Good News...

It is now November and my medical status has not changed :-) everything is still "stable" inside my head. The tumor is not growing or shrinking (it shrank a little at the beginning of 2011, but no recent progress). I'm still feeling good and my energy level is slowly coming back. I rejoined LA Fitness and I've started working out again. I hate that I lost so much muscle in 2010 while I sat on my butt watching TV. But, I had to give my body time to recover. Looks like I'm finally coming around now. I've got to work out first thing in the morning or it does not happen. I was like that before getting sick, so it's nothing new.

Thank you all for the support both mentally and financially. Can you believe that my hubby and I have had to pay over $12,000 in the last 2 yrs in medical bills (after insurance). Cancer is expensive!!! Have a great day/week!

Update on latest MRI

Hey everyone, I did end up getting to meet with my neurologist yesterday and we got positive feedback. It is still stable, not growing, not shrinking but definitely not growing. Dr. Barnett stated that if she had 2 dozen neurosurgeons who all had seen my scans and the mass inside of my head that she would have 2 dozen people who would be unbelievably shocked that I was sitting in her office, and that I was still alive, because based on my medical reports I should be dead.

So good news is that my tumor is not growing that it is stable and that my super-neurosurgeon is still optimistic. She said to me, "I don't know what you are doing, but keep doing it." I am following the instructions of my MDs and drinking about 3 glasses of red-wine per week. Just wanted to tell everyone the good news :-)

Thank you all SO much for your thoughts and prayers!!!!

With much Love,
Sandi

Update from my Neurologist :-)

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 :-)

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

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 :-)

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.

Sandi Update from Sonya

There is nothing new on Sandi.  My sister is currently in the middle of another round of chemo.  She still has an amazing attitude during her fight for life against brain cancer.  In case you missed it, the MRI results we got back on 10/11 showed the tumor has actually shrunk a tiny bit.  That is incredible news!!!  It will be a few months before she gets another MRI.

Sandi's Chemo lasts for 5 days so I am offering a 5 day sale on a few items in her collection on Belly Charms.  All proceeds from the sale of these items goes to my sister to help her pay medial bills.  Even with insurance, brain cancer is expensive and she has not been able to work since she was diagnosed with the lemon sized brain tumor in May of this year.

All of the Peace and Love Bracelets are 20% off until 11/16 and shipping is free on them too.   Three color options are available. These make great holiday gifts.  USE THE COUPON CODE SANDI20 AT CHECKOUT ON BELLY CHARMS.  Click below to see each color option!

Pastel Peace and Love Bracelet

Gray Peace and Love Bracelet

Deep Purple Peace and Love Bracelet

Please help me by posting, tweeting or sharing this on facebook.  Thanks so much for Supporting Sandi in her ongoing fight!!