Help the Sarno Family’s Fight Against Cancer

My name is Kristen Sarno, and I've been happily married to my husband Jody for 31 years. We have 3 boys, a beautiful daughter in law, and 4 grandkids.

In mid-March of 2025, I started to have a constant pain in my lower back, into my left hip, making it difficult to sleep. My PCP suggested that I take NSAIDS and referred me to physical therapy to strengthen my core.

With each visit to physical therapy, my pain progressively worsened until I couldn’t do any of the exercises. After several sessions, they discharged me and suggested I see an orthopedic specialist and/or get more imaging.

What followed was a visit with an orthopedic specialist, an MRI, and eventually CT scans. The scans revealed a mass in my left psoas muscle along the spine, as well as abnormal lymph nodes throughout my body.

I was then sent to an oncologist who thought I might have lymphoma. A biopsy of the mass was done, but the results were unexpected. It was not lymphoma, but some sort of gynecological carcinoma. I was referred to yet another oncologist, as the one I'd seen specializes in lymphomas and sarcomas.

What a roller coaster! I met with the gynecologic oncologist, who suggested a uterine biopsy. Looking at my scans and reports, she felt that the carcinoma had most likely begun in the endometrium and metastasized. She told me she wanted me to start chemotherapy ASAP and would refer me to a medical oncologist closer to me to administer the treatments.

The gynecologic oncologist called me today (August 21) with the results of the uterine biopsy. The endometrium is normal - no cancer in the uterus. She is stumped as to where my cancer began.

My case is now being referred to a team of doctors, radiologists, and pathologists called a "Tumor Board". They will review my images, tests, etc. and put their collective heads together to try to figure out what's going on and what to do with me. In the meantime, I am to keep my appointment with the medical oncologist on August 28, and I will hopefully start chemo soon.

Needless to say, we are facing a pile of invoices already, just to find a diagnosis. I'm sure treatment costs will be much more.

Our greatest need is your prayers. God is amazing and has everything planned out already. We are trusting Him to carry us through this valley. Please pray for our patience with the countless referrals and tests. Also, please pray for our boys, that they are comforted from the scary thoughts about what "could happen" with their mom. And pray for my husband Jody, who has walked beside me so lovingly throughout this journey.

If you feel God leading you to help us financially, every dollar will be appreciated and used to help with the astronomical medical bills.

I will post updates as I have them, but for now, we are resting in His promises as we wait.