Sunday, April 27, 2014

Star Trek Style

   So, living with your parents is not as much fun as it sounds, said Sara D. But as far as getting to treatments and consolidating cooking and cleaning it has been nice. Sara has begun another round of radiation and chemo at Cancer Care Northwest in Spokane. It is about an hour drive {50 minutes for me...} from our house in Priest River so it is not bad with her Dad and me and helpful friends to get her there five days a week for the next 6 to 8 weeks.  Dr. Call, her radiologist, is very positive about the outcome of the radiation treatments with the monitored chemo. To keep the radiation and chemo balanced so it is not too much, but still kicking some major behind is a real challenge for all three doctors. Her cancer is radiation responsive.  Dr. Lin and Dr. Sienko have let her begin an oral chemo along with the intravenous one to see how she responds. The oral chemotherapy is easier and eliminates time in the chair being hooked up which allows Sara more freedom. The nurses at CCNW also talked her into getting a port which was a hard decision but her veins are collapsing.  I have to say here that the nurses were very gentle with the needle poking as long as they could.
    After a PET scan they determined first of all to radiate the tumors in her neck area and try to obliterate them while the chemo will be shrinking the tumors in her abdomen area. Then they will blast those tumors with radiation and a direct line of radiation beads to the main tumor than is stubborn as heck. The side effects of all this are not pleasant, needless to say. Sara may experience a sunburn effect on her skin and inside her throat. Which can be helped with some meds and good ol' Aloe Vera which we have in large quantities.
    Right now, she is doing pretty good and feeling strong, so we are going into this with guns a blazing. Look out you stupid tumors! We are pretty sick and tired of you interfering with Sara D. and Sarah C. trying to get their new business, STYLEBAR, up and running. Also, Kate Lyster and Sara are opening up INDIGOINMOTION May 3. Not to mention we have tentatively purchased a HOUSE in Sandpoint and are ready to move Sara in.  It will be our new family compound where we can all congregate, stir up trouble and make a lot of noise. Maybe this would be a good time to say you cannot un-shrink a sweater. Sorry! I have to tell you here, Sara, because I cannot bear to see the look on your face. {Be quiet, Shanna! I see your eyes rolling!}
    These next weeks are certainly going to be stressful, but to get rid of these vicious tumors and get on a maintenance treatment is the goal.  Then Sara can just get on with her life without everyone hovering.
    Also, Bentley has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He got an ultra sound and is on medication. The ultrasound revealed he has a tumor on the left side of his heart. We can't help but think that wonderful Bentley is trying to take on Sara's cancer in his own way. He is happy and cheerful so we are just going to keep him that way with the meds. Never underestimate the power of your pets love.
     Thanks to everyone. Community Cancer Services in Sandpoint for the gas cards. Big help! Thanks to Dr. Lin, Dr. Call and Dr. Sienko and all their staff. Congratulations to Dr. Lin for his award in cancer research. We are so lucky to have the best on our side. See you at our new house! So exciting. Thanks universe. I guess Judy was right.


Love to all! 


Posted by Colleen

4 comments:

  1. I am so happy for the new Dalebout compound. Love to every one of you. auntie Lois

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  2. Sara, sending positive thoughts your way for positive results in the coming weeks!! Dan

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  3. Sara, thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
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