We are still at the hospital in Seattle. Sara has excellent Nurses and Doctors watching over her. Her Mom is here now which is almost as good as Sarah Hess to whom I am forever grateful. It is almost like Grey's anatomy except no one has a telephone pole sticking out their ear.
Her prognosis is literally minute by minute. They are determining the best treatment for her particular case. We will stay here untill they are comfortable sending her back to the SCCA place or possibly home. Sara is resting most of the time to keep up her strength to kick some major behind. I will keep this updated as best I can. If anyone wants to send her a note or card send it to her house 207 Kootenai 4th Ave. Sandpoint, ID 83864 and we will make sure she gets it.
Thanks to everyone for all you prayers and kindnesses. North Idaho truly has a halo.
Colleen
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Scoop.. per Tuesday
Hi All, Yesterday was a very busy day we woke up and went to Sara's real doctor appointment ( meaning a doctor that has a plan to save her life) if you can imagine it was music to our ears.. the whole reason we are here to begin with!!! Dr. Lin is now Sara's Oncologist he is from MD Anderson in Houston and works directly with Dr. Yao ( the doctor we were striving to get in with in Houston).
Dr. Lim admitted me into the UDUB hospital, we're trying to stabalize my body. I haven't been able to eat whole foods for ...... ????? I can't remember. So I am on a heavy liquid IV diet to try to get me to stabalize my weight. I've lost 10lbs just since I've been here. Sarah tried to go get me some pants that wouldn't fall off... and bless her little heart, she thinks I am a size 6. Well I'm not that small, especially by H&M standards, but I feel like I did when we used to go to Cali and had a hard time finding a swimsuit for the tall lanky girl with no boobs.
This skinny sick girl is just waiting for someone to tell her... "take this pill, it will make all those mean tumors in your liver go away".... but I don't think that is going to happen. So now I start to learn what it means to live with cancer.
I'll give an update today what's happened since I've been here....
~s
Dr. Lim admitted me into the UDUB hospital, we're trying to stabalize my body. I haven't been able to eat whole foods for ...... ????? I can't remember. So I am on a heavy liquid IV diet to try to get me to stabalize my weight. I've lost 10lbs just since I've been here. Sarah tried to go get me some pants that wouldn't fall off... and bless her little heart, she thinks I am a size 6. Well I'm not that small, especially by H&M standards, but I feel like I did when we used to go to Cali and had a hard time finding a swimsuit for the tall lanky girl with no boobs.
This skinny sick girl is just waiting for someone to tell her... "take this pill, it will make all those mean tumors in your liver go away".... but I don't think that is going to happen. So now I start to learn what it means to live with cancer.
I'll give an update today what's happened since I've been here....
~s
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Well it started out good......Sarah Hess
This morning upon our waking up we made plans to conquer Seattle Space needle whoohoo.. Everything seemed good Sara was feeling OK ( not her typical fabulous self ) but good enough to go for a stroll to whole foods then to space needle for some good ol family bonding with her dad, sissy ,wes and thier adorable girls!! We got some GREAT pictures i tell ya, i must admit even I was a bit whoozy way up there so maybe was not the best idea but oh well, So now here we are sitting in the ER at the UW hospital cause Sara's whoozy spell got alittle out of control ( we decided we needed a good IV cocktail to get her feelin to par again).. One funny thing i can say is im glad im such a pest cause we r cozy in a hospital room bed meanwhile people have been in the ER waiting room for 4 hours...sucks to be them i tell ya!!! Hence i think this is why Sara asked me to come...the squeeky wheel gets the greese right?? So while the rest of you are livin it up this saturday night out drinkin your micro brews and fancy vodka drinks we sit in a 10x12 hospital room with a liter of CT scan dye and a bottle of ensure.......Cheers!!!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Update from Doc visit today
Okay, well... the rides at Disneyland are probably way more fun...... Dad, Sarah, Sissy and I sat in a little cramped hospital room, with nurse after nurse asking the same questions over and over. By the time the white haired, white bearded man came in it was obvious that he skimmed through my chart notes that all the nurses wrote down just moments before. He hadn't even taken a look at the scans, x-rays that we fed ex'd overnight here earlier this week since he was ON VACATION! GEEESSSSHHHHHHH.
