Life's Journey

Dearest Family and Friends –

These emails are becoming more and more challenging to write, but I need to let you all know about my current health situation. Over the past two months I have been through a long list of testing, poking, prodding, and scans. It has been confirmed through biopsy that my cancer has returned. It’s crushing, discouraging, and frankly hard to wrap my head around another recurrence so soon. But, it’s happening and I need to dust off my boxing gloves and get back in the ring again and fight this thing!

My team of doctors has grown this time around. I have met with a highly respected group of oncologists, surgeons, and specialists to determine the next best step. My oncologist over the past 4 years was able to connect me with an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic here in Phoenix. He is world renowned for his skills with the Da Vinci robotic surgery tool. He offered to perform a laparoscopic exploratory surgery using this robot. This is a great opportunity. He will be able to look around for any other metastatic disease and biopsy as needed, he will take lymph nodes for testing to ensure the disease has not spread to the lymphatic system, and he will be able to get a close look at this recurrence area and determine what he thinks the next best step is based on his findings.

This procedure is scheduled for tomorrow (10/22) at the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix. Depending on how much he needs to biopsy and how invasive this is I will either spend one night there or maybe come home the same day. Full recovery from this procedure is about 2 weeks.

This is my third encounter with a cancer that has done everything it’s not supposed to do. I’m not sure what lies ahead beyond this procedure, but I am preparing for a very difficult journey. As always Roy has been by my side holding my hand and helping me find my strength every step of the way. He will send everyone on this distribution lists updates when I am not able to. Last year I was overwhelmed by the support, smiles, and friendship that each of you gave me. All I can ask is that you once again send happy thoughts my way.

We will be in touch when we are able to provide updates. I have also started posting to my blog site again, rather than send emails to everyone I found this is a great way to keep in touch. View the site at http://stompkins.webs.com/ You are welcome to join as a member, instructions are on the home page, and you can comment, post, etc.

Sending hugs, smiles, and lots of love,

Sarah