another update by Derek
I'll just write a quick update now and I'll write more soon.
Sarah says hello to all and really wishes she could be the one giving the update.
Sarah's been in hospital for almost 4 weeks and during that time she's had surgery to remove the very large tumors that had broken through the skin on her arm and shoulder, they had become very infected. She has battled through some kidney problems and was almost put on dialysis (kidneys working perfectly again). She's finally started to feel better the last 3 or 4 days and there's also been an increase in her caloric intake and a slight movement towards solid food. All that said she received some devastating news 2 days ago, the cancer has moved into her brain, 2 small metastasises were found on a ct scan(Radiation is still a good possibility, still waiting to talk to the radiologist(s) . We're still fighting, yet understand what this means. Its a very sad time, but we live each moment, laughing and crying, and kissing and snuggling. Sarah's holding on tight and we'll make this road last and last, life is so sad but it's so good, everyday with my hero is a splendid one. Thanks for everybody's praying, and well wishes.
Right now we're focused on coming home. I'll update soon
Derek
posted by Sarah @ 5:14 PM
63 comments
63 Comments:
Thank you, Derek. All kinds of good thoughts are coming right at you both.
I know you are holding on tightly to each other. I hope you hear soon about the radiation treatments and that Sarah continues to regain her strength.
Take good care, Kim
Both of you.
Thank you so much for the update Derek. I have had Sarah very much on my mind and will keep the good throughts and prayers beaming out for Sarah and for you too.
As ever, Carver
Thank you for this update - I don't know you, but I am thinking of you both. I am always inspired by Sarah's strength.
Thank you so much for the update, Derek. I've been thinking of you both often, and will continue to keep you in my thoughts. Take care,
You two sound so amazing and brave. I think of you both lots (even though I don't know you) and wish you lots of strength.
You are both in my thoughts. Thanks for the update and let Sarah know we are all pulling for her.
Thanks for the update -- my thoughts and prayers are with you and Sarah. I wish you both all the strength in the world.
You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Shari Wynne
Thinking of you Sarah and Derek, I don't know either of you....but Sarah is an inspiration to all!!
Sarah & Derek,
I am so sorry that Sarah has had such a tough month. I do so hope that she will be able to get radiation to get the met on her brain. I'm glad Sarah is getting her strength back. Please let her know that I am praying for her, and you too.
Nancy D
Stage 3B/NED 31 months
Completed INF 12/05
Celebrex 400 mg/day
Vacaville, CA
All my best wishes to you both. We're all pulling for you.
I'm praying for a miracle, all the best.
My prayers are with you both.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
I think of you both every day. Wishing you both all the strength in the world.
Thanks for posting an update Derek! I am so sorry to hear of the mets to the brain. I am praying for her every day and wish you both strength.
I think of you guys every day. It is good to have an update. Love to you both. . .Jen
Sarah,
3 words. You are amazing!
Hang in there.
Martine
Derek, thank you so much for updating. Sarah, you are so strong and such an inspiration to everyone. I am wishing the very best for you and Praying that the radiation is a go.
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Thank you so much for the update.
Thank you so much for the update. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the update, Derek. I'm so sorry to hear the news of the spread of the cancer. :(
My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Take care.
Thank you, Derek.
I've been thinking about the two of you...checking the blog for any updates...sometimes three times a day. Please keep us updated. Tons of prayers and well wishes for the both of you.
NYC
I never comment here, but read every word with gratitude and have been checking every single day. Thank you so much for the update.
Your bittersweet update brought tears to my eyes; it breathed of life, love.
Peace to Sarah. Peace to you.
Oh, Derek...I am so very sorry...This is so so SO NOT the news we all wanted to hear about Sarah :( :(
I am crying right now...Please know, both of you, that Sarah is very much loved and thought of in only the dearest way! I "know" Sarah mostly through her blog, and also from MPIP.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post an update here despite the intensely painful and difficult time the two of you must be facing right now. Sarah is such a bright shining light who has reached out and grabbed the hearts of so many, mine included...She is such an inspiration. Keeping the prayers coming, wishing for strength, comfort and peace for both of you...
But I guess, I am mostly hoping for a miracle--for this shitty melanoma to be gone and for Sarah to be healed.
