Surgery
Hello, My Fabulous Family and Friends!
How are all of you??? Hope you’re all well. We’ve had a gorgeous fall and a beautiful start to winter here in MN. I love this warmer weather. Bring on the global warming!
I’m feeling very well. The neuropathy in my fingers and feet (caused by the chemo) is s….l....o….w...l….y…. improving. I’m still dumb as a post, thanks to chemo brain—at least that’s what I’m claiming--but that’s “supposed” to improve, too. I certainly hope so. I feel very UNintelligent these days!
In my last update, my tumor markers were down and I was about to have my colonoscopy and CT scan. Here’s my attempt at a quick update:
The colon tumor is still there (but smaller). It was biopsied and the biopsy came back clear of cancer (however, cancer cells may still be hiding in the portion that wasn’t biopsied). However, the tumor is partially blocking my colon, which doesn’t cause any significant troubles at this time except that I can feel some dull pain in the tumor area after I eat.
The CT scan showed no clear evidence of disease progression but my liver lesions and lung lesion are still there.
Now the not-so-great news: my CEA tumor marker numbers have increased…9 in October, 41 in November and 203 as of yesterday. This is a little disheartening. However, the Oncologist explained that it’s likely a different form of the cancer and this cancer may have a different scale in regard to the tumor markers. For example, the cancer that reacted very well to the chemo may have produced 1 tumor marker per one cell of cancer. This one may produce 50 tumor markers for each cancer cell. Either way, I still have cancer. Bummer!
Surgery wasn’t going to be performed to remove the tumor. However, because it’s a stricture and could possibly block my colon, my Oncologist wants it done now to avoid an emergency surgery when I’m in the middle of chemo and my body won’t be as able to fight off infection.
So…I’m having surgery (a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy) this Monday (12/21) to remove the tumor. I was fortunate to get in so quickly. I can’t begin chemo until 4 weeks post op; so, the sooner the better. Our hope is that the cancer cells are in the tumor and will be excised with the surgery. However, if not, then I will be doing chemo again. Sigh. I have another CT scan in January to check for disease progression. My Oncologist predicted correctly that I would probably have to restart chemo 6 months after my last chemo. How much I wish he was wrong.
So, there’s the update. Not the best, but not the worst, either. It can ALWAYS be worse! This was expected.
As we all know, God is in control of all. I see his hand in everything that’s happened and I see all the amazing things He’s done to make this experience bearable. For example, He’s allowed me to see how wonderful all of you are. Thank you for being my friends and my support group and my go-to buddies. Your encouraging notes and prayers have been priceless. I know God hears them. Please continue them. They really help!
Oh yeah, the good news: I’ll be about 0.8 lbs. lighter with the 8 inches of colon they’ll remove. Yes! No-treadmill-required weight loss. Perfect!
Comments (16)
Sarah, Thsnk you for telling the time to keep us in the loop of what has to be a draining journey. We appreciate your transparency and willing desire to keep it real for us. You can know that although we don't have the words to make things better, we know the God hears what we hope to say and translates it into usable words in the language you need them. We are praying for you, Scott and the family. Blessings. Jeff, Karen, Jasmine, Kyle, Kassidy and Kaiden. Broadnax
Hi Sarah, I was just thinking about you today and talked to God about you. I will continue to talk to God about you and your healing. God does hear. He loves you but I know this is disheartening. "God is our refuge and strength..." Love from the Lausteds.....
You and your family continue to be in all of our prayers. Hopefully, the surgery on Monday will go perfectly and you will recover quickly. Your sense of humor is a joy to behold and I'm sure it helps all of you get through these tough days. Hang in there, my dear friend, and know that we love you!
Sarah, you and your family are in my prayers. Your strength is amazing and your humor inspirational! Here's to quick healing! Monica
Thank you for the update, Sarah. Through your posts, we learn of you, but we also learn from you. So thank you!
I and my family have been thinking about you thank you for the update Sarah! We pray that the surgery on Monday goes swiftly and smoothly and that you heal quickly and that you're able to rid this cancer from your body! We pray to God that he watches over you, Scott and the girls and that you're able to recover fully! You'll be in our thoughts and prayers and we will be thinking about you! Love You! Tonya, Beau, Dakota, Cole & Gage Matson😘
I pray the surgery gets it all. I also pray God lifts this trial from you.
We have been thinking about you Sarah! Just remember you are in our thoughts and Prayers. We send you Lots of Love and Hugs....
Thanks so much for the update Sarah! We will pray that God will guide the surgeons and that this surgery eliminates the cancer, and for a quick and full recovery! It's good they discovered the tumor before it became a real problem. Love your positive attitude and your humor. That's a tough way to lose .8 pounds!
Good to "hear your voice" again, Sarah. Thanks for the updates. We are so sorry to hear about some type of cancer that wants to hang on. However, please also know that all of our family, and all of your friends, are going to hang on to you. We have not forgotten you, and we pray often, for your complete healing. We also pray that God continues to give you, Scott, and your girls, all of the strength that you need, to keep up the good fight, and to WIN ! Nate and Cherine Berg, and our 3 boys
What? Ask the doc to remove at least another 2 inches of colon so you get at least 1 whole pound of weight loss from this ordeal instead of "almost a pound." That's lame. I love you so much cuz. You have yourself a team of praying warriors here so you just hang in there. God is so mighty!! Xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you for providing this update Sarah. I am praying about this latest challenge, and add my voice to the many that care soo much for you.
Sarah, you are so awesome, and we have not stopped praying for you for even a day!! We serve a tremendous God and He will lead you through all of this every step of the way. Sending hugs and love to you, my friend!!! Keep fighting the good fight!!!
Sarah, thanks for the update and I saw Scott's update -- glad the surgery went well! Praying for your complete healing -- you are so strong! Thinking about you!!
Sarah, May God grant you that peace that passes all understanding. You are an inspiration, so positive! That is so therapeutic and healing I am praying for you, Scott and the girls. Praying for complete healing--God IS on His throne and he is in control! I'm so glad we can rest in that assurance. News like this isn't what anyone wants, but HE has a plan. I love the OT verse God says over and over to the Israelite's -- "Be strong and courageous, for I am with you..." My mother-in-law had stage 3-C Ovarian cancer. It was rough. But she's been cancer free for close to ten years, I think. There are amazing great stories out there. Hold on to the positive stories. She had a second cancer in her sinuses and had to do chemo again, the hardest part was the "been there done that" and knowing what is coming made it harder. She got through that and has been clear for several years. God is good. Praying for a quick recovery. Praying that some of our record breaking heat will come your way and a few of your cooler degrees would head south! We are forecast ed for 86 on December 25!!! Crazy. Praying for you, for feeling in fingers and a clear head!! (trust me--I feel dumb a lot of the time--think it's menopause) LuAnne
Hey, Sarah. I am sorry to hear you had to go through the surgery -- but just think of how many wonderful venison steaks you will be able to enjoy with a healthy set of intestines! :) I presume Scott-the-mighty-hunter did bring home some deer from his trip. Unfortunately, the Fenchel clan will have to content themselves with the usual domestic offerings -- no hunting success for me this year. I know going through all of these different treatments and procedures must be exhausting. Our prayers are for endurance and perseverance. I was reminded the other day of a quote from Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the original Pink Panther movies (very funny movies, by the way). As he was going through therapy, he would say: "Every day and in every way, I am getting better and better." You may not be 100% yet, but you are moving down the road. And we are all there with you. Love and hugs from the Fenchels.