Sandy's Cancer Journey to Wellness
Donation protected
We all know the saying “pick your battles” -sometimes in life not everyone has that option. My friend Sandy Grant is one of those people who was just going along in this journey of life when a side road came out of nowhere. And that side road was cancer. Sandy’s life took a turn down a road filled with shock and disbelief. Unless you have had this diagnosis or a member of your family has; you have no idea the absolute state of shock that you go into and the questions that come up in your mind. How did this happen? What does this mean? I thought I was doing all the right and healthy things?
Getting a diagnosis of cancer is a scary thing and it takes a very brave person to face the challenges of the treatment that follow the diagnosis. In most cases the treatments are not something that you get to take time to think about and decide what options best fit you. In most cases your doctor will appoint you a specialist and they will direct your protocol along with all the scary outcomes and side effects that will be related to the treatments.
For those of you who know Sandy, I’m sure you can confirm that she is the most positive person you will ever want to meet. She is very calm even though she is a redhead! She is confident, quiet, strong, smart and caring. On this journey to seek wellness her brave, courageous and very strong spirit shines through and the glow that she presents when you see her makes it so hard to believe that she is battling cancer.
Sandy is 45 and has been on this journey since January 2011 when she decided to have a mammogram because of her family history of cancer. This lead to a biopsy and the results confirmed she had pre-cancerous cells called DCIS. In February 2011 she underwent wire guided lumpectomy and removal of sentinel lymph node. It was confirmed that she did not have clear margins. In March 2011 she had a second lumpectomy and still did not have clear margins then she had to deal with infections from surgery which required packing of the wound. Sandy decided to have both breasts removed to eliminate any reoccurrence. She was then referred to Sunnybrook and in November 2011 a bi-lateral mastectomy with tissue expanders was completed and from November 2011 to February 2012 she received saline injections into the tissue expanders. Then in July 2012 they performed an operation to remove the expanders and insert implants. Sandy decided to go back to work in September 2012 and put it all behind her. Unfortunately, this was not to be.
In December 2012 she noticed a lump on her left breast. In February 2013 they did an ultrasound and biopsy and in March 2013 results confirmed cancer. It was hard to believe she had breast cancer again as she had both removed but it didn't stop there. She didn't just have a lump she also had another form of breast cancer which was on the skin called inflammatory breast cancer which is a very aggressive type of cancer. Following this diagnosis she underwent various tests such as a CT scan, MRI, Muga test, bone scan, brain scan and ultrasounds. From March 2013 to July 2013 she received chemotherapy and from July 2013 through August 2013 she received radiation and in October 2013 she had surgery to remove her left breast implant, affected skin, remaining lymph nodes and then in November 2013 another infection which required medical attention.
In 2014 more doctors’ appointments, tests, biopsies, scans, bloodwork, etc., and in January 2015 she had surgery to remove her ovaries and the next day she noticed a lump on her right clavicle. In February 2015 more ultrasound, CT scan and a biopsy and from March to April 2015 she had more radiation. Then in May 2015 she experienced severe pain in her right shoulder and this was followed by more tests and scans and bloodwork and the results concluded cancer on her liver. She was informed that she had stage IV cancer which is considered incurable. In June 2015 through August 2015 she participated in a clinical trial at Sunnybrook and in August 2015 more scans and tests with results showing cancer had progressed and spread to spine and pelvis. In September 2015 through to October 2015 she continued with additional radiation on pelvis and spine. From November 2015 through to today Sandy has changed her diet is exercising and continues to take various drugs and supplements. In February 2016 the CT scan showed the cancer is progressing.
It has been a nonstop battle for Sandy and what a long journey this has been. Throughout this entire process, Brian, her husband, has been very supportive and he is very much committed to doing whatever is necessary to keep Sandy happy and healthy. He is very supportive of Sandy’s final decision that due to the standard care in Canada, which has not worked for her, she will have to take a different approach.
The next step on this journey to wellness which started with changing her diet and life style back in November 2015 and with investigation and communication with the Germans she has committed to treatment in Germany where they are further advanced with cancer treatments. They are a fully licensed hospital and treat the whole person not just the cancer. They have suggested various therapies which will include chemotherapy, at a much more tolerable dose, among other therapies that are not offered through standard care here in Canada. They are both very excited about this next step and are putting a lot of faith into trusting that this will change the situation. Brian’s excited because he wants to keep the love of his life around so that they can grow old together. They expect that the cost for this six week duration will be $50, 000.
During the treatment in Germany Sandy and Brian will be provided with food and accommodations as part of the treatment package and will learn about nutrition and wellness and be involved in a ton of additional therapies to heal Sandy’s body. They will be provided with a plan to continue with a healthy lifestyle once they return home.