Pulling for you both & sending healing wishes~
Shannon
Hi Derek & Sarah,
I'm another of the countless readers (who doesn't *really* know either of you) finally posting.
I wanted to let you know that the blog has been so inspirational to me in so many ways. Sarah, you have a knack for making the scary somehow really interesting and the terrifying somehow really funny... and I thank you for that.
I also had melanoma... 9 years ago... in fact that is how I found your blog. I had no idea I was still in danger and I can't thank you enough for putting your story out there.
I'm thinking of you.
-Dena
Thank you Derek. I was thinking alot about her since your last update. Thank you so much for updating us, it means a whole lot.
I am not sure what to say right now, I am shocked, and so sad, and so sad for you both and your family right now. I am not a religous person really, not by any textbook definition, yet whew, am I ever going to pray hard and hope with all of my might for Sarah..she's just the greatest...Wishing you strength and loads of hope and love now, to you both.
JanetteT from The Netherlands
P.s: Please E-mail me if there is ANYTHING that I can do for her. I know it sounds crazy, as you've never met me, yet I would love to help in any way that I can.
Thank you for the update. I am keeping you both in my thoughts. I wish Sarah all the strength in the world.
Thinking of you both. Nothing can take away the love that seems so strong between you.
We're thinking of you both and all of our thought are with you.
-Joanne (Clementine)
My thoughts are with both of you. You're both such incredible people. Best wishes and lots of hugs.
Thank you for updating us...I'm sure you can see that there are many people that care about Sarah and think about her often. I continue to be inspired by your words, Derek, and the way you choose to deal with the horrible situation you've both been dealt.
If you read this, Sarah, I want you to know that I think you and your husband seem like such beautiful people. I'm sending you all the strength and courage I can spare.
Take care,
Stacey (S&M)
my thoughts and prayers are with you both right now...
Sarah,
Since the first time I read your blog, what was it- 2 years ago?, I felt a connection to you and your journey. And as time went by and I got to personally chat by email and such, I grew to think of you as my friend. My friend that I had never met but knew so much more about me and my life than people I'd known for years. It seems so wrong for you to have to go through this, though I know that your nature is to not feel sorry for yourself, but rather to think of others who are going through things or who have gone through worse. I can't help but feel jilted by the universe that this has happened to you. I just want you to know that I think of you every single day, and I though I hate it when people tell me how "strong" or "brave" I am, I must say that, in spite of myself, that is how I think of you, and all that you've said and done and shared with all of us has made a huge difference in my life. I am sending every positive thought and energy that I can muster your way.
I keep meaning to tell you that I started reading Grace & Grit a while back because you recommended it, and I am moved by it every time I pick it up. Of course, I think of you and your posts about it, too.
I'm glad to hear you're gaining some strength, and all your loving and adoring readers are awaiting the next update. Derek is wonderful, but alas he is not Sarah. :)
Stay strong and keep us posted on what the radiologist has in mind. You two keep taking care of each other and we'll keep you both in our prayers.
-Lori
You're both truly inspirational. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you.
Thanks for the update Derek. I know it must have been hard to actually write and post. Sarah, take it one step at a time. You have many people behind you. So sorry you guys are going through this. It sucks.
-Katrina
sending you both strength and my thoughts.
The update was much needed as we all really needed to hear what was going on. Our prayers are with you both. The true Love and strength you share is wonderful and endearing. Thanks Derek ... and yes we all are here with you both, even if you can't see us. I hope to be in London this year. So I can only hope to feel yous spirits. Come home soon.
I got to know Sarah from the Hitched board and since my family has had devastating losses to family, she was always in my thoughts and prayers. I have read her blog completely and shake my head at such tremendous courage and strength. You have educated us all on this disease. Thank you for sharing this very personal battle with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.
Judy
I'm sorry .. I meant to type that my family had devastating losses to cancer in the above post ..
My thoughts and very best wishes are with you both. Thank you for the update, Derek. Sarah: I look forward to hearing from you soon - keep fighting. The world is a better place with you in it.
Thank you for the update. I just wish it was better news. My thoughts are with you both.
It gives me a deep comforting sense that "things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal."
-Helen Keller
Much love and peace to both of you.
K
I am so sorry that you guys have to go through this. Keep holding on. You both are in my thoughts.
