Saundra's in the hospital

This is Joe, Saundra's husband. Sandy went into the hospital 14 days ago (sorry to be late, been busy). She has a bowel obstruction, now it seems in the small intestine. May be several obstructions or "focal points" as the oncologist says. She has been on an NG tube for 10 days, and IV nutrition. Her pain is pretty much under control, but she sometimes waits to long to request relief.

When they suspected an obstruction in the large intestine (what remains after her colostomy back in April), they did a series of three enemas 8 hours apart, with warm water and soapy substance. She also got two units of blood last night.

Last Wednesday she started on topotecan, which will repeat again two times each Wendesday, the idea being that shrinking tumors would help the bowel situation. It will take a couple of weeks for this to have effect. She was on cisplatin and gemcytabine since mid-June, until her obstruction occured on Oct. 10.

I won't post again or follow your comments unless her situation changes drastically. Keep Sandy in your thoughts and prayers. She has fought the good fight for over three and a half years, wonderful years for both of us. Since her diagnosis in March 2007, we've been to Costa Rica, Japan, on a Panama Canal cruise, and spend a Christmas in Santa Fe and another in San Antonio.

She loves her Survivors Network friends. You've been a great source of encouragement and spiritual strength for her.