a calendar.
I’m leaving in an hour to meet with my surgeon and discuss my course of action. Please pray that we make wise decisions. I may not be able to schedule life, but I am assured that God can.
POSTED ON 7 / 07 AT 11:36 am
SHERI EASTER DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
Press Release Yesterday, Sheri Easter learned as a result of testing, that she has breast cancer. The report came after a recent biopsy as stated on Sheri's blog on www.gaither.com. She will be undergoing surgery with the possibility of a mastectomy.
Jeff and Sheri have been an unwavering influence in the Gospel Music industry for over twenty years. Their success is such, as legends are made of. Their life, music and testimony resonate in the hearts of their audiences everywhere because of the reality of which they sing! Sheri's testimony to her audiences could not be more profound than what came from her hand today, in her blog, when she wrote "I wonder how many times in my life I've used the word "planned"? My schedule doesn't have an opening for cancer. I'm a scheduler and a very good one at that, but even I can't schedule life onto a calender".
Jeff and Sheri Easter covet your prayers at this time, as Jeff reminds us, "Why should I dwell on the hardships and struggles when I look just beyond them I see....the way this will end is with great celebration and deep in my heart I believe. Over and over, again and again, God is faithful!"
POSTED ON 4 / 29 AT 2:08 pm
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
This morning we slept in as late as we could, but because we have to be at the Doves rehearsal at noon, it didn't seem late at all. Jeff and I have been very fortunate and we've had many memorable Doves that we were able to attend. The day is bringing back so many memories. Our first Doves we were nominated for Country Album of the Year against my trio with Heirloom. It was odd when I accepted the award as a winner over my own project. The next year we were with a brand new group everyone was excited about--DC Talk. I remember how kind the guys were, especially to our baby boy, Madison, who was only two and not very skilled in how to use his silverware. A couple of years later, we were asked to perform and I had just found out I was pregnant with baby number two and awfully concerned about how to dress (it was in the day of very little choices in maternity ware!) A few years later, we performed a 'family finale' with several family groups in southern gospel including my family, The Lewis Family. This year we're performing in the finale with 30 artists representing several genres of gospel music. We performed "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now" with Karen Peck and New River and The Hoppers. We're driving home tonight and should arrive home by 6am.
POSTED ON 4 / 29 AT 2:08 pm
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Does the word BUSY mean anything to anyone out there? We started with hair and make-up this morning at 9am...took new publicity photos until 2pm...went for a rehearsal for the SGMG Honor Awards by 3:30pm...grabbed a salad on the bus in order to go back in by 5:15 for a run-through...began the awards at 7pm...did the Grand Ole Opry across the street at the Ryman at 8pm...then, back to the Harmony Awards for a closing. Whew! I'm tired just repeating it!
POSTED ON 4 / 29 AT 2:05 pm
In celebration of Gospel Music Week in Nashville, TN, Jeff and Sheri Easter were invited to once again perform at the Grand Old Opry held at the Ryman Auditorium. On Tuesday, April 22, Jeff and Sheri, joined Point of Grace, Terri Clark, Steven Curtis Chapman, Richie McDonald, Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, and Connie Smith. That same night, Jeff and Sheri performed at the SGMG's Harmony Honors Awards, and Jeff acted as host for the evening's event. The Dove Awards featured a finale cast of 30 artists, including Jeff and Sheri performing on a medley of Southern Gospel's "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now".
POSTED ON 4 / 23 AT 5:59 pm
We have been nominated for the Diamond Awards this year in the following categories.JEFF & SHERI - DUET OF THE YEAR
SHERI - FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
JEFF & SHERI - BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Visit: http://www.diamondawardsonline.com and cast your vote today!
POSTED ON 4 / 22 AT 2:23 am
 Jayna Marie Ritchie was born April 18, 2008 at 6:53 pm. She weighed 6 lb 11 oz and was 19 in long. Greg, Charlotte, and Landon are thrilled to finally celebrate her birth. Our family was able to see baby Jayna moments after she was born as we headed to our date in Hamilton, ON CAN.
POSTED ON 3 / 18 AT 9:48 pm
We awoke today around 2 pm and we'll be leaving the hotel in a few hours to head home. We walked the streets of Oslo and bought several small souvenirs for our family. Norway is one of the most expensive countries to visit. We heard 2nd to Japan. I believe it! We had two club sandwiches, fries, and 2 diet cokes today for about US value. We laughed and said it was okay, because we'd claim that this was our filet and prime rib dinner! I can't believe that almost 2 weeks have passed since we've been with our children. Under normal circumstances, I would have been a basket case! I'm surprised that only once, while viewing family pictures, did I cry for them. It's just been so wonderful, so busy and with the Internet and computer eye cameras, we've felt so in touch.
POSTED ON 3 / 18 AT 9:47 pm
We arrived a few hours before the concert. The crowd was upwards of about 7500 and so appreciative of our music. We were all moved to tears as the audience sang "Because He Lives" in Norwegian. It was an incredible ending to a beautiful European tour. Jeff and I arrived at the hotel around 11 pm and decided we'd try to stay up awhile to prepare our bodies for the time change as we fly home Monday morning. We stayed up until 4 am talking to our kids at home, of course it was around 9 pm in Georgia. The weather was pretty bad at home and it was comforting to us to be talking with our kids through all of the storm warnings and to know they are safe.
POSTED ON 3 / 18 AT 9:47 pm
We performed in Rotterdam today. The crowds were great and so responsive. I think all of us have been amazed at the warm reception and the excitement for our music we've felt here Europe. After the concert, we tried to get to bed early because of our early flight in the morning to Oslo, Norway.
POSTED ON 3 / 18 AT 9:46 pm
Our trip today was by bus. About 3 1/2 hours into the trip, we stopped in historical Amsterdam. We visited Anne Frank's house and it was an emotional stop. I've read the book twice and was amazed at the wisdom pouring out of this 13 year old, then again, tragedy does bring wisdom and her tragedy was excessive. It's difficult for us to imagine what it must have been like even with all of the books written and interviews taped. I was excited that this would be one of our stops because not only have I appreciated the writings of Anne Frank, but Morgan is, this month, studying her book as well, so I bought her a hard back copy from the museum for her collection of books.
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