All in all, he was no saving grace, we all definitely walked out more deflated than when we walked in... On the way in we had cameras clicking, flashes flashing.... it was like the episode of Absolutely Fabulous when Eddie has to go in for a hangnail and Patsy goes in for moral support with photographers, champagne and cigarettes. On the way out.... it was like we had just come from a wake.
After that, we came back to our cozy home-away-from-home and Sarah was on the phone, again, and we are now seeing another Oncologist Tuesday morning. So Sarah, Dad and I are going to get cozy over here in Seattle, in our little home away from home, waiting, wishing and praying....
I was lucky tonight.... Lil Penny came to say goodnight to her Auntie Sara:) Tomorrow the Seattle Center with everyone, Ruby to lead the way. And these 3 amigos, the next plan of attack if we aren't liking what this guy is saying we see Tuesday...... we're going to look into case studies, experimental medicines and whatever else is out there...... Switzerland here we come!
The answer for a prognosis rolls on....
~S
All in all, he was no saving grace, we all definitely walked out more deflated than when we walked in... On the way in we had cameras clicking, flashes flashing.... it was like the episode of Absolutely Fabulous when Eddie has to go in for a hangnail and Patsy goes in for moral support with photographers, champagne and cigarettes. On the way out.... it was like we had just come from a wake.
After that, we came back to our cozy home-away-from-home and Sarah was on the phone, again, and we are now seeing another Oncologist Tuesday morning. So Sarah, Dad and I are going to get cozy over here in Seattle, in our little home away from home, waiting, wishing and praying....
I was lucky tonight.... Lil Penny came to say goodnight to her Auntie Sara:) Tomorrow the Seattle Center with everyone, Ruby to lead the way. And these 3 amigos, the next plan of attack if we aren't liking what this guy is saying we see Tuesday...... we're going to look into case studies, experimental medicines and whatever else is out there...... Switzerland here we come!
The answer for a prognosis rolls on....
~S
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Seattle bound!
And we're off! Dad is captain, Sarah co-pilot (even though I'm in the passanger seat) and me sleeping of course...... It's a gorgeous day, the Colombia looks beautifauul, (even though I still would never swim in there... Yikes! Who knows what in the bottom of that river).
Weird Deja Vu with Dad, Sarah and I roadtrippin it... feels like 20 years ago when dad took Sarah and I to The Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver B.C. Sarah and I forgot our garment bag with ALL of our "lets look HOT" clothes for the occasion. We talked dad into taking us shopping to ensure we were HOT, and, well, it worked.
Last night going to sleep I felt like a little kid who's waking up to go to Disneyland in the morning. Funny how that works, how the fun of Disneyland, the fantasy, lights, costume, big castles, waterparks and rides can be traded in for the happiness of seeing a doctor, a specialist that is, to tell you your prognosis for your disease. So yeah, I'm excited.
I'll keep ya'll posted, so come back now hear?
Lots of love!
~s
Weird Deja Vu with Dad, Sarah and I roadtrippin it... feels like 20 years ago when dad took Sarah and I to The Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver B.C. Sarah and I forgot our garment bag with ALL of our "lets look HOT" clothes for the occasion. We talked dad into taking us shopping to ensure we were HOT, and, well, it worked.
Last night going to sleep I felt like a little kid who's waking up to go to Disneyland in the morning. Funny how that works, how the fun of Disneyland, the fantasy, lights, costume, big castles, waterparks and rides can be traded in for the happiness of seeing a doctor, a specialist that is, to tell you your prognosis for your disease. So yeah, I'm excited.
I'll keep ya'll posted, so come back now hear?
Lots of love!
~s
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Excited
I've taken myselft of the Benedryl so I could function at work today.... it felt good to know what is going on and some normacy in my life.
Leaving tomorrow to Seattle before an ice storm takes over the pass.... passengers are myself, Dad and Sarah. Jenn is staying behind to help take care of Mom, Bentley and Liza:) And Sissy is meeting up with us for the Doctor's appt Friday AM. I am on pins and needles to hear what they are going to say... I am looking for concrete news so I can understand what exactly I'm up against better.
I'm down to 150lbs, and since I am not taking the Benedryl, the rash on my chest is starting getting worse and going down my arms now. Soooooooo I pretty much look like a freak. Still living on Ensure and Gatorade, no whole foods.
Well good wishes, prayers and all that stuff from all you I will be channeling! And I thank you all in advance:)
I'll keep you posted!
