The results are in from Sara’s CT scan, and the news is good!! Basically, the scan found no new metastases, and the existing tumors on her liver have shrunk by about half. In the area where the colon tumor is located, the report states that the “thickening of the tissue wall has decreased.” I’m not exactly sure what that means but I’m pretty sure it is good news 🙂 . The official summary conclusion of the letter says “Interval decrease in size of hepatic lesions consistent with improving metastatic involvement. No new lesions or additional evidence of metastatic disease.”

So what does this mean in practical terms? The tumor board which Sara’s oncologist belongs to will be meeting on Monday to discuss her case, and make a decision regarding the feasibility of operating on her liver at this point. Sara will then meet with her oncologist directly afterwards to discuss the decision. If the decision is “not yet”, she will get an extra week off from chemo, which is welcome considering the side effects she has been suffering from while undergoing this very aggressive treatment. It looks like the side effects have been worth it so far though. Sara and her family definitely deserve this bit of good news, a perfect Christmas “present” and a great sign for 2016!

 

Making ornaments for Sara’s 2nd grade students

This Monday, Sara had chemo round number 5, which is her last treatment for this year. Next Tuesday she will have a CT scan to determine the effect of the chemo regimen on the liver mets. On Wednesday she and Eric will meet with her oncologist to find out the results!! The anticipation is both exciting and nerve-wracking for all involved.

Making it through all 5 chemo treatments was rough, but Sara was determined to make it through. The face rash caused by Eributx was particularly challenging, causing a nurse at the chemo center to remark that it was the worst she had ever seen! Over last 2 weeks Sara had what has become a sort of routine – some good periods where she felt well enough to ride her horse briefly, and challenging periods where just getting up and out of bed is a major struggle. The holiday season brings more visitors, which is great, but Sara also has to be very careful not to catch a cold or any illnesses too.

Christmas carolers at Sara’s house

Since it is Christmas Eve I will focus on some of the best parts – surprise visitors from Maryland (Sammy and David), visiting Sara’s class at Black Diamond Elementary School, receiving carolers at her house, our brother visiting this week with his family, etc.

Jensen and cousin Elsa!

Happy holidays and 2016 to everyone – please keep the good thoughts coming Sara’s way and any type of support which can be provided!

 Sara and a patient Star 🙂

 

This Monday Sara started chemo round number 4 (1 more left and then she has a CT scan to check the status of the cancer on her liver). Due to the cumulative increasing severity of the side effects from chemo, the oncologist decided to decrease the dosages by 20%. Sara was suffering from nausea, a pretty severe rash, mouth sores, and other side effects. The worsening rash, a side effect of Erbitux, can actually become a serious situation for someone with a weakened immune system because the rash can become infected and land her in the hospital. So last week Sara started a week-long course of Prednisone along with antibiotics and a topical cream to address the rash. If the rash didn’t improve, then the Erbitux would be withheld on Monday, though that would add to the chemo round schedule and delay the CT scan into January.

Sara is very motivated as we all know so she started the Prednisone right away. Unfortunately, after a few days she had a bad reaction to the Prednisone, sending her back to the oncologist, who suggested she halve the dose and see if the rash still improved. Just another week in the life of a cancer patient – trying to manage all the medications and their side effects! It is definitely an on-going juggling act. Luckily last Friday the oncologist gave Sara the green light to start chemo on Monday as scheduled, though she had to promise to keep a close eye on the rash. Yesterday was pump removal day, though she did get a dose of her usual steroid.

2 weeks ago Sara wasn’t feeling well enough after the Wednesday appointment to visit her horse and foal in Spanaway, so this time she very happy to be able to do so. In fact it was the foal’s weaning day, as Sara’s horse left the farm in order to start a new “career” in dressage where she is being leased out for the time being. By all reports the separation went well, all things considered, and Sara was on the receiving end of lots of snuggling from her foal, Star, as seen in the picture below.