Sara LaBlonde

First post: Jan 5, 2017 Latest post: Jan 16, 2023
This has been a whirlwind time for the family. I originally went in August
to the doctor (went to the physician's assistant) as I was getting
tremendous spasms in my left side. I really only had the spasms strong
one day and night, so by the time I went to the doctor, it really wasn't
that bad. I myself had ruled out many things - shingles, no rash -
kidney stones, no blood in my urine - lung cancer, no cough or coughing
up blood.Anyway, I thought I must have pulled a muscle, and that is what
the physician's assistant concurred.  She said to just continue my
exercise as usual. Then the end of October I had some more spasms, not
as bad as the first time, so called the doctor. He was going to be out
until Nov. 1st, and I didn't want to see the physician's assistant
again. The spasms went away and I was glad I didn't waste my time going
in to see him. Then Thanksgiving Day, everyone giving hugs, I was
experiencing spasms again. The next day I got in to see my doctor. He
thought it was a pulled muscle too, but got some x-rays. He saw nothing
on the x-rays, and said again, keep exercising and continue what you are
doing. It sometimes takes a long time for these to heal. He then tried
to call me on Saturday and Monday, but only had my landline number. On
Monday he left a message that I needed to get a CAT scan as soon as
possible. The x-ray technicians had spotted things on my right side,
completely opposite of where I was having my spasms. He hadn't seen them
either. I got in on Tuesday and thought it was probably going to be a
waste of everyone's time. I guess I was wrong. The doctor called on
Thursday night and said I needed to get in for a lung biopsy, as they
saw a spot on my back, swollen lymph nodes around my heart, and an inch
tumor in my right lung. I couldn't get in until Wednesday, and Sam
Herkert was nice enough to take me in (as Jack was getting ready for
auditors),  as you can't drive yourself. The biopsy was easy and I
thought I would get right out. You have to stay for 2 hours after the
biopsy to make sure the hole closes up, or your lung can collapse. Well,
mine didn't close, and I ended up in the hospital until Sunday at 3.
Maybe this is the time my family needed to get their heads around
everything. Needless to say, they were all in shock, as I am never sick.
They were all having a hard time, and lots of tears were flowing.

 I started my radiation treatments for my back on Tuesday, Dec. 13th. I needed 14
treatments, and finished on Jan. 3rd. It is just like having an
x-ray, and I was lucky and had very few side effects. I had my radiation at Ozaukee St. Mary's, which made it very easy to get there and back, as my visits never lasted more  than 10 minutes, and radiation was only 1 minute. The back (in my 8th vertebrae) is what was causing the spasms
on my left side, and that is what the radiation was focused on. The spot was very close to my spinal cord, and could have caused paralysis if not taken care of.

I went for a  PET scan and brain MRI on
Friday, Dec. 16th, at Froedtert. We then saw the Lung cancer doctor on Tuesday,  Dec. 20th.  We were then told that the cancer was in both lungs, bones (back and ribs), and lymph nodes. The doctor is hoping that I have the most common mutation, as they have a 3rd generation target therapy that they have had good results with. That is what I am praying for, as the therapy is taken by pill with very few side effects. I was also told that I will have to learn to live with cancer, as it will in actuality, never really go completely away. I will be back to see the lung cancer doctor tomorrow (Jan. 5th) to find out what comes next.

 Right now I am almost feeling like an "out of body" experience. One
minute I am exercising everyday with the best of them, and the next day
this. At this time, I can't even do yoga or Pilates, as I can't bend
over or stretch or lift heavy things because of the radiation. Walking
is all they have given me permission to do. I am not in pain or feel
sick. I have always been a person to take care of myself. I have never
been a smoker or drinker. I have always exercised, running for 32 years
and then taking some pretty hard classes. I try to eat right and do the
things I need to stay healthy. I guess that doesn't always work. I
realize God has a plan for us. I feel He knows when we enter the earth
and when we are going to leave. I will fight this nasty thing, but
realize it is in His hands. I have been surrounded by prayers and love,
and it is so uplifting, I can't even explain the feeling. I am so thankful to live in such a wonderful community! Thank you!!



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