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







Thursday, December 2, 2010

Rest

So much has gone on in the last two weeks and I am sorry for not updating my blog.  We went to my favorite simple spot for Thanksgiving, Vero Beach, FL.  As many of you know my parents purchased a home their when my father retired.  Unfortunately, he passed away a few years later and did not get to see much of his children enjoying it the way he intended it to be. However, over the years that is exactly what we have done.  It is a place that you run to when you need to escape from your everyday crazy life.  A place that many of us go to when we need to sort things out or make huge decisions.  It has been used for refuge, getting over a lost and wrapping your mind around a tough time.  When you are there you get this complete cleansing and sense of peace.  The town of Vero Beach is simple and basic.  No big city with skyscrapers and a night life.  Just simple fokes with simple needs.

Since I've been sick it has been were Mark, the boys and I go to escape my cancer life.  Only my family and a few of my mom's neighbors know that I am sick.  The boys get to be together without any distractions, by the end of the week they have had enough of each other though. But it has also been a measure of how my cancer has progressed.  I try not to compare each trip but its almost impossible to do.  I have noticed that over the past two years my health and ability to do things has declined.  At home I don't notice as much because we just go on and I do everything I can.  In Vero I look back on the trips before and what we have also done before.  The last few trips have been an eye opener to say the least.  I always went to see the sunrise alone and in the beginning I would take a quick run on the beach after the sun comes up.  This trip and the trip before I actually waited for someone to step up and volunteer to go with me.  I pretended that I did not need them but was relieved when they came.  Running the beach was out of the question.  In fact I tried to walk the beach one day and quickly realized that was not going to happen, AT THAT TIME.  I spent more time in bed and was unable to eat much because I had an infection in my mouth.  I did not swim in the pool and as you all know was to tired to even blog.  The 19 hour drive was rough both to and home.  However the whole time I was there I felt so blessed to be there.

The boys and mostly Mark tried hard to push me.  I got angry at them one day and overheard Mark say to my mom that I am not being myself.  Although they did not understand, I knew that I needed to rest so when the time came for me to really participate in something I could with my full heart.  I probably could have done more and actually regret not reaching deep down and trying hard.  But what I realized after I got home was I needed that rest.  I needed that peace and I needed to be there for me.  I don't think through this whole battle I have ever did anything JUST for me.  Every treatment, every doctor appointment,every hour of research and every crazy "cancer trip" for that very important treatment has been for either my boys, my husband, my family or other carcinoid cancer patients.  I am not trying to be self centered but I think God was saying to me, "rest".  I have surgery coming up on December 10 and believe He was telling me to rest up to begin a new fight.

As I am writing this post I just heard on the television an interview with a terminal cancer patient.  One thing she said, which I have always tried to say but it never sounded so simple,  "When you are told you are dying you begin to live".  To take it further, each day is a blessing and a gift.  If it is spent with you children at the beach building cities or resting on the couch consider it a gift.  I am not going to regret my lack of energy this vacation.  I am going to make the best of what it was, a time for me.  I have a few days before I go into the hospital and I will wrap that time up with the boys. Please keep me and my attitude in your prayers.

Sunny