Stand with Sandra Ingle in Her Time of Need

Hello Internet Friends and Family! My name is Scott Cole, and I'm coming to you on behalf of my dear friend Sandra Ingle. While there are several long term challenges on the horizon, the purpose of this fundraiser is specifically to address travel, lodging and hospital stay-related needs of a more immediate nature due to a devastating brain tumor diagnosis that she received recently. Plans are being made to have surgery to remove the mass as soon as possible.

There will be multiple trips to Durham to Duke Medical Center, along with the associated costs. First and most importantly, the family will need to obtain the use of a minivan so that Sandra can rest comfortably on the 3+ hour journey there and back. Sitting upright in a car causes excruciating headaches, so ideally they'd like to avoid that if at all possible. Lodging while in Durham will also need to be addressed, along with food and other incidentals that come with the unknowns of such a complicated procedure.

Many of you are already aware of her recent diagnosis and upcoming challenges...but to make sure everyone is up to speed - I'll let Sandra tell you in her own words:

"On Monday 3/18, I was hit with a full blown debilitating migraine with no warning - just intense immediate pain on the top of my head behind my eyes that drops me to my knees. The pain is so intense this time I'm truly scared it’s not just a headache. It’s a warning of something more severe happening inside my body. I lose my vision, hearing and capability to think rationally and find myself inside a gas station vomiting uncontrollably into in an empty trash can. I was able to reach my Mom, and she came to my rescue and drove me to the ER where I was taken back immediately for testing and evaluation. An EKG, blood work, IV to begin fluid replacements from all that I'd lost and then the CT scan…. That's where it all changed. We were taken into a more private room where we were told the scan revealed a mass within my brain. If y’all know me or anything about me, I’m a fighter and I’ll take this next battle on full force, regardless of what's involved. An order was placed for an MRI with contrast for a better view of the tumor. I don’t get scared and run off to a corner with my tail tucked. If this is a battle I can rise to, you better believe I will! I made this promise to myself, my children, mom/dad and family. Without having a biopsy yet, the neurosurgeon believes it to be a Meningioma (based on his experience). Thankfully, these tumors are typically benign 90+ percent of the time. He believes this rock has been growing in my noggin for the last 10 years or so. Bottom line, it has to be surgically removed, that’s the only treatment as it continues to grow and create more pressure and issues within my body. Surgery will be scheduled for next week after Monday, should last about 4-5 hours, followed by a day in ICU and a couple more in step down."

Scary stuff for sure...but we are confident that Sandra's faith in God, the support of her family and friends, the skill of the medical staff at Duke and TONS of prayers will carry her successfully across the finish line! 100% of the funds raised here will go directly to Sandra and her family to help alleviate the financial stresses associated with this battle. Thank you all in advance for any assistance you can provide. Obviously Sandra and her family are eternally grateful for ALL types of support - financial, moral, prayers, etc...and humbly, I'd ask that after you read this - please share this fundraiser across all social media outlets so that we may reach as many folks as possible. I will keep everyone updated here as news becomes available...and I personally offer my most sincere THANK YOU to everyone who reads this, donates money and sends thoughts, prayers, and encouragement! I am confident that we will have good news to share as Sandra seeks to defeat this foreign invader!

On behalf of Sandra and her family, thank you for your time and generosity!

Scott Cole