SUNNY CARNEY
After a courageous 10 year fight battling Carcinoid Cancer, Sunny Carney, of Plum, passed peacefully on Saturday, November 3. She was married to her devoted husband, Mark; and was a loving mother to Austen, Logan and Nolan; daughter of Patricia Jennings and the late James J. Jennings; daughter-in-law of Dale and Dottie Carney; sister of Judy Phillips (Ray Jr.), Lynn Pesta (Teddy), Michael Jennings (Vicki Lynn), James Jennings (Sue), Joseph Jennings (Elizabeth), Sheila Fortes (Jim); sister-in-law of Craig Carney (Julia). She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and was a true friend and inspiration to many.
In addition to being an inspiration to family and friends Sunny inspired carcinoid cancer patients across the globe through her blog, and then her book "The Sunny Side of Cancer. She spoke at numerous cancer events locally sharing stories of her journey which led her from Basel, Switzerland to all of the top Carcinoid Cancer specialists here in the states. She was an advocate for better diagnosis of the disease and for insurance coverage of treatments. She fought with grace and dignity, never letting the pain inside challenge her faith or diminish her love for life.
Memorials may be made to "Carney Family Fund", c/o S&T Bank, 2190 Hulton Road, Verona, PA 15147.
Friends received Monday 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday 3-8 p.m. at Unity Community Church, 215 Unity Center Road, Plum, PA 15239.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Unity Community Church with Rev. Frank Deluce officiating. Arrangements entrusted to CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC.
VIEW GUEST BOOK Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
After over a decade of suffering from Carcinoid Cancer, Sunny Jennings Carney has decided to fight back. She has currently undergone two proven treatments in Basel, Switzerland and is planning to return for two more. She is also planning on going to Houston, Texas for a six month period to undergo experimental treatments that look promising but are not FDA approved. She has exhausted all the FDA approved treatments here in the United States and will not accept that this is all there is for her. She has dedicated her fight to help others understand this rare cancer and to find successful treatments in the United States. Her strong faith in God and will to never quit has turned a 6 month life expectancy to over two years presently.

Below is an entry that was written by Sunny's husband Mark when she had her third bout. To become updated on her journey please enjoy her posts.

Please check back for updates and event information.

Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund
C/o S & T Bank
2190 Hulton Road
Verona, PA 15147

Sunny's husband Mark tells their story...

A mother of three boys, a daughter, the baby sister to a large family, an aunt, a godmother to several, a trusted friend, an outreach volunteer, a business owner and my wife. Sunny Carney lives up to her name every time someone speaks to her; she is beautiful both in and out. She has been my biggest motivator, my rock and my inspiration in tough times, my biggest fan in good times, and most importantly my best friend. Told 14 years ago that having children may not be part of our future because of ovarian cancer, she kept the faith, and is a wonderful mother to our three sons- Austen, Logan, and Nolan. She is always ensuring that they know the Lord, love of life, kindness to others, hard work, and occasionally when to "shape up".

Her boundless energy, healthy lifestyle and positive attitude are infectious. She has served as president of our children’s PTA, organized committees that benefit those who are less fortunate in the community and led drives for those who have been caught up in unfortunate situations. She has done so much for others, usually without letting anyone ever know, I could not begin to list them. Her strong faith in God and modest upbringing has given her a sense of giving that only she can explain. When she successfully started her own photography business, she also started a non-profit division photographing family portraits for area families fighting cancer. Her friends say she is amazing and she simply shakes her head and wonders what all of the fuss is about.

Her mother, sisters, brothers and large extended family will tell you she is the one you can count on to lend an ear when needed and never judge. She was raised by her loving mother and father who was the warden of the Allegheny County Jail and actually spent most of her childhood in the residence connected to the jail. At a young age she witnessed more of life’s tragedies and obstacles through her neighbors, the prisoners, than most of us can imagine.

