Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund: October 2011

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'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

Friday, October 28, 2011

Unity Church

I will be at Unity Church in Plum Pa on Sat at 6:00 service and Sunday at 9:30 and 11:00 service for a book signing. Thank you Pastor Frank and my church community for all your support. I hope you can all come and experience our amazing church.
Also, free shipping ends Sunday so order your books online soon. ;)

Thank you,
Sunny

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Day to remember

I honestly don't know how to explain yesterday, The fourth annual "Take a Swing Against Cancer" wiffleball tournament. Amazing, fantastic, humbling, tear jerking, inspirational, and beautiful are just thoughts going through my head. But none of those words describe the day quite the way I would want to. First of all the weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining and high in the 60's. Just a picture perfect day. At one point of the day I stood at the bottom of the hill by the pavilion and quietly took it all in. How can such a riping cancer bring so much joy and happiness? Everyone laughing and having fun. All positive and not a smell of pain or fear around.

I think it really hit me when my friend, Roza, sang the song, "I'm gonna love you through it". Hearing sniffles all around me I could only look straight head and put that fake smile on my face. I became overwhelmed with emotion when I realized that every single person here was here to support me. I can not tell you how Sunday lifted me up. Fighting this cancer is a battle everyday. In the beginning when it was not as advanced I could go a day or two and almost forget that I was fighting this disease. But now that it has advanced there is something, either a pain or sick to my stomach or even tighten the string on my sweatpants because I lost so much weight, everyday or every second that says, "you are sick". However, that does not mean I need to put my head down and feel sorry for myself. How can I do that when I have blessing like Sunday? This day gives me my refuel to kick butt. To take a swing at cancer.

On another note, Today is the first day of sales for my book, "the Sunny Side of Cancer". It's been selling pretty well. Free shipping to the first few days so take advantage of this.

I wanted to announce my newly published book titled, "The Sunny Side of Cancer". It will be in stores and online for Christmas sales. To buy it now go to @ www.sunnycarneycarcinoidcancerfund.blogspot.com. My book is an easy read about my cancer battle through the eyes of a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and business owner. I talk about everything from telling my kids the news, struggles and stress on marriage, the need to raise awareness of NET, treatments and my journey and treatments in Switzerland. My goal is to raise awareness of NET/Carcinoid Cancer and helping others living life with a positive attitude despite the obstacles in our way. I want those that read the book to understand that life can get tough but with faith and strength we can enjoy it. My wish is that after reading this book people put it down and say, "everyday is a blessing....live it to the fullest." I hope you all enjoy it.

I hope those who have followed my blog will buy the book. Mark said that they are going to know me so well they can all move in.

Until Later,
Sunny

Monday, October 17, 2011

On Sale October 25, 2011.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Surprise!!!

I finally feel safe to let the cat out of the bag. The secret can be told because the product is in my hands. Yesterday I had the first batch of the final draft a my book delivered. Yes I wrote a book titled, The "Sunny" Side of Cancer. Let me explain how this came to fruition. Several publisher have contacted me to compose my blog and a few other personal stories in to published book. They wanted me to share my experience of this cancer journey on all aspects from the family personnel pain, to the treatment pain, the insurance issues, trip to Europe, and the awareness I am trying to raise about this rare cancer called neuroendrocine cancer or carcinoid. At the time I was flattered but did not feel that my story was really one anyone would read. Then my blog readings started to increase to a few hundred to thousands all over the world. Finally, a friend of my who works for a editing company talked me into it pulling my journals and blog post together. Next thing I know I was holding the first draft on Mother's day in my hand.

This book is not a medical journal of neuroendrocine carcinoid cancer. I am not an expert nor a doctor on the disease. In fact I am learning everyday and researching every minute I have about this cancer and the upcoming treatments related to carcinoid cancer. So please don't read it trying to learn the technical details or advice on treatments. Read it to see how I as a Christian mother and wife go through everyday with an incurable rare cancer. It is real life drama and I try to show the "Good in Cancer". There are several blog post and many personnel journal post. Its just about living life with an obstacle in the way. I hope people buy it and enjoy it. What I want most is to for those who read it to feel different when they close the last page.

