Intro story

I figured if anyone is reading this and doesn't know my story, here it is:

​One in a Million: My fight against Synovial Sarcoma

​July 13, 2016 changed my life. I was 35 weeks pregnant with my first child, and when my oncologist called, I was shopping for nursery items at Target. He confirmed the huge tumor on my right foot (I had been dealing with for 6 months) was a rare cancer (synovial sarcoma) and I would need to have my baby in the next week. He also told me they would need to do a below knee amputation a few weeks after I gave birth to my son. My whole world was just flipped upside down. I knew nothing about labor induction, amputation, and prosthetics and was scared I would never be able to run again, or even walk without pain. 

​We all thought after the amputation the cancer was gone, but my 3 month check up CT scan showed new lung spots on both lungs, and lung surgery confirmed the cancer had spread and was now stage 4 and was also in my spine, sacrum and hips. What now? We traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota January 2017 and they said my only option was chemotherapy with a fairly new drug for sarcomas. There was a 50% chance my body would even respond to chemo, and if it did, I would only live 6 more months, meaning I wouldn’t be here for my son Griffin’s 1st birthday. Lots and lots of prayers continued, asking God if this was the right path to take. 

​I’ve had 2 CT scans since starting chemo in January. Both have shown the tumors are shrinking in my lungs and bones, PRAISE THE LORD!! I have also been getting chiropractic care through Higher Health Chiropractic in Wyoming, MI which has helped tremendously with some of my side effects of chemo such as neck, back and hip pain. The oncologists have never seen such good results so quickly for this type of cancer. I plan on being around for years and years to come, God willing, with a goal of being able to get a running blade to run with my husband and son. 

​I thank God for bringing me through this and being my calm and during this storm, along with friends, family and church support. I had the pleasure of working with the amazing doctors, team, and practice members last year here at HHC.

****Update- I'm on a new chemo drug I started in July, as the first one from January could only be administered for a certain number of rounds because it can cause heart failure. It was doxorubicin and was in combination with lartruvo. When we dropped the doxorubicin, my tumors started growing again in my lungs and spine/sacrum/bones. U of M recommended doing this chemo, ifosfamide, and a Mayo Clinic in Minnesota agreed. 

Crowns of courage art prize project 2017

Crowns of Courage art prize 2017 @ DeVos Place

Crowns of courage art prize 2017 @ DeVos Place