Jodie's Cancer Fight

Approximately 18 months ago, Jodie Sanken was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The Sanken family fought hard, facing 4 rounds of chemo and 18 rounds of radiation. Last June, Jodie was declared No Evidence of Disease - a diagnosis that did not last long.

She started what she thought would be her dream job - an elementary LMS. Then at the end of October, Jodie’s lymphoma returned. She was told she would not be allowed to return to that job that she had waited for. Jodie needed a stem cell transfusion - from her own stem cells, along with 6 rounds of chemo and 15 of radiation. This was on-going throughout the year. She finished radiation in June and was starting to feel better. Again, they made it through this process through the power of prayer and support of a wonderful community. Again, Jodie was declared No Evidence of Disease.

But . . . again there is a plan that no one understands. The news was originally that the radiation had eaten about 60% of her stomach lining - that would have been good news. Instead, after a lot of testing, the lymphoma is back and has perforated her stomach lining - and perhaps more.

As we write this, Jodie is home after  a week in the hospital but again  able to return to that job that she wants so badly in the fall. She is starting round 3 of chemo - one treatment under way. They are waiting for a referral to UW-Madison or Chicago. The Sankens have no idea what the future holds but it could involve another stem cell transfusion, not from Jodie herself, so they will need to find a donor. There may be something completely different in the future. We are praying that the tumor has not perforated anything else. We are praying for guidance from doctors and God. We are just praying.

So as Jodie’s close friends, we are looking for any way to help. The money we hope to raise will go towards Jodie’s continuing treatments and related costs to those treatments. We will be so grateful to be able to help this wonderful family in any way.