Sabrina Metz and the Tumor

As most of you know Sabrina Metz is pretty special...but she is actually ONE IN A MILLION... One in a million in lots of things but sadly one in a million to be diagnosed with a giant cell tumor. In February of 2016, Sabrina went to the doctor complaining of sharp pains in her back, and an x-ray revealed that her L-3 vertebrae had been crushed. In the next month she went through multiple tests to diagnosis what caused the collapse, but they weren't able to find a reason. In April Sabrina had back surgery in Sioux Falls in which they put a brace and spacer in her back and were able to biopsy the mass near the L-3. In June, Sabrina was referred onto an oncologist to discuss a follow up to the biopsy. It was then that she learned that a giant cell tumor had caused the issues in her spine. 

 For those of you not familiar, a giant cell tumor is a relatively uncommon tumor of the bone. This tumor is normally slow to develop, and has a recurrence rate of about 50%. GCT typically occur in young adults and are slightly more common in females, but are very rare, only occurring in about one out of every one million people per year (hence her one in a million status). While GCT's are not cancerous, they are aggressive; destroying the surrounding bone and can metastasis into the lungs. 

 In July, Sabrina met with Mayo Clinic to discuss treatment options as a myelogram showed that the GCT was in fact still growing near her spine. Mayo Clinic took on her case, started her on a monthly osteoporosis injection to help shrink and define the tumor in her back, and then began a plan to conduct another surgery and remove this tumor. Sabrina and her family have made multiple trips to Rochester in the last year to meet with her doctors, run tests, and discuss options. This week she received confirmation that she will have surgery on both August 8th and 10th in Rochester. Her doctors have informed her that she will be admitted into the Mayo Hospital for at least two weeks after the 2nd surgery is done. From there, she will have roughly 6 more weeks of recovery at home. 

 I want her to have the piece of mind knowing everything will be taken care of and to rest up and heal as fast as possible. Sabrina is a strong chick but we all have fears going into any surgery. Her family and especially her little Sheridan are constantly on her mind and Sabrina fears the worst. I keep telling her to STAY POSITIVE but I understand the unknown and scary scenarios that run through the mind. 

 The funds will be used for medical bills, the travel and hospital stays in Rochester, and for her follow up visits to Rochester in the next year. If all goes as planned and they get the entire tumor out, she will still continue to have to do MRI's every six months for the next 5 years to make sure another occurrence doesn't happen. If surgery does not go as planned, and the tumor is still within her back, they will begin to look at radiation treatments to kill off those cells.

Anything you can help donate is greatly appreciated. 

(SideNote: The Metz family did not want me to do this but after lots of pushing they agreed)

MOST IMPORTANTLY Please include Sabrina, Russell and Sheridan in all of your prayers. 


You Got This Sabs!!! Beat it Tumor.