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.

The latest...

We spent the morning at the hospital discussing treatment options with the oncologist. Sara is going to receive 4 doses of chemotherapy, spaced every 3 weeks, beginning in mid-May. This is less than we were expecting and is good news. The doctor today reconfirmed that the outcome of this chemo was going to be a CURE for Sara.

The doctors want Sara to get a multitude of tests prior to beginning chemo. She is going to get a chest X-ray, a liver ultrasound, an echocardiogram, some blood tests, and a port-a-cath installed during the next few weeks.

The chest X-ray and liver ultrasound are to test for any metastasis (spreading) of cancer cells. THERE IS NO SPECULATION THAT THE CANCER HAS SPREAD, BUT WE WOULD RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY! The echocardiogram is to get a baseline test of the heart prior to chemo. One of the side effects of the Adriamycin (chemo drug) is cardiotoxicity, or damage to the heart muscle. Basically, the heart won't be able to pump blood as efficiently as before.

I'm not sure what the blood tests are looking for specifically, but some "counts" would be higher if the cancer had spread to other organs.

The port-a-cath is going to be inserted under the skin on her upper right chest.

Port-a-cath

Port-a-cath X-ray

The port-a-cath will simplify the chemo administration and we won't have to worry about the chemo drugs "leaking" into her arm if an IV was not inserted correctly. Bad stuff happens when chemo drugs are not administerd correctly, so we are all for the port. I won't gross you out by showing a video, but if you are interested click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdD3KSGJOHI to see a port-a-cath in action.

Please pray for continued health of the baby and that Sara's heart will not be damaged during chemo. Also, we are looking for a house and 2 cars, so pray for smart decisions.

Your prayers are much appreciated.

San Antonio

The Alamo

We arrived in San Antonio on Monday afternoon after a weekend in Houston with family. We are staying in an on-base apartment until we find a house.

Sara is healing up and feeling better everyday. The nausea has subsided and she has lots more energy.

Sara had an unplanned appointment today with the surgery clinic at Wilford Hall. I was contemplating not blogging about this, but we've been descriptive thus far.

The site on her back, where the drain tube was, started to look odd on Sunday. Imagine one of this guys ears (in the popped out condition) sticking out of Sara's back. We were hoping that this "ear" would deflate back into her skin, but it did not. So, I called the surgical clinic. They told us to come in and they would fit us in. The doctor at Wilford Hall already knew about Sara's case when we got there. He attended medical school with the surgeon from Misawa, who has been in contact with him. Once again, another seamless transition...

Back to the "popped out ear"... He told us that "tissue granularization" is natural and is part of the healing process. He then said, "Sara, this is what we may consider EXCESSIVE granularization." He applied some Silver Nitrate to the spot and we waited a few minutes for it to be "chemically cauterized." Then unbeknownst to Sara, he took some scissors and cut it off. She now has a flat black area where the "ear" was. This should heal up with no other complications.

We will be back at Wilford Hall on Friday to talk about chemotherapy and then again early next week for an OB appointment and probably the first round of chemo.

Thanks for checking up on us.

P.S. REMEMBER THE ALAMO

Headed to TEXAS...

The pathology report on the tissue removed during Sara's second surgery is done. There were NO cancer cells in the tissue removed, meaning that we are done in Hawaii. We are flying to Houston on Thursday night and heading to San Antonio within the next few days. Sara has an appointment with the chemotherapy doctor on May 1 and will probably start chemo soon thereafter.

We have had a great time in Hawaii, but are ready to get on with the next phase of treatment.

Kailua Bay

We are grateful for the quality of care that Sara received while at Tripler and are so thankful to all the doctors and nurses who have treated her. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers...they are felt!

Surgery, take 2...

Sara's Stylish Hairnet

After another early morning at Tripler, Sara is home and sleeping soundly (thanks to some pain medication). The surgery went well and we were out of the hospital by 12:00pm. This operation was done under "local anesthetic with sedation." Sara was sleeping and numb, but was not unconscious (as was done in the previous surgery). After the first surgery, she had a difficult time in recovery due to nausea caused by general anesthesia, compounded by pregnancy. Today, we did not have to deal with any of that. She was wheeled out about 30 minutes after surgery and we were leaving the hospital within the hour.

