Monday, January 6, 2014

Long time No See

    Hi and Happy New Year. We have been concentrating on getting Sara to Spokane at Cancer Care Northwest for a five week treatment plan implemented by Dr. Lin. It was a decision that made it easier for her to get these treatments closer to home and not have to find a place to stay in Seattle as the treatments are 5 days a week for the 5 week period. She is now in her last week. This particular treatment plan was to try radiation on targeted areas. They literally tattoo a 'target' on you to be sure of the exact spot every time. After she came back from Brazil, her lymph nodes in her upper abdomen were showing signs of cancer. Also, causing her extreme discomfort. The radiation treatments were then aimed at the lymph nodes.   But because of the radiation, she could not continue her regular highly effective chemo {that made her very sick, but was controlling the growth of tumors}. The double whammy of radiation and chemo would be too much. The chemo treatment was then modified.  The only problem was if any of this new treatment was working since her tumors grow so fast, five weeks is a long time to wait to "find out".
    She has two new Doctors at CCNW, the radiologist, Dr. Call and the oncologist, Dr. Sienko.  Cancer Care Northwest is a top rate facility in the North end of Spokane and her doctors there had no qualms about letting Dr. Lin boss them around. At Sara's request, Dr. Sienko did a scan last week about in the middle of this five week treatment and the results showed the radiation was knocking down the lymph nodes and the limited chemo treatment was keeping the liver tumors in check.  The stress of wondering about that for three weeks was, well, stressful. Also, her chromagranin levels went from 537 to 162 during this time which is really, really good. Sara has been very fatigued as was expected and we have tried everything to eliminate the nausea, which is the worst.
    Just re-reading this makes it all sound so easy compared to the "rest of the story" to borrow a phrase.  In the meantime, back at the ranch, we had to move out of the purple house because someone decided they just had to have THAT house. It was a dark and stormy night when we had two days to move because her five week treatment started December 5 and we certainly would not have time 'within 30 days' and get her to Spokane 5 days a week. We moved most of her stuff to  a storage unit in Sandpoint and the made her comfortable in her old bedroom at home. She is thrilled to be back home with her parents. That was irresistible sarcasm. People came out of the woodwork to help us move her and we can never be thankful enough for their kindness. It has turned out, thank God, that driving from our house, about 50 minutes, to CCNW has worked out fine. Lots of people have offered to drive her back and forth which has helped tremendously. Sandpoint Cancer Care Services have helped with the gas costs. Marvin, my new BFF, tow truck driver from Spokane helped get my car repaired in 24 hours when it blew a petcock. {!?}.
    After this week, Sara will go see Dr. Lin and he will determine her continued treatment. All the calls, all the cards, every little, big or in between gesture of help, all the support, all of you guys are amazing. Do not ever underestimate the power of kindness. And never doubt the generosity of the giver. Smile. It is 2014. 





                                                              
                                               Basic support group photo

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