Well, Happy New Year! And it is for us. Sara went to Seattle last week for her last big dose of chemo. It made her pretty sick but the chemo is working. Dr. Lin said he wanted her to do the full four rounds of this treatment as it was working so well. Her dad and mom {me} took her to Coeur d' Alene for her treatment yesterday. Her blood count was high enough to get her next to the last dose. Next friday, she will go to Cda for, hopefully her very last dose of intraveinous chemo. Being able to go to Cda has been a big relief. Then back to Seattle for an octreatide scan to determine the next step.
Dr. Lin has not decided yet how to do the maintenance chemo, but we have total confidence in his decisions.
There is not much to report at this time as we are just getting Sara through these next few weeks. I will update this blog at that time, then hope that we will become very boring and no one will even bother to check this anymore.
The past two years have been a whirlwind of ups and downs and inside outs. I know other people have had their own struggles and I can only hope they have experienced the support we have. I know Sara D. has been an inspiration to everyone. {She makes me feel like a big cry baby.}
So check back later and See whassup. Thanks to everyone and much love.
Posted by Colleen
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
December 20, 2012
We were able to go to Coeurd d' Alene for chemo last friday. We met with Dr. Kim, who is an oncologist there. He had a conversation with Dr. Lin and said he would administer chemo in Cda for Sara and stay in close contact with Dr. Lin. I guess they had a pretty interesting conversation about Sara D. Sara made it very clear that Dr. Lin was her primary doctor she just wanted to be able to get treatments closer to home. Dr. Kim said that he was on board 100 per cent and would do whatever was best for Sara. The nurses and everyone we encountered were super nice and made Sara very comfortable for the duration of the treatment. I, of course, was in charge of finding good food for lunch. Fisherman's Market and Grill on Kathleen street.
This is a big relief especially when I look out the window this morning and see 2 feet of snow. Driving to Seattle would not be good for my holiday mood.
Also, after this last chemo treatment, I stuck around Sara's house in case she needed me, but she did not get as sick. Dr. Lin's giving her steroids with the treatment because he said that is the best anti nausea medication. Well, it works for that but also keeps her up all night. And not in a good way.
So, tomorrow I will take her into Cda for the last treatment for this session and then possibly she will go on a maintenance program. But if Dr. Lin says stand on your head and gargle peanut butter, then ok, because he is #1 in our book. And Thank God Dr. Kim doesn't have some weird ego problem so finally Sara can be close to home but still be totally connected to Seattle.
This holiday season is truly a time to look around you and be grateful for the goodness in people. I know that we, as Sara's family, have counted on all of your good energy and prayers and it works. Do not ever underestimate the power of kindness. To truly give is to not expect anything in return, and there are so many people who have done that for us.
Have a blessed, happy holiday and Merry Christmas!!!
posted by Colleen
This is a big relief especially when I look out the window this morning and see 2 feet of snow. Driving to Seattle would not be good for my holiday mood.
Also, after this last chemo treatment, I stuck around Sara's house in case she needed me, but she did not get as sick. Dr. Lin's giving her steroids with the treatment because he said that is the best anti nausea medication. Well, it works for that but also keeps her up all night. And not in a good way.
So, tomorrow I will take her into Cda for the last treatment for this session and then possibly she will go on a maintenance program. But if Dr. Lin says stand on your head and gargle peanut butter, then ok, because he is #1 in our book. And Thank God Dr. Kim doesn't have some weird ego problem so finally Sara can be close to home but still be totally connected to Seattle.
This holiday season is truly a time to look around you and be grateful for the goodness in people. I know that we, as Sara's family, have counted on all of your good energy and prayers and it works. Do not ever underestimate the power of kindness. To truly give is to not expect anything in return, and there are so many people who have done that for us.
posted by Colleen
Friday, December 7, 2012
How 'Bout a Nice Cup of ... Chemo? Part I
Hi, it's Sissy. Sara got some full color scans this week and they looked great so far, she is in the machine now for her last scan. Nothing was glowing and all her organs looked so pretty in color- you would be amazed at the detail of the scans-I wish we could have a copy so we could look more closely.
In the good news/bad news category she has to get more chemo. We had been talking last week about her scans and I was nervous that she would be going for over 4 weeks without any treatment. She told me to shut up, that was scaring her but then called Heidi to remind Dr. Lin of this and that the scan was taking longer to schedule. That was when he wanted to schedule a chemo dose so Sara begged Uof W to squeeze her in for a scan-please, please, please! Alas, it appeared that put a bug in Dr. Lin's brain and he decided she was getting more chemo anyway since most patients get 4 whole treatments not 1 and 1/3 like Sara did.
It is good news because she is so responsive to this chemo and it definitely makes me more comfortable to know we will be hitting any little bastard tumors that are not detected by even the fancy scan (the scan only detects a clump of at least 1 million cells). Sara is pretty upset because she feels so great and was planning on going back to work next week but now is in for at least 3 weeks straight of being sick. She was hoping to work Christmas Eve so other people wouldn't have to since she was getting surgery last year at Christmas. Also, she is getting anticipatory nausea as soon as she heard the news and can taste the yucky chemo taste in her mouth and feels the weighted blanket feeling (like the lead blanket at the dentist, she says). She knows in her mind it's good but her body is trying to run away from what's coming!
