Thursday, July 1, 2010

A series of In......spirations..........


The one question I keep getting is, "What stage is Sarahs Cancer".  Although I know there is importance in this question and answer I believe that the stage of Sarah's Cancer is irrelevant and she can beat this no matter what stage, but the answer is.......Stage 4.

Through this entire journey there have been a series on interuptions/or shall I say inspirations that have brought us to where we are today.  Sarah has asked me to share these stories of inspiration with you.

The first and most significant inspiration of events happened on Monday June 21st.  I mentioned earlier that Sarah and Dan and I had a discussion about taking her health into her own hands. While we were having this discussion I was inspired to tell Sarah the story about my niece Beatrice.  Bebe was sick for about 3 months and was continuing to decline in her health daily.  After being told for the seventh time she had the flu, my sister in law Liz had had enough.  She demanded they find out what was wrong with Bebe.  The PA she was seeing had the Doctor come in and see her, after taking one look at Bebe, the doctor immediately sent her to The Primary Childrens Hospital.  Within hours she was in surgery and the surgeon told my brother and sister she was hours away from death.  I dont know why I told Sara this story, I certainly did not think Sarah was close to death, but I told her the story because I was inspired to.  This was the reason she got her MRI, something inside her sparked and may have saved her life. 

Another story of inspiration comes from her brother Jimmy.  Several years ago he did auto service for a guy who moved to Houston, TX.  For some reason, of all the hundreds of customers he has ever had he kept in contact with THIS guy.  Several days ago we found a clinical trial that Sarah may qualify for and Jimmy felt inspired to contact his friend to see if by chance he had any connections at this hospital.  Miraculously his friend emailed back and his best friend happens to be the president of the hospital and can help Sarahs treatment get fast tracked.  Jimmy followed his inspriation as un-likely as it seemed, and she may now get the help she desperatly needs.

Today was a great day for Sarah.  After several bad days with blow after blow, Sarah had a good day.  She went in for her first treatment of Radiation this morning, and it went without a hitch.  While she was in her radiation treatment, I went up to her doctors office to pick up some lab work, and ask her nurse a quick question.  Her doctor came out to personally answer her questions and asked that Sarah come up after her treament for a quick visit.  When we sat down with him for our impromptu meeting, he was everything you could ask for in an Oncologist.  He was compassionate, interested, and discussed ideas about treatment he had already researched at MD Anderson Cancer center in Houston Texas.  We had been reasearching a clinical trial for an unknown primary at MD, and wanted to ask some questions about if Sarah was a viable candidate,  The doctor informed us that he believes Sarahs Cancer originated in her Ovaries, and had already called their gynecological oncology unit and had already sent her lads there for review.  Knowing the primary of Sarahs Cancer will help target her treatment and determine a specifi treament.  this was very exciting news. Although we Know that Ovarian cancer is a very scary and deadly cancer, at least now she may know what she is up against. 
Sarah and I spent the night laying in her bed talking an gossiping.  these are the moments that I will never forget.  After a long very happy day Sarah had a real reality check.  After taking too many pain killers and not enough food, her nausea got the best of her, and she ended up on the bathroom floor praying to the porcelain gods......

Thank you so much for everything and all the prayers.  we will keep you posted on Sarah's treatment, and let you know what is happening with MD Anderson in Houston, TX.....

3 comments:

  1. These stories ARE inspiring. It is important to take control, so many times we let doctors make all the decisions. I Love that you guys are sooo involved in research and working together to help Sarah. I wish I could lend a hand. I hope that she get her pain and nausea under control. We are and will continue to pray for her.

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing Sarah's experience. The Lord's hand is always in our life and it is so comforting in times like this to really feel His influence.

    I'm friends with Phil and Chantel. We are praying and fasting for you Sarah and will continue to while you fight this battle. Much love!

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  3. This is Cheryl, and I am using my daughter Ashley's account to post a message to you! So.....Thank you for sharing such inspirational stories. After my Mom's cancer surgery, she was ill too.....then she quit taking Vicodin!!! All the nausea went away!
    The Three Rivers Branch are fasting and praying for you, and I put your name in at three Temples. I will be watching your blog and praying for you. Good thoughts and lots of love coming your way. :)

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