Today my middle son turns 14 and I feel like its my birthday too. I think back to the very first Birthday post I wrote to my son Logan. I don't like to admit this, but NEVER did I think I would be here to write his 14th birthday post. Maybe that is because that's what the doctors were telling me. I pretended that I did and I think I really tried to make myself (or everyone that loves me) believe I was going to be around and beat this cancer but looking back I deep down thought he would be motherless at 14. I may not have beat it yet but I have crossed many mountains since that first birthday post. I am not writing this to break any hearts. I am writing this because I want to show that life is not predicted by a disease, a cancer, or a doctor. Life is planned out by nobody but God.
Seeing the man that Logan is becoming makes me so grateful that I did fight everyday to be here. He is strong and sensitive. He is kind yet tough. He is smart and funny. He is amazing just the way God intended him to be. In the craziness of my day today I find a minute to think about everything I want him to know before he becomes an adult man. Things that many moms can teach as the years go by. I however feel this urgent need to speed up that process and teach him now. Like:
1. Life is not easy but so worth it. So give it your all and never quit on living it.
2. Treat everyone you meet as if they are your best friend. You never know what could happen.
3. Respect yourself and know that you are worth it. Respect your peers even if you don't agree with them. Respect your elders they, earned that right.
4. Never think life has cheated you or has been unfair to you. Life is what you make it everyday no matter what obstacles are put in front of you.
5. If you are waiting to be happy when life is perfect then you will never be happy. And oh what joy you will miss if you are not happy. Happiness is one thing you can give yourself.
6. Love the Lord, then yourself, then your family, and then everyone else will be easy to love.
7. No matter how angry your brothers make you and how much you want them to go away know that they are the only ones that wont run away when you need them the most. Family is more valuable then all the riches in the world. See the good in the boys that you share a home with.
8. Fight for what's worth fighting for and walk awayfrom fights that aren't worth it.
9. Remember that no matter how hard life seems and how hopeless the outcome looks anything is possible through faith in the Lord.
10. For now, last but most importantly know that you can always come home to were you have unconditional love.
Logan is one of the four reasons I get up every morning. His birthday is a special day. I remember the day he was born as clear as the day itself. Everyday that I am here, no matter hard or easy, is as special as the day my sons where born. I am so glad that cancer has taught me that. "The Good in Cancer".
Happy Birthday my son.!!!!
Sunny
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.
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
Mark A. Carney
C/o S & T Bank
