Genny's Brainstormers
Donation protected
If I had just one wish, I would wish that I would never have to write these words…
But, as most of you know, my beautiful sister, Genny, - my young, vibrant, AMAZING sister is battling one of the world's most dreaded diseases- specifically Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma).
The devastating diagnosis came to light on April 1, 2013 when Genny was rushed to our local hospital after suffering a focal seizure on the right side of her body. She was transferred to Jefferson the following day and underwent emergency brain surgery on April 3.
The surgeon's briefing to our family was grim and Genny was faced with intense radiation and chemotherapy in the hopes that treatment could keep the cancer at bay. The subsequent MRI scans showed the cancer shrinking. Unfortunately, in October 2013, she developed an infection in her incision and she was rushed into surgery again where doctors had to remove part of her skull and replace it with a metal mesh.
We prayed for a miracle and thought we had one in August 2014 when Genny's cancer seemed all but gone. Our entire family celebrated and threw a party like we had won the Superbowl!
…But our joy was shortlived.
By December, on her husband's 30th birthday, the tumor was back.
After careful considerations, Genny opted for a radical new treatment out of Duke University that would essentially use the Polio virus, injected into the tumor, to trick the immune system into fighting the cancer. This was not without risks... swelling of the brain, paralysis, seizures, even death. But this was the only option that truly offered HOPE!
So on December 31st, New Year’s Eve (and Genny’s Dad’s birthday), Genny was infused with the polio virus. She initially lost her ability to talk and some abilities on the right side when they inserted a catheter into her tumor. However as soon as the catheter was removed from her brain, we had our Gen back. She actually WALKED out of the hospital a mere two days later.
Every two months we would go to Duke and every two months Duke would tell us Genny was progressing. The tumor was breaking up and it looked like everything was working. Genny had some side effects; her brain was VERY swollen, she suffered from many seizures and she was tired. She eventually left her job at C-View when the demands became too great on her physically.
Most recently, on Wednesday, September 23rd Genny suffered a brain bleed which triggered a massive seizure. She was rushed to our local hospital where she was mostly unconscious for three days. She was helicoptered to Jefferson University Hospital and was in the ICU for 7 days. She lost a lot of her function on the right side of her body and suffered significant speech loss.
But through it all – the diagnosis…the surgeries…the treatment...the hair loss… the setbacks…the side effects…the seizures… Genny keeps smiling. She is a warrior – Our hero. She loves life and we love her. And we wish that we could take this away from her and make this devastating illness just go away.
The picture I shared was taken just a few weeks ago in the ICU at Jefferson. Her heart shines through her smile…
So many of you know that smile and have asked how you can help. Recently, we had an amazing outpouring from an Eagles Ticket auction to raise money.... we were so overwhelmed with the care and generosity of the people who love Gen. Some of you suggested this page, so that more people could help.
Genny hasn’t been working for almost a month now and her husband, Will, has taken time off to be by her side.
Genny is currently at a long term rehab facility where she is learning how to walk, move her right arm and practice getting her speech back. She is doing fantastic but this may be the most trying part of her fight as Genny is one of the most athletic people I know. Throughout her three surgeries so far, this is BY FAR the longest she has ever been hospitalized and away from home.
So for those of you who have been so graciously asking for a way to help Genny and Will, any donation you can offer is so appreciated. Taking away the financial stress of lost income and mounting medical bills lifts such a big burden from them, as she won’t be home for a while and we don’t really know when she will be returning to work.
But, honestly, this GoFundMe is the 2nd best way to help…The best way? Keep praying. Your prayers have gotten us this far…
As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Keep smiling.
But, as most of you know, my beautiful sister, Genny, - my young, vibrant, AMAZING sister is battling one of the world's most dreaded diseases- specifically Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma).
The devastating diagnosis came to light on April 1, 2013 when Genny was rushed to our local hospital after suffering a focal seizure on the right side of her body. She was transferred to Jefferson the following day and underwent emergency brain surgery on April 3.
The surgeon's briefing to our family was grim and Genny was faced with intense radiation and chemotherapy in the hopes that treatment could keep the cancer at bay. The subsequent MRI scans showed the cancer shrinking. Unfortunately, in October 2013, she developed an infection in her incision and she was rushed into surgery again where doctors had to remove part of her skull and replace it with a metal mesh.
We prayed for a miracle and thought we had one in August 2014 when Genny's cancer seemed all but gone. Our entire family celebrated and threw a party like we had won the Superbowl!
…But our joy was shortlived.
By December, on her husband's 30th birthday, the tumor was back.
After careful considerations, Genny opted for a radical new treatment out of Duke University that would essentially use the Polio virus, injected into the tumor, to trick the immune system into fighting the cancer. This was not without risks... swelling of the brain, paralysis, seizures, even death. But this was the only option that truly offered HOPE!
So on December 31st, New Year’s Eve (and Genny’s Dad’s birthday), Genny was infused with the polio virus. She initially lost her ability to talk and some abilities on the right side when they inserted a catheter into her tumor. However as soon as the catheter was removed from her brain, we had our Gen back. She actually WALKED out of the hospital a mere two days later.
Every two months we would go to Duke and every two months Duke would tell us Genny was progressing. The tumor was breaking up and it looked like everything was working. Genny had some side effects; her brain was VERY swollen, she suffered from many seizures and she was tired. She eventually left her job at C-View when the demands became too great on her physically.
Most recently, on Wednesday, September 23rd Genny suffered a brain bleed which triggered a massive seizure. She was rushed to our local hospital where she was mostly unconscious for three days. She was helicoptered to Jefferson University Hospital and was in the ICU for 7 days. She lost a lot of her function on the right side of her body and suffered significant speech loss.
But through it all – the diagnosis…the surgeries…the treatment...the hair loss… the setbacks…the side effects…the seizures… Genny keeps smiling. She is a warrior – Our hero. She loves life and we love her. And we wish that we could take this away from her and make this devastating illness just go away.
The picture I shared was taken just a few weeks ago in the ICU at Jefferson. Her heart shines through her smile…
So many of you know that smile and have asked how you can help. Recently, we had an amazing outpouring from an Eagles Ticket auction to raise money.... we were so overwhelmed with the care and generosity of the people who love Gen. Some of you suggested this page, so that more people could help.
Genny hasn’t been working for almost a month now and her husband, Will, has taken time off to be by her side.
Genny is currently at a long term rehab facility where she is learning how to walk, move her right arm and practice getting her speech back. She is doing fantastic but this may be the most trying part of her fight as Genny is one of the most athletic people I know. Throughout her three surgeries so far, this is BY FAR the longest she has ever been hospitalized and away from home.
So for those of you who have been so graciously asking for a way to help Genny and Will, any donation you can offer is so appreciated. Taking away the financial stress of lost income and mounting medical bills lifts such a big burden from them, as she won’t be home for a while and we don’t really know when she will be returning to work.
But, honestly, this GoFundMe is the 2nd best way to help…The best way? Keep praying. Your prayers have gotten us this far…
As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Keep smiling.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashley Sullivan Pe Oples
Organizer
Cape May, NJ
Genevieve Robinson
Beneficiary