Sara’s blog has been quiet lately, but I’m kind of a “no news is good news” type of person. She has been feeling good since her chemo and radiation break started and has been updating on Facebook over the summer.

However she recently had a CT scan, an MRI, and a PET scan – all in preparation for September’s surgery – and as usual the news is good overall, but a bit confusing. So we’ll dive right in:  the CT scan and MRI took place on August 18. The results were a bit strange though; the doctor had trouble finding the tumors on the left side of the liver (the side that was expected to be removed via a lobectomy). Hmmm, I know what you are thinking, as I was thinking the same thing too, but didn’t “dare” voice it (as in, maybe the doctor can’t find the tumors because they are gone???). So, a radiologist was brought in for a second opinion the following Monday. Still nothing conclusive so a PET scan was scheduled for August 25. But of course there had to be a snag – Sara’s health insurance denied payment for the PET scan. Sara decided to take a chance and go forward with the PET scan anyway, even if appealing the insurance company’s decision fails and they have to pay for the PET scan out of their own pocket.

Moving along – the tumor board met today, and came up with two scenarios:  1) a single surgery to remove the colon tumor and possible reversal of the colostomy, while closely watching the liver with a CT scan every 2 months; or 2) sticking with the original plan to remove the left half of the liver anyway, just in case there is some cancer remaining which is not showing up on the scans, plus removal of the colon tumor and possible reversal of the colostomy. The tumor board was supportive of option 1, which Sara also preferred. Memories and side effects of the liver surgery she already had on the right side of the liver in January are still very acute, and she preferred to postpone any additional liver surgery until it is clearly needed. So surgery is scheduled for September 20! In the meantime she still has a few more appointments – a colonoscopy on September 9, which will provide more information regarding the possibility of reversing the colostomy. She will find out about the results on September 12.

Along the way, Sara has been dealing with the same tasks as many of us; finishing up summer vacation and getting the boys ready for the start of school (Rylan is starting middle school, yippee!) along with juggling medical appointments, treatments, and medication. She definitely wants to send out a collective “thank you” to everyone who has been helping her out with her appointments, meal deliveries, and thinking positive thoughts for her during this time. Please keep a bit on reserve for her surgery on September 20! I will be coming out from Maryland to help her family while Sara is in the hospital and will continue to update as new information is received.

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