Dr. Lin is still pondering her treatment for after chemo. He is not sure which card to play for this round and he has to make this all up as he goes along. This experience has definitely shown there is more to treatment (of a rare wierdo cancer anyway) than following a flow chart! We've learned that the timing and sequence of treatment is important because you don't want to play a card too soon instead of saving it for a better opportunity.
I can't stress enough to anyone within the sound of this blog - second opinion at a big teaching hospital!!!!!! It isn't the doctors fault at a smaller hospital, they just coudn't possibly know all this new info from the past 5 years. The nurse at the last infusion said they get patients all the time who were told to get their affairs in order by a rural or small hospital, then come to SCCA for a second opinion and get treated. Sara's first doctor was taking this approach -that chemo was useless -it's over. Even at the last appointment, as my sister referenced last post, Dr Lin told us the doctor at the UW in March/2011 wanted to send Sara to hospice. Anyone who saw her liver got "the look" on their face but Dr Lin said no she would get to try chemo. I can barely think about it now because it makes me a little lightheaded. We were so lucky our path somehow led us to Dr. Lin!
A little Part II when I get to the infusion bay later!
In the good news/bad news category she has to get more chemo. We had been talking last week about her scans and I was nervous that she would be going for over 4 weeks without any treatment. She told me to shut up, that was scaring her but then called Heidi to remind Dr. Lin of this and that the scan was taking longer to schedule. That was when he wanted to schedule a chemo dose so Sara begged Uof W to squeeze her in for a scan-please, please, please! Alas, it appeared that put a bug in Dr. Lin's brain and he decided she was getting more chemo anyway since most patients get 4 whole treatments not 1 and 1/3 like Sara did.
It is good news because she is so responsive to this chemo and it definitely makes me more comfortable to know we will be hitting any little bastard tumors that are not detected by even the fancy scan (the scan only detects a clump of at least 1 million cells). Sara is pretty upset because she feels so great and was planning on going back to work next week but now is in for at least 3 weeks straight of being sick. She was hoping to work Christmas Eve so other people wouldn't have to since she was getting surgery last year at Christmas. Also, she is getting anticipatory nausea as soon as she heard the news and can taste the yucky chemo taste in her mouth and feels the weighted blanket feeling (like the lead blanket at the dentist, she says). She knows in her mind it's good but her body is trying to run away from what's coming!
Dr. Lin is still pondering her treatment for after chemo. He is not sure which card to play for this round and he has to make this all up as he goes along. This experience has definitely shown there is more to treatment (of a rare wierdo cancer anyway) than following a flow chart! We've learned that the timing and sequence of treatment is important because you don't want to play a card too soon instead of saving it for a better opportunity.
I can't stress enough to anyone within the sound of this blog - second opinion at a big teaching hospital!!!!!! It isn't the doctors fault at a smaller hospital, they just coudn't possibly know all this new info from the past 5 years. The nurse at the last infusion said they get patients all the time who were told to get their affairs in order by a rural or small hospital, then come to SCCA for a second opinion and get treated. Sara's first doctor was taking this approach -that chemo was useless -it's over. Even at the last appointment, as my sister referenced last post, Dr Lin told us the doctor at the UW in March/2011 wanted to send Sara to hospice. Anyone who saw her liver got "the look" on their face but Dr Lin said no she would get to try chemo. I can barely think about it now because it makes me a little lightheaded. We were so lucky our path somehow led us to Dr. Lin!
A little Part II when I get to the infusion bay later!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Two High Fives
Two high fives with Dr. Lin! Chrmg A at.... Drum role please...... 43! Scheduling an octreotide scan to see if we're dealing with live disease vs scars.... It's the glowing one:) This will determine if surgery to remove the bugger on the outside of the liver that's been with me since the beginning needs Dr.Parks precision or if affinitor can take it on alone. we will have a better plan after the scan. My scan from yesterday attached for veiwing pleasure. IV chemo I off the table:)))) for now, I'm done! Dr.Lin shared some insight on what we all already know about the drug industry, how it works against us sometimes, and we took a trip down memory lane of when this all began, it was hard to listen too, hospice was brought up and sissy and I are still crying about how greatful we are for Dr. Lin. Love to all ~S
Friday, November 16, 2012
Aftermath
 |
| "SPEECH!" |
When she went to her Thursday doctor appointment, he said she was in too weak of condition to get another treatment. They decided to give her IV's to hydrate and get some nutrition in her. Shanna said she probably lost 9 pounds in one week. But damn she looked good at her Hoedown!
Sara will come home soon as possible, then not have to return till November 27. Then they will decide whether to continue the chemo or start the affinitor. {I cannot say that word out loud for some reason, my country western accent kicks in and it is 'AFF in aaator'.}
So, I for one hope she regains her strength fast. I will be at the purple house taking care of her along with everyone else who is taking care of her. Takes a village my patooie, it takes more than several states and a lot of counties, but Sara is kicking cancer's ass and we have the T-shirts to prove it.
