December 1, 2011

    Well, here I am to report to y'all that Dr. Lin has given the go ahead for surgery for Sara D.  Sara and I went on Monday and stayed in Seattle for 3 days so she could get scans done.  Wednesday was the appointment with Dr. Lin when he reviewed the scans and declared her liver was 99% clear of tumors and the big tumor on her pancreas was shrinking but still there. At the beginning of the appointment he was inferring the surgery could happen soon, by the end of the appontment  after looking at everything he was calling his surgeon friend to get her scheduled.  Sara said you mean like as soon as my next 6 week appointment?  Dr. Lin said no, I mean like right now. Shanna, me and Sara kind of started hyperventilating.  He also said she was textbook material and would probably be written up.  I always figured she would be famous, but her pancreas? 
    The one scan she had was like a real photograph, totally cutting edge.  It has only been out for a month and Sara was one of the first to get to use it.  The other scan was a radioactive scan where the remaining tumors light up like a golden orb. She has to carry a card to prove she is medically radioactive and not a terrorist. {Even though some of her shoes could be used as weapons.}
    The surgery has to happen fast because her liver is clear, this happened way faster than Dr. Lin anticipated, and he does not want the main tumor to start shooting off more tumors to the liver.  So the surgery will be to remove the main tumor from the pancreas and possibly any left on the liver.  Which will be determined by the surgeon, who Dr. Lin said will be "jumping up and down" to do this surgery because he "loves neuroendocrine tumors". To which Sd replied, "I love that he loves neuroendocrine tumors so he can get rid of it!"
    Sara will continue to do maintenance chemotherapy and will still be battling cancer. Hopefully, the dose can be reduced so she does not suffer the terrible nausea and other yukky symtoms of chemo.  This is not considered a cure.  Dr. Lin's analogy was even if you kill all the dandelions and can't see them, there are still seeds underground.  He also was fascinated that she has a full head of hair.  He did not explain this, just did the Doctor thing like "uummm.."
    We are ecstatic over this turn of events and are very grateful to Dr. Lin, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and everyone who has been rooting for Sara D. throughout this experience.  As Sara's Mom, I want to say how impressed I am with how much love and support is out there. I am so proud of Sara and love her more than I can say. "That's my daughter!!"
   

Posted by Colleen