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, February 21, 2012

Faith

I am sure many of you can guess that I haven't blog lately because I've been having a rough time. I also know that those who have seen me have been worried and the news that I am struggling has been spreading. I feel so blessed that I have so many that care and love me. Thank you for all the prayers, texts, cards, meals and messages.  I have been tremendous bone pain. It's that kinda of pain that over takes you. It changes your personality and cares of the world.  You would do anything for just a minute of relief.  I never get a rest from it and I try so hard to fake it through when I need too.  On Friday I was so tired of feeling crappy and I refused to let this cancer take me.  So I had lunch with an old friend.  A friend that I know it would not matter how sick I was or how much pain I was in because she would understand and not feel sorry for me.  Mark was shocked when I came into his office dressed and ready to go.  I just knew if I got out for only an hour it would at least keep my mind off the pain for that hour.  The hour turned it almost three and it was so nice to chat with her.  She has been with me through my whole battle on a quiet level.  We don't talk all the time but she is that friend that I could call anytime to come running.  So we caught up on everything and she knew exactly when I was getting exhausted and done. Of course when I got home I paid for it a little and slept through the rest of the day only to be awaken to Austen's phone call asking me to meet his basketball team at a local restaurant. I can't say no to the boys when they ask me to do something; I am always afraid I will never get that chance again. So that evening I spent an hour or so with more good friends.  I was not the best company but they understood.

Saturday I have to say I was screaming in pain.  I felt so bad for everyone in this home.  I wonder how they deal with it so well.  My goal was to get it under control so that I could watch my Logan play once soccer game.  I have missed the last several and he made it quite clear that I needed to be here.  I still don't know how I got through except that my Nolan helped me through the whole game.  Getting me in and out of the car and up the bleacher where I sat on his puffy hoodie to be more comfortable.  I have to say that telling you how much my  boys help me sounds kinda sad for them.  However, they are so amazing about the whole thing.  I use to feel guilty about them having to be strong for their mom and then I have seen the great young men they have become and I am proud that they take my burdens at times.  Logan played amazing as goalie and it really gave me such strength to keep fight this pain.  Later that evening I venture out some more to a fundraiser for Austen's baseball team.  That I have to say was probably the worst idea I had but I knew it was important for me to go because many or those running the fundraiser are those who have helped me over the years.  Sunday morning I really paid for it when I struggle to get to church.  Although, I look at it as I could stay home and be in pain or I could go out and try to accomplish something.  Sitting at home was driving me crazy. 

Sunday was just a day of complete torture.  I honestly don't know how I and Mark got through. Except I have to say we did a lot of praying.  Today it seemed to be getting better.  Mark and I were talking today about the pain and what I was going through when he said he was really scared this weekend.  Our conversation started turning towards keeping the faith.  The faith that the pain will get better and that our prayers will be heard.  We talked about the famous "Why?" this happens to me.  Why do I have to go through this? Why it is important to know that there is a reason?  Mark said to me, and I hope I got it right, "I think faith is like believing in advance what you will only understand and see in reverse".  YES, YES that is what I have always wanted to say but never had the right way to say.

Saturday morning in the mist of all my complaining a friend of mine came over to visit. She comes over a few times a week to pray with me. It's been a real blessing to have her take her time to be with me and help me keep the faith. Anyways, I just lost it and sobbed. I was so tired and had not slept for more then an hour and half at the time. Not to mention the exhaustion my whole family was feeling because of this cancer. I have not broke down like that in over a year. I really don't feel sorry for myself I just keep plugging away. However, like I said early extreme pain can put you in a whole different place. I had lost my focus and mostly my patience. 
That cry actually refreshed me to go on and not lose that faith.  I do believe that I am going through this for a reason.  I am not sure what that reason is and I wish I would hear the words cure real soon, but I really hold on to the hope that I will be healed one day.  The doctors may say I am not living in reality but God is the only reality I need.  I know this who post is going to make others uncomfortable when they read it.  If it's hearing about my pain,  my faith or just about hearing I am terminal, according to the doctors.  This what my blog is though.  It is for me to help others see that the worse is never the worse. 

We have troubles all around us, that cannot defeat us.  Sometimes we don't know what to do, but that doesn't me we give up and stop living. That is why I forced myself to participate in life this weekend.  We are hurting sometimes, but that cannot destroy us.  Giving up is not an option.  We are not in our battles alone. Your physical body may be coming weaker or sicker, but it's up to you to keep you spirits new and strong.  We may have small troubles that seem like huge hurdles now, but one day we will look back and see they were just bumps in the journey.  Those bumps were there for a reason.  It may be to teach us a lesson, make us stronger or to just slow us down and see what's important.  What I have learned is the important thing is to set our eyes on not what we can see but what we cannot see.  That is true faith.  That true faith then gives us hope.  The hope keeps us going and gives us perseverance. 

I am going to keep up the fight every day.  I pray that my faith does not shake.  I need patience for God to show me what he has planned.  And I need to keep my eye on what I can't see.  Please be with me in pray.

Love,
Sunny

P.S.  I wanted to let everyone know that on March 3rd we are have a Zumbathon for carcinoid cancer.  Our goal is to raise awareness of this cancer.  It is still the #1 missed diagnosed cancer.  Early diagnosis is important.  So I will be talking about how to detect.  See above for more information.