It was December 4, 2011, the Relief Society meeting was finished, and I was busy putting hymnals back on the shelf. Things were going fine when my leg went out and I blacked out. Nobody noticed because seconds before I made myself sit down because something was not right. Five minutes later my husband came to get me. He was curious as to why I looked so sheepish. I told him what happened and shrugged it off as low blood sugar.
Several days later, I was in Mississippi visiting family when my mom noticed my face was drooping and I was walking funny. There were a couple things that crossed her mind, but the main one was that she thought I had a stroke. So, I brought that concern back home with me to Texas. I immediately made an appointment to see my doctor. He saw to it that I be scheduled for an MRI.
On December 22, 2011, I went in for a MRI. We (hubby and I), were on our way back home, when my doctor called and said he needed to see me immediately. When I arrived at his office, I was quickly lead back to an exam room. It was then that my doctor came in and told me the news. What was thought to be a stroke was actually a brain tumor. It wasn't until my appointment with my neurosurgeon that I found out what the tumor really was.
Astrocytoma Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM), Stage 4 brain tumor. This tumor spreads quickly. Extending from the tumor are tentacles, which makes tumor removal very difficult. If one of the tentacles tugs on parts of my brain it could mean more damage or even death. Few patients survive beyond 3 years. I have been through radiation and chemo, and it slowed the growth, but now it is growing again.
With that being said, there has been an option that has come to my attention. There is a clinical trial for this type of tumor. It consist of injecting the polio virus in the tumor, in hopes to slow and stop if not kill the tumor. The goal, of course, is to prolong life.
This part is what I need your help with. Every donation you make will help me get to Duke University for treatment. Also, I have paintings for sale to help me get there as well. Thank you for prayers and donations.
