Sydney's aggressive brain cancer treatments
Donation protected
My newlywed cousin Sydney Lenhart was very recently diagnosed with Pineoblastoma (Brain cancer). Pineoblastoma is an aggressive, cancerous tumor that can spread to the spinal cord through the spinal fluid. This cancer is both responsive and resistant to treatment. So the doctor's plan is to fight it aggressively.
Because of its aggressive nature, they will also need to do Chemotherapy and radiation in an effort to eradicate the remaining tumor and to rid her body of cancer. Sydney, her husband Matt, and her family are in good spirits and are faithful they are in good hands, but this process is in its very beginning stages of a severe diagnosis. They are at the start of a battle that is going to be very difficult.
She will have another spinal tap and an MRI of her middle and lower spine to make sure it hasn't spread. Then they will begin treating her entire central nervous system through both cranial spinal irradiation and chemotherapy. She will have the radiation and one type of chemo once a week for six weeks, as well as another type of chemo that will be administered 5 days a week over the same six week period. Then, after a 4 week break, they will re-scan her neck and spine to reassess. But for now, the plan is to administer three different chemo treatments every 6-8 weeks back-to-back for six months. Hopefully she will be done with treatments about 10 months from now. Then follow-up scans every two months for a while.
As help to Sydney and her family I am beginning an effort to help irradiate any additional stresses from their lives. The most immediate and pressing challenge is an attempt to preserve her eggs before the chemotherapy begins. Her endocrinologist explained that trying to conceive a few years after the chemo treatments, it will be possible but there are more odds against successful conception and her fertility window will be about 10 years more narrow. In other words, menopause will be expected in her early 40’s rather than her early 50’s. By preserving some healthy eggs now, she will have a better chance of having a few children later. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover fertility expenses of any kind. She qualifies for financial assistance through the LiveStrong Foundation, which covers the cost of the medications in this process. However, the balance of the cost is $5,500 which is expected to be paid right away.
The additional funds raised here will help pay for medical procedures, any bills Sydney and Matt have including school, apartment, etc., and will help fund them in a time where Sydney will obviously not be working and Matt will be limited in the amount of time he can work as he is by his wife's side.
Sydney, Matt, and the whole family are incredible people who were there for me when I was diagnosed with Leukemia just as they have been there for anyone else who has stood in need. It is their turn for us to help take care of them. Please help by donating whatever you can. Even a little goes a long way.
Because of its aggressive nature, they will also need to do Chemotherapy and radiation in an effort to eradicate the remaining tumor and to rid her body of cancer. Sydney, her husband Matt, and her family are in good spirits and are faithful they are in good hands, but this process is in its very beginning stages of a severe diagnosis. They are at the start of a battle that is going to be very difficult.
She will have another spinal tap and an MRI of her middle and lower spine to make sure it hasn't spread. Then they will begin treating her entire central nervous system through both cranial spinal irradiation and chemotherapy. She will have the radiation and one type of chemo once a week for six weeks, as well as another type of chemo that will be administered 5 days a week over the same six week period. Then, after a 4 week break, they will re-scan her neck and spine to reassess. But for now, the plan is to administer three different chemo treatments every 6-8 weeks back-to-back for six months. Hopefully she will be done with treatments about 10 months from now. Then follow-up scans every two months for a while.
As help to Sydney and her family I am beginning an effort to help irradiate any additional stresses from their lives. The most immediate and pressing challenge is an attempt to preserve her eggs before the chemotherapy begins. Her endocrinologist explained that trying to conceive a few years after the chemo treatments, it will be possible but there are more odds against successful conception and her fertility window will be about 10 years more narrow. In other words, menopause will be expected in her early 40’s rather than her early 50’s. By preserving some healthy eggs now, she will have a better chance of having a few children later. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover fertility expenses of any kind. She qualifies for financial assistance through the LiveStrong Foundation, which covers the cost of the medications in this process. However, the balance of the cost is $5,500 which is expected to be paid right away.
The additional funds raised here will help pay for medical procedures, any bills Sydney and Matt have including school, apartment, etc., and will help fund them in a time where Sydney will obviously not be working and Matt will be limited in the amount of time he can work as he is by his wife's side.
Sydney, Matt, and the whole family are incredible people who were there for me when I was diagnosed with Leukemia just as they have been there for anyone else who has stood in need. It is their turn for us to help take care of them. Please help by donating whatever you can. Even a little goes a long way.
Co-organizers (2)
Jeffrey Thomas
Organizer
Sandy City, UT
Sydney Thomas
Beneficiary
Matthew Lenhart
Co-organizer