~sara
Leaving tomorrow to Seattle before an ice storm takes over the pass.... passengers are myself, Dad and Sarah. Jenn is staying behind to help take care of Mom, Bentley and Liza:) And Sissy is meeting up with us for the Doctor's appt Friday AM. I am on pins and needles to hear what they are going to say... I am looking for concrete news so I can understand what exactly I'm up against better.
I'm down to 150lbs, and since I am not taking the Benedryl, the rash on my chest is starting getting worse and going down my arms now. Soooooooo I pretty much look like a freak. Still living on Ensure and Gatorade, no whole foods.
Well good wishes, prayers and all that stuff from all you I will be channeling! And I thank you all in advance:)
I'll keep you posted!
~sara
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Progress
There is some progress in this very llllllooooooooonnnnnngggggg drawn out process..... Looking forward to Friday. Dad, Sarah and I are heading to Seattle staying at the Seattle Cancer Care House right by the clinic and conveniently located 10 blocks from downtown where Westlake is:)..... hmmmmm.
Sissy is meeting up with us Friday AM for the doctor's consultation. We have no idea what they are going to say or tell me about treatment.. this is like not finding out the sex of your child. All I know is 3 weeks ago a doctor said the C word to me (Cancer), and I still feel like I'm waiting for a diagnosis. Even though I'm shooting my self up everyday I just don't feel like for the "aggressive" cancer I have and the "aggressive" treatment they said I needed..... well I'm no doctor, but it just doesn't seem like this is very aggressive! I want this shit gone, now.... hasn't cancer ever heard of ASAP?
Yesterday was hard, if something could go wrong, it did. And considering my hormones are all messed up, I thought I was having a nervous break down....
I'm rambling now, characteristics morphine does, and a lot of times doesn't make sense. A big shout out to everyone and your support, good thoughts and prayers. To my Dad, Chels and Laura Raines for keeping Bentley and Liza entertained for me. To my Mother, Sarah, Jenn, Denise and Erin for staying with me... (even though I tell them I'm fine, then I forget to take meds, so they're right.) My sister, brother and Sarah for fixing this website stuff for me, everyone who's been so awesome bringing me food, I have to say, for someone who hasn't been able to really eat, my refrigerator is more stocked now than it ever has been. Just to everyone helping in anyway they can, from Lauren's acupuncture to handy man Dave. Stay tuned, Jill has offered the DTC to do a benefit which Karley is brewin up.
For now it's Seattle, to mull over what the specialist say, and decide if to stille go to the Mayo Clinic in Houston for that 3rd opinion. I figure if they say the same thing, then I'll know the treatment is right, right?
Love to all,
~S
Sissy is meeting up with us Friday AM for the doctor's consultation. We have no idea what they are going to say or tell me about treatment.. this is like not finding out the sex of your child. All I know is 3 weeks ago a doctor said the C word to me (Cancer), and I still feel like I'm waiting for a diagnosis. Even though I'm shooting my self up everyday I just don't feel like for the "aggressive" cancer I have and the "aggressive" treatment they said I needed..... well I'm no doctor, but it just doesn't seem like this is very aggressive! I want this shit gone, now.... hasn't cancer ever heard of ASAP?
Yesterday was hard, if something could go wrong, it did. And considering my hormones are all messed up, I thought I was having a nervous break down....
I'm rambling now, characteristics morphine does, and a lot of times doesn't make sense. A big shout out to everyone and your support, good thoughts and prayers. To my Dad, Chels and Laura Raines for keeping Bentley and Liza entertained for me. To my Mother, Sarah, Jenn, Denise and Erin for staying with me... (even though I tell them I'm fine, then I forget to take meds, so they're right.) My sister, brother and Sarah for fixing this website stuff for me, everyone who's been so awesome bringing me food, I have to say, for someone who hasn't been able to really eat, my refrigerator is more stocked now than it ever has been. Just to everyone helping in anyway they can, from Lauren's acupuncture to handy man Dave. Stay tuned, Jill has offered the DTC to do a benefit which Karley is brewin up.
For now it's Seattle, to mull over what the specialist say, and decide if to stille go to the Mayo Clinic in Houston for that 3rd opinion. I figure if they say the same thing, then I'll know the treatment is right, right?
Love to all,
~S
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