Tuesday update on Saundra

I'm Sandy's daughter, Debbie, and I'm with her at Baylor hospital. She has been recovering wonderfully well from her colostomy surgery yesterday. She was alert and talkative all morning, has been on her feet twice to sit in a chair for up to 50 min at a time and had an appetite for her clear liquids lunch! Mom sure is determined to recover well and as quickly as possible.

While the surgery did have it's complications,and required 4 surgeons, there is much for which to be thankful. She had only one tumor and NO signs of disease elsewhere. This is after having been diagnosed Stage IV 3 1/2 years ago with ovarian cancer practically everywhere in her abdominal cavity. The one tumor was really a cancerous lymph node in her pelvis which had grown large and invaded her colon and wrapped around the left iliac artery/vein and ureter, as well as some back muscle. They removed as much as they could and will use radiation on the rest in a few weeks. Radiation can be indicated in this case since the cancer is in one spot. The colostomy mentioned was only necessary to keep the colon out of the way for the radiation treatment, and there is a slight chance that it may be reversed in the event that the tumor responds well to the radiation treatments.

Of course, she will need continued prayers that the remaining tumor won't occlude the major blood vessels going to her left leg. Her doctors don't anticipate her having any trouble walking for now, though she may have a little weakness in the left leg. She seemed steady on her feet in the room today to get out of bed and sit, but hasn't had a real walk yet.

I want to thank all you ladies for being such a great support and inspiration to my mom over the last few years. She talks to me often of many of you, and as a result of your ongoing advice and chronicalling of your unique journeys, she has in turn been an inspiration to my three daughters and I of how to live life well in the midst of trial. Blessings to you all, my sisters!

Debbie