Baby is fine, too. Sara got to see some ultrasound images of the baby after surgery and the heartbeat was strong.

The doctor left the drain tube in, based on the amount of fluid that is still coming out. We will attempt to have it removed again on Friday.

The extra tissue removed this morning will be sent to pathology to check for "clear margins" once again. Surely, we won't have to go back for a third try...

We will be in Hawaii through the middle of next week. I will update the blog when we hear back from pathology and once our travel plans firm up.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
--2 Corinthians 4:18

Pathology Results

Sara's pathology report on the tumor and lymph nodes was completed this morning. We have some good news and some not-so-good news.

Good news... Only 3 of the 10 lymph nodes removed came back positive for cancer. This means that Sara's cancer stays Stage IIB.

Not-so-good news... The margin of healthy tissue removed around the tumor showed some "microscopic calcifications" (cancer cells). This means that there is going to be another procedure next week to remove more breast tissue. We knew that this was a possibility with the lumpectomy, and we were willing to accept that risk in order to do the breast conservation surgery. It will be a minor surgery (Sara will be awake and under local anesthesia), and we will be home the same day. With the local anesthesia, there is no risk to Baby Sulli. They are going to go back in through the same incision and take a few more millimeters of tissue on both ends of where the tumor was.

We were curious as to what the cancer looked like and what the doctors did with the tumor once the testing on it was completed. This IS NOT a photo of Sara's tumor.

Breast Cancer Tumor

The yellow tissue is healthy breast tissue and the white in the center is the cancer. The doctor said that the tumor is similar (in appearance and texture) to scar tissue. The surgeon told us that they save most of the cancerous tumors (for research later) and that there is a room in the hospital that is FULL of tumors. Sorry if that grossed you out.

We are looking forward to a relaxing weekend, then Sara will have the drainage tube (in her armpit) removed on Monday and will go in for the additional surgery on Wednesday. We will be in Hawaii through April 21 for sure.

The tests on Baby Sullivan also came back today. There is NO INCREASED RISK for chromosomal abnormalities. More good news.

Sara is feeling better everyday and is recovering nicely. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Tumor, be gone!

Happy Sara (pre-surgery)

It is a HUGE relief to have the cancerous tumor and lymph nodes out of Sara's body! Nightly, for the past month, I would reach over and feel "lefty" in hopes that the tumor had miraculously disappeared. We have been ready to get the cancer out of her body, especially after learning that it was "high-grade" and growing/spreading. Mom did a good job of updating you on the surgery last night, and I have nothing to add.

Angie and Sara (post-surgery)

The Fam

We got some sleep in the hospital last night, which was much needed. The nurse checked on Sara hourly and for the first few of her visits, I would sit up and try to help. However, after what seemed like the 10th visit, Sara and I would not budge as they checked her vital signs. They would wrap the blood pressure cuff around her leg and put the thermometer in her armpit. During each check, the nurse would ask Sara, "How do you feel?" By the end of the night, Sara's only response was a grunt.

We had another ultrasound this morning. In the ultrasound immediately following surgery, there was a heartbeat, but no movement. The doctors said that the anesthesia also puts the baby to sleep. Today, they did some gestational sizing and took lots of measurements. With the results from last weeks blood work and the measurements today, the doctors will be able to test for numerous "chromosomal abnormalities." We got to see lots of images of the little guy today. He was very energetic and moving and bouncing around a lot. We were relieved to see that the surgery and anesthesia seemed to have zero impact thus far.

Baby Sullivan - 12 weeks

We were discharged at 3:00pm this afternoon and are looking forward to some recovery time on the beach. Sara has a drain tube coming out of her armpit that is going to require some of my "nurse duties." In order for her to be discharged, I had to agree and "learn" to change the dressings and drainage bulb.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during the surgery and recovery. We are glad to have this hurdle behind us and LET THE ROAD TO RECOVERY BEGIN!

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
--2 Thessalonians 3:3