Good News Today!

We have been waiting for the final pathology test which came in today.  Earlier this week, we met with the oncologist and found out that my cancer has officially been staged as “Stage 1”.   I have at least a  92% of the cancer not coming back within 10 years if we use hormone therapy only.   The Oncotype test that we had hoped would be back in time for our oncology appointment provides us with important information about whether or not my cancer is likely to recur and if it is likely to benefit from chemotherapy.  The scores will fall within 3 “bands” -  Low Risk – which means that chemo is not likely to make a difference so would not be recommended;  High Risk-  the likelihood of the cancer reoccurring outweighs the risks associated with chemo; or Intermediate Risk-  the maybe-maybe not range.  After meeting with the oncologist, we were bracing for the test to show an Intermediate Risk which would mean that we would be faced with a difficult decision.  The oncologist described this range as ”treating many to save a few”.   

My doctor called this afternoon, almost giddy, to report that my oncotype test fell in the “Low Risk” category so we could officially take the discussion of chemotherapy off the table!   This comes as a huge relief on so many levels.  Since meeting with the doctor earlier this week, I have been praying for clarity and that the path that He would have me take would be laid before us.  God is so good!   

Tomorrow I will begin taking Tamoxifen, which is a drug commonly used to treat breast cancer and to decrease the chance of breast cancer coming back.  It’s a pill-a-day for at least 5 years.   It does have side effects, but they pale in comparison to those from chemotherapy.   So with this news, it looks like the worst is behind us and that we will be able to move forward from here into my new life as a "cancer survivor". 

I thank God for each of you and for all of the love, support and prayers that you have so generously given to me and my family!  I am truly blessed! 

2 Weeks and Counting!

What a difference a week can make!  I can scarcely recognize the Sarah that a week ago was laying on the couch all day long- sleeping most of it, struggling to move to sitting or standing position.  It’s particularly strange since this whole “cancer journey” seems to be happening so quickly.  It was a month ago today that I heard those words from the doctor “the biopsy shows that you have cancer”, and quite honestly, I have yet to come to grips with what this all really means. 

I am happy to report, however,  that I am now able to sit or stand with relative ease.  I can manage the steps without methodically putting both feet on each step while balancing myself with the railing like a toddler.  Less an occasional Ibuprophen in the evening, I am off all pain medications and am able to shower, dress and otherwise take care of myself.  Other than not being able to reach anything above my head and not being able to push, pull or carry anything over 10 lbs., I am actually becoming almost independent again.    It may come as a shock to you, but this whole asking for help thing has been difficult for me.  I feel sure that God smiles every time I have to ask Tony or the kids to get something off the top shelf or carry something for me.  My mom used to tell me that I practically came out the womb independent.  As the youngest of four,  I reportedly potty-trained myself, walked myself to and from kindergarten on the first day of school, got my driver’s license at 8 a.m. on the morning of my 16^th birthday, and worked at least 2 jobs from the time I was 15 until I began teaching.   I am quite sure that although God did not give me this cancer, he has plans to use this experience to teach me so many things!   Understanding the blessings that come from being served must certainly be at the top of His list.  I am so much more comfortable in the role of the server- God just loves to help us break free from our comfort zones- I am learning that He has quite a sense of humor! 

After the MLK holiday on Monday, Tony and the kids have resumed their normal schedules of school, afterschool activities and work.  Although he tires easily and is absolutely exhausted when he gets home, Tony is recovering well from his bout with pneumonia.  His hard-headedness, I am afraid is terminal.   In these 3 days while home alone, God continues to bless me in so many ways.   There is about an hour in the late morning when the sun streams in from the large window in the foyer to create a strip of warm sunlight in a spot in the living room behind the couch.  There is just enough room for a chair and I have found this to be a perfect spot for some light chair yoga (improvised, of course since I have never taken the time to really learn the disciplines of yoga), prayer, bible study and meditation.  My friends at work gave me a lovely daily devotional of psalms and prayers and it is a perfect complement for this special time.   What a gift this is!  The dogs sit sweetly at my feet, sharing the suns warmth and I am filled with a glimpses of what Paul described in his letter to the Philippians as the peace of God which passeth all understanding. 

