Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, comments, donations and support for my little sister. It means more than I can ever tell you. I wanted to post an update for you all now that we have a little more information on her cancer. The original post about her tumor can be found here.
Last week Missy and my parents met with her neurosurgeon and two oncologist. It was good news. There is no doubt about it, having brain cancer sucks, but if you are going to get it, Missy has the kind to get. He said that she is considered a juvenile case, even though she is 28, because her tumor has actually been there for 10-12 years. Ten to Twelve YEARS. That just blows my mind. He said that he has patients who have this type of tumor who, ten to twenty years after treatment, are still living a normal life. This is just...I can't even put it into words how relieved we are with this information.
Of course we are not taking her tumor lightly and neither are the doctors. She has cancer, brain cancer, and that is still devastating. She will most likely be starting radiation in the next few weeks. Something that I am sure will make this all seem much more real. The tumor was too large and covered too much area for the pin point cyber knife radiation to be effective, so they have to use the traditional radiation. She will be sick and she will lose her hair. Things that are very hard on her, and on all of us as we worry about her. But these treatments will get her as close as they can to having her cancer free. And that is what is most important. Get her as healthy as we can, and then let her live her life. That is what the doctor told her, "Live your life". They are the greatest three words we can here. The idea that she has cancer is terrifying, but she has a chance to live her life. That is all we can ask for.
I have surpassed my goal for my 5K fund-raising! I am blown away by your alls generosity. Thanks so much to all of you for helping! Of course, I will be thrilled to raise more, so if you are still wanting to donate please do. Here is the site to make a pledge for Melissa's Magnificent Ten (which now has 34 members and counting)!
i found your blog when I was pregnant (our due dates were the same!) but haven't ever commented before. My uncle had basically the same scenario happen to him at the same time of life. When he was 25, he went in for a routine eye exam and his doctor watched his left eye track across a room, then hop, then continue tracking. He was referred to a neurologist who found a tumor that had grown for about 15 years starting behind his ear and extending around to the other side of his brain. He made it through his surgery and chemo and thanks to his doctors was able to see his kids grow up and will witness the birth of his second grandchild this fall. We're praying for your sister, right now in the process of healing and as she goes on to live the amazing life she has in store for her!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted leave you with some an encouraging story.... My BFF's husband has also been treated for a brain tumor and also had chemo/radiation in his mid 20's. He is cancer free and healthy now 10 years later! Many prayers to your sister.
ReplyDeletethat is as great of news as one could hear.
ReplyDeletewishing her nothing but the best as she continues on this journey -and strength for all of you.
My heart aches and my eyes are welling up reading this post. I am glad there is good news. I just feel so bad about your sister having to do radiation. I have known a couple of people who have had to go through that. Funny thing, when their hair came back in afterward, it was curly.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was something really soothing that I could say right now, but words just seem to get in the way. Just know that you are all in my prayers and heart.
Please leave the donation button up. I want so badly to donate, but it won't be for a little while. I will as soon as I can though, I promise. Just leave the link up on your blog please.
Agreed--please leave the donate button up!
ReplyDeleteContinuing to send strength to your family!
That is really promising news about your little sister. It sounds like it's going to be a long tough road, but there's a lot of hope for her, which is incredible. Now she can start making plans for the future again.
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