Thanks for the update. I think of you two often and hope you are keeping your spirits up. I'm glad to hear you're sharing lots of love with each other through these hard times. Rooting for you both.
Sarah, we are listening.
thanks, Derek. jay and i are thinking of you both.
Thank you for the update. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you both.
I only know Sarah from WB, but my thoughts and prayers are with both of you. You are both very strong.
~Leanne
I don't know either of you but yet feel compelled to tell you, Sarah is in my thoughts...Take care of both you and her..
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Sarah during this difficult time. Thank you for the update and for living each moment to the fullest.
Oh no.
I'm so sorry to hear this news. I pray that radiation treatment will work and that you will keep living and loving through this difficult time.
Thank you for the update Derek. I've heard Sarah's story through the weddingbells site and by reading her blog. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Stay strong.
I will be running in the Relay for Life to fight cancer and will be sure to include Sarah in my reason for running. I know I don't know either of you but I have had cancer touch loved ones more than once and am so sorry you are both going through this right now.
Sarah, you are an inspiration. May your spirit stay strong through this ordeal.
Kristy
I am so very sorry to hear this latest news. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Sarah - I can't even put what I feel toward you into words. You are one of the strongest and bravest women I've ever "met". May the universe embrace you and keep you well.
Thank you for the update. I am ALWAYS thinking of Sarah, and she is in my prayers every night. Miricales happen keep fighting girl!
Always in my thoughts, Lisa
Derek,
You and Sarah are amazing people. I just finished reading through all her posts last night and you guys have been on my mind all day. I cannot imagine what either one of you are going through.
Please tell Sarah that she is an amazing person, her blogs made me laugh, cry, elated, and sad.
What a wonderful spirit she has, and I wish both of you strength. We would love to hear from Sarah when she is up to it...
Unfortunately I don't know either of you, as you are both incredibly strong people. Sarah your story has touched my heart unbelievably. My thoughts and prayers are with you are your family.
Thanks for your updates I know this is a tough time for you both and as always my thoughts and prayers go out to you Sarah...you are the strongest and bravest woman I have ever met...and I'm a complete fan...I'm completely floored at what you've had to endure these past few years and amazed at how well you and Derek have taken each hurdle in stride...Please keep us updated on how the radiation treatments are going...
your old school friend
Mandy
Hi Sarah,
I was just pointed in your direction yesterday evening, and I was so enamored of everything that you put out there that I read the whole blog in a single sitting.
There isn't much I can say, really, 'cause I only know you through your writing... But this much is true:
It's clear that you've got a lot of folks who love you, and that is perhaps the most impressive thing about you.
Secondly, cancer really fucking sucks and I'm incredibly angry that it happened to you too.
Finally--and I feel a bit awkward saying this--I don't know if prayer works or not, (and I'm not interested in debating it with anyone), but I'm going to say a few words for you each night, asking that things will be better than yesterday, or that you'll get a few exceptional nurses, or that you got some solid foods down... You get the idea. Just in case, 'ya know?
And, so long as I'm going for it, you're in 'em too, Derek.
You both impress me beyond words.
Derek, Thank you for the updates on Sarah. I check her blog constantly. Sarah's courage and strength are amazing. Your love for each other will get you through this.
Thinking of you both,
Stephanie
Thank you so much for the update. You have both been in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Sarah,
It's Aaron Holliday here. I just heard about this blog from our old friend Mandy Terrien. I always wondered what happened to you and have thought about you from time to time over the years. It really broke my heart to read what you've been going through. When you get your strength back please contact me at aaron.naomi@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you. My wife and I are living in New Zealand right now and we currently don't have a phone but if you e-mail me your number I'll find a way to call, I promise.
Your friend,
Aaron
I just read your blog through in 1 sitting - I'm sorry - I don't ascribe either to the belief that somehow it's our fault when bad things happen, but I do believe God can make good come out of the worse. I just wish so much that you weren't suffering through this. You have such dignity in your suffering and the loss of your beautiful body and your health and ability to care for yourself - the beauty in it for me is to see the love your husband, Derek has for you - to know that you are loved for you - you have that to hold on to. Anyway, I'm sure this hasn't helped - I'm just another stranger who has been touched by your journey. God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you all the days of your life.
Michelle
mom of 8
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