Not yet settled...

Sara and I have spent much of the past week inside the confines of Wilford Hall Medical Center. Is it a bad sign that we are already sick and tired of being at that hospital? We spent about 8 hours there on Tuesday and 6 hours there today, and will be there for another appointment tomorrow.

Sara's results from the tests on Tuesday came back with good news. The chest X-ray looked good (i.e. no cancer in the lungs) and the blood counts came back regular. I asked about the blood tests and what they were looking for specifically. They were testing her alkaline phosphotase levels. Had these been elevated (hyperphosphatasemia), there would have been concern that the cancer had spread to the bones. We're pleased that these tests confirmed that the cancer probably has not spread!

Some of our friends, Hans and Analisa, passed through San Antonio on their way to Mountain Home, Idaho. On Wednesday, we met them at the Riverwalk for dinner and spent the evening catching up. Sara grew up with Analisa and Hans was in my pilot training class. It was great to see them.

Analisa and Sara


The Riverwalk

Most of today was spent in the "info-gathering" mode. We met with the oncologist again this morning to discuss Sara's chemotherapy regimen and what to expect during treatment. Most of the info shared during the session was as expected. She will begin her chemo treatment on May 18. She's getting 4 rounds, spaced at 3 week intervals. The drugs she'll receive are Adriamycin (Doxurubicin) and Cytoxin (Cyclophosphamide). She is going to lose her hair and will be immunosuppressed, due to low blood counts (red and white blood cells and platelets). We were BUMMED to find out that her chemo treatment will continue after she gives birth to Baby Sullivan. One of the drugs they want to administer is not safe to inject during pregnancy, so there will be an additional 4 cycles of chemo soon after she delivers. The additional drug is called Taxol (Paclitaxel). We thought that Sara would be able to breastfeed, but after the discussions today, that is not going to be an option. Once the last dose of chemo is done, the radiation will begin. Ugh!

Sara also had an electrocardiogram today. It was amazing to watch her heart in action. We got the see the different chambers of the heart and watch her heart valves open and close. They got a baseline measurement and will check her heart again after the chemo.

Our final appointment today was spent in the Complicated OB clinic. Despite the delay in being seen, we are happy to be under the direct care the Chief of OB/GYN. He was awesome and we are happy to have such an experienced doctor taking care of Sara and Baby.

In the midst of all these appointments, we are still trying to find a home. We have made an offer and are going back and forth with the seller about the price. We're playing hard-ball and are going to walk away if she does not meet our price. We have bought one car (an '03 Honda Pilot) and will pick it up in Houston next week.

Our new home?!?

As we realized that this "road to recovery" is going to be longer than expected...We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed: preplexed, but not in despair. --2 Corinthians 4:8

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. --2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Keep praying! Thanks.