#shandastrong

In April Shanda was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. It all started in November when she had COVID. She got pretty sick with COVID, had pneumonia but respiratory wise did well. She just had other symptoms like high blood pressure, chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and elevated blood protein that continued well after she had recovered from COVID. She started weekly chemo April 22 here in Shreveport and have done very well with it. Other than some mild chemo side effects she has started to feel better once treatment started. The end of June She went to UAMS in Little Rock for 4 days of testing which included MRI’s, Pet Scan, lots of lab work, and a second bone marrow biopsy. Her numbers were down. She doesn’t have any bone involvement. Praise the Lord because this is very common with MM. Her next step is preparing for stem cell transplant. Next week she will go back to Little Rock for port placement, chemo, and stem cell collection. She will be there for 3 weeks, home for 3 weeks, then back for 3 weeks for stem cell transplant. She is struggling right now though with having to leave her kids, family, home, and work. She could really use all the prayers we have to offer.

Shanda wants to say thank you to everyone that has helped her along the way so far. Shanda wants everyone to know that her friends, family, and coworkers have done a great job making sure her family is loved and well fed and that she loves you all.