I encountered the following in our daily reading.
どのような企業{きぎょう}も、創業期{そうぎょうき}には全社員が昼食をとること さえ 忘れてしまうほど、忙しくフル回転していたものです。
In a business, a person was so busy that he forgot to eat lunch even lunch. (Not sure if translation is correct.)
From what my friend explained, the さえ means "even" or similar to ほど. Using a similar sentence he explained that さえ was only.
私はお酒 さえ あれば、幸せです。
Even if I have I only have sake, I am happy.
How is さえ used? I think it is synonymous with ほど.