We toasted Sarah's 40th birthday last week and we're so happy, grateful and filled with joy! Her nieces and nephew were teasing her about turning 40 and Sarah said- "bring it on- can't wait!"  The life lesson of cancer.  We love brithdays and all they represent.  

The day before Sarah's special day she visited with her uncologist who told her all was going well! Sarah is doing well- she picked me up on Friday at the airport and I tell you she radiates beauty.  Louisa is now 3 and the spark in the family.  And a beautiful family it is- Greg, Sarah and Bodie have a darling elegant and cozy home in one special city! 

Life is good-we all appreciate the prayers and good thoughts that have brought us to this post!

What we've been waiting for......

Wahoooo, hallelujah, Praises Be, THANK GOD, YEAHHHHHH, Oh yeah......just some of the expressions to the news...Sarah is cancer free and in remission! Her nurse called yesterday to tell her. She called me and left me that message and I just sobbed...the release, the relief- I had no idea how much I was holding on to until it came out. I cry and type, I smile and type, I want the world to know!! I want everyone to know how amazing, strong, beautiful, courageous, fabulous Sarah is. She is also lucky and blessed. I know too many people that haven't had this news to share and fought good fights, prayed, been strong. I know Sarah has had incredible care and so much love surrounding her from so many directions and places. I'm hopeful this news will help others. I'm grateful for all of those fabulous people doing things to support others, doing things to fight cancer, to further research. Those that haven't had this news to share are still here-fueling, inspiring, because they touched me in amazing ways.

Sarah's fight isn't over- she'll meet with her Dr. in a few weeks to know what this latest PT scan/remission means. She believes she'll stay on the medication she's on to keep things from returning- there are side affects. Sarah accepts this, Sarah loves birthdays, and Sarah loves quality time with family, Sarah loves working and using the gifts she has and interacting with others.

Thank you for reading, sharing, praying, writing and being with me. I'll keep you posted as we know more, until then I'll keep smiling and feeling this beauty that comes from an amazing place.

Sarah's Doing Well!

Another doctor's appointment with good news! The hormone therapy is doing what it needs to do. The side affects aren't great but....Actually they'll decrease her dosage a bit to see what happens. The tumor in her lungs continues to shrink- this time by half. Always fun to share good news.

Sarah, Greg and Louisa are enjoying their new home in Towson and will host us for Easter- we can't wait! Celebrating life, being together and enjoying the now will be indeed what we do on April 4, 2010!

No News Is Good News....Except When There is Good News to Report!

It has been awhile since I put anything up on this site and that is good news. Sarah is living a great life- key words- living, life! Louisa is growing, walking and babbling some words. Greg and Sarah are in the process of buying a house and making a new home! And soon the Stoner family will all be together for Thanksgiving in Granville- lucky me!!

The good news to report is we'll also get to say thanks to another really good scan for Sarah! Her latest PET scan showed the one nodule left in her lung decreasing. It went from 5.4 to 3.2 to the latest of 3! Hormone therapy is doing what it needs to do. Sarah is enjoying life without chemo and her hair is growing back! I'll share more as I know it after our time together.

My family continues to appreciate how you hold Sarah in prayer and good thoughts- it makes a difference and helps so much!

Ovarian Cancer Awareness/Fundraising Event

Sarah's reply to an email (see below) I sent about a great Ovarian Cancer awareness/funraising event on Sunday!

Yahooo! Thank you Susan and all for participating in this event! I
wish I could be there with you! This year has been a journey for my
family but we are winning! I can only hope that with events like this
the awareness of Ovarian Cancer will increase and help women beat the
disease. I know I could not have gotten where I am today without the
support of my family and all of our friends! Thank you so much! Hugs
to all!

Sarah


From Susan:

http://www.ovariancanceroh.org/Strides_for_Hope_5K_Walk_Run.html

Here is the link to the Ovarian Cancer event on Sunday I will be
participating in with my sister in law, Ann! I love that they have a
"sleep in for ovarian cancer" option- it is a $25 donation! I did buy
a mum to honor my sister and her amazing fight against this disease.
I may have the kids do a picture to place in the honorees place too- we'll
see.

It is a bigger event than I realized- I'm use to simple Granville
runs. I registered on line but will make the kids (and Joe's)
participation a day of event- but we're leaning toward having them do it- such a great cause and they now love these runs!!

Ann- I'm looking forward to running this with you- THANK YOU for
finding it!!! Sarah is thrilled we're doing this!

Any one from Gville who wants to ride over- let me know! There is so
much going on so many ways we can all help with the diseases in our
lives- not just cancer- I thank you all for your involvement in anyway
to us and one another!
Granville is such a special place to live.

Warmly,
Susan

PS- check out my blog with other ways to help fight
cancer.....http://lifeonnewark-granvilleroad.blogspot.com/
it is long- read down to the fun event to help Stefanie's family on
Sunday too!!

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.