Help Sandra fight Cancer

Hi, my name is Penny and I'm fundraising for my friend Sandra who is fighting Stage 3b Small Cell Lung Cancer which has spread into her lymph nodes.

Sandra is single Mother of three adult boys. Sandra really enjoys playing almost any type of games, darts and hanging out with friends.

To know Sandra is to love Sandra!

Sandra is truly the kindest person you will ever meet.

Because of Sandra's cancer diagnosis, she has had to quit her job because she is doing chemo and targeted radiation. Sandra still has rent to pay, car payments to make, food to buy and just general living expenses. All of this puts a huge strain on Sandra when she needs to be concentrating on her treatments.

I'm going to let Sandra tell her story in her own words:

I had been having some shoulder and neck pain for a few months.

I was working part-time at 2 locations. I got to the point where I was unable to work because the pain was too great, and my shortness of breath was getting worse.

On April 1, 2024, I made the decision to go to the Sherwood Park hospital and see what they could figure out. There was also a concern because I didn’t have a family doctor.

The first thing they discovered was my blood pressure was off the carts and was a real concern. They did a bunch of bloodwork, x-rays and a CT scan. The doctor came in early in the morning stating that there was a mass in my lung and with the size it was most likely cancer in my right lung.

It was also affecting my shoulder, my neck and my breathing. The doctor was keeping me there until the morning and waiting for a call back from the Royal Alex hospital to set an appointment for a biopsy.

They released me and while I was sitting waiting for my ride, the Royal Alex hospital called me. They set an appointment on April 4, 2024 at 11am to come in for a biopsy.

The Doctor biopsied my neck since the mass was visible there. They took 7 samples to make sure they had enough samples. He said it was a large mass and most likely cancerous. But he would get the results and get back to me. He put in a call to the cross cancer to have someone look over my file.

Prior to leaving the Royal Alex hospital, the Cross Cancer called and asked me a bunch of questions. They said they would call me back after the biopsy results were available.

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, I received another call from the Cross Cancer, they had an appointment for me on Monday morning at 8:15am. I went there on Monday April 8, 2024 they did a chest x-ray, a PET scan, a CT scan, a pulmonary function test and some lab appointments.

I met with the Doctor after all these tests and was told the same thing again, that it was most likely cancer and in operatable.

They did have a bed for me and wanted to start treatment immediately.

I was admitted to the Cross Cancer at 4pm on Monday April 8, 2024. I was told the biopsy came back with the results it was small cell lung cancer, stage 3b.

The next day, April 9, 2024 I met with my oncologist and started my chemo. I also signed up for a trial radiation treatment. I spent the next 3 days on 2 different chemo meds, had several more tests and lots of bloodwork.

I was released from the Cross Cancer as an inpatient and started my radiation schedule 5 days a week as an outpatient.

As of today, May 4th, 2024, I have completed my 2nd round of chemo. I have also started immunotherapy to hopefully kick start my immune system and help in my fight.

We are asking for your help to ease Sandra's financial burden during this trying time for her. Your support will directly contribute to funding Sandra's essential medication and help cover additional expenses such as rent, household bills, her car payments, insurance, food and general expenses.

Thank you for taking the time to read Sandra's story. Every donation, no matter how small, is deeply appreciated and will significantly aid in her fight during this challenging time. We are immensely grateful for any support you can offer.