The weather has been amazing (77 this afternoon- in January!), so I have also begun a routine of daily walks.  My surgeon said that walking is the best thing that I could do for my recovery.  I began on Monday with Ellena at my side.  We only went around the block – but oh what a gift!  I have walked a little further each day and am up to almost ½ mile today- although I was pretty tired when I got home!  My old habits of exercise have been lost for a while – overcome by motherhood,  the new job, and the myth that there is no time.  For now, time is on my side, so I am hoping to reconnect with the old me who was relatively in-shape and use this time as the foundation for a healthier post-cancer me.  I will surely be ready when the next Race for the Cure comes around! 

I continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayer and support from so many of you.  The cards, emails and phone calls have meant more to me than any of you can know. The meals have been amazing – what a gift to have home-cooked meals, lovingly prepared for us.  (The downside….the myth that I have been able to maintain about being a pretty good cook for my kids is now shattered- thanks a lot!)  I am truly humbled to think of the amount of prayer that has been and is continuing to be offered on my behalf.  I can honestly say that I have never had such an experience of being lifted up by so many in prayer – It is a gift that is impossible to describe!  There is no way that I could adequately express my gratitude to all of you in words, so I hold this up to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the blessing that you all are to us!   

Tonight we took our first “outing” - going to Chilis together as a family for dinner (thanks to the generous gift certificates from our “family” at LISD).  We enjoyed two orders of 2 for $20 and even finished up with our favorite chocolate molten cake.  (I say we, but Tony never had a chance… Ellena, Elias and I devoured it before he could even pick up his spoon!).  It was really nice to get out and have a “normal” family night out.   I asked the waiter to take our picture – felt a little silly since this was not really a special occasion – only it was a special occasion – I am learning that the real joy in life lies within these seemingly ordinary moments – you just have to pay attention, and it’s there.  Praise God!

More Good News!

So far all of the pathology test results have been quite favorable.  So many blessings and reasons to be grateful:
1)  My tumor was caught early and is very small (just 13 mm).  Alleluia!
2)  All three lymph nodes removed during surgery showed no sign of metastatic carcinoma and we have clear margins from the initial surgery ...the cancer hasn't spread.  Alleluia! 
3)  Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer - This means that my cancer cells grow in response to both estrogen and progesterone and likely to respond to hormonal therapies.  This means I am a good candidate for hormone therapy (just a pill a day for 5 years - not bad) Alleluia!  
4) HER 2/neu Status - Negative:  A positive HER 2 indicates a more aggressive form of cancer cells.. So my non-positive result is an indication that my cancer is not aggressive - Alleluia!  
5)  Stage 1 - these results all ads up to low staging of my cancer - my prognosis is very good - Alleluia!  

One more came into today... My BRCA has come back negative!    According to the National Cancer Institute, A woman's risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Men with these mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer.  Both men and women who have harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may be at increased risk of other cancers. 
According to estimates of lifetime risk, about 12.0 percent of women (120 out of 1,000) in the general population will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives compared with about 60 percent of women (600 out of 1,000) who have inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.  In other words, a woman who has inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman who does not have such a mutation. 

So...in simple terms... my cancer is not putting my kids at a higher risk for developing cancer themselves-  Praise God!  

The final test has been ordered which will help our oncologist determine the likelihood of reoccurrence.  It is this test that will help guide our decision about chemotherapy. 

We have much to be grateful for.  I am recovering well from the surgery and am getting stronger each day.  We give the glory to God for the blessings that he continues to bestow on us and are truly humbled by the outpouring of prayer on our behalf!  Please keep the prayers coming that this last test will continue to confirm our favorable outlook and that we can avoid chemotherapy in this journey. 

Post-hospitalization complications for Tony, not Sarah!

So.. Tony's fever turned out to be a case of both the flu and pneumonia in his right lung. Thank God that his mother is here and is now trying to take care of both of us. She truly is an angel! I can't remember ever seeing him this sick! Tony is keeping his distance from the rest of us and is already feeling better with two doses of tamaflu and antibiotics in his system. We so appreciate the prayers, positive thoughts, cards, meals and well wishes on our behalf!