Although all of the aforementioned is remarkable it is not what makes her truly special. Sunny is a two time cancer survivor and now is currently fighting for a third time. After beating ovarian carcinoid cancer and undergoing serious surgery for carcinoid tumors in her right lung just three years ago, the carcinoid tumors returned in her lymph nodes, liver and bones. The size and proliferation throughout the liver of these tumors mandates immediate chemotherapy in four treatments over the next few months as well as monthly octreotide treatments. These painful treatments will hopefully stop the growth but are not a cure. There are numerous tumors in her spine, her skull, her hip, her leg, and her shoulder...all in the bones and she will wait on potential radiation to fight those.

What my wife has is Carcinoid Cancer Syndrome, an endocrine disease which is rare and spreads from organ to organ. As of right now the only known treatment for remission is administered by renowned clinics in Europe. However the treatment is not covered by our insurance. Our doctors have encouraged us to start raising money and matching grants could follow. Her lead oncologist strongly believes that Sunny would be a prime candidate to be a voice to get the message out regarding carcinoid cancer syndrome, bring this treatment to the United States and encourage approval from the FDA. Without this treatment, the tumors most likely will continue to metastasize in other organs and her fight will be ongoing. Sunny has set up The Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund to support her treatments. She believes that once she beats this cancer she can make a difference to others also suffering from Carcinoid Cancer.

Mark A. Carney

Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund
C/o S & T Bank
2190 Hulton Road
Verona, PA 15147







Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Update

Friday I was scheduled for a new treatment. Unfortunately after six pokes and three nurses they were unable to get a good vein to administrate the cocktail. I like when chemo is referred to as a cocktail because it makes me feel like I am part of a big party. I have had so many treatments given through my vein that scar tissue has built up in them making it difficult to get the needle through. So they wanted to set up an appointment for Monday to receive a port. I beg them to try one more day before putting a port in me.

With that said, on Monday Mark and I went back to Hillman Cancer Center to try again. I am happy to say with nine pokes and four nurses it was a success. I was able to receive the treatment and dodge the port. I have some side-effects (nausea, pain, fatigue and horrible headache), but all and all I am relieved I was able to receive the treatment.

However, on Friday when Mark and I got home from a long day I felt so defeated. I felt horrible that I waisted Mark's time. I started thinking about my obstacles and how they affect everyone in my family financially and emotionally. That evening Austen came into my room and sat down on my bed. He put his arms around me to give me a big hug and told me he was happy I made it to his basketball game earlier that afternoon. He had no idea what my day was like nor did he know that I needed his hug more then ever. Then, he handed me the comics from the Sunday paper and said, "Mom this comic is about you". I was so exhausted and I asked him to read it to me. He holds up the paper to shows me the picture, like I use to do with him when he was unable to read. It was a illustration of a funny looking woman in a superhero costume. He then began to reading the following:

Title: SUPER CAREGIVER

SUPERSONIC SIGHT: Knows immediately upon entering a room if anything has been moved. Can find anything anyone is looking for. (I think he added that)

SHAPESHIFTING: Can morphe from a cook to a nurse to a teacher with ease.

ABILITY TO MUTATE: Can transform an unholy mess into a clean room with amazing speed.

ICY STARE: Can freeze kids in their tracks and send chills down their spines. (not sure I agree with that).

ACCELERATED HEALING: Can cure a boo-boo with a mere kiss.

SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH: Can simultaneously carry an entire family on her shoulders.

He ended with saying again, "Mom that is you". At that moment I learned something from my thirteen year old son. I learned that me feeling sorry for myself is doing more harm to my family then this cancer can ever do. I learned that the person a steered at in the mirror just minutes before with tears running done my face is not the same person they see. They don't see the bags under my eyes, the paleness in my skin or the stress on my face. All they see is a super mom.

It seems like every time I start to feel like failure in this journey someone that I love is there to pick me up and make me feel needed. It just reinforces that I cannot let a stumble stop the fight. I can't give into this cancer because it's the easy thing to do. I must do whatever I can do so be my boys Super Hero.

Sunny