Happy Celebratating!

Can't help but simply post a photo of our celebration night- Louisa's 1st birthday and Sarah's great scan.

Pure Joy!

Pure joy was what I heard in Sarah's voice when she called this week to share the results from her last scan! It shows no sign of disease in the pelvic and abdomen areas. There is only one small nodule remaining in the pulmonary lobe (lung) and it has shrunk. This equates to the chemo worked. She will continue with the plan of moving to hormone therapy (she already started) and be watched.

Your prayers and good thoughts are working. I am so grateful for all the support. Please continue to keep Sarah there as her body is still healing this invasion- the drug therapy she continues takes its toll. Saran and I had a fabulous trip to San Diego last week. She had to go for work and I tagged along to assist as needed and because I could!! We're looking forward to celebrating this news and Louisa's 1st birthday in OBX with my family, parents and Sarah's family.

Thanks for reading, praying, thinking, loving, learning, teaching, sharing- it is a heck of a journey isn't it.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Sarah took her 12th Chemo Therapy treatment last week and it went well! Next steps puts Sarah into Hormone Therapy and to a scan in early Auguest. What that means exactly we don't know but we'll keep you posted as we learn and navigate this course. What we do believe is Sarah is getting well, she is fighting this cancer, she is managing cancer in her life, she is working, loving, mothering, being, she is living! She is surrounded by love and support and we're all grateful.

I had a great quick visit with Sarah at the end of June and look forward to some more extended time with her at the end of July! Then our families will vacation together in August and we'll celebrate Louisa's 1st birthday a bit early so the cousins can sing in person! I find it easier to update this blog after visits so look again in a few weeks for thoughts on where things are. THANK YOU for reading and staying in touch with Sarah and our family.

Celebrations

Life gives us so many reasons to celebrate and this weekend we did just that with Sarah, Greg and Louisa. Louisa Clare Christopher was baptised at The Church of the Redeemer, an Episcopal Church USA. It was a beautiful service filled with grace and thanksgiving, commitment and promises that we will carry for inspiration and direction. I could go on and on about this event but won't take up space- email me if you need more details or photos!!

Sarah and Greg were amazing hosts providing a fantastic weekend in Baltimore. Louisa is in an active and darling stage- she goes after life-just like Sarah and Greg! She isn't walking but she is mobile! She isn't talking but she is verbal and above all continues to be happy, happy, happy! She really radiates joy. Clare, Peter and Sally adore her and we were impressed they didn't overwhelm their youngest cousin. It was a full weekend of great gatherings with family and friends in Baltimore- a city we really enjoy visiting- can't beat those hard shells and crab cakes- oh my gosh! I can't wait to go back- the problem is the more we're together and the more we want to return and the longer we want to stay. It is a good thing we all have fulfilling things to do when we are a part from one another and things like blogs, email, facebook and cell phones keep us connected.

The past few weeks have been filled with good focus for Sarah- baptism prep, travel for work and friend fun. She has chemo this week so lets keep her in our thoughts and prayers and support her as we have- she feels the love and it is working- we all have much to celebrate.

From Sarah....sent to me after her chemo of May 21st.

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a nice night! Chemo when pretty well yesterday. I couldn’t sleep the night before, I believe I got a total of 3 hours. At chemo. they gave me my Advent and Benedryl and I became crazy. Greg and I laughed the entire time. I got home and completely crashed. Greg went and picked up Louisa from child care, came home and I didn’t even know it. When I awoke at 7:00ish, and he was feeding her, I thought it was morning. Again, Greg laughed!


During chemo I did get to talk briefly to my chemo Doctor. I do like him, he is funny….however busy busy man. You must get your questions in early or he is out the door. Constantly being paged. He hugs me a lot too. He says these last three are it and then we are going on hormonal therapy. I asked about hormonal therapy. He said it is like chemo but oral. However, there are side effects as well, he said it will be a walk in the park compared to what I am on now. I said, “are the nodules just too big to be finished”, he replied, “Sarah, they are very small but we must continue.” Greg stated, ” we are winning!”

So, 1 down and 2 more to go and then on to a new recovery stage! We are doing well! Updated photo of Louisa.

Love you all! Very busy with work today and next week! Working from home. Have presentations to get together. Planning on going to TN June 8th and 9th!


xoxoxo

Sarah

Success to share and celebrate, work to continue....

Sarah called this weekend to share that her doctors have prescribed three more chemo treatments. Sarah is taking it well, there is disappointment that she doesn't get a break. There is also an understanding that the chemo is working and doing what it needs to do. So Sarah will keep working to fight the cancer, beat the cancer, recover from this illness and disease. She needs as much support, love, prayers, good wishes and thoughts as ever so keep them coming- you've helped so much with the work Sarah has done! You will help her recover and be cancer free soon- it is within reach!

Sarah has had great success from her work and we celebrate that news! Her doctor appointment last week was about that celebration- he is very pleased as we all are. There is still work to do and we'll keep you posted along the way. In the mean time enjoy what the warmer weather and longer hours of daylight bring- life and a great way to enjoy it!

A great phone call!

This week Sarah called to share the great call she received! The nurse from her chemo center informed her that her scan looked good- very good! More details will come when Sarah meets with her doctor next week to discuss what exactly good means and next steps but a big phew, sigh, wooo-hoooo along with some tears occurred when this was shared! I'll keep you posted but for now prayers of thanksgiving and huge smiles and hugs to all of you for your support, love and energy! And here is to my amazing sister who is quite the fighter and has had and continues with a fantastic attitude!

OH- also I can't help but tell you what is happening with the darling Louisa! I saw everyone last week when I was in MD. She is as cute as ever- smiling, babbling and starting to think about crawling! She adored Sally and Clare which made everyone happy.