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!!

Sandi's MRI Results Today - From Sonya

Sandi has not been on her blog in a few months, but I wanted to share the great news she got today.  Sandi's Oncology report showed that her brain tumor is actually shrinking a little bit.  We could not be happier.  I got to spend the weekend with her in Alabama.  She seems to have a little more energy.  She is lost over 20 lbs since August.  She has no appetite, but a week with my mom had her eating a little more.

Her hair is growing a little bit, and she is still going to be a blond.  Proud to still wear her Alabama cap too.

Sandi still needs lots of prayers and support as she continues chemo and her fight for life. She has not been able to work since her brain tumor was discovered in May.  You can read her story and/or make a donation at www.SandisFight.com. 

Happy Birthday Sandi!!!

This is Sandi's blog, her fight for life, but I am taking it over to let everyone know that today is her 34th Birthday.   It seems like just yesterday we were fighting over the remote control Barbie car.  Happy Birthday little sister.  I love you!

 

Sandi's Fight Continues - from Sonya

Yesterday Sandi got her first IV Avastin infusion and last night she took her first dose ( triple strength) of the chemo drug Temodor.  She will have this high dose of Chemo for the next 5 days straight.  She has a new nightly routine......anti Nausea meds, an hour later a sleeping pill, then the 3 chemo pills.  Last night she was up sick from 2:00 am until 4:00 am.  She decided that tonight she will have no food after 5:00 to see if that helps.

Please continue to keep Sandi in your thoughts and prayers.

There are currently a few giveaways to benefit Sandi and her fight for life.  Please visit my blog and see if there are any you would like to enter. 

Bridget from Guide to Smart Shopping is an angel.  She is hosting a giveaway for a Live, Laugh, Love Bracelet and she is personally purchasing this bracelet to give it away.  Thanks to all of you for your continued support and comments to Sandi.

Sonya

Good news

We got good news today at the doctor's office. The tumor is stable and not growing, not shrinking but my oncologist thinks some of the mass around it is most likely dead tissue. I'll be on treatment for the next year, which is standard treatment for brain tumors. I'll be on Chemo and also I've got to go into the office to get an Avastin infusion every now and then. My drs are very optimistic about my prognosis :-)

Live Laugh Love Bracelet Giveaway: Everyday Ramblings of My Life for Sandi's Fight

Enter to win a Live Laugh Love Swarovski Crystal Bracelet from Belly Charms and Everyday Ramblings of My Life.  Tara wants to help raise money and awareness for Sandi's Fight and we have teamed up for a great giveaway. 



This is an easy entry giveaway and donations are optional!  If you enter you are helping!   Everyday Ramblings of my Life will be making a donation to Sandi's Fight for Life based on the number of people who comment and enter the giveaway.  How sweet is she? Please go visit Tara now and help raise money for Sandi's Fight for Life!  Giveaway ends on 8/29!

Be sure you also enter to win a full Blog Makeover donated by The Shabby Vanity. 


Posted by

Giveaways to Support Sandi's Fight for Life - Blog Makeover from The Shabby Vanity

#1) The very first of several giveaways on Belly Charms the blog to help support Sandi's Fight for Life.   Sandi is not only fighting for her life against stage IV brain cancer, she is fighting a mountain of medical bills.  Even with insurance....brain surgery and brain cancer can put a financial strain on anyone.  Sandi has not been able to work since the lemon sized brain tumor was discovered on May 3rd. 

Sandi's Fight Giveaway #1.  A full blog makeover from The Shabby Vanity ( Ends 8/15) Go to Belly Charms - the Blog  for details and enter to win!

Posted by

Finished Radiation :-)

The great news is that I finally finished my radiation yesterday!!!! :-) now I have a couple of weeks and then I get to start a new chemo regiment but the MD is expecting that I will have few side-effects from it. I hope that he is right (needless to say).

I will be on a chemo drip that I have to go into the office to get and then I'll be on an increased dose of the Temodar that I take at night. Overall I still feel ok, just really tired and I feel kind of useless since I cannot work right now and we have tons of bills pouring in from various doctors. But thanks to my sister and her efforts it is not as bad as it could be, thanks to everyone who has donated to us!!!! Have a great week,

Sandi

Radiation and beyond,,,,

I only have 3 more radiation treatments left!!!! This is a huge relief because I should get a lot of my energy back. I have treatment every morning and then I HAVE to nap in the afternoon because it drains me so much; and I'm getting 8-10 hrs of sleep every night. I'll start a more intensive chemo regiment after radiation is over... not sure which is going to be worse; unfortunately I'm afraid that the chemo may make me more nauseous and also have other fun side-effects that I don't know about yet. There were some additional side-effects that no one told me about, I'm learning that w/ cancer treatment you never know until you are there how you will react to treatment. Even the docs can't predict how people will react to treatment since everyone reacts differently.

Overall things are still looking up. I have my next MRI is in late Aug and then I meet with my neurologist again in early Sept to get feedback on how things are going. After that I'll be getting an MRI about once every 2 weeks so that they can monitor my progress. I meet with my Oncologist next week so I'll know Wed what chemo I have to look forward to.... thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!!

