Donna’s Glioblastoma Journey

Update: Mom has been in the hospital for the past several days to treat an infection. She has these often. Her overall stamina and strength has decreased tremendously. She will be going home and we will begin around the clock care. We do not know what the future holds and things will look like exactly, but we want to keep her comfortable and well cared for. Financial support at this point is being used for the extensive medical bills, sitters and daily care, and her general bills due to loss of work. Your prayers and support mean so much to her and to us! -Clark and Virginia

Several years ago, Donna had an MRI for inner ear issues. Her neurologist found a lesion on her brain but wasn’t alarmed by it and related it to a birthmark. To be precautious, her neurologist began MRI’s every two years to monitor it. In 8 years there have been no changes. She had a routine MRI in December which showed the lesion had “changed.” Her neurologist sent her to a neurosurgeon for his opinion. What was initially going to be a needle biopsy, turned into a full craniotomy on January 31st. The doctors were not exactly sure what they were going to find, and Donna and her family were certainly surprised to discover the “change” in the lesion was a Grade IV Glioblastoma. This aggressive brain cancer has no cure and typically has a very dark prognosis so the surgeon was very aggressive in getting all he could. He sacrificed brain tissue to be able to get all he could see. Because of the aggressive surgery, she no longer has function in her right leg and will likely never walk again. She spent 20 days in Methodist Rehab following surgery to prepare coming home to an immobile life. She walked into the hospital on January 31st, not knowing she wouldn’t be able to walk out. No more of the tumor is visible on the scans at this point, but the doctors are certain there are still cancer cells there. Therefore, she will soon begin chemotherapy and 33 consecutive sessions of radiation. She also has in home physical therapy three times a week. She will likely have more time at Methodist Rehab following her treatment. She is now in the process of making her life and home wheelchair accessible and is navigating living alone with no mobility. She was expecting to be able to return to work weeks later, but now will no longer be able to work. Your gift will help with extensive unexpected medical bills on top of loss of work. God has spared her life and of that we rejoice and praise His name! Her journey will be an uphill battle, but a battle means you’re still in the fight and for that we are thankful.

From Donna: "It became a reality for me the day I was told that I was being fitted for a custom wheelchair. This is going to be for the long haul. It's taken me a while to accept and mourn my independence and that will be an ongoing process. But, God is so good and He is my Solid Rock. My feet can't stand alone right now, but my life IS standing on the Solid Rock!"

Her prayer throughout all of this has been that people living without the hope of Jesus will come to know him through her story of faith and trust in Him. As in all areas of her life, she just hopes that God is glorified. If you know her, you know that she has spent her life caring for others through teaching school and piano lessons for 36 years. As a community, we can come together and return a little bit of the kindness she has shown throughout the years.