So it took a bit longer to update the blog than expected, but that is because Sara’s doctors have scrapped the old plan and proposed a new plan (yes, she will be making a new jump course poster 🙂 ). The MRI and CT scan results were so good, her oncologist proposed the idea of combining the liver lobectomy *and* colon tumor surgery into a single operation. But, to be sure, Sara had to wait another week for the tumor board to vote – they said yes!! So this changes the schedule around quite a bit. One of the reasons for combining the surgeries is that the fewer surgeries one has, the better. Shorter recovery time, less (cumulative) risk, etc. Since Sara has been so tough and responding so well to the aggressive chemo regimen, it was decided that she would be a good candidate.

So this sounds like great news, right?? Well mostly, but instead of getting the break from chemo that she was expecting prior to the liver lobectomy, chemo series #3 starts up again this coming Monday, for 5 weeks of treatment, every other week (10 weeks total). Sara will be on the same medications as previously, except for Erbitux as the “lovely” rash it caused would contradict the radiation treatment. Radiation starts on June 2, and goes 5 days per week (M – F), for 5 1/2 weeks. Having both chemo and radiation at the same time is going to be tough, but Sara can do it with one more final wave of support from her friends/relatives/community. The main challenge is that the daily radiation is going to take place in Puyallup, instead of Bonney Lake where she usually has one of her chemo treatments. So if you have been wondering how you can help, transport to the daily treatment(s) is going to be needed, at least until Sara knows how she is going to react to the new combination of treatments. One of the main side effects of radiation is fatigue, so when you add that to the already-existing chemo side effects, recovering from major surgery, and fighting cancer, it will all add up to one tired puppy person! Meals will also be needed during the intensive dual treatment period, so please check the Meal Train link often (or for some reason if it isn’t working, you can e-mail Sara). Don’t worry that you need to provide something fancy – her household is all guys and they aren’t picky…

Sara will be starting this scary but exciting phase of her treatment very soon. We know she can do it, but as the saying goes it takes a village, and for at least 5 weeks she will really need the support of her “village”. So when will the surgery take place, you may be wondering? Assuming that the chemo/radiation schedule goes according to plan, she will finish chemo at the end of July. She will then have about 2 months to recover physically from the aggressive treatment, and surgery would take place in October. The plans could change again, depending on developments, but this is the current plan.

Last note – I saw this story about what it is like to be chronically “sick”, for those who aren’t. Sara really liked it and asked that I put the link to the story on the blog:

“But you don’t look sick…”

It’s a quick but nice read, so please check it out.

I spent this past week with Sara and her family, as she completed session 5, the final session of this round of chemo. While completing this round of chemo is great news, I need to correct an earlier post where we thought this would be the end of any chemo treatment. It turns out that after the “big” operation (removal of the left side of Sara’s liver), the plan is for more chemo along with radiation. Sara was a bit disappointed at this news, but I’m sure she will take on the challenge as firmly as she has done so far.

Even though Sara told me that she felt just as sick this round, somehow she became much tougher; physically stronger and determined, as she put it, not to just watch life pass her by because she didn’t feel well. I’m not sure how she found the mental fortitude, but I guess no one knows how strong they are until they are faced with a seemingly insurmountable problem. Sara was amazing – she tired me out! Almost every day last week we did something physical – went for a hike with Brady the pony (sometimes she walked and I rode, or vice versa), went to visit Star after the pump removal, watched Rylan perform at his last elementary school talent show (and visited with her students and colleagues), worked in her yard decapitating dandelions, etc. This doesn’t mean that she never felt sick – she definitely had low moments:  feeling nauseous, weak limbs, irritation from the Erbitux rash – the list goes on. But she had plans for the day and she was determined to stick to it, no matter how long it took to get ready. I wondered sometimes if I could do the same; it seems like it would be easier to sit in my favorite chair and feel sorry for myself, and nobody would have judged me for it. So if anyone is going to continue to beat the odds and get through this successfully, Sara will do it!

So today was already a big day for Sara – she had an MRI and a CT scan. The results of the scans will determine when the “big” surgery will take place. So please keep your fingers crossed for good news!