Linda's Journey

Linda began having problems with her throat around Christmas 2004. After multiple diagnoses, Linda found herself in April 2005 with a tracheotomy and a ventilator (a machine helping her breath through a hole in her throat), a central line (IV in an artery), a gastric (stomach) tube and a chest tube draining a nicked lung.

Her diagnosis: SYNOVIAL SARCOMA- a rare form of malignant tumor that was growing in her throat, out her neck and cutting off her airway. It was EXTREMELY scary for Linda, Mom and Dad, two brothers and her extended family. The cancer was growing VERY fast and doctors, at first, weren't sure how to treat it. Chemotherapy was started. It was physically exhausting to Linda not to mention the emotional and psychological strain to her and her family. The first round of chemo didn't appear to do much. The 2ND and 3RD course showed INCREDIBLE SHRINKAGE OF THE TUMOR. She now has had 6 rounds of chemotherapy. The tumor continued to shrink remarkably! Linda began her hospital stay at Abington Hospital.

In April she moved to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She came home for the first time the end of May with Mom, Dad and nurses caring for her. She has been back and forth since for tests and more chemo. Some friends paid for a second opinion at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center. A limousine took the 'entourage' to Manhattan.

HERE'S THE RESULT: CHOP and S-K agree on the cancer treatment- chemotherapy and surgical removal of the tumor. CHOP wanted to remove the tumor radically. S-K wanted to do a less invasive surgery and follow- up with chemo and radiation.

August 2, 2005...

Linda had the surgery at Sloane_Kettering. It was a SUCCESS!! The doctors took less time then expected. Linda has an incision on her neck. She was up, asking to eat and talking (briefly) on the phone by late afternoon. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED GUIDANCE AS SHE HEALS AND FOR THE CANCER TO BE COMPLETELY GONE! WE THANK THE LORD THE GREAT MIRACLES HE HAS ALREADY DONE

 Update- 8/06/05... Linda is still at Sloan Kettering. She has developed CELLULITES in her face and neck. She is in a lot of pain and is on even more meds. PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS HEALS QUICKLY AND SHE CAN COME HOME SOON!!!

Update- 8/11/05... Linda is still at Sloan Kettering! She had fluid drained from her neck as a result of the cellulites. Linda said it wasn't so bad! She should be there though this next weekend.

September Update:

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING! After her first round of chemotherapy post surgery, tests show that ANOTHER TUMOR HAS REAPPEARED! It is the same place as before. Linda has been complaining of pain in her neck and holding it like in the beginning. Radiation is now being planned

Linda and her family were crushed by the news of the new tumor. They thought this was the home stretch. Please pray for comfort and peace in this process.

Update April 23, 2006:

Unfortunately, even after radiation and chemo the tumor has grown back. Our last resort now is investigational chemo. We don't know what this will do or if it will even do anything. Please continue to pray as we don't know what is in store for us in the upcoming weeks ahead. Thank you for praying for us. We count on everyone's prayers!!!