Sandi's Update 7/13

Updated from big sister......Sandi has been loosing more and more of her gorgeous blond hair.  Her college roommate from Wallace State came to spend a few days with her and Jessica is the one who Sandi asked to cut her hair off.   So last Thursday night, July 8th, Jessica shaved Sandi's head. Here are Sandi's exact words from her Facebook page post the following morning:

I have a friend staying with me who is a nurse on a neurological floor in Huntsville; and last night she finally did what JJ has been unwilling or unable to do.... which was shave my head. It actually feels better now because I can stop stressing about losing hair in the shower and elsewhere. Now I have about a quarter inch of redish blond stubble around me head....

I live 6 hours away from Sandi, and her husband JJ just emailed me some pictures of the new "low maintenance" Sandi. Her hair was hiding the scar from her brain surgery which was 2 months ago.  I still think she is beautiful.  The first thing I noticed was not that her hair is now gone.....it was the fact that she is still smiling!  She is now 2 months into her battle against brain cancer.

Sandi needs prayers and financial support.  Even with insurance...brain surgery and brain cancer is not cheap.  She is unable to work and any donation at all is greatly appreciated!

Please continue to support my sister by purchasing jewelry from the Affirmation and Inspiration Collection.  You can read Sandi's story at www.SandisFight.com.

July 5th update....

Excellent news today!! My follow-up scans showed that the tumor is shrinking and that treatment is working. My neurologist said that she was very pleased with the scans and how I am reacting to treatment. She wants to see me again about 6 wks after I finish radiation (which will be July 20th toward the end of August is when I'll get to see her again). July 20th should be my final day of radiation. I have had a relatively good go w/ cancer, not having a lot of nausea and still have an appetite, I am just not hungry for anything (fruit and junk are all that taste good), so I've only lost 5 lbs (could stand to lose 10 more). My primary side effect has been exhaustion, I've had to nap most of each day, it is amazing how much radiation zaps your energy!! I have just over 2 wks of radiation left; which I cannot wait to have over!!!! Radiation is no fun and it has zapped my energy level SO much. I can't complain too much though because I have not been nauseous like I expected.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!!! God has definitely been watching out for me :-)

Sandi

Update on Sandi - Great News

My sister Sandi just got the results from her MRI. The brain tumor (Glioblastoma) is shrinking and blood flow is still cut off to one side of it. This is the news we were hoping to hear. The chemo and radiation are working!! Her doctor was very happy with the results.  We could not be happier.  I told her I was doing a happy dance!!!

Thanks so much to all of of you for your continued comments, prayers and support.  Keep wearing those wristbands. She is halfway through treatment!   

Sandi's Fight for Life Wristbands - From Sonya

NEW! Please support my younger sister Sandi in her fight for life against brain cancer by wearing a gray wristband.  All proceeds from the sale of these will go to Sandi in an effort to help pay medical bills.

Please copy the button below and place it on your blog or website!!! 

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support!

Copy this code to display the banner!
<a href="http://www.shop.bellybuttonringsandthings.com/Sandis-Fight-for-Life-Silcone-Wristband-sandisiliconewristband.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7370/mybannerglitter8f1cf0d4.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />

Thank you for supporting Sandi - From Sonya

UPDATED!! A heart-felt "THANK YOU" to the following for supporting Sandi by purchasing a bracelet or making a donation to Sandi's Fight for Life.  Your support, prayers and generosity will never be forgotten.

 
Joey Gilliland              Jennifer Morrison       
JoAnn Ellis                 Wendy McBay            
Kim Hardee                Nikki Ledbetter          
Lisa Ghai                    Erica Stanfield           
Brooke Vinning           Tara Donaldson         
Christie Waldrep         Meredith Farrell         
Kim Walker                 Tabitha Rush
Laura Hargrove           Laura Smith
Angelique Plunkett      Leanne McElrath
Lauren Corbitt             Jennifer Southerland 
Burke Spencer           Jennifer Stephenson
Laura Boling               Elizabeth Harris
Nancy Crane              Monica Moody
Christina Teal             Robyn Engel
Tammy Madden         Jessica Miller
Pam Young                Amy Uptain
Brenda Grochowski    Paul and Rene Biddle
Jennifer Holbrooks     Jenny Sanders
Francy Kirkland          Kerri Horton
Margaret Nowell        Denise Martin
Jodi Fraser                Letha Harris
Jim Robertson          Sandra Robertson 
Kimberly Chandler    Dawn Zimmerman
Chassidi Likens         Virginia Webster
Patti Howard              Heather Mitchell 
Kelly Hood                 Bob  / Judy Mattey   
Tim /  Lori Wilhelm    Matt  / Jessica Stewart
Hugh Carter              Suzanne Bell                
Janet Adams             Allison Hall Willard
Shani Whitmore        Pam Rothman
Erica DaCosta          Bob / Monica Mattey
Kendra Mattey          Angela Myers
Xan Moody               Adrienne Hernandez 
Dina Utter                Pat / John Federico
Tiiffany Martin          David / Bettye Moore
Tricia Hoerth            Deborah Rousseau
The Lagnaippi Literary Ladies - aka Mom's book club
Mitzi Wiggins          Stacy / Becky Goss
Clint Shadinger       Daniel / Mary Ellen Vanaken
Elana Kahn             Disa Hickman
Lydia Aletaris  
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(updated 06/25)

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