Praise God!!! This morning my Neurosurgeon told me that she has never seen someone react this well to treatment and that the majority of people, given my diagnosis, are dead within one year; but that I am still doing great in her opinion. Guess all of those hrs in the gym paid off, thanks Sonya for the motivation. She said that she could tell a big difference between my Oct scans and the scans I got in Dec. Karen (mother-in-law and nurse) got a copy of the MRI report and said that from what she can tell the tumor has shrunk a decent amount.
Thank you all SO much for your continued prayers, God is listening... and responding.
Love to you all and I hope that everyone is doing great :-)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
The difference a day can make...
As happy as I was and optimistic yesterday, leave it to the government to Mess it up. Last night the FDA pulled the approval for Avastin to treat Breast Cancer. There is a debate if this is the beginning of rationing because it is a very expensive drug. Granted, I don't have Breast Cancer but this gives my insurer an excuse to deny treatment. I called United HC and she said that if the FDA pulled their approval then they probably would drop the medication as well. As I understand it, Avastin has been the super drug that was really helping my tumor and preventing the blood from being able to re-route and form new vessels around the tumor. Thanks for listening guys!
Sandi
Sandi
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
MRI update...
I got great news from the Doctor yesterday. Dr. Szabo (my oncologist) said that
the MRI last week showed that the tumor is stable and that I am "exactly
where 'we' want you to be." "we" would be my 3 doctors (neurologist,
oncologist, and radiologist). I am feeling ok, my energy level is
coming back and my appetite is finally returning so it's not torture to
eat anymore. I've lost about 20 lbs over the past 6 months, for the
longest time all I craved was fruit or sweets. Not a diet I would
recommend for your health but you will lose weight.
I have been lucky enough to have a hoard of people praying for me, and I have no doubt that God had his hand on my entire recovery/surgery. Looking back there is no question that He went before me and prepared the way. The PA (physician's assistant) that I met with the morning I got my diagnosis, had enough drive to call United Healthcare and argue with them so that my insurance would pay for the CT scan. I was across the street from Emory Hospital, and the on-call neurosurgeon just happened to be one of the best in the southeast. My surgery was supposed to take 4 hrs and she took 7 (she used the extra time to cut off the blood supply to the back of the tumor, which worked because the blood supply is still cut off). God worked through Dr. Florence Barnett to save my life http://barnettneurosurgery.com/ and I am so grateful! She is one of the best doctors I have had the privilege of knowing.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, please keep them coming because I don't have this thing beat yet. I do have a peace that started the day I got my diagnosis, I have not really had fear, just a comforting feeling that God was in control of the situation and that I didn't need to worry. My greatest fear has been for my father and my husband. I can't imagine what my father would do if something happened to me or what I would do if something happened to JJ.
I hope that everyone is doing wonderful and had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. We'll see what 2011 has in store, thank you for being interested enough to read all of my ramblings. Love to all of my friends and thank you again for your prayers, they are working :-)
the MRI last week showed that the tumor is stable and that I am "exactly
where 'we' want you to be." "we" would be my 3 doctors (neurologist,
oncologist, and radiologist). I am feeling ok, my energy level is
coming back and my appetite is finally returning so it's not torture to
eat anymore. I've lost about 20 lbs over the past 6 months, for the
longest time all I craved was fruit or sweets. Not a diet I would
recommend for your health but you will lose weight.
I have been lucky enough to have a hoard of people praying for me, and I have no doubt that God had his hand on my entire recovery/surgery. Looking back there is no question that He went before me and prepared the way. The PA (physician's assistant) that I met with the morning I got my diagnosis, had enough drive to call United Healthcare and argue with them so that my insurance would pay for the CT scan. I was across the street from Emory Hospital, and the on-call neurosurgeon just happened to be one of the best in the southeast. My surgery was supposed to take 4 hrs and she took 7 (she used the extra time to cut off the blood supply to the back of the tumor, which worked because the blood supply is still cut off). God worked through Dr. Florence Barnett to save my life http://barnettneurosurgery.com/ and I am so grateful! She is one of the best doctors I have had the privilege of knowing.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, please keep them coming because I don't have this thing beat yet. I do have a peace that started the day I got my diagnosis, I have not really had fear, just a comforting feeling that God was in control of the situation and that I didn't need to worry. My greatest fear has been for my father and my husband. I can't imagine what my father would do if something happened to me or what I would do if something happened to JJ.
I hope that everyone is doing wonderful and had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. We'll see what 2011 has in store, thank you for being interested enough to read all of my ramblings. Love to all of my friends and thank you again for your prayers, they are working :-)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sandi Update - MRI Results - From Sonya
My sister's MRI results are good. The brain tumor is still stable and is not growing. The doctor said that the tumor is always going to be there, but he thinks that a lot of the mass he is seeing is dead scar tissue. From what they can tell the tumor still has no blood flow- thanks to her wonderful brain surgeon!!!
Her doctor is very happy with the results and so are we! If you are new to my blog you can read Sandi's Fight for Life to learn more about my younger sister who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.
DONATION UPDATE
I would also like to thank all of you who helped me spread the word and/or purchased jewelry or donated to Sandi last year. Belly Charms donated $4100 to Sandi last year to help with medical bills and living expenses since she has not been able to work since May.
Thank you so much!!!! It has made a world of difference to her! I am still donating all proceeds from the sale of jewelry in the Affirmation and Inspiration Collection to her.
DONATION UPDATE
I would also like to thank all of you who helped me spread the word and/or purchased jewelry or donated to Sandi last year. Belly Charms donated $4100 to Sandi last year to help with medical bills and living expenses since she has not been able to work since May.
Thank you so much!!!! It has made a world of difference to her! I am still donating all proceeds from the sale of jewelry in the Affirmation and Inspiration Collection to her.
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