It will debut at the Wiffleball tournament on Oct 23rd. See above for details. On Oct. 25th it will be available for sale on my website. Then by November it will be available on line and in bookstores.

Thank You all who talked me into writing this book. I really hope you enjoy it and give it for Christmas gifts.

Love Always,
Sunny

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Catching Up

There is much to catch everyone up on. First let me begin by telling you I finally had the two day Octreotide Scan. Going through this scan this time really showed me exactly how much my cancer has progressed. When I was first diagnosed it truly was no problem to lay in that tube for hours two days in a row. I actually used that time as almost a mediation period. I am not saying that I enjoyed it but I did it with no issues. Well three weeks ago the repeat of that scan was not as pleasant. The masses in my bones have just taken over. I think it was about eight minutes into the test that I was praying for it to end. By day two I was so worked up about not being able to finish the entire scan that Mark and the tech actually sat with me and cheered me through the whole thing. By the end I was crying and praying uncontrollable. When they finally pulled me out of the tube you would of thought I conquered Mt. Everest. I was hugging everyone and saying over and over again, "I finished it.....I did it". I felt so weak and like a complete baby. But I did it and at that point could care less what anyone was thinking. The scan was on a Tuesday and Wednesday and by Thursday afternoon I called a message from Dr. Freidland that my results were back. Mark wanted me to call him back insistently in fact he was upset I missed the call. However, knowing how the last few months have been for me I really was not ready to hear the news. So I waited the weekend and called him back on Monday.

Dr. Freidland and I went over the results and immediately I made an appointment to see him face to face. The Octreotide showed much progression in the tumors that I already have and several new tumors in my hips, back, legs and liver. I kept the news to Mark and myself until I met with doc and had a game plan. I love all those who care about me but it can be very frustrating for me to give bad news and not have any answers on a solution to those I am giving the news to. The first question that I am asked is, "what are you going to do about it?" and fighting cancer does not always have answers like that.

After my appointment with the doc we started taking steps to a new plan of action. I went for some CT scans to take a closer look at the liver and see exactly what the size of the tumors where. The CT scan also shows what is going on inside the liver and the tumors. With those results we can tell the seriousness of the progression. Dr. Freidland stressed that its time to get a move on some PRRT treatments. He did care if it was in Europe or Houston TX but just get something started before its to late. We are schedule tentatively to go to Houston on November 1st. I say tentatively loosely because their are several factors that come to play. Fist the finances, the LU-177 that has shown best results is extremely expensive. We are saving it's just get it all together. Secondly, I am looking into places in Switzerland, Germany and Holland to see if they are more affordable. So I am reaching out to my NET posses all over the world to please email me any information you may have. Mark and I both agree that money will not stop me from my fight but we need to make smart decisions before we spend this amount of money.

As many of you know the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, passed away this week. The media has been reporting that he passed from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. That rare form of cancer is neuroendrocine, carcinoid or NETS.....whatever way you want to call it. It frustrates me that the media does not report on this further. Today there are several medical talk shows that could expand on this cancer and get the word out that it is the number one misdiagnosed cancer. In some cases it is a slow growing cancer but by the time its been diagnosed it may have been growing for years. Many times its to late once they detect it. I have atypical which means its more aggressive then other forms of NETS. Although, I've been told that its been three years since then. So who knows? My point is as simple as can be: SPREAD THE WORD about carciniod.

On a positive note The Fourth Annual, "Take a Swing Against Carcinoid Cancer Wiffleball Tournament" is only two weeks away. We need you to help us spread the word and grace us with your presences. PLEASE register ASAP. All ages and all types can play. We even had 80 year old Grandma take a swing last year. There is no running, its truly like you neighborhood backyard game of wiffleball. This event is such an amazing day. Great fun and wonderful prizes. We are even auctioning off a FL vacation. If you are not interested in participated come for the day to spend it with your family. Food, beverages and games for a $10 donations. Several groups were upset that they have a football game or a church event. This is event is all day. Come and go as you please. Get you hand stamped and leave. Come back when you are done with your schedule. Don't miss the joy and love that this day brings. Not to mention there is a big surprise this year. BIG SURPRISE!!!! It is truly a wonderful day. Days like these are the reason I fight with all I have. I love seeing all you guys there to support me. Please come.

Sunny