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
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Blessings Abound
O Come All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant.
This seems to be my theme after every MRI these days. My latest, on December 10th, once again, shows no sign of cancer. Per the imaging report.....'there is no convincing evidence of a change since the most recent study on 9/4/2012." All of my blood work came back normal, as well.
My trip to Duke BTC is Monday, January 7th. I expect nothing but good things there.
I am astounded by the blessings I've been given and am so 'joyful and triumphant'. Many Blessings to you and your families for this Christmas season. May the new year bring even more 'glad tidings' and a healthy future.
+Peace,
Sandy
This seems to be my theme after every MRI these days. My latest, on December 10th, once again, shows no sign of cancer. Per the imaging report.....'there is no convincing evidence of a change since the most recent study on 9/4/2012." All of my blood work came back normal, as well.
My trip to Duke BTC is Monday, January 7th. I expect nothing but good things there.
I am astounded by the blessings I've been given and am so 'joyful and triumphant'. Many Blessings to you and your families for this Christmas season. May the new year bring even more 'glad tidings' and a healthy future.
+Peace,
Sandy
Saturday, November 24, 2012
3 Year Survivor!!
Trust in the Lord, for he is our Deliverer!!
We did it....We passed the 3 year mark! We are beating this cancer with prayer and unconditional belief. God is so Good.
I stand in awe of the prayers and support that have been given me during this time. This is truly a season of giving thanks and being grateful for each and every day.
My next MRI is Monday, December 10th followed by my oncologist appointment on Thursday, the 13th. (One more before the new year insurance deductibles start over!! ;-) ). I'm still on the 'MRI every 3 months" routine, which is fine as if gives us a checkpoint of stability. I will have bloodwork this time as well. Next Duke appointment is January 7th.
In the meantime....let's look forward to the celebration of new life with the season of Christmas as the birth of Jesus gives us hope for a renewed future!
"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power.
Collossians 1:11.
Blessings for a great day!
+Sandy
We did it....We passed the 3 year mark! We are beating this cancer with prayer and unconditional belief. God is so Good.
I stand in awe of the prayers and support that have been given me during this time. This is truly a season of giving thanks and being grateful for each and every day.
My next MRI is Monday, December 10th followed by my oncologist appointment on Thursday, the 13th. (One more before the new year insurance deductibles start over!! ;-) ). I'm still on the 'MRI every 3 months" routine, which is fine as if gives us a checkpoint of stability. I will have bloodwork this time as well. Next Duke appointment is January 7th.
In the meantime....let's look forward to the celebration of new life with the season of Christmas as the birth of Jesus gives us hope for a renewed future!
"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power.
Collossians 1:11.
Blessings for a great day!
+Sandy
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Life is so good!!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Wow.....has it really been over 3 months since my last blog post?? So hard to believe in the last 3 months, I've had a beautiful granddaugter born and a MRI that shows no signs of cancer. God continues to bless me with gifts of good health and wonderful family and friends, for which I am forever grateful.
God asks us to 'empower life' and share what we have abundantly. This is my mantra everyday. thank you all for sharing your prayers with me. God answers them, each and every day.
Empower Life!
Peace,
+Sandy
Wow.....has it really been over 3 months since my last blog post?? So hard to believe in the last 3 months, I've had a beautiful granddaugter born and a MRI that shows no signs of cancer. God continues to bless me with gifts of good health and wonderful family and friends, for which I am forever grateful.
God asks us to 'empower life' and share what we have abundantly. This is my mantra everyday. thank you all for sharing your prayers with me. God answers them, each and every day.
Empower Life!
Peace,
+Sandy
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I'm such a slacker!!!
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. ~Mark 11:24
My apologies for not posting to my blog for so, so long. I would imagine you all are pretty much thinking that no news is good news. If that's the case....then you are 100% correct!! My last MRI was June 11th. Once again, this scan was totally clear. Yay!
I am heading to North Carolina on June 29th, as my next Duke BTC appointment is on Monday, July 2nd. I am fortunate to be able to stay for the entire week to visit with my daughter and son-in-law, Alison and Isaac, as they await the birth of their first child, my first granddaughter! They are due on July 1st, but we are all hopeful (especially Alison) that she will be born anytime before then.
God has blessed me so tremendously....obviously He is not finished with me yet!! I feel that He is giving me such a gift in living to see my first grandchild. I continue to pray that I am able to see many more in the years to come.
You all continue to remain in my prayers. I truly appreciate yours!
Never forget to thank God for each day, He is so generous with his gifts.
Peace,
+Sandy
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