TeamMurry

Murry Soward was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme(GBM) on July 31, 2015. GBM is a fast-growing, aggressive type of central nervous system tumor that forms on the supportive tissue of the brain. It all began on July 25th when she had a seizure while cleaning her home. She was taken to three different medical facilities that day and ended up at Scott & White Trauma Center from injuries suffered from the fall. Doctors noticed a swelling on her brain and performed necessary testing to determine she had a brain tumor. Surgery was performed at Scott & White Hospital and it was determined that the tumor was cancerous. Three and a half weeks after surgery, she began radiation. Radiation was in Round Rock, 40 miles from Killeen, Monday through Friday for six weeks. During radiation, she also took a chemo pill,Temodar, once a day. The chemo made her blood count drop and she was taken off of it 2 weeks before radiation ended in early October. She had pneumonia and was hospitalized almost 2 weeks, also in October. On Thanksgiving morning, she suffered a seizure while at home. Everything was checked out at Seton Emergency Room and she was sent home the same day to enjoy the holiday. After blood counts went back up, another round of chemo was started in January 2016. She also began a compassionate use of Rindopepimut, an immumotherapy injection, that hoped to lengthen the average GBM patient lifespan from 15 to 21 months. After a few dosages of the clinical trial medicine accompanied by chemo, the tumor came back in April 2016. It was deemed that the chemo was no longer effective so her doctor discontinued use of the chemo as well as the immunotherapy vaccine to try something that may be more effective. She is now on a clinical trial taking Epacadostat with Nivolumab, which is also  immunotherapy. One is taken in pill form twice per day; and the other is done through infusion for 30 minutes, once every two weeks. She currently travels to Round Rock twice per month for labs and Austin twice per month for treatment. Ongoing treatment and possible surgeries are highly likely as this tumor is very recurrent. Just as Murry's medical battle will be ongoing, so will her financial burden. Murry's family is now looking to raise money to pay for the medical expenses and to support her health regimen as she continues intensive treatments.

For those that don't know Murry personally, here's a little bio....Murry was born in Steele MO and was raised in Blytheville AR. She graduated from Blytheville High School and attended Tennessee State University. Murry worked for Mississippi County/Baptist Memorial Nursing home for 18 years. She relocated to Killeen, TX and was a nurse with Bennett Health Clinic on Ft.Hood, TX. Murry is known for her caring and giving nature. She loves to help others and make them smile. Anyone that knows her knows that she is a very strong woman with a strong faith in God so this is just another trial that she will make it through by the grace of God! And she is not fighting this battle alone! No one fights alone! She has family and friends that have been and will continue to come together to provide lots of love and support! #TeamMurry