First, let me start out with a sincere, heartfelt "Thank You" to all my prayer partners/warriors. Without you, this journey would be so difficult. The strength and comfort I feel by your surrounding prayers has moved me...I just can't express how much with eloquence.
Here's the latest news on our journey.....
Monday, June 3, 2013 I had my 2nd brain surgery. The pathology report came back that I have a recurrent tumor. My surgeon removed tissue, about 'grape' size that had cancer cells present. He was pretty aggressive with the removal so the hope is that he got everything he could see.
I'm in the process of healing.....physically (3-1/2 years older!!) and emotionally....finally getting my mojo back!! I must confess this is hard. I was disappointed and grieving, but I am now setting my sights on praying, healing and living!!
What's next????
My stitches will be removed Friday, June 14th and I am hopeful to go back to work on Monday, June 17th. The plan is to have my Neuro-Oncologist at Duke University direct my next course of treatment in St. Louis. I can't have overall brain radiation again....that was a one time shot, but I can get the SRS boost (focalized radiation) at the resection site, so that will probably the happen. Not sure yet on the Chemotherapy regimen....so more to come on that once known.
A friend of my daughter, Kellie, sent her this passage the night we got the pathology report. I believe this will now be my mantra....
"Remember....God wouldn't give obstacles to someone who couldn't pull through. He gives his roughest battles to his strongest soldiers!"
43 months from original diagnosis, this set back is NOT setting me back.....We can do this!!
Jesus bring the Rain!
+Peace,
Sandy
Monday, June 10, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Calling all Prayer Warriors...I need you!
"I do not want to fail in hope"
Back in March when I last posted, I was in a grateful mode. I am still so very grateful for all of the prayers and the trust we have in our healing God. He is awesome and he continues to carry me everyday.
With the MRI I had on April 3rd, I reported my MRI results showed 'all clear'. That ended up not being entirely true. There was a very,very small sign of an 'enhancement' in the space where the tumor was. Since that time, I also have been experiencing some 'tingling' symptions in my face and mouth, although that hasn't been really anything out of the ordinary from the beginning of my journey. The 'enhancement' was thought by my doctors to be scar tissue and we would just monitor the symptons. After talking with my doctor at Duke, to be on the safe side, she felt it necessary to have another MRI in a month's time. That would have been early May. Finally, after back and forth with the insurance company waiting for them to decide if I needed the followup MRI, I was approved for it. I had it done on Monday, May 21st.
As you can imagine, the anticipation of what the results would be was very stressful. I was fortunate to get in to see my Radiation Oncologist on Tuesday, May 22. To my disappointment (to say the least!), the 'enhancement' has increased slightly in size compared to the the April results. It still could be scar tissue, however there is that 50% chance it could be tumor regrowth. To be sure it would need to be removed. My doctors concur that removing it would be the best thing to do. Then we'll know the next course of action. I agree......I just want this thing out of my head!!!
So....I am imploring my many prayer partners to continue your generous prayers in helping me in my journey to complete healing. I will be having surgery on Monday, June 3rd to remove the 'enhancement'. Please, please, please keep me in your prayers asking God to to be with the doctors and hospital staff, to continue to give me strength and to carry me to healing. We got this!!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
+ Peace,
Sandy
Back in March when I last posted, I was in a grateful mode. I am still so very grateful for all of the prayers and the trust we have in our healing God. He is awesome and he continues to carry me everyday.
With the MRI I had on April 3rd, I reported my MRI results showed 'all clear'. That ended up not being entirely true. There was a very,very small sign of an 'enhancement' in the space where the tumor was. Since that time, I also have been experiencing some 'tingling' symptions in my face and mouth, although that hasn't been really anything out of the ordinary from the beginning of my journey. The 'enhancement' was thought by my doctors to be scar tissue and we would just monitor the symptons. After talking with my doctor at Duke, to be on the safe side, she felt it necessary to have another MRI in a month's time. That would have been early May. Finally, after back and forth with the insurance company waiting for them to decide if I needed the followup MRI, I was approved for it. I had it done on Monday, May 21st.
As you can imagine, the anticipation of what the results would be was very stressful. I was fortunate to get in to see my Radiation Oncologist on Tuesday, May 22. To my disappointment (to say the least!), the 'enhancement' has increased slightly in size compared to the the April results. It still could be scar tissue, however there is that 50% chance it could be tumor regrowth. To be sure it would need to be removed. My doctors concur that removing it would be the best thing to do. Then we'll know the next course of action. I agree......I just want this thing out of my head!!!
So....I am imploring my many prayer partners to continue your generous prayers in helping me in my journey to complete healing. I will be having surgery on Monday, June 3rd to remove the 'enhancement'. Please, please, please keep me in your prayers asking God to to be with the doctors and hospital staff, to continue to give me strength and to carry me to healing. We got this!!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
+ Peace,
Sandy
Saturday, March 2, 2013
40 Months Strong - In a GRATEFUL mode!
Faith is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets!
I love that, it is so true. This journey is teaching me to never stop being faithful. I'm comforted by knowing that I am not walking this journey alone. God is faithful. He never stops healing me. He never stops carrying me. He never stops loving me. His mercy and grace are precious gifts and I thank and praise HIM daily for them.
I'm behind on blogging, and I apologize. Most of you know my progress because we are Facebook friends, but I will recap.
I went to Duke BTC on January 7th and carried my December MRI to share with my doctor. Her findings agreed with the results from Mercy. Still NO signs of cancer regrowth.
Based on learning of a family that has 2 members stricken with GBM, I was concerned that there was truth to this cancer being genetic and had some concern that my daughters may be at risk. My doctor validated that it is not genetic. That situation could be coincidental, environmental, who knows! My mind is at ease with her assurance.
My next MRI and Mercy oncologist appointments are early April and will not go back to Duke until July. Until then, life goes on in a 'grateful' mode!!
Share HOPE!
+Sandy
I love that, it is so true. This journey is teaching me to never stop being faithful. I'm comforted by knowing that I am not walking this journey alone. God is faithful. He never stops healing me. He never stops carrying me. He never stops loving me. His mercy and grace are precious gifts and I thank and praise HIM daily for them.
I'm behind on blogging, and I apologize. Most of you know my progress because we are Facebook friends, but I will recap.
I went to Duke BTC on January 7th and carried my December MRI to share with my doctor. Her findings agreed with the results from Mercy. Still NO signs of cancer regrowth.
Based on learning of a family that has 2 members stricken with GBM, I was concerned that there was truth to this cancer being genetic and had some concern that my daughters may be at risk. My doctor validated that it is not genetic. That situation could be coincidental, environmental, who knows! My mind is at ease with her assurance.
My next MRI and Mercy oncologist appointments are early April and will not go back to Duke until July. Until then, life goes on in a 'grateful' mode!!
Share HOPE!
+Sandy
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