Radiation is done — cancer free!!!!
Hey gang —
I just finished radiation today after 5 1/2 weeks of daily treatments! That brings 8 months of major treatments (chemo and radiation) to an end. It’s a bit of a presumption, but the doc tells me I can start talking about cancer in the past tense now—remission, survivor, cancer free and all that. It’s quite fun! Today is such a huge milestone that it’s hard to take it all in. I’m sure it will take a while. While I don’t feel any different physically, it’s quite a change emotionally and mentally.
I’m not done with all the drugs … I will continue to be treated with miracle-drug Herceptin until Spring 2009. I will also take osteoperosis drug Zometa as part of the bone trial I am in for another 3 years. And I will at some point start Tamoxifen, which interrupts the production of hormones, for 5 years. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take these amazing drugs. Lastly, I will have my final reconstruction surgery maybe in a month or so (I see my plastic surgeon in a week to schedule all of that).
I am so grateful to have made it through radiation without having to have surgery because of the hole in my incision (for all of you who have been keeping up on the gory details). God has been so faithful. Christ has been so present. He has provided so abundantly in so many categories. To him be glory!
I look forward to continuing to become the woman God intends me to be. Cancer has changed me. I wish change didn’t have to come this way, but I am grateful for what I have learned so far (I have a lot more to learn still). I look forward to more time with my family, less doctor appointments, getting my energy back, days filled with hope, and receiving my first haircut! I have a lot to look forward to …
THANK YOU for your prayers and for keeping up with us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Sara
Sicks Pax 
on October 29, 2008 on 10:05 pm
Congratulations on this amazing milestone!!! We’re so proud of you and look forward to celebrating all the future joys to come.
on October 30, 2008 on 6:17 am
WOOOOOOO–HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a great message to wake up to this morning! We’re so thrilled to hear this news and think about the smile on your face and the burden that’s been lifted from your household. We will continue to pray as your life adjusts to whatever “normal” is supposed to be for you now, as well as for your upcoming surgery.
on October 30, 2008 on 8:52 am
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAY!
We’re rejoicing with you all and so full of gratitude to God!
Liz, Mike and fam
on October 30, 2008 on 10:11 am
You’re finished this trial AND the Phillies win the World Series?!?! The best day ever…
We love you girl.
on October 30, 2008 on 1:29 pm
Hey there Sara and Chris,
Wow, what to say, but this is wonderful. You mentioned this on Sunday and it still hasn’t sunk in just how much this news is so completely outstanding. I know you have some more road to traverse per your entry here, but man what a milestone!
Love and Prayers, baby
The Weitz’s
PS – Can I cut your hair?
on October 30, 2008 on 6:22 pm
HOORAY!! We are all so THRILLED for you! What a major accomplishment. You should be so proud and relieved.
The Whites
on October 30, 2008 on 8:14 pm
Tears of joy and gratitude to our God for HIs faithfulness.!!
.
Now we keep up with the Carrot juice, (can you have that?) tons of Omega 3’s, purple vegies, probiotics, shark liver oil on and on and on andon…
in other words…you are still battling and overcoming with Jesus’s help!!
on October 31, 2008 on 10:00 am
You are beautiful, Sara. We love you! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen.
Love,
Leonor and Daniel
on November 1, 2008 on 3:07 pm
What a headline!
We’ve been faithfully praying for you ever since the blog started, and rejoice in this wonderful news.
I look forward to getting your insight into more on how this has changed you, and how your perspective has changed.
Praise God from whom this blessing flows!
on November 1, 2008 on 4:56 pm
Sara,
Yippeeee!!!! I am so happy!
Caren
on November 3, 2008 on 12:22 pm
What WONDERFUL news!!!!! AMEN!!!
Cyndee and I have been checking this blog daily and praying for you and your Fam since day one! Scabs, twitches, and all! What great news, Sara!
Just wanted to also let you know– thanks to YOU, I’ve started volunteering with Inova Fairfax’s Life with Cancer– volunteering at dinners ($1K/plate!!), silent auctions, rallys, black-tie functions, etc…etc… it’s been an eye-opening and AMAZING opportunity for me and my friends who have also started volunteering in your honor. And it all started thanks to you!! Post more pics–you’re beautiful!!
deb
on November 7, 2008 on 1:35 pm
That’s fabulous! Wonderful. Congratulations, Sara and Chris. That’s a super huge milestone to celebrate! Really wonderful. Amen.
I will begin now to pray that He will heal you all from the trauma and the event(s) of cancer. Some very wise friends of ours who battled cancer said to us when Rob was diagnosed: “Calculate the time from diagnosis to the end of your treatment and expect at least that amount of time or more to recover.” Their advice was a big help to us in the aftermath. It helped us to be both realistic in our expectations and gentle with our own souls. I’ll pray that He shows you how to continue to care for each other in this time. Yeah; cancer changes a person, but welcome to the fellowship of survivors and survivor spouses. It’s a pretty cool place.
I wish I had had the chance to respond to you about your new tattoos. Rob has his own set. I have mine too; they are just on the inside. Sometimes, like Jacob by the brook, we wrestle with God and we are marked for the rest of our lives. Then we must learn something new about how to live. That, as you have discovered, is not a bad thing.
My love you you all, and my abiding affection,
E
on November 7, 2008 on 2:08 pm
Hey, survivor! Congratulations on the end of treatment. It’s a huge relief, isn’t it? This is a milestone and a turning point in how you think about it. For me, it’s become something that happened, not something that is happening. I can’t put put words on exactly how that changes my thinking and outlook, but it is both huge and subtle. Let it sink in; enjoy it.
-Rob
on November 7, 2008 on 9:41 pm
Dear Sara & Chris,
PRAISE THE LORD!! What wonderful tidings from afar. We are rejoicing with you…
The Galvin 5
on November 9, 2008 on 7:59 pm
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen!!!
Sara Dearest, I love you and rejoice with you. I will never stop praying!!! God is so very good! Even though we don’t understand we know that he is in control and he is good. I am thrilled that you know him better today than yesterday. He cares for you Sara and holds your future carefully in his hands! You have a hope and a future!
Love,
Aunt Melissa
on November 14, 2008 on 2:46 pm
Hey, Sara!! Guess What!!!– Life with Cancer had a fundraising benefit at Crate & Barrel in McLean on Wednesday night and we raised $47,000 in ONE night!!! How cool! Check out the website. They’re building a Family Center due to be opened in mid January. I am SO excited. Just wanted to let you know! =)
http://www.inova.org/cancer/life_with_cancer_program/index.jsp
deb
on November 15, 2008 on 2:57 am
Dear Sara,
Praise be the Lord for this great news! Praise be the Lord for how much you have been a daughter who is full of faith and hope that you have breathed more life to us than we did on you with your cheerful and steadfast disposition.
hugs to Chris, Bruce, Beth and the kids
Paul and Susan Vidal
on November 17, 2008 on 3:54 pm
Oh Sara- What wonderful news to read. How exciting to hear all of the changes, triumphs, challenges, and growth. Your trust in Him has certainly been a testimony to us all. How good to hear how the Great Physician is at work in your mind, soul, and your body! I am so excited to share this news with Doug and the kids! HURRAY and Thank you God!
michelle
on January 11, 2009 on 8:52 pm
Oh Sara! How wonderful! God is faithful, and so many prayers have been answered! Praise the Lord!!! 🙂
Love to you & your family,
Linda Murray