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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Sandi's fight for Life - New Bracelet - From Sonya

Many of you know that Sandi, my 33 year old younger sister, is in a fight for her life against brain cancer.   This is her blog, but being the big sister, I am helping her out on it anyway that I can. She was diagnosed with a Stage IV Glioblastoma last month. As she is undergoing this nightmare, I am working hard to raise money for her.

With that I have added a new bracelet to the "Affirmation and Inspiration - Sandi's Fight collection". I designed this collection when Sandi was diagnosed and the proceeds from the sale of these items is going to her. Even with insurance, brain surgery and brain cancer is not cheap. She has a $40 copay with every radiation treatment.

Here is the new bracelet. The Survivor bracelet - this is the one she is going to be wearing when this hell is over!  We know if anyone can beat brain cancer it is her. She asked me to design this one.  The great thing is that I will customize it with any color to symbolize any type of cancer. 

 To learn more about Sandi's Fight for Life and see how you can help please visit www.SandisFight.com