I called in the troops yesterday and was blessed with having time with Kendra as she filled in for Tony by giving me a ride to my followup apt with my surgeon. Good news- no more drains, tubes or stitches! Doctor was pleased with my progress and said that I should feel considerably better in the next week or two. I have pretty much weaned myself from the narcotic pain meds and have been feeling stronger each day. We're hoping to discuss the results of all the tests and the final pathology on the tissue taken during surgery with the oncologist next week.

We continue to be amazed by God's grace and feel incredibly blessed by the outpouring of love and support that we are receiving. Please keep the prayers coming - they are making all of the difference!

Celebrations!

Elias was such a good sport - a low key 15th birthday for him!

1 Week Down!

 
It's hard to believe that a week ago today I was undergoing surgery.  (And it's only been 4 weeks since I received my initial diagnosis.)  I have been sleeping so much that time has taken on a bit of a surreal feel.   I have been getting stronger each day and am now able to get up and down, walk unaided (although a bit hunched over), and have even navigated the steps by myself.  My pain is manageable, although I am definitely feeling the difference without the catheter that was removed on Saturday and the transition away from he narcotic pain medicine to ibuprofen.

I am surrounded by reminders of the outpouring of love and support in my make-shift bed on the couch downstairs.  The meals, cards, flowers, gifts and most importantly the prayers and positive thoughts for us have made all of the difference in the world!    
  
Amelia left to go back to Boston yesterday.  She has been such angel to me, the kids and Tony.  I am sure having her here to physically walk these first few steps of this journey with us is just one of many blessings that God has in store for us all.  With that said, it was really hard to say goodbye this time.  She's entering the final semester of her senior year and will soon be entering into one of the most exciting and challenging transitions in her very special life.  She has turned into such a beautiful person and I pray that the Lord will continue to be by her side and send the Holy Spirit to her to guide and protect her. 

Tony's mother, Margaret (aka Gueli) and sister, Julie, arrived last night just as the most boring national championship game ever played was ending.  With Amelia gone, having Gueli here for this week as I continue to get stronger is truly a blessing!  special thanks to Julie for making the rainy drive up from San Antonio so Gueli can be with us!  

Elias turned 15 today-talk about time flying!  Gueli made us some world famous "Cleto Burgers" for dinner and was able to make run to the store to make sure we had presents and cake for a proper celebration.  Looks like his party with his friends will be delayed by a few weeks while I recover.  Tony came home with fever and body aches- and was promptly put to bed by Ellena once presents were opened.  Elias is lost in his new xbox game- I guess he'll reemerge soon enough!      

We are off to see Dr. Habash, our plastic surgeon around lunchtime tomorrow.  It's looking good for the final drain to be removed.  This should be an uneventful visit otherwise- just checking on the incision sites(yes there are several), and making sure I am healing as expected.      

Thanks to you all for your continued prayers and support.  I am slowly getting strong enough for short visits and conversations on the phone, although I am sleeping often and trying to keep the focus on healing right now.  

Ahh! A Shower and almost no more tubes!

It's been an exciting day by hospital standards. By the time that the shift changed and my new nurse had come in at 7 a.m. to introducer herself, Dr. Habash had already called her and given her instructions on removing 3 out of 4 of my drains, the oncu-cube bulb and catheters which had been continuously sending numbing medication to my abdominal incision site and the two lines that had been monitoring oxygen levels in my transplanted tissue since Tuesday. All removed! As well as the 2 remaining IVs and various other taped dressings and leads- and the best part... A nice hot shower! Alleluia! I almost feel human again! Amelia got to pay me back for the thousands of baths and showers that I gave her as an infant and toddler! She washed my hair and made sure that I was all dried off before slipping on my "real world" clothes. Discharge paperwork has just been finished so I am happy to report that I'll be going home soon! So thankful to have this part of the journey behind us and so blessed by all of your prayers and positive thoughts!