Susan’s Story

Site created on June 28, 2019

Mom was quickly charging through recovery from a new knee replacement March 27th surgery. In Mid-May, she began to experience growing fatigue and stomach discomfort. That said, she went to Georgia for Emmy and Sam's graduation weekend from UGA and Will's soccer game. She went to Sophie's graduation festivities from SME, the big senior (Sophie) vs 6th grade (Cole) kickball tournament, Cole's graduation and last day of school parade, while working in a few visits with her GI docs and cardiologist. The symptoms she began to experience reminded us all of an event four years ago, when she needed a stint placed in her heart. On June 3rd, she went to the emergency room at Saint Luke's and we expected she may need another stint. Hours later, we were stunned to learn she has metastatic pancreatic cancer. They found a 2 cm mass on her pancreas and several more on her liver. She stayed two nights and went home on Wednesday, June 5th. Time has both moved very fast and stood still since that moment. 

We went to an oncology appointment the following Wednesday, June 12th and mom chose a chemo plan. She got her port on Wednesday, June 19th and a pain pump on Thursday, June 20th. The pain pump can deliver a medication in her spine to inhibit pain in abdomen and may be customized throughout her treatment. It should deliver a smaller dose of medication in a more effective manner and reduce the side effects from oral pain meds. She went to the ER on Monday, June 24th in need of fluids and went home later that evening. She went to her chemo appointment on Wednesday, June 26th and instead was admitted to the hospital again for pain management and fluids. She came home from the hospital after two nights on Friday, June 28th and was happy to grab a shower and sleep in her own bed. We will share her plan for treatment as it evolves. We appreciate so many friends and family reaching out with encouragement and offers of support as they have learned about Susy's health. Mom, Dad, Rick, Mary, Alex, Laura and I (Michelle) are in constant contact. 

We are thankful there is a site like CaringBridge to share information and receive notes of encouragement. 
(Please do not feel obligated to donate under the "Honor Susan" section - these contributions go to CaringBridge to help keep the site up and running. )

Newest Update

Journal entry by Michelle Lawrence

Susan Straub Sinclair, 83, of Prairie Village, KS passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, on Friday, September 13, 2019  - visitation at 10am, funeral mass at 11am followed by a reception in the Burak Room. 

Susan was born in St. Mary’s, PA to Laura (Fox) and Alfonse Straub on October 17, 1935. She was in the first nursing class to attain her BSN RN at Georgetown University. She worked in one of the first artificial kidney dialysis units in the US at Georgetown. In 1960, she married Richard H. Sinclair, MD and after his specialty training, they raised their family in Kansas City.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, and children: Rick (Mindi), Mary (Doug Huffman), Alex (Kim), Michelle (Greg Lawrence), and Laura (Jeff Mixson) and grandchildren: Riley, Emily, Cameron, Sam, Ally, Madeline, Ethan, Bennett, Sophie, Cole, Charlie and WillSusan was a strong and vibrant woman, with a quick smile and easy laugh. She was kind and compassionate; speaking truth with love. ln lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her memory to KVC Health Systems, Mainstream Coalition, or The Children's Place in KCMO, where she volunteered for 30 years. 

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