I will try to post more frequently to keep you all updated. By the way, Nurse Erin broke her ankle!
Slipped on some ice. Stay tuned in here for interesting stuff.
Love all you guys. That Hoedown energy should be bottled and sold.
 |
| Sarah Centorbi-Hess speech |
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Whew!
The Hoedown was a huge success and is still winding down. So many people did so much and all came together to create a fabulous fundraiser for one of Sandpoint's favorite people. I am so glad Sara was not doing chemo that week so she could go and give such a great speech. Sarah Centorbi-Hess said it all. There is no way to express enough appreciation for everything.
This next week Sara will go to Seattle and get a doozy of a treatment. We are trying to get the treatments close to home and eliminate so much travel, but so far that is not happening. It is just better to go there and have Dr. Lin see her in person. Will try to organize some good pictures for the event and get them on here. Obviously, Sara is resting.
Thanks a hundred times. Love to all!
posted by Colleen
This next week Sara will go to Seattle and get a doozy of a treatment. We are trying to get the treatments close to home and eliminate so much travel, but so far that is not happening. It is just better to go there and have Dr. Lin see her in person. Will try to organize some good pictures for the event and get them on here. Obviously, Sara is resting.
Thanks a hundred times. Love to all!
posted by Colleen
Friday, November 2, 2012
3 Chemos In/Fundraiser
Well, that was a whirlwind!
Sara flew over every Thursday for Blood Draw/Dr Appt, Friday Fun Day was chemo and sleep then finally awake Saturday night for a couple funny shows. She has been pretty much horizontal the entire three weeks with Thursday being the best day and has experienced the usual symptoms. She counted up and realized she had not driven a car for 6 weeks since she drove herself over for surgery. She has developed a pretty strong aversion to pills but luckily we got a Zofran patch (nausea) and finally figured out Ativan could be crushed up into something since it is tasteless. Think giving Fido medicine.
I am not such a good nurse since my sister's willfulness is MANY times greater than mine plus she has her Woo- kind of like her own personalized Jedi power. Since my Woo is basically negative 4876, she wins a lot. I am just thankful to get my "turn" to take care of her, there is nothing worse than being far away from someone you love who is really sick and needs help.
So, yeah, it's good to be optimistic about chemo effects since they are not in one's control anyway, but Sara obviously did not make it to work at all like she planned. She is on leave until ????? We don't know. Dr Lin was happy about this and wants her to stay calm, he thinks her tumors get cranky when she is all stressed out.
Her amazing numbers (514 to 95 for tumor markers) makes it all worth while and we can't wait to see the next test since that was only after ONE treatment! Her all time low was 77 when all the doctors "oohed" and "ahhed" over her chart. She has a week off which is just perfect for...
Kickin' Cancer's Ass Hoedown!!!!!!!!
Lots of stuff to bid on, get your Christmas shopping done early or maybe win a door prize or try the raffle!! Food, music and lots of fun (you know it!). Be there Saturday Nov 3rd 5:30 to ? at the Granary by Evan's Bros. 524 Church Street. The building that will be shakin'! Lot's of handsome cowboys and lovely cowgirls so wear your boots!
Here's the FB page with more info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/264502983670875/
Thank you everyone! See you Saturday!
Sara flew over every Thursday for Blood Draw/Dr Appt, Friday Fun Day was chemo and sleep then finally awake Saturday night for a couple funny shows. She has been pretty much horizontal the entire three weeks with Thursday being the best day and has experienced the usual symptoms. She counted up and realized she had not driven a car for 6 weeks since she drove herself over for surgery. She has developed a pretty strong aversion to pills but luckily we got a Zofran patch (nausea) and finally figured out Ativan could be crushed up into something since it is tasteless. Think giving Fido medicine.
I am not such a good nurse since my sister's willfulness is MANY times greater than mine plus she has her Woo- kind of like her own personalized Jedi power. Since my Woo is basically negative 4876, she wins a lot. I am just thankful to get my "turn" to take care of her, there is nothing worse than being far away from someone you love who is really sick and needs help.
So, yeah, it's good to be optimistic about chemo effects since they are not in one's control anyway, but Sara obviously did not make it to work at all like she planned. She is on leave until ????? We don't know. Dr Lin was happy about this and wants her to stay calm, he thinks her tumors get cranky when she is all stressed out.
Her amazing numbers (514 to 95 for tumor markers) makes it all worth while and we can't wait to see the next test since that was only after ONE treatment! Her all time low was 77 when all the doctors "oohed" and "ahhed" over her chart. She has a week off which is just perfect for...
Kickin' Cancer's Ass Hoedown!!!!!!!!
Lots of stuff to bid on, get your Christmas shopping done early or maybe win a door prize or try the raffle!! Food, music and lots of fun (you know it!). Be there Saturday Nov 3rd 5:30 to ? at the Granary by Evan's Bros. 524 Church Street. The building that will be shakin'! Lot's of handsome cowboys and lovely cowgirls so wear your boots!
Here's the FB page with more info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/264502983670875/
Thank you everyone! See you Saturday!
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