Love on Sandra and her family
Donation protected
- PRESENT -
Our journey has been long. You always hope the worst never happens, but what happens when it does? Below in the "Our Journey" section please feel free to read on how all this began.
Currently, the tumor, a Glioblastoma (Grade 4 Astrocytoma/ Oligodendroglioma) lives on her brain stem and it has not stopped growing since December as seen on a recent MRI scan March 10, 2017 even with ongoing chemotherapy treatment. Sandra is unable to speak, move on her own, and most recently unable to swallow. Last week on March 29, 2017 while hospitalized, Sandra had a procedure done to install a PEG feeding tube in her stomach.
Today, we are still seeking medical and alternative treatment options for Sandra including an Immunotherapy regimen with Opdivo and Avastin and weekly high dose Vitamin C infussions which is not covered by the insurance.
To cover these costs, we are asking for donations to help not only Sandra, but if this works, others suffering from brain cancer everywhere. Donations will also help with accumalating medical debt (standard and alternative), living expenses and materials/ equipment to better quality of life for Sandra.
- OUR JOURNEY -
Sandra was admitted to Baptist Hospital December 2013 after having a seizure in the middle of the night. The MRI scans would confirm it was a brain tumor, and later reveal it was cancer: A Malignant Low-Grade (2) Glioma. As a family, we were absolutely devastated, yet like anyone shoved into a new challenge, we were eager to fight.
Sandra had her first Awake Craniotomy for tumor resection on January 2014 which you can see here: https://vimeo.com/84731681 . The surgeon warned us Sandra would need cognitive, verbal and physical therapy after surgery and recovery would take approximately 6-12 months. Sandra, however, had other plans for recovery as she fought to walk, talk, and eat (she loves food) and regained her strength within 3 months of the surgery. We were so thankful and felt confident this cancer would stay away.
Still, Baptist Hospital continued to monitor her brain in case the tumor showed its face again. Every 3 months she would get the MRI results: Clear. Clear. Clear. But a little over a year later, one of the MRI results came back showing some growth. The tumor began growing fast after some initial chemotherapy treamtents and the surgeon decided it was best to have a second Awake Craniotomy March 2016.
As surgery began, we all hoped and prayed for the best. Though the surgery was successful and Sandra’s recovery much easier than the first time around, we received news that our journey fighting this tumor would continue, and we entered a new season of different chemotherapy and 2 radiation treatments, general and stereotactic, as well as second opinions from brain specialists at Duke University in North Carolina. There were some successes in shrinking and containing the tumor and at one point, there was no trace of it, until it appeared again recently on December 2016.
- WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS -
Did you know the word tumor is found in the bible? It’s mentioned in 1 Samuel a couple of times:
“But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.” 1 Samuel 5:9
“The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.” 1 Samuel 5:12
In His sovereignty, it could not be clearer that the Lord has allowed this affliction and tumor to pass. And though the above verses reference a completely different context (the Lord is not punishing us or Sandra), we know it is His hand that is behind our current life story.
As a family, it brings us peace to know Sandra’s life is in the hands of a Sovereign, Good God who gave her life. We believe the Lord has a plan for His glory and somehow, surely, for our good. We affirm the Scripture truths and promises below:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
We love the Lord and will continue to wait patiently for his answer. We encourage you to pray for Sandra’s health and healing in this life, or to prepare her for the next.
Thank you in advance for all the support.
Love,
Sandra’s family

Our journey has been long. You always hope the worst never happens, but what happens when it does? Below in the "Our Journey" section please feel free to read on how all this began.
Currently, the tumor, a Glioblastoma (Grade 4 Astrocytoma/ Oligodendroglioma) lives on her brain stem and it has not stopped growing since December as seen on a recent MRI scan March 10, 2017 even with ongoing chemotherapy treatment. Sandra is unable to speak, move on her own, and most recently unable to swallow. Last week on March 29, 2017 while hospitalized, Sandra had a procedure done to install a PEG feeding tube in her stomach.
Today, we are still seeking medical and alternative treatment options for Sandra including an Immunotherapy regimen with Opdivo and Avastin and weekly high dose Vitamin C infussions which is not covered by the insurance.
To cover these costs, we are asking for donations to help not only Sandra, but if this works, others suffering from brain cancer everywhere. Donations will also help with accumalating medical debt (standard and alternative), living expenses and materials/ equipment to better quality of life for Sandra.
- OUR JOURNEY -
Sandra was admitted to Baptist Hospital December 2013 after having a seizure in the middle of the night. The MRI scans would confirm it was a brain tumor, and later reveal it was cancer: A Malignant Low-Grade (2) Glioma. As a family, we were absolutely devastated, yet like anyone shoved into a new challenge, we were eager to fight.
Sandra had her first Awake Craniotomy for tumor resection on January 2014 which you can see here: https://vimeo.com/84731681 . The surgeon warned us Sandra would need cognitive, verbal and physical therapy after surgery and recovery would take approximately 6-12 months. Sandra, however, had other plans for recovery as she fought to walk, talk, and eat (she loves food) and regained her strength within 3 months of the surgery. We were so thankful and felt confident this cancer would stay away.
Still, Baptist Hospital continued to monitor her brain in case the tumor showed its face again. Every 3 months she would get the MRI results: Clear. Clear. Clear. But a little over a year later, one of the MRI results came back showing some growth. The tumor began growing fast after some initial chemotherapy treamtents and the surgeon decided it was best to have a second Awake Craniotomy March 2016.
As surgery began, we all hoped and prayed for the best. Though the surgery was successful and Sandra’s recovery much easier than the first time around, we received news that our journey fighting this tumor would continue, and we entered a new season of different chemotherapy and 2 radiation treatments, general and stereotactic, as well as second opinions from brain specialists at Duke University in North Carolina. There were some successes in shrinking and containing the tumor and at one point, there was no trace of it, until it appeared again recently on December 2016.
- WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS -
Did you know the word tumor is found in the bible? It’s mentioned in 1 Samuel a couple of times:
“But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.” 1 Samuel 5:9
“The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.” 1 Samuel 5:12
In His sovereignty, it could not be clearer that the Lord has allowed this affliction and tumor to pass. And though the above verses reference a completely different context (the Lord is not punishing us or Sandra), we know it is His hand that is behind our current life story.
As a family, it brings us peace to know Sandra’s life is in the hands of a Sovereign, Good God who gave her life. We believe the Lord has a plan for His glory and somehow, surely, for our good. We affirm the Scripture truths and promises below:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
We love the Lord and will continue to wait patiently for his answer. We encourage you to pray for Sandra’s health and healing in this life, or to prepare her for the next.
Thank you in advance for all the support.
Love,
Sandra’s family
Organizer
Victor Cruz
Organizer
Miami, FL