Sandy has been through so much already and this definitely isn’t a battle she signed up for. She is an inspiration and I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. No one would ever know by looking into that beautiful bright face that she was anything but well. Her test results tell a different tale. But her journey to wellness is not over. She needs help for the next few miles down this side road. We need to all pull together and relieve this couple of the financial burden they are facing as Sandy travels toward her miracle. I strongly believe that Sandy will be here 30 years from now and that this side road that she is currently on will quickly be nothing but dust in her rear-view mirror. Make your donation and make Sandy’s journey to wellness a little bit easier.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Tammy Smith
Getting a diagnosis of cancer is a scary thing and it takes a very brave person to face the challenges of the treatment that follow the diagnosis. In most cases the treatments are not something that you get to take time to think about and decide what options best fit you. In most cases your doctor will appoint you a specialist and they will direct your protocol along with all the scary outcomes and side effects that will be related to the treatments.
For those of you who know Sandy, I’m sure you can confirm that she is the most positive person you will ever want to meet. She is very calm even though she is a redhead! She is confident, quiet, strong, smart and caring. On this journey to seek wellness her brave, courageous and very strong spirit shines through and the glow that she presents when you see her makes it so hard to believe that she is battling cancer.
Sandy is 45 and has been on this journey since January 2011 when she decided to have a mammogram because of her family history of cancer. This lead to a biopsy and the results confirmed she had pre-cancerous cells called DCIS. In February 2011 she underwent wire guided lumpectomy and removal of sentinel lymph node. It was confirmed that she did not have clear margins. In March 2011 she had a second lumpectomy and still did not have clear margins then she had to deal with infections from surgery which required packing of the wound. Sandy decided to have both breasts removed to eliminate any reoccurrence. She was then referred to Sunnybrook and in November 2011 a bi-lateral mastectomy with tissue expanders was completed and from November 2011 to February 2012 she received saline injections into the tissue expanders. Then in July 2012 they performed an operation to remove the expanders and insert implants. Sandy decided to go back to work in September 2012 and put it all behind her. Unfortunately, this was not to be.
In December 2012 she noticed a lump on her left breast. In February 2013 they did an ultrasound and biopsy and in March 2013 results confirmed cancer. It was hard to believe she had breast cancer again as she had both removed but it didn't stop there. She didn't just have a lump she also had another form of breast cancer which was on the skin called inflammatory breast cancer which is a very aggressive type of cancer. Following this diagnosis she underwent various tests such as a CT scan, MRI, Muga test, bone scan, brain scan and ultrasounds. From March 2013 to July 2013 she received chemotherapy and from July 2013 through August 2013 she received radiation and in October 2013 she had surgery to remove her left breast implant, affected skin, remaining lymph nodes and then in November 2013 another infection which required medical attention.
In 2014 more doctors’ appointments, tests, biopsies, scans, bloodwork, etc., and in January 2015 she had surgery to remove her ovaries and the next day she noticed a lump on her right clavicle. In February 2015 more ultrasound, CT scan and a biopsy and from March to April 2015 she had more radiation. Then in May 2015 she experienced severe pain in her right shoulder and this was followed by more tests and scans and bloodwork and the results concluded cancer on her liver. She was informed that she had stage IV cancer which is considered incurable. In June 2015 through August 2015 she participated in a clinical trial at Sunnybrook and in August 2015 more scans and tests with results showing cancer had progressed and spread to spine and pelvis. In September 2015 through to October 2015 she continued with additional radiation on pelvis and spine. From November 2015 through to today Sandy has changed her diet is exercising and continues to take various drugs and supplements. In February 2016 the CT scan showed the cancer is progressing.
It has been a nonstop battle for Sandy and what a long journey this has been. Throughout this entire process, Brian, her husband, has been very supportive and he is very much committed to doing whatever is necessary to keep Sandy happy and healthy. He is very supportive of Sandy’s final decision that due to the standard care in Canada, which has not worked for her, she will have to take a different approach.
The next step on this journey to wellness which started with changing her diet and life style back in November 2015 and with investigation and communication with the Germans she has committed to treatment in Germany where they are further advanced with cancer treatments. They are a fully licensed hospital and treat the whole person not just the cancer. They have suggested various therapies which will include chemotherapy, at a much more tolerable dose, among other therapies that are not offered through standard care here in Canada. They are both very excited about this next step and are putting a lot of faith into trusting that this will change the situation. Brian’s excited because he wants to keep the love of his life around so that they can grow old together. They expect that the cost for this six week duration will be $50, 000.
During the treatment in Germany Sandy and Brian will be provided with food and accommodations as part of the treatment package and will learn about nutrition and wellness and be involved in a ton of additional therapies to heal Sandy’s body. They will be provided with a plan to continue with a healthy lifestyle once they return home.
Sandy has been through so much already and this definitely isn’t a battle she signed up for. She is an inspiration and I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. No one would ever know by looking into that beautiful bright face that she was anything but well. Her test results tell a different tale. But her journey to wellness is not over. She needs help for the next few miles down this side road. We need to all pull together and relieve this couple of the financial burden they are facing as Sandy travels toward her miracle. I strongly believe that Sandy will be here 30 years from now and that this side road that she is currently on will quickly be nothing but dust in her rear-view mirror. Make your donation and make Sandy’s journey to wellness a little bit easier.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Tammy Smith
Organizer
Tammy Smith
Organizer
Corbyville, ON
